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| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 02:13:44 -0700 |
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| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 02:13:44 -0700 |
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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/24577-h.zip b/24577-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..788ab53 --- /dev/null +++ b/24577-h.zip diff --git a/24577-h/24577-h.htm b/24577-h/24577-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..dd2ec5d --- /dev/null +++ b/24577-h/24577-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,9557 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Hindered Hand By Sutton E Griggs. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- + p { margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .25em; + color: black; background-color: white; + text-indent: 1em; + } + h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; + margin-bottom: 1em; + } + h1, h2 { + margin-top: 2em;} + h3 { margin-top: 1.5em;} + + hr { width: 67%; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; + } + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + body{margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + background-color: white; + } + + a {text-decoration: none;} + + .pagenum { position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: smaller; + text-align: right; + color: gray; background-color: white; + } /* page numbers */ + + ul {list-style: none;} + + .blockquot{margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + + .center {text-align: center;} + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + .right {text-align: right;} + .chaptitle {line-height: 2em; + text-align: center; + font-style: italic; + font-size: smaller; + font-weight: normal;} + .signature {font-variant: small-caps; text-align: right;} + + img { border: none; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 1em;} + .caption {font-weight: bold;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + .figleft {float: left; clear: left; margin-left: 0; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-top: + 1em; margin-right: 1em; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .figright {float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0; padding: 0; text-align: center;} + + .footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + .footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + .fnanchor {vertical-align: super; font-size: .8em; text-decoration: none;} + + .poem {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; text-align: left;} + .poem br {display: none;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem span.i0 {display: block; margin-left: 0em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i2 {display: block; margin-left: 2em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i4 {display: block; margin-left: 4em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem span.i10 {display: block; margin-left: 10em; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + + .tocch {text-align: left; } /* cell defs for TOC, illustration lists */ + .tocpn {text-align: right; } + .tocsb {text-align: left; text-indent: 2em;} + + .tnote {text-decoration: none; color: blue;} /* transcriber's notes: used with "ins" */ + .dropcap {float: left; clear: left; vertical-align: top; margin-right: 3px; margin-top: 5px;} + .initial {text-indent: 0em;} + .hide {display: none;} + + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Hindered Hand, by Sutton E. Griggs + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Hindered Hand + or, The Reign of the Repressionist + +Author: Sutton E. Griggs + +Illustrator: Robert E. Bell + +Release Date: February 11, 2008 [EBook #24577] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HINDERED HAND *** + + + + +Produced by Suzanne Shell, Victoria Woosley and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + +</pre> + + + + +<p class="center">"<i>Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall +soon stretch out her hands unto God.</i>"</p> + +<h1>THE<br /> +HINDERED HAND:</h1> + +<h4>OR,</h4> +<h2>THE REIGN OF THE <br />REPRESSIONIST.</h2> + +<h4>BY</h4> +<h3>SUTTON E. GRIGGS.</h3> + +<h4>THIRD EDITION—REVISED.</h4> + +<p class="center">AMS PRESS<br /> +NEW YORK</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">2</a></span></p> + + +<div class="center"> +<table summary="center"> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td> </td></tr> +<tr><td align="left"> +Reprinted from a copy in the New York Public Library<br /> +Schomburg Collection<br /> +From the edition of 1905, Nashville<br /> +First <span class="smcap">ams edition</span> published 1969<br /> +Manufactured in the United States of America</td></tr> +</table></div> + + +<p class="center">Library of Congress Catalogue Card Number: 77-100533</p> + +<h5>AMS PRESS, INC.<br /> +New York, N.Y. 10003</h5> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">3</a></span></p> + + + +<hr /> +<h2><a name="DEDICATION" id="DEDICATION"></a><i>DEDICATION.</i></h2> + +<div class="blkquot"> +<p class="center"> +<i>To a devoted father, of rugged strength of character,<br /> +and, withal, pre-eminently a man<br /> +of peace, and to a loving mother,<br /> +ever tender and serene of soul—<br /> +To these twin moulders of the hearthside, who<br /> +have ever been anxious that their children<br /> +should contribute naught but what is<br /> +good to the world, this volume is<br /> +most affectionately dedicated<br /> +by their son,</i></p> + +<p class="signature"><i>THE AUTHOR.</i></p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">5</a></span><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">4</a></span></p> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<h2><a name="SOLEMNLY_ATTESTED" id="SOLEMNLY_ATTESTED"></a>SOLEMNLY ATTESTED.</h2> + + +<p>Upon a matter of such tremendous importance to the American people as is +the subject herein treated, it is perhaps due our readers to let them +know how much of fact disports itself through these pages in the garb of +fiction.</p> + +<p>We beg to say that in no part of the book has the author consciously +done violence to conditions as he has been permitted to view them, amid +which conditions he has spent his whole life, up to the present hour, as +an intensely absorbed observer.</p> + +<p>If in any of these pages the reader comes across that which puts him in +a mood to chide, may the author not hope that the wrath aroused be not +wasted upon the inconsequential painter, but directed toward the +landscape that forced the brush into his hand, stretched the canvas, and +shouted in irresistible tones: "Write!"</p> + +<p class="right">Very respectfully,</p> +<p class="signature">Sutton E. Griggs.</p> + +<p class="indent">Nashville, Tenn., May, 1905.</p> + +<hr /> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">6</a></span></p> + + + +<h2><a name="ILLUSTRATIONS" id="ILLUSTRATIONS"></a>ILLUSTRATIONS.</h2> + +<h4>BY ROBERT E. BELL.</h4> + + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align='left'></td><td align='right'>Pages.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#image01">"The young woman looked into his face"</a></td><td align='right'>20-21</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#image02">"Her pretty brown eyes nestling"</a></td><td align='right'>24-25</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#image03">"Name me as I was named"</a></td><td align='right'>40-41</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#image04">"The rock battle was now on"</a></td><td align='right'>54-55</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#image05">"What do they take me to be"</a></td><td align='right'>86-87</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#image06">"Yer air jes' a plain, orternary liah"</a></td><td align='right'>114-115</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#image07">"Poor Bud, her helpless husband"</a></td><td align='right'>134-135</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#image08">"To and fro the two men swayed"</a></td><td align='right'>164-165</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#image09">"Is it a crime for me?"</a></td><td align='right'>174-175</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#image10">"I have tellerphoned 'round the world"</a></td><td align='right'>184-185</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#image11">"She made a flag of truce"</a></td><td align='right'>188-189</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#image12">"Don't circumscribe the able, noble souls"</a></td><td align='right'>234-235</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#image13">"We machine men in the South"</a></td><td align='right'>258-259</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#image14">"Ensal bent forward and kissed Tiara"</a></td><td align='right'>290-291</td></tr> +</table></div> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">7</a></span></p> + + + +<hr /> +<h2><a name="CONTENTS" id="CONTENTS"></a>CONTENTS.</h2> + + +<div class='center'> +<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> +<tr><td align='left'></td><td align='right'>PAGE.</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">CHAPTER I.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#chapter_I">OCCURRENCES THAT PUZZLE</a></td><td align='right'>11</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">CHAPTER II.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#chapter_II">HIS FACE WAS HER GUIDE</a></td><td align='right'>19</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">CHAPTER III.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#chapter_III">WHEREIN FORESTA FIRST APPEARS</a></td><td align='right'>24</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">CHAPTER IV.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#chapter_IV">THE WAYS OF A SEEKER AFTER FAME</a></td><td align='right'>30</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">CHAPTER V.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#chapter_V">RATHER LATE IN LIFE TO BE STILL NAMELESS</a></td><td align='right'>36</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">CHAPTER VI.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#chapter_VI">FRIENDLY ENEMIES</a></td><td align='right'>46</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">CHAPTER VII.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#chapter_VII">OFFICERS OF THE LAW</a></td><td align='right'>53</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">CHAPTER VIII.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#chapter_VIII">A MESSENGER THAT HESITATES</a></td><td align='right'>62</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">CHAPTER IX.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#chapter_IX">A PLOTTER IS HE</a></td><td align='right'>67</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">CHAPTER X.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#chapter_X">ARABELLE SEABRIGHT</a></td><td align='right'>72</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">CHAPTER XI.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#chapter_XI">UNUSUAL FOR A MAN</a></td><td align='right'>77</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">CHAPTER XII.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#chapter_XII">A HONEYMOON OUT OF THE USUAL ORDER</a></td><td align='right'>82</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">CHAPTER XIII.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#chapter_XIII">SHREWD MRS. CRAWFORD</a></td><td align='right'>88</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">CHAPTER XIV.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#chapter_XIV">ALENE AND RAMON</a></td><td align='right'>94</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">CHAPTER XV.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#chapter_XV">UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENTS</a></td><td align='right'>99</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">CHAPTER XVI.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#chapter_XVI">AN EAGER SEARCHER</a></td><td align='right'>108</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">CHAPTER XVII.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#chapter_XVII">PECULIAR DIVORCE PROCEEDINGS</a></td><td align='right'>113</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">CHAPTER XVIII.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#chapter_XVIII">MISTS THAT VANISH</a></td><td align='right'>117</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">CHAPTER XIX.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#chapter_XIX">THE FUGITIVES FLEE AGAIN</a></td><td align='right'>122</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">CHAPTER XX.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#chapter_XX">THE BLAZE</a></td><td align='right'>129</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">CHAPTER XXI.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#chapter_XXI">PLANNING TO ACT</a></td><td align='right'>138</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">CHAPTER XXII.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#chapter_XXII">THE TWO PATHWAYS</a></td><td align='right'>142</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">CHAPTER XXIII.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#chapter_XXIII">THEY GRAPPLE</a></td><td align='right'>162</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">CHAPTER XXIV.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#chapter_XXIV">OUT OF JOINT WITH HIS TIMES</a></td><td align='right'>167</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">CHAPTER XXV.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#chapter_XXV">A JOYFUL FAREWELL</a></td><td align='right'>178</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">CHAPTER XXVI.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#chapter_XXVI">GUS MARTIN</a></td><td align='right'>182</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">CHAPTER XXVII.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#chapter_XXVII">TIARA MYSTIFIES US</a></td><td align='right'>187</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">CHAPTER XXVIII.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#chapter_XXVIII">POOR FELLOW!</a></td><td align='right'>191</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">CHAPTER XXIX.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#chapter_XXIX">A REVELATION</a></td><td align='right'>195</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">CHAPTER XXX.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#chapter_XXX">MR. A. HOSTILITY</a></td><td align='right'>201</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">CHAPTER XXXI.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#chapter_XXXI">TWO OF A KIND</a></td><td align='right'>206</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">CHAPTER XXXII.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#chapter_XXXII">WORKING AND WAITING</a></td><td align='right'>214</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">CHAPTER XXXIII.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#chapter_XXXIII">BACK IN ALMAVILLE</a></td><td align='right'>220</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">CHAPTER XXXIV.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#chapter_XXXIV">A GREAT DAY IN COURT</a></td><td align='right'>224</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">CHAPTER XXXV.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#chapter_XXXV">EUNICE! EUNICE!</a></td><td align='right'>240</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">CHAPTER XXXVI.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#chapter_XXXVI">ENTHUSIASTIC JOHN BLUE</a></td><td align='right'>252</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">CHAPTER XXXVII.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#chapter_XXXVII">POSTPONING HIS SHOUT OF TRIUMPH</a></td><td align='right'>265</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">CHAPTER XXXVIII.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#chapter_XXXVIII">HE CANNOT, BUT HE DOES!</a></td><td align='right'>269</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">CHAPTER XXXIX.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#chapter_XXXIX">A SON OF THE NEW SOUTH</a></td><td align='right'>276</td></tr> +<tr><td align="center" colspan="2">CHAPTER XL.</td></tr> +<tr><td align='left'><a href="#chapter_XL">SORROW AND GLADNESS</a></td><td align='right'>289</td></tr> +</table></div> + + + +<hr /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">9</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="TUNING_THE_LYRE" id="TUNING_THE_LYRE"></a>TUNING THE LYRE.</h2> + + +<p>In the long ago when the earth was in process of formation, it must have +been that those forces of nature most expert in the fashioning of the +beautiful were ordered to come together as collaborators and give to the +world Almaville!</p> + +<p>Journeying toward the designated spot, they halted on the outskirts of +the site of the contemplated city, and tossed up a series of engirdling +hills, whose slopes and crests covered with verdure might afford in the +days to come a beautiful sight to the inhabitants when riding forth to +get a whiff of country air. These same forces of nature, evidently in +love with their work, arranged, it seems, for all the beautiful clouds +with their varying hues to pass in daily review over the head of the +city to be born.</p> + +<p>In all that appertains to physical excellence Almaville was made +attractive, and somewhere, perhaps behind yon hills, the forces rested +until man set his foot upon the soil and prepared to build. They so +charged the air and all the environments with the spirit of the +beautiful, that the men who later wrought in building the city found +themselves the surprised and happy creators of a lovely habitation.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">10</a></span></p> + +<p>On an eminence crowning the center of the area whereon the city is +planted, the State has builded its capitol, and from the tower thereof +one can see the engaging network of streets, contemplate the splendid +architecture of the buildings, and gaze upon the noble trees that boldly +line the sidewalks, and thus testify that they are not afraid of +civilization.</p> + +<p>Even in the matter of climate Almaville is highly favored, it would +seem. Her summers are not too hot nor her winters too cold, and many a +fevered brow finds solace in her balmy breezes.</p> + +<p>The war gods saw and admired her, and decreed that one of the famous +battles of the Civil War should be fought within her environs, that +their memory might ever be cherished here.</p> + +<p>Philanthropy, it seems, singled out Almaville for special attention, +granting unto her opportunities for learning that well might cause proud +Athens to touch her crown to see that it was still there and had not +been lifted by her modern rival.</p> + +<p>A murky river runs through Almaville and a dark stream flows through the +lives of all of us who dwell upon its banks. But yonder! yonder! is the +ocean! Where?</p> + +<p class="signature">The Author.<br /><br /><br /><br /></p> + + + +<div class="center"> +<img src="./images/chapterhead.png" title="Decorative Chapter Head" alt="" /> +</div> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">11</a></span></p> +<h1><a name="THE_HINDERED_HAND" id="THE_HINDERED_HAND"></a>THE HINDERED HAND.</h1> +<hr /> +<h2><a name="chapter_I" id="chapter_I">CHAPTER I.</a><br /> + +<span class="chaptitle">Occurrences That Puzzle.</span></h2> + +<p class="initial"><img class="dropcap" src="./images/drop_t.png" alt="T" title="" /><span class="hide">T</span>o the pagan yet remaining in man it would seem that yon railroad train +plunging toward the Southland is somehow conscious of the fact that it +is playing a part in events of tremendous import, for observe how it +pierces the darkness with its one wild eye, cleaves the air with its +steely front and causes wars and thunders to creep into the dreams of +the people by whose homes it makes its midnight rush.</p> + +<p>Well, this train now moving toward Almaville, queen city of the South, +measured by the results that developed from that night's journey, is +fully entitled to all its fretting and fuming, brag and bluster of steam +and smoke, and to its wearisome jangle of clanging bell and shrieking +whistle and rumbling wheel.</p> + +<p>It was summer time. A Negro porter passing through a coach set apart for +white passengers noted the fixedness with which a young woman with a +pretty face and a pair of beautiful blue eyes was regarding him. Her +head was inclined to one side, her hand so supporting her face that a +prettily shaped ear peeped out from between<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">12</a></span> her fingers. In the look of +her eye there was a slight suggestion of immaturity, which, however, was +contradicted by the firm outlines of her face. As the porter drew near +her seat she significantly directed her look to a certain spot on the +car floor, thence to the eyes of the porter.</p> + +<p>Having in mind the well understood dictum of the white man of the South +that the Negro man and the white woman are to be utterly oblivious of +the existence of each other, this Negro porter was loth to believe that +the young woman was trying surreptitiously to attract his attention, and +he passed out of the coach hurriedly. In a short while he returned and +again noted how intently the young woman regarded him. This time he +observed that she had evidently been weeping and that there was a look +of hopeless sorrow in her eyes. Again the young woman looked at him, +then upon the floor and up at him once more. The porter looked down upon +the spot indicated by her look, saw a note, stooped and picked it up. He +returned to the coach or rather to the end of a coach, set apart for +Negroes, took a rear seat and surveyed the car preparatory to reading +the note which the young woman plainly indicated was for him.</p> + +<p>"I don't want white girls passing me notes," thought the Negro, +clutching the note tightly and continuing to glance about the coach in a +half-frightened manner. He arose to hoist the window by which he sat, +intending to utilize it to be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">13</a></span> rid of the note in case the occasion +should demand it. His fears had begun to suggest to him that perhaps +some white man had noticed his taking cognizance of the young woman's +efforts to attract his attention.</p> + +<p>As the Negro section of the coach was the forward section and next to +the baggage car, any person coming from the section set apart for the +whites would be to the back of the Negro passengers. The porter +therefore changed his seat, going forward and taking a position where he +would be facing any one coming from the coach for whites. He raised the +window by which he sat and his eye wandered out into the darkness amid +the sombre trees that went speeding along, and there arose to haunt him +mental visions of a sea of angry white faces closing around some one +dark face, perhaps guilty and perhaps innocent; and as he thought +thereon he shuddered. He felt sorely tempted to toss the note out of the +window unread, but remembering the pleading look on the face of the +young woman he did not follow the promptings of his fear.</p> + +<p>"In case of trouble, this crew in here couldn't help a fellow much," +said the porter, moving his eyes about slowly again, taking note one by +one of those in the section with him. There was the conductor, who +though a white man, seemed always to prefer to sit in the section set +apart for the Negroes. There was the newsboy, also white, taking up two +seats with his wares.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">14</a></span></p> + +<p>"As well as they know me they would go with the other gang. A white man +is a white man, and don't you forget it," mused the porter.</p> + +<p>There were two male passengers sitting together, Negroes, one of whom +was so light of complexion that he could easily have passed for white, +while the other was of a dark brown hue.</p> + +<p>"A fine looking fellow," thought the porter concerning the dark young +man.</p> + +<p>Across the aisle from the two young men mentioned, and a seat or so in +advance of them, sat a young woman whose face was covered with a very +thick veil. The perfect mould of her shoulders, the attractiveness of +her wealth of black hair massed at the back of her head—these things +were demanding, the porter noticed, many an admiring glance from the +darker of the two young men.</p> + +<p>The porter seemed about to forget his note in observing with what +regularity the young man's eyes would wander off and straightway return +to rest upon the beautiful form of the young woman, but an incident +occurred that brought his mind back very forcibly to the note. The door +from the section for the whites opened and two white men entered.</p> + +<p>The porter's hand in which the note was held cautiously crept toward the +open window, while he eyed the two white men whom he feared had come to +accuse him of an attempted flirtation with a young white woman. One of +the men<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">15</a></span> reached behind to his hip pocket and the porter half arose in +his seat, throwing up his hands in alarm, expecting a pistol to appear +to cover him. The white man was simply drawing out a flask of whiskey to +offer his companion a drink.</p> + +<p>Ensal Ellwood, the dark young man, looking around to see if the parties +who had entered had closed the door behind them (for the adjoining +section was the white people's smoking apartment, and care had to be +exercised to keep smoke and tobacco fumes out), saw the two white men +about to take a drink. He arose quickly and advancing to the two men, +said quietly, urbanely and yet with an air of firmness,</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen, the law prescribes that this coach shall be used exclusively +by Negro passengers and we must ask that you do not make our first-class +apartment a drinking room for the whites."</p> + +<p>The two men stared at Ensal and he looked them frankly in the face that +they might see that in a dignified manner he would insist to the last +upon the rights of the Negro passengers. The justness of Ensal's +request, his unostentatious, manly bearing had the desired effect. The +two men quietly turned about and left the car.</p> + +<p>The porter who had been standing during this little scene now sat down, +opened the note and read as follows:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p>"<span class="smcap">Mr. Porter</span>: When this train is within a fifteen minutes' run +of Almaville please pass through this coach and so announce. +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">16</a></span> +Then stand on the platform leading from this coach to the +coach in which the Negroes have their section.</p> + +<p class="right">"<span class="smcap">From the Girl that Looked at You.</span>"</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>The first part of this request the porter concluded to comply with, but +he registered all sorts of vows to the effect that he would never be +found waiting on any platform for any white girl. He murmered to +himself.</p> + +<p>"My young lady, you may sign yourself, 'From the girl that looked at +you;' but with all due respect my signature is 'The boy that wasn't +there.'"</p> + +<p>Again he looked out of the window at the same sombre trees and into the +gloom of their shadows, and he put his hand in his collar as though it +was already too tight.</p> + +<p>"No, my God!" he said softly. Tearing the note to shreds, he fed it to +the winds, lowered the window and began to whistle.</p> + +<p>When the train was in the designated distance of Almaville the porter +entered the coach for whites in which sat the young woman who wrote the +note. "Fifteen minutes and the train pulls into Almaville," he +exclaimed, as he walked the aisle in an opposite direction to that +desired by the young woman. She at once understood and saw that she must +depend upon herself.</p> + +<p>The fragile, beautiful creature arose and by holding to the ends of the +various seats staggered to the door. She opened it and by tenacious +clinging to the iron railings on the platform<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">17</a></span> managed to pull herself +across to the adjoining coach. Passing through the smoker for the white +men she entered the Negro section. With a half stifled sob she threw +herself into the lap of the Negro girl and nestled her face on her +shoulder.</p> + +<p>The young woman from the coach for the whites now tossed back the veil +of the Negro girl and the two girls kissed, looking each other in the +eyes, pledging in that kiss and in that look, the unswerving, eternal +devotion of heart to heart whatever the future might bring. The young +woman now slowly turned away and went toward the coach whence she came, +assisted by the wondering conductor.</p> + +<p>From large dark eyes whose great native beauty was heightened by that +tender look of the soul that they harbored, the Negro girl stood +watching her visitor depart. The grace of her form that was somewhat +taller and somewhat larger than that of the average girl, stamped her as +a creature that could be truthfully called sublimely beautiful, thought +Ensal. Whatever complexion on general principles Ensal thought to be the +most attractive, he was now ready to concede that the delicate light +brown color of this girl could not be surpassed in beauty.</p> + +<p>If, incredulous as to the accuracy of the estimate of her beauty forced +upon one at the first glance, an effort was made to analyze that face +and study its parts separately, each feature was seen to have a beauty +all its own.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">18</a></span></p> + +<p>"So sweet and beautiful a face and so lovely a form could only have been +handed to a soul of whom <i>they</i> are not even worthy," thought Ensal.</p> + +<p>A sober look was in Ensal's eye and some kind of a mad gallop was in his +heart. There was more than soberness in the blue eyes of Earl Bluefield, +Ensal's companion. When Ensal looked around at his friend he was +astonished at the terribly bitter look on his face.</p> + +<p>The train emptied a number of its passengers and rushed on and on and +on, as if fleeing from the results to be anticipated from its deposit of +new and strange forces into the life of Almaville.</p> + +<div class="center"><br /><br /><img src="./images/chapterend.png" alt="Decorative Chapter End." title="" /><br /><br /></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">19</a></span></p> + + + +<div class="center"><img src="./images/chapterhead.png" title="Decorative Chapter Head" alt="" /></div> +<h2><a name="chapter_II" id="chapter_II"></a>CHAPTER II.<br /> +<span class="chaptitle">His Face Was Her Guide.</span></h2> + + +<p class="initial"><img class="dropcap" src="./images/drop_t.png" alt="T" title="" /><span class="hide">"T</span>his is a rich man's war and a poor man's fight." Such is said to have +been the character of the sentiment that was widespread in the ranks of +the Confederate army during the late Civil War.</p> + +<p>Be that as it may, it is very evident that the highest interest of the +"poor whites" who bore the brunt of the fighting was to be conserved by +the collapse rather than the triumph of the cause for which they fought +with unsurpassed gallantry. For, with the downfall of the system of +enforced labor, the work of the world became an open market, and the +dignity of labor being restored, the "poor whites" had both a better +opportunity and a more congenial atmosphere to begin their rise. Thus +the stars in their courses fought for the "poor whites" in fighting +bitterly against them.</p> + +<p>At one time the Negroes of the cities of the South had almost a +<ins class="tnote" title="Original text 'monoply'">monopoly</ins> of the work of transferring passengers and baggage to +and from the depots, but white men organized transfer companies, placed +white agents on the incoming trains to solicit patronage, employed white +men<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">20</a></span> to drive the transfer wagons and thus largely wrested the business +from the hands of the Negroes. But the Negroes would yet drive up to the +station, hoping for some measure of success in the spirited contests +that would arise in attempts to capture such gleanings as the advance +agents of the transfer companies had left behind.</p> + +<p>So, when the train on which we rode into Almaville poured its stream of +passengers upon the platform of the car shed and they had ascended the +steps to the depot platform, they were greeted with a series of shouts +from the Negro hackmen and expressmen standing at the edge of the +platform, the preponderance of the chances against them lending color to +their cries.</p> + +<p>Ensal Ellwood and Earl Bluefield boarded a street car, while the Negro +girl who had occupied the coach with them, not knowing anything about +the city, went in the direction of the clamoring hackmen, hoping that +some one of them might tell her where she could find proper +entertainment for the night. As she drew near, the line of hackmen bent +forward, with hands outstretched for traveling bags, each man eyeing her +intently as if hoping that the character of the look bestowed upon her +might influence her choice. One man pulled off his hat, hoping to +impress her with a mark of respect not exhibited by the others. The +remainder of the hackmen quickly pulled off their hats, determined that +no one should have the advantage. The young woman tossed back her veil +that she might see the better.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 477px;"> +<a name="image01" id="image01"></a> +<a href="./images/image01.png"><img src="./images/image01_th.png" width="477" height="600" +alt="The young woman looked into his face and recoiled.(20-21.)" title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">"The young woman looked into his face and recoiled." (20-21.)</span> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">21</a></span> +A young man better dressed than the hackmen was standing behind them. +The moment he caught sight of the young woman's astonishingly beautiful +face he pushed through the crowd, walked rapidly to her side, gently +took hold of her satchel, and said quietly, "You will go with me. I will +see you properly cared for."</p> + +<p>The young woman looked into his face and recoiled. His tone was +respectful and there was nothing affronting in his look or demeanor, yet +the young woman felt utterly repelled.</p> + +<p>"That's right, lady. Don't go with him. Go with any of the rest of these +men in preference to him," said a genial faced young man, slightly below +medium height, rather corpulent and very dark.</p> + +<p>The young woman looked in his direction and was favorably impressed with +his open, frank expression.</p> + +<p>"I'll trust myself to your care," said she, pulling away from the well +dressed young man.</p> + +<p>Leroy Crutcher, for such was his name, cast a look of malignant hatred +at Bud Harper, the successful hackman and muttered something under his +breath. He also scowled at the young woman whose utter disdain of him +had cut him to the quick.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">22</a></span></p> + +<p>"I will get even with the pair of them, if it takes me the balance of my +life," said Leroy Crutcher to the group of hackmen, after Bud Harper and +the young woman had driven away.</p> + +<p>The men looked at him in sullen, contemptuous silence, loathing and yet +dreading him more than they did a serpent, for he conducted a house of +ill-repute for the exclusive use of white men and Negro girls, and, +being diligent in endeavoring to bring to his home any and all Negro +girls to whom his white patrons might take a fancy, had great influence +with this element of whites.</p> + +<p>Noting the indisposition of the men to talk to him, and rightly +interpreting their contemptuous silence, Crutcher drew from his pocket a +wallet full of greenbacks. Taking out as many one dollar bills as there +were hackmen, he threw them on the platform and said, "I am a gentleman, +myself. Money talks these days. Help yourselves, gentlemen."</p> + +<p>The men did not look at the money. Each one returned to his vehicle and +journeyed to his humble home, leaving Crutcher alone upon the platform. +If the hackmen had taken his money it would have served as proof to him +that they were no better than he, that they were not in a business like +his simply because they lacked his skill and finesse.</p> + +<p>The action of the hackmen intensified his resentment at the treatment +accorded him by Bud<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">23</a></span> Harper and the young woman, and, meditating +vengeance, he now walked toward his den of infamy where his mother had +reigned in her day and where he was born of a white father.</p> + +<p>The human race has not thus far even approached the point of +constructing such habitations as would render mankind indifferent to +rumblings underground, nor has society such secure foundation that it +can think lightly of its lower elements.</p> + +<p>In the long run the LeRoy Crutchers will be heard from. It is +inevitable.</p> + +<div class="center"><br /><br /><img src="./images/chapterend.png" alt="Decorative Chapter End." title="" /><br /><br /></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">24</a></span></p> + + + +<div class="center"> +<img src="./images/chapterhead.png" title="Decorative Chapter Head" alt="" /> +</div> +<h2><a name="chapter_III" id="chapter_III"></a>CHAPTER III.<br /> +<span class="chaptitle">Wherein Foresta First Appears.</span></h2> + + +<p class="initial"><img class="dropcap" src="./images/drop_w.png" alt="W" title="" /><span class="hide">W</span>hen the young woman who had committed herself to Bud Harper's care +awoke the next morning she saw standing near her a tall, slender, Negro +girl, of a dark brown complexion.</p> + +<p>"My name is Foresta," said the girl, showing the tips of her beautiful +white teeth. Her lips were thin, her nose prettily chiseled, her skin +smooth, her brow high, her head covered with an ample supply of jet +black hair. "Excuse me, please," said Foresta, "but mama told me to tell +you that breakfast would soon be ready."</p> + +<p>Foresta having delivered her message, for which she was thanked, did not +at once turn to leave. Her pretty brown eyes nestling under equally +pretty eyebrows, looked lovingly into the stranger's face. Without +saying more, however, Foresta left the room. A little later she brought +the young woman's breakfast, clearing the center table to make room for +it.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 428px;"> +<a name="image02" id="image02"></a> +<a href="./images/image02.png"><img src="./images/image02_th.png" width="428" height="600" alt="Her pretty brown eyes, nestling under equally pretty +eyebrows, looked lovingly into the strangers face." (24-25.)" title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">"Her pretty brown eyes, nestling under equally pretty +eyebrows, looked lovingly into the strangers face." (24-25.)</span> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">25</a></span> +"We eat in the kitchen. It is mighty warm in there, though, in the +summer time with fire in the stove. We thought we would do a little +better by you than that," said Foresta apologetically. She sat down to +keep the young woman's company while the latter was eating.</p> + +<p>"That was Bud Harper that brought you here last night," said Foresta, +unable to repress a smile over some pleasing thought that was passing +through her mind.</p> + +<p>The young woman looked up from her breakfast. "My!" she said, "Your eyes +are pretty. They are such a lovely brown."</p> + +<p>"I'll swap hair with you," said Foresta, feeling of her own hair and +looking admiringly at the wealth of beautiful black hair on the young +woman's head.</p> + +<p>"You would cheat yourself. Your hair isn't as long as mine, but it is so +black and lovely," said the young woman.</p> + +<p>Looking at Foresta from head to foot, plainly but neatly dressed, the +young woman remarked, "You are a pretty girl, Foresta—and a good girl," +pausing between the former and the latter complimentary reference.</p> + +<p>Foresta's kindly face lighted up with joy at the compliment. For some +time she had felt, without knowing what it was that she felt, the need +of a confidante—some one with a fellow-feeling to whom she could talk.</p> + +<p>"Something funny happened once about Bud Harper and——"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">26</a></span></p> + +<p>"Yourself," said the young woman, with a sweet, knowing look.</p> + +<p>"Yes," admitted Foresta with a light laugh, pleased that the young woman +was entering so readily into the spirit of the recital. "Bud had a +brother Dave that looked just like him," said Foresta. "Almost, I mean," +she added, remembering that nobody was to be put on a level with Bud. +"Poor Dave is dead now," she said in sad tones, looking the young woman +fully in the face as if making a further study of her.</p> + +<p>Satisfied with the result of the inspection, Foresta now said in a +confidential tone: "Dave died in the penitentiary. He and a white man +got in a fight. Dave killed him in self-defense. Dave could have come +clear, but it wouldn't have done any good. He would have been lynched. +His lawyers advised him to take a twenty years' sentence to satisfy the +clamor, and said they were sure they could get him a pardon. All of +Dave's friends thought it was better to take his chances with a good +governor rather than a mob."</p> + +<p>Foresta's eyes now filled with tears. "It did hurt poor Dave so to go to +the penitentiary. He was such a good-hearted boy. He died there in about +a year and a half. It may be he's better off." Foresta now paused an +instant. Shaking off the spell of sadness she said, "But that's not what +I started out to tell you."</p> + +<p>"I know it isn't," said the young woman, smiling sadly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">27</a></span></p> + +<p>"Don't be too sure you know what I have to tell," said Foresta, +laughing. "It is really something funny."</p> + +<p>"I am listening," said the young woman.</p> + +<p>"One night Bud went to church with me. You know our church is called the +'high falutin' church,' and a good many of the poorer and plain people +don't like to go there. "Well, Bud isn't a highly educated boy and he +doesn't like our church for anything. He likes the preacher all right. +He will hardly ever go in and sit with me. He walks about out doors till +church is out, then comes back home with me. You are tired listening to +my foolishness, aren't you?" asked Foresta.</p> + +<p>"Not at all. I am interested," said the young woman reassuringly.</p> + +<p>"Well, Bud is a sort of a bashful boy. Dave was just the opposite. Dave +was full of nerve. Bud kept a 'hemming and hawing' trying to, trying to +er——"</p> + +<p>"Well, just say that he was trying to," said the young woman, and the +two laughed heartily.</p> + +<p>"Dave kept after Bud to speak out, but Bud was afraid that he would +spoil matters," resumed Foresta. "They rigged up a scheme to find out +where I stood without Bud's risking too much. Now, remember, Bud and +Dave looked just alike, almost. Many a time I have taken one for the +other. When little they often got scolded and beaten for one another. +Their father never could<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">28</a></span> tell them apart. Bud came to church with me +one night, and he and Dave agreed that Dave was to carry me home without +my knowing it was Dave. Dave was to make out that he was Bud and make a +dash of some sort to find out how Bud stood with me. On our way home +Dave didn't talk much. That helped to fool me, because Bud and I have +gone along not saying a word; only looking at each other now and then. +But that night Dave, whom I was taking to be Bud, was unusually quiet. +And I thought then that he was meditating something. When Dave got home +with me, he stood between me and the gate and said, 'You must pay toll +to get in.' I knew he was asking me to kiss him. 'If you don't let me by +I will call mama,' I said, mostly for fun, for I knew that Bud thought +mama was against him. You ought to have seen Dave stepping aside to let +me in. I didn't say another word, but walked into the yard and upon the +porch. I knocked. Mama came and unlocked the door and went back. 'Good +night,' said I. But Dave wouldn't move. He was so afraid that he had +spoiled things for Bud. I stood there and thought a while. It came to me +that it might not be wise to treat Bud's first attempt to say what I was +willing for him to say, too coolly. And yet I didn't want to appear too +anxious. You know what I mean," said Foresta appealingly.</p> + +<p>"I understand you, perfectly, though my time hasn't come yet," said the +young woman.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">29</a></span></p> + +<p>"So I stood on the porch," continued Foresta, "looking away from Dave, +thinking and thinking how I could save myself and not hurt Bud too much. +Womanlike, I suppose, I decided to make a sacrifice of myself. I opened +my door a little. Quick as a flash, but so he could plainly see what I +was doing, I threw a kiss and darted in the house. Dave fairly flew to +where Bud was waiting for him. Dave told Bud all about it and the two +boys liked to have hugged each other to death. Dave having opened the +way, Bud grew bolder very fast. After everything was understood between +us and the time set, Bud told me all about the trick. And I boxed his +ears for him. If you are here I want you to come to my and Bud's +wedding."</p> + +<p>Foresta now arose to go. Holding up a finger of warning, she said, "We +haven't told the old folks yet."</p> + +<div class="center"><br /><br /><img src="./images/chapterend.png" alt="Decorative Chapter End." title="" /><br /><br /></div> + + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">30</a></span></p> + + + +<div class="center"> +<img src="./images/chapterhead.png" title="Decorative Chapter Head" alt="" /> +</div> +<h2><a name="chapter_IV" id="chapter_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.<br /> +<span class="chaptitle">The Ways of A Seeker After Fame.</span></h2> + + +<p class="initial"><img class="dropcap" src="./images/drop_t.png" alt="T" title="" /><span class="hide">T</span>his world of ours, thought of in comparison with man the individual, is +so very, very large; its sons and daughters departed, now on hand and +yet to come, form such an innumerable host; the ever-increasing needs of +the living are so varied and urgent; the advance cry of the future +bidding us to prepare for its coming is so insistent; the contest for +supremacy, raging everywhere, must be fought out among so many souls of +power—these accumulated considerations so operate that it is given unto +but a few of those who come upon the earth to obtain a look of +recognition from the universal eye; and fewer still are they who, by +virtue of inherited capacity, proper bent, necessary environment and the +happy conjunction of the deed and the hour, so labor as to move to +admiration, sympathy or reverence the universal heart, an achievement, +apart from which no man, however talented, may hope to sit among the +earth's immortals.</p> + +<p>The fact that enduring world prominence is an achievement rarely and +with great difficulty attained operates upon different individuals in +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">31</a></span>different ways. Some grow weary of the strenuous strife, give up the +contest with a sigh and retire, as it were, to the shade of the trees +and with more or less of yearning await the coming of the deeper shades +of the evening eternal. Others, fully conscious that they have been +entrusted with a world message, confront a mountain with as much courage +as they do a sand dune, and press onward, whether the stars are in a +guiding or a hiding mood.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Arabelle Seabright, aspirant for world honors, sat in a +rocking-chair in her room in the Domain Hotel, Almaville, the stopping +place of the wealthiest and most aristocratic visitors. Her small well +shaped hands were lying one upon the other, resting on the back of an +open book which was in her lap, face downward. Slowly she rocked +backward and forward, tapping first one foot and then the other upon the +floor. It was very evident that she was thinking, but a glance at the +face was all that was needed to tell one that this thinking was not due +to irresolution or uncertainty of purpose.</p> + +<p>Nothing was ever more plainly written upon the human countenance than +that this woman knew her own mind and knew the course which she was to +pursue. Her thinking now is with a view to making travel along the +elected course as agreeable as possible. The door to her room opened and +there entered a young man of medium height with delicate, almost +feminine features.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">32</a></span> His face was covered with a full beard that was so +black as to appear almost uncanny, and it seemed so much out of place on +one so young, the wearer not being over twenty-five at most.</p> + +<p>"You have come to say 'yes,' my boy," said Mrs. Seabright, rising to +meet her son.</p> + +<p>The young man had really come to say "no," but that firm, unyielding +look in his mother's eyes halted him. Instead of the determined stand +which he had resolved to take, in the presence of his mother's imperious +will, all he could say was, "Mother, I—I—I—had hoped otherwise."</p> + +<p>His mother shook her head and looked him directly in the eyes. She +wanted him to see the determination written in her own eyes.</p> + +<p>He saw and collapsed. "I will go, mother," said he. "Be seated, mother," +he requested.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Seabright, directing a look of inquiry at her son, sat down.</p> + +<p>He now dropped on his knees and rested his head upon her lap. "Mother, +say to me the prayer that you taught me in my childhood—days when you +were not this way. Lead me back there once more, for something within +tells me that life is never more to be life to me."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Seabright did not at all relish the sentimental turn of her son's +mind, but she began in as tender tones as she could summon:</p> + +<p>"Now I lay me down to sleep."</p> + +<p>"Now I lay me down to sleep," repeated the young man.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">33</a></span></p> + +<p>"I pray the Lord my soul to keep," his mother continued.</p> + +<p>"I pray the Lord my soul to keep," said he.</p> + +<p>"If I should die before I wake," the mother said.</p> + +<p>"If I should die before I wake," said the son.</p> + +<p>"I pray the Lord my soul to take," concluded the mother.</p> + +<p>"I pray the Lord my soul to take," the son repeated lingeringly.</p> + +<p>"Mother, truly I am laying me down to sleep. I am putting my life, my +soul away. When I awake from this sleep into which your influence as a +mother has lulled me, I shall awake to look into the face of my +Creator."</p> + +<p>The young man now arose and turning upon his mother, he said out of a +burning heart: "Oh, mother! May your soul meet God. As I leave you, let +me tell you it takes that to reach your case!"</p> + +<p>"You are not the son of your mother," quietly said she.</p> + +<p>The young man now rushed from the room to get out of the presence of one +who, though his mother, possessed nothing in common with his own soul. +In spite of the manner of his leaving, Mrs. Seabright knew full well +that he would perform unto the utmost all that she had exacted of him.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Seabright resumed her seat and rocked to and fro complacently for a +few moments.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">34</a></span> Arising, she went to a rolling door, leading to a room +adjoining her own. There, coiled upon the bed, lay the beautiful young +woman whom we first saw endeavoring to attract the attention of the +Negro porter to a note. Her hair lay wildly about her pretty brow, there +were tear stains upon her cheeks and her eyelids were closed. A fear +seized Mrs. Seabright that her daughter might be dead. Rushing to the +bedside, she called, "Eunice! Eunice!"</p> + +<p>The young woman opened her blue eyes into her mother's, sat up and began +to sob violently. The mother put her arms around the young woman, but +the latter jumped from the bed and pulled herself away.</p> + +<p>"Now, Eunice, don't act in that way. You can't see how bright a future I +have mapped out for you. If you only knew!"</p> + +<p>The young woman shook her head in rejection of all that the mother might +offer.</p> + +<p>"I will let you see her as often as you choose, Eunice!"</p> + +<p>"Will you?" almost shrieked the young woman, stamping her foot upon the +floor, a wild look of joy leaping into her eye.</p> + +<p>"If you will let me plan your future I will not interfere with your +relations with her whatever."</p> + +<p>"Mother, mother," said the young woman rushing to Mrs. Seabright and +throwing her arms about her neck. Between sobs she said, "Mother, +mother, do with me what you will, just so you <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">35</a></span>allow me to be with her +when I choose. Oh, mother, how I wish you were now what you were before +the adder bit you."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Seabright, unmoved by this outburst, gently released herself from +her daughter's grasp and returned to her rocking chair.</p> + +<p>"I shall yet harness to my cause the two forces that are the most potent +yet revealed in shaping the course of human society," said she. Going to +her window, she looked out into the skies and whispered in confidence to +the stars:</p> + +<p>"I shall be remembered as long as you shall shine."</p> + +<p>Hard by the house of fame sits the home of infamy. Those who offer too +strange a price for the former are given the latter.</p> + +<div class="center"><br /><br /><img src="./images/chapterend.png" alt="Decorative Chapter End." title="" /><br /><br /></div> + + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">36</a></span></p> + + + +<div class="center"> +<img src="./images/chapterhead.png" title="Decorative Chapter Head" alt="" /> +</div> +<h2><a name="chapter_V" id="chapter_V"></a>CHAPTER V.<br /> +<span class="chaptitle">Rather Late In Life To Be Still Nameless.</span></h2> + + +<p class="initial"><img class="dropcap" src="./images/drop_o.png" alt="O" title="" /><span class="hide">O</span>n the morrow following our ride into Almaville on the passenger train, +toward twilight Ensal Ellwood sat upon the front porch of his pretty +little home, a sober look in his firm, kindly eyes. By his side sat his +aged mother, whose sweet dark face of regular features was crowned with +hair that was now white from the combined efforts of time and sorrow. +Her usually placid countenance wore a look of positive alarm. She had +just been a listener to a conversation between her son and Gus Martin.</p> + +<p>Gus Martin was a Negro of brownish hue, whose high cheek bones, keen +eyes, coarse black hair and erect carriage told plainly of the Indian +blood in his veins. Gus was a great admirer of both Ensal and Earl +Bluefield and the three had gone to the Spanish-American war together, +Ensal, who was a minister, as chaplain, Gus and Earl as soldiers. These +three were present at the battle of San Juan Hill, and Gus, who was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">37</a></span> +himself notoriously brave, scarcely knew which to admire the more, +Ensal's searching words that inspired the men for that world-famous dash +or Earl's enthusiastic, infectious daring on the actual scene of +conflict.</p> + +<p>Gus could read and write in a fashion, but was by no means as well +educated as either Ensal or Earl, his friends, and consequently looked +to them largely for guidance.</p> + +<p>Earl had made efforts to secure promotion upon the record of his +services in battle, but had failed, because, according to common +opinion, of the disinclination of the South to have Negro officers in +the army. Gus Martin took Earl's failure to secure promotion more to +heart than did Earl himself. Gus was a follower but not a member of the +church of which Ensal was pastor, and he had come to pour forth his +sentiments to Ensal anent the failure of his friend Earl to be rewarded. +Ordinarily the well-known tractability of the Negro seemed uppermost in +him, but this evening all of his Indian hot blood seemed to come to the +fore. His voice was husky with passion and his black eyes flashed +defiance. He questioned the existence of God, and, begging pardon, +asserted that the Gospel was the Negro's greatest curse in that it +unmanned the race. As for the United States government, he said, "The +flag aint any more to me than any other dirty rag. I fit fur it. My +blood run out o' three holes on the groun' to keep it<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">38</a></span> floatin', and +whut will it do fur me? Now jes' tell me whut?"</p> + +<p>Ensal endeavored to show that the spirit of the national government was +very correct and that the lesser governments within the government +caused the weakness. He held that in the course of time the national +government would mould the inner circles of government to its way of +thinking.</p> + +<p>"Excuse me, Elder; but that kind o' talk makes me sick. You are a good +Christian man, I really think; but like most cullud people you are too +jam full o' patience an' hope. I'll be blessed if I don't b'lieve Job +was a cullud man. I ganny, I got Indian blood in me and if they pester +this kid they are goin' to hear sump'in' drap."</p> + +<p>It was to this conversation that Ensal's mother had listened with +disturbed feelings. She believed firmly in God and her only remedies for +all the ills of earth were prayer and time. Therefore it ruffled her +beyond measure to have a new spirit appearing in the race.</p> + +<p>"Ensal, there isn't any good in that Gus Martin," said she, in earnest, +tremulous tones, nodding her head in the direction of the departing Gus. +"I may be dead, my son, but you will see that the devil will be to pay +this side of hearing the last of him," she continued.</p> + +<p>Ensal did not look in his mother's direction, but stole one of her thin +worn hands and placed it between his own. He felt that his mother's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">39</a></span> +prediction with regard to Gus Martin was only too likely to be +fulfilled.</p> + +<p>At this juncture two young women appeared at the gate and entered. They +were Foresta Crump and the young woman whom we saw taken to Foresta's +home on the preceding evening. Being informed that the stranger desired +a conference with him, Ensal retired to his study, lighted the room and +invited her to enter. Foresta remained upon the porch and entertained +Mrs. Ellwood, with whom she was a favorite, because of her peculiarly +lovable disposition and her attention to the aged.</p> + +<p>When the young woman was seated, Ensal took a seat and looked in her +direction, saying, "Consider me at your service, please." There was an +air of unnatural calm about the young woman. She now removed her hat +from her head and Ensal noted that her hair was so arranged as to allow +her face to fully stand as nature gave it to her, unrelieved. He also +noticed that her attire was of a simple order throughout, though good +taste and ample means were needed to produce the results attained by her +dress. The light of the train that had told Ensal that she was +beautiful, had only hinted at the attractiveness of form and feature as +disclosed upon closer inspection.</p> + +<p>The young woman seemed in no haste to begin the conversation about the +matter that had brought her there, and chatted with Ensal in a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">40</a></span> +desultory manner. She was studying Ensal and was affording him an +opportunity to study her. Ensal had been so highly spoken of to her, and +in her present state of mind she was so anxious to meet such a person as +he was represented to be that she was calling into requisition all the +powers of intuition of which her soul was capable.</p> + +<p>At length an instant of quiet on the part of his visitor told Ensal that +she was now to approach the matter that had given rise to her call.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Ellwood," began the young woman, "it sometimes happens in the +course of human life that we are compelled to appeal to the faith that +people have in us. Life is more or less a matter of faith anyway, but +ordinarily there is some sort of buttress for our faith in surrounding +circumstances. To-night, I bring not one shred of circumstance, not one +bit of history from my past life, and yet I appeal to you for faith in +me, absolute unquestioning faith."</p> + +<p>Her earnest tones and the pleading look in her beautiful eyes and the +trembling of her form burned those words into Ensal's memory:</p> + +<p>"I have the necessary faith," said Ensal, earnestly and quietly.</p> + +<p>"I have come to Almaville to begin life anew. This has become necessary +through no act of my own. This is all I care to say on that point, and I +do not promise to ever break the seal of silence with regard to the +past. I wish to find a name and I wish to find friends among the really +good people of Almaville, the good Negroes. I am lately from New York +and I am your friend. With these facts and only these, can you name me, +can you place me in touch with your friends?" said the young woman.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 563px;"> +<a name="image03" id="image03"></a> +<a href="./images/image03.png"> +<img src="./images/image03_th.png" width="563" height="600" alt="Name me as I was named when a babe. The name that I have +borne shall know me no more," replied the young woman." +(40-41.)" title="" /> +</a> +<span class="caption">"Name me as I was named when a babe. The name that I have +borne shall know me no more," replied the young woman." +(40-41.)</span> +</div> + + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">41</a></span> +"Name you?" enquired Ensal.</p> + +<p>"Name me as I was named when a babe. The name that I have borne shall +know me no more," replied the young woman.</p> + +<p>As pastor of a Negro church at a period when almost the entire +leadership of the race was centered in that functionary, Ensal was +accustomed to having all sorts of matters placed before him, but the +present requirement was rather unique in all of his experience as a +pastor. He arose from the chair and began to walk slowly to and fro +across the room, having asked the indulgence of the young woman for +resorting to his favorite method of procedure when engaged in serious +reflection. If we must tell the truth of this young man, the question +which he was debating most was somewhat at variance with those raised by +her requests.</p> + +<p>Ensal had come to the conclusion many years previous that marriage was +not for him, and hitherto woman had had no entrance into the inner +chambers of his thoughts. And this beautiful stranger, nameless and +homeless, had almost wrested the door of his heart from its hinges, +without even an attempt thereat, and the young<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">42</a></span> man was trying to +grapple with the new experiences born into his consciousness.</p> + +<p>Finding that he lost ground by trying to reason with his heart, Ensal +let the wilful member alone and engaged in the more honest task of +naming his visitor. Turning toward the young woman, glad that he had +something to say, so that he might look into her beautiful face again, +he said:</p> + +<p>"I name you Tiara."</p> + +<p>Ensal assigned the name with so much warmth that Tiara dropped her eyes, +and the faintest symptoms of a smile appeared on her face.</p> + +<p>"You have forgotten the latter part of my name," she remarked.</p> + +<p>Ensal resumed his walking. Happening to look up at the top of his desk +he caught sight of a sculptured bust of Frederick Douglass. He paused, +and pointing to the bust, said:</p> + +<p>"Behold one whose distinctive mission in the world was to serve as a +harbinger for his race! A star of the first magnitude, he rose in the +night of American slavery, attracted the admiring gaze of the civilized +world, and so thrilled the hearts of men that they broke the chains of +all his kind in the hope of further enriching the firmament of lofty +human endeavor with stars like unto him. I name you Tiara Douglass."</p> + +<p>Ensal turned to Tiara, his face enkindled with enthusiasm. He stepped +back, threw up his hands, and plainly showed in his eyes the unbounded +surprise which he felt at the way in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">43</a></span> which Tiara had received his +suggestion for a surname. There Tiara sat, tears evidently long pent-up +freely flowing and her body shaking with, emotion.</p> + +<p>To find a word expressive of Ensal's bewildered state of mind is a +problem to be handed over to the type of man engaged in the search for +perpetual motion and does not come within the purview of a simple +author. Man who tames the lion, harnesses the winds, makes a whimperer +of steam and cowers the lightning—this same vainglorious, triumphant +man is simply helpless in the presence of a woman's tears! Ensal stole +quietly to his seat and sat there in a state of amazement.</p> + +<p>Tiara looked up through her tears, a few pretty locks of hair having now +fallen in beautiful disorder across her brow.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Ellwood, I cannot endure the name Douglass and I cannot explain," +said she.</p> + +<p>Ensal now perceived that this name Douglass had somehow made the girl's +thoughts touch upon the very core of her life's troubles.</p> + +<p>"Douglass, Douglass, Douglass; no not Douglass," repeated Tiara in +passionate tones, evidently trying to accept the name for Ensal's sake +and yet being unable to do so.</p> + +<p>"Your name shall be Tiara Merlow," said Ensal.</p> + +<p>"Merlow—Merlow. I like that," said Tiara.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">44</a></span></p> + +<p>"I will arrange for you to stop with Mrs. Helen Crawford," said Ensal.</p> + +<p>"Thank you," said Tiara.</p> + +<p>Tiara now arose to go, but it was evident that there was something yet +unspoken. As she reached the door of the room she turned around and +looked Ensal directly in the face. Ensal had been following her to the +door, and the two now stood near each other.