Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-07-21
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Red FIag Of the AuctlOneer.

The Red Flag of the Auctioneer.
The excitement through which Tom
Camp had passed in the death of his
daughter, and the stirring events con-
nected with II, had been more than his
feeble body could endure. He had been
stricken with paroxysms of pain and
nausea from HIS old wounds. For three
days and nights he had suffered unspeak-
able agonies. He had borne his pain with
stoical Indifference.
tom, old man, do look at me! You
skeer me-" said his wife leaning tender
ly over him.
"Oh! I'm all right, Annie
what was you studyin' about then7'
81 was just a thinkin we didn't kill
babies in the war. Them was awful
times but they wuz nothin' to what we're
goin' through now. The Lord knows BEST
but I can't understand it."
well. don't talk any more. You're too
weak"
II must git up, Annie. Got to git out
anyhow. The sheriff's goin' to sell us cut
today, and want to sorter look round
once before we CO."
So, leaning on his wife's arm, he hob
bled around the place saying goodbye to
its familiar objects. They stopped before
the garden gate.
Don't go In there. Tom, can't stand
It," cried his wife. when I think of
leavin' that garden I've worked so hard
on all these years, and that's give US 80
many good things TO eat, and never fall
ed us the year round, Just feel like it'll
tear my heart out"
do you mind the day we set out these
trees, Annie, an you, my own purity gal
holdin' EN- fur me while packed the dirt
around 'em, and told you how sweet you
wuz?"
Eyes, and I love every twig of 'em.
They've all helped me in times Of need!
Obi Lord, it's hard TO give 1t up!" She
couldn't keep back the tears.
'WelE now, ole woman, you mustn't
break down. You're strong and we'll, and
I'm all shot to pieces and crippled and
no count. But the Lord still lives. Wen
get this place back. The Lords just try
ing our faith. He thinks mebbe I'll give
up"
''You think we can ever get 1t back7"
General Worth sent me word he
couldn't do anything now, but TO let 1t
60 and keep a stin upper lip. The general
amt no fool"
Surely the Lord can't let us starve."
"Starve! reckon not! The foxes
have holes, the birds of the air nests, but
the Son Of Man had not where to lay His
head, but He never starvedl No, Gods
In heaven. I'll trust Him."
A hooking bird whose mate had just
built her nest to rear a second brood for
the 6GdSOA was SCdNcu Ol Tue AOPAAOoN
branch of cedar near the house, and
singing as though he would Ill heaven
and earth with the glory Of his love.
Just listen at that bird, TomP' whis-
pered his wife.
HE does sing sweet, don't her
"Oh dear. on dear, how can 1 give it all
up! I've fed that bird and his mate for
years. He knows my voicN can call
him down out of that tree. Many a night
when YOU were away in the war he sat
close to my window and sang softly TO me
all night. When I'd wake, I'd hear him
singin low like he was afraid he'd wake
somebody ia sit down there by the
window and cry for you and dream of
your comm home till he'd sing me to
sleep in the chair And now we've got
to leave him! Oh Lord, my heart Is
brokenl I can't see the wayl'
She buried her face on Toms shoulder
and shook with sobs.
Hush, hush, honey. we must face
trouble. We are used to it."
''But not this Tom. TIN tear my heart
out when I have to leave"
"It can't be helped, Annie. We've got
to pay for this niger government"
Eleven o'clock was the hour fixed for
the sale. At half past ten a crowd of
negroes had gathered. There were only
of the Freedman's Bureau and some of
his henchmen.
They began to inspect the place. Tim
Shelby was present, dressed in a suit Of
broadcloth and silk hat placed jauntily
on his close-cropped scalp.
That's fine orchard, gentlemen" Tim
exclaimed.
Eyes, en- OATS er fine gyarden," said a
negro standing near.
Lets look at the house." said Tim
starting to the door.
Tom stood up in the doorway with a
musket in his hand.
'Put your foot on that doorway and
I'll blow your brains out, you fiat-nosed
baboonP'
Tim paused and bowed with a smile.
"Ain't the premises for sale, Mr..
Camp?'
yes, but my family amt for inspection
by niggers"
Just wanted to see the condition of the
house, sir" said Tim still smiling.
"Well, I'm Twin here yet, and don't you
forget it," answered Tom with quiet en-
phasis. Tim walked away laughing.
Tom stepped out Of the house, and
with his wooden leg marked a dead line
around the house about ten feet from
each corner. To the crowd that stood near
he said in q clear ringing voice as he
stood up in the doorway.
'rn kill the first niger that crosses
that line"
There was no attempt to cross 1t. They
did not like the look on Toms face as he
sat there pale and silent. And they
could hear the sobs of his wife inside.
The sale was a brief formality. There
was but one bidder, the Honorable Tim
Shelby. II was knocked down TO Tim for
the sum of eighty-five dollars, the exact
amount Of the levy which Legree and his
brigands had fixed.