The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1912-03-06

TITS positively squahdl" cried Bet
ty, with a little stamp OF her foot.
Ware glanced about with duh eyes
"I1l tell Eou, Betty, I'm busy this
morning; you poke about and see
what you want done and Wen do it,
he said, and made hasty retreat to
his Office.
Betty returned to the porch and
seating herself on the top step, with
her elbows on her knees and her chin
sunk in the palms Of her hands, gazed
about her miserably enough. She was
still there when half an hour later
Charley Norton gaIloped up the drive
from the highroad. Catching sight OF
her on the porch, he sprang from the
saddle, and, throwing his reins to a
black boy, hurried to her side.
inspecting your domain, Betty?"
he asked. as he took his place near
her on the step.
why didn't you tell me, Charley
or at least prepare me for this?" she
asked, almost tearfully.
How was / to know, Betty? l
haven't been here since you went
away, dear-what was there to bring
me? Old Tom would make a COW
pasture out of the Garden of Eden,
wouldn't he-a beautiful, practical,
sordid soul he isl"
Norton spent the day at Belle Plain;
and though he was there on his good
behavior as the result of an agree
ment they had reached on board The
Naiad, he proposed twice.
Tom was mistaken in his supposi-
ton that Betty would soon tire OF
Belle Plain. She demanded men, and
teams, and began on the lawns. This
interested and fascinated her. She
was out at sun-up to direct her labor
ers. She had the advantage Of Charley
Norton's presence and advice for the
greater part of each day In the week.
and Sundays he came to look over
what had been accomplished, and, as
Tom firmly believed, to put that little
fool up to fresh nonsense. He could
have booted him.
AS the grounds took shape before
ure to institute a thorough reforma-
ton indoors. A number of house serv-
ants were rescued from the quarters
and she began to instruct them in
their new duties.
Betty's sphere of influence extend
ed itself. She soon began to have
her doubts concerning the treatment
accorded the slaves, and was not long
in discovering that Hicks, the over
seer, ran things with a heavy hand.
Matters reached a crisis one day
when, happening to ride through the
| quarters, she found him disciplining
a refractory black. She turned sick
at the sight. Here was a slave actual
ly being whipped by another slave
while Hicks stood looking on with his
hands In his pockets, and with a
brutal, satisfied air.
"Stopi" commanded Betty, her eyes
blazing. She strove to keep her voice
steady. "You shall not remain at
Belle Plain another hour"
Hicks said nothing. He knew it
would take more than her saying so
to get him OF the place. Betty turned
her horse and galloped back to the
house She felt that she was in no
condition to see Tom Just at that mo-
ment, and dismounting at the door,
ran upstairs to her room.
Meantime the overseer sought out
Ware in his Office. His manner of
stating his grievance was singular.
He began by swearing at his employ
er. He had been insulted before ali
the quarter-his rage fairly choked
him; he could not speak.
Tom seized the opportunity to
swear back
Sent you OF the place, did she;
well, you'll have to eat crow. I'll do
all 1 can. don't know what girls
were ever made for anyhow, damned
If I dol" he added.
Hicks consented to eat crow only
after Mr.. Ware had cursed and ca
joled him into a better and more for.
! giving frame OF mind.
Later, after Hicks had made his
apology, the two men smoked a
friendly pipe and discussed the situa-
ton. Tom pointed out that opposi-
ton was useless, a losing game; you