</p> + +<p>"She is just tall and large enough to be grand in appearance, which, +coupled with her beauty of face and symmetry of form, make her fit to +set a new standard of loveliness in woman," mentally observed Ensal.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Ellwood," said Tiara, "I perceive that you are an admirer of +Frederick Douglass. Do you approve of his marriage to a white woman?"</p> + +<p>Ensal was about to answer, when something in Tiara's look told him that +he was somehow about to pass final judgment upon himself. He looked at +Tiara to see if he could glean from her countenance a hint of her +leaning, but her countenance was purposely a blank. He now tried to +recall the tone in which she asked the question, but as he remembered +it, that, too, was noncommittal. He was not seeking to divine Tiara's +opinion with a view to shaping his own accordingly. If it was apparent +that he and she agreed, he was of course ready to answer. If they were +to differ, he preferred to postpone answering until such a time as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">45</a></span> he +might be able to accompany his answer with his reason for the same.</p> + +<p>Ensal now said smilingly, "Practice suspension of judgment in my case. +In some way I may let you know my views on the matter later on."</p> + +<p>"All right," said Tiara, slowly turning to leave.</p> + +<p>It was evident to Ensal that further progress in her favor was largely +contingent upon his answer, and the marriage of Frederick Douglass to a +white woman became an exceedingly live question with him. He accompanied +Tiara and Foresta home and the moonlight and starlight never before +appeared so glorious to him or nature so benign.</p> + +<p>After all the heart makes its world.</p> + +<div class="center"><br /><br /><img src="./images/chapterend.png" alt="Decorative Chapter End." title="" /><br /><br /></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">46</a></span></p> + + + +<div class="center"> +<img src="./images/chapterhead.png" title="Decorative Chapter Head" alt="" /> +</div> +<h2><a name="chapter_VI" id="chapter_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.<br /> +<span class="chaptitle">Friendly Enemies.</span></h2> + + +<p class="initial"><img class="dropcap" src="./images/drop_i.png" alt="I" title="" /><span class="hide">I</span>t has always been a mooted question with Ensal as to whether he did or +did not sleep the night of Tiara's call at his residence. But he has +ever stood ready to take oath or affirmation that, whether waking or +sleeping, Tiara was constantly in his thoughts that night. And when +turning his face toward the window the following morning he saw streaks +of golden sunshine stretched across the floor, and realized that there +was a nameless something within him which that sunlight could not match, +he knew that the crisis in his life had come.</p> + +<p>After a frugal meal with his mother, and the planting of a kiss of +unusual warmth upon her cheek, Ensal stepped forth for his day's duties. +As he went out of his gate he noticed a white man across the street +acting as though he was sketching his (Ensal's) home. Feeling that he +was warranted in having as much interest in the man as the man seemed to +have in that which pertained to him, Ensal walked somewhat obliquely<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">47</a></span> +across the street, coming near enough to the man to receive an +explanation, if the man desired to give one, or, at any rate, near +enough to have a good view of the sketch taken.</p> + +<p>The white man took advantage of the opportunity to get a full look at +Ensal, who felt a little uneasiness at the intense interest which the +man's whole countenance showed that he had in him. The man's eyes had an +earnest, pained expression. His cheeks were hollow and seemed to +indicate that he was just going into or emerging from a hard spell of +sickness. His hat was a faded brown derby and his suit of clothes was of +a tough, coarse fibre and much worn. Standing by him on the sidewalk was +what appeared to be a much battered drummer's case to which the man's +eye would revert oftener than the utmost caution would seem to have +rendered necessary. Ensal passed on, but somehow this strange white man +came into his mind and demanded a share in the thoughts which would +otherwise have gone undividedly to Tiara.</p> + +<p>Ensal called at the home of Mrs. Crawford and made it possible for Tiara +to arrange for a home with her, an alliance which would at once afford +Tiara an entrance into the social life of the best Negro circles. This +much accomplished, Ensal started in the direction of the Crump's to +apprise Tiara of the arrangements.</p> + +<p>"Why so much haste?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">48</a></span></p> + +<p>Ensal turned and looked into the face of his friend, Earl Bluefield.</p> + +<p>"Was I walking fast?" asked Ensal.</p> + +<p>"Fast!" exclaimed Earl. "If you can induce the saints in your church to +give the devil half as much trouble to catch them as you have given me, +why they will be saved all right. Really a person who didn't know would +have thought that your mother-in-law had died and that you were hurrying +to make arrangements for her funeral," said Earl.</p> + +<p>"By the way," said Ensal, "I am glad that I met you. A-a friend of mine +from New York, a Miss Merlow, Tiara Merlow, is in the city. I wish you +to pay her a call with me to-morrow evening. May I make the engagement?"</p> + +<p>Earl dropped his head in meditation. His brain was exceedingly active. +Beneath this apparently simple proposal of Ensal's lay hidden many +possibilities.</p> + +<p>Ensal and Earl represented two types in the Negro race, the conservative +and the radical. They both stood for the ultimate recognition of the +rights of the Negro as an American citizen, but their methods were +opposite. They intuitively assumed, it seemed, opposite sides on every +question that arose pertaining to the race, and championed their +respective sides with much warmth and vigor. Yet they remained friends, +were great admirers of each other, and lived each<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">49</a></span> in the hope of +converting the other to his way of thinking.</p> + +<p>On the question of racial connection Ensal was really proud of the fact +that he was a Negro, and felt that had he been entrusted with the +determining of his racial affinity he would have chosen membership in +the Negro race. Earl accepted the fact of his connection with the Negro +race as a matter of course, had no desire to alter the relationship, and +felt neither dejection nor elation on account thereof.</p> + +<p>Ensal felt that the acceptance of slavery on the part of the Negro in +preference to extermination was evidence of adaptability to conditions +that assured the presence of the Negro on the earth in the final wind up +of things, in full possession of all the advantages that time and +progress promise. Earl rather admired the Indian and felt that the dead +Indian refusing to be enslaved was a richer heritage to the world than +the yielding and thriving Negro.</p> + +<p>Ensal held that the course of the Negro during the Civil War in caring +for the wives and children of the men fighting for their enslavement was +a tribute to their humanity and would prove an invaluable asset in all +future reckonings. While thoroughly approving of the Negro's protection +of the women and children of the whites from violence, Earl was sorry +that the thousand torches which Grady said would have disbanded the +Southern armies were not lighted. Ensal <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">50</a></span>deprecated all talk and thought +of the sword as the final arbiter of the troubles between the races. +Earl had his dreams—and his plans as well.</p> + +<p>The procuring of the full recognition of the rights of the Negro was +such a passion with Ensal that Earl relied upon it to finally bring him +from the ranks of the conservatives to the radicals. Earl was fully +convinced within himself that all of Ensal's hopes of a satisfactory, +peaceful adjustment of matters were to be dashed to the ground, and +knowing how thoroughly Ensal's soul was committed to the advancement of +the race, he really expected Ensal to develop into the leader of the +radicals. But this looming into view of a young woman, a friend of +Ensal's, was liable, Earl thought, to complicate matters.</p> + +<p>Earl had all along rejoiced in Ensal's determination to remain +unmarried, fearing that family life might add to his conservatism. This +accounts for the fact that Ensal's simple invitation to call on a Miss +Tiara Merlow on the following evening so deeply affected Earl.</p> + +<p>"Yes, yes, I'll go," said Earl slowly, almost as much to himself as to +Ensal.</p> + +<p>Ensal knew Earl so well that he could have told him the character of his +(Earl's) thoughts.</p> + +<p>On the following evening as Ensal and Earl sat in the parlor of the +Crawford's chatting, Tiara parted the curtains shutting off an adjoining +room, and stepped in. Her hair was arranged in two rich black braids +tied up so as to extend<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">51</a></span> only to her shoulders. The hair on the front +part of her head was allowed to come forward, but not enough to forbid +glimpses of a well rounded, beautiful forehead. As she stood there, +symmetrical in form, just large and tall enough to be commanding in +appearance, Ensal again inwardly declared that she was the most +beautiful woman he had ever seen, heard of or dreamed about. Her eyes +would have made a face of less regular features appear beautiful. As for +Tiara, they made her beauty simply dazzling.</p> + +<p>When Earl's wits, swept away by Tiara's beauty, slowly returned, it +dawned upon him to his great astonishment that he was face to face with +the young woman who had ridden into Almaville with Ensal and himself.</p> + +<p>"If she was Ensal's friend, why did he not make himself known to her on +the train?" asked Earl of himself. But this query was soon dislodged +from his mind by one of far more interest to him, to wit: "Is it not +likely that I may utilize this young woman as a means of bringing to me +a second glimpse of that girl that paid us a visit from the coach for +whites?"</p> + +<p>Earl was introduced in due form and joined in the conversation now and +then; but it was evident to Ensal that he was, for some cause, ill at +ease. Tiara and Ensal, however, enjoyed the evening, each intently +weighing the remarks of the other.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">52</a></span></p> + +<p>They say that Cupid is blind. This may be true of him at some stage of +the proceedings, but when he is looking for a spot at which to let fly +an arrow, he could play schoolmaster to Argus, of the many eyes.</p> + +<p>Ensal and Earl departed, Ensal going home to live the evening over +through the night, while Earl called upon Leroy Crutcher and engaged him +to use Tiara Merlow as a clue to trace the unknown young woman.</p> + +<p>"Is this honorable, this forming an alliance with Leroy Crutcher, this +placing of a surveillance, as it were, on the movements of my friend's +friend?"</p> + +<p>These questions came to Earl more than once that night and the answer of +the hot blood of his soul was: "Conditions have made me an outlaw among +my kind. Rubbish aside, am I not as much of an Anglo-Saxon as any of +them? Does not my soul respond to those things and those things only to +which their souls respond? He that is without the law shall be judged +without the law."</p> + +<p>Judged! That is a solemn and sometimes an awful affair with nature.</p> + +<div class="center"><br /><br /><img src="./images/chapterend.png" alt="Decorative Chapter End." title="" /><br /><br /></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">53</a></span></p> + + + +<div class="center"> +<img src="./images/chapterhead.png" title="Decorative Chapter Head" alt="" /> +</div> +<h2><a name="chapter_VII" id="chapter_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.<br /> +<span class="chaptitle">Officers Of The Law.</span></h2> + + +<p class="initial"><img class="dropcap" src="./images/drop_h.png" alt="H" title="" /><span class="hide">"H</span>old on, there!" said one of a group of white boys on their way to +school. The command was addressed to a Negro lad fourteen years of age. +"Where are you going?" asked the self-appointed spokesman of the white +boys. The Negro lad looked sullenly at the white boy.</p> + +<p>"No need of clouding up; you can't rain," said the white boy. "Don't you +know the law? The school board said for you niggers to get to school a +half hour before we white children. What do you mean by hanging around +and going to school on our time?"</p> + +<p>"It is none of your business," said the Negro.</p> + +<p>"I guess you had better skip, Mr. Coon," said the white boy. The group +now sat down on the curbing, while the Negro walked away. The white boys +gathered stones preparatory for battle.</p> + +<p>The race problem had at last reached the childhood of the two races. In +former days the children of the whites and the Negroes had played +together, and ties of friendship were formed that often survived the +changes of later years when<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">54</a></span> one playmate became a master and his fellow +became his servant. But that friendly commingling of other days was +practically all gone now, and clashes between the white and Negro +children became so frequent that the school authorities had decreed +separate hours for the opening and closing of the schools of the two +races, so as to lessen the friction as much as possible.</p> + +<p>"Fly, you black face nigger, you," shouted a white boy.</p> + +<p>"My face ain't near as black as your heart," rejoined the Negro, +adroitly dodging the stones thrown by the white boys. The Negro threw +his books to the sidewalk and soon had a handful of <ins class="tnote" title="Original text 'missles'.">missiles</ins>. +The rock battle was now on in earnest, the white boys feeling sure that +their superior numbers would soon put the lone warrior to flight. The +Negro entered into the battle with his whole soul, and was vigorous and +alert. It was his idea that the injuring of one or two of his opponents +would bring the battle to a close. A policeman rounded a corner leading +to the street in which the rock battle was raging. The Negro's back was +to the policeman, while the other boys were facing him. They dropped +their stones and assumed a pacific and frightened attitude in time to +impress the policeman that they were being needlessly assaulted by the +Negro.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 800px;"> +<a name="image04" id="image04"></a> +<a href="./images/image04.png"> +<img src="./images/image04_th.png" width="800" height="519" alt="The rock battle was now on in earnest, the white boys +feeling sure that their superior numbers would soon put the lone warrior +to flight."(54-55)" title="" /> +</a> +<span class="caption">"The rock battle was now on in earnest, the white boys +feeling sure that their superior numbers would soon put the lone warrior +to flight."(54-55)</span> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">55</a></span> +The Negro who did not see the policeman, ascribed the capitulation of +his opponents to his own vigorous campaign, and now picked up his books, +a look of exultation on his face. When he turned he found himself in the +arms of the policeman. One of the boys, it developed, had been slightly +bruised by one of the Negro's rocks. The Negro was put under arrest and +locked up in the station house for the night.</p> + +<p>The next morning as Tiara was perusing the paper, she noticed that a +Negro boy, Henry Crump, had been arrested on a charge of assault and +battery.</p> + +<p>"Henry Crump—Henry Crump—Crump—Crump! That name is familiar to me," +said Tiara, laying aside the paper to see if she could recall why the +name sounded so familiarly to her. "I have it," said she, springing to +her feet. "Why, I stayed with the Crumps the first night that I was in +Almaville. And it is their little Henry in trouble. I'll help the little +fellow out," said she.</p> + +<p>Tiara observed that little Henry's case was set for ten o'clock that +morning and it was then nine. She dispatched a note to Ensal, who +immediately responded in person to accompany her to the place of the +trial.</p> + +<p>"This," said Ensal, "is but a symptom of a growing disease. In the days +before the war the young master and the Negro boys played together and +there was undoubtedly a strong tie of personal friendship between the +slaveholding class and the Negroes on their plantation. But all is +changed now. Rarely do you find white and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">56</a></span> Negro children playing +together, and the feeling of estrangement grows apace with the years."</p> + +<p>"What is pending?" earnestly asked Tiara, turning her large, anxious +eyes on Ensal.</p> + +<p>"Heaven alone knows," replied Ensal. "Just think! In order to have peace +here between the children of the two races, the school authorities +provide that there shall be a difference of an half hour between the +respective hours of going to and coming from school," continued Ensal.</p> + +<p>They were soon at the police station. Climbing the flight of stairs they +entered a room crowded with Negroes from the lower stratum. The great +majority of the women, it could be seen, had made some effort at +respectability in attire. Some of the occupants of the room were there +as witnesses in cases, others because of interest in parties to be +tried, while the majority were there to pass judgment on the judge and +learn as best they might the ways of the court and the law. Here and +there was a sprinkling of respectable people who had by means of some +mischance been caught in the drift.</p> + +<p>One by one parties charged with offenses were called forward, fined and +ordered released or passed back. At length the case of Henry Crump was +called, and he came forward at a rather brisk pace, looking confidently +at his mother and Foresta who had come prepared to lift him out of his +trouble. On the same seat with Foresta and her mother sat Tiara and +Ensal and their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">57</a></span> presence somehow gave added assurance to Henry.</p> + +<p>Henry made his statements, the witnesses were examined and in the +monotone with which the police judge went through with all of the cases, +he said, "Fined twenty dollars and costs."</p> + +<p>Foresta half arose, shocked at the amount, and Mrs. Crump crouched back +in her seat in despair. Foresta had in her hand a crisp ten dollar bill +which the family had raised, not dreaming that the fine would go above +that amount.</p> + +<p>"Pass him back," said the judge. Henry cast an inquiring look at Foresta +and his mother. Tears were in Foresta's eyes and Henry knew that they +were helpless. It simply meant that he was to have a pick on his leg and +work the streets of Almaville. He dropped his head disconsolately, +nervously fumbled his hat, and tears appeared in his eyes. The sting +went deep into his boyish soul as he walked away.</p> + +<p>"Wait a minute!" rang out Tiara's voice, and going up to the judge's +desk, she put down a fifty-dollar-bill, saying, "Take the amount of the +fine and costs out of this."</p> + +<p>The judge looked up somewhat surprised. Tiara's act, born purely out of +sympathy for the youthfulness of Henry and of sentimental regard for the +first family that harbored her in Almaville, was <ins class="tnote" title="Original text 'totaly'">totally</ins> +misunderstood by the court officials. They fancied they scented a race +contest in the matter and felt that Tiara was simply <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">58</a></span>trying to show +that it was all right for a Negro boy to stand up against white boys. +They now decided to punish Henry to the limit of the law.</p> + +<p>"Release the prisoner," said the judge.</p> + +<p>Henry was released and Foresta and her frail looking mother rushed to +Tiara to thank her. While they were doing this the deputy sheriff +stepped up and rearrested Henry.</p> + +<p>"Pardon me," said Ensal, interrupting the felicitations of the ladies. +"We are not through yet. I see they are taking the boy over to the +County Court."</p> + +<p>"That isn't right," cried Foresta, as she followed the group.</p> + +<p>The Criminal Court was then in session, and Henry's case was not long in +being called. The deputy sheriff was seen to whisper a few words aside +to the judge. The jury brought in a verdict of guilty and the judge +assessed his punishment at ten months on the county farm.</p> + +<p>Henry was now placed on the bench, where sat the row of convicted +prisoners awaiting the pleasure of the sheriff, whose duty it was to +deliver them to the places assigned them. As the boy took his seat on +this bench to await the issue of other trials, when the sheriff would +carry all the prisoners over together, there began to crowd to his mind +all that he knew of Negroes on the county farm. He had heard of the +indecent manner of whipping Negro women practiced out there. He saw one +woman whose eye had been knocked<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">59</a></span> out by an overseer. He had seen a +petition emanating from the colored people containing sworn allegations +setting forth a multitude of horrors.</p> + +<p>Henry remembered having seen one boy return whose foot was frost-bitten +and had to be amputated as the result of exposure at the farm. It was +summer now, but ten months would carry him fully through the winter at +the farm. The thoughts of a stay there was too much for him. Arising +quickly he sprang up into the court house window. An officer rushed +toward him to intercept him, but it was too late. Out of the window he +jumped, dropping to the pavement below. He dashed out of the side gate +of the court house yard and ran southward across the square, in the +center of which the court house stood. Coming to the street which led to +the bridge over the river that intersected the city, he turned eastward +and started across the bridge with all the speed at his command.</p> + +<p>The court officials were now in hot pursuit of the fleeing lad, one +officer seizing a buggy, another jumping upon a street car and ordering +the motorman to proceed at his utmost speed.</p> + +<p>Henry had almost covered the full length of the bridge when the cry of +the officers, caught up from one to another, had about come up with him. +When he had all but reached the farther end of the bridge, in order to +avoid an officer whom he saw standing awaiting him with a drawn pistol,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">60</a></span> +he leaped over the railing and dropped about twenty feet, striking the +embankment reared up for a resting place for the end of the bridge.</p> + +<p>This officer of the law saw Henry leap and ran to the steps which were +not far from the spot whence he had jumped. The officer reached the +steps in time to see Henry sliding toward the water's edge. The officer +began running down the steps, shooting as he ran. The people on the +bridge crowded to the side over which Henry had leaped and witnessed the +race between Henry and the shooting officer. Henry fell and it was +thought that he was hit, but he arose and continued his running. He +turned under the bridge and ran along parallel with the waters of the +river. After passing fully under the bridge, Henry plunged into the +stream and ran somewhat diagonally toward the center of the river until +he was up to his neck in water.</p> + +<p>"Move a step further out and I will kill you," said a bareheaded +officer, who had at last reached the river bank, brandishing his pistol +as he spoke.</p> + +<p>By this time hundreds, perhaps a thousand or so, of people had gathered +on the bridge. Henry stood in the water tossing his arms up and down. He +feared to come ashore and was equally afraid to try to swim further out, +feeling that he would be killed in any event. Some one on the bridge +lifted a revolver to the railing, leveled it at Henry's head and fired.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">61</a></span></p> + +<p>"Shame! Shame! Shame!" was the word passed from lip to lip, as the noise +of the shot was heard. Henry threw up his hands and fell, his arms +upstretched above his head as he disappeared beneath the surface of the +water. No one of the thousands stirred. In breathless silence they +watched the spot where the lad had sunk out of sight. Some felt that +Henry had simply dived and in due time would rise. Second after second +passed, on the brief moments of time flew, while the eager eyes of the +multitude were fastened on the murky waters of the river. Henry did not +rise. He was dead. When it was known that life must be extinct, officers +of the law rowed out to where he was last seen and fished his body out.</p> + +<p>Ensal who had followed the chase now returned to the court house. Tiara, +Foresta and Foresta's mother had heard the shooting and formed an +awe-struck group, fearing that something had happened and yet hoping +against hope. Ensal's sad countenance told them that their worst fears +were realized.</p> + +<p>"Henry is dead, mama," moaned Foresta, as she threw her arms about her +frail mama's neck. "He is dead, mama; let's go home," wailed Foresta +again.</p> + +<p>Ensal and Tiara returned to Mrs. Crawford's.</p> + +<div class="center"><br /><br /><img src="./images/chapterend.png" alt="Decorative Chapter End." title="" /><br /><br /></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">62</a></span></p> + + + +<div class="center"> +<img src="./images/chapterhead.png" title="Decorative Chapter Head" alt="" /> +</div> +<h2><a name="chapter_VIII" id="chapter_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.<br /> +<span class="chaptitle">A Messenger That Hesitates.</span></h2> + + +<p class="initial"><img class="dropcap" src="./images/drop_m.png" alt="M" title="" /><span class="hide">M</span>rs. Crump sat in her room, her elbows propped up on her knees and her +cheeks resting on her hands. The death of Henry, her only boy, was +indeed a severe blow to her, but at this particular moment she was +bearing up well under it, reserving her strength by a supreme effort of +her will to the end that she might comfort her husband when he became +aware of the tragedy.</p> + +<p>Foresta had gone for her father with the understanding that she was not +to tell him what had occurred, but was to allow her mother to break the +news to him upon his arrival home.</p> + +<p>Every step that Foresta took on her sorrowful journey was accompanied by +a rain of tears. As she drew near the place where her father was at +work, she stopped and tried to remove all traces of sorrow. She wiped +and wiped her eyes, but the tears persisted in flowing. Her father was +at work in a quarry as a rock breaker.</p> + +<p>The city was using small stones as a sort of pavement for the streets, +and aged Negro men<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">63</a></span> were given the work of breaking rocks into fragments +to be used in that way. The occupation was not an ideal one, as +employment was of a fluctuating character, and the sitting on the +ground, often damp, was not conducive to health. The amount earned in +proportion to the labor performed was very small. But aged men unable to +move about very much found this to be about all that they could do. So, +the rock pile grew to be the accepted goal of all the Negro men who wore +themselves out in other service without laying aside a competence or +establishing themselves permanently in the good graces of their +employees.</p> + +<p>There were many who did thus establish themselves, and Ford Crump would +have been such a one but for the following chain of circumstances, to +which account you may give heed while waiting on Foresta to feel +self-possessed enough to approach her father.</p> + +<p>Soon after the Civil War Mr. Arthur Daleman came to Almaville and +entered business. Ford Crump, Foresta's father, then a young man, was +his first Negro employee. The business grew until Mr. Daleman was +rightly classed as a very rich man.</p> + +<p>For several years after Mr. Arthur Daleman's marriage, no children had +come to bless their home. Early one morning, as Mr. Daleman was crossing +the bridge, he saw a young white girl<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">64</a></span> acting rather suspiciously, +peering up and down the bridge. Drawing near, he found that she had an +infant wrapped in a bundle. Fully believing that it was the intention of +the girl to drown the babe, he asked that she give him the child. This +the young woman very gladly did. As the child grew, Mrs. Daleman's heart +warmed to it and after several years of anxious thought and observation +of the child the couple decided to adopt it as their son. Within a year +after this was done a beautiful little girl, whom they called Alene, was +born to them.</p> + +<p>When Mr. Daleman grew wealthy, he decided to travel through the North +and induce capital to invest in the South. He felt that the commercial +tie between the sections would be of the greatest possible value and it +was said of him that he brought more outside capital into the South than +any other one man. He turned his business over to his adopted son, +Arthur Daleman, Jr.</p> + +<p>Arthur Daleman, Jr., did not like Negroes, and though Ford Crump had +been with the business from its infancy, his presence was not desired by +the new manager. When Ford Crump got so that he was not as active as was +desired, he was summarily dismissed and his place given to a young white +man. Arthur Daleman, Sr., whose interests were now immense, never came +near the store, and, as a consequence, did not know the fate that had +overtaken his faithful employee.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">65</a></span></p> + +<p>Ford Crump did not appeal to Mr. Daleman, Sr., in the matter, partly +through pride and partly because he could not bear the irritating tone +of the younger Daleman, which was in such striking contrast to the +kindly manner of the elder Daleman. He had saved his earnings and bought +a little home, and he was now willing to take his chances in the world +even at his advanced age. It was thus that he found his way to the rock +pile.</p> + +<p>We now return to our messenger. Foresta sees that she is not going to be +able to appear before her father free from signs of sorrow, and she +decides on another course. Picking up a stone she rubbed it violently on +the back of her hand, tearing the skin and causing blood to flow. She +now hurried to the spot where her father sat, and said,</p> + +<p>"Papa, mama wants you!"</p> + +<p>The tone of Foresta's voice caused her father to look up quickly and +anxiously.</p> + +<p>"What are you crying about, my dear?" asked Mr. Crump.</p> + +<p>Foresta made no reply, but held out her hand so that her father could +see it.</p> + +<p>"Poor thing; how did you hurt it?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"Don't think about that. Mama wants you. Come on!" said Foresta, +averting her face.</p> + +<p>The father and daughter trudged along home, the father trying to say +comforting things to Foresta and she weeping the more bitterly the +while. At length it occurred to Mr. Crump that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">66</a></span> Foresta was more deeply +touched than would have been the case if her trouble had been merely +that of a bruised hand. Stopping, he said,</p> + +<p>"Say, now, Foresta, is your mama hurt?"</p> + +<p>"O no, papa! Mama is not hurt. Come on!"</p> + +<p>"Is Henry——"</p> + +<p>Foresta perceived the coming question, and ran to avoid it. They were +now near home. Foresta rushed in and threw her arms around her mother. +Hearing her father's footsteps, she ran into the kitchen, leaving her +mother to break the news.</p> + +<p>"Ford, we haven't any little Henry now!" said Mrs. Crump in sad, +soothing tones.</p> + +<p>Ford Crump whirled away from his wife and walked rapidly out of the room +through the kitchen into the back yard. Little Henry's chief task was +attending to the chickens, and Mr. Crump stood at the fence running +across the yard to form an enclosure for the fowl.</p> + +<p>"Chicks, your best friend is gone," said he.</p> + +<p>"My head! my head!" he cried.</p> + +<p>Foresta and her mother heard his cry and reached him just in time to +break the force of the fall, but not in time to prevent his answering +the final summons.</p> + +<div class="center"><br /><br /><img src="./images/chapterend.png" alt="Decorative Chapter End." title="" /><br /><br /></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">67</a></span></p> + + + +<div class="center"> +<img src="./images/chapterhead.png" title="Decorative Chapter Head" alt="" /> +</div> +<h2><a name="chapter_IX" id="chapter_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.<br /> +<span class="chaptitle">A Plotter Is He.</span></h2> + + +<p class="initial"><img class="dropcap" src="./images/drop_n.png" alt="N" title="" /><span class="hide">N</span>eighbors came and took charge of the body of Ford Crump. The body of +Henry was brought home and received the same kindly attention. Foresta +and her mother now set forth to make arrangements for the burial. The +undertakers asked for a lien on their place as a guarantee of the +payment of the debt.</p> + +<p>Upon investigation it transpired that the place had been purchased by +Arthur Daleman, Sr., in his own name. Mr. Crump had paid him in full for +the place but the proper transfer had never been made. Mr. Daleman was +not in the city and Arthur Daleman, Jr., refused to have anything to do +with the matter. He also intimated that unless Mrs. Crump could show a +clear title to the place, she would be charged rent.</p> + +<p>This intimation did not worry Mrs. Crump, for she knew Arthur Daleman, +Sr., to be the soul of honor and knew that he would do what was right, +title or no title. But her personal confidence in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">68</a></span> Mr. Daleman could not +be converted into cash, and she had to look elsewhere for money.</p> + +<p>There infested Almaville scores of loan companies that charged +exorbitant rates of interest and had their contracts so arranged that a +failure to pay put them in possession of the household goods of the +party in debt. It was also held to be a criminal offense punishable by a +term in the penitentiary for a person to borrow money from more than one +company on the same items of furniture.</p> + +<p>Little Henry had always asserted that he was going to be a merchant when +he became a man, and made it a custom to pick up and preserve such +business cards as were thrown into his yard. From his pile of cards +stacked in a corner Mrs. Crump learned the location of these loan +companies and decided to resort to them for the money needed. Getting a +small sum from each, she had borrowed from fifteen companies when she at +last got the amount demanded by the undertaker.</p> + +<p>Arthur Daleman, Jr., was not making money as fast as he desired in the +business turned over to him by his father, so he had resorted to the +loan business. Knowing that people would often borrow from more than one +loan company in spite of the regulations forbidding it, and reasoning +that such borrowers would be even more sure than others to pay, because +of fear of the penitentiary, he had ten loan companies of his own<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">69</a></span> +operating in different buildings under various names.</p> + +<p>It happened that on the evening that Foresta and her mother made the +rounds borrowing money, he was on an inspecting tour of his loan +companies. Mrs. Crump borrowed money from five of Arthur Daleman's +companies without, of course, knowing it. Arthur Daleman, Jr., himself +was present in two places when she was borrowing the money. On each of +these occasions he had taken more than a passing interest in Foresta. +Her beauty was by no means diminished by the mourning attire, and Arthur +Daleman, Jr., found himself admiring her, notwithstanding his hatred of +her race. When the papers were signed in the second loan transaction +which he witnessed, he said to himself with a feeling of satisfaction: +"My way is tolerably clear."</p> + +<p>With the money procured from the various loan companies little Henry and +his father were given what the people called a nice burial. Within a +week after the interment Arthur Daleman, Jr., made his appearance at +Mrs. Crump's home. Foresta was at school when he called, and when she +reached home she found her mother standing, facing him, with an angry +and excited look in her eyes. Foresta read in her mother's countenance +that she was angry and that the advantage in whatever matter it was, was +not altogether on her side.</p> + +<p>"What is it, mama?" asked Foresta.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">70</a></span></p> + +<p>"This man wants you to hire out in his family after you graduate."</p> + +<p>Foresta looked at the man in surprise. The thought of going into the +service of the whites was utterly foreign to her ambition.</p> + +<p>"You may take your choice," said Arthur Daleman, Jr., sure of his +ground.</p> + +<p>"What choice?" asked Foresta, alarmed by the man's tone of assurance.</p> + +<p>"It is this way. Negro servants are not up to what they used to be. They +are getting squeamish, and you have to be so careful how you speak to +them or they will leave you. We are kept always on the lookout for a +servant girl."</p> + +<p>"What on earth have I to do with that?" asked Foresta, her eyes widening +with <ins class="tnote" title="Original text 'astonshiment'">astonishment</ins>.</p> + +<p>"This much—I am going to have a measure of stability in my family +service somehow. Your mother here is in a tight box. All I have to do is +to speak the word and to the penitentiary she goes!" said Daleman.</p> + +<p>Foresta grew weak, her lips slightly parted and she backed to the wall +for support.</p> + +<p>Arthur Daleman, Jr., continued: "Borrowing money from loan companies +takes the form of a sale, as you can see by reading any of the +contracts. Now you can't sell a thing to two different people at the +same time. The law does not allow such. It is a penitentiary offense. +See?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">71</a></span></p> + +<p>Foresta rushed to her mother and threw her arms about her and sobbed +bitterly.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Crump said, "I'll go to the pen. Come after me when you get ready! +but Fores' shall never work for you."</p> + +<p>"Take your choice," said Arthur Daleman, Jr., and walked from the room.</p> + +<p>Foresta tore herself from her mother's arms and rushed out of the room +after him. "Mister! Wait!" she called. "Don't do anything to mama. I'll +come and do the work faithfully," said Foresta trying to smile.</p> + +<p>"All right," said Daleman, smiling, "Be a good girl and you won't have a +better friend than I am," said he, in a significant tone, trying to +awaken Foresta to the real situation.</p> + +<p>If she understood it her impassive countenance did not reveal the fact.</p> + +<p>The world at large has heard that the problem of the South is the +protection of the white woman. There is another woman in the South.</p> + +<div class="center"><br /><br /><img src="./images/chapterend.png" alt="Decorative Chapter End." title="" /><br /><br /></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">72</a></span></p> + + + +<div class="center"> +<img src="./images/chapterhead.png" title="Decorative Chapter Head" alt="" /> +</div> +<h2><a name="chapter_X" id="chapter_X"></a>CHAPTER X.<br /> +<span class="chaptitle">Arabelle Seabright.</span></h2> + + +<p class="initial"><img class="dropcap" src="./images/drop_a.png" alt="A€" title="" /><span class="hide">"A</span>rabelle, I am not going to have a thing to do with this whole matter. +Suppose the bottom falls out and we are detected. Just imagine <i>my</i> +fate."</p> + +<p>"Detected?" hissed Mrs. Arabelle Seabright, turning a scornful gaze upon +her husband. "You talk as though we have committed or are about to +commit some crime. You just stay in your place, please, and leave +matters to me."</p> + +<p>"Do you mean to tell me that I need not meet the man?" asked Mr. +Seabright eagerly.</p> + +<p>"Yes!" replied Mrs. Seabright.</p> + +<p>He leaped out of his chair and waltzed across the room, kissed his wife +and darted through the door.</p> + +<p>"Fool!" she muttered between her teeth.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Arabelle Seabright in her room in the Domain Hotel was now awaiting +the arrival of a newspaper reporter, the next victim to be bent to her +will. It had been on her programme to have her daughter Eunice and her +husband present during a part of the interview with the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">73</a></span>reporter, but +as they were not entering enthusiastically into her plans she was rather +glad that they had declined to be present.</p> + +<p>It was not long before a Mr. Gilman, reporter for the "Daily Columbian," +was ushered into Mrs. Seabright's room.</p> + +<p>"Let us understand each other at the outset, if possible," said Mrs. +Seabright, with a smile, directing a kindly gaze in the direction of the +young man. Mr. Gilman bowed deferentially, but said nothing.</p> + +<p>"I am ambitious<ins class="tnote" title="Original text '?'">.</ins>" said Mrs. Seabright.</p> + +<p>"Ambitious people are the ones that carry the world forward," ventured +the young man modestly.</p> + +<p>"I have an unbounded ambition,—an ambition to live in history as long +as a record of human affairs is kept. Oh! I hate death!" said Mrs. +Seabright with a shudder, stamping a foot upon the floor for emphasis. +"I have money with which to further my ambitions. I am aware of the +traditions of your paper, the 'Columbian.' I shall not ask you to +violate them. But if you will put your heart in your labor and be an +incessant worker in my interest, your ambitions will be gratified. A +fair exchange is no robbery. You put me on the way to attain my ends and +I shall do the like for you. Is it a bargain?"</p> + +<p>"Whatever I may be able to do consistently, I shall certainly do, and +shall be duly appreciative of whatever may result in my favor in +conse<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">74</a></span>quence of work worthily done," said the young man with so much +fervor that Mrs. Seabright knew that she was well fortified in that +direction.</p> + +<p>Bit by bit the Almaville public was educated as to the Seabrights. They +were descendants of sires that took a prominent part in the affairs of +the Colonies during and succeeding the period of the American +Revolution. Mr. Seabright inherited a large fortune which a keen +business sense had enabled him to increase very materially. He had now +moved to Almaville to found one of the largest furniture manufacturing +establishments in the country. He was so absorbed in business pursuits +that he did not relish social affairs much, but his charming wife was +such a dispenser of hospitality that she made up for his deficiency.</p> + +<p>Eunice, reputed to be the sole heir to the Seabright millions, was a +girl of great beauty, highly accomplished, and the center of attraction +of any group of which she formed a part.</p> + +<p>A valuable tract of land had already been purchased for the +manufacturing establishment and a contract for the construction of the +plant had been let. As soon as a suitable location could be found, Mr. +Seabright was going to erect a mansion in Almaville that would be the +pride of the South. An option had been taken on a piece of property in +the West End that about measured up to the requirements, and the +likelihood was that the residence would be constructed there.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">75</a></span></p> + +<p>The mere prospect had caused the prices of the property in that +vicinity, already valuable, to soar much higher.</p> + +<p>The public soon perceived that the conservative, the reliable +"Columbian," the paper of the Southern aristocracy, was favorably +impressed with the Seabrights as a valuable addition to the commercial +and social life of Almaville, and even the most exclusive circles +prepared to make room for the newcomers.</p> + +<p>The Hon. H. G. Volrees sat in his law office with his chair tilted back, +his chestnut brown hair much rumpled upon his large Daniel Webster +looking head. Here was one of the most astute legal minds of the state +and the real head of the Democratic party of the state. He was now +forty-five years old and unmarried. He had never held public office but +was seriously considering entering the race for United States Senator. A +venerable senator was to retire within about three years and the +position could be his if he but indicated a willingness to accept.</p> + +<p>The Hon. H. G. Volrees had large ambitions. He was anxious to restore +the old time prestige of the South in the councils of the nation. He was +a well-to-do man but did not have the money to gain an assured social +position at the nation's capital. He fancied he detected the flavor of +ambition in those flattering notices concerning the Seabrights.</p> + +<p>"It may be that my hour has come," said Mr.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">76</a></span> Volrees, picking up the +paper and looking again at the published picture of Eunice. He closed +his desk and went to his hotel.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Arabelle Seabright's net had caught its fish. And what had the fish +caught? Now <i>that</i> is the vital question.</p> + +<div class="center"><br /><br /><img src="./images/chapterend.png" alt="Decorative Chapter End." title="" /><br /><br /></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">77</a></span></p> + + + +<div class="center"> +<img src="./images/chapterhead.png" title="Decorative Chapter Head" alt="" /> +</div> +<h2><a name="chapter_XI" id="chapter_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.<br /> +<span class="chaptitle">Unusual For A Man.</span></h2> + + +<p class="initial"><img class="dropcap" src="./images/drop_n.png" alt="N" title="" /><span class="hide">N</span>ever in all of human history was an ambitious woman more satisfied with +the progress of her plans than was Mrs. Arabelle Seabright. In due time +the Hon. H. G. Volrees had formed her acquaintance and it was not long +before they had come to an understanding. Eunice demurred not in the +least when it was made known to her that she was to be Mrs. H. G. +Volrees.</p> + +<p>At an opportune time the Hon. H. G. Volrees announced his willingness to +accept a seat in the United States Senate and long before the time of +the election party leaders vied with each other in declaring in his +favor. When the success of his candidacy was assured he approached Mrs. +Seabright with a view to laying claim to his bride. The announcement of +the engagement was made, the date of the marriage was set and +preparations for the great event went on apace. Eunice appeared to enter +heartily into all the plannings, and was seemingly happy to an unusual +degree.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">78</a></span></p> + +<p>The "Daily Columbian" did its share in stimulating interest in the +forthcoming marriage. Almaville as a whole seemed to be particularly +well pleased with the proposed wedding, involving, as it did, a union of +the wealth and beauty of the North with the brain and chivalry of the +South.</p> + +<p>As for Mr. Seabright, the more his family attracted social attention the +more uneasy he grew. At first he did make out to accompany his wife to +church and to theaters; but he had such a way of staring at the ceiling, +avoiding the gaze of people, and hurrying away to escape introductions, +that finally she was glad to leave him at home. Many brilliant social +functions were given at his home, but he was always absent.</p> + +<p>A Mrs. Marsh, in whom curiosity was more strongly developed than even in +the rest of her kind, was determined to find out something about this +eccentric Mr. Seabright. She managed to get on intimate terms with Mrs. +Seabright, and was very free in moving to and fro in the Seabright +residence. Her intentions were not however hidden from Mrs. Seabright. +She knew that Mrs. Marsh was planning to get closer to her husband as a +matter of curiosity, and she was glad of the experiment, hoping that +Mrs. Marsh would eventually succeed in making him at home in the social +circle.</p> + +<p>There was a sort of turret-shaped cupola crowning the Seabright +residence and Mr. Seabright made this his retreat. It was fitted up<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">79</a></span> +with a telephone connecting it with the rest of the house and with his +place of business. It also had connections with a long distance system. +The door to his den was always locked, and no one could gain admission +without first calling him up over the telephone.</p> + +<p>One day Mrs. Marsh, who was a good mimic imitated the voice of a foreman +in Mr. Seabright's factory and caused him to open the door of his den. +When Mr. Seabright caught sight of a woman's face and form he made a +quick attempt to close the door, but Mrs. Marsh apprehending such an +attempt, thrust a foot in so as to prevent this.</p> + +<p>"Will you kindly withdraw?" asked Mr. Seabright, excitedly, holding the +door as nearly closed as the foot would allow.</p> + +<p>"No, thank you; I have had too hard a time getting here," said Mrs. +Marsh cheerily. "To be frank, Mr. Seabright, would you allow a lady to +be able to truthfully charge you with discourtesy?" asked Mrs. Marsh +naively.</p> + +<p>Mr. Seabright opened the door in despair, intending to dart out of the +room as soon as Mrs. Marsh entered.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Marsh was looking for just such a step and forestalled it by +closing the door and pocketing the key. She now took a seat and bade Mr. +Seabright to do likewise. Seeing that he had an unusual character to +deal with, Mr. Seabright<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">80</a></span> sat down resignedly to await the further +pleasure of his female captor.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Marsh looked directly at Mr. Seabright, and said, "I have broken +through all rules of propriety in order to get to you. I wish to say to +you, Mr. Seabright, that this plea of absorption in your business is all +humbug. You have other and secret reasons for not desiring to appear in +our social circles."</p> + +<p>The perspiration broke out in great beads on Mr. Seabright's face.</p> + +<p>"You have treated your wife and daughter shamefully, refusing to honor +their social affairs with your presence," continued Mrs. Marsh.</p> + +<p>The tone of reproach in this remark, indicating that Mrs. Marsh did not +approve of his absence from social functions, caused Mr. Seabright to +feel slightly better, as she evidently did not think that the secret +reasons governing his course were to his discredit personally, else she +would not have lamented his absence.</p> + +<p>"You are from the North and rate the Southern women as being beneath +your notice, do you?" inquired Mrs. Marsh.</p> + +<p>"O no! no! no!" said Mr. Seabright. "On the contrary, I very much +admire——," he did not finish the sentence, some fresh thought checking +him in the midst of the utterance.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Marsh waited for him to finish, but he did not go on with the +remark. Finally, finding <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">81</a></span>herself unable to make any headway with Mr. +Seabright, Mrs. Marsh eventually arose to go.</p> + +<p>"I would be very thankful if before you leave you will sign a statement +that I shall draw up," said Mr. Seabright eagerly, going to his desk to +do the writing.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Marsh looked at him a much puzzled woman. His phenomenal success as +a business man gave proof of his sound mental condition, and yet he +acted so queerly about everything else.</p> + +<p>"I wonder what sort of a statement he wants me to sign," thought she.</p> + +<p>The paper ran as follows:</p> + +<p>"This is to certify that I was in the presence of Mr. Seabright +unaccompanied for a few moments and can testify that his treatment of me +was in every way exemplary."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Marsh smiled in an amused manner. "You are making me testify to the +fact that I deserved my cool reception. I will sign." So saying she +attached her signature to the paper and departed.</p> + +<p>Mr. Seabright folded up the statement and put it among his most valuable +papers. "This may save two hundred and eight bones from being broken. I +think that is the number of bones in the human body," said he, +double-locking his door.</p> + +<div class="center"><br /><br /><img src="./images/chapterend.png" alt="Decorative Chapter End." title="" /><br /><br /></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">82</a></span></p> + + + +<div class="center"> +<img src="./images/chapterhead.png" title="Decorative Chapter Head" alt="" /> +</div> +<h2><a name="chapter_XII" id="chapter_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.<br /> +<span class="chaptitle">A Honeymoon Out Of The Usual Order.</span></h2> + + +<p class="initial"><img class="dropcap" src="./images/drop_t.png" alt="T" title="" /><span class="hide">T</span>he much heralded Volrees-Seabright marriage is at last a reality, and a +morning train is now bearing the distinguished couple through the +beautiful mountain scenery of the state, en route to an Atlantic +seaport, whence they are to set sail for an extended tour through the +Old World.</p> + +<p>As the porter passed through the coach in which Eunice sat, he +recognized her and she likewise recognized him. Eunice perceived that +the porter remembered her and she was glad of it, for it simplified the +work before her.</p> + +<p>In order that they both might look directly out of a window Eunice +insisted on taking a seat behind Mr. Volrees. Taking advantage of her +position she wrote the following note.</p> + + +<blockquote> +<p>"<span class="smcap">Mr. Porter:</span> Enclosed you will find a one hundred dollar note. For this +you must see to it that this train stops after it has gone a few hundred +feet into the long tunnel. Now you had better do as I tell you or else I +will see that you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">83</a></span> have trouble. You know that any white woman can have +a Negro's life taken at a word. Beware! Do as I tell you and say nothing +to any one!"</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>The porter took the note and read it with much anxiety. There came to +his mind instance after instance in which white women had given innocent +Negro men great trouble. He had heard how that Negro tramps begging for +food had been greeted by such a show of fear and excitement on the part +of those approached for food that the tramps had been overtaken and +lynched for alleged attempts at heinous offenses, when the real offense +was that of begging for bread. He recalled one case particularly that +took place on a farm adjoining the one on which he was reared.</p> + +<p>The father of a girl seriously objected to the attentions being paid his +daughter by a white man, and he cautioned his old faithful Negro servant +to keep a watch upon the movements of the daughter with a view to +preventing an elopement. Seeing that there was not much hope of +outwitting the father without first getting rid of the Negro, the girl +decided to get him out of the way. The Negro was so loyal to his +employer and so faithful in the discharge of his duties that the girl +knew that she could not attack him from that quarter. One morning before +day she was found lying upon the front porch of her home, her dress +covered with blood. When after much effort she finally spoke, she laid a +grave charge<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">84</a></span> at the door of the Negro servant. He was apprehended and a +mob was formed to lynch him. The father of the girl, however, doubted +her story and insisted that the Negro be given a trial. Within a very +few days the girl eloped with the suitor so unacceptable to her father. +After her marriage she testified that the Negro was innocent, that the +blood found on her was the blood of a chicken sprinkled there by herself +and that she concocted the whole story of the outrage to get rid of the +surveillance of the faithful Negro servant.</p> + +<p>The perturbed porter canvassed in his mind the stock of alleged facts +circulated secretly among the Negroes setting forth the manner in which +some white women used their unlimited power of life and death over Negro +men, things that may in some age of the world's history come to light. +After thoroughly considering the situation, the porter succumbed to the +temptation and concluded to stop the train according to Eunice's +directions.</p> + +<p>Eunice read in the porter's eyes his acquiesence and her spirits rose +high. She was all life and animation and the Hon. H. G. Volrees was +regaling himself with thoughts of his home as the social center of the +life of Washington.</p> + +<p>"Let me bring you a drink of water," said Eunice laughingly.</p> + +<p>"And where does Southern chivalry take up its abode while you do that?" +asked Volrees.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">85</a></span></p> + +<p>"In the granting of the first request of a newly made and happy bride," +said Eunice, playfully pulling Volrees down in his seat and tripping +gaily out to get the water. She used a cup which she had brought along +and into which she had dropped a drug of some sort.</p> + +<p>Volrees drank the water suspecting nothing. As the day wore on he found +himself growing very sleepy, but did not associate it with the water +which he had taken. In order to get his business in such shape that he +could leave it, he had not found much time for rest of late and felt +that his tired body was now calling for rest. Eunice arranged a tidy +little pillow for his head and watched him sink into a profound slumber.</p> + +<p>Toward nightfall the train reached the designated tunnel. Eunice under +cover of the darkness, incident to passing through the tunnel, went to +the door of the coach without attracting much attention. When the train +made the stop prearranged with the porter, Eunice dropped off of the +coach step and stood with her back pressed against the tunnel wall. The +train soon pulled out, the officials concluding that it was the shrewd +trick of some tramp "riding the blind baggage" (between the baggage and +the express car), who desired an easy way for alighting.</p> + +<p>On and on rolled the train bearing the sleeping Mr. Volrees. When he +awoke the sunlight of the day following the one on which he went to +sleep was falling in his face. Tied to his wrist he saw<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">86</a></span> a letter. +Looking about for Eunice and missing her, he concluded that she was +playing some joke, and with a smile he took the note from his wrist and +read:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p>"<span class="smcap">Dear Mr. Volrees:</span> Pray act sensibly in this trying period that +has come in your life. Think well before you act. I am a +sincere friend of yours and really like you. Now it will pay +you to do just as I am going to tell you to do. Continue your +journey to the Old World. From each point mapped out for a +sojourn send back the appropriate letter from the batch which I +have written and am leaving with you. I have read much of the +places which we have planned to visit and I am sure that my +letters have enough of local color to pass for letters written +on the scene. Send these letters back to be passed around and +read by my friends.</p> + +<p>"In some foreign country telegraph back that I am dead. Your +ingenuity can supply the details. By this time mother knows all +and will join me in my advice to you. When you return to this +country come as a widower and enjoy the money which comes to +you through your marriage with me. By all that is sacred in +earth and in heaven, I swear that I shall ever remain dead to +you and will in no way directly or indirectly cross your path. +Nor shall any one save my mother know that I am alive and she +shall never see or hear from me again.</p> + +<p class="signature">Eunice."</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>It was not long before Mr. Volrees was handed a telegram which read as +follows:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p>"For God's sake do as the girl directs. So much is involved!</p> + +<p class="signature">"Arabelle Seabright." +</p> +</blockquote> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 394px;"> +<a name="image05" id="image05"></a> +<a href="./images/image05.png"> +<img src="./images/image05_th.png" width="394" height="600" alt="What do they take me to be, a knight errant of hell +and a simpleton withal? I swear by every shining star that I shall probe +to the bottom of this matter if it shakes the foundations of the earth, +said he." (86-87.)" title="" /> +</a> +<span class="caption"><ins class="tnote" title="Original text '"">"'</ins>What do they take me to be, a knight errant of hell +and a simpleton withal? I swear by every shining star that I shall probe +to the bottom of this matter if it shakes the foundations of the earth,' +said he." (86-87.)</span> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">87</a></span> +The Hon. H. G. Volrees' wrath knew no bounds. "What do they take me to +be, a knight errant of hell and a simpleton withal? I swear by every +shining star that I shall probe to the bottom of this matter if it +shakes the foundations of the earth," said he. He took the first train +back to Almaville, his spirit crushed within him, though he bore his +sorrow with an outward calm. He utterly refused to discuss the affair, +as did also Mrs. Seabright. Almaville society had not received so +profound a shock since the unexplained course of Sam Houston in +returning his young bride to her parents and disappearing among the +Indians.</p> + +<div class="center"><br /><br /><img src="./images/chapterend.png" alt="Decorative Chapter End." title="" /><br /><br /></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">88</a></span></p> + + + +<div class="center"> +<img src="./images/chapterhead.png" title="Decorative Chapter Head" alt="" /> +</div> +<h2><a name="chapter_XIII" id="chapter_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.<br /> +<span class="chaptitle">Shrewd Mrs. Crawford.</span></h2> + + +<p class="initial"><img class="dropcap" src="./images/drop_b.png" alt="B" title="" /><span class="hide">B</span>etween Tiara and Ensal there existed a barrier which had seemingly +prevented a development of the ties that all who knew the two expected +with full assurance.</p> + +<p>The attitude of a Negro on the social question as between the races was +no child's play with Tiara. It struck at the very root of the deepest +convictions of her soul, and she was firmly resolved to allow no Negro +into the inner circle of her friendship of whose views on that question +she was ignorant. She had, as she felt, practiced "suspension of +judgment" with regard to Ensal, and assured herself that he was making +no progress in her esteem. She also impressed Ensal that he was a +decidedly stationary quantity, no further advanced in her esteem than on +the occasion of their first meeting.</p> + +<p>This situation did not displease Ensal altogether. He felt that so long +as Tiara did not and would not take more than a passing interest in him, +he could continue to keep in abeyance that grave question as to whether, +in view of the drift of things, a young Negro, absorbed as he was in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">89</a></span> +the question of the condition of the race, should form family ties. So +he journeyed along cherishing an ever-increasing attachment, but content +for the present to worship her at a distance.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Crawford, with all her quietness, was an exceedingly wise woman. +She did not know exactly what it was, but she knew as well as did Ensal +and Tiara that there was an artificial barrier between them. She also +knew that if ever a man loved a woman, Ensal was in love with Tiara. And +she knew more. She knew that Tiara was self-deceived; that Tiara herself +would be the most astonished person imaginable when she awoke to find +out how much she really cared for Ensal.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Crawford knew Ensal's reasons for hesitating to form family ties, +but did not regard them as substantial. She was determined that Ensal +and Tiara should marry; her whole heart was set upon the project. Never +in her whole life had she met a couple more clearly designed for each +other than this pair, as she viewed the matter. She knew how firm of +mind both Ensal and Tiara were and how useless it would be to attempt to +talk to either of them. In view of the secret barrier, Tiara would have +given her to understand that the matter was not worthy of a second's +consideration. As for Ensal he could not have been brought to think that +Tiara came any nearer being in love with him than with the rankest +stranger, for in all their conversations,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">90</a></span> not being settled upon the +question of marriage, as a matter of honor he had neither sought to +develop nor to test the strength of Tiara's regard for himself.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Crawford felt fully justified under the circumstances in forcing +matters to an issue. She perceived that to do this involved a great +sacrifice on her part, the temporary loss of Tiara's friendship; but she +decided that the purchase was worthy of the price.</p> + +<p>One night as Tiara was about to retire to rest, Mrs. Crawford dropped +into her room for one of their customary chats. After talking on various +topics she brought the subject around to Ensal.</p> + +<p>"Now there is a young man that inspires many people with contempt," said +Mrs. Crawford, in a manner to suggest that she, too, was one of that +many.</p> + +<p>Tiara almost fell, clutching the footboard of the bed for support.</p> + +<p>"How can any one possibly have such an opinion of Mr. Ellwood?" asked +Tiara, in tones of deepest injury.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Crawford merely shrugged her shoulders.</p> + +<p>"I have never met a nobler man," continued Tiara.