News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1902-04-09

week, much less the space Of ten years
He has been all his life under the con.
troll OF others, who have enjoyed the
benefit of his labor. 1t matters not, Sc
far as this controversy Is concerned
whether the defendent Quillebert has
acted in good or bad faith or whether
he has acted against the wishes of the
heirs of Queyrouze. If the plaintiff
cannot show the facts on which the
law declares his emancipation or free.
dom, he must fail in his action.
"The Judgment Of the lower court
which was in favor Of the plaintiff,
must be reversed ="
Oakfell with burning eyes read again
these words of the chief justice: SIT is
matter of no consequence who is own
er. whether Quilebert or the heirs of
QueyrouzP." at matters not whether
the defendant Qullebert has acted IN
good or bad faith or whether he acted
against the wishes of the heirs of Quey.
rolZe."
Sick at heart. he let fall the paper
and lowered his head, murmuring:
''He finds his fellow guilty OF skin
Not coored like his own and having power
To enforce the wrong, for such a worthy cause
Dooms and devotes him his lawful prey
From his gloomy reflection he was re-
called by the voice Of Leon at the door,
saying:
"Mr. Horace, are you sick? Is any
thing wrong?"
EHXnCs I SiOly G onH
something has gone wrong. Leon, the
supreme court has adjudged you a
slave, the slave of Quillebert."
30 merciful God" Leon groaned,
clutching a chair for support. Save
me from that man, Mr.. Horace, or kill
mev'
Save yourself. Take a good horse
from the stable and fly for your life.
Never stop until you are where that
human wolf cannot reach you. The
cursed news may not be known to any
one else in the parish for two days yet,
and, if so, you will have that much
start. Take this and 60" Oakfell
gave him a sum of money.
Some day will prove | am grateful
for all your goodness, SIR" said the
poor fellow, retreating from the door,
Soon the muffled sound of a horse speed
ing over the dusty road was heard, and
Leon was again runaway slave.
The newspapers of the city arrived
two days later, bringing the intelli-
gence of the supreme courts ruling,
with editorial remarks commencing it
as timely check to abolitiOnist propa-
ganda. Great was the rejoicing on the
highlands. The cabarets had a day of
business recalling that of the trial.
Dede did so thriving a trade that he
was put to bed early in the afternoon,
leaving the harvest to the madame.
At night bonfires were lighted. and po-
MES clattered and fitted across the
prairie, their courses indicated by the
cracking of pistols and shrill cries of
Long live Quillebertw Down with
Oakfell"
The victor received the congratula-
lions of his admirers at Dedes with
profuse entertainment of gumbo and
rum, but with the tranquility of
strategist who had foreseen success
planned through feigned retreat. Pratt
jeans lips and eyes were beyond con-
troll and continued to dance long after
the hot rum had stilled his tongue.
Oakfell assembled his friends and,
explaining that the decision could be
used as an effective weapon against
him in the convention, requested their
leave to withdraw his candidacy. Aft
err much discussion the business Of his
view was conceded, and the consent he
desired was given. A formal note was
received from Pratjean demanding the
return to his client Quillebert of the
slave Leon, who. the writer said. was
harbored by Oakfell. 1t was consigned
TO the flames. A little letter came
through the local post saying. II suffer
for poor Odette's grief but more be-
cause you suffer and through my fault"
This was not consigned to the flames.
The result of the litigation was a Sc
we're shock to the young lawyer. His
confidence in his fellow men was weak
ened. He lost respect for authorities.
Ambitions seemed but snares to peace
of mind. Wrong. chicanery and cruel
ty appeared essential to success. His
brother. upon whom he had lavished so
much affection. could not or did not
cheer his dropping spirit The time