The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-02-23

OF his part Of the thefts he had engineered
reached FIVE millions. He opened q mag
nificent office on Wall street, bought a
seat in the Stock Exchange and became
one of the most daring and successful OF
a group OF robbers who preyed on the in
dusties Of Nation.
The new Legislature appointed Fraud
Commission, which uncovered the .infa-
mics of the Legree regime, but every
thief had escaped. They promptly im-
reached the Governor and removed him
from office, and the old Commonwealth
once more lifted up her head and took
her place in the ranks of civilized COM
munities.
The following Saturday the Rev. John
Durham preached at a cross roads school
house in the woods about ten miles from
Hambright. He preached every Satur-
day in the year at such mission sta
ton. He was fond of taking Charlie
with him on these trips. There was an
unusually large crowd in attendance.
and the Preacher was much pleased at
this evidence Of interest. II had been q
hard community to impress. At the
close of the services. while the Preacher
was shaking hands with the people.
Charlie elbowed his way rapidly among
the throng to his side.
Doctor. there's niger man out at
the buggy says he wants 10 see you
quick he whispered
"AlI right, Charlie, in q minute"
Says to como right now. It's a matter
of life and death, and he don't want to
come into the crowd"
A troubled look came over The Preach
ers face and he hastily followed the boy
fearing now sinister meaning TO his
great crowd
Preacher" said the negro looking tim
idly around. "de Ku-K lux Is gwine ter
kin ole Uncle Rufus baltimore ter night
| come ter see eff you can't save him. He
amt done nuthin' in Gods worl' 'cept he
would'n' pun his Vaughn clear outen de
road one day fur dat red headed Allan
Mcleod ter pass, en- he cussed i'm black
and blue en- tole i'm he gwine git eben
wild i'm
"lIow do you know thls?"
Il wuz huntin' in de woods en- hear a
racket en- elm er tree En- de Ku- Kluxes
had der meetin' right under de tree. En-
hear ev'ry word"
who was leading the crowd"
dat Allan Mcleod, en- Hose Norman"
Whore are they going to meet?"
Fright ut de cross roads here at de
school house at midnight Dey sont err
man after plenty er Ticker en- dey gwine
ter git drunk fust ! was erfeered ter
come ter de meetin' case l see er lot
er de boys in de crowd. Fur de Lawd
sake. Preacher, do save de ole man. He
des es harmless ez er chile. En- I'm
gwine ter marry his gal, en- she des plum
crazy. We'se got five men ter fight fur
i'm but spec dey kill em all eff you can't
hep u.s."
"Aint you one of General Worth's ne
groes?"
"Yassir. run erway up here. bout dat
Free'mens's Bureau trick they put ME up
ter, but Use larned better sense now"
We'll, Sam, you go to Uncle Rufus
and tell him not to be afraid. I'll stop
this business before night
The negro stepped into the woods and
disappeared
Charlie, we must hurry" said the
Preacher springing In his buggy. He
was driving a beautiful bay mare, a gift
from Kentucky friend. Her sleek glist-
enng skin and big round veins showed
her fine blood.
well Nancy, it's your life now or a
mans. or maybe dozen. You must
take us to Hambright In fifty minutes
over these rough hills!" cried the Preach
er. And he gave her the reins.
The mare bounded forward with rush
that sent spinnlDS circles of sand
and dust from each wheel. She had sell
dom felt the lines slacken across her
beautiful back except in some great
emergency. She swung past buggies and
wagons without pause The people won
dered why the Preacher wes in such a
hurry.
Cn the mare hw lifting heg proud SEN
s:tiVe head higher and higher, while her
heart beat her foaming TANKS like trip
hammer. She never slackened her speed
for the ten miles, but dashed up to Ma
jor Dameron's gate at shutdown. just for
tynine minutes from the time she started.
The Preacher patted her dripping neck.
coed, Nancy. good! believe you've
got a soul"
She stood with her head still high,
paving the ground.
Major Cameron, I've driven my mare
here at a killing speed to tell you that
young MCLEOD ana nose NORMAN nave
a crowd of young desperadoes organized
to kill old Rufus baltimore tonight. You
must get enough men together, and get
there III time TO stop them. Sam Worth
overheard their plot, knows every one OF
them, and there will be battle ii they
attempt it,"
MY Cod" exclaimed the Major.
you haven't minute to spare They
are already loading up on moonshine
whiskey."
Doctor Durham this is the end of the
Ku-Klux Khan in this county I'll break
UP every lodge in the next forty-eight
hours. It's too easy for vicious men to
abuse it. Its power is too great. Be-
sides its work Is done
Il was just going to ask you TO take
that STEP Major. And now for Gods
sake get there In time tonight. I'd go
with you but my mare can't stand it,
"Tll be there on time. Never fear"
replied the Major. springing on his horse
already saddled at the door.