</p> + +<p>"Oh, some people have faith in the fellow," said Mrs. Crawford +sneeringly.</p> + +<p>"You seem to have changed, Mrs. Crawford. It hasn't been so long since I +heard you speaking of Mr. Ellwood in the highest possible terms."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">91</a></span></p> + +<p>"We learn more of people from time to time and must revise our estimates +of them in keeping with our more extensive knowledge," replied Mrs. +Crawford.</p> + +<p>"Be specific, Mrs. Crawford; Mr. Ellwood is a friend of mine," said +Tiara, now thoroughly aroused.</p> + +<p>"Oh, if you are that much of a friend, you might not be competent to +weigh the evidence in the case," said Mrs. Crawford, smiling and arising +as if to go.</p> + +<p>"Would you cast aspersions upon a person's character and treat the +matter so lightly?" asked Tiara, a flush of anger appearing on her face.</p> + +<p>"Things other than moral blemishes inspire contempt sometimes. I do not +care to say more about the matter. Good night," said Mrs. Crawford.</p> + +<p>Tiara went no further with her preparations for retiring. She stowed +away all of her possessions in her trunk and locked it. She then sat +down and wrote a note to Mrs. Crawford, thanking her for her many +courtesies and expressing regret that she found it beyond her power of +endurance to longer stay under her roof.</p> + +<p>Tiara now went to the telephone in the hallway and called for a +carriage. It was not long in coming and she was soon being whirled in +the direction of Mrs. Crump's residence.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">92</a></span></p> + +<p>Mrs. Crump was glad to receive Tiara and she was again assigned to the +room in which she slept on the night of her arrival in Almaville. Tiara +did not go to bed, but rocked to and fro, anxious for day to break, +eager, so eager to see Ensal. At length the question crept into her +consciousness: "Why are you so enraged? Are you as anxious to see every +one whom you have defended as you are to see this one?"</p> + +<p>"My God! I love the man!" said Tiara, rising from her chair and throwing +herself face downward across the bed. "Oh, I must never see him again. +He might read this awful, this maddening love in my eyes."</p> + +<p>Early the next morning, Mrs. Crawford sent for Ensal.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Ellwood, I wish you had been more frank with me," said Mrs. +Crawford.</p> + +<p>"Please explain," said Ensal.</p> + +<p>"I took occasion to discuss you rather freely last night, and I seem to +have given mortal offense to Miss Merlow, who appears to be madly in +love with you."</p> + +<p>Ensal was perplexed and knew not what to say.</p> + +<p>"Where is Miss Merlow?" asked Ensal.</p> + +<p>"She became so indignant that she left my house last night. When you win +people's love to such a degree as that, you ought to post your friends +so that they may be careful. Miss Merlow has gone to Mrs. Crump's. I +shall offer you no explanation of my course until you have heard<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">93</a></span> from +Miss Merlow. Now leave me and go to her." Much mystified at the strange +turn of events, Ensal took his departure.</p> + +<p>The postman early that same morning had left the following note at Mrs. +Crump's for Tiara.</p> + +<blockquote> +<p>"Ensal Ellwood is a noble young man. You loved him and did not +know it. I have opened your eyes. Forgive me, dear, but I could +not see two, whom I regard so highly, so far apart. As for +Ellwood, the lad has never had his right mind since he first +met you.</p> + +<p class="signature">Madge Crawford."</p> + +</blockquote> + +<p>That day a telegram came to Mrs. Crawford's for Tiara and she carried it +to the latter forthwith. When the two met there was a mischievous +twinkle in Mrs. Crawford's eyes and the light of happiness in Tiara's. +When Tiara read the telegram she appeared much disturbed. That night she +left Almaville. When she returned she bought her a home on the outskirts +of the city, took Mrs. Crump to live with her, and denied herself to all +her former Almaville friends, Ensal included. Eunice Volrees or +Seabright, had come to stay with Tiara and the latter had for the sake +of Eunice shut herself out from all her friends.</p> + +<div class="center"><br /><br /><img src="./images/chapterend.png" alt="Decorative Chapter End." title="" /><br /><br /></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">94</a></span></p> + + + +<div class="center"> +<img src="./images/chapterhead.png" title="Decorative Chapter Head" alt="" /> +</div> +<h2><a name="chapter_XIV" id="chapter_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV.<br /> +<span class="chaptitle">Alene and Ramon.</span></h2> + + +<p class="initial"><img class="dropcap" src="./images/drop_a.png" alt="A" title="" /><span class="hide">A</span>lene Daleman and Ramon Mansford stood within the vestibule of the +former's home. Ramon's arm was around Alene's waist and her beautiful +black eyes were upturned to his, as if to say, "Fathom the love we tell +of, if you can." Down stoops Ramon and plants a fervent, lingering kiss +upon the lips of the girl he loves, saying, as he stroked her hair,</p> + +<p>"The last token of love until the minister has his say."</p> + +<p>"Let me have a last, too," said Alene, tiptoeing to plant a kiss upon +Ramon's lips, and thus the two parted.</p> + +<p>Light of heart, Alene went tripping to Foresta's room and said:</p> + +<p>"Foresta, as you know, the house is full of people who have come from a +distance to attend my wedding. You need not stay here to-night. I will +occupy your room."</p> + +<p>Foresta was very glad indeed, as an early release enabled her to carry +out some plans of her own.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">95</a></span></p><hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>"Mama," said Foresta, her face buried in her mother's lap, "I have +something which I wish to tell you."</p> + +<p>Her mother stroked her hair, and said, "Tell me, dear."</p> + +<p>"You know Mr. Arthur Daleman, Jr., threatened you with the penitentiary, +but compromised the matter on the condition that I should work for him."</p> + +<p>"Yes, dear," said Mrs. Crump, beginning to breathe fast through the +force of increased excitement.</p> + +<p>"He pretended that he would not cancel the matter, in order that he +might be sure to hold me as a servant," said the girl.</p> + +<p>Foresta paused and her mother said, "Go on; I am listening."</p> + +<p>"He had dark purposes, mama," said Foresta.</p> + +<p>"Yes," said Mrs. Crump, rather feebly, fearful of what was to come.</p> + +<p>Foresta, detecting considerable anxiety in her mother's voice, looked up +quickly.</p> + +<p>"Now, mama, don't look so scared and troubled; it isn't anything awful, +now." So saying, she buried her face again and continued her recital. +"He pretends to love me, mama. He has tried many times to kiss me. I +knew what kind of a sword he held over you, and while I resented his +advances, I sought not to enrage him for your sake."</p> + +<p>"Well!" said Mrs. Crump, thoroughly alarmed.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">96</a></span></p> + +<p>"I kept him in his place by threatening to tell Miss Alene. He thinks +lots of her and that scared him. He wouldn't care about anybody else."</p> + +<p>Foresta took another look into her mother's face, then resumed her +former attitude. Continuing, she said:</p> + +<p>"Miss Alene leaves to-morrow, and I am afraid to stay there with him. +You know a colored girl has no protection. If a white girl is insulted +her insulter is shot down and the one who kills him is highly honored. +If a colored girl is insulted by a white man and a colored man resents +it, the colored man is lynched."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Crump let a tear drop and it fell on Foresta's cheek. Foresta felt +the tear and raised herself and said.</p> + +<p>"Now, you bad mama, you! What's the use crying? I'll take care of +myself," a fierce gleam coming into her pretty eyes.</p> + +<p>Having wiped her mother's cheeks free from tears, Foresta buried her +face again.</p> + +<p>"I am not going back any more. I am going to get married to-night. Bud +and I are going to get married. And Bud has saved up enough money to pay +us out of debt."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Crump now understood why Foresta was hiding her face. She +remembered her own feelings when the question of marriage had to be +broached to her mother. She bent over and kissed Foresta.</p> + +<p>"Bud and I are going to run away and get<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">97</a></span> married. Run away from you," +said Foresta laughingly. "And you must be awfully surprised when we come +back. We are going to do this to avoid a lot of useless expense in +getting up a big wedding. That money can go to help us get rid of those +eating cancers, those old loan men."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Crump knew how much Foresta's heart had always been set on a fine +wedding, and she knew that Foresta was making that sacrifice for her +sake.</p> + +<p>"My sweet Foresta, you have been such a dear child—God will reward +you," said Mrs. Crump, burying her head on Foresta's shoulder. "This is +not what I had planned for my darling; but God knows what's best. His +will be done."</p> + +<p>At the appointed hour Bud Harper was standing at Foresta's gate. Foresta +soon joined him and they took a train for a nearby town where they were +made man and wife.</p> + +<p>In the meantime some awful things were happening at the Daleman +residence. Leroy Crutcher, of whom we caught a glimpse or so in an +earlier chapter, happened to be passing along the sidewalk that ran +parallel with the side of the Daleman residence. As he reached the alley +at the rear of the yard, he saw a man standing on a rock looking over +the back fence. The two men glared at each other. The moon was shining +brightly and they could see each other well.</p> + +<p>Leroy turned away and walked along the street, saying to himself, "I +ought to have shot that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">98</a></span> scoundrel, Bud Harper, then and there." +Reflecting a little he said, "No, I must get him without hurting +myself."</p> + +<p>The man about whom Leroy had thus spoken climbed over the fence and +crouched in the shadow of the coalhouse. His eyes were fixed on +Foresta's room and his vigil was ceaseless. At about eleven o'clock +Arthur Daleman, Jr., emerged from the hallway of the second story, +paused a few moments and crept toward Foresta's room.</p> + +<p>"Yes, its true," muttered the Negro, between gritted teeth, the look of +a savage overspreading his face. He clambered over the fence saying, +"Wait a few minutes, happy couple."</p> + +<p>In the meantime Arthur Daleman, Jr., had unlocked the door to Foresta's +room and stood as if rooted to the spot. There upon the bed lay Alene +instead of Foresta, as he could plainly see by the dimly burning light. +Fearing that Alene might awaken and see him, he quickly turned out the +light and stepped from the room. In his haste he left the door slightly +ajar. What took place thereafter the morning revealed.</p> + +<div class="center"><br /><br /><img src="./images/chapterend.png" alt="Decorative Chapter End." title="" /><br /><br /></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">99</a></span></p> + + + +<div class="center"> +<img src="./images/chapterhead.png" title="Decorative Chapter Head" alt="" /> +</div> +<h2><a name="chapter_XV" id="chapter_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV.<br /> +<span class="chaptitle">Unexpected Developments.</span></h2> + + +<p class="initial"><img class="dropcap" src="./images/drop_a.png" alt="A" title="" /><span class="hide">A</span>ccording to previous engagement, Mr. Arthur Daleman, Sr., Alene's +father, and Ramon Mansford, her affianced, went forth together for an +early morning walk. Arm in arm the somewhat aged Southerner and the +young Northerner sauntered forth.</p> + +<p>"My boy," said Mr. Daleman, "I have thought to have a talk with you +concerning the dark shadow that projects itself over our section, the +Negro problem. Not that I would infect you with my peculiar views, but +that those of us and our descendants who abide here may have your +sympathy."</p> + +<p>"My love for Alene invests all that is near to her with my abiding +sympathy," said Ramon with quiet fervor.</p> + +<p>"Yes, but the mind must be informed if sympathy is to be intelligently +directed. To begin with, men of my class, families like mine have no +prejudice against Negroes nor they against us. We know them thoroughly +and they know us. There is never the slightest trespass on forbidden<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">100</a></span> +ground by us or by them. It is a boast of many Negroes that they can +tell a 'quality' white person on sight, and practically all Negroes +ascribe their troubles to a certain class of whites."</p> + +<p>"I have noticed the kindly relations between your people and all the +Negroes that have had dealings with them," interposed Ramon.</p> + +<p>"My class was humane to the Negro in the days of slavery and under our +kindly care developed him from a savage into a thoroughly civilized man. +But I am glad slavery is gone. Under the system bad white men could own +slaves and their doings were sometimes terrible. They were the ones who +made Uncle Tom's Cabin possible and brought down upon us all the +maledictions of the world, Like 'poor dog Tray,' the humane class were +caught in bad company and we have paid for it. But all of that is in the +past. A word about the present and the future," said Mr. Daleman.</p> + +<p>The two men were now in a grove of trees in the suburbs of the city. Mr. +Daleman took a seat on a stump and Ramon, unmindful of the dew, threw +himself at full length on the grass, and looked up intently into the +face of his prospective father-in-law.</p> + +<p>Mr. Daleman now resumed: "The radical element at the South has always +given us trouble. The radicals hate the Negro and nothing is too bad for +them to do to him. We liberals like him and want to see him prosper. +Such of us liberals<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">101</a></span> as labor to keep the Negro out of politics do so, +not out of hatred of him, but for his own good, as we see it. We hate to +see him the victim of the spleen of the radicals and they do grow +furious at the sight of the Negro in exalted station. In your Northern +home bear in mind these two classes of Southerners and remember that +some of us at least are anxious for the highest good to all."</p> + +<p>Mr. Daleman now paused and a sad look came over his face.</p> + +<p>He resumed: "One of the hardest tasks among us is the suppression of +lynching. In the very nature of things, as conditions now exist, there +cannot be such a thing as a trial of a charge of outrage by a Negro man +upon a white woman. Often in cases of that nature the crime charged is +disproved, by proving another offense involving collusion. Well, no +lawyer can be found who would set up such a defense for a Negro client +if the white woman in the case objected, for he would be killed, +perhaps, and, furthermore, collusion is punished in the same way as +outrage. So lynching is here fortified. Tolerated and condoned for one +thing it spreads to other things and men are lynched for trivial +offenses.</p> + +<p>"If a departure could be made from the custom of public trials and jury +trials in such cases, relief might be found. The trials could be secret +and before a bench of judges. Care for the feelings of the woman and her +guardians, and things<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">102</a></span> will be better. There is no pronounced sentiment +among the better classes in favor of lynching for other causes and it +can be put down. There is marked improvement in this matter, and it may +be that lynching may be stopped without the changes in jurisprudence +which I suggest."</p> + +<p>Mr. Daleman now arose from his seat, saying, "Come, my son. They will be +awaiting breakfast for us, I fear. Tell the North that down in this +Southland there is an element of as noble men as the world affords; men +with a keen sense of justice and an unfaltering purpose to lift our +section to a position of high esteem in the estimation of the world. We +may seem to work at cross purposes with you of the North; we may be +overwhelmed by waves of race prejudice from time to time, but we are +here, and I claim to be one of them. I challenge the man, white or +black, rich or poor, to say that I ever mistreated him by word or deed."</p> + +<p>"You need no vindication. Time was when practically all Southerners were +classed together by the outside, but that day has passed."</p> + +<p>The two men walked back home in silence, Mr. Daleman thinking about the +future of his home without Alene, and Ramon thinking of his own future +home with her. When they got back to the house breakfast was ready and +they were soon seated at the table.</p> + +<p>"Tell Alene to come down. I know the child is a little shy this morning, +but I must have her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">103</a></span> by my side this once more. Go for her, Arthur," +said Mr. Daleman, Sr., to his son.</p> + +<p>Arthur involuntarily drew back slightly at the request and his father +cast an inquiring look at him.</p> + +<p>"I hate to disturb the child's slumbers. I doubt whether she slept much +last night," said Arthur, in somewhat husky tones.</p> + +<p>"He hates to see Alene leave him," thought Mr. Daleman.</p> + +<p>Arthur ascended the stairs and, coming to Alene's door found it slightly +ajar. He knocked, but received no response. He knocked harder, then +again and again. He knew that he had knocked hard enough to awaken one +from sleep, so he concluded that Alene must be up and in some other part +of the house. As she had left the door open, Arthur decided that the +room was prepared for entering. He had a secret desire to step in and +glance around the room in which, on the previous night, he stood in such +imminent danger of exposure. Pushing the door open, he stepped in +quickly, but far more quickly stepped out, terror stricken. Upon +Foresta's bed lay the beautiful Alene, her face covered with blood and +her hair falling over her face, dyeing itself a crimson red.</p> + +<p>Arthur was speechless with horror. He ran his fingers through his hair, +brought his hand down over his face as if seeking by that means to clear +his brain so that he could answer the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">104</a></span> question as to whether he himself +had not committed the murder. Recovering his self-possession in a +measure, he dragged himself down stairs to where Mr. Daleman was. There +was such an awful look upon his face that Mr. Daleman was thoroughly +aroused.</p> + +<p>"What is the trouble, Arthur?" asked Mr. Daleman.</p> + +<p>Arthur said nothing, but made a motion in the direction of the room that +looked to be as much a sign of despair as of direction.</p> + +<p>Mr. Daleman rushed up the stairway and into the room. A glance told him +the awful story. The kindly light that always lingered in his eyes died +out and a cold, keen glitter appeared. His form showing the slight +curvature of age, now stiffened under the iron influence of his will and +he stood erect. The tears tried to come, but he tossed the first away +and others feared to come. No more bitter cup was ever handed man to +drink; but he quaffed it, dregs and all. One awful unnamable fear, +involving the motive of the crime, haunted his soul. The family +physician was sent for and said tenderly, as he came from the room of +the murdered girl, "It might have been worse." Through the dark sorrow +of Mr. Daleman's soul there shot a gleam of joy. The two men clasped +hands in silence. The horror was less.</p> + +<p>The whole city was soon in a furor of excitement. Bloodhounds were put +on the trail and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">105</a></span> about noon a Negro who had been tracked was +apprehended, sitting quietly on a bridge a few miles out from the city. +He made no effort to escape, and manifested no surprise when caught.</p> + +<p>"Have they killed anybody else?" was his first and only utterance to the +officers who took him in charge. His captors did not deign to make +reply. The Negro was handcuffed and led back until the party arrived at +the outskirts of the city. The patrol wagon was telephoned for and the +Negro was soon safe in the station house. News spread like wildfire that +the criminal was in the prison and soon the street was full of +thousands. A mob was formed and an assault was planned upon the prison. +The chief of police came out on the steps of the building and, with +drawn pistol, declared that the majesty of the law would be maintained +at all hazards. He then retired within.</p> + +<p>Nothing daunted the mob surged forward. The chief of police came forth +again and in a manner that left no room for mistake, declared that only +over his dead body could they take the prisoner. His long record as a +daring and faithful officer was well known and the mob now hesitated.</p> + +<p>The sheriff of the county was out of the city at the time and one of his +deputies was in charge of affairs. This deputy had been laying plans +with a view to being the candidate of his party for the office of +sheriff at the next election, and he fancied that he now saw an +opportunity to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">106</a></span> curry favor with the masses. He elbowed his way through +the crowd and held a whispered conference with the leader of the mob. +Thereupon the leader took his place on the steps and harangued the mob +as follows:</p> + +<p>"Fellow citizens, do not despair. The voice of the people is the voice +of God, and your voice shall be heard this day. I assure you of this +fact. I beg of you, however, that you now disperse. You shall meet again +under circumstances more favorable to your wishes."</p> + +<p>The persons in front passed the word along, and knowing that some better +plan of action had been agreed upon, the crowd dispersed into +neighboring streets.</p> + +<p>The deputy sheriff, armed with the proper papers, appeared at the +station house and demanded and secured the prisoner, as the city had no +jurisdiction over murder cases. When he had proceeded about a block with +his prisoner, a group of men who understood the matter raised a mighty +yell. The mob which had dispersed now reformed.</p> + +<p>The prisoner was taken from the deputy sheriff, and was hurried to the +bridge connecting the two parts of the city. A rope was secured and the +Negro was dropped over the side of the bridge. As his form dangled +therefrom, every man in the crowd who could, and who had a pistol, +leaned over the railing and fired at the Negro. The rain of bullets made +the Negro's form swing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">107</a></span> to and fro. The crowd finally dispersed, leaving +the body suspended from the bridge.</p> + +<p>Gus Martin had kept up with the mob from the beginning, walking about +with folded arms, betraying no trace of excitement save, perhaps, the +rapid chewing of the tobacco which was in his mouth. His blood was +stirred, but its Indian infusion contributed stoicism to him on this +occasion.</p> + +<p>When the whites were through with the body, Gus went to the side of the +bridge and drew it up. Calling to his aid another Negro, he procured a +stretcher and bore the body to Bud Harper's home.</p> + +<div class="center"><br /><br /><img src="./images/chapterend.png" alt="Decorative Chapter End." title="" /><br /><br /></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">108</a></span></p> + + + +<div class="center"> +<img src="./images/chapterhead.png" title="Decorative Chapter Head" alt="" /> +</div> +<h2><a name="chapter_XVI" id="chapter_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI.<br /> +<span class="chaptitle">An Eager Searcher.</span></h2> + + +<p class="initial"><img class="dropcap" src="./images/drop_u.png" alt="U" title="" /><span class="hide">U</span>p and down the street on which he lived, Ramon Mansford, the affianced +of Alene Daleman, walked as one in a trance. Night was coming and as the +shadows deepened the bitterness deepened in his soul.</p> + +<p>"Think of it! my father sleeps in an unmarked grave somewhere in the +South, and I know that the hope of freeing the slave actuated him to +enlist in the army. For the Negro, my father buried his sword to the +hilt in the blood of his Southern brother and in turn received a thrust, +all for a race from which this vile miscreant has crept to murder Alene, +my Alene."</p> + +<p>In the darkness of his own calamity distinctions between right and wrong +began to fade away, and he found his hatred of the Negro race assuming a +more violent form than that manifested by the native Southerner. In his +heart there was the harking back to times more than a thousand years +ago—to times when his race was a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">109</a></span> race of exterminators. At this +particular time it seemed to him that nothing would have suited him +better than to have taken the lead of forces bent on driving every black +face from the land. Now and then he would pause and ask himself:</p> + +<p>"Is all this horror true? Is the sweet Alene gone? Was the dear one +foully murdered while I slept? Great God of heaven, can all this be +true? Must I go through life unsupported by the brave heart of Alene on +which I was depending for strength to conquer worlds?"</p> + +<p>He sat down upon the curbstone and buried his face in his hands.</p> + +<p>About twelve o'clock that night a Negro woman came rushing along at full +speed. Ramon seized her and she uttered a loud scream, falling in a +helpless heap at his feet. With a tight grip on her arm he said,</p> + +<p>"Have you, too, blighted somebody's happiness? Have you murdered some +one?"</p> + +<p>With terror stricken eyes the woman looked up into his face and said, +"Mistah, please lemme go, please sah!"</p> + +<p>"What have you done?" sternly asked Ramon.</p> + +<p>"Nothin' sah," said she. "I'se been roun' ter Dilsy Harper's, settin' up +ovah Bud Harper's daid body, whut wuz sent home frum de bridge. Wal, +sah, ez shuah ez dis here chile is bawn ter die, while we wuz settin' up +ovah Bud's body, Bud hisself walked in. We looked at Bud, den at de +body, en we wuz skeert ter death. Den de <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">110</a></span>livin' Bud, went up an looked +down on de daid Bud, and de daid Bud skeert de livin' Bud, and de livin' +Bud fairly flew outen dat house. Den, bless yer soul, honey, dat ole +house wuz soon empty."</p> + +<p>This weird tale furnished the needed diversion to Ramon's overburdened +mind. His thoughts began to run in another direction.</p> + +<p>"Was the mob mistaken? Is the man thought to have been killed yet alive? +If one mistake has been made, who can say that two haven't been made? Is +her real murderer yet alive?"</p> + +<p>Such were the thoughts that went crashing through Ramon's mind and his +grip on the woman's arm slackened. The woman wrenched herself loose and +continued her journey with increased speed.</p> + +<p>As late as it was Ramon hurried to the Harpers' home and found the +Negroes standing about at a distance from the house, discussing the +sudden reappearance and disappearance of Bud Harper, when there, all +agreed, lay Bud before their very eyes.</p> + +<p>Ramon returned to his home strangely becalmed, and though late in the +night he sat down and wrote the following letter to his home in the +North.</p> + +<blockquote> +<p>"<span class="smcap">My Dear Norfleet:</span> I am in the throes of an overwhelming +sorrow. My Alene has been foully murdered. A mystery surrounds +the case. We cannot fathom the motive of the crime. To-day +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">111</a></span>(rather yesterday now, for it is two o'clock in the morning) a +man accused of murdering her was lynched. To-night the man who +was supposed to have been lynched made his appearance at his +home. But the mother sticks to it that the real murderer, her +son, is the corpse, and appearances seem to bear out the +contention. Now it may be that Alene's murderer is yet alive +and that an injustice has been wrought upon somebody. My heart +is more firmly knit to my Southern white brethren than ever +before. I fling ambition to the winds. Tell my friends that I +shall not make the race for Congress, and thank them for me for +the way in which they have always seconded my aspirations. It +pains me much to not be in a position to attempt to scale the +heights which their loving hearts fancied I could make with +ease. I shall walk with my kith and kin of the South in the +shadow, for in the furnace of a common sorrow, my heart has +been melted into one with theirs. We of the South (you see I +call myself one of them), know not what the future has in store +for our beloved section, but we face the ordeal with the grim +determination of our race. If you believe in prayer, pray that +I may be just and may even in darkness do the right.</p> + +<p class="signature">"Ramon, 'The Mad.'"</p> + +</blockquote> + +<p>When Alene had been laid to rest, Ramon, after lingering in Almaville +for a few weeks, disappeared completely, leaving behind no trace of +himself. He had previously given Mr. Daleman and friends assurances that +he would do no violence to himself. So while they knew not where he was +nor what was his mission, they were not unduly apprehensive as to his +welfare.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">112</a></span></p> + +<p>Ramon Mansford had simply stained himself a chocolate brown and had thus +passed from the Anglo-Saxon to the Negro race. He had gone to fathom the +mystery of Alene's murder.</p> + +<div class="center"><br /><br /><img src="./images/chapterend.png" alt="Decorative Chapter End." title="" /><br /><br /></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">113</a></span></p> + + + +<div class="center"> +<img src="./images/chapterhead.png" title="Decorative Chapter Head" alt="" /> +</div> +<h2><a name="chapter_XVII" id="chapter_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII.<br /> +<span class="chaptitle">Peculiar Divorce Proceedings.</span></h2> + + +<p class="initial"><img class="dropcap" src="./images/drop_d.png" alt="D" title="" /><span class="hide">"D</span>ilsy Brooks, would you 'low me er few wurds wid you?"</p> + +<p>Dilsy Harper, Bud's mother, paused in her knitting, pulled her +spectacles a little further down on her nose, and peered over them at +Silas Harper, her husband, who had just entered her room and stood with +his hat in his hand. He was low of stature, small and very bow-legged. A +short white beard graced his chin, while his upper lip was kept clean +shaven. His head was covered with the proverbial knotty, wool-like hair, +which was now the scene of a struggle for the mastery between the black +and gray. Since the moment that the news was brought to him that Bud was +accused of Alene's murder he had been acting rather queerly, even after +all things were taken into consideration, thought Mrs. Harper.</p> + +<p>The tone of Mr. Harper's voice and his sober face led his wife to +believe that he was now about to unbosom himself. As he had seen fit to +call her by her maiden name, Mrs. Harper did not deign to reply.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">114</a></span></p> + +<p>"I is willin' ter 'cept yer silunce fer cunsent, as I feel I mus' say +whut air in me," Mr. Harper resumed. Continuing, he said: "Yer been +'ceivin' me, Dilsy; yer been 'ceivin' me."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Harper could not stand that impeachment of her honor and she +quickly hissed,</p> + +<p>"Yer air jes' a plain, orternary liah, Silas. I is er hones' 'oman +myself. But out wid yer pizen. I been knowin' 'twuz in yer."</p> + +<p>"I 'peats ergin whut I dun sed. Yer hez been 'ceivin' me, Dilsy; yer +been 'ceivin' me, an I ken prove it."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Harper cast a withering look of contempt at her husband, folded her +arms and leaned back in her chair, more puzzled than ever at his queer +course.</p> + +<p>"Now, Dilsy, let me ax yer some queshuns. W'en I wuz a lad in slabery +time, didunt I dribe my young missus 'bout whar' eber she went? An' she +wuz safe. Didunt dis heah same Silas do dat?" said he, his voice rising +to a high pitch in his earnestness. "W'en de yankees wuz fightin' our +folks and our mens wuz ter de front in battul, didunt dese hans er mine +hole de plow dat brung de corn ter feed my missus? At night did I sleep +er wink wen dare wuz eny t'ing lackly ter pester de wimmins?" said he in +the same high tones.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 668px;"> +<a name="image06" id="image06"></a> +<a href="./images/image06.png"> +<img src="./images/image06_th.png" width="668" height="600" alt="Yer air jes a plain, orternary liah, Silas. I is er +hones oman myself. But out wid yer pizen. I been knowin t wuz in +yer." (114-115.)" title="" /> +</a> +<span class="caption">"Yer air jes a plain, orternary liah, Silas. I is er +hones oman myself. But out wid yer pizen. I been knowin t wuz in +yer." (114-115.)</span> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">115</a></span> +"De wimmins befoh de wah an' since de wah an' in de wah hez allus hed a +pertectur in old Uncle Silas, an' yer knows it!" said he, pointing his +index finger at his wife. "Wal, I'm comin' ter de p'int. Bud's done kilt +er 'oman. He ain't no blood uv min'. You ain't been er true wife ter me. +He's sumbody else's boy. He aint mine. My blood don't run dat'er way."</p> + +<p>Not a muscle in Mrs. Harper's face moved as she listened to this +indictment on the part of her husband.</p> + +<p>"An', now," he continued, "you needunt min' 'bout sayin' eny ting 'bout +dis. I aint gwine ter say nothin' 'bout yer ter skanderlize yer. I am +gwine ter nail up de doh 'twixt you an' me. You aint no wife er min' fur +Bud an me aint got de same blood. He kilt er 'oman."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Harper looked steadily at her husband, her anger gone, now that she +understood all. She leaned forward and parted her lips as if to speak. +She seemed to take a second thought and slowly leaned back in her chair. +It was evident that a debate was going on in her mind.</p> + +<p>"No, he talks too much," said she to herself. She adjusted her +spectacles, picked up her knitting and resumed work, a gentle look of +forgiveness upon her face.</p> + +<p>Silas Harper with bowed head, and shoulders more stooped than common, +walked from the room. Procuring a hammer and nails he soon had the +entrance from his room to that of his wife securely barred. And every +lick that he struck was like unto driving a nail into his own heart, for +he loved Dilsy, the love of his youth,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">116</a></span> the companion of his earlier +struggles after slavery, the joint purchaser of their four-room cottage, +and the mother of the two boys whom he had hitherto regarded as his +sons.</p> + +<div class="center"><br /><br /><img src="./images/chapterend.png" alt="Decorative Chapter End." title="" /><br /><br /></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">117</a></span></p> + + +<div class="center"><img src="./images/chapterhead.png" title="Decorative Chapter Head" alt="" /></div> +<h2><a name="chapter_XVIII" id="chapter_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII.<br /> +<span class="chaptitle">Mists That Vanish.</span></h2> + + +<p class="initial"><img class="dropcap" src="./images/drop_i.png" alt="I" title="" /><span class="hide">I</span>n his far away peaceful Northern home, Norfleet, friend of Ramon +Mansford, received the following letter:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p>"<span class="smcap">My Dear Norfleet:</span> I am about at the end of one of the most +shocking and most mystifying affairs known to the human race. +In keeping with my resolve I disappeared into the Negro race +for the purpose of fathoming the mystery of the murder of my +beloved Alene. The fact that I could so disappear is one of +far-reaching significance. It shows what an awful predicament +the Negroes are in. Any white criminal has the race at his +mercy. By dropping into the Negro race to commit a crime and +immediately thereafter rejoining the white race, he has a most +splendid opportunity to escape. And men who commit the darker +crimes are not failing to take advantage of the open door; but +I picked up my pen to tell you my weird story.</p> + +<p>"Well, I actually became a boarder in the home of Aunt Dilsy, +the mother of the man accused of murdering my Alene. By +mingling with the Negroes I came in contact with three +persistent beliefs which I investigated.</p> + +<p>"First of all, the Negroes were practically a unit in holding +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">118</a></span>that Bud Harper had not committed the crime.</p> + +<p>"On the next point to be mentioned the popular belief was +divided. The more intelligent class held that the Negro lynched +was not Bud Harper, but some strange Negro resembling him. When +confronted with the fact that Dilsy Harper accepted it as the +body of her son Bud, they shrugged their shoulders and said +that that report came from the white officers who would pretend +that a Negro had said just anything and that Aunt Dilsy would +hardly know Bud after the mob got through mutilating him. They +believed that Bud was living and that he had come home while +the body supposed to be his was lying there. The more +superstitious among them held that Bud was unjustly killed and +his ghost had come to the wake, and that it could be seen +almost any night on the bridge.</p> + +<p>"I found whispered around in a rather select circle the belief +that Arthur Daleman, Jr., had killed Alene. It was thought that +<ins class="tnote" title="Original text 'Authur'">Arthur</ins> was secretly in love with his foster sister and +in a fit of uncontrollable jealousy had murdered her. A Negro +woman, who went to the Daleman's to care for the house, was +reputed to have found in Arthur's room appliances for making +one assume the appearance of a Negro.</p> + +<p>"Now all of these rumors I investigated and I came to the +conclusion that the truth of the matter was as follows:</p> + +<p>"1. Bud Harper did not kill Alene.</p> + +<p>"2. Bud Harper was not hanged.</p> + +<p>"3. Bud Harper and not his ghost appeared at his home.</p> + +<p>"4. Dilsy Harper accepted the body as that of Bud to prevent a +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">119</a></span>further quest of Bud.</p> + +<p>"5. Arthur Daleman, Jr., bore some relation to Alene's murder.</p> + +<p><ins class="tnote" title="Original missing double quote">"</ins>The fifth conclusion was forced upon me by the guilty +hangdog appearance of Arthur Daleman, Jr., which some people +mistook for sorrow over Alene's death.</p> + +<p>"Now let me tell you the strange manner in which I received +confirmation of these things. On taking up my abode at Dilsy +Harper's I noticed that she and her husband had no dealings +with each other, though they lived in the same house. To-day I +came home and found the door unbarred and Silas Harper sitting +in his wife's room, his face all wreathed in smiles. Mrs. +Harper had been called away and he proceeded to unfold the +cause of his previous strained relations with his wife and his +present happy state. He had separated himself from her by the +process of the barred door, because she had borne him a son +that stood unpurged of a charge of having murdered a woman. +While thus separated from his wife, brooding over the disgrace +brought upon his name by his reputed son, he became very sick. +His wife offered to nurse him, but he refused her services.</p> + +<p>"In order that Mrs. Harper might be near her husband in his +affliction, she gave him information that actually cured +him—lifted him from his bed. She explained to him that she +would have told him before, but feared that he would tell +abroad what she confided to him, and thereby occasion more +trouble. He promised to never divulge what she had said and +kept his promise by telling me, the first man that he had seen +since he was told. And here is the strange story that +disentangles a deep mystery and solves a question which I was +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">120</a></span>determined to probe to the bottom. I give in my own words the +story told me by Silas Harper.</p> + +<p>"This couple, Silas and Dilsy Harper, had had two sons so very +much alike that hardly anyone save Mrs. Harper could readily +distinguish them when they were attired alike.</p> + +<p>"Dave was one day walking along the street with a young lady +when a policeman collided with them. Words passed between them +and in the fight that ensued Dave wounded the policeman and was +sentenced to prison for twenty years. Another lad, a +consumptive was sentenced the same day for two years. The guard +that took them to the prison did not know one from the other, +and at the suggestion of the consumptive the two exchanged +names and sentences. When Dave Harper's name was called the +consumptive stepped forward and registered, and when the +latter's name was called Dave stepped forward. The prison +officials, not dreaming that a man with a two years' sentence +would exchange with one having twenty years' sentence, the +matter was arranged without difficulty. In less than a year's +time the consumptive, regarded as Dave Harper, died and was +buried as such.</p> + +<p>"The real Dave Harper served the consumptive's two years' +sentence and was duly released from prison. He was so chagrined +over the disgrace that his incarceration in prison had brought +upon his family, he did not make himself known at home when +released. Desiring to live in Almaville and yet be free from +the danger of being identified as Dave Harper, he found +employment in a saloon patronized only by whites. It was here +that he overheard Arthur Daleman, Jr., telling his companions +of a pretty 'coon,' Foresta Crump, whom he had slated for his +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">121</a></span>next victim. Knowing that Foresta was Bud's fiancee he +determined to look into the matter. As he watched the Daleman +residence he saw Arthur Daleman, Jr., enter the servant girl's +room. Judging that Foresta was favorably receiving his +attentions Dave determined upon the killing of them both. Thus +it was that my dear Alene lost her life. She received a blow +that was drawn to her by the wicked plannings of her foster +brother.</p> + +<p>"Dave Harper supposing that he killed Foresta and Arthur +Daleman, Jr., ran by home, made himself known to his mother and +confessed all to her. He told his mother that Leroy Crutcher +had seen him and no doubt mistook him for Bud and that he would +therefore be compelled to hover near the city so that he might +return and confess to the committing of the crime in case Bud +was about to be made to suffer for his deed.</p> + +<p>"Such are the facts as they came to me from Aunt Dilsy's +husband. I have confronted Arthur Daleman, Jr., with the matter +and he has confessed to his part of the awful tragedy.</p> + +<p>"I have now changed back to the white race. In my capacity of a +white man I have assured Aunt Dilsy that Bud Harper shall not +be molested and have assured Mrs. Crump that it is safe for +Foresta to return. The two women are happy souls. I have +succeeded in locating Bud and Foresta and shall leave at once +for the purpose of restoring them to their families and their +friends.</p> + +<p>"My dear Norfleet, in view of the terrible way things get +twisted down here, don't you think it is an awful shame that +this weak and often hated race is denied the right of trial by +jury?</p> +</blockquote> + +<p class="signature">Ramon."</p> + +<div class="center"><br /><br /><img src="./images/chapterend.png" alt="Decorative Chapter End." title="" /><br /><br /></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">122</a></span></p> + +<div class="center"><img src="./images/chapterhead.png" title="Decorative Chapter Head" alt="" /></div> +<h2><a name="chapter_XIX" id="chapter_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX.<br /> +<span class="chaptitle">The Fugitives Flee Again.</span></h2> + + +<p class="initial"><img class="dropcap" src="./images/drop_w.png" alt="W" title="" /><span class="hide">W</span>hen Bud Harper and Foresta, on the night following their elopement, +returned to Almaville, Bud took Foresta by her home to break the news to +her mother, leaving her at the gate, while he went to his home to tell +his mother. Finding a corpse in his house and noting the terror that his +appearance seemed to inspire, Bud left and ran back to Foresta's home. +In the meantime Mrs. Crump had explained the situation to Foresta, who +now told Bud. With bowed heads and troubled hearts the three sat in deep +study as to what to do.</p> + +<p>The white people were under the impression that Bud had committed the +murder. They had killed another man thinking that it was he. In case +they now apprehended him, would the popular feeling be that there was a +mistake in the lynching or a mistake as to Bud's having committed the +murder?</p> + +<p>Bud felt fully able to demonstrate his innocence, but the ruthless mob +would hardly give him time to collect his evidence, he feared. Thus, +though innocent, he decided that it was best for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">123</a></span> him to leave Almaville +and remain in hiding for a time at least. Foresta asserted her +determination to go with him it mattered not where he went.</p> + +<p>Bud gave to Foresta the privilege of choosing their exile. For a number +of years the condition of the Negroes in the cotton states farther South +had been weighing heavily on her mind. She had read how that under the +credit system, the country merchant, charging exorbitant prices for +merchandise for which the crops stood as security, was causing the Negro +farmer to work from year to year only to sink deeper and deeper into +debt. She had read of the contract system under which ignorant Negroes, +not knowing the contents of the papers signed, practically sold +themselves into slavery, agreeing to work for a number of years for a +mere pittance and further agreeing to be locked up in a stockade at +night and to pay for the expense of a recapture in case they attempted +to escape. She had heard much of the practice of peonage, how that +planters and contractors would enter into collusion with magistrates and +convict innocent Negroes of crimes in order that they might get Negro +laborers by the paying of fines assessed on these trumped up charges. +She had read accounts of investigations of the prison system of the +South, showing that the various states made the earning of money by the +prisoners a prime consideration, and detailing how brutal overseers were +wont to maltreat<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">124</a></span> convicts leased to them by the state. These things +coupled with the absence of reformatories for youths were destined, +Foresta felt assured, to produce a harvest of criminals. What to her +mind added to the hopelessness of the plight of the Negroes was the fact +that an emigration agent was required to pay such a heavy tax and stood +in such a danger of bodily harm from the planters that nothing was being +done toward pointing the inhabitants of the blighted regions to better +lands.</p> + +<p>Foresta concluded to choose Mississippi, a state in which conditions +were in some respects so thoroughly forbidding, as their future home. +Two things influenced her in making a choice, a desire to use her +education for the amelioration of the ills of which she had heard so +much and the thought that a land reputed to be so destitute of hope for +the Negro would be searched last of all for Negro refugees. So the two +had gone forth in the darkness and journeyed southward.</p> + +<p>With money that Bud had saved they bought a small farm near Maulville, +Mississippi. It was not long before Foresta's quiet influence was felt +throughout that region. The whites who had been preying upon the more +ignorant of the Negroes were not long in tracing this new influence to +its source. It was agreed among them that the Fultons (for such was the +name assumed by Bud and Foresta) were rather undesirable neighbors and a +decision was reached to put them out<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">125</a></span> of the way. The thousands of +individual murders, and lynching by mobs, had so blunted the sensibility +of these whites that they reached this decision without any qualms of +conscience. Sidney Fletcher was agreed upon as the man to rid the +settlement of Bud and Foresta.</p> + +<p>On this particular afternoon, Foresta's hair was hanging down her back +in girlish fashion. A small cap sat upon the top of her head, while a +blue gingham apron protected her dress. She had finished the milking and +was walking toward the house when Sidney Fletcher, the owner of a +neighboring farm, approached her.</p> + +<p>"Where has Tobe Stewart gone?" asked Fletcher, in a very gruff manner, +inquiring about a Negro lad who had run away from him.</p> + +<p>Foresta looked at him steadily without replying.</p> + +<p>"You —— wench, you, you can't speak can you? You and that dad blasted +man of yours have got the big head, anyway," said Fletcher, drawing his +pistol and starting toward Foresta.</p> + +<p>Foresta dropped her milk pail and ran into the house.</p> + +<p>Fletcher took a seat on a bench in the yard and awaited the coming of +Bud Harper, Foresta's husband, who was out hunting and was not due for +some time yet.</p> + +<p>Foresta stole out of the door on the other side of the house and reached +a patch of woods without being observed by Sidney Fletcher. By a +cir<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">126</a></span>cuitous route she was able to place herself in Bud's pathway so as +to intercept him before he reached home.</p> + +<p>"Oh, Bud," said Foresta, greeting her husband, "Old Sid Fletcher is at +our house waiting for you with a drawn revolver."</p> + +<p>A frown came over Bud's face. "The jealous knave," said he. "Ever since +we bought this farm he has had a dislike for me and I have been +expecting trouble from him."</p> + +<p>"Yes, Bud; but we must stay out of trouble. A colored man hasn't a dog's +show in this part of the world."</p> + +<p>Bud sat down on a stump and Foresta dropped at his feet.</p> + +<p>"Let's stay away from home to-night. We have had trouble enough, Bud," +said Foresta pleadingly.</p> + +<p>Bud looked down on her tenderly, and said, "It is a shame for a +peaceful, industrious man to have a home and not be able to go to it."</p> + +<p>Just then Sidney Fletcher was seen coming in their direction.</p> + +<p>"Get behind a tree; nobody knows what will take place," said Bud to +Foresta. She obeyed and Bud now calmly awaited the approach of Sidney +Fletcher.</p> + +<p>When Fletcher got in shooting distance he deliberately opened fire on +Bud. After the third shot Bud raised his gun to his shoulder and fired +and Fletcher fell backward a corpse. Bud and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">127</a></span> Foresta now looked at each +other aghast. They knew the penalty attached to the raising of a black +hand against a white man, even when that man unjustly sought the life of +the black.</p> + +<p>Rushing to their humble little home, Bud and Foresta hastily gathered a +few things into a bundle, seized whatever food there was in the house, +armed themselves and went forth as fugitives, Foresta attiring herself +in man's clothing. By day and by night, through fields and forest, swamp +and morass, avoiding the sight of man the unhappy couple fled.</p> + +<p>The news of the killing of Fletcher was not long in getting abroad and a +mob of several hundred whites was soon organized to give chase. The news +agencies acquainted the whole nation with the situation and day by day +the millions of America scanned with eagerness and with sad forebodings +the progress of the chase. Several Negroes who happened to be found in +the pathway of the mob that was sweeping the country were shot down or +hung according to the whim of the pursuers.</p> + +<p>The two in turn relieved each other at watching, whenever the exhausted +condition of one or the other imperatively demanded sleep. It became +Foresta's time to sleep and the two took a position behind a huge fallen +tree, Foresta reclining her head upon Bud's lap. Soon she was asleep, +with Bud looking down in tenderness on her pretty face, now showing +signs of the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">128</a></span>terrible strain that they were undergoing. Bud thought of +his position as her protector and gnashed his teeth in the bitterness of +his soul as he contemplated his utter helplessness. Hot tears coursed +down his cheeks and, dropping on Foresta's face, awakened her.</p> + +<p>Foresta, who had been having troubled dreams, quickly lifted her head +from Bud's lap and looked about in terror. Turning toward him she saw +his eyes reddened from weeping. She threw herself on his shoulder and +the two now gave way to their feelings for the first time.</p> + +<p>"We have one consolation, Bud. They can't destroy our love for one +another, can they?" said Foresta.</p> + +<p>Bud was too full of sorrow at the plight of the wife of his bosom to +reply. A deep groan of anguish escaped his lips. He leaned back against +the log, Foresta still clinging to his neck. After a while both of them +from sheer exhaustion fell asleep.</p> + +<div class="center"><br /><br /><img src="./images/chapterend.png" alt="Decorative Chapter End." title="" /><br /><br /></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">129</a></span></p> + +<div class="center"><img src="./images/chapterhead.png" title="Decorative Chapter Head" alt="" /></div> +<h2><a name="chapter_XX" id="chapter_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX.<br /> +<span class="chaptitle">The Blaze.</span></h2> + + +<p class="initial"><img class="dropcap" src="./images/drop_l.png" alt="L" title="" /><span class="hide">L</span>ittle Melville Brant stamped his foot on the floor, looked defiantly at +his mother, and said, in the whining tone of a nine-year old child,</p> + +<p>"Mother, I want to go."</p> + +<p>"Melville, I have told you this dozen times that you cannot go," +responded the mother with a positiveness that caused the boy to feel +that his chances were slim.</p> + +<p>"You are always telling me to keep ahead of the other boys, and I can't +even get up to some of them," whined Melville plaintively.</p> + +<p>"What do you mean?" asked the mother.</p> + +<p>"Ben Stringer is always a crowing over me. Every time I tell anything +big he jumps in and tells what he's seen, and that knocks me out. He has +seen a whole lots of lynchings. His papa takes him. I bet if my papa was +living he would take me," said Melville.</p> + +<p>"My boy, listen to your mother," said Mrs. Brant. "Nothing but bad +people take part in or go to see those things. I want mother's boy to +scorn such things, to be way above them."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">130</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, I ain't. I want to see it. Ben Stringer ain't got no business +being ahead of me," Melville said with vigor.</p> + +<p>The shrieking of the train whistle caused the fever of interest to rise +in the little boy.</p> + +<p>"There's the train now, mother. Do let me go. I ain't never seen a darky +burned."</p> + +<p>"Burned!" exclaimed Mrs. Brant in horror.</p> + +<p>Melville looked up at his mother as if pitying her ignorance.</p> + +<p>"They are going to burn them. Sed Lonly heard his papa and Mr. Corkle +talking about it, and it's all fixed up,"</p> + +<p>"My Heavenly Father!" murmured Mrs. Brant, horror struck.</p> + +<p>The cheering of the multitude borne upon the air was now heard.</p> + +<p>"Mother, I must go. You can beat me as hard as you want to after I do +it. I can't let Ben Stringer be crowing over me. He'll be there."</p> + +<p>Looking intently at his mother, Melville backed toward the door. Mrs. +Brant rushed forward and seized him.</p> + +<p>"I shall put you in the attic. You shall not see that inhuman affair."</p> + +<p>To her surprise Melville did not resist, but meekly submitted to being +taken up stairs and locked in the attic.</p> + +<p>Knowing how utterly opposed his mother was to lynchings he had +calculated upon her refusal and had provided for such a contingency. He +fas<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">131</a></span>tened the attic door on the inside and took from a corner a stout +stick and a rope which he had secreted there. Fastening the rope to the +stick and placing the stick across the small attic window he succeeded +in lowering himself to the ground. He ran with all the speed at his +command and arrived at the railway station just in time to see the mob +begin its march with Bud and Foresta toward the scene of the killing of +Sidney Fletcher.</p> + +<p>Arriving at the spot where Fletcher's body had been found, the mob +halted and the leaders instituted the trial of the accused.</p> + +<p>"Did you kill Mr. Sidney Fletcher?" asked the mob's spokesman of Bud.</p> + +<p>"Can I explain the matter to you, gentlemen," asked Bud.</p> + +<p>"We want you to tell us just one thing; did you kill Mr. Sidney +Fletcher?"</p> + +<p>"He tried to kill me," replied Bud.</p> + +<p>"And you therefore killed him, did you?"</p> + +<p>"Yes, sir. That's how it happened."</p> + +<p>"You killed him, then?" asked the spokesman.</p> + +<p>"I shot him, and if he died I suppose I must have caused it. But it was +in self-defense."</p> + +<p>"You hear that, do you. He has confessed," said the spokesman to his son +who was the reporter of the world-wide news agency that was to give to +the reading public an account of the affair.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">132</a></span></p> + +<p>"Well, we are ready to act," shouted the spokesman to the crowd.</p> + +<p>Two men now stepped forward and reached the spokesman at about the same +time.</p> + +<p>"I got a fine place, with everything ready. I knew what you would need +and I arranged for you," said one of the men.</p> + +<p>"My place is nearer than his, and everything is as ready as it can be. I +think I am entitled to it," said the other.</p> + +<p>"You want the earth, don't you?" indignantly asked the first applicant +of the second.</p> + +<p>Ignoring this thrust the second applicant said to the spokesman,</p> + +<p>"You know I have done all the dirty work here. If you all wanted anybody +to stuff the ballot box or swear to false returns, I have been your man. +I've put out of the way every biggety nigger that you sent me after. You +know all this."</p> + +<p>"You've been paid for it, too. Ain't you been to the legislature? Ain't +you been constable? Haven't you captured prisoners and held 'um in +secret till the governor offered rewards and then you have brung 'em +forward? You have been well paid. But me, I've had none of the good +things. I've done dirty work, too, don't you forget it. And now I want +these niggers hung in my watermelon patch, so as to keep darkies out of +nights, being as they are feart of hants, and you are here to keep me +out of that little favor."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">133</a></span></p> + +<p>The dispute waxed so hot that it was finally decided that it was best to +accept neither place.</p> + +<p>"We want this affair to serve as a warning to darkies to never lift +their hands against a white man, and it won't hurt to perform this noble +deed where they will never forget it. I am commander to-day and I order +the administration of justice to take place near the Negro church."</p> + +<p>"Good! Good!" was the universal comment.</p> + +<p>The crowd dashed wildly in the direction of the church, all being eager +to get places where they could see best. The smaller boys climbed the +trees so that they might see well the whole transaction. Two of the +trees were decided upon for stakes and the boys who had chosen them had +to come down. Bud was tied to one tree and Foresta to the other in such +a manner that they faced each other. Wood was brought and piled around +them and oil was poured on very profusely.</p> + +<p>The mob decided to torture their victims before killing them and began +on Foresta first. A man with a pair of scissors stepped up and cut off +her hair and threw it into the crowd. There was a great scramble for +bits of hair for souvenirs of the occasion. One by one her fingers were +cut off and tossed into the crowd to be scrambled for. A man with a cork +screw came forward, ripped Foresta's clothing to her waist, bored into +her breast with the corkscrew and pulled forth the live quivering flesh. +Poor Bud her helpless <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">134</a></span>husband closed his eyes and turned away his head +to avoid the terrible sight. Men gathered about him and forced his +eyelids open so that he could see all.</p> + +<p>When it was thought that Foresta had been tortured sufficiently, +attention was turned to Bud. His fingers were cut off one by one and the +corkscrew was bored into his legs and arms. A man with a club struck him +over the head, crushing his skull and forcing an eyeball to hang down +from the socket by a thread. A rush was made toward Bud and a man who +was a little ahead of his competitors snatched the eyeball as a +souvenir.</p> + +<p>After three full hours had been spent in torturing the two, the +spokesman announced that they were now ready for the final act. The +brother of Sidney Fletcher was called for and was given a match. He +stood near his mutilated victims until the photographer present could +take a picture of the scene. This being over the match was applied and +the flames leaped up eagerly and encircled the writhing forms of Bud and +Foresta.</p> + +<p>When the flames had done their work and had subsided, a mad rush was +made for the trees which were soon denuded of bark, each member of the +mob being desirous, it seemed, of carrying away something that might +testify to his proximity to so great a happening.</p> + +<p>Little Melville Brant found a piece of the charred flesh in the ashes +and bore it home.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 800px;"> +<a name="image07" id="image07"></a> +<a href="./images/image07.png"> +<img src="./images/image07_th.png" width="800" height="588" alt="Poor Bud, her helpless husband, closed his eyes and +turned away his head to avoid the terrible sight." +(134-135.)" title="" /> +</a> +<span class="caption">"Poor Bud, her helpless husband, closed his eyes and +turned away his head to avoid the terrible sight." +(134-135.)</span> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">135</a></span> +"Ben Stringer aint got anything on me now," said he as he trudged along +in triumph.</p> + +<p>Entering by the rear he caught hold of the rope which he had left +hanging, ascended to the attic window and crawled in.</p> + +<p>The future ruler of the land!</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>On the afternoon of the lynching Ramon Mansford alighted from the train +at Maulville in search of Bud and Foresta. He noted the holiday +appearance of the crowd as it swarmed around the depot awaiting the +going of the special trains that had brought the people to Maulville to +see the lynching, and, not knowing the occasion that had brought them +together, said within himself:</p> + +<p>"This crowd looks happy enough. The South is indeed sunny and sunny are +the hearts of its people."</p> + +<p>At length he approached a man, who like himself seemed to be an +onlooker. Using the names under which Mrs. Harper told him that Bud and +Foresta were passing, he made inquiry of them. The man looked at him in +amazement.</p> + +<p>"You have just got in, have you?" <ins class="tnote" title="Original text 'Asked'">asked</ins> the man of Ramon.</p> + +<p>"Yes," he replied.</p> + +<p>"Haven't you been reading the papers?" further inquired the man.</p> + +<p>"Not lately, I must confess; I have been so absorbed in unraveling a +murder mystery (the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">136</a></span>victim being one very dear to me) that I have not +read the papers for the last few days."</p> + +<p>"We burned the people to-day that you are looking for."</p> + +<p>"Burned them?" asked Ramon incredulously.</p> + +<p>"Yes, burned them."</p> + +<p>"The one crime!" gasped Ramon.</p> + +<p>"I understand you," said the man. "You want to know how we square the +burning of a woman with the statement that we lynch for one crime in the +South, heh?"</p> + +<p>The shocked Ramon nodded affirmatively.</p> + +<p>"That's all rot about one crime. We lynch niggers down here for +anything. We lynch them for being sassy and sometimes lynch them on +general principles. The truth of the matter is the real 'one crime' that +paves the way for a lynching whenever we have the notion, is the crime +of being black."</p> + +<p>"Burn them! The one crime!" murmured Ramon, scarcely knowing what he +said. With bowed head and hands clasped behind him he walked away to +meditate.</p> + +<p>"After all, do not I see to-day a gleam of light thrown on the taking +away of my Alene? With murder and lawnessness rampant in the Southland, +this section's woes are to be many. Who can say what bloody orgies Alene +has escaped? Who can tell the contents of the storm cloud that hangs low +over this section where the tragedy of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">137</a></span> the ages is being enacted? +Alene, O Alene, my spirit longs for thee!"</p> + +<p>Ramon took the train that night—not for Almaville, for he had not the +heart to bear the terrible tidings to those helpless, waiting, simple +folks, the parents of Bud and Foresta. He went North feeling that some +day somehow he might be called upon to revisit the South as its real +friend, but seeming foe. And he shuddered at the thought.</p> + +<div class="center"><br /><br /><img src="./images/chapterend.png" alt="Decorative Chapter End." title="" /><br /><br /></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">138</a></span></p> + +<div class="center"><img src="./images/chapterhead.png" title="Decorative Chapter Head" alt="" /></div> +<h2><a name="chapter_XXI" id="chapter_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI.<br /> +<span class="chaptitle">Planning To Act.</span></h2> + + +<p class="initial"><img class="dropcap" src="./images/drop_o.png" alt="O" title="" /><span class="hide">€O</span>n the morning following the Maulville tragedy, before Ensal was out of +bed Earl was tugging viciously at his door bell. Recognizing the note of +distress in the clang of the bell, Ensal arose, quickly attired himself +and hurried to the door.