Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-12-15
THE CLAXSWAMN:
An Historical Romance Of the
Ku Klux Klan.
BY THOMAS DIXON, JR.
convrbt by the Author and Published by
A NIGHT HAWK.

physician had gone and his mind had
fully cleared, he would sit for hours
in the sunshine of the vine-clad porch.
asking Elsie Of the village, Its lre'
and it's people He smiled good-natur-
edly at her eager sympathy for their
sufferings as at the enthusiasm or
child who could not understand. He
had come possessed by a great idea
events must submit to 1t. Her assur-
ance that the poverty and losses OF the
people were far in excess Of the worst
they had known during the war was
too absurd even to secure his atten-
ton.
He had refused to know any OF the
people, ignoring the existence Of Elsie's
callers But he had fallen in love with
Marion from the moment he had seen
her The cold eye Of the old fox-hunt-
er kindled with the fire of his forgotten
youth at the sight Of this beautiful
girl seated on the glistening back Of
the mare she saved from death.
AS she rode through the village
every boy lifted his hat as to passing
royalty, and no one, old or young, could
allow her to pass without cry OF ad-
miration. Her exquisite figure had de-
veloped into the full tropic splendor OF
southern girlhood.
She had rejected three proposals
from ardent lovers, on one Of whom her
mother had quite set her heart. A great
fear had grown in Mrs. Lenoir's mind
lest she were in love with Ben Came
ron. She slipped her arm around her
one day and timidly asked her.
A faint flushed tinged Marion's face
up to the roots of her delicate blonde
hair, and she answered, with a quick
laugh:
Mama, how silly you are! You know
I've always been in love with Ben
since I can first remember. know he
is in love with Elsie Stoneman. I am
too young. the world too beautiful, and
life too sweet to grieve over my first
baby love. 1 expect to dance with him
at his wedding. then meet my fate and
build nv own nest"
Old Stoneman begged that she come
every day to see him. He never tired
praising her to Elsie. AS she walked
gracefully up to the house one after
room. holding Hugh by the hand. he
said to Elsie:
Next to you. my dear, she Is the
most charming creature I ever saw.
Her tenderness for everything that
needs help touches the heart Of an old
lame man in a very soft spot"
"rve never seen any one could re-
sist her" Elsie answered. Her gloves
may be worn. her feet cald in old shoes
vet she is always neat, graceful. dainty,
and serene. No wonder her mother
worships her."
Sam Ross. her simple friend. had
stopped at the gate. and looked over
into the lawn as II afraid to come In.
When Mario7 saw Sam, she turned
back to the gate to invite him In. The
keeper of the poor, a vicious looking
negro suddenly confronted him and he
shrank in terror close to the girls side.
black keeper rallied. Amt done tole
you bout runnin' away?"
You let him alone" Marion cried.
The negro pushed her roughly from
his side and knocked Sam down. The
girl screamed for help. and old Stone
man hobbled down the steps, following
Elsie.
When they reached the gate, Mar
ion was bending over the PROSTATE
form.
"Oh, my, my, 1 believe he's killed
him." she walled.
Run for the doctor, sonny, quick
Stoneman said to Hugh. The boy dart
ed away and brought DR.. Cameron.
How dare you strike that man, you
devil?". thundered the old statesman.
case tole i'm ter stay home en- do
de wuk l put i'm at, en- he all de time
runnin' off here ter git sumfin' ter eat.
1 gwine frail de life outen i'm, eff he
doan min me-"
We'll, you make tracks back to the
poor house. I'll attend to this man,
and I'll have you arrested for this be-
fore night" said Stoneman, with a
scowl.
The black keeper laughed as he left.
Not less you'se er bigger man dan
Gubner Silas Lynch. you WON'T"
When Dr. Cameron had restored
Sam. and dressed the wound on his
head where he had struck a stone in
falling, Stoneman insisted that the boy
be put to bed.
Turning to DR.. Cameron, he asked:
why should they put a brute like
this in chrge of the poor?"
That's a large question, sir, at this
time" said the doctor, politely, land
now that you have asked it, l have
some things I've been longing for an
opportunity to say to you"
BE seated. sir" the old Commoner
answered. II shall be glad to hear
them"
Elsie's heart leaped with joy over
the possible outcome of this appeal
and she left the room with smile fol
the doctor.
First, allow me-" said the southern
er, pleasantly, ito express my sorrow
at your long illness, and my pleasure
at seeing you so we'll Your children
have won the love of all our people and
have had our deepest sympathy in your
illness"
Stoneman muttered an inaudible re-
ply. and the doctor went on:
Your question brings up. at once
the problem of the misery and degrade
tion into which our country has sunk
under negro rule"
Stoneman smiled coldly and inter
rupted:
"Of course, you understand my posi-
ton in politics, Doctor Cameron an
a Radical Republican"
so much the better" was the res
ponse. Il have been longing To-
months to get your ear. Your worc
will be all the more powerful If raised
in our behalf. The negro is the mas