The Gainesville star. [volume] (Gainesville, Fla.) 1903-19??, 1903-06-23
GRIMSHAWS PLAN
LOrIelnaLl

Within a circle of admiring darkies hS
was tossing up chips and putting bull
lets through them while In the air. Am
brose Grimshaw, the oyerseer, hearing
the shots, went TO see what 1t meant
From behind one OF the cabins he wit
messed Gumbo's skill without being
himself SEEN Then, advancing, he or
dered that the boy receive fifty lashei
for having firearms in his possession
Gumbo bore his punishment with
patient endurance. II was common
occurrence on that especial plantation
owing TO the cruel nature OF the over
seer The negro showed no yindictive-
ness and was always afterward ODE
dent, even to servillty.
Prochet, the owner OF the plantation,
was an easy going man, with no head
for business, while Grimshaw was az
avaricious as he was cruel. One dag
Prochet discovered that all he pos.
sessed was about to pass to his over
seer. Grimshaw was above his class In
breeding and education. Indeed he
was fairly well born. Prochet con-
ceived the idea Of marrying his daugh-
ter to Grimshaw on condition that the
property be settled on him. Miss Pro
Chef objected, especially since while on
a visit to st. Augustine she had met q
young officer Of the United States ar
my at Fort Marion, with whom she had
fallen In love and who had asked her
hand. But when her father told her
that marriage with Grimshaw was
the only way to save the plantation she
resolved to sacrifice herself for her ia
Their, whom she loved devotedly.
The war came on, and while Prochet
became poorer Grimshaw grew richer,
being interested In blockade runner
that had made several successful trips
from Southampton to Charleston. It
was at this time that Miss Prochet con-
scented to marry him. The war had sep
arated her from her northern lover, and
she had heard nothing from him since
the firing on Sumter But one morning
about sunrise, when no one suspected
there was a Yankee within fifty miles,
10000 of them came hurrying down the
turnpike past the plantation, having
made forced march during the night.
They went into camp near by, and dur
ing the day a young captain Of artil.
lery rode up to the Prochet manor
house to call upon Miss Prochet He
was Edgar Pennington, the man who
had asked her hand.
His coming caused a commotion. Mr..
Prochet was In great distress about
the matter Carey's resolution was
put to a severe test, while Grimshaw
ground his teeth and vowed that she
should never wed the young officer.
One night an officer was picked or
by bushwhacker who was never dis
covered. This suggested to Grlmshaw
means of getting rid Of his rival. He
sent for Gumbo to come to his rooms.
"Gumbo," he said, would you like
your freedomr
Eyes, massa."
"And 5000 besldesT'
ayes, massa." The darky's eyes were
as big as saucers.
every well. Tonight Captain Pen
nington will leave the plantation to
ride to camp. l will join and ride with
him. You follow and when I take OF
my hat shoot him through the head"
"Why don't yo' do dat yo'self.
massaf"
81 wish to marry Miss Prochet II
I killed Captain Pennington even In Q
fair fight, 1t would prevent this mar
rage"
"But wha' TO- d'yo 90 long with him
when he git shotr'
ITO prove that did not shoot him
myself. l shall give you a signal when
some one is near to be witness In my
favor You must shoot from q dis
lance. but you are good shot and can
hit your mark easily"
Gumbo lowered his eyes to the
ground and thought while Grimshaw
him eagerly. Presently the
negro looked up and said:
Reckon l want dat freedom and de
Ave thousan' dollars"
every well; Turk near the plantation
gate from 10 O'Clock till you see the
man come out. II you succeed, come
here tomorrow. will keep my word"
At IL o'clock Pennington. who had
finally secured Miss Prochet's consent
to break with Grfmshaw, rode out Of
the plantation gate feeling very happy.
He had not gone far before he overlook
a horseman whom he recognized as hlc
rival.
Good evening, captain" said the lat
ter. Riding to campT
EYES," said the captain shortly.
with your permission III ride with
you"
"As you like"
Grimshaw made passing remarks at
intervals till an army courier, with q
in his belt met them, when
he raised his hat. Pennington was as
tonished to see the oyerseer pitch for
ward In his saddle and fall 30 the
ground.
1t was fortunate for Pennington that
there was a witness 70 prove ne Nhs
Of Grimshaw's death, which
was never explained. though It was be-
lIeved that a bushwhscker had intend
ed to kill the officer and had made .
Grimshaw left no heir. and II was
found that his hold on the Prochet
property had been acquired By fraudu-
lent means and was void.
After the war Captain Edgar Pen
nington returned to the south and took
back with him Miss Carey ProcAet
Gumbo became the captains body serv-
ant. but II be told his master how
Gnmshaw met his death Pennington
kept the secret
NARY ALICE BEREsFoRD. 4