</p> + +<p>"Oh, it is my good friend, Earl. Glad—"</p> + +<p>Ensal stopped short in the midst of his cordial greeting, so struck was +he by that look on Earl's face that said plainly that some overmastering +purpose had full charge of the man.</p> + +<p>"Walk back," said Ensal, in a more subdued manner, leading the way to +his room and steadying himself to meet some grave crisis which Earl's +demeanor plainly told him was at hand.</p> + +<p>"And what may I do for my friend?" asked Ensal soothingly, when the two +had taken seats facing each other.</p> + +<p>Earl placed an elbow on his knee, using his hand as a rest for his +throbbing temples. Turning his eyes full in the direction of Ensal, as +if searching for the very bottom of the latter's soul, he said,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">139</a></span></p> + +<p>"Have you read the morning paper?"</p> + +<p>"No," replied Ensal.</p> + +<p>"Read," said Earl, taking a paper from his pocket and handing it to +Ensal.</p> + +<p>"My God! This cannot be true!" exclaimed Ensal in tones of horror, as he +read the detailed account of the Maulville burning. He arose and strode +to and fro across the room.</p> + +<p>"Never in all my wide range of reading have I ever come across a more +reprehensible occurrence," muttered he.</p> + +<p>"Listen," said Earl, in the tone of one having more to add.</p> + +<p>Ensal paused in his walking and unconsciously lifted his hand as though +to ward off a blow.</p> + +<p>"The man and his wife who were burned at the stake were Bud and +Foresta."</p> + +<p>"What! Our Bud! Laughing, innocent, whole-souled Foresta!" almost +shouted Ensal, the horror, through the personal element brought into the +matter, now doubling its force.</p> + +<p>"Poor Mrs. Crump! Poor Negro womanhood! Crucified at the stake, while we +men play the part of women, for, what can we do?" said Ensal, looking at +Earl, tears of pity for his people welling up in his eyes and stealing +their way down his noble face.</p> + +<p>"This is at once the saddest and the sweetest moment of all my life," +said Earl, rising. Continuing, he said:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">140</a></span></p> + +<p>"The fact that a race that lashes itself into a fury and cries aloud for +the sympathy of the outside world if a Negro casts a look of respectful +admiration in the direction of a white woman, finds no limit to what it +will do to the women of our race, fills my cup of humiliation to the +brim. But I find a measure of compensation in the fact that you, dear +Ensal, the arch-conservative, have at last been stirred to action."</p> + +<p>Earl now paused to give emphasis to what he was to say next.</p> + +<p>"Ensal, the Christ has bidden you, you say, to preach his Gospel to +every creature. If the white people of the South permitted you to preach +the Gospel to them, you would have some basis for the hope that you +would be contributing your due share to the work of altering these +untoward conditions. Since they deny you your way of reaching them, come +and go our way," said Earl.</p> + +<p>"Have you at last found a plan of escape from our awful condition that +commends itself to your sober judgment, Earl?" asked Ensal, looking his +friend earnestly in the face.</p> + +<p>"I have" said Earl.</p> + +<p>"Earl, come back to-night. My spirit is tired, tired. Give me the day +for the finding of my truer self. I doubt whether the elements which +this terrible shock has brought to the surface can be trusted to pass +sanely upon matters of such vast importance."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">141</a></span></p> + +<p>Earl accepted the suggestion and departed.</p> + +<p>During that day the two busiest brains in all the world, perhaps, were +the brains of these two Negroes: Earl, arranging for the successful +carrying out of his plans, and Ensal fortifying himself for events which +he knew would largely affect the destiny of his people. He knew not the +details nor even the direction of Earl's plans, but he knew that Earl +was every inch a soldier and that the blood of some of the mightiest +captains of the English speaking people was coursing through his veins.</p> + +<div class="center"><br /><br /><img src="./images/chapterend.png" alt="Decorative Chapter End." title="" /><br /><br /></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">142</a></span></p> + +<div class="center"><img src="./images/chapterhead.png" title="Decorative Chapter Head" alt="" /></div> +<h2><a name="chapter_XXII" id="chapter_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII.<br /> +<span class="chaptitle">The Two Pathways.</span></h2> + + +<p class="initial"><img class="dropcap" src="./images/drop_t.png" alt="T" title="" /><span class="hide">T</span>he day wore on, and about dusk Earl returned to Ensal's home, and the +two at once entered upon the consideration of the grave matter that was +to be the subject of their conference.</p> + +<p>"Before giving my plan, Ensal, I will present the course of reasoning +that leads me up to the conclusion that it is the one path to pursue," +began Earl.</p> + +<p>"So do," said Ensal.</p> + +<p>"The men and women," began Earl, "who moulded the sentiment that led to +our emancipation and enfranchisement, who set in motion the influences +that have tended toward our general uplift, are fast passing away. I am +told that the younger generation now coming into power in the North is +not as enthusiastic over the matter of helping us as were their fathers. +As I see the matter, several influences are at work producing these +changes.</p> + +<p>"First: A very natural desire on the part of Northern people to be on +more pleasant terms with their blood relations of the South.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">143</a></span></p> + +<p>"Second: The moving of whites from the South to the North, where, in +social circles from which Negroes are debarred, they mould sentiment +against the Negro. There are more than one million five hundred thousand +Southern white people in the North.</p> + +<p>"Third: Among the Negroes going North there is a shiftless, criminal +element, whose tendency downward is aided by the prejudice against +Negroes in labor circles of the North. This class of Negroes in some +parts of the North almost monopolizes the attention of the criminal +courts and the result is an erroneous opinion with regard to the race as +a whole.</p> + +<p>"Fourth: There is a decided drift of Northern capital to the South. The +greater the holdings of the North in the South, the greater the +indisposition of at least that element to have conditions down here +disturbed, I think. I believe that by acting now we shall receive far +more sympathy from the North than we would be likely to get a few years +later."</p> + +<p>"Suppose, for the sake of progress in the discussion we concede the +validity of your conclusions. Granting that the present is the time to +act, what would you do?" asked Ensal.</p> + +<p>"Let me state first of all what I would not do. I would not attempt an +exodus. The white people of the South would resort to force to prevent +our leaving in a mass. I would not attempt a <i>general</i> uprising. They +have absolute charge of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">144</a></span> the means of transportation and +intercommunication as well as the control of the necessary equipments +for waging war."</p> + +<p>Earl now paused and looked steadily at Ensal, who awaited with almost +breathless anxiety Earl's next words.</p> + +<p>"When I was a lad I declaimed the address of Leonidas to his brave +Spartan band, and the idea of a vicarious offering has ever since lain +heavily on my heart.</p> + +<p>"In Almaville here I have a picked band of five hundred men who are not +afraid to die. To-night we shall creep upon yonder hill and take charge +of the state capitol. When the city awakes to-morrow morning it will +find itself at our mercy. We also have a force of men which will take +charge of the United States government building. This will serve to make +it a national question.</p> + +<p>"When called upon to surrender, we shall issue a proclamation setting +forth our grievances as a race and demanding that they be righted. Of +course, what we shall call for cannot be done at once, and our surrender +will be called for.</p> + +<p>"We shall not surrender. Each one of us has solemnly sworn not to come +out of the affair alive, even if we have to commit suicide. Our act will +open the eyes of the American people to the gravity of this question and +they will act. Once in motion I am not afraid of what they will do. I am +not fearful of America awake, but of America asleep.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">145</a></span></p> + +<p>"Such is my plan. In brief, it is the determination of desperate men to +provoke intervention.</p> + +<p>"Look at Cuba. A handful of men stayed in the field and kept up a show +of resistance until our great nation intervened. It is within the power +of the Negro race to bring about intervention at any time that it is +willing to pay the price. I have found the men and recruited them from +the ranks of the plain people who were already ripe for action for the +following reasons:</p> + +<p>"Labor circles here are just now very bitter toward the city government +because of its course toward Negro roustabouts. The white men in charge +of the boats that ply the river, fed their Negro hands poorly and made +the whole crew eat with spoons out of one pan. They were afforded no +sleeping accommodations, being forced to sleep on the bare floor. If a +piece of freight was accidentally dropped overboard the Negro who did it +was forced to jump into the water after it or be clubbed to death. Some +roustabouts who were forced to jump overboard to recover freight lost +their lives. These things have influenced the Negroes to abhor +roustabout work. But the police force, in the interest of the boatmen, +pounced down upon the Negroes and forced them to do the work, and this +course is practically urged by one of our leading daily newspapers. In +this condition of affairs, the laboring Negro sees a sign of a return to +the conditions of slavery, and he is alarmed.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">146</a></span></p> + +<p>"If in a city of light such as is Almaville this spirit obtains, it +won't be long, they feel, before the Negro laborers of the South will be +firmly in the grasp of a new form of slavery. They are also alarmed at +the clamor of leading newspapers for a vagrancy law which will be +invoked in times when the Negroes refrain from labor in the hope of +advancing their pay. The presence in our ranks of the labor element +representing the Negro masses will give striking evidence of the effect +things are having upon all classes of Negroes, welding them together.</p> + +<p>"Now, Ensal, you have my whole story. This is to be the most sublime +affair in the whole history of our race. Honor yourself, my friend, by +joining our ranks."</p> + +<p>Earl now ceased.</p> + +<p>"Earl," began Ensal, slowly, earnestly, "do you know the Anglo-Saxon +race and particularly that brand found in the South? Provoke the +passions of that race, arouse the dormant but ever-present fear of +secret plottings for a general uprising, and you will inaugurate the +wholesale slaughter of innocent men, women and children. Satan hearing +of what is going on, will resign his post as King of Hell, will broaden +his title and move up to sit as Emperor of the South.</p> + +<p>"No, no, no, Earl. Dark, dark is the night, but let us not mistake the +glow of the 'jack-o'-lantern' leading to a bog for the gleam of the +morning star ushering in the day."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">147</a></span></p> + +<p>Ensal ceased speaking and the two men looked at each other in silence.</p> + +<p>"Do you regard yourself as having finished?" asked Earl after a few +seconds of silence.</p> + +<p>"Sir," he continued, "if in this hour when I am strangled with the ashes +of Bud and Foresta you feed me with a negation——" He did not finish +the sentence.</p> + +<p>"I understand you, Earl. I must offset your proposition with a better +one. Foreseeing that you would demand this of me, I have prepared +myself," said Ensal.</p> + +<p>Going to his desk he procured a rather bulky document. Ensal turned the +manuscript over and over. In it he had cast all of his soul. Upon it he +was relying for the amelioration of conditions to such an extent that +his race might be saved from being goaded on to an unequal and +disastrous conflict. He hoped that its efficacy would be so self-evident +that Earl might stay the hand that threatened the South and the nation +with another awful convulsion. No wonder that his voice was charged with +deep emotion as he read as follows:</p> + +<hr /> + +<blockquote> + +<p><i>"To the People of the United States of America:</i></p> + +<p>"The Anglo-Saxon race is a race of the colder regions and there +evolved those qualities, physical, mental and temperamental, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">148</a></span>which constitute its greatness. A large section of the race +has left the habitat and environments in which and because of +which it grew to greatness, and in the southern part of the +United States finds itself confronted with the problem of +maintaining in warmer climes those elements of a greatness +hitherto found only in the colder regions.</p> + +<p>"The race in these warmer regions took firm hold of the +doctrine of a foil, a something thrust between itself and the +sapping influences of weather, sun and soil. The Negro was +pressed into service as that foil. He was to stand in the open +and bear the brunt of nature's hammering, while the +Anglo-Saxon, under the shade of tree or on cool veranda, sought +to keep pace with his brother of the more invigorating clime, +counting immunity from the assaults of nature and superior +opportunities for reflection as factors vital to him in the +unequal race that he was to run.</p> + +<p>"Not only was this foil deemed necessary to the maintenance of +the intellectual life of the South, but to its commercial well +being as well; for the white man was regarded as +constitutionally unable to furnish the quality of physical +service necessary to extract from the earth sufficient fruitage +to have the South hold her own commercially.</p> + +<p>"The wealth of the South, because of a deep seated conviction +as to the absolute need of a foil for the white race in warmer +climes, because of the hardiness of the Negro's frame, his +docility, his habit of cheerfulness when at work, his largely +uncomplaining nature, his conception that labor conditions are +fixed, his individualism leading to ineptness in +combining—these qualities the wealth of the South regards as +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">149</a></span>ideal for the services of capital, and Negro labor is much +preferred to that of chronically discontented, aspiring and +combining whites.</p> + +<p>"The capitalist influence would have the Negro treated +humanely, would give him industrial, moral and religious +training, and would have him enjoy the protection of the law +that he might continue in the South, working in contentment and +with efficiency in the lower forms of labor.</p> + +<p>"But this element desires that the Negro play the part of the +foil and accept this as mainly his mission in America. It has +scant sympathy with the college professor and the political +agitator that would set the race to dreaming very largely of +higher things. The element, therefore, that is most desirous of +retaining the Negro population and seeks to make the race +satisfied with its present habitat is for the very reason +leading to that course, thoroughly opposed to making a +speciality of developing <i>all</i> there is in the Negro, so that +the development that this element stands for is assuredly one +sided.</p> + +<p>"Opposed to the element that is half friendly to the Negro +because of his superior qualities as a foil and commercial +asset, are the white industrial rivals of the Negro, whose +animosity is whetted by their conscious inferiority in matters +physical to this son of the tropics, who is more nearly at home +under southern sky than are the children of the colder regions.</p> + +<p>"The industrial rivals of the Negro, led on by those who would +exploit race prejudices for their profit and those who feel +that grave danger lurks in a mixed civilization, keep the baser +passions of the people so inflamed that such horrible outrages +take a place that the future often seems overshadowed with a +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">150</a></span>cloud dark, portentous and riftless.</p> + +<p>"The two elements thus far mentioned, the half-friends of the +capitalist class and the rancorous industrial rivals of the +Negro, are opposed to each other on the question of the Negro's +leaving the South, the former opposing and the latter favoring +his elimination, but they are one in insisting that the Negro +must be restricted in his aspirations. The question has another +complication and a third element is to be reckoned with.</p> + +<p>"There is a vein of idealism running through our country that +would hold the American people to the thought that the United +States has a world wide mission. It is the dream of this class +that shackles, whether physical, political or spiritual, shall +fall from every man the world around.</p> + +<p>"This class says to the capitalist class of the South: 'Our +ideals will suffer if we permit you to have political serfs, +however well fed they may be.' To the class that would oppress +the Negro it says, 'The patient suffering and material service +of him whom you buffet entitles him in his own right to a home +in this country, and here of all places justice shall be his +portion.' This class has opened Northern institutions to them, +and training has produced a large and aggressive army of able +young Negroes enraptured with the expressed ideals of the +republic.</p> + +<p>"When it is sought by idealists to make the position of the +American Negro square with the constitution, the capitalist +class of the South, which fancies that it sees the sudden loss +of the foil, and the rivals of the Negro in the labor world +combine to oppose the programme looking to the political uplift +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">151</a></span>of the Negro. As the Negro in the groove ('in his place') has +the self-interest of the capitalist class on his side, while, +aspiring to be as others are, he finds his erstwhile friends +and chronic enemies forming a cordon to prevent his rise, it +has been suggested that political advancement be made a +secondary consideration.</p> + +<p>"In view of the powerful forces which we find arrayed against a +programme looking to the political advancement of the Negro we +can understand the desire of the American people that it be +made clear that the political needs of the Negro are vital to +the improvement of present conditions. We shall therefore +proceed to show how intimately the political question is +inwrought in the whole situation.</p> + +<p>"After the last word has been said in favor of the capitalist +notion of race elevation, it is still found to contain the +wonderfully fecund germ of repression. To sustain a notion from +generation to generation that the Negro should be denied +participation in the political life of his nation necessitates +an atmosphere charged with the spirit of repression, a +voracious guest, whose appetite calls for food other than the +dainties set before him.</p> + +<p>"The making of official life in the South independent of Negro +sentiment was evidently intended to cause white men to feel +free to act according to their own instincts, undeterred by +calculations as to the possible effects of their course on the +attitude of the Negro toward them.</p> + +<p>"With repression the order of the day, and the process of the +survival of the fittest operating along this plane, that man +who best exemplifies the repressive faculty will survive in the +political warfare and thus will be brought to the front the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">152</a></span>element out of touch with the broadening influences of the +age, whose vision is yet bounded by the narrow horizon of race.</p> + +<p>"The administration of the government, then, inevitably falls +into the hands of the less refined and a contemned race of an +alien blood is handed over to them to be governed absolutely. +As might be expected under a system that picks its rougher +spirits for rulership, the governing force is often worse in +its attitude toward Negroes than are the great body of whites. +Instead therefore of the government being the guide, piloting +the people to broader conceptions, the governing power often +sets in motion brutalizing tendencies that eventually sweep +down and affect the people.</p> + +<p>"Local sentiment has been invoked to hold in check the wrathful +outpourings of United States senators, legislatures have held +in check rampant governors, and cities have cried out against +the acts of legislatures imposing repressive measures not +warranted by local conditions, things that signify that +repression sends to the front men whose tendency is to lower +rather than advance civilization.</p> + +<p>"It is generally conceded that the drift of the Negro +population of the South toward the cities is due to the lack of +police protection in the rural districts. In the city +policeman, then, we have an opportunity to study the output of +the system of repression at its highest level. Policemen are +often the most unbearable of tyrants, arresting Negroes upon +the most flimsy charges, and refusing to tolerate a word of +explanation. It is actually a capital offense for a Negro to +run from a policeman, however trivial the charge upon which he +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">153</a></span>has been arrested.</p> + +<p>"In Almaville, which represents the South at its highest point +of civilization, policemen have wantonly shot to death Negro +after Negro for seeking to elude arrest.</p> + +<p>"The following article which we reproduce from one of America's +most reputable journals, will speak for itself.</p> + +<p>"'How lightly the wanton killing of a Negro has come to be +regarded in some Southern communities is brought out by an +incident of the week at Memphis, which hardly needs comment. An +inoffensive Negro was hawking chickens about the street, +when ——, who was not in uniform at the time, jumped to the +conclusion that the chickens had been stolen, and arrested the +man. While he went to put on his uniform he left his prisoner +in custody of a nearby grocer, rightly named ——, to whom he +handed his pistol, with the offhand injunction, 'If he tries to +get away from you, kill him.' ——'s assertion that the Negro +made a break for liberty is disputed by the testimony of +bystanders, but at all events he fired on the Negro, wounding +him so severely that he died the next morning. 'Well, you got +him, didn't you?' said —— on his return. 'If I didn't, I +almost,' answered —— with a smile. The policeman's only +statement in palliation of the unprovoked killing was that the +deputy to whom he delegated his authority had 'taken his +instructions literally.' The most shocking feature of the +affair is that —— has not been arrested, and the policeman is +apparently to continue on his beat. The 'Commercial-Appeal' may +well exclaim in bitterness, 'Life in this community is cheap; +the life of a Negro is so valueless that it is freely taken +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">154</a></span>without fear of future punishment in this world.'</p> + +<p>"The question may be asked as to whether there are provisions +for redress against police outrages. There are courts and +commissions that may be appealed to, but two considerations +render these institutions of slight value to Negroes. In the +first place the sentiment obtains that the evidence of a Negro +is not to count as much as that of a white man. With this much +the start the policeman has still another advantage. The policy +of repression has fostered the idea that it is all right for a +white man to commit perjury in cases where there is a contest +between a white man and a Negro. Witness the manner in which +election commissioners have often been chosen because of their +known willingness to swear falsely as to the contents of ballot +boxes.</p> + +<p>"So, with little sentiment against perjury when a Negro is +involved and the extra weight attached to the word of a white +man as against that of a Negro, the wrongs of the Negro more +often than otherwise go absolutely unavenged.</p> + +<p>"Public utilities are likewise administered by white men who +often maltreat Negroes. In Almaville a street car conductor was +sentenced to two years in the penitentiary for the killing of +an inoffensive Negro who was asking him for correct change and +at whom, according to his own sworn statement, he shot 'to see +him run.'</p> + +<p>"In this same city a Negro woman was kicked off of a street car +by the conductor for pulling through mistake the cord that +registered fares instead of the one that signalled for the +motorman to stop.</p> + +<p>"For this same offense a Negro in Memphis was shot in the back +four times and killed by the conductor, who was allowed to make +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">155</a></span>his escape.</p> + +<p>"Many good white people of the South will ask 'If this state of +terror exists among our Negro population, how does it happen +that it has not impressed itself more forcibly upon the public +mind?' Largely because the affected people are voiceless and +because they grow weary of invoking the aid of courts and +commissions that somehow find their way clear to sustain the +side holding membership in the race to which they belong. The +Negroes, therefore, meet in groups and exchange accounts of +outrages and bitterly sneer when they read in the white +newspapers of the South accounts of the ideal relations of the +two races.</p> + +<p>"The claim of some of the white people of the South that the +Negro needs no power in his own hands to insure a proper regard +for his interests ought not to be tolerated for a moment in +view of all that has happened since the whites have had +exclusive charge of the southern governments.</p> + +<p>"It has long been a contention of the Anglo-Saxon race that the +people should retain power to protect themselves against +possible indifference, incompetence or outright meanness on the +part of public officials, and if Anglo-Saxons refuse to commit +their welfare unreservedly into the hands of fellow +Anglo-Saxons, it seems clear that it is placing too great a +strain upon human nature to expect ideal results when an alien +race is involved. Not only does repression bear such fruit as +we have indicated, but it also bears heavily upon the repressed +in other directions.</p> + +<p>"All history shows that a race stands in need of great men, in +need of the contributions of their superior powers, and the +inspiration that their names will carry from generation to +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">156</a></span>generation.</p> + +<p>"Grappling with the affairs of state affords unique +opportunities for growth, while the honor of having served the +state operates as a magnifying glass enlarging the +inspirational force of individuals so honored. Thus a race +having the privilege of committing great trusts to its members +draws as a dividend men of enlarged powers and names which will +inspire. These influences reapplied to the needs of the state +serve mightily to pull the people forward.</p> + +<p>"Again, to fix a limit to the development of a race is to run +counter to the forces of evolution which are indisposed to +recognize barriers of any kind. The human mind revolts at a +'<i>ne plus ultra</i>.' The Great Unknown has hid himself in the +heart of things, and yet the fainting soul of man lingers +forever at the barred door of His palace in a sort of +rebellious worship, determined to learn of Deity even the +forbidden things.</p> + +<p>"The human mind is yet human when encased in a Negro body and +if this mind chafes at limitations seemingly imposed by eternal +forces, it will not submit to limitations arranged by finite +creatures.</p> + +<p>"We have no doubt arrived at the point in this discussion where +it is in order to suggest a remedy for these ills. The +offerings of the humane class of Southern white people who +would like to settle the whole question upon the basis of the +development of the Negro race along restricted lines, must, +because of the danger that lurks in the principle of +repression, be rejected as totally inadequate. Above all +things, the government must go out of the business of +repression, must cease tagging the Negro as an outcast among +his fellows. The men who administer affairs must be made +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">157</a></span>amenable to the sentiment of the whole body politic and not +simply that portion represented by the white citizenship.</p> + +<p>"One says: 'The nation felt all this and granted to the Negroes +political power.' Explain to us those largely writ words +'Reconstruction Governments.'</p> + +<p>"Right gladly do we respond to the task assigned.</p> + +<p>"One whom the nation knows as perhaps the foremost living +Southerner, who has acquired the art of speaking upon this +whole matter in a way that seems to beget at least a respectful +hearing everywhere, says: 'Few reasonable men now charge the +Negroes at large with more than ignorance and an invincible +faculty for being worked on.'</p> + +<p>"To this we make reply, the overturning of slavery in the South +was revolutionary and not evolutionary. There was no spiritual +cataclysm to correspond with the political one. He who on one +day ruled <i>over</i> the Negro was found spiritually unprepared to +rule <i>with</i> him on the succeeding day.</p> + +<p><ins class="tnote" title="Original text missing double quote">"</ins>When, therefore, the Negroes were approached by two +sets of men, the one set, composed of the former ruling class +of the South, equipped morally and intellectually for good +government, but wrong at heart upon the great question of human +rights, the other composed largely of carpet baggers, scalawags +and bad administrators, but true to the principle of equality +before the law, it ought not to be surprising that a race fresh +from the galling yoke of slavery should choose the set that +would look after their liberties.</p> + +<p>"This, we feel, fully explains the ills of reconstruction, and +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">158</a></span>those that lament that they were thrust aside from leadership, +should further lament that they were evidently not far enough +away from the ruling of a race by a race to have charge of the +momentous experiment of the joint rulership of races. The real +blame for the unfortunate state of affairs falls, perhaps, upon +those crushers of free speech in the South who, prior to the +Civil War, allowed not the preaching of the doctrine of human +rights which would have furnished men of the right temper and +proper vision to take charge of the new order of things.</p> + +<p>"But we gained much from those times that must not be lost +sight of. We gained our racial awakening, the upward impulse. +This was a supreme need of our country. For, what pen can set +forth what would have been the outcome of a festering carcass +of a dead race within our borders.</p> + +<p>"The ballot put into the hands of the gloom enshrouded Negro +sent a thrill of hope into his very bone and marrow, and the +sense of responsibility and the beckoning of the high destiny +of citizenship in a great republic begot such a fever of +progress in the race that the problem is now that of dealing +with the aspirations of the race rather than the more awful +problem of trying to avoid the contaminating odor of a race +dead to higher appeals, sinking and pulling the nation with it.</p> + +<p>"And finally upon the question of reconstruction we find that +perpetual disbarment is not visited upon the people of the +mightiest city of the new world, because it has from time to +time made mistakes and put bad men to the fore.</p> + +<p>"Moreover, be it remembered that the Negro of to-day is not +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">159</a></span>restricted to the choice of yesterday. Good men and true +abound in both races in the South, who are now fully equipped +to operate a truly democratic government.</p> + +<p>"People of America: We were wrested by you from the savage +wilds and thrown into your mould. Our bodies have been fitted +to your climes, our spirits have been put in tune with yours. +We love your institutions, and if your flag could speak, it +would tell you that it has no fear of the dust when entrusted +to our sable hands.</p> + +<p>"The great burdens of your future need the cheer that we can +bring, and your labors in the tropics now dimly foreshadowed, +may put a premium on what we can yield. By the token of our +patriotism and in sight of our willingness to yield all the +blood or brawn or brain necessary for the advancement of our +common country, we simply beg that you cast not away your +ideals, that you do not unsettle the foundations of your +democracy when you come to deal with us.</p> + +<p>"Grant unto us equality of citizenship. Fix your standard for a +man! If you choose, plant the foot of the ladder in a fiery +test and engirdle each round with a forest of thorns. Do this +and more, if your civilization and the highest needs of the +unborn world require it. But when, through the fire and up the +path of thorns, we climb where others climb, hurl us not back +because of a color given us from above. Let one test be unto +all men. Let the strong arm of the nation for its own good and +for the ultimate good of humanity insist upon the observance of +this principle wherever Old Glory floats. Let this be the +guiding star of your policy toward us. This grave question +settled, the vast army of Negro leaders absorbed in the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">160</a></span>momentous work of adjusting this external problem, will be +free to turn undivided attention to the curing of those ills +that are gnawing at the vitals of the race.</p> + +<p>"Those most interested in the internal development of the race +can render the cause so dear to their hearts no greater service +than by facilitating the adjustment of the outer relation.</p> + +<p>"The campaign, then, is one that concerns not only the +political forces of the nation, but the moral forces as well, +since the pressing of this great wrong upon the hearts of an +inoffensive, patient and aspiring people tends to their moral +undoing, not only by the evil passions engendered, but also, as +has been pointed out, by the withdrawing of so much of the +attention of the race from internal development to the +absorbing, exacting and, in some respects, narrowing task of +battling against an alien aggression.</p> + +<p>"From the depths of our dark night we cry unto you to save us +from the oppression inherent in the present situation and clear +the way for our higher aspirations.</p> + +<p>"In behalf of the Negroes of the United States of America, +</p> + +<p class="signature">"Ensal Ellwood."</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>Ensal finished the document, folded it carefully and laid it upon his +desk.</p> + +<p>"Now Earl," he said, "let us print millions of this address and see to +it that a copy thereof gets into every American home. Furthermore, let +us see to it that it is translated into the various languages of the +civilized world that the whole thought of the human race may be +influenced in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">161</a></span> our direction. Earl, our cause is just and we must learn +to plead it acceptably. That is our problem. Eschew your plan and join +hands with me."</p> + +<p>Earl was silent for a few moments and then said:</p> + +<p>"This is all very good, Ensal, but it needs a supplement. Charles +Sumner's oratory and Mrs. Stowe's affecting portraiture of poor old +Uncle Tom were not sufficient of themselves to move the nation. There +had to be a John Brown and a Harper's Ferry. Preserve that paper and +send it forth. The blood of Earl Bluefield and his followers shed upon +the hill crowning Almaville will serve as an exclamation point to what +you have said in that paper," was Earl's comment.</p> + +<p>Earl now arose to go. Ensal stood up facing him.</p> + +<p>"Ensal, clasp my hand in farewell," said Earl feelingly.</p> + +<p>"Earl, knowing the mission upon which you go to-night, criminal in its +utter folly, I would not for my life put my hand in yours," responded +Ensal.</p> + +<p>A flush of anger overspread Earl's face, his lip quivered and he was +upon the eve of uttering some biting remark. He suppressed his anger, +however, and departed, determined upon making his offering of blood. +True American that he was, Ensal was determined that the offering should +be the output of brains, rather than of veins.</p> + +<div class="center"><br /><br /><img src="./images/chapterend.png" alt="Decorative Chapter End." title="" /><br /><br /></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">162</a></span></p> + +<div class="center"><img src="./images/chapterhead.png" title="Decorative Chapter Head" alt="" /></div> +<h2><a name="chapter_XXIII" id="chapter_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII.<br /> +<span class="chaptitle">They Grapple.</span></h2> + + +<p class="initial"><img class="dropcap" src="./images/drop_a.png" alt="A" title="" /><span class="hide">A</span>lmaville is asleep, watched by the quiet moon, now about to disappear, +and the far off silent stars.</p> + +<p>Upon the bridge from which hundreds had seen little Henry Crump driven +to his death; where the majesty of the law had been trampled under foot +in the murder and mutilation of Dave Harper—upon this bridge now stood +Ensal awaiting the coming of Earl who had to pass that way to reach the +place of rendezvous agreed upon by himself and followers.</p> + +<p>At about one o'clock Ensal, standing in the shadow of the framework of +the bridge, saw Earl walking rapidly in his direction. As the latter was +about to pass, Ensal laid a hand firmly upon his shoulder.</p> + +<p>Earl looked around quickly to learn the meaning of the firm grasp and +recognized him. There was a look of determination in Ensal's eye that +caused Earl to feel that important developments were sure to follow.</p> + +<p>"Earl, my friend, you shall not commit this blunder," said Ensal.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">163</a></span></p> + +<p>"Blood must be shed at some time and it might as well be shed now as at +any other time," said Earl, staring Ensal in the face as though he might +have reference to his (Ensal's) blood.</p> + +<p>Ensal's grasp tightened, and he said, "I tell you frankly, Earl, you +will have to disable me before you get to that crowd to-night."</p> + +<p>"Turn me loose," said Earl, in a quiet, determined, yet kindly tone. +"Ensal, you and I have been friends all of our lives. We sat in school +together and hunted birds' nests in the woods side by side. I have +sought your counsel from time to time and you have served as a check to +me in many instances. But my mind is fully made up now, and it will not +pay for even such a friend as you are to stand in my way. I warn you, +beware!"</p> + +<p>Ensal decided that it was time to act. He quickly pinioned Earl and +backed him up against the iron railing. He had just heard the city clock +strike one and felt that he could hold Earl in his grasp for one hour, +at which time a policeman would come along, whereupon he could deliver +Earl over to the officer. With Earl out of the way he felt that he could +get around and dissipate the forces that he had organized.</p> + +<p>Earl remembered that in Ensal's earlier days, he had suffered a fracture +of his left arm, and in his struggling Earl now weighed heavily on that +arm which began to weaken. Ensal soon saw that he was not going to be +able to pinion Earl for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">164</a></span> the hour to intervene before the coming of the +officer. So deciding, he concluded to stake all on a fall. He felt that +if he could get Earl down and get the famous neck hold, which they had +practiced so much in their youth, he could succeed in holding him in +that way.</p> + +<p>To and fro the two men swayed, each man feeling that the welfare of +millions depended upon the outcome of this duel of the muscles.</p> + +<p>At last Ensal gained an advantage and Earl was thrown. Earl pretended to +be making violent efforts to hurl Ensal off of himself, but this was +merely a feint. By skillful maneuvering unknown to Ensal he got hold of +his pistol and sought to so aim it that he could shoot Ensal through the +heart. Concluding that he now had the pistol at the right angle, he +pulled the trigger. The trembling condition of his hand could not insure +a steady aim and the pistol falling down sent the bullet crashing into +his own side. Ensal leaped up, but Earl lay motionless upon the bridge.</p> + +<p>It was now only a few moments before the policeman was due at that point +and Ensal was in a quandary as to what to do. He was not long in doubt, +however. Lifting the wounded man, he half dragged and half carried him +to one end of the bridge where there were steps leading down to the +river. He disappeared down the steps and hid under the bridge just in +time to escape the eyes of the officer.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 442px;"> +<a name="image08" id="image08"></a> +<a href="./images/image08.png"> +<img src="./images/image08_th.png" width="442" height="600" alt="To and fro the two men swayed, each man feeling +that the welfare of millions depended upon the outcome of this duel of +the muscles." +(164-165.)" title="" /> +</a> +<span class="caption">"<ins class="tnote" title="Original text 'To'">To</ins> and fro the two men swayed, each man feeling +that the welfare of millions depended upon the outcome of this duel of +the muscles." +(164-165.)</span> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">165</a></span> +Ensal did what he could to staunch the flow of blood. He then tried to +think. He did not care to expose Earl to the fury of a white mob by +revealing the conspiracy. He preferred to heal the racial sore himself +without calling a doctor, whose remedy might be worse than the disease. +But if he kept Earl's illness secret and Earl died, he was himself +liable to be arrested on the charge of murder. He concluded, however, to +take the risk of handling the matter himself. He would have Earl nursed +back to health and then demand that he leave Almaville on the ground +that he was an unsafe leader for the people under existing conditions. +He now felt the need of a confederate and his mind ran to Tiara, who was +yet living in practical seclusion.</p> + +<p>"By the way," said he to himself, "she lives near the river."</p> + +<p>Taking possession of a boat which he found moored near by, Ensal put +Earl into it and rowed until he was opposite Tiara's house. After +considerable effort he succeeded in arousing the inmates.</p> + +<p>Tiara attired herself and came out upon the back porch and listened to +Ensal's story. She dared not look him in the face too often. Her eyes +told too plainly of her suppressed love.</p> + +<p>As humble as was Ensal's opinion of himself he was compelled to admit +that the net result of this short interview was a decided conviction +that Tiara was not altogether indifferent to him, that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">166</a></span> he held no mean +place in her regard. But he was the more mystified as to why she had so +persistently refused to allow him to call.</p> + +<p>But all this is aside. Tiara accepted charge of Earl and in her faithful +hands we leave him for the present.</p> + +<div class="center"><br /><br /><img src="./images/chapterend.png" alt="Decorative Chapter End." title="" /><br /><br /></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">167</a></span></p> + +<div class="center"><img src="./images/chapterhead.png" title="Decorative Chapter Head" alt="" /></div> +<h2><a name="chapter_XXIV" id="chapter_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV.<br /> +<span class="chaptitle">Out of Joint With His Times.</span></h2> + + +<p class="initial"><img class="dropcap" src="./images/drop_j.png" alt="J" title="" /><span class="hide">"J</span>edge, I'd lack to mek' er few dimes. Ken I peddle limonade nigh de +co't 'ouse do', sah, yer honah?"</p> + +<p>The judge looked with a kindly eye upon the rather small, aged Negro, +who made the above request. The look of the man was so appealing and his +voice so sad of tone that the judge was moved to grant the request.</p> + +<p>"Thank 'ee, jedge, thank 'ee," said the Negro, bowing low, his face and +whole frame testifying to his immense joy at being allowed to sell +lemonade at the court house door.</p> + +<p>"His family must be starving," thought the judge, as he resumed his walk +to the court house, haunted by the pleading look in the Negro's eye.</p> + +<p>"He asked for that insignificant favor with as much soul as a man could +put in a plea for his life," mused the judge, as he continued to think +of that haunting look.</p> + +<p>"That Negro would hardly tell me, but I would like to know what dark +cloud it is that so patently casts its shadow over him," thought the +judge, turning to cast a look in the Negro's direction.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">168</a></span> The Negro saw +him turn and greeted him with another profound bow and humble laying off +of his hands.</p> + +<p>The judge entered the court room, which was now crowded with people from +far and near. That day was to be a great day with them. The lynchers of +Bud and Foresta were to be tried, but that was not what excited their +interest.</p> + +<p>The Congressman from the district in which Maulville was located had +just died, and his successor was soon to be chosen. There was but little +free discussion of political matters in that district, the white +population generally rendering unswerving allegiance to the Democratic +party, while the Negroes were equally as ardent in the support of the +Republican party, each race claiming that so far as it was concerned the +exigencies of the situation permitted no other course. In the absence of +a political arena in which young statesmen might display their prowess, +the court house became the nursery of statesmen in the South.</p> + +<p>Thither then the people were flocking to-day, ostensibly to witness the +trial of the slayers of Bud and Foresta, but in reality to pass final +judgment upon the claims of the young prosecuting attorney who had +announced himself a candidate to succeed the deceased Congressman. The +ability of the young man was unquestioned and his exposition of the +fundamental principles of the Democratic party was all that could be +desired,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">169</a></span> they felt, but they wanted to hear him on the one question +that was the final test of his acceptability, his attitude on the race +question.</p> + +<p>The court assembled and the crowds poured in. The prosecuting attorney, +H. Clay Maul, son of Gen. Maul, after whom the town was named, arrived +early and took his seat, his earnest face wearing the look of a +determined man sure of his course. Well did he know how much was +involved for himself personally in what was to transpire that day, but +he had vowed on the previous night, which he had spent at his mother's +grave, that he would do his duty regardless of its effect upon his own +future.</p> + +<p>The first case to be called was that of the man designated by the mob to +apply the torch. The chief concern of the defense was in the matter of +securing a jury. They expected the judge to do his duty, and the +prosecuting attorney to put forth his best efforts to convict. But their +reliance was in a jury in whom the race instinct would triumph over +every other consideration and cause it to bring in a verdict of not +guilty.</p> + +<p>It was at last young Maul's time to speak and he arose, slightly +nervous. He hesitated an instant before beginning. All the hopes of his +deceased father concerning him, all the dreams of his boyhood, all the +blandishments of fame and power came surging to his mind and his Ego +said, "Spare thyself. Thy sacrifice will be in vain."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">170</a></span></p> + +<p>Overcome by conflicting emotions that gathered in his bosom at this +moment, he waved his hand to the audience as if to say, "Wait," and sat +down. His eyes were directed to the floor and his hand still +outstretched to the audience, giving the people to understand that he +was yet to be heard from.</p> + +<p>Every eye in the room was now upon him, and all were conscious that a +supreme struggle was going on in his bosom. At last he stood up, a smile +of triumph upon his face. And thus it was that a son of the New South +came into his spiritual inheritance.</p> + +<p>The audience was more eager now than ever to hear every word of the +forthcoming speech, and as it forever fixed the status of the young man +with his fellows, we give enough of it to our readers to warrant them in +passing judgment on the judgment of the people of Maulville, Miss. Said +he:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p>"Upon an occasion such as this, in order that we may the better +get our bearings, it might pertinently be asked as to why, in +the evolution of things, you, honorable Judge, you, esteemed +gentlemen of the jury, and myself, your humble servant, are +here to-day addressing our attention to a crime which was in no +wise directed against us personally.</p> + +<p>"We are here to take care of the interests of society, to guard +it against the influence of a savage deed whose foul breath +blown upon our civilization threatens it with utter decay. +Availing myself of the latitude accorded one in your court, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">171</a></span>honored Judge, I shall seek to point out all the involvements +in the case which we have before us.</p> + +<p>"God has given unto us, or, to be more exact, has permitted us +to wrest from the Indian and from creeping snake and prowling +beast, a goodly land. Here we raise a product that supplies a +need of the world that cannot be so acceptably filled up to the +present time by any other quarter of the globe.</p> + +<p>"The world at large, therefore, has a vital material interest +in the manner in which we conduct ourselves on this spot. We +have in our midst Negroes who have a superior adaptation to the +labor of the fields, and it is to our interest and to the +interests of mankind generally, that they be treated properly, +as in their humble way they do this their share of the world's +work.</p> + +<p>"Crown Murder king here to-day, if you will, and his bloody +sceptre waved over our fields will drive the Negroes therefrom, +keep us poor, and sadly disturb economic conditions in the most +remote corners of the earth. The material interests of +civilization at large, therefore, appeal to you for the +administration of justice in our part of the world.</p> + +<p>"But civilization has even higher interests involved. We must +bear in mind that these are no longer days of isolation, that +the deeds of Maulville have been canvassed throughout the +earth. Man has been battling upward through the ages, and his +savage instincts have sought to mount the ladder with him as he +climbed. It has been one of the hardest of man's battles to +leave behind him these depraved parts of his nature, and +evidence that you carry your savagery with you will make the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">172</a></span>battle harder for the whole of the human family. And so the +moral health of the world demands that every community have a +pest house where the isolation and treatment of the morally +diseased may forestall an epidemic.</p> + +<p>"Coming nearer home, I would call your attention to our sister +states to the north of us. These states are bound up with us in +a political system. Destiny has made us one people, and by the +outside world we must be reckoned with as a unit. Under these +circumstances, the thought must unavoidably develop that <i>that</i> +for which all are to be held responsible must, when the need +arises, be made the subject of inquiry and action on the part +of all.</p> + +<p>"For the honor, then, of the other members of our political +compact who form a part of our shield against the outside +world, and to enable them in view of the attached +responsibility, to accord, with a clear conscience, full +deference to our claim to the right of local self-government, +it is incumbent upon us to act worthily here.</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen, our own larger interests are involved in this +matter. It is our privilege, and our duty as well, to +contribute our best heart and brain to the care of the +interests of our nation and to the guidance of the world. But +if our statesmen walk through the halls of Congress emitting +from their garments the scent of burning human flesh, when they +would put forth their souls as great magnets for mankind, the +tender, sensitive world-heart will recede from their touch, and +leave their hollow, resounding voices reverberating through +space. Thus shall we lose our share of great world leaders.</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen, the lives of white men will be placed in jeopardy +by a miscarriage of justice here to-day. The jury that refused +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">173</a></span>first to hang a white man for killing a Negro, seared its +conscience, lowered its estimate of the value of human life, +and now, without due process of law, the white man who kills +any one is almost uniformly exempt from the death penalty. The +maltreatment of Negroes according to immutable laws precedes +but by one day the like maltreatment of whites.</p> + +<p>"Need I to tell you of the patient dark faces that sit in their +humble cabins to-day and quietly await your verdict which will +make their lives secure, or subject to the caprice of the man +with murderous instinct.</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen of the jury, remember that the interests of your +children are involved in this case. The capital on which they +are to begin life is necessarily that which they draw from your +social manifestations. They saw that holiday crowd that +gathered here on the day of the burning and some of those hot +human ashes fell in their innocent faces. What happened here +that day will be talked over by them in their childish sports. +Let us give to them a fitting conclusion to the recital. We +have made it possible for them to say that the deed was done. +Let us avoid contributing to their hardness of heart, by +causing them to say that the deed was spurned.</p> + +<p>Having at length put before you the claims of society whose +mouthpiece I am this day, I am now ready to deal more +specifically with the case before us.</p> + +<p>"I have no hesitancy in asserting that the evidence before you, +gentlemen, is of a sufficient character to justify the +conviction of the defendant. The case is so plain that it seems +like arguing an axiom to discuss it. I will not impugn the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">174</a></span>intelligence of this jury by a review of the evidence in so +plain a case. But knowing the deadening miasma of race +prejudice that hangs over, envelops and stifles us so often, I +shall dwell briefly upon the nature of the crime committed by +the defendant.</p> + +<p>"A Negro, acting upon that instinct of self-preservation that +ramifies all nature, shot down his would-be murderer, no other +course save the surrender of his life being open to him. Have +we gone back to the days of the cannibal kings, when it was +deemed a virtue for a subject to lay down his life to satisfy a +whim of his master? Have we, the proud Anglo-Saxon race, fallen +so low that we are to ask that the Negro meekly lay down in our +pathway, while we enjoy the pleasant sport of boring holes +through his body? If this is not what we mean, how do you +account for that writhing form, the form of that Negro, whose +only offense was that he sought to preserve from the violence +of man a life granted unto him by his Maker?</p> + +<p>"And now I come to the crowning horror of the ages. Our poets +have sung in loftiest strains of the devotion of woman.</p> + +<p>"A Negro wife, true to that impulse of the woman's heart that +has made this old world worth living in, that has taught men +that the fireside is worth dying for, that +<ins class="tnote" title="Original text 'impluse'">impulse</ins>—devotion to a loved one in distress, led that +girl to journey by her husband's side through bog and swamp, +bearing up bravely under the scorching heat of the sun and +wilting not in the dead of night amid the gloom of the beast +infested forest.</p> + +<p>"Ah! gentlemen, that girl deserved better of us than what we +gave her. And I declare unto you that as the ages roll by, the +people of the earth are going to make of those cruel flames +that wrapped themselves about her nude body a fiery chariot of +glory to carry the blessed memory of her devotion from age to +age.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 399px;"> +<a name="image09" id="image09"></a> +<a href="./images/image09.png"> +<img src="./images/image09_th.png" width="399" height="600" alt="Is it a crime for me, one of your sons, to invoke loyalty to the national constitution? If so, I commit +that crime." (174-175.)" title="" /> +</a> +<span class="caption">"Is it a crime for me, one of your sons, to invoke loyalty to the national constitution? If so, I commit +that crime." (174-175.)</span> +</div> + + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">175</a></span> +"Such will be the verdict of the future; but, gentlemen of the +jury, you are this moment the mouthpiece of your age and we are +concerned about your verdict.</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen of the jury, the evidence in this case, the +revolting nature of the crime and every consideration of +society demands a verdict of guilty. We have reached the apex +of infamy in the crime which lies unavenged at our doors.</p> + +<p>"Let us retrace our steps beginning here to-day. Seeing whither +our present policy as a people toward the Negro has led us, let +us adopt another course.</p> + +<p>"Is it a crime for me, one of your sons to invoke loyalty to +our national constitution? If so I commit that crime. Let us +accept the Negro as a partner in our government, and acts such +as these will not occur. Nor in so saying do I abate one inch +of my stand for white supremacy. As long as there are distinct +races there will be racial aspirations for first place. But I +crave not the first place born of the prestige of sitting upon +a throne whose base is forever lapped by the waves of the blood +of the innocent and the helpless. I stand for white supremacy +in intellect, in soul power, in grasp upon the esteem of others +through sheer force of character. But all this aside. Justice +whom you cannot afford to banish from your borders calls upon +you to pronounce over this defendant's head the verdict of +guilty." +</p></blockquote> + +<p>Young Maul's speech was now over, but he did not sit down. Having +declared himself in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">176</a></span> manner that he did, he knew that he was +henceforth to be a political outcast, a pariah. He had not stood up for +the extension of the caste idea to the political system and knew that +its ban would henceforth be upon him. Yet in spite of the dreary future +which his speech had carved out for him his soul was at ease, for he was +conscious of having advocated that which was best for his people. +Grasping his hat he strode out of the room, not waiting for the verdict +of the jury.</p> + +<p>"It is a pity that our section can find no place for so true a soul +presided over by so bright a mind," thought the judge, his eyes +following young Maul, as the latter passed out of the court room, and +through the court house yard, looking neither to the right nor to the +left. The people understood his going. He was saying that he had done +his duty and personally could be absolved from concern as to results.</p> + +<p>The lawyers for the defense, feeling sure of the jury, saw no necessity +for the making of speeches on their part. They waived their rights in +this particular, and the jury, after being solemnly charged by the +judge, was handed the case.</p> + +<p>The Negro at the door selling lemonade had been an eager listener to all +that was said in the case. He had now totally suspended his sales and, +standing in the door was eagerly scanning the faces of the jurymen, who +had announced<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">177</a></span> that they did not need to retire, but could return a +verdict on the spot.</p> + +<p>"Come here, darkey, with your lemonade," called a white man on the +outside to the Negro.</p> + +<p>The Negro obeyed, though his heart for some cause was in the court room. +Suddenly there was a tumult in the court room and the Negro dropped his +lemonade bucket and ran to the door. He saw a crowd surging about the +lyncher that had been on trial, and he cried out in startling tones:</p> + +<p>"Gemmen, don't do dat. Don't kill de man. De boy whut wuz burnt, I'm his +daddy. I jes' wanted yer ter 'nounce de man guilty so as ter tek de +stain off'n de dead; but fur Gawd's sake, don' lynch de man."</p> + +<p>The judge saw through it all at once and hastened to Silas Harper's +side, for it was he, Bud's father. In sorrowful tones the judge said, +"You are mistaken, friend. They are congratulating the man. They are not +trying to hurt him. The jury has said that he was not guilty. You had +better come and go with me. They might become enraged against you and +have another lynching."</p> + +<p>Silas Harper's jaws fell apart in amazement and his eyes took on the +look of a terror-stricken, hunted animal. He meekly slunk along after +the judge, and to an outsider would have appeared to be a criminal +doomed to die.</p> + +<div class="center"><br /><br /><img src="./images/chapterend.png" alt="Decorative Chapter End." title="" /><br /><br /></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">178</a></span></p> + +<div class="center"><img src="./images/chapterhead.png" title="Decorative Chapter Head" alt="" /></div> +<h2><a name="chapter_XXV" id="chapter_XXV"></a>CHAPTER XXV.<br /> +<span class="chaptitle">A Joyful Farewell.</span></h2> + + +<p class="initial"><img class="dropcap" src="./images/drop_m.png" alt="M" title="" /><span class="hide">M</span>r. Seabright sat upright in bed and rubbed his eyes. The gas was +burning and there sat a man in one corner of his bedroom, turning a +rifle over and over, in a cool manner, a keen look of satisfaction in +his eyes.</p> + +<p>"Am I dreaming? O, I am dreaming!" said Mr. Seabright, trying to thus +reassure himself; but a man was sitting in a chair in the corner, all as +plain as day.</p> + +<p>"But I have had dreams that appeared as real," thought Mr. Seabright.</p> + +<p>He pinched himself so as to further determine the fact as to whether he +was awake or asleep. Being thoroughly convinced that he was awake, he +quickly fell back in the bed and pulled the cover over his head. +Remembering, however, the man's rifle, he pulled the covering far enough +down to allow one terrified eye to keep track of the weapon.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Seabright!" called the intruder.</p> + +<p>"Sir," responded Mr. Seabright, in sepulchral tones.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">179</a></span></p> + +<p>"I think your wife belongs to that man Marshall's church," remarked the +man.</p> + +<p>Mr. Seabright nodded assent.</p> + +<p>"Tell her that her pastor will hardly live till morning and that he +would like to see her," said the man.</p> + +<p>Mr. Seabright had now found courage to pull the cover down from over the +other eye, and it now rested on his nose.</p> + +<p>"Did you hear me," said the man, rather sharply.</p> + +<p>"You will please excuse my boldness," said Mr. Seabright, tremblingly, +"but you have a totally wrong conception of my disposition I fear, Mr. +Stranger. You can get the full benefit of my services with only the butt +end of that thing pointing my way, instead of the occasional shifting of +the muzzle in my direction."</p> + +<p>The stranger smiled coldly and said, "Tell her what I said."</p> + +<p>Mr. Seabright now got out of bed and proceeded to the door opening from +his room into that of his wife.</p> + +<p>"Arabelle!" called Mr. Seabright through the partly opened door.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Seabright, who was in the midst of a horrible dream, sprang out of +bed.</p> + +<p>"Arabelle, Percy G. Marshall is dying and would like to see you."</p> + +<p>"O my God! Can I save him?" she cried, wringing her hands.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">180</a></span></p> + +<p>Excited though she was, it was not long before she was attired and +rushing to the study of the church where she was told that she would +find the dying man. The door of the study was slightly ajar so that she +had no trouble in entering. There upon the sofa lay the dying man, his +hand pressed to his side, evidently in an effort to staunch the flow of +blood. It is the young man whom we saw repeating his childhood prayer +after Mrs. Seabright in the Domain Hotel.</p> + +<p>"I knew that it would come to this, mother. I wanted to live to tell you +that," said the dying preacher.</p> + +<p>"O my boy, my darling! O what has lain hold of me?" cried Mrs. +Seabright, as she knelt by the bedside of the dying one and kissed his +lips fervently.</p> + +<p>A gasp and the spirit of the young man was gone. A loud scream rang out +on the night air when Mrs. Seabright realized that it was all over with +him.</p> + +<p>"Wait, my boy, mother is coming."</p> + +<p>Taking from her bosom a small vial she swallowed the contents, fell +across the breast of the dead and joined him in the spirit land.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>When Mr. Seabright had delivered to Mrs. Seabright the message of the +intruder, he turned and looked at the man in a helpless sort of way. +When Mrs. Seabright was gone the man remarked to Mr. Seabright:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">181</a></span></p> + +<p>"I been had my eye on your house for sevul years. It makes a good fort +to shoot frum. It'll be turned to that use to-day. You'd better clean +out, for a mob 'll be here soon."