The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-03-23


] cracy, under which the credit of the
forty black counties had been rescued
from bankruptcy at the expense of local
government.
When the lawmakers who succeeded
! Legree had put this centralized power in
force. these forty counties were immedi-
ately lifted from ruin to prosperity. But
no negro ever held another office in
them.
Now the negroes demanded the return
of the principles of pure Democracy and
| the right to elect all town, township and
county officers direct. They got their
demaads They took charge in short
order of these great rich counties in the
black belt, and white men ceased to hold
| the offices.
A negro college graduate started a
newspaper at independence noted for its
open demands for the recognition of the
economic, social and political equality
of the races. Young negro men and wo-
men walking the streets now refused to
| give half the sidewalk to white man or
woman when they met, and there were
an increasing number of fights from
| such causes.
CASTOR noted these signs with a grow
ing sense of their import, and began his
work for the second great campaign. The
election for a Legislature alone, he
knew, was lost already. His party had
simply abandoned the fight. The Allied
Party had passed new election laws, and
| under the tutelage of the doubtful meth
DDS of the past they had taken every
partisan advantage possible within the
limits of the Constitution They could
not be overthrow short of a political
earthquake, and he knew it. But he
thought he heard in the depths of the
earth the low rumble of its coming, and
he began to prepare for it.
Three weeks before Christmas he be-
gan to dream of the visit he was to
make to independence to see Sallie
Worth.
And then like a thunderbolt out of a
clear sky came a fearful letter announc-
ing another storm at home. Her father
had again forbidden her to write. She
said, at the last, that Gaston's visit
must be postponed indefinitely for the
present. He gazed at the letter with a
hardened look.
81 will go. I'll face General Worth in
his own home and demand his reasons
for such treatment. l am a man. / am
entitled to the respect of a man" He
made this declaration with a quiet force
that left no doubt about his doing it..
He wrote Sallie that he could not and
would not endure such fight in the
dark with the general, and that he was
going to independence on the day before
Christmas, as she had planned at first,
to have it out with him face to face.
She wrote in reply and begged him I'M
der no circumstances to come until con-
ditions were more favorable. He got this
letter the day before he was to start.
I'll go and I'll see him if 1 have to
fight my way into his house, that's all
there is to it," he exclaimed.
When he reached independence, st.
Glare met him at the depot, and gave
him an eager welcome.
I've been expecting you, you hard
headed fool!" he said, impulsively.
well, your words are not equal to
your handshake. What's the matter?"
asked CASTOR.
You know what's the matter. Miss
Salle has been to see me this afternoon,
and begged me to chain you at my house
if you came to town today
We'll, you'll need handouts, and help
to get them on replied CASTOR, with
quiet decision.
Look here, old boy, you're not going
down to that house tonight with the old
man threatening to kill you on sight,
and your girl bordering on COLLAPSED"
Il am. I've been bordering on col
lapse for some time myself. I'm getting
used to it,"
You're a fool"
Granted, but I'll risk it."
I'm going, Bob 1t isn't any use for
you to waste your breath"
You know where my heart is, old
chum," said Bob, yielding reluctantly.
Il couldn't go down to that house to-
night under the conditions you are going
for the world"
why not? It's the manly thing to
do"
ITS dangerous thing to do. Fathers
have killed men under such conditions
with less provocation."
well, Bob, I'll risk it. I'm going as
soon as 1 can brush up little.'
Bob walked with him to the outskirts
of the city, begging in vain that he
his pace
When he turned to go home, Bob
pressed his hand and said, Good luck!
And may your shadow never grow less.
You're a game chicken"
CASTOR pressed his hand and walked
rapidly on toward lakewood.
AS he stepped briskly up to the door,
he started at a sudden thought. What if
the general had ordered the servants to
slam the door in his face! The posi-
bility of such an unforeseen insult made
the cold sweat break out over his face
as he rang the bell. No matter, he was
in for it now. he would face all hell if
need bel
He waited but an instant, and heard
the heavy tread of a man approach the
door. Instinctively he knew that the
general himself was on guard, and would
open the door. Evidently he had expect
ed him.
The door opened about two feet and
the general glared at him with livid
rage. He held one hand on the door
and the other on it's facing, and his tow
ering figure filed the space.
Good evening, general" said CASTOR
with embarrassment.
! III, 1, TIoI