The daily morning Alaskan., 1903-07-08
GRIMSHAW'S PLAN.
IOrlrlnnll

Itates a young negro was one evening" liter a hard days hoeing, enjoying the recreation of pracuclng with an old pistol that be had found and polished. Gumbo. as be was called. had a pas lion for shooting and was an expert Within Q circle of admiring darkies he was tossing up chips and putting bull ets through them while In the air. Am prose Grimshaw, the overseer, hearing the shots, went to sec what it 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 lashes for having firearms In his possession
 Gumbo bore his punishment with patient endurance. It was Q common occurrence on that especial plantation owing to the cruel nature of the over seer. The negro showed no ylndictive- ness and was always afterward obe- nlent. even to servility.
 Prochet. the owner of the plantation, was an easy going man. with no head for business, while Grlmshaw was as avarlcious as he was cruel. One day Precinct discovered that all he pos sessed was about to pass to his over seer. Grlmshaw was above his class In breeding and education. Indeed he was fairly well born. Prochet con ceiyed the Idea of marrying his daugh- ter to Grimshaw on condition that the property be settled on him. Miss Pro ehet objected. especially since while on a visit to st. Augustine she had met 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 a marriage with Grimshaw was the only way to save the plantation she resolved to sacrifice herself for her fa- ther. whom she loved devotedly.
 The war came on. and while Prochet became poorer Grlmshaw grew richer being interested in a blockade runner that had nude several successful trips from Soutl ampton to Charleston. lt was at thls time that Miss Prochet con sented 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 young captain Of artii lery rode up to the Ptochet manor house to call upon Miss Prochet. He was Edgar Pennington. the man who had asked her hand.
 Ills cOmlng caused a cOmmotion. NIT. Prochet was In great distress about tho matter. Carey's resolution was put to q severe test, while Grlmshaw ground his teeth and vowed that she should never wed the young officer.
 One night an officer was picked on by a bushwhacker who was never dis' covered. This suggested to Grimshaw a means of getting rid of his rival He sent for Gumbo to come to his rooms.
 "Gumbo," be said. would you like your freedomr
 "Yes, massa."
 And 5000 besidesf"
 "Yes. massa." The darky's eyes wen as big as sRucers.
 "yery well. Tonight Captain Pen nington will leave the plantation to ride to camp. will join and ride with him. You follow and when take on my hat shoot him through the head"
 "why don't yO' do dat yo'self' massaT'
 q wish to marry Mss Precinct h | killed Captain Pennington even in fair fight. it would prevent this mar riage."
 But wha' fo' GyO' go long with him when he git shotr'
 HTo prove that did not shoot hlm myself. shall give you signal when some one is near to be a witness fin my favor. You must shoot from a dis- tance. but you are Q good shot and can bit your mark easily"
 Gumbo lowered his eyes to the ground and thought while Grimshaw watched him eagerly. Presently the negro looked up and said:
 Reckon want dat freedom and de ave thOusan' dollars."
 -Very well: Turk near the plantation gate from 10 o'clock tn you see the man come out. If 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 Grlmshaw, rode out of the plantation gate feeling very happy. He had not gone far before he overlook . horseman whom he recognized as hls rival.
 Good evening, captain" ," said the lat ter. Riding to campr
 Yes" said the captain shortly.
 "with your permission rn ride with you"
 "As you Ike"
 Grimshaw made passing remarks at intervals till an army courier, with a dispatch ln his belt. met them. when be raised hls hat. Pennington was as- tonlshed to see the oyerseer pitch for. ward in bis saddle and fall to the ground.
 It was fortunate for Pennington that there was a witness to prove he was innocent of Grlmshaw's death. which ..-.. ....... .,-,,I.g~al khottOh ff xrsao ha-