</p> + +<p>"O my God! Have they found me out? O my God! my God!" said Mr. +Seabright, wringing his hands.</p> + +<p>"You may git now, I say," said the man.</p> + +<p>Mr. Seabright sought to put on his clothes, but trembled so that he did +not make much headway. His visitor, to expedite matters, assisted him in +dressing.</p> + +<p>"Take your money and the like. I won't need it where I'll be 'fore +night," said the intruder.</p> + +<p>Mr. Seabright took advantage of this offer to pile into a small valise +all the money, valuable papers and jewels in the house that he could +find. He went out of the rear door and passed back to his stable, and +out into the alley.</p> + +<p>Casting a look back at his house, he said: "Farewell, Hades!" Looking up +into the heavens, he whispered as he ran: "In case, O stars, any inquiry +is made of you as to my whereabouts, please let it be known, of course +without specifying the exact spot, that I have gone to the land of the +Eskimo. My face will soon be overgrown with a beard which I shall so dye +that the keenest scented mob in all the world can not discern any +difference between my humble self and the anatomy of the regulation +Eskimo. So, farewell!"</p> + +<div class="center"><br /><br /><img src="./images/chapterend.png" alt="Decorative Chapter End." title="" /><br /><br /></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">182</a></span></p> + +<div class="center"><img src="./images/chapterhead.png" title="Decorative Chapter Head" alt="" /></div> +<h2><a name="chapter_XXVI" id="chapter_XXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXVI.<br /> +<span class="chaptitle">Gus Martin.</span></h2> + + +<p class="initial"><img class="dropcap" src="./images/drop_g.png" alt="G" title="" /><span class="hide">G</span>us Martin, for it was he who was Mr. Seabright's visitor, saw to it +that every window and door of the house was properly barred, and then +repaired to the tower which commanded every approach to the house. To +his very great surprise he found the tower a veritable arsenal with +ammunition in abundance and death dealing devices of the most improved +types. He perceived that the tower was protected by armor plate and was +so constructed that one might fire upon others with practically no +danger of being hit himself.</p> + +<p>"Beyond doubt I shall go to judgment to-day, but I shall take along with +me a putty good body guard," said Martin, as he settled himself back.</p> + +<p>The day dawned beautifully, and Martin put a hand to his lips and threw +a kiss at the sun. "To-morrow I'll know more about you than I do now," +said he. "And some others will, too," he added.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">183</a></span></p> + +<p>At about eleven o'clock he saw leaping the front gate a tall raw boned +bloodhound.</p> + +<p>"<ins class="tnote" title="Original text 'Its'">It's</ins> a pity a pore dum' brute has got to lead this pursession; but +if it mus' be, it mus' be."</p> + +<p>So saying, he lifted his rifle to his shoulder and a shot rang out on +the air. The beast leaped high up in the air, twisted his head to one +side and plunged forward lifeless. Within a few more moments a second +hound appeared, and he met a like fate. Soon there was a clatter of a +horse's feet and an officer of the law came dashing down the street. As +he got opposite the Seabright home a rifle shot rang out and his horse +fell, throwing the rider against an electric light post, and stunning +him for the time being. Martin aimed his rifle at the officer as he lay, +then lowered it.</p> + +<p>"Not yet. Ain't had the confab yet."</p> + +<p>The people in the vicinity perceived that there was something unusual +going on and began to crowd in front of the space facing the Seabright +residence. It soon became known that Rev. Percy G. Marshall had been +murdered and the murderer had been tracked to the Seabright residence. +It was also surmised that the offender was a Negro, as the hounds had +traced him from the place of the killing to a Negro dwelling, thence on +to the Seabright house. The city of Almaville was soon in a ferment and +the white people poured out to that section of the town. Several +thousand <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">184</a></span>people were soon massed in the neighborhood of the Seabright +residence.</p> + +<p>Martin had provided himself with a speaking trumpet and through it he +now shouted, "You people are permitted to stand in front uv these +premises, but you mustn't 'tempt to git over my front yard fence."</p> + +<p>Some one suggested the getting of a trumpet to induce whoever the party +was to allow officers of the law to come in unmolested. The trumpet was +procured and the following dialogue took place.</p> + +<p>The trumpeteer of the crowd shouted, "Whoever you are, we call upon you +in the name of the State to surrender."</p> + +<p>Martin replied, "I'm a nigger. Martin is my name. I have killed a white +man fur a good cause. Before I give up I would like to have a little +talk with the sheriff. Tell him to step to the neares' tellerphone place +and call up Seabright."</p> + +<p>The sheriff did as requested and Gus went to the telephone.</p> + +<p>"Say, Mistah Sheriff, this is Gus Martin that saw Dave Harper lynched. +If I give up to you will you perteck me?"</p> + +<p>"I'll do what I can, Martin. Of course, you know what you have done."</p> + +<p>"Will you lose your life trying to perteck me?" asked Martin.</p> + +<p>"Well, uh—well, Martin, that's pretty hard to say, considering you +murdered one of my race, you know."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">185</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 479px;"> +<a name="image10" id="image10"></a> +<a href="./images/image10.png"> +<img src="./images/image10_th.png" width="479" height="600" alt="I have tellerphoned round the world and there aint no +justice nowhere fur a black man. Well fight it out right here." (184-185)" title="" /> +</a> +<span class="caption">"I have tellerphoned round the world and there aint no +justice nowhere fur a black man. Well fight it out right here." (184-185)</span> +</div> + +<p>"Ring off," said Martin.</p> + +<p>Gus now called up the Governor's office.</p> + +<p>"Governor, this is Gus Martin. Will you perteck my life if I surrender +to this heah sheriff? I am 'cused uv killin' a white preacher."</p> + +<p>"I can do nothing unless called upon by the sheriff of your county," +said the Governor, and put up the telephone receiver.</p> + +<p>The Seabright residence had 'long distance' telephone connections and +Gus called up the White House at Washington. He stated his case and the +secretary to the President replied:</p> + +<p>"We are powerless to act. The most that we can at present do is to +create a healthy public sentiment against lynching."</p> + +<p>"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed Gus through the telephone. "Is that all you can +say to a man that risked his life fur your flag?"</p> + +<p>Gus now called up the British legation to sound it on the question of +proposing intervention on the part of the leading nations of the world. +He was told that the problem was a domestic one and that foreign +countries could not intervene. Gus returned to his trumpet and said,</p> + +<p>"I have tellerphoned 'round the world and there ain't no justice nowhere +fur a black man. We'll fight it out right here."</p> + +<p>In the meantime five young men had formed an agreement that they would +make the dash to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">186</a></span> the building. They had figured that Gus could not +shoot all five before one of them could reach the lower door and be +sheltered from the fire. They made the dash, but Gus was quicker than +they fancied, and one by one they went down before his deadly aim. The +city was in a frenzy.</p> + +<p>We must leave the scene of combat for a while in order to be prepared +for the dramatic turn events were about to take.</p> + +<div class="center"><br /><br /><img src="./images/chapterend.png" alt="Decorative Chapter End." title="" /><br /><br /></div> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">187</a></span></p> + +<div class="center"><img src="./images/chapterhead.png" title="Decorative Chapter Head" alt="" /></div> +<h2><a name="chapter_XXVII" id="chapter_XXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXVII.<br /> +<span class="chaptitle">Tiara Mystifies Us.</span></h2> + +<p class="initial"><img class="dropcap" src="./images/drop_t.png" alt="T" title="" /><span class="hide">T</span>iara was sitting on the front porch of her home gazing pensively out +upon the blue hills that fringed the distant horizon.</p> + +<p>On the day previous she had been able to pronounce the wounded Earl well +and he had gone forth solemnly pledged to no longer rebel against the +overwhelming desire of the Negro race to pursue steadily the policy of +moral suasion, as exemplified by Ensal.</p> + +<p>That morning Eunice had taken her departure and had for some reason or +other refused to let Tiara know her destination.</p> + +<p>Tiara missed Eunice, but there was a countervailing joy in her soul. +Eunice gone, her period of exile was over, and Ensal—O, well, well; he +could call to see her sometimes. That was as much as she would admit to +herself, but there was an enlivening sparkle to those beautiful dark +eyes whenever that individual came before her mind. She was intending +that night to write him a note suggesting that he ought to call and +receive an account of her stewardship in the matter of preserving<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">188</a></span> +Earl's life. That was a non-committal piece of territory on which a +renewal of friendly relations might begin, she felt. The newsboy came +riding along and tossed the afternoon paper upon her porch. She picked +up the paper, opened it and glanced at the various headings. In an +instant her interest in the paper was more than perfunctory.</p> + +<p>She saw an account of the murder of Rev. Percy G. Marshall, and of the +besieging of the supposed murderer that was still in progress when the +paper went to press.</p> + +<p>At that moment a white man was passing in a buggy. Tiara hailed him, +grasped a hat and was soon in the buggy by his side begging him to speed +her to the city, which the wondering man kindly did.</p> + +<p>Directed by Tiara, the man drove to the edge of the crowd of besiegers. +By brave struggling, her hat gone, her long hair down her back, her +dress torn, she made her way to the front of the swaying, surging mass +of frenzied humanity.</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen," said she, "Let us stop this frightful slaughter. Suspend +hostilities! Give me a chance and I will bring things out all right. All +I ask is that you respect my prisoner."</p> + +<p>Tiara's sweet, strong voice carried conviction and the crowd in silence +awaited her action. Snatching a walking stick from a bystander and +tearing a sleeve from her dress she made a flag of truce and mounted the +steps of the gate.</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 767px;"> +<a name="image11" id="image11"></a> +<a href="./images/image11.png"> +<img src="./images/image11_th.png" width="767" height="600" alt="Snatching a walking stick from a bystander and tearing a +sleeve from her dress, she made a flag of truce and mounted the steps of +the gate." (188-189.)" title="" /> +</a> +<span class="caption">"Snatching a walking stick from a bystander and tearing a +sleeve from her dress, she made a flag of truce and mounted the steps of +the gate." (188-189.)</span> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">189</a></span> +Through his trumpet Martin shouted, "Flag uv truce held by the lady +won't be shot at, purvided no one else comes with her."</p> + +<p>The crowd now awaited with feverish anxiety the outcome of this new turn +of affairs. Tragic as were the surroundings, the great throng found time +to admire the great beauty, the magnificent form, the queenly carriage +of Tiara, as bareheaded and with flag aloft she marched up to the +citadel of the outlaw.</p> + +<p>Martin met her at the door, let her in and ran back to the tower to see +that no one took advantage of his absence to attempt to approach the +building. But his precaution was unnecessary. It was a matter of honor +with the great throng and none thought of violating the flag of truce.</p> + +<p>Tiara followed Martin to the tower and spoke to him a few words in a +low, earnest voice.</p> + +<p>"Woman, is that true? And all this havoc to be laid at my door?"</p> + +<p>"My God!" said Martin humbly. "My God," he murmured again. Steadily down +the stairway he walked and flung the door wide open, saying to Tiara, +who followed, "Well, I'm done. They may have me." Tossing his rifle in +midair, he said, "I give up, gentlemen." Taking the white flag he +marched down the sidewalk, stepped outside the gate and stretched forth +his hand for the sheriff to handcuff him. No sooner was he thus fastened +than the mob surged in upon him. A blow from a stick knocked him down. +As he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">190</a></span> lay upon the ground the muzzle of a pistol was seen protruding +from each of the side pockets of his pants. Leroy Crutcher, whose +testimony had helped to stimulate the mob that lynched Dave Harper, was +again on hand. Eager for a souvenir that would enable him to boast to +the white people as to how he stood by them, he stooped down to snatch +one of the protruding pistols. Martin had the pistols so set in his +pocket that to snatch them would pull the triggers and cause them to +fire. A shot rang out and ploughed into Leroy Crutcher's body and he +fell a corpse.</p> + +<p>The crowd swayed back from Gus in superstitious fear, taking him to be a +remarkable personage to be able to keep up a bombardment in his +condition. As no more shots came the mob felt reassured and drew near +the prostrate form of Gus. His eyes looked up into scores of pistols now +leveled at him, and as they rang out their death song Gus Martin smiled +and died.</p> + +<div class="center"><br /><br /><img src="./images/chapterend.png" alt="Decorative Chapter End." title="" /><br /><br /></div> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">191</a></span></p> + +<div class="center"><img src="./images/chapterhead.png" title="Decorative Chapter Head" alt="" /></div> +<h2><a name="chapter_XXVIII" id="chapter_XXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXVIII.<br /> +<span class="chaptitle">Poor Fellow.</span></h2> + + +<p class="initial"><img class="dropcap" src="./images/drop_t.png" alt="T" title="" /><span class="hide">T</span>he whole of the night following the Gus Martin tragedy was spent by +Ensal in sorrowful meditation, as he restlessly walked to and fro in his +room.</p> + +<p>The Rev. Percy G. Marshall had been an outspoken friend of the Negro. +The white South, Ensal felt, had at one time seemed to fetter its +pulpit, not allowing it much latitude in dealing with great moral +questions that chanced to have an accompanying political aspect. Ensal +had looked on with profound admiration as the young Rev. Mr. Marshall, +by precept and by example, boldly led the way for an enlarged scope for +the white clergy of the South.</p> + +<p>Had the pulpit in question done its full duty in preaching against the +institution of Slavery, it might have been eradicated by peaceful means, +and the Civil War averted, was Ensal's firm conviction, and he further +felt that the future well-being of the South and the happy adjustment of +the relations of the races was largely dependent upon the extent to +which the white preachers taught the brotherhood of man and invoked the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">192</a></span> +application of the Golden Rule to all pending problems.</p> + +<p>In all this work the Rev. Percy G. Marshall was a pioneer spirit, and by +degrees the white pulpit of the South was growing more and more +aggressive and emphatic. And now it was the irony of fate that this +young minister should be slain by a member of the race for which he had +imperilled his own standing among the whites.</p> + +<p>In addition to his grief over the tragic death of the Rev. Mr. Marshall, +there was another phase of the Gus Martin affair that gave Ensal deep +concern. Gus was the child of the new philosophy that was taking hold of +the race, which was as follows:</p> + +<p>Faith in the general government was at a low ebb. Concerted action of a +warlike nature on the part of the race was regarded as being out of the +question, if for no other reason than that the Negro leaders were +practically a unit in pronouncing such a course one of stupendous folly +under the existing unequal conditions. Word was therefore being passed +down the line that every man was to act for himself, that each +individual was himself to resent the injustices and indignities +perpetrated upon him, and that each man whose life was threatened in a +lawless way could help the cause of the race by killing as many as +possible of the lawless band, it being contended that the adding of the +element of danger<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">193</a></span> to mob life would make many less inclined to +lawlessness.</p> + +<p>Ensal saw where such a course would lead the race. Negroes were +ordinarily approached in the name of the law and in that name disarmed. +When the law had thus rendered them helpless, the mob would form and be +presented with the object of its wrath bound hand and foot.</p> + +<p>Resistance, then, to be effective would have to be offered to the +officers of the law. The utter pitiableness of the lone Negro being sent +by this philosophy to fight the organized power of modern society went +home to Ensal's heart.</p> + +<p>The night passed and dawn found him yet pacing his room. His mother +summoned him to breakfast, but the all-night agony of his spirit had +robbed him of an appetite. The mail man's whistle blew, announcing the +morning's mail.</p> + +<p>"I hope I will get a letter that will turn my thoughts into another +channel."</p> + +<p>Such was Ensal's solemn soliloquy. How little did he dream of what was +in store for him. Going to his front gate he received the mail. To his +great surprise, the handwriting on one envelope seemed to be that of Gus +Martin. He quickly tore this letter open and read its contents. He +looked around and about cautiously, as if to see if any one was +observing him. He crumbled the letter tightly in his hand and started +toward the house, when he began to sway to and fro. His head grew dizzy, +he tottered <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">194</a></span>and fell. His mother, who had been observing him through +the window, suppressed an incipient scream that almost escaped her lips, +and rushed to her son's side. She had seen the effects of the letter, +and her first act was to attempt to gain possession of it for the +possible protection of her boy. But even in his swooning condition he +clutched the letter with so powerful a grasp that she could not wrest it +from him. She now cried aloud for help, and neighbors came to her +rescue.</p> + +<p>Ensal was borne into the house, his mother keeping in close touch with +the hand that held the letter. After some effort he was restored to +consciousness, and his first words were,</p> + +<p>"The letter! The letter! O my God! the letter!"</p> + +<p>"You have it, my boy. It has never left your hand," said his mother.</p> + +<p>"Thank heaven!" uttered Ensal fervently.</p> + +<p>When Ensal seemed to be nearly restored to his normal state the +neighbors retired.</p> + +<p>"Mother, ask me not why, but prepare my things. I must leave America," +said Ensal, in a tone so forlorn as to deeply touch the mother's heart. +Drawing near to Ensal she threw her arms around his neck and looked into +his eyes as if to read his soul.</p> + +<p>Upon this holy scene where troubled son and anxious mother meet we will +not obtrude, and so step lightly out of the room.</p> + +<div class="center"><br /><br /><img src="./images/chapterend.png" alt="Decorative Chapter End." title="" /><br /><br /></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">195</a></span></p> + +<div class="center"><img src="./images/chapterhead.png" title="Decorative Chapter Head" alt="" /></div> +<h2><a name="chapter_XXIX" id="chapter_XXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXIX.<br /> +<span class="chaptitle">A Revelation.</span></h2> + + +<p class="initial"><img class="dropcap" src="./images/drop_t.png" alt="T" title="" /><span class="hide">T</span>he fact that Ensal was to resign his church and leave the country was +soon known throughout Almaville and filled the hearts of the good people +of both races with sore regret. Tiara was amazed.</p> + +<p>"Am I no more to him than that," she asked herself.</p> + +<p>Choosing an hour when she knew Ensal would not be in, Tiara called at +his home to see his mother. Mrs. Ellwood received her in her bedroom. +She dropped on her knees by Mrs. Ellwood's side, and said in tones that +told of a sadly torn heart:</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Ellwood, don't let your boy leave. We need him. I—, don't, don't +let him go."</p> + +<p>"I have plead with him, my dear, but his mind is made up, it seems," +said Mrs. Ellwood sorrowfully.</p> + +<p>"Perhaps he thinks that—that—that I am not—as good a friend to him +as—ah! but he ought to—."</p> + +<p>Tiara arose, clasped her hands tightly and bent her beautiful face +toward the floor thinking, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">196</a></span>thinking. Tears began to gather as she +thought of this culminating sorrow of a life so full of sorrows.</p> + +<p>"Mrs. Ellwood," said Tiara, "when your son comes home, for +my—well—please, oh please, beseech him to stay. Think me not immodest +because I plead with you thus. I feel so sure; I know—somehow I know +that if all were known between your boy and myself he would not leave +the country, at least would not leave it—." Tiara paused and looked up +at Mrs. Ellwood as she finished her sentence with the word, "alone."</p> + +<p>"May heaven pardon my boldness," said Tiara, with clasped hands, lifted +face and eyes straining for the light that would not come to her soul.</p> + +<p>"I understand you, dear child. I must confess that I do not know what +has come over Ensal."</p> + +<p>The two women now sat down upon the bed, and, clasped in each other's +arms, silently awaited Ensal's coming.</p> + +<p>"Wait, dear," said Mrs. Ellwood. "I will bring you a copy of the +farewell address which he has prepared. Girl, my heart is drawn to you +and I love you, have loved you, and I always thought that Ensal loved +you with all the ardor of his soul. But I don't understand. I will get +the address. It might give us some light."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ellwood soon returned bringing with her the document, which was +addressed to a Negro organization devoted to the general uplift of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">197</a></span> +race, a body that had been founded, and was now presided over by Ensal.</p> + +<p>The paper ran as follows:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p> +"<span class="smcap">Fellow Members</span>: I believe in the existence of one great +superior Intelligence whom the Christians know as the God of +heaven. I believe that this great being accords to men free +moral agency, but gathers up all that we do and shapes it to +his 'one far off divine event.'</p> + +<p>"The Dutch slave trader that landed his cargo of slaves upon +the banks of the James River was moved thereto by his greed for +gain, we know. The Southerners who wrought upon their slaves +and gave them the rudiments of civilization, wrought, we know, +for the purpose of gain.</p> + +<p>"The war which brought emancipation was not in itself a +deliberately planned altruistic movement, but was precipitated +upon the country, and waged primarily in the interest of the +solidarity of the white race in America.</p> + +<p>"In order that the Negroes might preserve their estate of +freedom and thus obviate another martial conflict they were +given the ballot, and, that the national life might not be +corrupted by the putrid exudations from ignorant aliens to its +civilization and its ideals, culture was provided for the +liberated millions.</p> + +<p>"The medley of motives working through all the past has at last +produced in America the strongest aggregation of Negro life +that has at any time manifested itself upon the earth.</p> + +<p>"To say the least it is a striking coincidence that +simultaneous with the turning of the thought of the world +toward Africa and the recognition of the need therein of an +easily acclimated civilizing force, that the American Negro,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">198</a></span> +soul wise through suffering, should come forth as a strong man +to run a race.</p> + +<p>"In America we are confronted with a grave problem, the +adjustment of our relations with a strong race. Some have +suggested that our social absorption by this race is the only +real solution of our difficulties.</p> + +<p>"Fellow Negroes, for the sake of world interests, it is my hope +that you will maintain your ambition for racial purity. So long +as your blood relationship to Africa is apparent to you the +world has a redeeming force specially equipped for the work of +the uplift of that continent.</p> + +<p>"Again, a seer linked to us by ties of blood, foreshadows that +the paramount problem of our century will be the problem of the +adjustment of the white to the darker races. If we disappear as +a dark race this world problem must look elsewhere for special +advocates. It seems to me that our situation is from every +point of view eloquent with the voice of destiny.</p> + +<p>"I go to introduce a working force into the life of the +Africans that will make for their uplift. May it continue your +ambition to abide Negroes, to force the American civilization +to accord you your place in your own right, to the end that the +world may have an example of <i>alien</i> races living side by side +administering the general government together and meting out +justice and fair play to all. If through the process of being +made white you attain your rights, the battle of the dark man +will remain to be fought.</p> + +<p>"As I enter therefore upon the larger mission of the American +Negro, it is with the confident hope that my base of supplies +shall remain intact that our struggling kinsmen everywhere may +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">199</a></span> +ever find men of their blood piloting the whole strength of +America into channels that make for the good of the whole human +race.</p> + +<p>"Yours in perpetual bonds of brotherhood,</p> + +<p class="signature">Ensal Ellwood."</p></blockquote> + +<p>The two had just finished the reading of the paper when the door bell +rang.</p> + +<p>"Ensal's ring," whispered Mrs. Ellwood, who now closed Tiara in the room +and went to meet her son.</p> + +<p>Armed with the knowledge of the fact that Ensal was strong in Tiara's +regard, Mrs. Ellwood was ready for a determined attack. Mother and son +entered the study, Ensal perceived at once that his mother had something +of importance to say to him.</p> + +<p>"My boy," she began, "I know of the noble purpose that moves in your +bosom and have ever been proud of it. I shall not chide you now that it +turns your face to the fatherland. But I would have you marry."</p> + +<p>"No! no! no! mother. O no! never," said Ensal, losing all his wonted +calmness, but kissing his mother to let her know that his displeasure +over the subject did not extend to her for mentioning it.</p> + +<p>"My son, I shall hold you in utter disfavor unto the day of my death if +you, without just cause, declare war upon womankind. How can you, my +son!" said Mrs. Ellwood reproachfully.</p> + +<p>Ensal grew calm and looked long and lovingly at his mother. He saw that +for some reason or <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">200</a></span> +other his mother had taken up the battle against him +and that he was under the necessity of exonerating himself. Said Ensal:</p> + +<p>"Mother, I am going to divulge to you a secret which I had firmly +resolved to carry to the grave with me. I have withheld it from you, not +because I mistrusted you, my dear, dear mother, but for the sake of +another. In all my life, mother, I have seen but the one girl whom I +have loved, Tiara Merlow—and she loved another!"</p> + +<p>The mother shook her head and smiled knowingly.</p> + +<p>"Ah, but I know, mother. The object of her love was a white man. Gus +Martin saw him kiss her and killed him, killed the Rev. Percy G. +Marshall. The letter which gave me so much trouble told me all, told me +all! O my God! She loved another."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ellwood sat and looked at Ensal utterly dazed. She arose and, +thoroughly weakened physically by the shock of Ensal's information, +crept out of the room to Tiara.</p> + +<p>"Darling," she gasped, "he says that you loved another—a white man—a +preacher—Percy Marshall. Daughter, darling, deny it! Deny it!"</p> + +<p>"O! God of Heaven, what shall I do! What shall I do," groaned the +unhappy Tiara.</p> + +<p>With one hand pressed upon her throbbing heart and the other laid upon +her fevered brow the beautiful girl left the Ellwood home.</p> + +<div class="center"><br /><br /><img src="./images/chapterend.png" alt="Decorative Chapter End." title="" /><br /><br /></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">201</a></span></p> + + +<div class="center"><img src="./images/chapterhead.png" title="Decorative Chapter Head" alt="" /></div> +<h2><a name="chapter_XXX" id="chapter_XXX"></a>CHAPTER XXX.<br /> +<span class="chaptitle">Mr. A. Hostility.</span></h2> + + +<p class="initial"><img class="dropcap" src="./images/drop_i.png" alt="I" title="" /><span class="hide">I</span>t will be recalled that in a very early chapter we saw a cadaverous +looking white man, wearing a much worn suit of clothes, making a sketch +of Ensal's home, as the latter was going out to make arrangements with +Mrs. Crawford for the introduction of Tiara into the best circles of +Negro life in Almaville.</p> + +<p>And now in the crisis of the relations of Ensal and Tiara he comes +forward to inject his peculiar virus into the awful wound made in +Ensal's heart by the disclosures of the Gus Martin letter. Tiara, +burdened creature, was hardly out of sight of Ensal's home when this man +made his appearance and was ushered into the study. When he had taken +the seat proffered him, he said:</p> + +<p>"Gus Martin wrote me a letter, enclosing a copy of a letter which he had +sent to you."</p> + +<p>"O heaven, be merciful. Let it not come to that!" said the agonizing +Ensal, shocked that Gus had let another know of the matter that had so +disturbed him.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">202</a></span></p> + +<p>"Your prayer is not directed to me, but I hear, understand, and will +answer it. You do not wish the public to know of the contents of your +letter. You would shield the good name of the girl. As I shall very +shortly trust you with one of the gravest of secrets you will have a +hostage which will of itself insure silence on my part. You and I, I am +sure are the only two persons to whom Gus communicated the affair and +between us we can take care of the secret."</p> + +<p>Ensal stepped across the room and clasped the man's hand fervently and +the two regarded themselves as mutually pledged to secrecy concerning +that matter and whatever was now about to be canvassed.</p> + +<p>"It is not necessary for you to know my name, nationality or anything +that pertains to me. I am the incarnation of an idea. You may know me as +Mr. A. Hostility," said the man.</p> + +<p>"Is there any significance attached to your choice of an initial to +represent your rather significant given name?" asked Ensal.</p> + +<p>"Decidedly," said Mr. Hostility. "The A stands for Anglo-Saxon, the +God-commissioned or self-appointed world conqueror. I am the incarnation +of hostility to that race, or to that branch of the human family +claiming the dominance of that strain of blood."</p> + +<p>The man drew his seat up to the table and, motioning for Ensal to take a +seat on the other side, said "Come near me, friend."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">203</a></span></p> + +<p>Ensal did as bidden and sitting thus close to the man noted the almost +maniacal look of intensity in his eye.</p> + +<p>Keeping his eyes steadily on Ensal's face, Mr. Hostility lifted his hand +to his inside pocket and drew out a leathern case. Laying it on the +table he crossed his hands upon it and said:</p> + +<p>"Will you hear me patiently? Gus Martin told me over and over again that +you were a Negro who had dedicated your all to the welfare of your race. +I began watching you years ago and I have carefully noted the trend of +events waiting for the moment that would make our spirits congenial to +each other, and I do believe that the dark shadow under which you stand +will sober you into fellowship with my sombre soul."</p> + +<p>"You seem to be bitter. I am more crushed than bitter," said Ensal.</p> + +<p>"Yes, but bitterness is the next stage, and I am sure that consideration +of a few things which I shall put before you will bring you to the next +stage," said Mr. Hostility.</p> + +<p>Opening the leathern case he said, "Look at this map."</p> + +<p>Ensal bent forward and looked at a map of the world spread out before +him.</p> + +<p>"The world, you see, will soon contain but two colossal figures, the +Anglo-Saxon and the Slav. The inevitable battle for world supremacy will +be between these giants. Without going into the question as to why I am +a Pro-Slav in this <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">204</a></span>matter, I hereby declare unto you that it is the one +dream of my life to so weaken the Anglo-Saxon that he will be easy prey +for the Slav in the coming momentous world struggle."</p> + +<p>"Do I understand that you are to talk treason to me to-day; for of +course you know my people are tied up in a political system with the +Anglo-Saxons," asked Ensal, with some warmth.</p> + +<p>"Ah! That is the question? Are you a part of the American nation or a +thing apart? I can prove that you are a thing apart—a fly in the +stomach for whose ejection an emetic is being diligently sought. Now, +hear me," said Mr. Hostility.</p> + +<p>Always eager to hear what thoughtful men had to say with regard to his +race, Ensal leaned back in his chair, determined to give earnest +attention to this observer of American life, whose very hostility +assured the acuteness of his observations.</p> + +<p>Just at this moment Ensal's mother informed him that a committee was in +their parlor, having come for the purpose of pleading with Ensal to +reconsider his determination to leave America.</p> + +<p>"Madam," said Mr. Hostility, "tell the gentlemen that there is a party +closeted with your son, who has the one key to the Southern situation +long needed by your race, and that I am sure your son will abide in +America."</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ellwood cast a look of warning at her son as she withdrew from the +room. She was not at all favorably impressed with Mr. Hostility, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">205</a></span> +had been ill at ease ever since he entered the house.</p> + +<p>Ensal said, "Excuse me a few moments, Mr. Hostility," and stepped out of +the room.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Ellwood, knowing that her son would follow her, stopped in the +hallway, and when he came dropped a pistol into his coat pocket, saying +in a whisper, "My dear boy, do be careful."</p> + +<p>Ensal smiled sadly and kissed his mother.</p> + +<p>"Tell the committee, mother, that my mind is fully made up and a +discussion of my going would be utterly useless. Take the name of each, +assure them all that I appreciate their interest and will call on them +to have a social chat before I leave, provided, however, they agree not +to seek to disturb my purpose in this regard."</p> + +<p>Ensal's mother went to the parlor with his final word, and Ensal +returned to Mr. A. Hostility.</p> + +<p>Tiara was now at home praying that Ensal might not leave America yet +awhile. Mr. A. Hostility was also praying to his evil genius for a like +result.</p> + +<p>Monstrous incongruity! How often do diverse spirits from widely +differing motives work toward a common end!</p> + +<div class="center"><br /><br /><img src="./images/chapterend.png" alt="Decorative Chapter End." title="" /><br /><br /></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">206</a></span></p> + + + +<div class="center"><img src="./images/chapterhead.png" title="Decorative Chapter Head" alt="" /></div> +<h2><a name="chapter_XXXI" id="chapter_XXXI"></a>CHAPTER XXXI.<br /> +<span class="chaptitle">Two of a Kind.</span></h2> + + +<p class="initial"><img class="dropcap" src="./images/drop_w.png" alt="W" title="" /><span class="hide">W</span>hile Ensal was absent from the room Mr. Hostility had caught sight of a +book which he perceived was the work of a rather conspicuous Southern +man, who had set for himself the task of turning the entire Negro +population out of America. He clutched the book eagerly and said to +himself:</p> + +<p>"I will further inflame the fellow with this venomous assault on his +race. I will further ripen his heart for my purposes."</p> + +<p>Upon Ensal's return to the room, Mr. <ins class="tnote" title="Original text 'Hostlity'">Hostility</ins> called his +attention to the book written for the express purpose of thoroughly +discrediting the Negro race in America. The militant look that came into +Ensal's eye pleased Mr. Hostility immensely. "I will get him! I will get +him!" thought he.</p> + +<p>Ensal did not speak for some time, allowing his weary mind to go forth +upon excursions of thought begotten by the mention of the book. The +movement for which this book stood, constituted what Ensal regarded as +one of the most menacing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">207</a></span> phases of the problem of the relation of the +races. He knew that in the very nature of things a policy of +misrepresentation was the necessary concomitant of a policy of +repression. Now that the repressionists were invading the realm of +literature to ply their trade, he saw how that the Negro was to be +attacked in the quiet of the <span class="smcap">american home</span>, the final arbiter of so many +of earth's most momentous questions, and he trembled at the havoc vile +misrepresentations would play before the truth could get a hearing.</p> + +<p>Ensal thought of the odds against the Negro in this literary battle: how +that Southern white people, being more extensive purchasers of books +than the Negroes, would have the natural bias of great publishing +agencies on their side; how that Northern white people, resident in the +South, for social and business reasons, might hesitate to father books +not in keeping with the prevailing sentiment of Southern white people; +how that residents of the North, who essayed to write in defense of the +Negro, were laughed out of school as mere theorists ignorant of actual +conditions; and, finally, how that a lack of leisure and the absence of +general culture handicapped the Negro in fighting his own battle in this +species of warfare.</p> + +<p>At last Ensal discussed the book with such warmth that Mr. Hostility +greatly rejoiced. Leaning across the table, his fiery eyes glowing more +fiercely than ever, he almost shrieked:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">208</a></span></p> + +<p>"Friend, aside from that book, knowest thou not unto what the content of +the Southern policy is leading? Extinction, sir, extinction! Listen to +me awhile."</p> + +<p>"One could hardly be more absorbed than I am at this moment," said +Ensal, rather glad of the warmth of the discussion that took his mind +somewhat away from his personal grief.</p> + +<p>"The Southern white man, when it comes to you, is a believer in caste. +He believes or professes to believe that God, who created the worm and +the bird, also created the Negro and the white man, and that the gulf +between these respective orders of creations is just as wide in the one +case as in the other. Follow this caste idea to its last analysis. The +lower orders must give way to the higher. The mineral is absorbed into +the vegetable and we get the herb, the cow comes along and crops the +herb, the man comes along and eats the cow. The higher order is given +the power of life and death over the lower. Can't you see that your race +is simply preserved because it is not yet in the way of the white race?" +said Mr. Hostility.</p> + +<p>"Proceed," said Ensal.</p> + +<p>"Even now, when have you heard of a white man's being hanged for the +murder of a Negro, however cold-blooded the murder? Can't you see the +awful significance of that fact? Over seventy-five thousand Negroes have +been murdered in the South since your Civil War and I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">209</a></span> know of just one +hanging of a white as a result. Again, the worst houses to live in are +assigned to your people; the lower forms of labor, involving the most +exposure and danger to life, are reserved for your folks. Phosphate +mines and guano factories shorten human life wofully and your people are +sought for these 'life shortening' jobs. Mark my words," said Mr. +Hostility, rising and bending across the table, "when the Anglo-Saxon +feels the need of it, he is going to exterminate you folks. Theories to +the wind! When has a theory or sentiment of any kind been allowed to +stand in the way of his interests?"</p> + +<p>"Well, what are we to do?" asked Ensal, anxious to draw the man out.</p> + +<p>The man dropped back to his seat. "Now that's right," said he; "'Where +there is a will there is a way,' you Americans say." Reaching into his +vest pocket he pulled out a bottle which was hermetically sealed. +"There, there, lies your salvation," said he, tapping the bottle.</p> + +<p>"How so?" enquired Ensal.</p> + +<p>"This thing came to me like a revelation," said the man. "The way to +attack an enemy is to get at him where you can do him the most harm at +the least risk to yourself." A sinister smile now played upon the man's +face. "Your color is the thing that operates against you Negroes. You +can take what is your curse and make it your salvation."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">210</a></span></p> + +<p>The man was delighted with the interest that was plainly evident on +Ensal's face.</p> + +<p>"Listen!" said he, bending forward and speaking in low tones. "The +pigment which abides in your skin and gives you your color and the +peculiar Negro odor renders you immune from yellow fever. This bottle +here is full of yellow fever germs. Organize you a band of trusted +Negroes, send them through the South, let them empty these germs into +the various reservoirs of the white people of the South and pollute the +water. The greatest scourge that the world has ever known will rage in +the South. The whites will die by the millions and those that do not die +will flee from the stricken land and leave the country to your people.</p> + +<p>"The desolation wrought will for a time disorganize this whole nation +and the Pan-Slavists will have the more time to plan for the coming +struggle.</p> + +<p>"My scheme helps you and helps the Pan-Slavist cause and disposes of a +common foe, a section of the white race. Of course, we will have you +Negroes to fight in the last contest. But you would prefer being the +ones living to make the fight, would you not?" asked the man, now +nervously awaiting Ensal's next words.</p> + +<p>Ensal was silent for a few seconds. Then he asked slowly:</p> + +<p>"Do you make that proposition to me, a follower of the Christ?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">211</a></span></p> + +<p>"I have anticipated you there. Did not God use plagues and a wholesale +slaughter to solve the Egyptian race problem? Shall you be more +righteous than God?"</p> + +<p>"Really would you, a civilized being, propose to me a course that +involves the wholesale destruction of women and innocent babes?" asked +Ensal with mounting wrath.</p> + +<p>"Did not your God tell the Hebrews to wage a war of extermination on the +Canaanites?" asked the man.</p> + +<p>Ensal arose and pointing his index finger at the man, said with a voice +vibrant with deep feeling:</p> + +<p>"Now hear me a while. During the Civil War my race met the requirements +of honor where-ever the test was applied—whether it was in the test of +the soldier on the field of battle or the slave guarding the women and +children at home.</p> + +<p>"Nor has freedom altered this trait of Negro character," continued +Ensal. "When discussion rages fiercest, Negro servants continue to abide +in white families, with no thought of leaving or of being dismissed. +Negro men sit in carriages by the side of the fairest daughters of the +Southland and take them in safety from place to place. The Negroes do +the cooking for the whites, nurse their babies, and our mothers hover +about the bedside of their dying. This they do while their hearts are +yearning for a better day for themselves and their kind. But the racial +honor is above being<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">212</a></span> tainted. Let the Anglo-Saxon crush us if he will +and if there is no God! But I say to you, the Negro can never be +provoked to stoop to the perfidy and infamy which you suggest.</p> + +<p>"And as for you, sir, I pronounce you the true yoke fellow of him about +whose book we have been talking, who, wearing the livery of the unifier +of the human race, smites the bridge of sympathy which the ages have +builded between man and man, who, inflamed racial egotist that he is, +would burn humanity at the stake for the sake of the glare that it would +cast upon the pathway of the one race. Is the issue clearly enough drawn +between us?"</p> + +<p>Mr. Hostility nervously folded his map of the world, restored his bottle +of germs to his pocket, and stood facing Ensal in silence for a few +seconds, his keen disappointment adding to the uncanny look of his face.</p> + +<p>"Remember, we have each other's secrets," said Mr. Hostility meaningly +in tones that showed his keen regret at the failure in this instance of +his long cherished scheme. This somewhat recalled Ensal to himself.</p> + +<p>"Yes! Yes! Fear me not. I do not need to impose anything whatever +between your suggestion and our racial honor. That is simply +unapproachable from that quarter. For that reason I am not tempted to +repeat to others what you have said to me."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">213</a></span></p> + +<p>Thus reassured, Mr. Hostility made a bow of mock humility, directed at +Ensal a look of utter contempt, and disappeared.</p> + +<p>Ensal dropped upon his knees and prayed thus:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p>"O Spirit eternal, God of our fathers, move thou upon the +hearts of the American people and bid them to lift thy children +of the darker hue from their 'low ground of sorrow,' where all +the evil influences of the world feel free to tempt them. In +all the dark night that may yet await them, when men shall so +beset them as to threaten the sustaining influence of +patriotism, grant from the dawn eternal the lighted taper of +hope that shall throw its beams athwart the darkness, and +furnish a cheering glimpse of the fair end of all things. Watch +with thine all seeing eye and nail with thine omnipotent hand +the machinations of those who would poison human hearts and +destroy the humane instincts that are the graces of our faulty +world. Abide thou here forever and grant that the post of pilot +of our planet be given unto this land unto which, though I +depart, my heart is moored by the sweat of brow, flowing blood +and anguish of spirit contributed by my ancestors. Grant unto +this prayer the full measure of consideration that can be +bestowed by divine will upon the heart pleadings of an earnest +humble soul."</p> + +<div class="center"><br /><br /><img src="./images/chapterend.png" alt="Decorative Chapter End." title="" /><br /><br /></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">214</a></span></p></blockquote> + + +<div class="center"><img src="./images/chapterhead.png" title="Decorative Chapter Head" alt="" /></div> +<h2><a name="chapter_XXXII" id="chapter_XXXII"></a>CHAPTER XXXII.<br /> +<span class="chaptitle">Working and Waiting.</span></h2> + + +<p class="initial"><img class="dropcap" src="./images/drop_t.png" alt="T" title="" /><span class="hide">T</span>iara had gone home from her painful interview with Mrs. Ellwood, and +sought the seclusion of her room for the purpose of trying to think out +a course of action. She was able, she felt, to make all things plain to +Ensal, but in order to do this it would be necessary to make +disclosures, which, if given publicity, would very materially affect the +welfare of others. She felt that Ensal would sacredly guard her +revelations, but her disclosures would be of little service to him if he +could not use them to protect himself in case the charge against her +became public.</p> + +<p>Not desiring to put him in a possibly embarrassing position, Tiara +concluded to bear her sorrow until such a time as she would be free to +defend herself openly, if such a course became necessary. As to when she +would be in a position to do this, Tiara was utterly unable to tell and, +to add to the horror of the situation, there was absolutely nothing that +she could do to advance her interests. Chance, blind chance, so far as +she could see, had her fate in hand, and to all the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">215</a></span> pleadings of her +heart as to what was to become of her, no answer came.</p> + +<p>The time came for Ensal to depart, and the lips of Tiara were yet sealed +by circumstances and did not utter the word that would have set all +matters right with her, but wofully wrong with some others, perhaps. It +soon became evident to Tiara that she could not stand the strain of a +life of hopeless brooding and Ensal had not long been out of America +before she began to cast around for a line of endeavor.</p> + +<p>Before leaving America, Ensal had published the address which he had +prepared in his contest with Earl, and Tiara chose as her mission the +placing of a copy thereof in every American home, feeling that it would +draw to conditions in the South a greater degree of interest on the part +of the nation as a whole.</p> + +<p>Not only did Tiara thus appeal to outside influences for an amelioration +of conditions, but she also addressed herself to matters that depended +upon forces operating within the race. She looked upon the dead line in +the business world as being as baneful as that in the political world.</p> + +<p>This spirit of caste in the upper grades of employment in the South +forbade Negroes from working side by side with the whites. She felt that +the most practicable manner of banishing this dead line was for Negroes +to combine their capital and launch enterprises that would make it +possible for their people to rise in keeping with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">216</a></span> the claims of merit, +unhampered by the fact of their color. She felt that the infusion of +hope in the industrial world, the breaking of the bands that hopelessly +chained the Negroes to the lower forms of labor was a question of far +reaching consequence, and in every way possible she brought the question +home to the hearts of the people.</p> + +<p>To do this work the more successfully, Tiara took the lecture platform +and traveled from city to city, pleading her cause. She also took an +active interest in the question of local option, seeking to suppress the +liquor traffic wherever local sentiment could be educated to the point +that made such a course possible. This work of temperance brought her +very often before audiences in which there were white people and +Negroes, and sometimes she spoke to audiences in which there were white +people only.</p> + +<p>It may be said with truth that Tiara was deeply concerned in all these +matters and sometimes felt that it was perhaps destiny's way of forcing +her out <ins class="tnote" title="Original text missing.">of</ins> a reserve that had hitherto denied the world the +benefit of some of her powers. But while her heart was in this work, it +must also be confessed that she never faced an audience but that her +beautiful eyes surveyed it with eagerness, ever in search of some one +woman face.</p> + +<p>Her correspondence grew to be very large, and each batch of letters, +before being opened, was looked over hurriedly in the hope of finding a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">217</a></span> +certain woman's handwriting. A close student of countenances could have +discerned over and over the signs of disappointment that her weary heart +would often register upon her beautiful face. Days and months and then +years dragged their way slowly along.</p> + +<p>At last one day Tiara's patient waiting seemed about to be rewarded. An +exclamation of joy, a happy little laugh, a beautiful face that told of +a weary heart at last made glad, indicated that the letter which Tiara +had long hoped for had come.</p> + +<p>Tiara took the next train for Goldsboro, Mississippi, a small town in +the interior of the state. It was not until the next morning that her +train pulled up to her stopping place.</p> + +<p>"Can you tell me where the Hon. Q. A. Johnson lives?"</p> + +<p>"To be shuah, ma'am," said the Negro lad to whom Tiara had spoken. "Ef +you'll git right in heah, you'll be dah befoh yer know it, ma'am," said +he giving a Chesterfieldian bow.</p> + +<p>As Tiara took the back seat of the double seated buggy, a young Negro +man clambered upon the front seat by the side of the driver whom Tiara +had accosted. He had a somewhat intelligent looking face and was +evidently accustomed to good society, although his clothes on this +occasion were ragged and dirty. This Negro had been on the train with +Tiara since leaving Almaville, but she had been so absorbed in the +object<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">218</a></span> of her mission that she was oblivious to all that was passing +around her.</p> + +<p>"Whar you gwine?" asked the driver of his Negro companion.</p> + +<p>"Scuse me, but beins you don't seem to be over prosp'rous, I specks you +had kinder bettah pay in advance," said the driver, with a diplomatic +smile that said, "Now, don't get mad. This is a business matter."</p> + +<p>Without a word the stranger pulled out a bill and handed it to the +driver, who took out his fare.</p> + +<p>Tiara reached the Johnson residence, which was a large building, built +on the colonial style and surrounded by as fine a set of trees as one +could wish to see. Tiara went around to the kitchen and was taken into +the dining room by the Negro woman cook.</p> + +<p>"You will please withdraw as I desire to be alone when I meet Mrs. +Johnson," said Tiara to the cook, with a pleasant smile.</p> + +<p>Mrs. Johnson pulled aside the sliding door leading into the dining room +and, catching sight of Tiara, uttered a scream of joyous surprise and +rushed into her arms. Tiara gently disentangled herself in order to +close the door which Mrs. Johnson had left open. Sitting down by Mrs. +Johnson's side, Tiara took hold of her hand and talked in low, earnest +tones for a few moments, watching her countenance the while.</p> + +<p>"No, no, no, I could not think of that for a moment. No, no, no," said +Mrs. Johnson, and in her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">219</a></span> heart there grew a great coldness toward Tiara +for even suggesting such a thing.</p> + +<p>As for Tiara her hopes fell to the ground, and with despair written upon +every feature she arose to go. The two went to the back door through +which Tiara had entered, Mrs. Johnson in an excited manner saying over +and over again: "O no, no! Such a thing is not to be thought of for a +moment!" words that pierced Tiara like a dagger each time they were +uttered.</p> + +<p>Sitting on a bench in the back yard waiting, as he said, for an +opportunity to ask Mrs. Johnson for a job, sat the Negro who had ridden +on the train with Tiara and had come to the Johnson residence as she +came. Mrs. Johnson looked at him, felt herself grow weak, and swooned +away. The Negro had looked scrutinizingly at Mrs. Johnson, and now arose +hurriedly, evidently satisfied with his inspection. When Mrs. Johnson +recovered consciousness, she asked wildly,</p> + +<p>"Where is he? The Negro, where is he? Ah, he will——"</p> + +<p>Mr. Johnson, who had been summoned from the library to assist in caring +for his wife, placed his hand over her mouth and prevented her from +talking further.</p> + +<p>Tiara, who had become somewhat dazed by Mrs. Johnson's treatment, had +not stopped to help care for the swooning woman, but had walked away as +one in a trance. How she made her way back to Almaville, she never +knew.</p> + +<div class="center"><br /><br /><img src="./images/chapterend.png" alt="Decorative Chapter End." title="" /><br /><br /></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">220</a></span></p> + +<div class="center"><img src="./images/chapterhead.png" title="Decorative Chapter Head" alt="" /></div> +<h2><a name="chapter_XXXIII" id="chapter_XXXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXXIII.<br /> +<span class="chaptitle">Back in Almaville.</span></h2> + + +<p class="initial"><img class="dropcap" src="./images/drop_t.png" alt="T" title="" /><span class="hide">T</span>he Hon. H. G. Volrees sat in his office room looking moodily out of the +window. Since the desertion of his young bride his life had been one +long day of misery to him. His mystification and anger increased with +the years, and he had kept a standing offer of a large reward for +information leading to the discovery of his wife. He had vowed vengeance +upon the author or authors of his ruin.</p> + +<p>"Come in," said he in a response to a knock on his door.</p> + +<p>A young Negro man walked in and Mr. Volrees turned around slowly to look +at his caller.</p> + +<p>"This is Mr. Volrees?" asked the Negro.</p> + +<p>Mr. Volrees nodded assent, surveying the Negro from head to foot, noting +the flush of excitement on his swarthy face.</p> + +<p>"I understand that you have offered a reward for information leading to +the discovery of the whereabouts of your wife," said the Negro.</p> + +<p>An angry flush appeared on Mr. Volrees' face and he cast a look of +withering contempt in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">221</a></span> Negro's direction, who read at once Mr. +Volrees' disgust over the fact that he, a Negro, dared to broach the +question of his family trouble.</p> + +<p>"Pardon me," said the Negro, turning to leave.</p> + +<p>"Come back! Are you a fool?" said Mr. Volrees angrily, his desire for +information concerning his wife overcoming his scruples.</p> + +<p>"My wife took me to be one and left me," said the Negro in a tone of +mock humility.</p> + +<p>Mr. Volrees looked up quickly to see whether he meant what he was saying +or was making a thrust at him. The solemn face of the Negro was +non-committal.</p> + +<p>"Now, what do you know?" asked Mr. Volrees gruffly.</p> + +<p>"I know where your wife is," said the Negro.</p> + +<p>"How do you know that she is my wife?"</p> + +<p>"I was the porter on the train that you and she began your bridal tour +on," replied the Negro.</p> + +<p>"How have you been able to trace her?"</p> + +<p>"I was the porter on the train on which she first came to Almaville. She +came into the section of the coach for Negroes, and she and a Negro girl +created a scene."</p> + +<p>"Go on!" almost shouted Volrees, now thoroughly aroused.</p> + +<p>"The reward?" timidly suggested the Negro.</p> + +<p>"Of course you get that. Go on!" said Volrees, with increasing +impatience.</p> + +<p>"The affair was so sad-like that I always remembered the looks of the +two women," resumed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">222</a></span> the Negro. "One night not long ago I saw the Negro +girl buy a ticket to Goldsboro, Mississippi. It came to me like a flash +that she was going to see your wife. She had the same sad look on her +face that she had the night I saw them together. I followed this girl to +Mississippi and sure enough I came upon your wife."</p> + +<p>Volrees had now arisen and was restlessly moving about the room, his +brain in a whirl.</p> + +<p>"Was she living with some family, or how was she situated?" he asked.</p> + +<p>"She and her husband live——"</p> + +<p>"Her husband!" thundered Volrees, grabbing the Negro in the collar, +fancying that he was grabbing the other husband.</p> + +<p>"The people there say that she is married," said the Negro timidly.</p> + +<p>"I will choke the liver out of the miscreant," said Volrees, tightening +his hold in the Negro's collar as if in practice.</p> + +<p>"I am not the man," said the Negro, with growing determination in his +voice. Volrees was thus recalled to himself and resumed his restless +tramping.</p> + +<p>"No, you are not the man. You are only a —— nigger."</p> + +<p>Grasping his hat, Volrees strode rapidly out of the room. At the door he +bawled back,</p> + +<p>"You will get your reward."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">223</a></span></p> + +<p>The Negro followed Volrees at a distance and noted that he went to the +office of an exceedingly shrewd detective.</p> + +<p>In the course of a few days the city of Almaville was shocked with the +news that a Mrs. Johnson, wife of a leading Mississippi planter had been +arrested and brought to Almaville on a charge of bigamy. The prosecutor +in the case was the Hon. H. G. Volrees, who claimed that the alleged +Mrs. Johnson was none other than Eunice Seabright, who had married him. +Mrs. Johnson denied being the former Miss Seabright, and employed able +counsel to conduct her defense.</p> + +<p>The stir in the highest social circles of Almaville was indeed great, +and for days very little was talked of save the forthcoming +Volrees-Johnson bigamy trial.</p> + +<div class="center"><br /><br /><img src="./images/chapterend.png" alt="Decorative Chapter End." title="" /><br /><br /></div> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">224</a></span></p> + +<div class="center"><img src="./images/chapterhead.png" title="Decorative Chapter Head" alt="" /></div> +<h2><a name="chapter_XXXIV" id="chapter_XXXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXXIV.<br /> +<span class="chaptitle">A Great Day in Court.</span></h2> + + +<p class="initial"><img class="dropcap" src="./images/drop_l.png" alt="L" title="" /><span class="hide">L</span>ong before the hour set for the trial of the alleged Eunice Volrees on +the charge of bigamy the court house yard and the corridors were full of +people, but, strange to say, the <i>court room</i> in which the trial was to +take place, though open, was not occupied. The crowds thus far were +composed of Negroes and white people in the middle walks of life, who +looked upon the forthcoming trial as a 'big folks'' affair and, as if by +agreement, the court room was spared for the occupancy of the elite. As +the hour for the trial drew near the carriages and automobiles of the +upper classes began to arrive. Each arrival would come in for a share of +the attention of the middle classes and the distinguishing feature of +each personage was told in whispers from one to another.</p> + +<p>When the carriage of the Hon. H. G. Volrees rolled up to the court house +gate silence fell upon the multitude and those on the walk leading to +the court house door fell back and let him pass. His face wore a solemn, +determined look and the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">225</a></span> common verdict was, "No mercy there. A fight to +a finish."</p> + +<p>The court room was now fairly well filled with Almaville notables, and +the plain people now crowded in to get seats as best they could or to +occupy standing room. Almost the last carriage to arrive was that +containing Eunice. The curtains to the carriage were drawn so that no +one in it could be seen until the door was opened. Eunice and her +lawyers stepped out and quickly closed the door behind them. Contrary to +the expectations of many, she wore no veil and each person in the great +throng was highly gratified at an opportunity to scrutinize her features +thoroughly. A way was made for her through the great throng and she +walked to the prisoner's seat holding to the arm of her lawyer.</p> + +<p>The case was called, a jury secured, and the examination of witnesses +entered into. The first witness on the part of the State was the Hon. H. +G. Volrees himself. As he took the witness chair a bustle was heard in +the room. The people in the aisle were trying to squeeze themselves +together more tightly to allow a man to pass who was leading a little +six-year-old boy, who had just been taken from the carriage which had +brought Eunice to the trial. "Make room, please. I am taking her son to +her," the man would say, and the crowd would fall away as best it could.</p> + +<p>The Hon. H. G. Volrees had opened his mouth to begin his testimony when +he noticed that his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">226</a></span> attorney, the opposing counsel, the judge and the +officers of the court had turned their eyes toward the prisoner's seat. +As nobody seemed to be listening to him he halted in the midst of his +first sentence and turned to see what was attracting the attention of +the others. As he looked, a peculiar sensation passed over him. +Perspiration broke out in beads and his veins stood out like whip cords. +He clutched his chair tightly and cleared his throat.</p> + +<p>There sat beside Eunice her child, having all of Mr. Volrees' features. +There were his dark chestnut hair, his large dark eyes, his nose, his +lips, his poise and a dark brown stain beneath the left ear which had +been a recurrence in the Volrees family for generations. The public was +mystified as it was commonly understood that the marital relations had +extended no farther than the marriage ceremony. The presence of this +child looked therefore to be an impeachment of the integrity of Mr. +Volrees and of Eunice. The wonder was as to why nothing about the child +had been mentioned before. Mr. Volrees sat in his chair, his eyes fixed +on the boy.