Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-11-21
THE CLAYSMAN:
An Historical Romance of the
Ku Klux Klan.
BY THOMAS DIXON, JR.
Author and Published by Doubleday, Page Co.

I ed him. He seemed much better the
day before the end came, and we took
him for a little drive to Lovers Leap.
II was there sixteen years ago, he
made love to Jennie. When we prop
ped him up on the rustic seat, and he
looked out over the cliff and the river
below, l have never seen a face so
transfigured with peace and Joy.
What a beautiful world 1t Is, my
dearsr' he exclaimed, taking JEANNE
and Marion both by the hand.
They began to cry, and he said with
smile:
Come now-do you love me?"
And they covered his hands with
kisses.
"Well, then you must promise me
two things faithfully here, with Mrs.
Cameron to witness!"
I'VE promise" they both said in
breath.
THAT when fall asleep, not one
one thread Of black shall ever cloud the
sunlight of our little home, that you
will never wear 1t, and that you Will
show your love for me by making my
flowers grow richer, that you will keep
my memory green by always being as
beautiful as you are today, and make
this old world a sweeter place to live
in. / wish you, JEANNE, my mate to
keep on making the young people glad.
Don't let their joys be less even for
month because / have laid down to
rest. Let them sing and dance"
"Oh, Papa!" cried Marion.
Certainly, my little serious beauty
I'll not be far away. I'll be near and
breathe my songs into their hearts, and
into yours-you both promise?"
Yes, yes!" they both cried.
drnva hank fhrOnch the woods
he smiled tenderly and said to me:
my neighbor, Doctor Cameron. pays
taxes on these woods. but own them!
Their signing boughs, stirred by the
breezes, have played for me oratorios
grander than all the scores of human
genius. I'll hear the Choir Invisible
play them when ] sleep"
He died that night suddenly. With
his last breath he sighed:
Draw the curtain and let me see
again the moonlit woodsi"
They are trying to carry out his
wishes. / found they had nothing to
eat, and that he had really died from
insufficient nourishment--a polite ex-
preston meaning starvation. I've d.
vided half our little store with them
and send the rest to you. l think
Marion more and more the incarnate
soul Of her father. I feel as II they
are both my children.
My little grandchick, Hugh, Is the
sweetest youngster alive. He was a
wee thing when you left. Mrs. Lenoir
kept him when they arrested your
father He Is so much like your broth
er Hugh I feel as If he has come to
life again, You should hear him say
grace, so solemnly and tenderly, we
can't help crying He made 1t up him
self. This Is what he says at every
meal:
God, please give my grandpa some
thing good to eat In jail, keep him we'll,
don't let the pains hurt him any more,
and bring him home to me quick, for
Jesus sake. Amen"
I never knew before how the people
loved the doctor, nor how dependent
they were on him for help and guidance.
Men, both white and colored, come
here every da'. to ask about him. Some
of them come from far up In the noun
tains.
God alone knows how lonely our
home and the world has seemed with
out him. They say that those who
love and live the close sweet home-life
for years grow alike IN soul and body,
in tastes, ways, and habits. l find 1t
So People have told me that your
father and are more alike than broth
er and sister of the same blood. In
spirit I'm sure It's true. I know you
love him and that you will leave moth
ing undone for his health and safety
Tell him that my cure for loneliness
II his absence Is my fight to keep the
wolf from the door, and save our home
against his coming. Lovingly your
MOTHER.
When the doctor had finished the
roading, he looked out the window Of
the iail at the shining dome OF the
Capitol for a moment In silence.
do you know, my boy that you have
the heritage Of royal blood? You are
the child Of a wonderful mother. I'm
ashamed when ] think Of the helpless
stupor under which I have given up.
and then remember the deathless
courage with which she has braved 1t
all the loss of her boys, her property,
your troubles and mine. She has faced
the world alone like a wounded lion
ess standing over her cubs. And
now she turns her home into hotel.
and begins life In a strange new world
without one doubt Of her success. The
south is yet rich even in it's ruin"
"Then you'll fight and go back to her
with me?"
Yes, never fear"
Good you see. were so poor now.
Pa. you're luck to be saving a board
bill here I'd 'conspire' myself and
come in with you but for the fact 1t
would hamper me a little in helping
vou."