The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-03-30
CHAPTER XXXIV.
EQUALITY WITH A RESERVATION.

EQUALITY WITH A RES
The longer CASTOR pondered over the
tragic events of that lynching the more
sinister and terrible became its meaning
and the deeper he was plunged in
melancholy
Beyond all doubt within his own mem
DRY, since the negroes under Legree's
lead had drawn the color line, the races
had been drifting steadily apart. The
gulf was now impossible.
Such crimes as Dick had committed,
and for which he had paid such an awful
penalty, were unknown absolutely under
slavery. and were unknown for two years
after the war. Their first appearance
was under Legree's regime. Now, scarce
ly a day passed in the South without
the record OF such an trocity, swiftly fol-
lowed by lynching, and lynching had
become a habit.
His depression and brooding over the
fearful events in which he had so re-
Gently taken part had tinged his whole
life and all its hopes with sadness. He
had reflected this in his letters to Sallie
Worth without even mentioning the
events. His heart was full of sickening
foreboding. How could one love and be
happy in a world haunted by such hor-
hour of final decision. He told her of his
sense of loneliness and isolation, and
of his inexpressible need of her love and
presence in his daily life.
Her answer had only intensified his
moody feelings. She had written that
her love grew stronger every day and
his love more and more became neces-
sary to her life. and yet she could not
cloud its future with the anger of her
father and the broken heart OF her
mother by an elopment She feared such
shock would be fatal and all her life
would be embittered by it. They must
wait. She was using all her skill to
win her father, but as yet without sue
cess. His will seemed to harden. But
she determined to win him and it would
be So
The letter had closed by saying she
was preparing for another trip to Bos-
ton to visit Helen Lowell and that she
should be absent at least a month. She
asked that his next letter be addressed
TO Boston.
Somehow Boston seemed just then out
OF the world on another planet, it was
SO FAR away and its people and their life
so unreal to his imagination.
But he sighed and turned resolutelv TO
MS work of preparation for an event in
MS lie which he meant to make great
IN the history of the State. 1t was the
meeting OF the Dmocratic Convention as
yet nearly Two years in the future He
held subordinate position in his party's
councils, but defeat and ruin had taken
the conceit out of the old line leaders
and he knew that his day was drawing
near.
III take my place among the leaders
and masters of men, he told himself with
quiet determination, "and | will comneI
the Generals respect; and if l can not
win his consent. 1 will take her with
out it,
The lynching at Hambright had stirred
the whole nation into unusual indignant
interest. 1t happened to be the climax
of series of such crimes committed in
the South in rapid succession, and the
death of this negro was reported with
more than usual vividness by a young
newspaper man of genius.
grand mass meeting was called in
Cooper Union, New York, at which were
gathered delegates from different cities
and States to give emphasis and unity
to the movement and issue an appeal to
the National Government.
When Sallie Worth reached Boston. she
found Helen Lowell at home alone The
Hon. Everett Lowell had made one of
the speeches of his career at the mass
meeting held in Faneuil Hall, and he
was in New York where, he had gone
TO make the principal address in the
Cooper Union Convention of negro SYM
pathizers and protestants.
George Harris had accompanied him,
supremacy fascinated by the eloquence
ana masterful appeal for human brother
mood he had heard him make in Boston
harris had published a volume of
poems which he had dedicated to Lowell
ana MS most inspiring verse was simply
tne outpouring of his soul in worship
of this ideal man.
he was his devoted worshipper for
anoenef and more powerful reason. In
ms daily intercourse with him In his
library during his campaigns he had fire.