</p> + +<p>The lawyer at length resumed the examination of Mr. Volrees, but the +latter made a sorry witness. It was evident that the coming in of this +child had thoroughly upset him in some way. He was mystified, and his +mind, grappling with the problem of his likeness sitting there before +him, could not address itself to the functions of a <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">227</a></span>witness in the case +at issue. He was finally excused from the witness chair.</p> + +<p>The other witnesses, who, out of sympathy for H. G. Volrees had come to +identify Eunice as his bride, seeing his collapse, did not feel inclined +to take the prosecution of the case upon themselves and their testimony +did not have the positiveness necessary to carry conviction. It was very +evident that the state had not made out a case and an acquittal seemed +assured.</p> + +<p>The Negro porter was in the court room eagerly watching the progress of +the trial, knowing that the obtaining of his reward hinged upon the +outcome of the case. He saw the trend of affairs and felt that something +had to be done to stem the tide. He saw Tiara sitting in the court room, +and said to the prosecuting attorney in a whisper, "Yonder is a colored +girl who knows her thoroughly and can tell all about her."</p> + +<p>To her great surprise Tiara was called as a witness. She was a striking, +beautiful figure, as she stood to take the oath that she would tell the +truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Judge," said Tiara, in a sweet, sad voice, "can it go on record +that I am not a volunteer witness in this case?"</p> + +<p>The judge looked a little puzzled and Tiara said, "At any rate, judge, +if in after time it be said that I did not on this occasion stand up for +those connected with me by ties of blood, I want<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">228</a></span> it understood that I +did not seek this chair—did not know that I was to be called; but since +I am here, I shall fulfil my oath and tell the truth, the whole truth +and nothing but the truth."</p> + +<p>Tiara now took her seat in the witness chair.</p> + +<p>Eunice leaned forward and gazed at Tiara, her thin beautiful lips +quivering, her eyes trying to read the intent of Tiara's soul.</p> + +<p>Tiara looked at the recording clerk and appeared to address her +testimony to him. Now that she was forced to speak she desired the whole +truth to come out. Her poor tired soul now clutched at proffered +surcease through the unburdening of itself. She began:</p> + +<p>"In revolutionary times one of your most illustrious men, whose fame has +found lodgment in all quarters of the globe, was clandestinely married +to a Negro woman. My mother was a direct descendant of this man. My +mother's ancestors, descendants of this man, made a practice of +intermarrying with mulattoes, until in her case all trace of Negro +blood, so far as personal appearance was concerned, had disappeared. She +married my father, he thinking that she was wholly white, and she +thinking the same of him. Two children, a boy and a girl, having all the +characteristics of whites, were born to them. Then I was born and my +complexion showed plainly the traces of Negro blood. The community in +which we lived, Shirleyville, Indiana, in a quiet way, was much +disturbed over the Negro blood<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">229</a></span> manifested in me, and my mother's good +name was imperilled.</p> + +<p>"My mother confessed to my father the fact that she was a descendant of +Negroes and he made a like confession to my mother as to his ancestry. +When Shirleyville found out that my parents had Negro blood in their +veins, I was regarded as a 'reversion to type,' and the storm blew over. +My father became Mayor of the town, and great ambitions began to form in +my mother's heart.</p> + +<p>"A notable social event was to take place at Indianapolis and my mother +aspired to be a guest. She met with a rebuff because she had Negro blood +in her veins. This rebuff corrupted my mother's whole nature, and +hardened her heart. She had my father to resign as Mayor. Our home was +burned and we were all supposed to have perished in the flames. This was +my mother's way of having us born into the world again.</p> + +<p>"My mother, father and the other two children began life over as whites, +and I began it over as a lone Negro girl without family connection, and +we all had this second start in life here in your city.</p> + +<p>"Most all people in America have theories as to the best solution of the +race problem, but my mother fancied that she had the one solution. She +felt that the mixed bloods who could pass for whites ought to organize +and cultivate <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">230</a></span>unswerving devotion to the Negro race. According to her +plan the mixed bloods thus taught should be sent into the life of the +white people to work quietly year after year to break down the Southern +white man's idea of the Negro's rights. She felt that the mixed bloods +should lay hold of every center of power that could be reached. She set +for herself the task of controlling the pulpit, the social circle and +the politics of Almaville and eventually of the whole South and the +nation. O she had grand, wild dreams! If she had succeeded in her +efforts to utilize members of her own family, she had planned to +organize the mixed bloods of the nation and effect an organization +composed of cultured men and women that could readily pass for white, +who were to shake the Southern system to its very foundation. With this +general end in view, she had her son trained for the ministry. This son +became an eloquent preacher. My mother through a forged recommendation, +which, however, the son did not know to be forged, had him chosen as +pastor of a leading church in this city.</p> + +<p>"My mother had a strange power over most people and a peculiar power +over my brother. He did not at all relish his peculiar situation, but my +mother insisted that he was but obeying the scriptural injunction to +preach the gospel to every creature. The minister in question was none +other than the universally esteemed Rev. Percy G. Marshall, who now +rests in a highly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">231</a></span> honored grave in your most exclusive cemetery, from +which Negroes are barred as visitors."</p> + +<p>There was a marked sensation in the court room at this announcement +concerning the racial affinity of the Rev. Percy G. Marshall.</p> + +<p>"I visited my brother clandestinely; often he and I sorrowed together. +On the night of the murder, which you all remember, and preceding that +sad event, closely veiled I visited him at his study. When we were +through talking I arose to go and opened the door. 'Kiss your brother. +We may not meet again,' said he sadly. Neglecting to close the door I +stepped up to him and kissed him. When I turned to go out I saw that Gus +Martin, whom Leroy Crutcher, as I afterwards found out, had set to +watching me, had seen us kiss each other. I hurried on home embarrassed +that I could not explain the situation to him. When on the next day I +read of my brother's death, I immediately guessed all. That is how I had +the key to bringing Gus Martin to terms. When he found out his awful +mistake he was willing to surrender.</p> + +<p>"So resulted my mother's plans for the mastery of your Southern pulpit."</p> + +<p>Turning to Eunice, she said, "There is her daughter. Through her my +mother hoped to lay hold on the political power of the state. But that +girl loved a Negro, the son of the prosecutor, the Hon. H. G. Volrees +[sensation in the court].</p> + +<p>"After leaving her husband, Eunice came to live with me. Earl Bluefield, +who is Mr. Volrees'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">232</a></span> son [decided sensation] was wounded in a scuffle +that was not so much to his credit, and he was brought to my house to +recover. Eunice waited on him. They fell in love, left my home and +married. This explains how that boy favors the Hon. Mr. Volrees. It is +his grandson."</p> + +<p>Tiara now stood up and said, "Mr. Judge, it may not be regular, but +permit me to say a few words."</p> + +<p>The whole court seemed under a spell and nobody stirred as Tiara spoke.</p> + +<p>"My mother is dead and paid dearly for her unnatural course. But do not +judge her too harshly. You people who are white do not know what an +awful burden it is to be black in these days of the world. If some break +down beneath the awful load of caste which you thrust upon them, mingle +pity with your blame."</p> + +<p>Tiara paused an instant and then resumed:</p> + +<p>"One word to you all. I am aware of the fact that the construction of a +social fabric, such as your Anglo-Saxondom, has been one of the +marvelous works of nature, and I realize that the maintenance of its +efficiency for the stupendous world duties that lie before it demand +that you have strict regard to the physical, mental and moral +characteristics that go to constitute your aggregation. But I warn you +to beware of the dehumanizing influence of caste. It will cause your +great race to be warped, to be narrow. Oratory will decay in your midst; +poetry will <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">233</a></span>disappear or dwell in mediocrity, taking on a mocking sound +and a metallic ring; art will become formal, lacking in spirit; huge +soulless machines will grow up that will crush the life out of humanity; +conditions will become fixed and there will be no way for those who are +down to rise. Hope will depart from the bosoms of the masses. You will +be a great but a soulless race. This will come upon you when your heart +is cankered with caste. You will devour the Negro to-day, the humbler +white to-morrow, and you who remain will then turn upon yourselves."</p> + +<p>Tiara paused and glanced around the court room as if to see how much +sympathy she could read in the countenances of her hearers. The rapt +attention, the kindly look in their eyes gave her courage to take up a +question which the situation in the South made exceedingly delicate, +when one's audience was composed of Southern white people.</p> + +<p>"One thing, Mr. Judge, wells up in me at this time, and I suppose I will +have to say it, unless you stop me," said Tiara, in the tone of one +asking a question.</p> + +<p>The judge made no reply and Tiara interpreted his silence to mean that +she was permitted to proceed.</p> + +<p>Said she: "You white people have seen fit to make the Negro a stranger +to your social life and you further decree that he shall ever be thus. +You know that this weakens his position in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">234</a></span> governmental fabric. The +fact that he is thus excluded puts a perennial question mark after him. +Furthermore the social influence is a tremendous force in the affairs of +men, as all history teaches. To all that goes to constitute this +powerful factor in your life as a people, you have seen fit to pronounce +the Negro a stranger. The pride of the Negro race has risen to the +occasion and there is a thorough sentiment in that race in favor of +racial integrity.</p> + +<p>"So, by your decree and the cordial acceptance thereof by the Negro, he +is to be a stranger to your social system. That is settled. The very +fact that the Negro occupies an inherently weak position in your +communal life makes it incumbent upon you to provide safeguards for him.</p> + +<p>"Instead, therefore, of the Negro's absence from the social circle being +a warrant for his exclusion from political functions, it is an argument +in favor of granting full political opportunity to him. When a man loses +one eye, nature strengthens the other for its added responsibility. Just +so, logically, it seems absurd to hold that the Negro should suffer the +loss of a second power because he is shut out from the use of a first.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">235</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 800px;"> +<a name="image12" id="image12"></a> +<a href="./images/image12.png"> +<img src="./images/image12_th.png" width="800" height="523" alt="Dont circumscribe the able, noble souls among the +Negroes. Give them the world as a playground for their talents and let +Negro men dream of stars as do your men."" title="" /> +</a> +<span class="caption">"Don't circumscribe the able, noble souls among the +Negroes. Give them the world as a playground for their talents and let +Negro men dream of stars as do your men." (234-235).</span> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">236</a></span> +"Your Bible says: 'And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye +shall not vex him.<ins class="tnote" title="Original text double quote">'</ins> +White friends of the South! Let me beseech you to +vex not this social stranger within your borders; the stranger who +invades your swamps and drains them into his system for your comfort; +who creeps through the slime of your sewers; who wrestles with the heat +in your ditches and fields; who has borne your onerous burdens and +cheered you with his song as he toiled; who has never heard the war +whoop but that he has prepared for battle; whose one hope is to be +allowed to live in peace by your side and develop his powers and those +of his children that they may be factors in making of this land, the +greatest in goodness in all this world. Don't circumscribe the able, +noble souls among the Negroes. Give them the world as a playground for +their talents and let Negro men dream of stars as do your men. They need +that as much as you do. As for me, I shall leave your land."</p> + +<p>Turning to Eunice, Tiara stretched forth her hands, appealingly and +said, "Sister, come let us leave this country! Come."</p> + +<p>"Ha! ha!" laughed Eunice, with almost maniacal intensity, as she waved +her hand in disdain at Tiara, who now slowly left the witness stand.</p> + +<p>All eyes were now turned toward Eunice, who had arisen and stood trying +to drive away the passions of rage that seemed to clutch her vocal cords +so that she could not speak. At last getting sufficient strength to +begin, she said:</p> + +<p>"Honorable Judge and you jurymen: I declare to you all to-day that I am +a white woman. My blood is the blood of the whites, my instincts, my +feelings, my culture, my spirit, my all is cast in the same mould as +yours. That woman who<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">238</a></span> talked to you a few moments ago is a Negro. Don't +honor her word above mine, the word of a white woman. I invoke your law +of caste. Look at me! Look at my boy! In what respect do we differ from +you?"</p> + +<p>She paused and drawing her small frame to its full height, with her +hands outstretched across the railing, with hot scalding tears coursing +down her cheeks, she said in tremulous tones:</p> + +<p>"And now, gentlemen, I came here hoping to be acquitted, but in view of +the statements made I want no acquittal. Your law prescribes, so I am +told, that there can be no such thing as a marriage between whites and +Negroes. To acquit me will be to say that I am a Negro woman and could +not have married a white man. I implore you to convict me! Send me to +prison! Let me wear a felon's garb! Let my son know that his mother is a +convict, but in the name of heaven I ask you, send not my child and me +into Negro life. Send us not to a race cursed with petty jealousies, the +burden bearers of the world. My God! the thought of being called a Negro +is awful, awful!"</p> + +<p>Eunice's words were coming fast and she was now all but out of breath. +After an instant's pause, she began:</p> + +<p>"One word more. For argument's sake, grant that I have some Negro blood +in me. You already make a mistake in making a gift of your blood to the +African. Remember what your<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">239</a></span> blood has done. It hammered out on fields +of blood the Magna Charta; it took the head of Charles I.; it shattered +the sceptre of George III.; it now circles the globe in an iron grasp. +Think you not that this Anglo-Saxon blood loses its virility because of +mixture with Negro blood. Ah! remember Frederick Douglass, he who as +much as any other mortal brought armies to your doors that sacked your +home. I plead with you, even if you accept that girl's malicious +slanders as being true, not to send your blood back to join forces with +the Negro blood."</p> + +<p>Eunice threw an arm around her boy, who had arisen and was clutching her +skirts. She parted her lips as if to speak farther, then settled back in +her seat and closed her pretty blue eyes. Her tangled locks fell over +her forehead and the audience looked in pity at the tired pretty girl.</p> + +<p>Eunice's attorneys waived their rights to speak and the attorney for the +prosecution stated that he, too, would now submit the case without +argument.</p> + +<p>"Without further formality the jury will take this case under +advisement. You need no charge from me. You are all Anglo-Saxons," said +the judge solemnly in a low tone of voice.</p> + +<p>The jury filed into the jury room and began its deliberations. A tall, +white haired man, foreman of the jury, arose and spoke as follows:</p> + +<p>"Gentlemen: We have a sad case before us to-day. That girl has the white +person's feelings<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">240</a></span> and it seems cruel to crush her and drive her from +those for whom she has the most affinity to those whom she is least +like. Then, I pity the boy. He carries in his veins some of our proudest +blood, and it seems awful to cast away our own. But we must stand by our +rule. One drop of Negro blood makes its possessor a Negro.</p> + +<p>"Our great race stands in juxtaposition with overwhelming millions of +darker people throughout the earth, and we must cling to the caste idea +if we would prevent a lapse that would taint our blood and eventually +undermine our greatness. It is hard, but it is civilization. We cannot +find this girl guilty. It would be declaring that marriage between a +white man and a Negro woman is a possibility."</p> + +<p>A vote was taken and the jury returned to the court room to render the +verdict. "The prisoner at the bar will stand up," said the judge. Eunice +stood up and her little boy stood up as well. There was the element of +pathos in the standing up of that little boy, for the audience knew that +his destiny was involved in the case.</p> + +<p>"Has the jury reached a verdict?" asked the judge.</p> + +<p>"We have," replied the foreman.</p> + +<p>"Please announce it."</p> + +<p>The audience held its breath in painful suspense. Eunice directed her +burning gaze to the lips of the foreman, that she might, if possible,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">241</a></span> +catch his fateful words even before they were fully formed.</p> + +<p>"We, the jury, find the prisoner not guilty."</p> + +<p>"Murder!" wildly shrieked Eunice. "Doomed! Doomed! They call us Negroes, +my son, and everybody knows what that means!" Her tones of despair moved +every hearer.</p> + +<p>The judge quietly shed a few tears and many another person in the +audience wept. The crowd filed out, leaving Eunice clasping her boy to +her bosom, mother and son mingling their tears together. Tiara lingered +in the corridor to greet Eunice when the latter should come out of the +room. She had thought to speak to her on this wise:</p> + +<p>"Eunice, we have each other left. Let us be sisters as we were in the +days of our childhood."</p> + +<p>But when Tiara confronted Eunice, the latter looked at her scornfully +and passed on. When Tiara somewhat timidly caught hold of her dress as +if to detain her, Eunice spat in her face and tore herself loose.</p> +<div class="center"><br /><br /><img src="./images/chapterend.png" alt="Decorative Chapter End." title="" /><br /><br /></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">242</a></span></p> + + +<div class="center"><img src="./images/chapterhead.png" title="Decorative Chapter Head" alt="" /></div> +<h2><a name="chapter_XXXV" id="chapter_XXXV"></a>CHAPTER XXXV.<br /> +<span class="chaptitle">Eunice! Eunice!</span></h2> + + +<p class="initial"><img class="dropcap" src="./images/drop_w.png" alt="W" title="" /><span class="hide">W</span>ith slow, uncertain step, a wild haunted look in her eye, Eunice, +clutching her little boy's hand until it pained him, moved down the +corridor toward the door leading out of the court house. She was about +to face the world in the South as a member of the Negro race, and the +very thought thereof spread riot within her soul. The nearer she drew to +the door the greater was the anguish of her spirit. More than once she +turned and retraced her steps in the corridor, trying to muster the +courage to face the outer world in her new racial alignment. At last she +stood near the door, her whole frame trembling as a result of the +sweeping over her spirit of storm after storm of emotions. Her little +boy, unable to grasp the import of his mother's behavior was eagerly +scanning her face and weeping silently in instinctive sympathy.</p> + +<p>With a sudden burst of courage Eunice stepped out of the court house +door and a young white man, who had been awaiting her, stepped up to +speak to her. His hat was tilted back on his head,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">243</a></span> a lighted cigar was +in his mouth, and his hands were thrust deep in his trousers pockets.</p> + +<p>Eunice looked up at him, saw the wicked leer in his eyes, and recoiled.</p> + +<p>"Don't be scared, Eunice. I stayed here to tell you that the hackman who +brought you here got a chance to make a little extra by taking some +white ladies home and said for you to stay here until he got back. He +<ins class="tnote" title="Original text 'wont'">won't</ins> be gone but a few minutes."</p> + +<p>The suggestive look, the patronizing tone, the failure to use "Mrs.," on +the part of the man that addressed her, and the action of the hackman in +leaving her to take some white woman home, served as a tonic to brace up +the quailing spirit of Eunice.</p> + +<p>Her first brush with the world as a member of the Negro race had aroused +her fighting spirit.</p> + +<p>"How dare you address me in that manner, you boorish wretch!" exclaimed +Eunice, her small frame shaking with indignation.</p> + +<p>The young man seemed rather to enjoy Eunice's rage and coolly replied, +"Well, Eunice, you know, Eunice, that you are a Negress now and there +are no misses and mistresses in that race. If you were a little older I +would call you 'aunty;' if you were a little older still I would call +you 'mammy;' if very old, 'grandma Eunice.' But as it is, I have to call +you plain 'Eunice.' My race would disrespect me if I didn't follow the +rule, you know."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">244</a></span></p> + +<p>"You wretched cur! You yap!" screamed Eunice.</p> + +<p>"As this is your first day in the 'nigger' race I won't bother you for +calling me out of my name. But let me give you a piece of advice. We +white folks like a 'nigger' in his place only, and you find yours quick. +And remember that you 'nigger' women don't come in for all that stepping +back which we do for white women. We go so far as to burn your kind down +here sometimes. As for that brat there, bring him up as a 'nigger' and +teach him his place, if you don't want him to see trouble." So saying +the young white man turned and walked away, leaving Eunice enraged and +amazed at his effrontery.</p> + +<p>The refined classes among the whites who would not under any +circumstance have wantonly wounded Eunice's sensibilities, had +nevertheless issued the decree of caste and the grosser ones among them +were to execute it, and Eunice was tasting the gall that the unrefined +pour out daily for a whole race to drink.</p> + +<p>Typical of that class that enjoyed seeing the Negroes writhing under +their wounded sensibilities, this young man had craved the honor of +being the first to make Eunice taste the bitterness of her new lot in +life.</p> + +<p>Eunice and her son now proceeded to the street car. A number of white +women boarded the car just in front of her and the conductor politely +helped them on. When her time came to step up,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">245</a></span> he caught hold of her +arm to assist her. When a glance at her face told him who she was, he +(having seen her picture in the newspapers, and learned the result of +the trial) quickly turned her loose so that she fell off the car, badly +spraining her ankle.</p> + +<p>Eunice did not understand his action and looked up at him inquiringly. +The contemptuous look upon his face explained it all. With her sprained +ankle she hobbled on the car and took a seat near the rear door. A +number of half-grown white boys were on the rear platform and felt +inclined to contribute their share of discomfort to the newly discovered +Negro woman. They hummed over and over again the "rag time" song. "Coon, +coon, coon, I wish my color would fade!"</p> + +<p>When Eunice and her son arrived at her hotel she alighted from the car +unaided, and painfully journeyed to her room, which was being thoroughly +overhauled by an employee.</p> + +<p>"Where—— where—— is my room?" asked Eunice, haltingly, fearing that +she had somehow made a mistake.</p> + +<p>"You haven't any in this hotel," was the gruff response.</p> + +<p>"But I have; I am in the wrong room, perhaps," said Eunice.</p> + +<p>"No, you have been in the wrong race. You are a 'nigger' and we don't +run a 'nigger' hotel. Your things are piled up in the alley, and you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">246</a></span> +will please get out of the building as quickly as you can."</p> + +<p>Eunice's mind now ran back to the occasion of her first stay in that +hotel, recalled how royally she was treated then and contrasted it with +the treatment she was now receiving. Stepping to the mirror she gazed at +herself saying:</p> + +<p>"What leprosy, what loathsome disease has befallen me that everybody now +spurns me. One cruel little word—Negro—has converted fawning into +frowning and a paradise into hell."</p> + +<p>Taking her boy by the hand she started out of the building as hurriedly +as her sprained ankle would permit.</p> + +<p>"Back doors for 'niggers,'" shouted the employee, as he saw that Eunice +had started toward the front entrance.</p> + +<p>Rage mounted the throne in Eunice's heart and she turned towards her +tormentor. She parted her lips and the oaths of stern men were upon the +eve of bursting forth, but she repressed them and was soon out of the +hotel. The railroad station was not far away and she preferred walking +to submitting to the indignities that might attend riding on the cars. +Appearing at the railroad ticket office she applied for a berth in a +sleeper. Her face was known there, too, and she was told that all the +berths were taken. A white woman going on the same train was the next to +apply for a berth and was given her choice of a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">247</a></span> number. Eunice noticed +the discrimination and returned to the clerk.</p> + +<p>"You must have been mistaken as to the train I am to travel on, for the +lady that has just left secured a berth on that train after I had +failed," said Eunice pleadingly, for she desired the seclusion of a +sleeping car for her mournful journey home.</p> + +<p>"You belong to a voteless race and I can't give you a berth," said the +ticket agent.</p> + +<p>"What has voting to do with my getting a suitable place to ride on a +train?" said Eunice, tears of vexation coming into her eyes.</p> + +<p>"Everything," said the young man more sympathetically.</p> + +<p>"You see it is this way," he continued. "The Governor of this state, who +sprang from a class of whites, who never had much love for the Negro, +happened to take a sleeper that was occupied by a few Negroes who did +not conduct themselves properly. Though the great body of Negroes who +were able and disposed to occupy berths were genteel and well-behaved, +this governor, to properly bolster his dignity resolved upon a course +that would work discomfort for thousands. He threatened to recommend to +the legislature that a law be passed demanding separate sleeping cars +for the two races unless Negroes were kept out of sleepers. We lose less +by keeping Negroes out than we would by being compelled to operate two +sets of cars. If you people had voting power and could stand by us we +could stand by you. It is a matter of business with us."</p> + +<p>"You are discriminating against me without the warrant of law and are +subject to a suit," said Eunice.</p> + +<p>"The case will be tried by a white jury and a verdict will be rendered +against us. We will be required to pay the cost of the court and to hand +over to you one cent!"</p> + +<p>Taking her little boy by the hand, Eunice slowly turned and walked away +while the tears rolled down her cheeks. She did so much crave the +darkness and seclusion of a berth, where she could take an inventory of +the new world into which she had come, but there was no escape from the +lighted coach occupied by Negroes. Getting on the train she took a seat +in the section of the coach set apart for Negroes. The Negro porter +thinking she had made a mistake took her into a coach for whites.</p> + +<p>"Take that woman back. She is no white woman," bawled out one of the +passengers, who had in his hands an afternoon paper containing a +likeness of Eunice and an account of the trial.</p> + +<p>The puzzled porter turned to Eunice and said, "Are you a—are you a—" +He was afraid to ask the woman as to whether she was a Negro fearing she +might be a white woman and would have him killed for the insult; and he +was equally afraid to ask her as to whether she was a white woman, +fearing that if she was white she would resent a question that seemed to +imply any sort of resemblance to a Negro. It occurred to him to say:</p> + +<p>"This coach is for whites and the one you came out of is for Negroes."</p> + +<p>Saying this he left hurriedly, leaving her to select the coach in which +she was to ride. Eunice groped her way back to the section of the coach +set apart for Negroes.</p> + +<p>Earl had heard by means of the long distance telephone of the outcome of +the trial, and desiring that the first meeting with Eunice after the sad +experience should be private, he had preferred sending to the railway +station for her, to going himself. He was now in his library when Eunice +and her son reached the house. As Eunice pushed open the library door +and stood facing her husband she stretched forth her hands and said in +tones that pierced Earl's heart:</p> + +<p>"Doomed! Doomed! Assigned to membership in the Negro race! Made heir to +all the contempt of the world. Doomed! Doomed!"</p> + +<p>Earl stood with folded arms and a heart whose emotions cannot be +portrayed, and looked at the picture of woe before him, his beautiful +wife frantic and despairing and his little son already feeling in his +youthful spirit the all pervading gloom that creeps through the Negro +world.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">248</a></span></p> + +<p>"Be not dismayed, Eunice, dear! I am not at the end of my resources. I +shall yet burst a bomb in this Southland," said Earl.</p> + +<p>Eunice rushed to Earl clutched his arms and looked up wildly into his +eyes. "Earl, dear Earl! Tell me! Tell me quickly and tell the truth! Is +there, can there be any hope for the Negro here or elsewhere?"</p> + +<p>Earl did not answer at once. He looked steadily into her eyes and +realized that he was in the immediate presence of a soul about to make a +final plunge into the dark, dark abyss of despair. It was to him a holy +presence and he could not lie!</p> + +<p>"Eunice, dear, there is hope. Slowly, but surely the world is working +its way to a basis of justice for all," said Earl.</p> + +<p>"My boy! Is there hope for him?"</p> + +<p>"The hope of sublime battling, dear," said Earl.</p> + +<p>"Is that all there is for my boy? No hope of reward. Only battle! +battle!" asked Eunice.</p> + +<p>"Grant me a favor, Eunice. I know what that look in your face means. I +see that you are thinking of leaving me, and of taking my boy and your +boy with you. You are planning suicide," said Earl.</p> + +<p>"Ha! ha!" laughed Eunice, in the uncanny tones of madness. "You guess +well. Come with us," she said, casting a look in the direction of a +drawer where she knew the pistol to be.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">249</a></span></p> + +<p>"Grant me this favor, Eunice. Don't die. Spare my boy. Live and let my +boy live a little while longer. I have several more lines of attack. If +they fail then we can all go."</p> + +<p>Eunice whirled around the room gayly and said with childish glee, "You +will then die with us, will you? Ha! ha! ha!" A terrible fear stole over +Earl as he watched her peculiar behavior.</p> + +<p>"Live! Ha! ha! ha! 'Nigger,' 'darkey,' 'coon<ins class="tnote" title="Original text missing single quote.">'</ins> single +—live! Yes, I'll live! I'll live! Whee—poo—poo—wheep!" +screamed Eunice, now dashing wildly about the room. She had gone mad.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>At the earliest moment practicable Earl bore the raving Eunice out of +the Southland, carried her to a sanitarium in a northern city. Giving +the physician in charge a history of the case and allowing him time to +study it, Earl awaited the verdict as to Eunice's chances of recovery.</p> + +<p>"Mr. Bluefield, to be absolutely frank with you, I am compelled to say +that, in my opinion, your wife's case is an incurable one. The one +specific cause of her mental breakdown is the Southern situation which +has borne tremendously upon her. That whole region of country is +affected by a sort of sociological hysteria and we physicians are +expecting more and more pathological manifestations as a result of the +strain upon the people.</p> + +<p>"Only one thing could cure your wife and that is the reversal of the +conditions that have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">250</a></span> wrought upon her mind. She has lucid moments, but +whenever her mind forcibly recurs to the Southern situation she again +plunges into the gulf of despair. If in these lucid moments you could +place before her a ladder of hope, I am of the opinion that a cure would +be effected. That is equivalent to saying, I fear, that the case is +incurable, for I can see no way out of the Southern tangle."</p> + +<p>Such were the awful words addressed to Earl Bluefield by the physician +in charge of the sanitarium when Earl called to learn of him his opinion +concerning Eunice's case.</p> + +<p>Earl walked forth from the sanitarium and journeyed hurriedly to the +southern border of the city. When the houses of the city were well at +his back and he had an unobstructed view to the south, he paused and, +holding his right hand aloft, he said:</p> + +<p>"Hear, O spirit world, if such there be, that, in the days to come, you +may witness how faithfully Earl Bluefield, Humanity's Ishmaelite, kept +his word. Non-existent was I until the whim of a Southern white man, +trampling upon the alleged sacred canons of his race, called me into +being and endowed me with the spirit of his kind. In the race into which +I was thrust, I sought to manifest my martial spirit, but met with no +adequate response from men grooved in the ways of peace. I found me a +wife with spirit akin to mine, and like myself a victim of the bloods.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">251</a></span> +The two of us withdrew from the active affairs of men, and from our own +heath looked out upon the land of our birth, in the very which we had +been made aliens. And now we have been dragged from our happy seclusion +and gibbeted.</p> + +<p>"And thinkest thou, O Southland, that the last has been heard of me? Ha! +Ha! For fear that thou mayest deceive thyself thus, hear the oath of +Earl the Ishmaelite:</p> + +<p>"By the wrenched chords of the heart of a boy spurned by a contemning +father; by the double shame of a mother wickedly wooed and despised in +the one breath; by the patience and optimism of the blood of my black +forbears; by the energy and persistence of my grant of blood from +Europe—by all these mighty tokens, I make oath that this nation shall +rest neither day nor night until this shadow is lifted from my soul. And +I further make oath, O despisers of the offerings of my higher self, +that I shall meet your every fresh wound with face the more uplifted +because thereof, and to better meet all that you have to hand out to me, +I shall keep company with the Spirit that makes nerve food of disasters +and ascension chariots of whirlwinds."</p> + +<div class="center"><br /><br /><img src="./images/chapterend.png" alt="Decorative Chapter End." title="" /><br /><br /></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">252</a></span></p> + + + +<div class="center"><img src="./images/chapterhead.png" title="Decorative Chapter Head" alt="" /></div> +<h2><a name="chapter_XXXVI" id="chapter_XXXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXXVI.<br /> +<span class="chaptitle">Enthusiastic John Blue.</span></h2> + + +<p class="initial"><img class="dropcap" src="./images/drop_i.png" alt="I" title="" /><span class="hide">I</span>n a room of a hotel in the city in which the sanitarium having charge +of Eunice was located, Earl Bluefield sat upon a sofa, his hands, with +the fingers tightly interlaced, resting between his knees, his head and +shoulders bent forward. The intense, haggard look upon his face told +plainly of the painful meditation in which he was engaged.</p> + +<p>Owing to Earl's peculiar status in the world, Eunice, beloved as a wife, +was far more to him than a wife. He looked upon himself as a sort of +exotic in the non-resisting Negro race and considered himself a special +object of scorn on the part of the white people of the South, who seemed +to him to resent his near approach unto them in blood, and to mistrust +<i>his</i> kind more than all other elements in Negro life. In the absence, +therefore, of a perfect bond of racial sympathy anywhere, Eunice became +to him his world as well as his wife, and no more horrible suggestion +could be made than that he should go through life apart from her. Here +indeed had been a marriage—the welding of two into one.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">253</a></span></p> + +<p>Earl was not brooding as one who had hopelessly lost his all, but was +plotting as one who would save his all. The task of the knight of old +upon whom was the burden of rescuing some lovely maiden from +imprisonment in a seemingly impregnable fortress, was but child's play +compared to the task before Earl, who must scale the walls of the castle +of despair and batter down doors that laughed at the feebleness of steel +if he would claim Eunice for his own again. He was face to face with the +dreadful fact that nothing but the solution of the long standing race +problem of America could release to him the one so dear to his heart, so +essential to his existence.</p> + +<p>As Earl sat canvassing the terrible plight in which he found himself, +his mind ran the whole gamut of panaceas that had been proposed for a +solution.</p> + +<p>His own martial scheme of his earlier, unmarried days passed in review +before his mind, but failed to appeal to him as it did in the days of +yore. So far as he himself was concerned he would have welcomed a death +in a glorious cause as an honorable release from the ranks of the +advocates of universal justice, who, to his impatient spirit seemed to +be marking time in the face of an aggressive foe. But death for himself +would not rescue Eunice!</p> + +<p>His mind recurred to the impression that seemed to prevail in some +quarters that the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">254</a></span>solution of the problem mainly hinged upon giving +industrial training to the Negro masses.</p> + +<p>"That," said he to himself, "will solve a large part of the Negro's side +of the problem, but how great an army of carpenters can hammer the +spirit of repression out of those who hold that the eternal repression +of the Negro is the nation's only safeguard? What worker in iron can +fashion a key that will open the door to that world of higher +activities, the world of moral and spiritual forces which alone +<ins class="tnote" title="Original text 'wooes'">woos</ins> Eunice's spirit and mine? What welder of steel can beat into +one the discordant soul forces of willing Negroes and unwilling whites, +the really pivotal point of the problem? Really pressing is the need of +industrial training for our people, but my peculiar case calls for +something that must come from Lincoln the emancipator rather than from +Lincoln the rail-splitter."</p> + +<p>Earl next thought of Ensal's proposed campaign of education which had +been vigorously carried on by Tiara and he said: "It is one thing to +produce a Niagara and another thing to harness it. O for a means of +harnessing all the righteous sentiment in America in favor of the ideals +of the Constitution." Thus, on and on Earl soliloquized, groping for the +light.</p> + +<p>He stretched out upon the sofa and sought to refresh his tired brain +with a few moments of sleep, but sleep refused to visit him. Suddenly he +leaped from the sofa and said:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">255</a></span></p> + +<p>"I have it! I have it! Eunice shall be free."</p> + +<p>He now began to make hurried preparations for a trip South. While he is +thus engaged we shall divulge to the reader the process of reasoning +that at last led him to what he conceived to be daylight.</p> + +<p>"Two things must be done," argued Earl within himself. "Repression in +the South must die and men with broader visions in that section must +take charge of affairs. This is an age of freedom and an age of local +self-government. Freedom must obtain in the South, and largely through +some agency found or developed therein. The most effective way of +killing repression is to make it kill itself and out of the soil +nurtured by its carcass will spring a just order of things.</p> + +<p>"I will lure repression to its death and then find my force within the +South that will lead the South into nobler ways."</p> + +<p>Understanding this much of Earl's new plan we are now prepared to follow +him and intelligently watch developments.</p> + +<p>The scene now shifts from the North to the South.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>Fully conscious of the stupendous character of his undertaking, Earl +walked slowly up the walk leading to the office of the Governor of +M——, a Southern state. He was steadying himself for the coming +effort.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">256</a></span></p> + +<p>When shown to the governor's office he said:</p> + +<p>"This is the governor of the state of M——, I believe."</p> + +<p>"They say that such is the case," responded the governor, smilingly.</p> + +<p>"I am just from the North and am making a tour of the South. I am +traveling <i>incognito</i> and would like to be known to you as John Blue. As +I shall broach only matters of common public interest in case you honor +me with an interview, I shall be pleased to have you excuse me from +making myself further known to you in a personal way," said Earl, with +great affability.</p> + +<p>The governor was captured at once by Earl's suave manner and actually +fancied that some Northerner of exceeding great note was paying him a +visit.</p> + +<p>"Well, I am glad to see you—glad to see you. The more you men of the +North see our Southern 'niggers' the more you will sympathize with us," +said the governor.</p> + +<p>"Do you think that either we Northerners or you Southerners get anything +like an adequate view of the Negro<ins class="tnote" title="Original text comma.">?</ins>" asked Earl Bluefield, alias John +Blue.</p> + +<p>"Why not?" asked the governor.</p> + +<p>"Well, you Southern people don't mix with them socially, practically +never enter their best homes, and would be amazed, I am told, if you +really knew of the high order of their development socially. It is said +that you call them 'nig<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">257</a></span>gers,' that your children speak of them as such, +that you often speak harshly of them in your home circles, that many of +your men are not as refined as they might be when they are dealing with +Negro women, and that for these reasons the better grade of Negroes are +leaving your domestic service, so that your observation of the Negro is +more and more centered upon the type that does not represent the race at +its best."</p> + +<p>"I had never thought of that. We do call them 'niggers.' I have a lot of +trouble in keeping a cook. I wonder if that is the reason. Well, well, +who would have thought that there was anything about a 'nigger' that +Southerners would have to be told by a Northerner," remarked the +governor, winding up with a loud guffaw.</p> + +<p>"As for the tourist class of Northerners," resumed John Blue, "and +Northerners residing in the South, they see only the rougher side of +Negro life, much as do you Southerners. The Northern missionaries whose +duties place them in touch with the best and worst that there is in +Negro life have the real rounded view of the situation."</p> + +<p>The governor's affability now disappeared. Said he:</p> + +<p>"Don't praise those mawkish missionaries to me. They are down here +educating the heads of 'niggers.' We white folks have got enough heads +to run this country."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">258</a></span></p> + +<p>"Your irritation," said Earl, "paves the way for me to say what I came +to say. We Northerners are tired of being estranged from you +Southerners. We are becoming a world power and should have a thoroughly +united country. Why don't you Southern people begin a campaign of +education and let the North know your real mind, so that we won't tread +on your corns so often, to use a homely phrase."</p> + +<p>"Ha, ha! the North knows my views. They were heralded abroad everywhere +and gave me the governorship. I had five planks in my platform and, to +match your homely phrase with another one, they took like hot cakes," +said the governor.</p> + +<p>"Would you object to outlining your platform to me," asked Earl.</p> + +<p>"Object? Why I am the boldest man in the South. I don't bite my tongue. +Surely you have heard of me," said the governor.</p> + +<p>"Yes, I have heard of you," said Earl, "but I did not know but what you +had been misrepresented by political enemies."</p> + +<p>"Well, you can judge for yourself as to whether I have been +misrepresented or not. The five planks of my 'nigger' platform are +these," said he.</p> + +<p>"First, this is a white man's country.</p> + +<p>"Second, one drop of Negro blood in a man's veins makes him a 'nigger.'<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">259</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 800px;"> +<a name="image13" id="image13"></a> +<a href="./images/image13.png"> +<img src="./images/image13_th.png" width="800" height="583" alt="We machine men in the South dont want this "nigger" +bugaboo put down. Its our war whoop." (258-259.)" title="" /> +</a> +<span class="caption">"We machine men in the South dont want this "nigger" +bugaboo put down. Its our war whoop." (258-259.)</span> +</div> + + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">260</a></span> +"Third, public office, neither federal nor state, was gotten up for a +'nigger' to hold.</p> + +<p>"Fourth, all money spent on educating a 'nigger,' except to teach him to +work, is a squandering of the public funds.</p> + +<p>"Fifth, the outside world be d——d. We will deal with the 'nigger' to +suit ourselves.</p> + +<p>"I will also tell you confidentially that I am one that don't want the +'nigger' question out of politics. We are living side by side with these +'niggers,' and public agitation helps our people to keep in mind that +there is an impassable gulf between the races. Such men as I am would be +perfect fools for trying to solve this 'nigger' problem. A crazy man can +see that the solving of this problem puts my kind out of business. +Thousands of Southern men can whip me out of my boots on any issue +outside of abusing the 'nigger.' That's where I can go them one better. +Haven't you observed the universal lament that we are not up to the +standard in point of statesmanship. The trouble is we ride into our +kingdoms so easily. It don't take a genius to persuade a people that you +can beat a more tender-hearted man keeping a 'nigger' in his place. We +machine men in the South don't want this 'nigger' bugaboo put down. It's +our war whoop."</p> + +<p>"Aside from the political use to which you put your announced views on +the race question, you really believe them, don't you?" asked Earl.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">262</a></span></p> + +<p>"O yes. I think the good of the world demands that the 'nigger' be kept +in his place," replied the governor.</p> + +<p>"Now, I am getting to the point," said Earl. "Lincoln once said our +country could not always exist half slave and half free. You see he was +right. Now a lesser light than Lincoln tells you that the policy of +repression must obtain in all our country or none, for the nationalizing +spirit is at work, and is sure in time to produce a national unity of +some sort. Shall this unity, so far as touches the question of the +races, be upon the Northern or Southern basis, is a very live question +for you Southerners. Now I suggest that you Southern people make this +question a national one."</p> + +<p>"How can we raise the issue," asked the governor.</p> + +<p>"Easily. You people have been tolerating Negroes in federal positions +down here for years. Collectorships of ports, marshalships and numerous +positions of honor have all along been held by Negroes. Become tired of +this and demand that they be withdrawn. That will be an invitation to +the nation to join with you in your policy of repression."</p> + +<p>"Good! Good!" said the governor, clapping his hands.</p> + +<p>"You can go further. The presidency of our nation is where the +copartnership of the states finds conspicuous concrete expression. +Demand<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">263</a></span> that none but a repressionist or a man silent on that question +be allowed to occupy that chair."</p> + +<p>"Good! Good! Good!" exclaimed the governor.</p> + +<p>"Now as to your chances. The race instinct is in the North, but is not +cultivated as much as it is in the South. Send your men to the North who +are most adroit in their appeals to prejudice and you will find a force +there to join you. Then remember you Southerners sprang to arms so +gallantly in that skirmish with Spain that you made a fine impression. +It was discovered that you had been brave enough not to allow defeat to +rankle in your hearts, a really good quality. A more opportune time for +you Southern people to take a stand would be hard to conceive," said +Earl.</p> + +<p>Down came the governor's hand upon his desk with a thud.</p> + +<p>"Don't you know I have been thinking that very thing. I have great +influence in the councils of my party and I shall see to it that the +'nigger' question is the next national issue," said the governor.</p> + +<p>"You will have one little backset," said Earl.</p> + +<p>"The man whom you will have to oppose has made fewer Negro appointments +than any of his more immediate predecessors and those made have been of +a very high order—a thing that could not always be said. Again, he has +made it a point to have no Southern adviser save a known<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">264</a></span> friend of the +best element of the Southern people."</p> + +<p>The governor looked wrothy again. "Best element," said he, sneeringly. +"He is losing his time fooling with that crowd. All we radicals have to +do is to crack our whips and they run to cover."</p> + +<p>"That brings us to another point of considerable importance. When the +campaign is launched, whose views on the race question shall be in the +foreground—the views of the radicals or conservatives in the South," +asked Earl.</p> + +<p>"The radicals shall occupy the center of the stage, sir. We are tired of +these half-way policies!" thundered the governor.</p> + +<p>Earl now arose to go.</p> + +<p>"You will certainly hear from us radicals as never before in the history +of the nation—that is, since we jumped in the saddle and brought on the +war," said the governor.</p> + +<p>"By jinks, you don't think another war will come on, do you, Mr. Blue?" +asked the governor.</p> + +<p>"Oh, no; we have had our last war with lead and steel. All of our +internal conflicts for the future must be intellectual, it seems," +answered John Blue.</p> + +<p>"I am glad to hear you say that, for if we got into another tangle I do +believe to my soul that these 'niggers' would be a little less quiet +than they were before. But for our political alliance with the North we +of the South would have to be one of the most truckling of nations. For, +what<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">265</a></span> could we do to a foreign foe with all these discontented 'niggers' +squirming in the fires of race prejudice, like so many worms in hot +ashes. You are sure there won't be any physical fighting?" remarked the +governor.</p> + +<p>"The North would hardly hit you, for you are blood of their blood and +they know how utterly helpless you are with an awakened race in your +borders thoroughly of the opinion that you are not giving them a +semblance of fair treatment," said John Blue.</p> + +<p>"I gad, we must bring the North our way. I see that whoever, in this +fight of the races, gets the outsider is going to carry the day. We are +coming in the next campaign. Look out for us."</p> + +<p>The two men bade each other adieu and Earl walked out of the office.</p> + +<p>Earl invaded state after state in the South and conferred with the +radical leaders wherever he went and found the sentiment everywhere +prevailing that the time was ripe for the radical South to pull off its +mask and let the world see its real heart.</p> + +<p>With an anxious heart Earl watched the forming of the lines of the +campaign. Men in all parts of the country, whose only hope of success +lay in obtaining the political power in the hands of the radicals, +besought them to forego making the Negro question an issue, but they +were deaf to all appeals.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">266</a></span></p> + +<p>The convention dominated by the radicals met, and John Blue, alias Earl +Bluefield, was there. When the Anti-Negro plank was read, from his seat +in the gallery a mighty cheer rang out that started a wave of enthusiasm +unsurpassed in the history of political conventions.</p> + +<p>As John Blue stood waving a flag and cheering, his eye swept over that +great throng, and he said to himself:</p> + +<p>"O bonnie Southland: if you had developed real statesmen among you, men +who knew their age, they would be here to tell all these people save +myself to be quiet, on the ground that it is indelicate for a corpse to +cheer at its own funeral. But your really great men are at home +sorrowing over your coming humiliation. This day's work is the beginning +of the end. Eunice, the sky brightens!</p> + +<p>"Heaven of heavens, I thank thee that thou hast so arranged it that the +American people must now say as to whether or not the caste spirit shall +be allowed to lay his bloody tentacles on the political life of the +whole nation."</p> + +<div class="center"><br /><br /><img src="./images/chapterend.png" alt="Decorative Chapter End." title="" /><br /><br /></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">267</a></span></p> + + +<div class="center"><img src="./images/chapterhead.png" title="Decorative Chapter Head" alt="" /></div> +<h2><a name="chapter_XXXVII" id="chapter_XXXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXXVII.<br /> +<span class="chaptitle">Postponing His Shout of Triumph.</span></h2> + + +<p class="initial"><img class="dropcap" src="./images/drop_w.png" alt="W" title="" /><span class="hide">W</span>ith ceaseless, tireless energy Earl Bluefield went everywhere in the +North during the campaign that followed, assailing the political power +in control of the South. The heat of his heart warmed his words and his +eloquence thrilled the nation.</p> + +<p>"How has it happened that an orator of such power has remained so long +hidden from the nation's gaze?" was the question everywhere asked.</p> + +<p>In an address to Northern labor, which was heralded far and wide, Earl +said:</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"To those of you who in the sweat of your brow earn your bread, +I bring the message that your earning of a livelihood, a very +grave matter with you, is affected by the Southern situation.</p> + +<p>"It has been said that the South is freer from labor strikes +than any other equal area of territory within the borders of +civilization. The weakness of the Negro in the body politic, +his lack of means to insure his protection, gives timidity to +Negro labor and causes it to be little inclined to organize.</p> + +<p>"The enforced cheapness of Negro labor brings down the price of +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">268</a></span> +all labor, just as a house sinks with its foundation. Lo, the +word has already gone forth that the South is the place for +capital, that labor is cheap, that there is an absence of +social unrest found elsewhere.</p> + +<p>"Read your commercial journals and note how many of the +institutions upon which you have depended for a livelihood have +been transferred to this land of cheapness and peace, ominous +peace. Note how your captains of industry are asseverating that +factories in the North must cut wages in order to compete with +those that have gone South.</p> + +<p>"Your economists saw in the days preceding civil strife that +the workingman of the North could ill afford to compete with +slave labor at the South. Permit me to say to you that the +half-slave, the political slave, made timid by an environment +that tends to crush his spirit and dwarf his energies, is a +menace to you, holding the white labor of the South down and +affecting you of the North.</p> + +<p>"Again, adverse conditions at the South will drive the Negro to +your very door. Some day when you desire to remain away from +work to allow your employers leisure to ponder a condition +which you desire improved, you will find the Negro there to +take your place.</p> + +<p>"Men of the North, mark well my words: You must lend your aid +to an adjustment of relations in the South upon an equitable +basis or be confronted with the question of the disorganization +and readjustment of your own affairs. Stand out against the +repressionists of the South, make the whole nation a field of +fair play and then we will not have this one disturbing center +distributing trouble to all other parts of the nation." +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">269</a></span></p></blockquote> + +<p>Addressing the business interests of the country, he said:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p>"Work is the one American word, and as a result great is the +monument erected to our industry. Our accumulations are +enormous.</p> + +<p>"From time to time questions affecting the whole wealth of the +nation must be passed upon by the people. These repressionists +have shown that there is no interest so vital but that they +will smite it hip and thigh if by so doing they may advance the +policy of repression. You are confronted therefore with a power +that bids you to become repressionists or stand subject to +onslaughts whenever the fancy obtains that a lick at your +interests will do their cause good.</p> + +<p>"You cannot commit yourselves to the cause of repression. It +taints character. You are great employers of labor. In the +mighty problems that are to confront you your spirit will be +your most valuable asset. You must keep it pure at all hazards. +Nor can your business interests long endure these constant jars +from the repressionists. You cannot afford to accept either +horn of the dilemma offered you by the repressionists. Your +only remedy lies in smiting repression."</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>To the statesmen whose anxious eyes were upon the future of the nation, +he said:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p>"In the days that are now upon us and in the years that are to +come there can be no escape, perhaps, from some ills of which +the fathers never dreamed, unless a larger grant of power be +given unto our national government. However pressing the +situation, rely upon it, the repressionists will seek to keep +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">270</a></span>the nation in swaddling clothes for fear that added power +might some day turn its attention to the question of +repression."</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>In an address to the whole people, he said:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p>"A power that would wrong a race, that would in any way +restrict human growth, that would not have the nation a fair +and open field, is out of tune with heaven, is working at cross +purposes with the whole universe, and will carry into an abyss +all whom it can mislead."</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>The Negroes are a people capable of great enthusiasm and ardent +attachments. All their fervor was thrown into the campaign. Any vast +body of people with deep convictions have the power to greatly impress +others. The settled conviction of the Negroes that their very destiny in +America hinged, it seemed, upon the outcome of this election, was not +without its psychological effect upon the public mind.</p> + +<p>The cause championed by Earl marched to a glorious triumph at the polls, +but he took no part in the jollification that followed.</p> + +<p>"My work is only half done," was the reflection that kept him calm in +the presence of the victory for which he had made the full offering of +his soul.</p> +<div class="center"><br /><br /><img src="./images/chapterend.png" alt="Decorative Chapter End." title="" /><br /><br /></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">271</a></span></p> + +<div class="center"><img src="./images/chapterhead.png" title="Decorative Chapter Head" alt="" /></div> +<h2><a name="chapter_XXXVIII" id="chapter_XXXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXXVIII.<br /> +<span class="chaptitle">He Cannot, But He Does!</span></h2> + + +<p class="initial"><img class="dropcap" src="./images/drop_e.png" alt="E" title="" /><span class="hide">E</span>nsal Ellwood entered his room in his home in Monrovia, Liberia, West +Coast Africa, a thoroughly dejected man. He had just returned from an +extended trip in which he took a survey of his work and contemplated the +outlook. His investigations had served to increase his hopes as to the +possibilities of the African race, but he was nevertheless depressed.</p> + +<p>Nor was this the first time during his stay in Africa that this gloomy +atmosphere seemed to envelop him. In fact, he was the subject of +frequent attacks of melancholia which the many friends that he had made +had found inexplicable.</p> + +<p>This depression was not due to the African fever, because science had +been able to prepare his system to resist that debilitating agency.</p> + +<p>It was not due to a want of encouragement in his plans. He had met this +on every hand. A number of Southern men in sympathy with the higher +aspirations of the Negro race, hopeless of seeing those aspirations +realized in the Southland, had placed at his disposal a large sum of +money with which to draw off the Negro population from unfriendly points +in the South and establish them in Africa.</p> + +<p>Far sighted capitalists of America seeing in an awakened Africa a +possible market for American goods, thought it wise to keep in touch +with this young man who was to be so largely the great awakening agency.</p> + +<p>England, France and Germany vied with each other in offering inducements +for him to devote his energies to their respective holdings. The +Republic of Liberia was wild with joy over his interest in her welfare. +The King of Abyssinia had made urgent requests for him to come to his +borders.</p> + +<p>Thousands of cultured young men and women had caught Ensal's zeal for +the world-wide awakening of the race and were only awaiting his signal +to flock to his standard.</p> + +<p>And yet his heart was heavy. Ensal took his seat at his desk and rested +his throbbing brow thereon. He mused to himself, saying:</p> + +<p>"Here I am with the mightiest work of the ages on my hands, and the door +of opportunity before me, and yet, terrible, terrible thought, I see +failure written upon my skies. For my spirit lags; there is no +quickening battery at my life's center. Ah! it is awful to be dead +alive. That which would quicken my spirit and give me the needed zest +to face the work of an Atlas, the bearing of a world upon my +shoulders—that influence is far removed from me, farther than those +stretches of thousands of miles tell of."</p> + +<p>During Ensal's absence of many months his mail had accumulated until now +he found himself face to face with a huge pile of unopened letters and +newspapers. Lifting his head from his desk, he wearily turned to his +mail.</p> + +<p>In the pile of letters he came across one from Earl Bluefield which ran +as follows:</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p> +<span class="smcap">My Dear Ensal:</span> +</p> + +<p>There is great need of you in America at this hour, and a +golden opportunity for winning an enduring place in the history +of the world awaits you.</p> + +<p>The repressionists of the South made their policy an issue in +the presidential campaign which has just come to a close, and +they have been most badly beaten.</p> + +<p>As you know, statesmanship is a great passion with the South +and she is not going to remain contented in the position of +impotent isolation to which her repressionist element has +consigned her. A new order of leaders will now be put forward +as the spokesmen of the South and the fairness of their words +is going to be seized upon by the nation as offering hope for a +new order of things.</p> + +<p>Since the liberal element among the whites of the South are to +be given a day in court, there is great need of that type of +Negroes that has standing with them. I, as you know, am +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">272</a></span> +<i>persona non grata</i>. I have added to my unpopularity by the +manner in which I lambasted the repressionist element in the +campaign just closed.</p> + +<p>Come to America and help the nation to reap the fruits of its +victory over repression.