The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-01-04
GABRIEL TOLLIVER. ANOvEL OF RECONSTRUCTION.

~ esesse f@seSSSS8 I with an expression of perplexity in her countenance, and tapping the ground im- patiently with one foot, the young people got the first whiff of the troubles that had been slowly gathering over that re- zion. Around the corner near which they stood two men had paused to finish an earnest conversation. they were hid from Nan and Gabriel by the high brick wall that encircled Madame Awtry's back yard.
 '.As president of this league" said a voice which neither Nan nor Gabriel could recognise. you will have great re- sponsibility. hope you realize it."
 I'm in hopes does, suh." replied the other, whose voice there was no difficulty In recognizing as that of the Rev. Jere- miah Tomlin.
 "As you so aptly put 1t last night at your church, the bottom rail is now on top, and it will stay there if the colored people know their own interests. Every dollar that has been made in the South during the past two hundred years was made by the niggeroes and belongs to them"
 Dat Is so, suh; lat is de Lords trufe. realize dat, suh; an I will try fer ter make my people reelize it." responded the Rev. Jeremiah.
 What you lack In experience" con- tinued the first speaker, you make up in numbers. It Is important to remember that. Organize your race, get them to- gether, impress upon them the necessity of acting as one man. Once organized, you will find leaders. All the arrange ments have been made for that"
 I hears you, suh; an b'lieves you." replied the Rev. Jeremiah with great ceremony.
 You have seen white men from a distance coming and going. Where did they go?"
 "Dey went ter Clopton's suh; right dar an nowhars else. l seed unn, suh, wid my own eyes,"
 You don't know what they came for. We'll. will tell you; they came here to devise some plan by which they can de- prive the niggeroes of the right to vote. Now, what do you suppose would be the simplest way to do this?' The Rev. Jeremiah made no reply. He was evident ly waiting in awe to hear what the plan was. You don't know" the first speak CT went on to say; well. I will tell you. They propose to re-enslave the colored people. They propose to take the bal lots out of their hands and put in their place the hoe and the plough-handles. They propose to deprive you of the free dom bestowed upon you by the martyr President
 You don't tell me, suh! Well! wellv'
 "Yes, that is their object, and they will undoubtedly succeed if your people do not organize, and stand together. and give their support to the Republican Party"
 'I have b'longed to de Erpublican par ty, suh, sense fust l heard do name"
 We meet tonight in the schoolhouse. Bring only few-men whom you can trust, and the older they are the better"
 T ain't so right down cuttin and sho' bout dat, suh. Some CT de ol' ones is mighty sot In der ways; dey ain't got de larnin', suh. an dey dunner what's good fer m. But I'll pick out some, suh; I'll try fer ter fetch de ones what'l do us de mos good"
 "Very we'll, MT. Tommerlin; the old schoolhouse Is tie place. and there'll be no lights that can be seen from the out side. Rap three times slowly, and twice quickly-so. pass word is'
 He must have whispered 1t. for no sound came to the ears of Nan and Ga- briel. The latter motioned his head to Nan, and the two walked around the corner.
 The Rev. Jeremiah took off his hat and smiled broadly, as he gave Nan and Ga- briel a ceremonious bow. They respond ed to his salute and passed on. The white man who had been talking to the negro was a stranger to both of them, | though both came to know him very well too well, in fact-a few months later. He had about him the air Of preacher, his coat being of the cut and color of the garments worn by clergymen. His coun- 1 tenance was pale, but all his features, except his eyes, stood for energy and de- termination. The eyes were restless and shifty, giving him an appearance of un- 1 easiness.
 What does he meanr inquired Nan, when they were out of hearing.
 He means a good deal," replied Ga- briel, who as an interested listener had heard several prominent men express fears that just such statements would be made by the carpet-bag element.
 But what do you mean by a good deal?" Nan asked.
 You heard what he said" Gabriel an- swered, and you must see what he is trying to do Suppose he should con- vince the negroes that the whites are try- ing to put them back In slavery, and they should rise and kill the whites and burn all the houses?'
 Now Gabriel, you know that is all nonsense" replied Nan, trying to laugh: In spite of her effort to smile as Gabriel's s explanation, ner race was very se(lous indeed.
 Wonder comes Mss Claiborne" said Gabriel. Good bye, Nan; I'm still sorry you are not as you used to be. I must go and see MT. Sanders" With that, he turned out of the main street. and went running across the square.
 That child worries me-" said Nan, uttering her thought aloud and uncon- sciously using an expression she had often heard on Mrs. Absalom's tongue. Did you sec that great gawk of a boy?' she went on, as EugenIa Claiborne came up. He hasn't the least dignity"
 ''Well, you should be glad of that, Man." Eugenla suggested.
 'I2 We'll, please excuse me. If there Is anything I admire in other people, 1t Is dignity" She stralghtened herself up and assumed such a serious attitude that Eugenia became convulsed with laugh ter.
 ''I must go.' exclaimed Nan suddenly. kissing her friend good bye. Eugenia stood watching her until she was out of sight. and wondered why she was in such hurry.
 And while she was going home a thought struck her, and it seemed to be so important that she stopped still and clapped the palms of her hands together with an energy unusual to young ladies. Then she gathered her skirt firmly, drew 1t up a little. and went running along the road as rapidly as Gabriel had run. Fortunately. a knowledge Of the rules of etiquette had not had the effect of par alyzing Mans leg She ran so fast that