The St. Charles herald., 1921-07-23

and protection. Furtively he watched
him at work, hoping to find a haw,
but in vain; but one day he found
the way. He ordered Tom to fog
woman-slave who was guiltless OF the
shortcoming attributed to her, and for
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. "Ye
dare tell me We won't, We blasted black
beast?
"I'n die first" Tom replied, simply.
swell, here's a pious dog-a saint
gentleman sneered Legree.
"Didn't ye ever read in your Bible,
Servants obey your Masters? And amt
I your Master? Didn't I pay twelve
hundred dollars cash for ye, and
amt We mine, body and soul?
"No, 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
it. Ye may kill my body. but ye can't
harm my SOUL"
Now, according to the nature Of his
kind Legree was superstitious, ana
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 lustful gratifi-
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, accentuated by the deliri-
um 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. and ulti-
mately himself by means Of wraithful
appearances a2d weird sounds m the
garret of the oIN mansion. Pretending
to escape througfhthe swamps. eluding
their pursuers, they returned to the
house, and lay hid there for days,
working their soul-stfrring stratagem
upon the worried Legree. Legree at
| the head Of 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, ne
turned upon Tom.
"WeIl, ye black beast" he roared
in a paroxysm of baffled rage, "Tve
made up my mind to kill ye."
every likely, Marse Legree," replied
Tom, calmly.
"Unless ye tell me what ye know
about these yer gals" said Legree.
81 hain't got nothin' to tell, Marse,
said Tom.
"Don't We dare tell me that ye dom
know, We old black Christian" criet
Legree in angry contempt, striking
him furiously.
!. 'Yes-I know, Marse," said Tom
"but can't tell anything. can die
/ "Hark We, Tom,"~ roared Legree. IL
terrible voice. "This time I meal
what I say. I'll conquer ye, or II
kill ye! I'll count every drop Of bloot
in your body till you give up"
'Marse," said Tom, 'ff you wa
sick, or in trouble, or dyin', and /
would save ye, I'd give ye my heart
blood, and If takin' every drop o
blood in this poor old body of min
would save your precious soul, II
give 'em freely as the Lord gave hi
for me. Do the worst We can. M,
troubles will soon be over, but If y
don't repent, yours won't never end
For moment Legree stood aghas
awed into silence by Toms absolutel,
fearless reliance upon his faith, bu
only for a moment. There was on
hesitating pause, and the spirit o
!. evil within him, defied, rose with sey
en-fold vehemence. Foaming wit
rage he struck his victim to tn
ground and gave him over to be fog
ged to ribbons.
Two days later George Shelby, Tom
boy-friend from Kentucky, now grow
to manhood, appeared to fulfill hi
promise Of redemption, but he cam
too late. Tom lay dying OF nj
: wounds.
'Tve come to take you home" sal
George, tears falling from his eyes a
he bent over his old friend.
"Bless the Lord-it's Mars
George!' cried Tom, as he opened hi
eyes, bewildered. "They haven't fol
got me! They haven't forgot me
Now shall die content"
At this moment Legree sauntere
In, and looked on carelessly.
1.-THE old Satan" cried George, /
his indignation. 'It's comfort t
: think the Devil will pay him for thi
some Of these days"
|, "Hush, Marse George!" said Uncl
. Tom. ''Don't feel so. He amt don
3 me no real harm-only opened tn
gates of heaven for me-that's all.
t The sudden flush of strength die