</p> + +<p>Apart from my interest in the Negro race, which you of course +have never doubted, I have grave personal interests at stake, +and know not what I shall do if you fail the nation in this +hour of its need. A sorrow as great as the world has ever known +hangs over me and over the Negro race. Come and lift it.</p> + +<p class="signature">Earl Bluefield.</p> + +</blockquote> + +<p>"No, I cannot go. I cannot be that near to Tiara. Heaven knows that I +would be driven mad to see, to be near that girl, and be conscious that +her love lies buried with another. No, I cannot go. America may need me, +but so does Africa, so does Africa." Such were Ensal's thoughts upon the +reading of Earl's letter.</p> + +<p>Now all of you who believe in altruism; who believe in the giving of +one's self for others; who believe in fixedness of purpose; who have in +any wise pinned your faith to that man Ensal—let all such prepare +yourselves for evidence of the utter frailty of man. Bear in mind that +Ensal claims to seek the highest good of his race, that he has chosen +Africa as the field for the greatest service, and that he has just +rejected a proposition to return to America from an ultra-radical, who +of all men has come to regard him as the man of the hour. +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">273</a></span></p> + +<p>Picking up a package of newspapers, he tore the wrappers off and noticed +that they were Almaville papers.</p> + +<p>"I have seen that face before," said he, looking at the likeness of +Eunice Seabright Volrees-Bluefield reproduced in one of the papers.</p> + +<p>He now turned to the reading matter, taking note of a column that had +blue marks calling attention thereto. This was an account of Eunice's +trial and contained in full the words of Tiara in court on that +occasion.</p> + +<p>"O my God!" exclaimed Ensal when he came to that part of Tiara's +testimony which disclosed the fact that the Rev. Percy G. Marshall was +her brother. Now observe him, you who have faith in man.</p> + +<p>"Landlady! landlady!" Ensal exclaimed, rushing out of his room in search +of that personage. Finding her, he said excitedly, "Put everybody in +Monrovia at work packing up my possessions, please. I must leave."</p> + +<p>"What can this mean, pray tell. <i>I understood that you were to devote +your life to this work</i>," said the landlady, much amazed at the sudden +turn of affairs.</p> + +<p>"What work? Life?" asked Ensal, absent-mindedly.</p> + +<p>"The uplift of Africa, the redemption of your race," replied the +landlady.</p> + +<p>"My <i>race</i>, dear madam, is to catch the first steamer returning to +America. Just now the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">274</a></span> +whole world with me converges to that one point. +Let us be in a hurry, please."</p> + +<hr /> + +<p>As Ensal stepped off the gangplank and again touched American soil, Earl +was there to greet him. Arm in arm the two men wended their way through +the crowded streets until they reached the hotel at which Earl was +stopping.</p> + +<p>Earl told Ensal the story of Eunice's derangement and of his quest for a +message of hope with which to effect her cure. Ensal readily grasped the +situation. At times in the past friends had hinted that the problem +would derange him.</p> + +<p>"Let us serve each other," said Ensal. "I will go South and see what +message I can bring back for you to carry to Eunice. I will serve you +thus. While I am thus engaged there is something you can do for me. The +kissing of the Rev. Percy G. Marshall by Tiara, made known to me by poor +Gus Martin, caused me to abandon my purpose of seeking the hand of +Tiara. I wish you to go to her, and pave the way for a visit from me. +Tell her that I have always known that she was the noblest girl in all +this wide, wide world; that I looked upon the kissing incident as a pure +love affair, not knowing but that she was one who held that of one blood +God had made all the sons of men to dwell upon the face of earth; and +that I felt that death alone prevented her and the Rev. Mr. Marshall +from becoming man and wife in some other part of the world.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">275</a></span></p> + +<p>"Now, Earl, tell her all this. You are her brother-in-law and can find a +nice way of talking freely with her concerning the matter. May I depend +upon you?"</p> + +<p>"To the utmost," replied Earl earnestly.</p> + +<p>The two men now parted, each in search of hope for the other. Earl's +task was comparatively easy, for Tiara had all along fully understood +Ensal and felt no need of the assurances which Earl sought to bring. +Earl was more than happy at the outcome of his mission, happy that he +could inform Ensal that the way was now clear for him to declare himself +to Tiara.</p> + +<p>We shall now follow Ensal to find out what measure of success attended +his mission.</p> + +<div class="center"><br /><br /><img src="./images/chapterend.png" alt="Decorative Chapter End." title="" /><br /><br /></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">276</a></span></p> + +<div class="center"><img src="./images/chapterhead.png" title="Decorative Chapter Head" alt="" /></div> +<h2><a name="chapter_XXXIX" id="chapter_XXXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXXIX.<br /> +<span class="chaptitle">A Son of the New South.</span></h2> + +<p class="initial"><img class="dropcap" src="./images/drop_i.png" alt="I" title="" /><span class="hide">"I</span> understand that a few years ago a Negro man and woman were burned at +the stake in this neighborhood. Would you kindly show me the place?"</p> + +<p>This request came from Ensal Ellwood and was addressed to young Maul, +the attorney who had plead so earnestly for the conviction of the +lynchers of Bud and Foresta. A sad look stole over young Maul's face.</p> + +<p>"I never go that way if I can avoid it easily. That was indeed a +horrible affair and our section, according to the law of retribution, +will have it to pay for," replied young Maul, won by Ensal's kindly tone +and look. "There is the kindly Negro of the past revised and brought +down to date," thought young Maul, as he looked at Ensal and further +studied him.</p> + +<p>"It has already paid for it, perhaps," said Ensal. "It may be that some +one of this place was marked by nature to shed unfading lustre upon your +state, and could have made these rivers and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">277</a></span> hills and plains revered in +all the earth, but the light of his genius was extinguished by that +smoke, perhaps, perhaps," said Ensal sadly.</p> + +<p>The two men now walked in the direction of the scene of the burning. +They soon arrived at the spot, and Ensal looked long at the charred +trunks of the trees that had served as stakes. He scanned the trees from +the parched roots to the forlorn tree tops, took note of the fact that +the bark was missing and reflected that the absent bark was no doubt yet +serving as souvenirs in many Maulville homes.</p> + +<p>"They are dead—the trees I mean—and perhaps it is well. Time will now +eat away their vitals and they shall no longer stand as monuments to the +shame of our land," said Young Maul.</p> + +<p>"Suppose we sit down. I have much to say to you, Mr. Maul," said Ensal, +who felt himself the ambassador of millions and of Tiara's demented +sister. Anxious indeed was he that he should succeed in the object of +his visit.</p> + +<p>The men walked over to the Negro church near the scene, and took seats +upon the steps thereof.</p> + +<p>"Quite a fitting place for my talk," began Ensal. "My name is Ensal +Ellwood. Looking at the spot where the South is seen at its worst is but +a prelude to what I have made a long journey to say to you," said Ensal.</p> + +<p>"I shall be glad to hear what you have to say, Mr. Ellwood," said young +Maul.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">278</a></span></p> + +<p>"I notice that you say 'Mister,'" said Ensal, in kindly tone.</p> + +<p>"I am not one of those that believe that my manhood is compromised by +the use of the term 'Mister' to a Negro. I remember that the greatest of +all Southerners and the greatest of all world heroes, the immortal +Washington, once lifted his hat to a Negro man. When asked about his +action he replied that he could not let that Negro be more polite than +he was. I take the same position. I think a man's manhood is exceedingly +feeble when it has to have an army of sentinels to be always on the +alert, to keep somebody from kidnapping it," said young Maul.</p> + +<p>"To come at once to the point, Mr. Maul, I have come to you to make +overtures for a treaty of peace between the Negroes of the United States +and the white people of the South," said Ensal.</p> + +<p>"I shall hear you gladly," said young Maul.</p> + +<p>"George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Robert E. Lee are to the people +of the South stars of the first magnitude, and you would like to send +other stars to keep them company. But, changing the figure, an actor +must have a stage that places him in the full view of his audience, if +he would do his best work. Our nation is the stage upon which your sons +are to strive for immortality.</p> + +<p>"To labor to the best advantage they must have the chance to be vested +with the authority of the nation, the power of the whole people. Given<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">279</a></span> +that power, the scroll of immortality will at least be laid before them +that they may make effort to write their names thereon," said Ensal.</p> + +<p>"Now, Mr. Maul," he continued, "the Negro population is so distributed +that it now holds the balance of power in the nation. We have it in our +power to keep the South out of its larger glory.</p> + +<p>"However unpalatable it may be to a Southern white man, he must reckon +with the fact, that between himself and the coveted favor of the nation +stands the will of the Negro."</p> + +<p>"That is very apparent," said young Maul.</p> + +<p>"While we can hamper," resumed Ensal, "the white people of the South +nationally, they can trouble us considerably locally. Now, we are not +enemies of the South, and take no delight in the crippling of her +influence <i>per se</i>, and we would like to see this unarmed strife come to +a close. Nothing would give the Negroes greater joy than to see the +right kind of a white man from the South made President of the nation.</p> + +<p>"And the right kind of men exist in the South! There were perhaps as +many white men from the South in the Union army as there were Negroes.</p> + +<p>"Only one thing is now needed to gladden the hearts of the Negroes of +the United States and cause them to turn enthusiastically to the making +of the South the grandest section of the Union," said Ensal.</p> + +<p>"What can that be, pray?" said young Maul.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">280</a></span></p> + +<p>"Mr. Maul, excuse me for not stating at once. Cast your eye back over +the history of our country and take note of the woes that have been +heaped upon the South and upon the nation by the radicals among you.</p> + +<p>"There was a strong anti-war party in the South prior to the breaking +out of the civil war, but the radicals overwhelmed them and brought on +that disastrous conflict.</p> + +<p>"Immediately after the war the radicals got control of some of your +state legislatures and began to pass laws that would have practically +re-enslaved the Negroes. The radical policy of the nation, as revealed +in reconstruction measures was the child of radicalism in the South, so +charge the burdens and woes of that period to your radicals.</p> + +<p>"'Carpet-baggers' and 'scalawags' mismanaged affairs in the South, and +some of your good people, you state, resorted to lawless methods to +displace them. The radicals took charge of this lawless organization, +you claim, prostituted it, and made a record of crime and villainy in +the South so great that eleven large volumes in the records of Congress +are required to merely hint at the atrocities. The nation grew quiet for +a period, to catch your point of view and reason with you, and your +radicals misread its attitude and thought that it had undergone a change +of heart. They led the South to its recent crushing defeat.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">281</a></span></p> + +<p>"The radicals who have oppressed the Negroes of the South and sent them +North, sent them forth with heart burnings, and through the pivotal +states of the North they are ever on guard to turn the tide of battle +against your section. Radicalism, then, is building up a political power +in the North that will be a potent factor in continuing the isolation +and impotence of your section, and will render the wish of a Negro ward +politician of the North of more consequence than the combined pleadings +of all your congressional delegation from the South.</p> + +<p>"In the South to-day radicalism is widening the breach between the races +and that old kindly feeling is fast disappearing, being succeeded by +suspicion and hate.</p> + +<p>"The bonds of personal friendship which have served to keep things quiet +in the South when circumstances seemed most forbidding are being snapped +asunder. The sullen hatred of the Negroes engendered by the rabid +utterances and violent conduct of the radicals among the whites is +pregnant with harm to the South, and tends to summon to a resurrection +the entombed savagery of some members of the race, and to dishearten +others in their upward strivings. On and on I could go, showing the +awful wreckage in the pathway of the Southern radical.</p> + +<p>"If the nation would ever heal this sore the radicals must be +suppressed. If the Negroes attempt their undoing a feeling of racial +solidarity<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">282</a></span> among the whites greets them. If the North attempts it a +sectional feeling is stimulated.</p> + +<p>"I come now to the one thing that will gladden the hearts of the Negroes +and the nation and make secure the glory of the South. <i>We would have +you good white people of the South to assert yourselves</i>—that class of +you who have not been carried away with that false doctrine that the +problem can be solved with the Negro shorn of political power. In short, +the one missing factor now needed is <i>aggressiveness</i> on the part of the +right thinking white people of the South," said Ensal, who now ceased +and awaited with anxious heart young Maul's reply.</p> + +<p>"As to the matter of our aggressiveness, Mr. Ellwood," responded young +Maul, "have no doubt on that score. The South has been so unmercifully +carved in the slaughter pen into which her radicals led her, that she is +now willing to hear from men of saner moods. Many a true Southerner, +silent through force of circumstances, has been waiting for just this +hour. Watch us. We are going to suppress lynching, enforce laws +impartially, allow Negroes all their rights as citizens, make no +discriminations because of race, color or previous condition of +servitude, and encourage them to develop their God-given powers fully. +Nor shall we be afraid of them. They did not strike us in the back in +the time of civil strife and they have never lost a kindly feeling for +us in spite of what the radicals have done to them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">283</a></span> Quite well has +Professor Shaler said that if the two races do not live in amity it will +not be the fault of the Negroes."</p> + +<p>"Mr. Maul," said Ensal, grasping the young man's hand, "well might the +struggling world, writhing up from its low estate, rejoice that your +type is now to assume charge of the destiny of the white race in the +South."</p> + +<p>"Now, Mr. Maul," continued Ensal soberly, "one thing for which we +Negroes are to labor might be construed as an evidence of distrust of +the better element of Southern people, and I would have you to +understand us. The radicals of the South, as I have stated, invited +radicalism from the North as the only sure antidote. To correct some +evils, numbers of your good people condoned a departure from accepted +standards of ethics. Men whom you knew to be perjurers, ballot box +stuffers and violaters of law were, because of those very qualities, +allowed to occupy high station among you. Many of you felt that your +ills could only have been cured in that way. We Negroes have felt that a +moral revolution could have been effected, and would have left no +residue of evil in its wake. But other methods prevailed and you now +have among you a class of men who feel no compunctions of conscience at +cheating. Having blunted their consciences cheating us, they will now +seek to cheat the better element of whites in the era of promised +agressiveness. We Negroes are going to ask one favor of the nation, and +that is that it enforce its constitution, which provides one test for +all American citizens. If we win it will not only free us from the +repressionists, but will free the better element of Southern whites as +well. Your type of men can then have a chance in the South."</p> + +<p>Young Maul sat meditating a while and then said:</p> + +<p>"Do you know that in a fair test of strength the better element of +whites even now would triumph at the polls. But the spirit of fraud +built up to dethrone the 'carpet bag' government yet lingers to haunt +those who would now dispense with it, which shows how dangerous it is to +do evil even that good may come.</p> + +<p>"We of the South hear much of bribery and corruption in the North, and I +stand ready to co-operate with the decent element to purify the suffrage +of the entire nation."</p> + +<p>"You favor then the enforcement by Congress of the Fifteenth Amendment +to the Constitution," asked Ensal.</p> + +<p>"I would not have our nation live a lie and pollute the whole stream of +our people's life. If the nation is lawless it can hardly expect its +citizens to be different. I stand for the enforcement of law, all law. +The very life of the nation itself depends upon the purity of the +electorate, and the ballot box is as sure to become sacred in America +as our nation is to stand," said young Maul earnestly.</p> + +<p>"Now that we understand each other on those matters, let me now say a +few words to you concerning some needs of the Negro race," continued +young Maul.</p> + +<p>"Radicalism and aggression on the part of some of the whites constitute +one phase of our problem, but the weakened condition of your race must +also be reckoned with as a factor. Had Africa been in a position to make +it uncomfortable for all who sought to hold her children in bondage, +there would have been no traffic in slaves from that continent. While we +are going to do what we can to hold in check those who would oppress or +restrict you, we expect you to eliminate the weakness in your race that +invites attack.</p> + +<p>"You must become intellectually strong, so that you may always be in +hailing distance of the world's thought power which determines the +destiny of the human race.</p> + +<p>"Take special note of what I am now going to say," continued young Maul. +"When an air of genuine democracy pervades the South and the spirit of +caste no longer obtains in the political and industrial world, forms of +labor now regarded as beneath the dignity of white people will no longer +be so regarded, and the Negro will find himself face to face with +competition in fields now conceded to him. While political power is +necessary<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">284</a></span> to safety in the body politic, do not expect too much of it, +and neglect not the industrial crisis.</p> + +<p>"As to politics, it is clear that your political problem in the South is +going to be a difficult one. You see, your race was freed by a political +party which conducted the war of the sections. It is hard to get your +people to do other than vote with that party, while the more substantial +element of the whites in the South have for a hundred years been in the +opposing party. The great misfortune of the political situation is that +the Negroes and the better element of whites never pull together in the +one political harness."</p> + +<p>"We have given that matter much thought and feel that we have a +solution," said Ensal.</p> + +<p>"My friend, if you can solve that problem you have gone a long way +toward solving the whole problem," said young Maul.</p> + +<p>"Here is our plan," began Ensal. "The Negroes have discovered the utter +impotence of the class of whites who joined them for the sake of office, +and the federal pie-counter element of whites has utterly lost favor +with the great body of Negroes. The situation within the Negro race is +therefore ripe for a new alignment. We have come to the conclusion that +the American people need an idealist class in their political life, and +it would be a great gift to the nation for the Negro to point the way +for such a party.</p> + +<p>"The Negroes are going to organize in the South an Eclectic party that +will serve as an antidote to to safety in the body politic, do not +expect too much of it, and neglect not the industrial crisis.</p> + +<p>"As to politics, it is clear that your political problem in the South is +going to be a difficult one. You see, your race was freed by a political +party which conducted the war of the sections. It is hard to get your +people to do other than vote with that party, while the more substantial +element of the whites in the South have for a hundred years been in the +opposing party. The great misfortune of the political situation is that +the Negroes and the better element of whites never pull together in the +one political harness."</p> + +<p>"We have given that matter much thought and feel that we have a +solution," said Ensal.</p> + +<p>"My friend, if you can solve that problem you have gone a long way +toward solving the whole problem," said young Maul.</p> + +<p>"Here is our plan," began Ensal. "The Negroes have discovered the utter +impotence of the class of whites who joined them for the sake of office, +and the federal pie-counter element of whites has utterly lost favor +with the great body of Negroes. The situation within the Negro race is +therefore ripe for a new alignment. We have come to the conclusion that +the American people need an idealist class in their political life, and +it would be a great gift to the nation for the Negro to point the way +for such a party.</p> + +<p>"The Negroes are going to organize in the South an Eclectic party that +will serve as an antidote to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">285</a></span> the tendency toward party worship. We +shall separate city from county politics, county from state, and state +from national. We shall often, perhaps, be found supporting one party's +candidate for governor and another party's candidate for president. The +question of human rights and the civil and political equality of all men +shall be a first consideration with us, and we shall go to the aid of +the class of men of like faith on these points, it matters not in what +political party they may be found. The best interests of the people, and +not party loyalty, shall be our creed.</p> + +<p>"In this way we shall be able to co-operate with the best element of +Southern white people. Though not posing as the political leader of my +people, I feel sure that I correctly forecast their policy," said Ensal.</p> + +<p>"Great possibilities lie in that direction, and I firmly believe that we +have at last found the way of peace and honor and justice to all," said +young Maul.</p> + +<p>The two young men now parted, and Ensal went to the telegraph station +and sent the following message to Earl:</p> + +<p>"Problem will now be solved. Aggressiveness on part of better element of +whites assured. The whole machinery of the national government is in +hands that will accord them support. Working basis in political matters +agreed upon for better element of both races. Am writing you at +length."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">286</a></span></p> + +<p>When in due course of mail Ensal's promised letter reached Earl and set +forth the prospects of an adjustment of the questions at issue, Earl was +exultant and felt that he had at last good news to carry to Eunice.</p> + +<div class="center"><br /><br /><img src="./images/chapterend.png" alt="Decorative Chapter End." title="" /><br /><br /></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">287</a></span></p> + +<div class="center"><img src="./images/chapterhead.png" title="Decorative Chapter Head" alt="" /></div> + +<h2><a name="chapter_XL" id="chapter_XL"></a>CHAPTER XL.<br /> +<span class="chaptitle">Sorrow and Gladness.</span></h2> + + +<p class="initial"><img class="dropcap" src="./images/drop_i.png" alt="I" title="" /><span class="hide">I</span>n the parlor of the sanitarium Earl sat awaiting the coming of Eunice, +his face telling of the hopes now alive within his heart.</p> + +<p>With an exclamation of joy Eunice ran and threw herself into his arms. +During her whole stay in the sanitarium the Negro question had not been +broached to her and her mind seemed almost normal. Earl now sought to +complete the work by letting her know that things had at last been set +right and that the color of a man's skin was to no longer be in his way. +Standing over her he whispered:</p> + +<p>"Eunice, the American people have decreed that the door of hope shall +not be closed to any of their citizens because of the accident of +birth."</p> + +<p>A strange glow came into Eunice's eyes.</p> + +<p>"When will the duly authorized power see to it that the states live +according to this decree and apply one test to voters of both races," +asked<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">288</a></span> Eunice so quietly, so intelligently, that hopes sprang up in +Earl's breast.</p> + +<p>Stooping, he kissed his wife, saying:</p> + +<p>"I can't say, my darling; but it will surely come in time."</p> + +<p>"Time!" shrieked Eunice. "Same old thing! Time! Bah! We shall all die in +'time.' Earl, are you turning against me, coming to me with that old +word 'time?' Ah! Earl, are you a Southerner? Time! Earl, can't you +persuade the people to let justice do now what they are waiting for +'time' to do?"</p> + +<p>Jumping up she whirled round and round until from sheer exhaustion she +fell into her weeping husband's arms.</p> + +<p>"O thou of little faith, counterpart of my own darker days, Eunice, +awake! Awake! The currents are forming that will sweep the caste spirit +out of the political life of the nation. Awake, my Eunice! Awake!" +plaintively spoke the grief-stricken husband to the unheeding ears of +his wife.</p> + +<p>While hope thus wrestles with despair, we visit another parlor.</p> + +<hr style='width: 45%;' /> + +<p>In the parlor of Tiara's home Ensal sat awaiting the coming of the girl +that he had loved so long and so ardently, on whom he had now called for +the purpose of asking her to link her destiny with his.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">289</a></span></p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 479px;"> +<a name="image14" id="image14"></a> +<a href="./images/image14.png"><img src="./images/image14_th.png" width="479" height="600" alt="" title="" /></a> +<span class="caption">"Without any pretense at delivering any one of the many +thousand little preliminary speeches framed for the occasion, Ensal bent +forward and kissed Tiara." (290-291.)</span> +</div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">291</a></span> +Ensal had delivered many speeches in the course of his lifetime, but he +could hardly recall one that had given him as much trouble as the short +speech which he had sought to prepare for Tiara. Form after form of +approach came to him, but they were all rejected as being inadequate to +the occasion, so that when the beautiful Tiara appeared in the parlor +door Ensal was absolutely and literally speechless.</p> + +<p>With love-lit eyes Tiara walked unfalteringly in his direction and, with +a smile for which Ensal the great altruist, mark you, fancied he would +have been willing to return from a thousand Africas, she extended her +hand to him in greeting.</p> + +<p>There is a saying among the Negroes to the effect that "If you give a +Negro an inch he will take an ell." Whatever may be the meaning of that +expression, this we do know, that when Tiara gave Ensal one hand, he +<i>deliberately</i>—no, we won't make the offense one of premeditation—he, +without deliberating the matter at all, hastily took not only more of +the hand than what Tiara offered, but the other one as well.</p> + +<p>For the sake of Ensal's reputation for poise, already a little shaken, +we fear, we fain would draw the curtain just here; but as we have all +along sought to tell the whole truth about matters herein discussed, we +will have to allow our hero's reputation to take care of itself the best +way it can. Without obtaining any more consent than that which was +plainly written in Tiara's eyes,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">292</a></span> and without any pretense at delivering +any one of the many thousand little preliminary speeches framed for the +occasion, Ensal bent forward and kissed Tiara!</p> + +<p>Now that he has by this act lost favor with you, dear reader, we shall +expose him to the utmost!</p> + +<p>Dropping one of Tiara's hands, an arm stole around her waist, and Ensal +kissed her again and, sad to say, again, and, vexing thought, again. And +to cap the climax, the two were joyfully married that night, and on the +next day set out for Africa, to provide a home for the American Negro, +should the demented Eunice prove to be a wiser prophet than the hopeful, +irrepressible Earl; should the good people of America, North and South, +grow busy, confused or irresolute and fail, to the subversion of their +ideals, to firmly entrench the Negro in his political rights, the denial +of which, and the blight incident thereto, more than all other factors, +cause the Ethiopian in America to feel that his is indeed "The Hindered +Hand."</p> + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 200px;"> +<img src="./images/end.png" width="200" height="77" alt="THE END" title="" /> +<span class="caption">THE END</span> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<h2><a name="NOTES_FOR_THE_SERIOUS" id="NOTES_FOR_THE_SERIOUS"></a>NOTES FOR THE SERIOUS.</h2> + + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">293</a></span> +1. The author of <span class="smcap">The Hindered Hand</span> was an eyewitness of the driving of +"Little Henry" to his death by the officers of the law.</p> + +<p>2. The details of the Maulville burning were given the author by an +eyewitness of the tragedy, a man of national reputation among the +Negroes. Some of the more revolting features of that occurrence have +been suppressed for decency's sake. We would have been glad to eliminate +all of the details, but they have entered into the thought-life of the +Negroes, and their influence must be taken into account.</p> + +<p>3. The experiences of Eunice upon being assigned to membership in the +Negro race are by no means overdrawn. The refined, cultured and most +highly respected young woman whose actual experiences form the +groundwork of that part of the story was not only thus accosted and +insulted by a white man of the order indicated, but was actually beaten +in a most brutal manner and fined fifteen dollars in the police court.</p> + +<p>4. The following statement of facts lends interest to the contention of +one of the characters of <span class="smcap">The Hindered Hand</span>, to the effect that the +re<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">294</a></span>pressionist order of things brings forward, by its own force an +undesirable type of officials.</p> + +<p>During the recent presidential campaign the repression of the Negro was +made an issue in the state of Tennessee.</p> + +<p>The most representative audience that assembled during the whole +campaign in the State was wrought to its highest pitch of enthusiasm by +the following outburst of eloquence from the Junior Senator of that +state: "The man that does not know the difference between a white man +and a 'nigger' is not fit to be President." The kind of a state +Legislature begotten by a campaign in which the foregoing remark marked +the highest level of the discussion so far as the popular taste was +concerned, may be judged from the following comments on that Legislature +after it adjourned:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p>"There were many men in the last Legislature upon whose faces +the mark of incompetency or worse was as plain as the noonday +sun."—<i>The Nashville American.</i></p> + +<p>"It would be better for Tennessee to groan on under present +laws and let the Legislature meet no more in ten years if it +were possible under the Constitution."—<i>Lebanon Banner.</i></p> + +<p>"Mediocrity was in the saddle, and picayunish partisan politics +held the center of the boards."—<i>Franklin Review-Appeal.</i></p> + +<p>"The Legislature has adjourned. Many praises unto the 'Great I +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">295</a></span>Am.'"—<i>Murfreesboro News-Banner.</i></p> + +<p>"Throwing bricks at the Legislature is a favorite pastime, but +really a brick is hardly big enough for the purpose.—<i>Franklin County Truth.</i></p> + +<p>"In our opinion the present Legislature will go down in history +as the most incompetent body of lawmakers that ever sat in the +capitol of Tennessee."—<i>Tullahoma Guardian.</i></p> + +<p>"The Tennessee Legislature has adjourned and perhaps done less +to commend itself than any of its predecessors."—<i>Obion Democrat.</i></p> + +<p>"The people elect the legislators and the people are +responsible for the character of men they elect and send to +Nashville to make and unmake laws. We know the Legislature was +bad, even miserable, but the members got their commissions from +the people."—<i>Gallatin News.</i></p> + +<p>"The weekly press of the state is almost unanimous in its +condemnation of the late Legislature. * * * As we have said +before, the general littleness of the body, its petty conduct +in many instances, its trades and combinations, the autocratic +methods of self-seeking members, the quarrels, the cheap +declamations and intemperate and undignified and unwarrantable +public denunciations by members who should have shown a better +sense of dignity and decency, the dishonesty in juggling with +bills, the unreliability of promises—the general record and +conduct of the body marked it as unworthy of the state or the +approval of the people. What man of established reputation +would care to be known as a member of such a Legislature as the +one recently adjourned?"—<i>The Nashville American.</i> +</p></blockquote> + +<p>These comments are from newspapers of the same political faith as the +Legislature.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">296</a></span></p> + +<p>5. The question might be raised as to whether the conditions set forth +in <span class="smcap">The Hindered Hand</span> are true of some special locality or are general in +character.</p> + +<p>As to how general the conditions complained of are one may infer from +the following editorial from a leading Southern newspaper, which never +fails in defense of the South where defense is possible.</p> + +<blockquote> + +<p>"In South Carolina, as we have noted, the safest crime is the +crime of taking human life. The conditions are the same in +almost every Southern State. Murder and violence are the +distinguishing marks of our present-day civilization. We do not +enforce the law. We say by statute that murder must be punished +by death, and murder is rarely punished by death, or rarely +punished in any other way in this State, and in any of the +Southern States, except where the murderer is colored, or is +poor and without influence. Now this state of affairs cannot +last forever. We have grown so accustomed to the failure of +justice in cases where human life is taken by violence that we +excuse one failure and another until it will become a habit and +the strong shall prevail over the weak, and the man who slays +his brother shall be regarded as the incarnation of +power."—<i>The Charleston News and Courier.</i></p> +</blockquote> + +<p>6. Since the recent defeat of the ultra radical element in the national +campaign, there has been a marked improvement as to the more violent +manifestations of race prejudice, emphasizing the fact that actual +political power can procure respect.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">297</a></span></p> + +<p>7. It must never be concluded by those interested in these matters that +the mere suppression of mob violence approaches a solution of the race +problem. The programme of the Negro race, that must be ever kept in mind +as a factor to be dealt with, is the obtaining of all the rights and +privileges accorded by the State to other American citizens.</p> + +<p>8. Acknowledgment is here made of the generous aid often extended the +Negro race in its efforts to rise by the liberal element among the +whites of the South. One of the most notable achievements of this +element has been the manner in which they have fought off the attacks of +the repressionists, directed against the education of the Negroes in the +public school systems of the South, so amply provided for by the +"Reconstruction" Governments.</p> + +<p>9. The overwhelmingly predominant sentiment of the American Negroes is +to fight out their battles on these shores. The assigning of the +thoughts of the race to the uplift of Africa, as affecting the situation +in America, must be taken more as the dream of the author rather than as +representing any considerable responsible sentiment within the race, +which, as has been stated, seems at present thoroughly and unqualifiedly +American, a fact that must never be overlooked by those seeking to deal +with this grave question in a practical manner.</p> + +<p class="signature">The Author.</p> + +<hr /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">298</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="NOTES_TO_THE_THIRD_EDITION" id="NOTES_TO_THE_THIRD_EDITION"></a>NOTES TO THE THIRD EDITION.</h2> + + +<p>1. The present edition of "The Hindered Hand" differs from previous +editions in that a review of Mr. Thomas Dixon's "Leopard Spots" appears +in former editions in the form of a conversation between two of the +characters of the book, whereas in the present edition the review is +more fully given in an article appearing in the rear of this book after +the closing of the story.</p> + +<p>No attempt is here made to deal with Mr. Dixon's second book bearing on +the race problem, it being the hope of the writer to give that matter +serious and independent attention.</p> + +<p>2. In spite of the solemn assurances of the writer that the incidents +depicted in "The Hindered Hand" are based upon actual occurrences, there +has appeared here and there a slight air of questioning with regard to +some things related. Particularly does it seem hard to believe what is +told of the manner of the death of Bud and Foresta Harper. The writer +would be only too glad if he could but free his mind of the knowledge +that the picture is true to life in the utmost horrible detail, The +Nashville <i>American</i>, one of the leading Southern daily papers, at the +time of its occurrence, accepted the account as we have given it as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">299</a></span> +correct and made editorial comment upon the same, and no one would dare +pronounce that paper hostile to the South.</p> + +<p>We stand ready to furnish ample evidence of the absolute correctness of +each and every portrayal to be found in "The Hindered Hand."</p> + +<p class="signature">Sutton E. Griggs,</p> +<p class="right">No. 610 Webster St., Nashville, Tenn.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">301</a></span></p> + + + + +<h2>A HINDERING HAND</h2> + +<h3>SUPPLEMENTARY TO THE<br /> +HINDERED HAND.</h3> + + +<div class="figcenter" style="width: 72px;"> +<img src="images/sup.png" width="72" height="77" alt="" title="" /> +</div> + + +<hr /> +<p class="center"><i>A Review of the Anti-Negro Crusade of Mr. Thomas Dixon, Jr.</i><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">303</a></span><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">302</a></span></p> + +<h2><a name="A_HINDERING_HAND" id="A_HINDERING_HAND"></a>A HINDERING HAND.</h2> + +<h3>THE POOR WHITE AND THE NEGRO.</h3> + +<p>From the door of a squalid home, situated mayhaps upon a somewhat decent +spot in a marsh or upon the very poorest of soil, the poor white man of +the South, prior to his emancipation by the Civil War, looked out upon a +world whose honors and emoluments cast no favoring glances in his +direction.</p> + +<p>Between the poor white and his every earthly hope stood the Negro slave. +As his thoughts now and then stole upward toward the higher social +circles, he realized that the absence of slave quarters from his home +entailed his absence from those upper realms. If in the marts of toil he +offered the labor of his hands, he felt his cheeks tingling from the +consciousness that others regarded him as being upon a level with +slaves; and at the best the market for his labor was very limited, for +the fatted slave stood in his way.</p> + +<p>So utterly forlorn was the condition of the poor white that the enslaved +Negro felt justified in meeting his protruding claim of racial +superiority with contemptuous scorn. In the very nature of things the +strongest sort of repulsion developed between this class of whites and +the Negro<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">304</a></span> slaves. The work, therefore, of overseeing and driving the +slaves on the plantations of the more wealthy whites, fitted the +habitual mood of the poor white exactly. No form of service was more +congenial to him than that of whipping intractable Negroes for their +masters.</p> + +<p>It thus came to pass that the poor white man registered it as his first +duty to wreak vengeance upon this unbowing, scornful Negro standing +between him and all that was dear to his heart. This feeling of +hostility was handed over from father to son, from generation to +generation, until the very social atmosphere was charged with this +bitter feeling.</p> + +<p>When the Civil War came this neglected and despised class suddenly +became important and furnished its quota of soldiers and commanders. +Nathan Bedford Forrest hailed from this class, and as a result the +American people have on their annals Fort Pillow and its savage-like +massacre. When the war was over, the poor white class began to bestir +itself in civil life, and from that class the nation derived the Hon. +Benjamin R. Tillman, of South Carolina.</p> + +<p>And now literature is receiving its contribution from this class of +whites, in the work being done by Mr. Thomas Dixon, Jr., of North +Carolina, who does not hail from the more wealthy and more friendly +element of Southern whites, but from mingling with the poorer classes, +where hatred of the Negro was a part of the legacy<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">305</a></span> handed down from +parent to child. For, before Mr. Dixon's marriage he was a poor man and +was viewed by the Negroes of Raleigh, N. C., as one belonging to the +class of their hereditary enemies. It is with the outpourings of a man +who has been steeped in all the traditions of this hostile atmosphere +that we are now called upon to deal.</p> + +<p>The goal toward which Mr. Dixon is striving is the ejection from America +of nearly ten million of his fellow citizens, against the overwhelming +majority of whom he can allege no unusual offense save that they are of +African descent.</p> + +<p>The work of their fathers and of themselves in wresting the fields of +the South from the clutch of forest; in crimsoning American soil with +their blood in every war that has been fought; in yielding of all of the +best of their heart and mind for this country's good is, according to +Mr. Dixon, to count for naught.</p> + + +<h3>HARNESSING HATRED.</h3> + +<p>It is to be conceded that the presence in large numbers of two distinct +races in the same territory under a democratic form of government +constitutes a grave problem, and profound is the wish of many of both +races that a separation might be effected. Mr. Dixon is by no means a +pioneer in desiring a separation. The great emancipator desired this +result.</p> + +<p>But Mr. Dixon is a pioneer in the matter of seeking to attain his end by +an attempt to <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">306</a></span>thoroughly discredit the Negroes, to stir up the baser +passions of men against them and to send them forth with a load of +obloquy and the withering scorn of their fellows the world over, +sufficient to appall a nation of angels.</p> + +<p>Mark the essentially <i>barbarous</i> character of Mr. Dixon's method of +warfare.</p> + +<p>There is the good and the bad in all men. The world has learned since +the days of the Christ that by far the best means of obtaining the +largest results of unalloyed good is by appealing to the best that there +is in men rather than to the worst. In no respect is the reactionary +character of Mr. Dixon's crusade more apparent than in his attempt to +attain his ends through his appeals to the worst that there is in men.</p> + +<p>Mankind has been grouping itself from time immemorial, according to +certain physical likenesses, and each race or group has had more or less +of prejudice against alien groups. It has been the one struggle of the +higher human instincts to enable men, in spite of differences of form, +of feature, to find a common bond of sympathy linking mankind together.</p> + +<p>Uncle Tom's Cabin grappled in the mire of Southern slavery and lifted a +despised and helpless race into living sympathy with the white race at +the North. To cut these chords of sympathy and re-establish the old +order of repulsion, based upon the primitive feeling of race hatred is +the first item on Mr. Dixon's programme.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">307</a></span></p> + +<p>The adopting of a course so patently barbaric stamps Mr. Dixon as a +spiritual reversion to type, violently out of accord with the best +tendencies of his times.</p> + +<p>The very opposite of Mr. Dixon is Professor Nathaniel F. Shaler, of +Harvard, himself a Southerner, who approaches this same grave question +of the relation of the races and seeks to prepare the American people +for the consideration of the subject free from the distorting influence +of prejudice.</p> + + +<h3>A SERIOUS HANDICAP.</h3> + +<p>The cultivation of race hatreds on the part of Mr. Dixon and others who +labor with him, if successful will react on the American people sadly to +their detriment. The wonderful activity of American industries call +loudly for the world as a market for their goods. The dark races of the +world, now backward in the matter of manufacturing, must largely furnish +these markets. The cloven foot of America's race prejudice will make +itself manifest, and its owner will find it increasingly difficult to +secure a ready purchaser for his goods.</p> + +<p>We have a hint of what will happen in the awakened darker world in the +boycott of American goods by the Chinese, because of the rude treatment +by American custom officials, of unoffending Chinese, a treatment born +of the spirit of race hatred.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">308</a></span></p> + + +<h3>MR. DIXON IS SHREWD.</h3> + +<p>Let us now take note of the various artifices resorted to by Mr. Dixon +to unhorse the Negro in the esteem of the North and bestow his place +upon those who would repress him.</p> + +<p>In his first Anti-Negro book, Mr. Dixon was shrewd enough not to make a +Southerner who was <i>persona non grata</i> to the North the hero of the +story. The poor old Ex-Confederate soldier, rank secessionist, the real +hero and dominating figure of his times, in this book is tied out in the +back yard, while the post of honor is given to a little boy whose father +fought most unwillingly against the Union. Mr. Dixon's choosing for a +hero this lad, whose father wore a confederate uniform over a union +heart, forcibly reminds one of the reply of the whimpering soldier whom +the captain was upbraiding for cowardice under fire.</p> + +<p>"You act as though you were a baby," angrily shouted the captain to the +frightened soldier.</p> + +<p>"I wish I was a baby and a gal baby at that," whimpered the soldier, +reasoning that "gal babies" were exempt not only from that battle, but +from all others.</p> + +<p>While Mr. Dixon was in search of a hero that would be far removed from +what was regarded as treason in those days he might have made assurance +doubly sure by doing further violence to the predominating sentiment of +the day by making his hero—not his heroine—a "gal" baby.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">309</a></span></p> + + +<h3>MR. DIXON SCOFFS.</h3> + +<p>One of the <ins class="tnote" title="Original text 'brighest'.">brightest</ins> pages in the history of this nation will +be that which tells the story of those men and women of the North, who, +over the protests of loved ones, faced the ostracism of their kind in +the South that they might open the Negroes' eyes to the hitherto +forbidden glories of modern civilization and take care that the +spiritual was not lost sight of in the new maze of world wonders. +Withered indeed must be the soul that could scoff at such moral heroism, +and yet that is just what Mr. Dixon does. He suggests that the people +who produced a Washington and a Jefferson hardly needed missionaries to +perform work among the Negroes within their borders.</p> + +<p>But it must be borne in mind that as a part of the propaganda in favor +of retaining the Negro in slavery, the white people of the South +thoroughly committed themselves to the doctrine of the <i>ineffaceable</i>, +<i>inherent</i> inferiority of the Negro, and had no largeness of faith in +his possibilities along lines of higher culture. It is evident, then, +that if salvation was to come at all, it was to come from a source that +deemed such an outcome possible.</p> + + +<h3>THE EARLIER CHURCH LIFE OF THE NEGRO.</h3> + +<p>Mr. Dixon essays to portray Negro worship and makes of it a very +grotesque affair.</p> + +<p>Over against Mr. Dixon's representation of Negro worship as a heathenish +affair, we place<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">310</a></span> the old plantation melodies evolved in those and +earlier days. Charged as these melodies are with true religious fervor, +they stand as a bulwark against all who would assail these earlier +gropings of the race after the unknown God. Equally misplaced are the +sneers of Mr. Dixon at the Negro minister. The center of the whole +social fabric erected by the Negro race in the South is the Negro +church, and to the zeal and power of the untutored Negro pastor and his +more favored successor is this success due. Subtract from the assets of +the Negro race those things placed there through the instrumentality of +the Negro minister and small will be the remnant.</p> + +<p>Again, this religion and this minister at whom Mr. Dixon sneers, are +really responsible for the pacific character of the Negro population of +the South. The Negro race is a great fighting race. The native optimism +of the individual soldier causing him to discount his own chances of +being killed, coupled with his ability to be lost in his enthusiasms, +make the Negro very effective as a soldier.</p> + +<p>Africa has been one great battle field and the internecine strife of +fighting Africans is in a measure responsible for the plight of the +Negro race in the world, as a union of forces could have the better +halted alien aggression. But in America the Negro was taught the Gospel +of peace. The singing of the American Negro is said to lack the martial +strain found in the fatherland. For the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">311</a></span> peace loving Negro, credit the +church and the Negro minister, whom Mr. Dixon would have the world +contemn.</p> + +<h3>MR. DIXON STABS TO KILL.</h3> + +<p>The late Hon. George F. Hoar, of Massachusetts, once remarked (we quote +from memory), "Our population is composed of various races of mankind, +but there are four great things upon which we are all united: Love of +home, love of country, love of liberty and love of woman." The glory of +the Anglo-Saxon race has come largely of the estimate it has placed on +woman.</p> + +<p>Mr. Dixon would break the accord of the American Negro with the rest of +his fellows by picturing him as the savage enemy of womankind. In order +to attain his end he picks up the degenerates within the Negro race and +exploits them as the normal type. In one of his books Mr. Dixon makes a +Negro school commissioner solicit a kiss from a white girl when she +applies to him for a position. The man of this character in the Negro +race is known of all men familiar with the Southern Negro to be an +exotic, for nowhere in the world does woman get more instinctive +deference from men than what Negro men render to the white women of the +South. The very fact that degenerates sometimes make them the objects of +assaults, invests them with a double measure of sympathy and deference +on the part of the great body of Negro men.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">312</a></span></p> + + +<h3>WHERE MR. DIXON'S POWER FAILS.</h3> + +<p>Mr. Dixon displays great power in depicting the emotions of the white +people when the news was borne to them that a little white girl had been +outraged and slain by a Negro.</p> + +<p>Mr. Dixon, there were other hearts throbbing in that neighborhood! Oh, +that you had the spirit and the power to give utterance to those heart +throbs.</p> + +<p>The Negroes, whose absence from the mob you would ascribe to sympathy +with the criminal, were in their homes sorrowing over the death of the +little one, sorrowing over the disgrace that was so undeservingly +brought upon the race, and wondering whether your mob had the right man +or was making a mistake that would leave the really guilty free to again +bring death and grief and wrath to the white race and grief and shame +unspeakable to the Negro race.</p> + + +<h3>AS TO INTERMARRIAGE.</h3> + +<p>Not content with picturing the Negro race, as a race prolific with the +assaulters of women, Mr. Dixon would further have the world believe that +the highest ambition of the cultured Negro man is to find for himself a +white wife.</p> + +<p>Perhaps it may not be out of place just here for the writer to disclose +what he considers, from close observation, to be the attitude of the +Negroes on the question of the intermarriage of the races. They do not +hold with that group of writers<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">313</a></span> who contend that the Negro is +inherently inferior to the whites and that a mixture of the blood of the +races produces an essentially inferior being. Dumas, holding his own +among the French; Browning and S. Coleridge-Taylor among the English, +and Douglass, among the Americans, to their minds belie that assertion. +Nor yet do they hold that the races must needs depend upon this infusion +for its greatness. The unmixed Toussaint L'Ouverture, Paul Laurence +Dunbar and J. C. Price speak up for the innate powers of the race.</p> + +<p>Accepting the race as it came to them from slavery, during which +mulattoism was forced upon it, the Negroes have gone on developing race +pride and visiting their supreme disfavor upon all who signify inability +to find thorough contentment within the race. The marriage of Frederick +Douglass to a white woman created a great gulf between himself and his +people, and it is said that so great was the alienation that Mr. +Douglass was never afterwards the orator that he had been. The delicate +network of wires over which the inner soul conveys itself to the hearts +of its hearers was totally disarranged by that marriage.</p> + + +<h3>PRIDE OF RACE.</h3> + +<p>It was this feeling of race pride which the Negroes have and thoroughly +understand, that Mr. Dixon was picturing in that Northern statesman who +would not give his daughter in marriage to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">314</a></span> a Negro suitor who was his +political ally. This pride of race Mr. Dixon confounds with the +prejudice which he would glorify. How utterly absurd it is to infer that +it is inconsistent in a father to apply a totally different test to a +man aspiring to be his son-in-law to that applied to a man asking for +political rights! The rejection of a man because he lacks generations of +approved blood behind him is classed by Mr. Dixon as race +discrimination, whereas such rejections are daily made for similar +reasons within all civilized races.</p> + + +<h3>BACKWARD AFRICA.</h3> + +<p>In his eager grasping after anything that would seem to serve his +purpose of thoroughly discrediting the Negro, Mr. Dixon holds up the +backwardness of Africa as an indication of the inherent inefficiency of +the Negro race. The life of the great body of the Negro race has been +cast for untold centuries in Africa. This one simple fact has meant and +still means so much. The peculiar character of the African coast, +lacking as it is in great indentations, the immense falls preventing +entrance into its greatest river, the Congo—these things have caused +Africans to be more nearly isolated from the rest of humanity than has +been the case with any other large body of people. With isolation and +lack of contact the Negroes have been compelled to rely upon their own +narrow set of ideas, while the progress of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">315</a></span> other peoples has been the +result of the union of what they begot with what strangers brought them.</p> + +<p>The soil of Africa fed the Negroes so bountifully that they did not +acquire the habit of industry, and with a plenty of time on their hands +they warred incessantly. The hot, humid atmosphere made them black and +sapped their energies. To save them from yellow fever, nature gave them +pigment and lost them friends. Other peoples have hesitated to +intermarry with them because of their rather unfavorable showing in +personal appearance.</p> + +<p>Some hold that a race is great in proportion to the distance it has +wandered through intermarriage from the parent stock. The great races of +the world, it is held, are the mixed races. When the Africans' +environments robbed them of comeliness and attractive qualities, they +were thrown off to their own one blood, no one courting alliance with +them.</p> + +<p>The merest tyro of a sociologist knows that these are the essential +facts which account for the backwardness of the African people, and yet +Mr. Dixon would fasten upon Negroes the charge of inherent inferiority +because of the showing made under circumstances most adverse to the +development of civilization.</p> + + +<h3>RECONSTRUCTION DAYS.</h3> + +<p>The most pathetic page in the history of the Negro race in America is +the story of <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">316</a></span>reconstruction days. Kept in ignorance during the days of +slavery his one great desire under freedom was for knowledge and +self-improvement. Because the white South was spiritually unprepared to +deal with the new order of things, and because the North did not desire +to make one great military camp of the South, the Negroes en masse were +summoned forthwith to the task of establishing governments in the +Southern states in harmony with the Constitution of the United States. +The men whom the Negroes supported accomplished that task well, but in +other respects betrayed their trusts.</p> + +<p>When corruption in office, a thing by no means confined to one era of +the world's history, became manifest, in many quarters an appeal was +made to the Negroes to help overturn the corruptionists. And be it said +to the honor of the race, the cry for good government never failed to +rally Negro support, even at a great sacrifice. When Wade Hampton was +struggling for the dethronement of corrupt governments in South +Carolina, six thousand Negroes took part in one of the parades during +his canvass for the governorship.</p> + +<p>But some states did not have leaders prepared to deal with the Negroes +as political equals, leaders who were wise enough to appeal to the good +within the race. In such places the unreasoning, undiscriminating, +brutal, murderous mobs arose to do by violence what better and wiser men +had done elsewhere through moral suasion. Had <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">317</a></span>enlightened methods been +employed the sky would not have been as portentous as it is to-day. As +it is, we have the sickening record of the atrocities of the Ku Klux +Klan and the heritage of evil and lawlessness left in its wake.</p> + +<p>Over against Mr. Dixon's lurid and grossly misleading pictures of the +conduct of the Negroes in reconstruction days, we offer the following +tribute to the race, clipped from the columns of the Nashville <i>Banner</i>, +perhaps the most widely read daily newspaper in the state of Tennessee, +and a paper opposed to the reconstruction policy pursued by the federal +government:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p>"Let us do the negroes justice. There is no spirit of +bloodthirsty and incendiary revolt prevailing among them. +History and experience have shown that there never existed a +more tractable people considering all the trying conditions and +circumstances to which they have been subjected. In time of war +and in the frightful reconstruction period, when they were +urged and tempted by false friends and incentives and had +opportunities of evil appalling to contemplate, they were +restrained as perhaps no other people would have been +restrained and were more sinned against than sinning. And +to-day as a people they have no mind except to accept the best +that may come to them."</p> +</blockquote> + + +<h3>MR. DIXON VS. HON. JAMES G. BLAINE.</h3> + +<p>Mr. Dixon's hope is evidently in the young North. That the young people +may not be wedded to the traditions of their section, he would impress +the young North that what their fathers<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">318</a></span> did in the way of bestowing +equality of citizenship upon the Negro, was the result of a leadership +blind with the spirit of revenge. As a complete rebuttal to this +contention on his part, we quote from an article which appeared in the +North American <i>Review</i> from the pen of the late Hon. James G. Blaine:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p>"It must be borne in mind that the Republicans were urged and +hastened to measures of amelioration for the Negro by very +dangerous developments in the Southern States looking to his +re-enslavement in fact, if not in form. The year that followed +the accession of Andrew Johnson to the presidency was full of +anxiety and warning to all the lovers of justice, to all who +hoped for 'a more perfect union' of the States. In nearly every +one of the Confederate States the white inhabitants assumed +that they were to be restored to the Union with their State +governments precisely as they were when they seceded in 1861, +and that the organic change created by the Thirteenth Amendment +might be practically set aside by State legislation. In this +belief they exhibited their policy towards the Negro. +Considering all the circumstances, it would be hard to find in +history a more causeless and cruel oppression of a whole race +than was embodied in the legislation of those revived and +reconstructed State governments. Their membership was composed +wholly of the 'ruling class,' as they termed it, and, in no +small degree, of Confederate officers below the rank of +brigadier-general, who sat in the legislature in the very +uniforms which had distinguished them as enemies of the Union +upon the battlefield. Limited space forbids my transcribing the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">319</a></span>black code wherewith they loaded their statute books. In Mr. +Lamar's State the Negroes were forbidden, under very severe +penalties, to keep firearms of any kind; they were apprenticed, +if minors, to labor, preference being given by the statute to +their 'former owners;' grown men and women were compelled to +let their labor by contract, the decision of whose terms was +wholly in the hands of the whites; and those who failed to +contract were to be seized as 'vagrants,' heavily fined, and +their labor sold by the sheriff at public outcry to the highest +bidder. The terms 'master' and 'mistress' continually recur in +the statutes, and the slavery that was thus instituted was a +far more degrading, merciless and mercenary than that which was +blotted out by the Thirteenth Amendment.</p> + +<p>"South Carolina, whose moderation and justice are so highly +prized by Governor Hampton, enacted a code still more cruel +than that I have quoted from Mississippi. Firearms were +forbidden to the Negro, and any violation of the statute was +punished by 'fine equal to twice the value of the weapon so +unlawfully kept,' and 'if that be not immediately paid, by +corporal punishment.' It was further provided that 'no person +of color shall pursue or practice the art, trade, or business +of an artisan, mechanic, or shopkeeper, or any other trade or +employment (besides that of husbandry or that of a servant +under contract for labor), until he shall have obtained a +license from the judge of the district court, which license +shall be good for one year only.' If the license was granted to +the Negro to be a shopkeeper or peddler he was compelled to pay +$100 per annum for it, and if he pursued the rudest mechanical +calling he could do so only by the payment of a license fee of +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">320</a></span>$10 per annum. No such fees were exacted of the whites, and no +such fee of free blacks during the era of slavery. The Negro +was thus hedged in on all sides; he was down, and he was to be +kept down, and the chivalric race that denied him a fair and +honest competition in the humblest mechanical pursuit was loud +in its assertions of his inferiority and his incompetency.