The review. [volume] (High Point, N.C.) 1908-19??, 1913-08-28
CHAPTER Ill.

CHAP tx Ill.
~HE first Monday in October was
court day in Hambright. and
81 from every nook and. corner of
Campbell county the people
fiocked to town. The courthouse had
not vet been transformed into the
farce tragedy hall where jailbirds and
drunken loafers were soon to sit on
Judges bench and in attorneys chair
instead of standing in the prisoners
dock. The merciful stay laws enacted
by the legislature had silenced the
cry of the auctioneer until the people
might have Il moment to grid them
selves for new life struggle.
But the black cloud was already seen
on the horizon. The people were rest
less and discouraged by the wild ru-
rnors set afiost by the Freedmen's bu-
reau, of coming confscation and re-
venge. A greater crowd than usual
had come to town on the first day.
The streets were black with negroes.
A shout was heard from the crowd
in the square as the stalwart figure of
General Daniel Worth, the brigade
VI SoiOiiSA NcccOA ~SS~
ment. was seen shaking hands with
the men of his old army.
The general was u man to command
instant attention in any crowd. An
expert in anthropology would have
selected his face from among thou
sand as the typical man of the eau
casian race. He was above the aver
age height, strong. muscular and
we'll rounded body, crowned. by
heavy shock of what had once been
raven black hair. now iron gray. His
face was rudy with the glow of per-
feet health, and his full round lips
and the twinkle of his eye showed him
to be a lover of the good things or
life. He wore a heavy mustache.
which seemed fitting ballast for the
lower part of his face against the
heavy projecting straight eyebrows
and buShy hair.
AS he shook hands with his old SOL
diers his face was wreathed in smiles,
his ewes flashed with something like
tears. and he had pleasant word for
all.
Tom Camp was one Of the first to
spy the general and hobble to him as
fast as his peg leg would carry him.
"Howdy. general. howdy do! Lordy'
it's good for sore eyes ter see We!
Tom held fast to bis hand and. turn
ing to the crowd, said:
"Roys. here's the best general that
ever led a brigade. and there WASH
a man in it that wouldn't "a died FOR
him. Now three times three cheers:
And they gave them with will.
"Ah, Tom. you're still at your OLD
tricks" said the general "What are
you after now?"
"A speech. general!
"a speech! A speech!" the cfoWe
echoed.
The general slapped Tom on the
back and said:
''What sort of a job is this you're
putting up on me? I'm no orator. bu'
I'll just say to you. boys. that this
old peg leg here was the finest soldier
that | ever saw carry musket. ane
the men who stood beside him were
The most patient. the most obedlent
the bravest men that ever charged
foe and crowned their general WIFI
glory. while he safely stood IN TIT
rear
Again a cheer broke forth The gen
eral was hurrying toward the court
house, when he was suddenly sur
rounded by crowd of negroes. II
the front ranks were a hundred
his old slaves who had worked on ~
Campbell county plantation. Thet
seized his hands and laughed aa'
cried and pleaded for recognition TX
d crowd of children. Most Of then q
knew. some OF their faces he ma
forgotten.
Hi. dar, Marse Dan'l, you know
me! Lordy,. rs your boy Joe dat use
ter ketch yo' boss Down at the pla
tation!''
"Of course. Joe, of course.
II know Marse Dan'l amt forget o
Uncle Rube,"~ said an aged negr
pushing his way to the front.
That haven't, Reuben; and now
Aunt Julia Amp
she des tollable, Marse Ian