The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-01-04

try fer ter fetch de ones whatll do us
de mos good
Very we'll. Mr.. Tommerlin; the old
schoolhouse Is the 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
Gabriel. TIE 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
Gabriel a ceremonious bow. They re-
sponded 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 a
preacher his coat being of the cut and
color of the garments worn by clergymen.
His countenance was pale, but all his
features except his eyes, stood for en-
ergy and determination. The eyes were
restless and shifty, giving him an APP
pearance of uneasiness
what does he mean?" inquired Nan,
when they were out of hearing.
HE means a good DEAL" replied
| Gabriel, who as an interested listener
] III
had heard several prominent men express
fears that just such statements would
| be made to the negroes by the carpet
bag element. )
! but what do you mean by a good
deal?' Nan asked.
You heard what he said" Gabriel an
swered, land you must see what he Is
trying to do. Suppose he should convince
the negroes that the whites are trying
/ 70 hack in thnx-
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 at Gabriel's
explanation, her face was very serious
! indeed
"Yonder comes Miss Claiborne" said
| Gabriel. Goodbye, Nan; I'm still sorry
you are not as you used to be. I must
go and see Mr.. Sanders" With that. he
turned out of the main street. and went
running across the square.
That child worries me-" said Nan, ut
| tering her thought aloud, and uncon-
scously using an expression she had
often heard on Mrs. Absaloms tongue.
Ibid you see that great gawk of a
boy?' she went on, as Eugenia Claiborne
came up. HE hasn't the least dignity"
We'll. you should be glad of that, Man,"
Eugenia suggested. laswM
II? Well please excuse me. If there is
anything l admire in other people, it is
dignity" She Strengthened herself up and
assumed such serious attitude that
Eugenia became convulsed with laughter.
Il must CO." exclaimed Nan, sudden
ly kissing her friend goodbye. Eugena
stood watching her until she was out
of sight and wondered why she was In
such a 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.
ThG she gathered her skirt firmly, drew
1t up 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 she
was well nigh breathless when she
reached home. She rushed into the house
and fell In chair, crying:
"Oh, Nonny!"