The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1921-07-06

but In vain; but one day he found
the way. He ordered Tom to fog q
woman-slave who vas guiltless Of the
shortening attributed to her, and Tor
the first time In his career Legree was
denied. Tom refused. Legree's an.
swer was a blow upon Toms cheek.
"What?" he rOared in his rage. I'VE
dare tell me We won't, We blasted black
beast?"
"I'll die first" Tom replied, simply.
swell, here's a pious dog-a saint
gentleman" sneered Legree.
"Didn't We ever read in your Bible.
Servants obey your Masters7 And ain't
your Master? Didn't l pay twelve
hundred dollars cash for We, and
amt We mine, body and sOul?"
mo, Marse Legree," replied Tom,
through the tears and blood that
coursed down his cheeks. my soul
amt yours! It's been bought and
paid for by one that is able to keep
1t. Ye may kill my body, but We can't
harm my SOUL"
Now, according to the nature Of his
kind Legree was superstiti0us, and
while his hatred increased, he began
to fear in the presence Of his fearless
possession. In Toms presence what
passed for q conscience was aroused
within him. Some Of the unspeakable
crimes of which in his lustful gratifl.
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 LegreO began to
have fears, accentuated by the deliri-
UNI Of drink, Of impending visitatiOns
by ghosts. Taking advantage Of these
fears, his one-time mistress, Cassie, a
woman of subtle powers, herself a
slave, conspired with Emmaline, an
attractive mulatto whom Legree was
endeavoring to install in her place, to
destroy his peace Of mind. ana ulti.
mately himself by means of wraithfui
appearances and weird sounds in tho
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-stirring 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.
swell, We black beast" he roared,
in paroxysm of baffled rage, 1--WE
made up my mind to kill ye"
every likely, Marse Legree," replied
Tom, calmly.
sunless We tell me what We know
about these yer gals" said Legree.
II hain't got nothin' to tell, Marse,"
said Tom.
Don't ye dare tell me that We don't
know, We old black Christian" cried
Legree in angry contempt, striking
him furiously.
'Yes-I know, Marse," said Tom,
"but I can't tell anything. can die"
clark We, Tom," roared Legree, in
| terrible voice. 'This time 1 mean
what I say. I'll conquer ye, or I'll
kill We! I'll count every drop Of blood
in your body till you give up"
"Marse," said Tom, eff you was
sick, or in trouble, or dyin', and it
would save ye, I'd give We my hearts
blood, and if takjn' 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 We can. My
troubles will soon be over, but if We
don't repent, yours won't never end ~
For 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, defied, 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.
Two days 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.
1--WE come to take you home" said
George, tears falling from his eyes al
he bent over his old friend.
"Bless the Lord-it's Marse
George!" cried Tom. as he opened his
eyes. bewildered. "They haven't for
got me! They haven't forgot me
Now shall die content"
At this moment Legree saunteret
in, and looked ON carelessly.
"The old Satanv cried George, II
his indignation. TITS a comfort 4
think the Devil will pay him for thi.
some Of these days"
FLUSH, Marse George" said Uncl,
| Tom. "DOn't feel so He aim DIM.