Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-06-06
BY THOMAS DIXON
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beer, sat at the little tables which
were placed against the walls. The
centre of the room was kept clear for
the dancers. He was amazed to find
among them a lot of boys and girls
not out Of their teens. Many Of the
dark-visaged brutes who sat at the ta-
bles watching the dancers were be-
yond a doubt professional thieves and
crooks.
Here and there he saw one of them
nod to a girl who was dancing with a
boy under age. He knew the meaning
Of that signal. She was his slave and
he lived on her wages. Was there no
crime in all the catalogue of human
infamy to which man would not stoop
for money!
The wheezy little orchestra Of three
pieces began waltz, and the dancers
swung around the -fogged
room. Stuart rose in disgust to go,
when he stopped near the door sud-
denly frozen to the spot. A fat beast
ly negro swept by encircling the frail
figure of a white girl. Her dress was
ragged and filthy, but the delicate
lines of her face, with it's pure Grecian
profile, and high forehead bore the
stamp of breeding and distinction.
Two red spots on her cheeks and the
unnatural brightness of her big blue
eyes told only too plainly that Death
had marked her as his own.
To the young southerner the sight
was one of incredible horror. His first
impulse on recovery from this sur
prise was to rush in, knock this ne
gro down and take the girl to place
of safety.
He looked about among all the men
who filled the room, for a single face
in which was left a trace Of human
pride. With one to stand by him, it
could be done. He looked in vain. To
Jtrike alone in such a den of beasts
would be the act Of a madman
Quivering with rage he took a seat
and watched the negro send this girl
from side to side Of the room to do his
bidding. He made up his mind to
track the brute to his lair and tear
her from his claws, no matter what
the cost. The negro suddenly beck
oned to the girl and she left with him.
Stuart followed close on their heels.
Two blocks from the place the black
figure stopped and demanded her
money. She fumbled nervously in the
folds of her filthy skirt and drew from
her pocket some small coins. He
turned it over in his greasy palm with
a sneer.
"All right fur ez hit goes. but come
over wild de res"
It's all I've got-I swear It is." she
sobbed.
He glared at her with n savage
growl.
You're .liar!"
IT'S true-I swear it's true!" the
trembling voice pleaded.
Didn't / tell We las night I'd kill ye
if We didn't do better today?"
please, don't beat me again-Tve
done the hest could"
Strangling and trembling with rage
Stuart edged his way close. keeping his
form out of range of the negro's eyes.
The brute was looking neither to the
right or left now, his whole being alb
sorbed in the cruel joy of the torture
he was about to infiict on the helpless.
cringing thing that chung to his arm
sobbing and begging for mercy.
Den eff you'se done de bes' you
could-Ise gwine ter teach We ter do
better!' His yellow teeth in their
blue gums flashed in a devilish smile.
He gripped the slender little wrists
in one of his claws and doubled his
fist to strike, as a blow from Stuart
caught him in the neck and laid him
on the pavement. The young lawyer
sprang on the PROSTATE figure with
fury. 1t was the joyous work of a
minute to beat and choke him into in
sensibility. He rose and gave the
black form a parting kick that rolled
him into the gutter, turned to the
crouching white figure and said
sharply:
Come with me-"
Without a word she followed timidly
behind.
He stopped and spoke tenderly:
Don't walk behind me-"
I'm not fit to walk beside you" she
answered meekly.
I'll be the judge of that. You're a
woman. My mother was a woman
And I'm a little bit ashamed of myself
tonight for living in such a world as
this without having killed somebody"
She hung her head and tried to walk
by his side. instinctively shrinking
back.
He stopped to ask an officer the way
to the Crittenden Mission. Some
where he had read that merchant
by the name of Crttenden whose
heart was broken over the death of
little girl had given all he possessed
to found and endow missions for 9TH
er mems daughters.
The girl heard his question and
looked up into his face with a new ter
ror in her feverish eyes.
Won't they lock me up?"
Stuart took the cold thin hand in
his.
Not unless they lock me up too
child. Don't worry. I'm lawyer. I'll
see that no harm comes to you"
"All right. I'll do just as you say
she responded gratefully.
When the matron at the Mission had
sOothed away the poor creatures last
fear, Stuart turned to go.
The girl stepped quickly forward as
he extended his hand.
Good bye, child. hope you'll soon
he better. If l can help YOU. let me
know I'm glad to have had the
chance to be of service to you tonight
You have done more for me than
have for you. | am very grateful"
The unnaturally bright eyes gaZed
into his as If they didn't uuite under