The daily morning Alaskan., 1903-11-14
.GRIMSHAWS PLAN
rorrnall

pistol that be had found and polished. l Gumbo. as be was called had a pas Lon for shooting and was an expert Within a circle of admirlug darkies be ' Nas tossing up chips and putting bul- hts through them while in the alr. Am prose Grimshaw. the overseer. hearing the shots. went to see what 1t meant From behind one of the cabins he wit messed GumbO's skin without being himself seen. Then advancing. be or iered that the boy receive fifty lashe1 for having firearms m his possession.
 Gumbo bore his punishment with patient endurance. lt was a common occurrence ou that especial plantation owing Co the cruei nature of the over peer. The negro showed no vindicuye ness and was always atterward o0e- dient. even to sccviiiy.
 Prochet. the owner Of tine plantation, was an easy going man, with no head for business. while Grimshaw was aa avaricious as he was cruel One day Precinct discovered that an he pos sessed was abou' Co pass to his over seer. Grimshaw 0as above his class in breeding and education Indeed be was fairly well born Precinct con- celyed the ldea Cf marrying his daugh- fer to Grimshaw on condition that the nroperty be settled on him. Miss Pro ,het objected. especially since while on visit to St. Augustine she had met young officer of the Cuited States arr my at Fort Marion. with whom she had fallen In love and who had asked her hand. But v hen her father told her that a marriage with Grimshaw was tbe only way Go save the plantation she resolved to s1crihcc herself for her ta- ther. whom she loved deyotcoly.
 The war came on. and while Irochet became poorer Gr,mshaw grew richer. being interested in a blockade runner that had made ,eraI successful trips from Southampton Go 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 heaui nothing from him since the firing on Sumter But one morning about sunrise. when DO one suspected there was a Yankee within fifty miles, 10000 of them came hury,ug down the turnpike past the plantation. having made a forced march during the night They went into camp near by. and dur. Ing the day a young captain ot arui- Iery rode up to the prochet manor house to call upon Miss Prochet He was Edgar Pennington, the man who had asked hnr hand.
 His comiuc caused a cOmmotion MT. irochet was in great distress about the matter. Carey's resolution was put to a severe test, while GrimShaw ground his teeth aud vowed that she should uevet wed the young officer.
 One night an officer was picked oh by a hushwh8c6er who was never dis covered. This suggested Go Gr'mShaw a means of getting r.d of his rival He sent for Gumbo Co come Co his rooms.
 "Gumbo." he said "wouid you like your freedom t
 Yes. massa."
 And 5000 besidcsf
 "Yes. uassa. The darky's eyes wess as biz as saucers-
 -very we'll Tonight Captain Pep ningtou will. leave the plantation to ride to camp. will join and ride with him. You follow and when ] take of uy hat shoot him through Che head'
 ~Why don't yo' do dat yo.selt massa 9"
 'T wish to marry Mss Precinct 1T I killed Captain Pennington even in fair fight. it would prevent this mar rIage"
 But wba' fo' dyo' go long with him when be git sLot*
 "To prove that did not shoot him myself. shall give you signal when some one is near Go be witness in my favor. You must shoot from a dis muce. but you are a good shot and can bit your mark easily
 Gumbo lowered bis eyes Co the ground and thought while Gr.msiaw watched him eagerly. Presently the negro looked up and said
 "Reckon ] want dat freedom and de Eve thousan' dollars
 "yery well, lurk near the plantation gate from 10 o'clock t.li you see the man come out 1T you succeed come here tomorrow will keep my word-' At n o'clock Pennington who had ! dnauy secured Miss Prochets consent Co break with Grlmshlw. rode out Of the plantation gate feeling very happy. Be had not gone far before he overlook a horseman whom he recognized as his rival
 Good evening. captain" " said the lat ter. Riding to camp|
 "Yes." said the captain shortly.
 "with your permission I'n ride with you"
 "As you Hke."
 Grimshaw made passing remarks at intervals tll an army courier. with 8 dispatch In his belt met them. wben be raised bis hat. Pennington was as tonished tO see the oyerseer pitch for ward ln bis saddle and fan to the ground.
 It was fortunate for Pennington that there was witness to prove he was Innocent of Grimshaw's death. which was never explained, though 1t was be ue-ed that a bushwhacker had intend cd to kin the officer and had made Q mistake.
 Grimshaw left no heir, and it wal found that bis hold on the Proche' nronertr had been acauIred bv fraudu