Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1921-06-30


I and protection. FurttveIy be watched
him at work. hoping 70 ma a faw.
but IN valny but one day he found
the way. He ordered Tom TO fog b
woman-slave who was guiltless Of the
shortening attributed TO her, ana for
the first time in HIS career Legree was
denied. Tom refused Legrees an
swer was blow upon Toms cheek.
"WhatT he reared in his rage. "Ye
dare tell me 70 won't, ye blasted black
beast?"
I'm die FIRST" Tom replied, simply.
"Weil, here's a pious dog-a saint
"a gentlemanl" sneered Legree.
Didn't ye ever read in your Bible.
Servants obey your MastersP And amt
your Master2 Didn't l pay twelve
hundred dollars. cash for We, and
amt We mine, body and soul2"
mo, Marse Legree," replied Tom,
through the tears and blood that
coursed down his cheeks. my soul
amt yoursI It's been bought and
paid for by one that IL able to keep
It. Ye may kill my body, but 70 can't
harm my SOUL"
Now, according to the nature Of his
kind Legree was superstitious, and
while his hatred increased, he began
to fear In the presence Of his fearless
possession. In Toms presence what
passed for a conscience was aroused
within him. Some Of the unspeakable
crimes Of which in his Iustful gratin-
cations, and through his murderous
instincts. he had been guilty began
to prey upon him. Dark things had
happened in the decayed old mansion
In which Legree dwelt. and in COM
mon with the ignorant blacks by whom
he was surrounded Legree began to
have fears, accumulated by the deliri-
um Of drink, of impending visitations
by ghosts. Taking advantage Of these
fears, his One-time mistress, Cassie, q
woman Of subtle powers, herself a
slave, conspired with Emmallne, an
attractive mulatto whom Legree was
endeavOring to install In her place, to
destroy his peace Of mind, and ulti-
mately himself by means of wraithful
appearances and weird sounds in the
garnet of the old mansion. Pretending
to escape through the swamps, eluding
their pursuers, they returned to the
house, and lay hid there for days,
working their soul-stlrring stratagem
upon the worried Legree. Legree at
the head Of a pursuing party made up
Of negroes and blood hounds sought
the missing women In the swamps and
forests by which his isolated planta-
ton was surrounded, but in vain; and
in the rage Of failure. believing him
to have been party to the escape. he
turned upon Tom.
"Well, We black beast" he roared.
In a paroxysm Of baffled rage, tive
made up my mind to kill We"
Every likely, Marse Legree," replied
Tom. calmly.
"Unless We tell me what We know
about these yer gals" said Legree.
II hain't got nothin' to tell, Marse,"
said Tom.
'Don't We dare tell me that We don't
know, ye old black Christian" cried
Legree in angry contempt, striking
him furiously.
'Yes-I know, Marse," said Tom,
''but can't tell anything I can die"
"Hark We, Tom," roared Legree, in
terrible voice. 'srhis time mean
what say. I'iL- conquer We, or I'll
kill vel I'll count every drop Of blood
in your body till you give up"
"Marse." said Tom, III you was
sick, or in trouble, or dyin', and 1t
would save ye, I'd give We my hearts
blood, and If takin' every drop Of
blood in this poor old body of mine
would save your precious soul, I'd
give 'em freely as the Lord gave his
for me. Do the worst ye can. My
troubles viii soon be over, but II We
don't repent, yours won't. never end !"
For a moment Legree stood aghast
awed into silence by Toms absolutely
fearless reliance upon his faith, but
only for a moment There was one
hesItating pause, and the spirit Of
evil. within him, defed, rose with sew
en-fold vehemence. Foaming with
rage he struck his victim to the
ground and gave him over to be fog
ged to ribbons. 1s
Two daysl later George Shelby, Toms
boy-friend from Kentucky, now grown
to manhood, appeared to fulfill his
promise Of redemption. but he came
too late. Tom lay dying Of his
wounds. t.{r
i've come to take you hOmeH said
George, tears falling from his eyes as
he bent over his old friend.
"Bless the Lord-it's Marse
GeorgeI" cried Tom, as he opened his
eyes, bewiIdered. "They haven't for.
got me! They haven't forgot mel
Now shall die content"
At this moment Legree sauntered
in,S and looked on carelessly.
"The old Satanic cried George, in
his Indignation. ''IRs a comfort to
think the Devil win pay him for this
some of these days"
'Hush, AFarse George n said Uncle
Tom. 'Don't feel so. He amt done