Year: 1877




ever the likelihood beforehand of some
such occurrence its gravity and the turn
it took had to be met on the moment. He
saw his advantage, and used it with de-
| cision, but very calmly; did not press over
eagerly the eponts in his favor, and
promptly forestalled future proceedings
by proposing an immediate investigation,
which, he said, he had right then and
| there to claim at their hands.


Never did a man, starting under such
disadvantages, go so far and so quickly
| to reinstate himself in public opinion.
| Not only that; he gained what he never
had beiore-some measure OF personal re.
gard-he seemed so manful, bore himself
SO well under trial so sudden and so Sc
we're. There was not a sign of begging
of or OF evading any point of the inquiry
lie seemed not to notice the favorable dis
| position which began to show itself, and
| which might have been readily applied to
ease off the pressure.


His explanations, which we need not
closely follow, were minute and full. The
letter, which he put into Atkins hands,
was what he had said A grim smile
passed over his face as he acknowledged
that there was some cause for Nep's dis
turbance, though it was only dead dog
that he himself had been compelled TO
dispose of the next day by the simple
process of throwing it into the stream
They all knew how a negro imagination
would magnify such a circumstance.
Pender, too, was right. He had been de-
stroying some old clothes of his own that
were made utterly worthless by The work
he had lately been engaged in; and there
was an old moth-eaten hair trunk that had
| belonged to his wife which he burned at
the same time. lie touched skillfully the
prejudice against him on account of his
manners. There might be causes uncon-
nected with evil, yet implying much sor-
row and trouble, to render him silent and
reserved, not to speak of natural DISPOSE
ton. Must man publish all this on COM
ing to strange place, or be suspectedp
The master-move on Dempton's part
then followed.


"Gentlcmen," he said-and the palmer
the white people of that region, the more
punctilious are they on formal occasions
as to that title-"had you been invited to
meet me here for this purpose the
shrewd man suspected they had come by
quasi there could hardly be
IA better representation of the neighbor-
hood | am willing to trust myself to
1
call it, will be accepted by the whole COM
munity. propose then. gentlemen, that
we proceed at once and together to my
house, and that a full and thorough search
be made OF the premises. | am ready to
abide by the result. If there were any
thing else that | could do to back up the
assertions that | have made, | would do
it. But this is the utmost in my power.
| think the law itself would not require
more


DemptOn had taken them entirely bv
surprise when he offered to begin his ex-
planation. His present proposal redoubled
the sensation. A battery suddenly cap
tured and turned upon its defenders could
not have done more execution. He was
master of the situation.


There was nothing demonstrative, how
ever, in his manner or theirs. His sug-
gestion was instantly and quietly acted on.
1t was obviously the only test of his ex-
planation that was within reach but by
bringing it forward himself he had great
ly added to his credit. He went out at
the head of the little procession that fol-
lowed him as an escort rather than guard.
There would have been a promiscuous ac-
compartment OF boys and negroes, and
Dempton's cheek flushed as he observed
it, but he said nothing. Some remarks
passed in an undertone among the others,
and one of them said aloud. "Gentlemen,
we are going to visit Mr.. Dempton's
premises at his invitation. and I'm of
opinion that It will be proper for the
children and niggers to stay behind One
or two others besides youngsters and
boys took the hint, so that the party as
finally composed, was fairly respectable
and representative. Dempton's manner
rose almost to dignity as he said "Gen-
tlemen, are you ready ?" and raised his
hat; the response to which. though very
unconventional, showed how the innate
sense OF proprety is brought out by Sc
rious purpose or any high-wrought feel-
ing. The hall-hour's drive was made for
the most part in silence, and they were
soon gathered in one group before the
door, Dempton then spoke.


81 ask ii both as favor and right,
gentlemen, that you will conduct this
search thoroughly in your own way, so
as perfectly to satisfy yourselves. am
ready to answer any questions, and to
comply with any request You may think
proper. Win you go through the house
first ?'


"Seeing we are at the door, Squire,
perhaps we may as well do that iirSt, -
whereupon Dempton threw the door open
and the whole party entered.


1t is unnecessary to accompany them in
every step OF what proved to be long,
and so far as any discovery was concerned
fruitless search. The house and every
thing in it were closely scrutinzed.
There were bundle of papers and some
letters, and a pocket-book with a few
banknotes in it, which Dempton offered to
put into the hands of one of their number
for closer inspection, if they desired it.
With like caretulness the outhouses and all
the surroundings were examined; every
part of the farm was visited; any sugges.
ton that was made by any one of their
number, however improbable, was fol-
lowed up. Aud any one of them might as
well have submitted his own premises to in
specton. so far as producing any evidence
against Dempton. Throughout the whole
proceeding nothing could be more frank
than all his actions, though his words were