Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1902-02-15
MASTER 0n0
SLAVE 3 BY, + ruo.,,
Copyright. 1901. by T. H. Thorpe
Copyright. 1901. by T. H. Thorpe.

charcoal burners. fishermen and hunt
ers OF the mallard and the papabote
Inc Insinuation was dropped amonS
them that the suit was a move on the
part OF the abolitionists and Oakfel
was their agent. and close upon II fol
lowed the rumor, traceable TO no source
that while at Baton Rouge he received
numerous letters from Boston, Albany
Philadelphia and Oberlin.
The night OF the Sunday preceding
Christmas found Quillebert presiding
at the baize covered table in the back
room Of Dede's cabaret at Mansura,
There were no cards or chips on the
cloth, but In their stead were dishes
and a great bowl OF steamin0 Rumbo
prepared by Dede's wife Che had no
negroes) and glasses and pitchers of
hot rum spiced by Dede himself.
Around the board were DR.. De Roux.
Aristides Portvie, Fulgence Jadot, Mar
tin Brille, Alice Robelin, Homer Tit
bout, Norbert Cazebat and Tibource
Pratjean. The last was q swarthy, big
3awed, low browed man, short and
broad shouldered, a lawyer who IN the
AoSN GAC(AEOh hd4 OCCh du uhSuCGGb6lul
candidate for the judgeshlp. His rest
less black eyes, small and set close to-
gether, hooked nose and twitching lips
over an assertive chin revealed the spir-
it and faculties suited to further the
purposes OF Quillebert. The outer doors
were locked and windows barred. Nine
saddled horses stood under the long
low shed at the rear OF the cabaret in
closure.
Listen, Constant" said Pratjean.
I'm the court | shall say the plaintiff
was born n slave; his master never
emancipated him. Emancipation must
be express; it cannot be inferred from
conduct. Born a slave, never emanci-
pated, whence got he the right to sue
and stand in Judgment? Answer me
that, First. the question. Has he the
right to sue? If you can answer yes to
that, only then the second question,
ownership vel non. IL you must an
swcr no. then, though NJ. Quillebert
owns him not, the plaintiff is out Of
court and cannot be heard. No right.
no suit; that's ALL"
That's sou came from his auditors
in enthusiastic chorus.
softly! Softly! Not so fastr ex-
claimed Quillebert, humping the table
with his glass. "All that fine logic
may do for the day OF trial or it may
not. The judge truckles TO the Ameri-
cans too much for my taste"
lie does aSsented Pratt Jean.
therefore, Quillebert continued,
eve would be fools 10 run to him. Slow
is the word. Delay, postpone, put off,
tire them out, threadbare the case,
starve il, so that when II finally gets
into court IL must be carried on lit
ter. You can do that. eh, TibourceT
That is my forte" the lawyer an
swercd, chuckling.
Meanwhile" Quillebert went on,
prove to your neighbors. your wives
and daughters that ii is all an abolI-
ton trick; that the people are being be-
trayed by this Dragging American and
the aping lowland creoles. Why, that
Latiolais girl is already ashamed to
speak French In company"
BAH" calculated three of the listen
ers and spat on the floor.
when the true French get to under
stand rightly what this case means,
Oakfell will not have courage to try II,
or, If he does, the judge will not dare
to decide in favor OF the negro" Guile
bert emphasized this forecast with a
noisy blow frcm his fist upon the table
but. Constant" De Roux inquired,
what about Leon in all this delay?"
Il have considered that" Quillebert
replied. 'The rascal has gone, spirited
away, OF course. by Oakfell. / tracked
him to the steamboat wood pile on the
near Simsport and will
hunt for him no farther. If win this
case. l will sue Oakfell for $4,000
damages for abductIng my jockey and
$40, 900 more for defaming me. / will
teach him what it is to threaten a
Frenchman with lynch law. And old
Latlolais shall weep a bucketful Of
tears for the meddling OF his pearly
granddaughter, for hold $4,000 OF his
notes."
AYE, VI vi! Leonidas be hangedw
cried Dede, and the glasses clattered
approval.
so you see there is a fine campaign,
with spoils for you, Tibource," said
Quillebert.
And planned with the skill of
the lawyer declared. his mean
little eyes sparkling. while his tongue
the jumping lips.
And now" - Quillebert produced
and pencil which of you
has heard Leon admit he was my
SLAYER"
Il at the race track" answered ia
dot. Brille and Titbout.
And ! at the church." said Portyie.
And I"-Dede's utterance was thick
and his pose unsteady right here
with me-"
Never mind. Dede; you can be spared.
but the rest of you will remember this
when called as witnesses at court" he
said to the others, writing in his note
book
I'VE will. sure. sure, sure" they prom
ised, and he returned the book to his
pocket
Bon" said Quillebert. "Fulgence,
tell old grandpere to let you have
. 4.