</p> + +<p>"But it was reserved for Louisiana to outdo both South Carolina +and Mississippi in this horrible legislation. In that State all +agricultural laborers were compelled to make labor contracts +during the first ten days of January for the next year. The +contract was made, the laborer was not to be allowed to leave +his place of employment during the year except upon conditions +not likely to happen and easily prevented. The master was +allowed to make deductions from the servants' wages for +injuries done to 'animals and agricultural implements committed +to his care,' thus making the Negro responsible for wear and +tear. Deductions were to be made for 'bad or negligent work,' +the master being the judge. For every act of 'disobedience' a +fine of $1 was imposed on the offender, disobedience being a +technical term made to include, besides 'neglect of duty' and +'leaving home without permission,' such fearful offenses as +'impudence,' 'swearing,' 'indecent language in the presence of +the employer, his family, or agent,' or 'quarreling or fighting +with one another.' The master or his agent might assail every +ear with profaneness aimed at the Negro man and outrage every +sentiment of decency in the foul language addressed to the +Negro women; but if one of the helpless creatures, goaded to +resistance and crazed under tyranny, should answer back with +impudence, or should relieve his mind with an oath, or restore +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">321</a></span>indecency, he did so at the cost to himself of $1 for every +outburst. The 'agent' referred to in the statute is the +well-known overseer of the cotton region, and the care with +which the lawmaker of Louisiana provided that his delicate ears +and sensitive nerves should not be offended with an oath or an +indecent word from a Negro will be appreciated by all who have +heard the crack of the whip on a southern plantation.</p> + +<p>"It is impossible to quote all the hideous provisions of these +statutes under whose operation the Negro would have been +relapsed gradually and surely into actual and admitted slavery. +Kindred legislation was attempted in a large majority of the +Confederate States, and it is not uncharitable or illogical to +assume that the ultimate re-enslavement of the race was the +fixed design of those who framed the law and of those who +attempted to enforce them.</p> + +<p>"I am not speculating as to what would have been done or might +have been done in the Southern States if the National +Government had not intervened. I have quoted what actually was +done by legislatures under the control of Southern Democrats, +and I am only recalling history when I say that those outrages +against human nature were upheld by the Democratic party of the +country. All Democrats whose articles I am reviewing were in +various degrees, active or passive, principal or endorser, +parties to this legislation; and the fixed determination of the +Republican party to thwart and destroy it called down upon its +head all the anathemas of Democratic wrath. But it was just at +this point in our history when the Republican party was +compelled to decide whether the emancipated slave should be +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">322</a></span>protected by national power or handed over to his late master +to be dealt with in the spirit of the enactments I have quoted.</p> + +<p>"To restore the Union on a safe foundation, and to re-establish +law and promote order, to insure justice and equal rights to +all, the Republican party was forced to its reconstruction +policy. To hesitate in its adoption was to invite and confirm +the statute of wrong and cruelty to which I have referred. The +first step taken was to submit the Fourteenth Amendment, giving +citizenship and civil rights to the Negro and forbidding that +he be counted in the basis of representation unless he should +be reckoned among the voters. The Southern States could have +been readily readmitted to all their power and privileges in +the Union by accepting the Fourteenth Amendment, and Negro +suffrage would not have been forced upon them. The gradual and +conservative method of training the Negro for franchise, as +suggested and approved by Governor Hampton, had many advocates +among the Republicans in the North; and though in my judgment +it would have proved delusive and impracticable, it was quite +within the power of the South to secure its adoption or at +least its trial.</p> + +<p>"But the States lately in insurrection rejected the Fourteenth +Amendment with apparent scorn and defiance. In the legislatures +of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Florida it did not receive a +single vote; in South Carolina, only one vote; in Virginia, +only one; in Texas, five votes; in Arkansas, two votes; in +Alabama, ten; in North Carolina, eleven, and in Georgia, where +Mr. Stephens boasts that they gave the Negro suffrage in +advance of the Fifteenth Amendment, only two votes could be +found in favor of making the Negro even a citizen. It would +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">323</a></span>have been more candid in Mr. Stephens if he had stated that it +was the legislature assembled under the reconstruction act that +gave suffrage to the Negro in Georgia, and that the +unreconstructed legislature, which has his endorsement and +sympathies and which elected him to the United States Senate, +not only refused suffrage to the Negro but loaded him with +grievous disabilities and passed a criminal code of barbarous +severity for his punishment.</p> + +<p>"It is necessary to a clear apprehension of the needful facts +in this discussion to remember events in the proper order of +time. The Fourteenth Amendment was submitted to the States June +13, 1866. In the autumn of that year, or very early in 1867, +the legislatures of all the insurrectionary States, except +Tennessee, had rejected it. Thus and then the question was +forced upon us, whether the Congress of the United States, +composed wholly of men who had been loyal to the Government, or +the legislatures of the rebel states, composed wholly of men +who had been disloyal to the Government, should determine the +basis on which their relation to the Union should be resumed. +In such a crisis the Republican party could not hesitate; to +halt, indeed, would have been an abandonment of the principles +on which the war had been fought; to surrender to the rebel +legislatures would have been cowardly desertion of its loyal +friends and a base betrayal of the Union cause.</p> + +<p>"And thus, in March, 1867, after and because of the rejection +of the Fourteenth Amendment by Southern legislatures, Congress +passed the reconstruction act. This was the origin of Negro +suffrage. The southern whites knowingly and willfully brought +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">324</a></span>it upon themselves. The reconstruction act would have never +been demanded had the Southern States accepted the Fourteenth +Amendment in good faith. But that amendment contained so many +provisions demanded by considerations of great national policy +that its adoption became an absolute necessity. Those who +controlled the Federal Government would have been recreant to +their plainest duty had they permitted the power of these +States to be wielded by disloyal hands against the measures +deemed essential to the security of the Union. To have +destroyed the rebellion on the battlefield and then permit it +to seize the power of eleven States and put a check on all +changes in the organic law necessary to prevent future +rebellion would have been a weak and wicked conclusion to the +grandest contest ever waged for human rights and for +constitutional liberty.</p> + +<p>"Negro suffrage being thus made a necessity by the obduracy of +those who were in control of the South, it became a subsequent +necessity to adopt the Fifteenth Amendment. Nothing could have +been more despicable than to use the Negro to secure the +adoption of the Fourteenth Amendment and then to leave them +exposed to the hazard of losing suffrage whenever those who had +attempted to re-enslave them should regain political power in +their State. Hence the Fifteenth Amendment, which never +pretended to guarantee universal suffrage, but simply forbade +that any man should lose his vote because he had once been a +slave, or because his face might be black, or because his +remote ancestors came from Africa."</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>Thus is scattered to the four winds, we feel, Mr.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">325</a></span> Dixon's claim that +the Negro suffrage was born of the spirit of revenge.</p> + + +<h3>MR. DIXON'S WIDE HEARING.</h3> + +<p>If Mr. Dixon is so wholly false as we have set forth in this paper, the +question naturally arises as to how he could have obtained such a +hearing as has been accorded him. Of the many factors which perhaps +operated to secure this hearing we shall mention a few that commend +themselves to us as possible causes.</p> + +<p>In the first place, there is that great American spirit of fair play. +The Negro through Uncle Tom's Cabin and the Tourgee novels had his day +in court, and it was felt to be only just that the South be heard in all +fullness.</p> + +<p>Another factor in Mr. Dixon's success in obtaining his hearing we +believe to be his choice of the hour in the world's history in which to +demand a hearing. Queen Victoria, who had reigned so long and honorably, +had just summoned by her death all of Anglo-Saxondom to her bier, where +in a common sorrow over the departure of a great and good woman they +learned anew how that, fundamentally, they were all about alike.</p> + +<p>About this time, too, a poet had arisen, with voice to reach, for the +time being, at least, the whole English speaking world, furnishing +another scrap of evidence that differing forms of government, wide seas +and varying problems had not affected their spiritual unity.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">326</a></span></p> + +<p>Anglo-Saxon lads, peacefully sleeping in the harbor of a Latin nation, +had been treacherously blown up, and at the sight of that which was +thicker than water in the hold of the Maine, the Anglo-Saxons of the +world got still closer together.</p> + +<p>In the war that followed, the South had its first opportunity of +attesting with its blood its professions of love for the Union flag +which it had sought to lower in four years of bloody strife. As a result +of that war the Northern and controlling section of the country felt +impelled by the logic of the situation to force an unaccepted relation +upon an alien race, thereby providing the one outstanding section of the +Anglo-Saxon race with some form of a race problem.</p> + +<p>These various happenings brought the English speaking people wondrously +close together and bridged the chasms made by internecine wars and +conflicting ideas of government.</p> + +<p>Listen now to the dream of Thomas Carlyle as set forth in his lecture on +"The Hero" as a poet. Says he:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p> +"England, before long, this island of ours, will hold but a +small fraction of the English; in America, in New Holland, east +and west to the very antipodes, there will be a great Saxondom +covering great spaces of the globe. And now, what is it that +can keep all these together in virtually one nation, so that +they do not fall out and fight, but live at peace, in +brother-like intercourse, helping one another? This is justly +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">327</a></span>regarded as the greatest practical problem, the thing all +manner of sovereignties and governments are here to accomplish: +what is it that will accomplish this? Acts of parliament, +administrative prime-ministers cannot. America is parted from +us, so far as parliament could part it. Call it not fantastic, +for there is much reality in it; here, I say, is an English +king whom no time or chance, parliament or combination of +parliaments, can dethrone! This King Shakespeare, does he not +shine, in crowned sovereignty, over us all, as the noblest, +gentlest, yet strongest of rallying signs; indestructible; +really more valuable in that point of view than any other means +or appliance whatsoever? We can fancy him as radiant aloft over +all the nations of Englishmen, a thousand years hence. From +<ins class="tnote" title="Original text Parmatta">Paramatta</ins>, from New York, wheresoever, under what sort of +parish-constable soever, English men and women are, they will +say to one another: 'Yes, this Shakespeare is ours, we produced +him, and we speak and think by him; we are of one blood and +kind with him.'"</p> +</blockquote> + +<p>As set forth here the travail of the English heart is toward a unified +Saxondom, and, as indicated above, its hour had come. It was in the hour +when the world paused in awe to see a fruition of this dream, that Mr. +Dixon asked—<i>insisted</i> upon being heard. Anxious to know upon what +terms the South would be a contented member of this new accord, Mr. +Dixon, essaying to speak for the South, got his hearing.</p> + +<p>What a terrible enemy to humanity does Mr. Dixon prove himself to be +when, essaying to speak for the South, he would impart to this<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">328</a></span> mighty +force, with work before it worthy of the gods, a larger measure of the +virus of race prejudice. Rather, may this unified Saxondom, as the agent +of that "divinity that shapes our ends rough-hew them how we will," +choose the opening hours of its era for the purging from its great heart +all the lingering vestiges of hatred of men, and with eyes ever on the +heights above, begin the final climb of the human race toward the ideal +state. May this trumpet call to a greatness of soul in keeping with its +greatness of power, supplant the voice of Dixon the hater, summoning men +to grovellings in the valleys of a thousand years agone.</p> + + +<h3>MR. DIXON'S BORROWED POWER.</h3> + +<p>We shall now make mention of a force within Mr. Dixon which, from our +point of view, enabled him to seize the passing opportunity and +challenge the attention of so great a constituency. There is nothing +more patent to an observer of life in the South than the fact that the +Anglo-Saxon and Negro races are producing in each other modifications of +many of their racial characteristics. The erstwhile, abounding humor of +the Negro has found its echo in the white race of the South and we find +the dignified L. Q. C. Lamar, of Mississippi, succeeded in his grasp +upon public attention by the witty, fun-loving John Sharp Williams, +while the great American humorist, Mark Twain is likewise a product of +the South.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">329</a></span></p> + +<p>The unquestioning faith of the Negro in the Bible is largely responsible +for the militant orthodoxy of the white Christian ministry of the South, +which makes life miserable for any mind retaining and applying to +religious matters the old Anglo-Saxon habit of investigating. "The hand +that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world," even if that +hand is a black hand. It is the boast of the Southern white preacher +that he was nursed by a black mammy.</p> + +<p>Along emotional lines there is appearing a marked difference between the +white people of the South and those of the North. It was remarked of the +National Democratic Convention, held in the city of St. Louis in 1904, +that such an emotional convention could only have been held somewhere in +the South. The Negro race is noted for its highly emotional nature, and +while contact with the Anglo-Saxon race is toning it down, there is also +evidence that the Negro race is affecting the Anglo-Saxon.</p> + +<p>Now, Mr. Dixon's publishers, in announcing a second book from his pen, +singled out for purposes of parade what they regarded as the most +powerful element in his work, namely, his grasp upon the emotions of +men, his ability to arouse and sway their feelings. In the long line of +men of letters of the Anglo-Saxon race we find no counterpart of Mr. +Dixon. So the question is very pertinent as to what influence has given +power to this pale-face shout exciter, this expert<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">330</a></span> player upon men's +emotions, this literary (we beg a thousand pardons for seeming +billingsgate) demagogue and exotic in Anglo-Saxondom. The irony of fate! +Mr. Thomas Dixon, Jr., beyond doubt owes his emotional power to the very +race which he has elected to scourge.</p> + +<p>Mr. Dixon has not breathed the Negro air of emotionalism without being +affected thereby. The Negro minister whom Mr. Dixon derides in his book +is beyond all doubt Mr. Dixon's spiritual parent so far as power is +concerned. The fact that Mr. Dixon has chosen the discomfiture of the +Negro race as the chief end of his existence is not inconsistent with +the fact that the predominating element in his power is the gift of that +race. It is perhaps this subconscious feeling on the part of Mr. Dixon +that he is in the grasp of a power not Anglo-Saxon that causes him to +rant and cry for a freedom that his own Southern brethren less affected +do not understand.</p> + + +<h3>THE REAL PROBLEM.</h3> + +<p>Ah, good people of America, here is your real problem! Southern +self-interest may be relied upon to keep the Negro here; being here, no +human power can prevent him from contributing his quota to the +atmosphere of the group in which all the sons of the South must find +their environing inheritance. In the contact of the street workman with +his boss; in the cook kitchen; in the nursery room; in the concubine +chamber; in the street song; in the brothel; in the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">331</a></span>philosophizings of +the minstrel performer; in the literature which he will ere long create, +by means of which there can be contact not personal; in myriad ways the +Negro will write something upon the soul of the white man. It should be +the care of the American people that he write well.</p> + +<p>Mr. Dixon trembles at a possible physical amalgamation and would have +the races separated. The "nay" which the nation renders to his cause so +badly plead makes the spiritual amalgamation a certainty.</p> + +<p>That the contribution of the Negro to the coming composite Americanism +may be of the highest quality is the nation's problem.</p> + +<p>Just now the American people seem much engrossed with the training of +the hand of the Negro, confessedly a work of tremendous moment. <i>But be +it known unto you, oh Americans, that it is through his mind, his +spirit, the exhalations of his soul, his dreams or lack of dreams, that +the Negro is to leave his most marked influence on American life.</i> Let +the use to which Mr. Dixon is putting his borrowed emotional power +recall the nation to the slumbering Negro mind that must ere long awake +to power. May the coming, then, of Mr. Dixon, the literary exotic, serve +as a reminder to the American people that they give the Negro a healthy +place, a helpful atmosphere in which to evolve all that is good within +himself and eliminate all the bad. If this be done, even Mr. Dixon will +not have lived and frothed in vain.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">332</a></span></p> + + +<h3>A FINAL WORD.</h3> + +<p>A final word with regard to Mr. Dixon. The appearance of such a man with +such a spirit might incline one to think that the world is going +backward rather than forward. But there is this redeeming thought. Mr. +Dixon represents the ultra radical element of Southern whites. The +coming of this radical of radicals before the bar of public opinion, +clothed in his garb of avowed prejudice of the rankest sort, means that +the self-satisfied isolation of the past is over, that even the radicals +desire or see the need of sympathetic consideration from other portions +of the human family—decidedly a step forward for them. The coming to +the light of this type where civilization may work upon it is in this +respect one of the most hopeful signs of America's future. Soberly the +great world consciousness will deal with this enemy of the human race, +and the universal finger of scorn that will surely in the end be pointed +toward him will render it certain that no other like unto him shall ever +arise.</p> + +<p>If, when his services are in demand, the chiseler of the epitaph for Mr. +Dixon's tombstone desires to carve words that will be read with patience +in the coming better days of the world, let him carve thus:</p> + +<blockquote> +<p> +"This misguided soul ignored all of the good in the aspiring +Negro; made every vicious offshoot that he pictured typical of +the entire race; presented all mistakes independent of their +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">333</a></span>environments and provocations; ignored or minimized all the +evil in the more vicious element of whites; said and did all +things which he deemed necessary to leave behind him the +greatest heritage of hatred the world has ever known. Humanity +claims him not as one of her children."</p> + +<p class="signature">Sutton E. Griggs.</p> +</blockquote> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Hindered Hand, by Sutton E. Griggs + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HINDERED HAND *** + +***** This file should be named 24577-h.htm or 24577-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/4/5/7/24577/ + +Produced by Suzanne Shell, Victoria Woosley and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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0000000..63b1508 --- /dev/null +++ b/24577-h/images/sup.png diff --git a/24577.txt b/24577.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..14c6d88 --- /dev/null +++ b/24577.txt @@ -0,0 +1,9238 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Hindered Hand, by Sutton E. Griggs + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Hindered Hand + or, The Reign of the Repressionist + +Author: Sutton E. Griggs + +Illustrator: Robert E. Bell + +Release Date: February 11, 2008 [EBook #24577] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HINDERED HAND *** + + + + +Produced by Suzanne Shell, Victoria Woosley and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + + "_Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall + soon stretch out her hands unto God._" + + + THE + HINDERED HAND: + + OR, + + THE REIGN OF THE + REPRESSIONIST. + + + BY + SUTTON E. GRIGGS. + + + THIRD EDITION--REVISED. + + AMS PRESS + NEW YORK + + + + + Reprinted from a copy in the New York Public Library + Schomburg Collection + + From the edition of 1905, Nashville + First AMS EDITION published 1969 + Manufactured in the United States of America + + Library of Congress Catalogue Card Number: 77-100533 + + AMS PRESS, INC. + New York, N.Y. 10003 + + + + + _DEDICATION._ + + + _To a devoted father, of rugged strength of character, + and, withal, pre-eminently a man + of peace, and to a loving mother, + ever tender and serene of soul-- + To these twin moulders of the hearthside, who + have ever been anxious that their children + should contribute naught but what is + good to the world, this volume is + most affectionately dedicated + by their son,_ + + _THE AUTHOR._ + + + + +SOLEMNLY ATTESTED. + + +Upon a matter of such tremendous importance to the American people as is +the subject herein treated, it is perhaps due our readers to let them +know how much of fact disports itself through these pages in the garb of +fiction. + +We beg to say that in no part of the book has the author consciously +done violence to conditions as he has been permitted to view them, amid +which conditions he has spent his whole life, up to the present hour, as +an intensely absorbed observer. + +If in any of these pages the reader comes across that which puts him in +a mood to chide, may the author not hope that the wrath aroused be not +wasted upon the inconsequential painter, but directed toward the +landscape that forced the brush into his hand, stretched the canvas, and +shouted in irresistible tones: "Write!" + + Very respectfully, + SUTTON E. GRIGGS. + +Nashville, Tenn., May, 1905. + + + + +ILLUSTRATIONS. + +BY ROBERT E. BELL. + + Pages. + "The young woman looked into his face" 20-21 + + "Her pretty brown eyes nestling" 24-25 + + "Name me as I was named" 40-41 + + "The rock battle was now on" 54-55 + + "What do they take me to be" 86-87 + + "Yer air jes' a plain, orternary liah" 114-115 + + "Poor Bud, her helpless husband" 134-135 + + "To and fro the two men swayed" 164-165 + + "Is it a crime for me?" 174-175 + + "I have tellerphoned 'round the world" 184-185 + + "She made a flag of truce" 188-189 + + "Don't circumscribe the able, noble souls" 234-235 + + "We machine men in the South" 258-259 + + "Ensal bent forward and kissed Tiara" 290-291 + + + + +CONTENTS. + + PAGE. + CHAPTER I. + OCCURRENCES THAT PUZZLE 11 + + CHAPTER II. + HIS FACE WAS HER GUIDE 19 + + CHAPTER III. + WHEREIN FORESTA FIRST APPEARS 24 + + CHAPTER IV. + THE WAYS OF A SEEKER AFTER FAME 30 + + CHAPTER V. + RATHER LATE IN LIFE TO BE STILL NAMELESS 36 + + CHAPTER VI. + FRIENDLY ENEMIES 46 + + CHAPTER VII. + OFFICERS OF THE LAW 53 + + CHAPTER VIII. + A MESSENGER THAT HESITATES 62 + + CHAPTER IX. + A PLOTTER IS HE 67 + + CHAPTER X. + ARABELLE SEABRIGHT 72 + + CHAPTER XI. + UNUSUAL FOR A MAN 77 + + CHAPTER XII. + A HONEYMOON OUT OF THE USUAL ORDER 82 + + CHAPTER XIII. + SHREWD MRS. CRAWFORD 88 + + CHAPTER XIV. + ALENE AND RAMON 94 + + CHAPTER XV. + UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENTS 99 + + CHAPTER XVI. + AN EAGER SEARCHER 108 + + CHAPTER XVII. + PECULIAR DIVORCE PROCEEDINGS 113 + + CHAPTER XVIII. + MISTS THAT VANISH 117 + + CHAPTER XIX. + THE FUGITIVES FLEE AGAIN 122 + + CHAPTER XX. + THE BLAZE 129 + + CHAPTER XXI. + PLANNING TO ACT 138 + + CHAPTER XXII. + THE TWO PATHWAYS 142 + + CHAPTER XXIII. + THEY GRAPPLE 162 + + CHAPTER XXIV. + OUT OF JOINT WITH HIS TIMES 167 + + CHAPTER XXV. + A JOYFUL FAREWELL 178 + + CHAPTER XXVI. + GUS MARTIN 182 + + CHAPTER XXVII. + TIARA MYSTIFIES US 187 + + CHAPTER XXVIII. + POOR FELLOW! 191 + + CHAPTER XXIX. + A REVELATION 195 + + CHAPTER XXX. + MR. A. HOSTILITY 201 + + CHAPTER XXXI. + TWO OF A KIND 206 + + CHAPTER XXXII. + WORKING AND WAITING 214 + + CHAPTER XXXIII. + BACK IN ALMAVILLE 220 + + CHAPTER XXXIV. + A GREAT DAY IN COURT 224 + + CHAPTER XXXV. + EUNICE! EUNICE! 240 + + CHAPTER XXXVI. + ENTHUSIASTIC JOHN BLUE 252 + + CHAPTER XXXVII. + POSTPONING HIS SHOUT OF TRIUMPH 265 + + CHAPTER XXXVIII. + HE CANNOT, BUT HE DOES! 269 + + CHAPTER XXXIX. + A SON OF THE NEW SOUTH 276 + + CHAPTER XL. + SORROW AND GLADNESS 289 + + + + +TUNING THE LYRE. + + +In the long ago when the earth was in process of formation, it must have +been that those forces of nature most expert in the fashioning of the +beautiful were ordered to come together as collaborators and give to the +world Almaville! + +Journeying toward the designated spot, they halted on the outskirts of +the site of the contemplated city, and tossed up a series of engirdling +hills, whose slopes and crests covered with verdure might afford in the +days to come a beautiful sight to the inhabitants when riding forth to +get a whiff of country air. These same forces of nature, evidently in +love with their work, arranged, it seems, for all the beautiful clouds +with their varying hues to pass in daily review over the head of the +city to be born. + +In all that appertains to physical excellence Almaville was made +attractive, and somewhere, perhaps behind yon hills, the forces rested +until man set his foot upon the soil and prepared to build. They so +charged the air and all the environments with the spirit of the +beautiful, that the men who later wrought in building the city found +themselves the surprised and happy creators of a lovely habitation. + +On an eminence crowning the center of the area whereon the city is +planted, the State has builded its capitol, and from the tower thereof +one can see the engaging network of streets, contemplate the splendid +architecture of the buildings, and gaze upon the noble trees that boldly +line the sidewalks, and thus testify that they are not afraid of +civilization. + +Even in the matter of climate Almaville is highly favored, it would +seem. Her summers are not too hot nor her winters too cold, and many a +fevered brow finds solace in her balmy breezes. + +The war gods saw and admired her, and decreed that one of the famous +battles of the Civil War should be fought within her environs, that +their memory might ever be cherished here. + +Philanthropy, it seems, singled out Almaville for special attention, +granting unto her opportunities for learning that well might cause proud +Athens to touch her crown to see that it was still there and had not +been lifted by her modern rival. + +A murky river runs through Almaville and a dark stream flows through the +lives of all of us who dwell upon its banks. But yonder! yonder! is the +ocean! Where? + + THE AUTHOR. + + + + +THE HINDERED HAND. + + + + +CHAPTER I. + +_Occurrences That Puzzle._ + + +To the pagan yet remaining in man it would seem that yon railroad train +plunging toward the Southland is somehow conscious of the fact that it +is playing a part in events of tremendous import, for observe how it +pierces the darkness with its one wild eye, cleaves the air with its +steely front and causes wars and thunders to creep into the dreams of +the people by whose homes it makes its midnight rush. + +Well, this train now moving toward Almaville, queen city of the South, +measured by the results that developed from that night's journey, is +fully entitled to all its fretting and fuming, brag and bluster of steam +and smoke, and to its wearisome jangle of clanging bell and shrieking +whistle and rumbling wheel. + +It was summer time. A Negro porter passing through a coach set apart for +white passengers noted the fixedness with which a young woman with a +pretty face and a pair of beautiful blue eyes was regarding him. Her +head was inclined to one side, her hand so supporting her face that a +prettily shaped ear peeped out from between her fingers. In the look of +her eye there was a slight suggestion of immaturity, which, however, was +contradicted by the firm outlines of her face. As the porter drew near +her seat she significantly directed her look to a certain spot on the +car floor, thence to the eyes of the porter. + +Having in mind the well understood dictum of the white man of the South +that the Negro man and the white woman are to be utterly oblivious of +the existence of each other, this Negro porter was loth to believe that +the young woman was trying surreptitiously to attract his attention, and +he passed out of the coach hurriedly. In a short while he returned and +again noted how intently the young woman regarded him. This time he +observed that she had evidently been weeping and that there was a look +of hopeless sorrow in her eyes. Again the young woman looked at him, +then upon the floor and up at him once more. The porter looked down upon +the spot indicated by her look, saw a note, stooped and picked it up. He +returned to the coach or rather to the end of a coach, set apart for +Negroes, took a rear seat and surveyed the car preparatory to reading +the note which the young woman plainly indicated was for him. + +"I don't want white girls passing me notes," thought the Negro, +clutching the note tightly and continuing to glance about the coach in a +half-frightened manner. He arose to hoist the window by which he sat, +intending to utilize it to be rid of the note in case the occasion +should demand it. His fears had begun to suggest to him that perhaps +some white man had noticed his taking cognizance of the young woman's +efforts to attract his attention. + +As the Negro section of the coach was the forward section and next to +the baggage car, any person coming from the section set apart for the +whites would be to the back of the Negro passengers. The porter +therefore changed his seat, going forward and taking a position where he +would be facing any one coming from the coach for whites. He raised the +window by which he sat and his eye wandered out into the darkness amid +the sombre trees that went speeding along, and there arose to haunt him +mental visions of a sea of angry white faces closing around some one +dark face, perhaps guilty and perhaps innocent; and as he thought +thereon he shuddered. He felt sorely tempted to toss the note out of the +window unread, but remembering the pleading look on the face of the +young woman he did not follow the promptings of his fear. + +"In case of trouble, this crew in here couldn't help a fellow much," +said the porter, moving his eyes about slowly again, taking note one by +one of those in the section with him. There was the conductor, who +though a white man, seemed always to prefer to sit in the section set +apart for the Negroes. There was the newsboy, also white, taking up two +seats with his wares. + +"As well as they know me they would go with the other gang. A white man +is a white man, and don't you forget it," mused the porter. + +There were two male passengers sitting together, Negroes, one of whom +was so light of complexion that he could easily have passed for white, +while the other was of a dark brown hue. + +"A fine looking fellow," thought the porter concerning the dark young +man. + +Across the aisle from the two young men mentioned, and a seat or so in +advance of them, sat a young woman whose face was covered with a very +thick veil. The perfect mould of her shoulders, the attractiveness of +her wealth of black hair massed at the back of her head--these things +were demanding, the porter noticed, many an admiring glance from the +darker of the two young men. + +The porter seemed about to forget his note in observing with what +regularity the young man's eyes would wander off and straightway return +to rest upon the beautiful form of the young woman, but an incident +occurred that brought his mind back very forcibly to the note. The door +from the section for the whites opened and two white men entered. + +The porter's hand in which the note was held cautiously crept toward the +open window, while he eyed the two white men whom he feared had come to +accuse him of an attempted flirtation with a young white woman. One of +the men reached behind to his hip pocket and the porter half arose in +his seat, throwing up his hands in alarm, expecting a pistol to appear +to cover him. The white man was simply drawing out a flask of whiskey to +offer his companion a drink. + +Ensal Ellwood, the dark young man, looking around to see if the parties +who had entered had closed the door behind them (for the adjoining +section was the white people's smoking apartment, and care had to be +exercised to keep smoke and tobacco fumes out), saw the two white men +about to take a drink. He arose quickly and advancing to the two men, +said quietly, urbanely and yet with an air of firmness, + +"Gentlemen, the law prescribes that this coach shall be used exclusively +by Negro passengers and we must ask that you do not make our first-class +apartment a drinking room for the whites." + +The two men stared at Ensal and he looked them frankly in the face that +they might see that in a dignified manner he would insist to the last +upon the rights of the Negro passengers. The justness of Ensal's +request, his unostentatious, manly bearing had the desired effect. The +two men quietly turned about and left the car. + +The porter who had been standing during this little scene now sat down, +opened the note and read as follows: + + "MR. PORTER: When this train is within a fifteen minutes' run + of Almaville please pass through this coach and so announce. + Then stand on the platform leading from this coach to the + coach in which the Negroes have their section. + + "FROM THE GIRL THAT LOOKED AT YOU." + +The first part of this request the porter concluded to comply with, but +he registered all sorts of vows to the effect that he would never be +found waiting on any platform for any white girl. He murmered to +himself. + +"My young lady, you may sign yourself, 'From the girl that looked at +you;' but with all due respect my signature is 'The boy that wasn't +there.'" + +Again he looked out of the window at the same sombre trees and into the +gloom of their shadows, and he put his hand in his collar as though it +was already too tight. + +"No, my God!" he said softly. Tearing the note to shreds, he fed it to +the winds, lowered the window and began to whistle. + +When the train was in the designated distance of Almaville the porter +entered the coach for whites in which sat the young woman who wrote the +note. "Fifteen minutes and the train pulls into Almaville," he +exclaimed, as he walked the aisle in an opposite direction to that +desired by the young woman. She at once understood and saw that she must +depend upon herself. + +The fragile, beautiful creature arose and by holding to the ends of the +various seats staggered to the door. She opened it and by tenacious +clinging to the iron railings on the platform managed to pull herself +across to the adjoining coach. Passing through the smoker for the white +men she entered the Negro section. With a half stifled sob she threw +herself into the lap of the Negro girl and nestled her face on her +shoulder. + +The young woman from the coach for the whites now tossed back the veil +of the Negro girl and the two girls kissed, looking each other in the +eyes, pledging in that kiss and in that look, the unswerving, eternal +devotion of heart to heart whatever the future might bring. The young +woman now slowly turned away and went toward the coach whence she came, +assisted by the wondering conductor. + +From large dark eyes whose great native beauty was heightened by that +tender look of the soul that they harbored, the Negro girl stood +watching her visitor depart. The grace of her form that was somewhat +taller and somewhat larger than that of the average girl, stamped her as +a creature that could be truthfully called sublimely beautiful, thought +Ensal. Whatever complexion on general principles Ensal thought to be the +most attractive, he was now ready to concede that the delicate light +brown color of this girl could not be surpassed in beauty. + +If, incredulous as to the accuracy of the estimate of her beauty forced +upon one at the first glance, an effort was made to analyze that face +and study its parts separately, each feature was seen to have a beauty +all its own. + +"So sweet and beautiful a face and so lovely a form could only have been +handed to a soul of whom _they_ are not even worthy," thought Ensal. + +A sober look was in Ensal's eye and some kind of a mad gallop was in his +heart. There was more than soberness in the blue eyes of Earl Bluefield, +Ensal's companion. When Ensal looked around at his friend he was +astonished at the terribly bitter look on his face. + +The train emptied a number of its passengers and rushed on and on and +on, as if fleeing from the results to be anticipated from its deposit of +new and strange forces into the life of Almaville. + + + + +CHAPTER II. + +_His Face Was Her Guide._ + + +"This is a rich man's war and a poor man's fight." Such is said to have +been the character of the sentiment that was widespread in the ranks of +the Confederate army during the late Civil War. + +Be that as it may, it is very evident that the highest interest of the +"poor whites" who bore the brunt of the fighting was to be conserved by +the collapse rather than the triumph of the cause for which they fought +with unsurpassed gallantry. For, with the downfall of the system of +enforced labor, the work of the world became an open market, and the +dignity of labor being restored, the "poor whites" had both a better +opportunity and a more congenial atmosphere to begin their rise. Thus +the stars in their courses fought for the "poor whites" in fighting +bitterly against them. + +At one time the Negroes of the cities of the South had almost a +monopoly of the work of transferring passengers and baggage to +and from the depots, but white men organized transfer companies, placed +white agents on the incoming trains to solicit patronage, employed white +men to drive the transfer wagons and thus largely wrested the business +from the hands of the Negroes. But the Negroes would yet drive up to the +station, hoping for some measure of success in the spirited contests +that would arise in attempts to capture such gleanings as the advance +agents of the transfer companies had left behind. + +So, when the train on which we rode into Almaville poured its stream of +passengers upon the platform of the car shed and they had ascended the +steps to the depot platform, they were greeted with a series of shouts +from the Negro hackmen and expressmen standing at the edge of the +platform, the preponderance of the chances against them lending color to +their cries. + +Ensal Ellwood and Earl Bluefield boarded a street car, while the Negro +girl who had occupied the coach with them, not knowing anything about +the city, went in the direction of the clamoring hackmen, hoping that +some one of them might tell her where she could find proper +entertainment for the night. As she drew near, the line of hackmen bent +forward, with hands outstretched for traveling bags, each man eyeing her +intently as if hoping that the character of the look bestowed upon her +might influence her choice. One man pulled off his hat, hoping to +impress her with a mark of respect not exhibited by the others. The +remainder of the hackmen quickly pulled off their hats, determined that +no one should have the advantage. The young woman tossed back her veil +that she might see the better. + +[Illustration: "The young woman looked into his face and recoiled." + (20-21.)] + +A young man better dressed than the hackmen was standing behind them. +The moment he caught sight of the young woman's astonishingly beautiful +face he pushed through the crowd, walked rapidly to her side, gently +took hold of her satchel, and said quietly, "You will go with me. I will +see you properly cared for." + +The young woman looked into his face and recoiled. His tone was +respectful and there was nothing affronting in his look or demeanor, yet +the young woman felt utterly repelled. + +"That's right, lady. Don't go with him. Go with any of the rest of these +men in preference to him," said a genial faced young man, slightly below +medium height, rather corpulent and very dark. + +The young woman looked in his direction and was favorably impressed with +his open, frank expression. + +"I'll trust myself to your care," said she, pulling away from the well +dressed young man. + +Leroy Crutcher, for such was his name, cast a look of malignant hatred +at Bud Harper, the successful hackman and muttered something under his +breath. He also scowled at the young woman whose utter disdain of him +had cut him to the quick. + +"I will get even with the pair of them, if it takes me the balance of my +life," said Leroy Crutcher to the group of hackmen, after Bud Harper and +the young woman had driven away. + +The men looked at him in sullen, contemptuous silence, loathing and yet +dreading him more than they did a serpent, for he conducted a house of +ill-repute for the exclusive use of white men and Negro girls, and, +being diligent in endeavoring to bring to his home any and all Negro +girls to whom his white patrons might take a fancy, had great influence +with this element of whites. + +Noting the indisposition of the men to talk to him, and rightly +interpreting their contemptuous silence, Crutcher drew from his pocket a +wallet full of greenbacks. Taking out as many one dollar bills as there +were hackmen, he threw them on the platform and said, "I am a gentleman, +myself. Money talks these days. Help yourselves, gentlemen." + +The men did not look at the money. Each one returned to his vehicle and +journeyed to his humble home, leaving Crutcher alone upon the platform. +If the hackmen had taken his money it would have served as proof to him +that they were no better than he, that they were not in a business like +his simply because they lacked his skill and finesse. + +The action of the hackmen intensified his resentment at the treatment +accorded him by Bud Harper and the young woman, and, meditating +vengeance, he now walked toward his den of infamy where his mother had +reigned in her day and where he was born of a white father. + +The human race has not thus far even approached the point of +constructing such habitations as would render mankind indifferent to +rumblings underground, nor has society such secure foundation that it +can think lightly of its lower elements. + +In the long run the LeRoy Crutchers will be heard from. It is +inevitable. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +_Wherein Foresta First Appears._ + + +When the young woman who had committed herself to Bud Harper's care +awoke the next morning she saw standing near her a tall, slender, Negro +girl, of a dark brown complexion. + +"My name is Foresta," said the girl, showing the tips of her beautiful +white teeth. Her lips were thin, her nose prettily chiseled, her skin +smooth, her brow high, her head covered with an ample supply of jet +black hair. "Excuse me, please," said Foresta, "but mama told me to tell +you that breakfast would soon be ready." + +Foresta having delivered her message, for which she was thanked, did not +at once turn to leave. Her pretty brown eyes nestling under equally +pretty eyebrows, looked lovingly into the stranger's face. Without +saying more, however, Foresta left the room. A little later she brought +the young woman's breakfast, clearing the center table to make room for +it. + +[Illustration: "Her pretty brown eyes, nestling under equally pretty +eyebrows, looked lovingly into the stranger's face." (24-25.)] + +"We eat in the kitchen. It is mighty warm in there, though, in the +summer time with fire in the stove. We thought we would do a little +better by you than that," said Foresta apologetically. She sat down to +keep the young woman's company while the latter was eating. + +"That was Bud Harper that brought you here last night," said Foresta, +unable to repress a smile over some pleasing thought that was passing +through her mind. + +The young woman looked up from her breakfast. "My!" she said, "Your eyes +are pretty. They are such a lovely brown." + +"I'll swap hair with you," said Foresta, feeling of her own hair and +looking admiringly at the wealth of beautiful black hair on the young +woman's head. + +"You would cheat yourself. Your hair isn't as long as mine, but it is so +black and lovely," said the young woman. + +Looking at Foresta from head to foot, plainly but neatly dressed, the +young woman remarked, "You are a pretty girl, Foresta--and a good girl," +pausing between the former and the latter complimentary reference. + +Foresta's kindly face lighted up with joy at the compliment. For some +time she had felt, without knowing what it was that she felt, the need +of a confidante--some one with a fellow-feeling to whom she could talk. + +"Something funny happened once about Bud Harper and----" + +"Yourself," said the young woman, with a sweet, knowing look. + +"Yes," admitted Foresta with a light laugh, pleased that the young woman +was entering so readily into the spirit of the recital. "Bud had a +brother Dave that looked just like him," said Foresta. "Almost, I mean," +she added, remembering that nobody was to be put on a level with Bud. +"Poor Dave is dead now," she said in sad tones, looking the young woman +fully in the face as if making a further study of her. + +Satisfied with the result of the inspection, Foresta now said in a +confidential tone: "Dave died in the penitentiary. He and a white man +got in a fight. Dave killed him in self-defense. Dave could have come +clear, but it wouldn't have done any good. He would have been lynched. +His lawyers advised him to take a twenty years' sentence to satisfy the +clamor, and said they were sure they could get him a pardon. All of +Dave's friends thought it was better to take his chances with a good +governor rather than a mob." + +Foresta's eyes now filled with tears. "It did hurt poor Dave so to go to +the penitentiary. He was such a good-hearted boy. He died there in about +a year and a half. It may be he's better off." Foresta now paused an +instant. Shaking off the spell of sadness she said, "But that's not what +I started out to tell you." + +"I know it isn't," said the young woman, smiling sadly. + +"Don't be too sure you know what I have to tell," said Foresta, +laughing. "It is really something funny." + +"I am listening," said the young woman. + +"One night Bud went to church with me. You know our church is called the +'high falutin' church,' and a good many of the poorer and plain people +don't like to go there. Well, Bud isn't a highly educated boy and he +doesn't like our church for anything. He likes the preacher all right. +He will hardly ever go in and sit with me. He walks about out doors till +church is out, then comes back home with me. You are tired listening to +my foolishness, aren't you?" asked Foresta. + +"Not at all. I am interested," said the young woman reassuringly. + +"Well, Bud is a sort of a bashful boy. Dave was just the opposite. Dave +was full of nerve. Bud kept a 'hemming and hawing' trying to, trying to +er----" + +"Well, just say that he was trying to," said the young woman, and the +two laughed heartily. + +"Dave kept after Bud to speak out, but Bud was afraid that he would +spoil matters," resumed Foresta. "They rigged up a scheme to find out +where I stood without Bud's risking too much. Now, remember, Bud and +Dave looked just alike, almost. Many a time I have taken one for the +other. When little they often got scolded and beaten for one another. +Their father never could tell them apart. Bud came to church with me +one night, and he and Dave agreed that Dave was to carry me home without +my knowing it was Dave. Dave was to make out that he was Bud and make a +dash of some sort to find out how Bud stood with me. On our way home +Dave didn't talk much. That helped to fool me, because Bud and I have +gone along not saying a word; only looking at each other now and then. +But that night Dave, whom I was taking to be Bud, was unusually quiet. +And I thought then that he was meditating something. When Dave got home +with me, he stood between me and the gate and said, 'You must pay toll +to get in.' I knew he was asking me to kiss him. 'If you don't let me by +I will call mama,' I said, mostly for fun, for I knew that Bud thought +mama was against him. You ought to have seen Dave stepping aside to let +me in. I didn't say another word, but walked into the yard and upon the +porch. I knocked. Mama came and unlocked the door and went back. 'Good +night,' said I. But Dave wouldn't move. He was so afraid that he had +spoiled things for Bud. I stood there and thought a while. It came to me +that it might not be wise to treat Bud's first attempt to say what I was +willing for him to say, too coolly. And yet I didn't want to appear too +anxious. You know what I mean," said Foresta appealingly. + +"I understand you, perfectly, though my time hasn't come yet," said the +young woman. + +"So I stood on the porch," continued Foresta, "looking away from Dave, +thinking and thinking how I could save myself and not hurt Bud too much. +Womanlike, I suppose, I decided to make a sacrifice of myself. I opened +my door a little. Quick as a flash, but so he could plainly see what I +was doing, I threw a kiss and darted in the house. Dave fairly flew to +where Bud was waiting for him. Dave told Bud all about it and the two +boys liked to have hugged each other to death. Dave having opened the +way, Bud grew bolder very fast. After everything was understood between +us and the time set, Bud told me all about the trick. And I boxed his +ears for him. If you are here I want you to come to my and Bud's +wedding." + +Foresta now arose to go. Holding up a finger of warning, she said, "We +haven't told the old folks yet." + + + + +CHAPTER IV. + +_The Ways of A Seeker After Fame._ + + +This world of ours, thought of in comparison with man the individual, is +so very, very large; its sons and daughters departed, now on hand and +yet to come, form such an innumerable host; the ever-increasing needs of +the living are so varied and urgent; the advance cry of the future +bidding us to prepare for its coming is so insistent; the contest for +supremacy, raging everywhere, must be fought out among so many souls of +power--these accumulated considerations so operate that it is given unto +but a few of those who come upon the earth to obtain a look of +recognition from the universal eye; and fewer still are they who, by +virtue of inherited capacity, proper bent, necessary environment and the +happy conjunction of the deed and the hour, so labor as to move to +admiration, sympathy or reverence the universal heart, an achievement, +apart from which no man, however talented, may hope to sit among the +earth's immortals. + +The fact that enduring world prominence is an achievement rarely and +with great difficulty attained operates upon different individuals in +different ways. Some grow weary of the strenuous strife, give up the +contest with a sigh and retire, as it were, to the shade of the trees +and with more or less of yearning await the coming of the deeper shades +of the evening eternal. Others, fully conscious that they have been +entrusted with a world message, confront a mountain with as much courage +as they do a sand dune, and press onward, whether the stars are in a +guiding or a hiding mood. + +Mrs. Arabelle Seabright, aspirant for world honors, sat in a +rocking-chair in her room in the Domain Hotel, Almaville, the stopping +place of the wealthiest and most aristocratic visitors. Her small well +shaped hands were lying one upon the other, resting on the back of an +open book which was in her lap, face downward. Slowly she rocked +backward and forward, tapping first one foot and then the other upon the +floor. It was very evident that she was thinking, but a glance at the +face was all that was needed to tell one that this thinking was not due +to irresolution or uncertainty of purpose. + +Nothing was ever more plainly written upon the human countenance than +that this woman knew her own mind and knew the course which she was to +pursue. Her thinking now is with a view to making travel along the +elected course as agreeable as possible. The door to her room opened and +there entered a young man of medium height with delicate, almost +feminine features. His face was covered with a full beard that was so +black as to appear almost uncanny, and it seemed so much out of place on +one so young, the wearer not being over twenty-five at most. + +"You have come to say 'yes,' my boy," said Mrs. Seabright, rising to +meet her son. + +The young man had really come to say "no," but that firm, unyielding +look in his mother's eyes halted him. Instead of the determined stand +which he had resolved to take, in the presence of his mother's imperious +will, all he could say was, "Mother, I--I--I--had hoped otherwise." + +His mother shook her head and looked him directly in the eyes. She +wanted him to see the determination written in her own eyes. + +He saw and collapsed. "I will go, mother," said he. "Be seated, mother," +he requested. + +Mrs. Seabright, directing a look of inquiry at her son, sat down. + +He now dropped on his knees and rested his head upon her lap. "Mother, +say to me the prayer that you taught me in my childhood--days when you +were not this way. Lead me back there once more, for something within +tells me that life is never more to be life to me." + +Mrs. Seabright did not at all relish the sentimental turn of her son's +mind, but she began in as tender tones as she could summon: + +"Now I lay me down to sleep." + +"Now I lay me down to sleep," repeated the young man. + +"I pray the Lord my soul to keep," his mother continued. + +"I pray the Lord my soul to keep," said he. + +"If I should die before I wake," the mother said. + +"If I should die before I wake," said the son. + +"I pray the Lord my soul to take," concluded the mother. + +"I pray the Lord my soul to take," the son repeated lingeringly. + +"Mother, truly I am laying me down to sleep. I am putting my life, my +soul away. When I awake from this sleep into which your influence as a +mother has lulled me, I shall awake to look into the face of my +Creator." + +The young man now arose and turning upon his mother, he said out of a +burning heart: "Oh, mother! May your soul meet God. As I leave you, let +me tell you it takes that to reach your case!" + +"You are not the son of your mother," quietly said she. + +The young man now rushed from the room to get out of the presence of one +who, though his mother, possessed nothing in common with his own soul. +In spite of the manner of his leaving, Mrs. Seabright knew full well +that he would perform unto the utmost all that she had exacted of him. + +Mrs. Seabright resumed her seat and rocked to and fro complacently for a +few moments. Arising, she went to a rolling door, leading to a room +adjoining her own. There, coiled upon the bed, lay the beautiful young +woman whom we first saw endeavoring to attract the attention of the +Negro porter to a note. Her hair lay wildly about her pretty brow, there +were tear stains upon her cheeks and her eyelids were closed. A fear +seized Mrs. Seabright that her daughter might be dead. Rushing to the +bedside, she called, "Eunice! Eunice!" + +The young woman opened her blue eyes into her mother's, sat up and began +to sob violently. The mother put her arms around the young woman, but +the latter jumped from the bed and pulled herself away. + +"Now, Eunice, don't act in that way. You can't see how bright a future I +have mapped out for you. If you only knew!" + +The young woman shook her head in rejection of all that the mother might +offer. + +"I will let you see her as often as you choose, Eunice!" + +"Will you?" almost shrieked the young woman, stamping her foot upon the +floor, a wild look of joy leaping into her eye. + +"If you will let me plan your future I will not interfere with your +relations with her whatever." + +"Mother, mother," said the young woman rushing to Mrs. Seabright and +throwing her arms about her neck. Between sobs she said, "Mother, +mother, do with me what you will, just so you allow me to be with her +when I choose. Oh, mother, how I wish you were now what you were before +the adder bit you." + +Mrs. Seabright, unmoved by this outburst, gently released herself from +her daughter's grasp and returned to her rocking chair. + +"I shall yet harness to my cause the two forces that are the most potent +yet revealed in shaping the course of human society," said she. Going to +her window, she looked out into the skies and whispered in confidence to +the stars: + +"I shall be remembered as long as you shall shine." + +Hard by the house of fame sits the home of infamy. Those who offer too +strange a price for the former are given the latter. + + + + +CHAPTER V. + +_Rather Late In Life To Be Still Nameless._ + + +On the morrow following our ride into Almaville on the passenger train, +toward twilight Ensal Ellwood sat upon the front porch of his pretty +little home, a sober look in his firm, kindly eyes. By his side sat his +aged mother, whose sweet dark face of regular features was crowned with +hair that was now white from the combined efforts of time and sorrow. +Her usually placid countenance wore a look of positive alarm. She had +just been a listener to a conversation between her son and Gus Martin. + +Gus Martin was a Negro of brownish hue, whose high cheek bones, keen +eyes, coarse black hair and erect carriage told plainly of the Indian +blood in his veins. Gus was a great admirer of both Ensal and Earl +Bluefield and the three had gone to the Spanish-American war together, +Ensal, who was a minister, as chaplain, Gus and Earl as soldiers. These +three were present at the battle of San Juan Hill, and Gus, who was +himself notoriously brave, scarcely knew which to admire the more, +Ensal's searching words that inspired the men for that world-famous dash +or Earl's enthusiastic, infectious daring on the actual scene of +conflict. + +Gus could read and write in a fashion, but was by no means as well +educated as either Ensal or Earl, his friends, and consequently looked +to them largely for guidance. + +Earl had made efforts to secure promotion upon the record of his +services in battle, but had failed, because, according to common +opinion, of the disinclination of the South to have Negro officers in +the army. Gus Martin took Earl's failure to secure promotion more to +heart than did Earl himself. Gus was a follower but not a member of the +church of which Ensal was pastor, and he had come to pour forth his +sentiments to Ensal anent the failure of his friend Earl to be rewarded. +Ordinarily the well-known tractability of the Negro seemed uppermost in +him, but this evening all of his Indian hot blood seemed to come to the +fore. His voice was husky with passion and his black eyes flashed +defiance. He questioned the existence of God, and, begging pardon, +asserted that the Gospel was the Negro's greatest curse in that it +unmanned the race. As for the United States government, he said, "The +flag aint any more to me than any other dirty rag. I fit fur it. My +blood run out o' three holes on the groun' to keep it floatin', and +whut will it do fur me? Now jes' tell me whut?" + +Ensal endeavored to show that the spirit of the national government was +very correct and that the lesser governments within the government +caused the weakness. He held that in the course of time the national +government would mould the inner circles of government to its way of +thinking. + +"Excuse me, Elder; but that kind o' talk makes me sick. You are a good +Christian man, I really think; but like most cullud people you are too +jam full o' patience an' hope. I'll be blessed if I don't b'lieve Job +was a cullud man. I ganny, I got Indian blood in me and if they pester +this kid they are goin' to hear sump'in' drap." + +It was to this conversation that Ensal's mother had listened with +disturbed feelings. She believed firmly in God and her only remedies for +all the ills of earth were prayer and time. Therefore it ruffled her +beyond measure to have a new spirit appearing in the race. + +"Ensal, there isn't any good in that Gus Martin," said she, in earnest, +tremulous tones, nodding her head in the direction of the departing Gus. +"I may be dead, my son, but you will see that the devil will be to pay +this side of hearing the last of him," she continued. + +Ensal did not look in his mother's direction, but stole one of her thin +worn hands and placed it between his own. He felt that his mother's +prediction with regard to Gus Martin was only too likely to be +fulfilled. + +At this juncture two young women appeared at the gate and entered. They +were Foresta Crump and the young woman whom we saw taken to Foresta's +home on the preceding evening. Being informed that the stranger desired +a conference with him, Ensal retired to his study, lighted the room and +invited her to enter. Foresta remained upon the porch and entertained +Mrs. Ellwood, with whom she was a favorite, because of her peculiarly +lovable disposition and her attention to the aged. + +When the young woman was seated, Ensal took a seat and looked in her +direction, saying, "Consider me at your service, please." There was an +air of unnatural calm about the young woman. She now removed her hat +from her head and Ensal noted that her hair was so arranged as to allow +her face to fully stand as nature gave it to her, unrelieved. He also +noticed that her attire was of a simple order throughout, though good +taste and ample means were needed to produce the results attained by her +dress. The light of the train that had told Ensal that she was +beautiful, had only hinted at the attractiveness of form and feature as +disclosed upon closer inspection. + +The young woman seemed in no haste to begin the conversation about the +matter that had brought her there, and chatted with Ensal in a +desultory manner. She was studying Ensal and was affording him an +opportunity to study her. Ensal had been so highly spoken of to her, and +in her present state of mind she was so anxious to meet such a person as +he was represented to be that she was calling into requisition all the +powers of intuition of which her soul was capable. + +At length an instant of quiet on the part of his visitor told Ensal that +she was now to approach the matter that had given rise to her call. + +"Mr. Ellwood," began the young woman, "it sometimes happens in the +course of human life that we are compelled to appeal to the faith that +people have in us. Life is more or less a matter of faith anyway, but +ordinarily there is some sort of buttress for our faith in surrounding +circumstances. To-night, I bring not one shred of circumstance, not one +bit of history from my past life, and yet I appeal to you for faith in +me, absolute unquestioning faith." + +Her earnest tones and the pleading look in her beautiful eyes and the +trembling of her form burned those words into Ensal's memory: + +"I have the necessary faith," said Ensal, earnestly and quietly. + +"I have come to Almaville to begin life anew. This has become necessary +through no act of my own. This is all I care to say on that point, and I +do not promise to ever break the seal of silence with regard to the +past. I wish to find a name and I wish to find friends among the really +good people of Almaville, the good Negroes. I am lately from New York +and I am your friend. With these facts and only these, can you name me, +can you place me in touch with your friends?" said the young woman. + +[Illustration: "'Name me as I was named when a babe. The name that I have + borne shall know me no more,' replied the young woman." + (40-41.)] + +"Name you?" enquired Ensal. + +"Name me as I was named when a babe. The name that I have borne shall +know me no more," replied the young woman. + +As pastor of a Negro church at a period when almost the entire +leadership of the race was centered in that functionary, Ensal was +accustomed to having all sorts of matters placed before him, but the +present requirement was rather unique in all of his experience as a +pastor. He arose from the chair and began to walk slowly to and fro +across the room, having asked the indulgence of the young woman for +resorting to his favorite method of procedure when engaged in serious +reflection. If we must tell the truth of this young man, the question +which he was debating most was somewhat at variance with those raised by +her requests. + +Ensal had come to the conclusion many years previous that marriage was +not for him, and hitherto woman had had no entrance into the inner +chambers of his thoughts. And this beautiful stranger, nameless and +homeless, had almost wrested the door of his heart from its hinges, +without even an attempt thereat, and the young man was trying to +grapple with the new experiences born into his consciousness. + +Finding that he lost ground by trying to reason with his heart, Ensal +let the wilful member alone and engaged in the more honest task of +naming his visitor. Turning toward the young woman, glad that he had +something to say, so that he might look into her beautiful face again, +he said: + +"I name you Tiara." + +Ensal assigned the name with so much warmth that Tiara dropped her eyes, +and the faintest symptoms of a smile appeared on her face. + +"You have forgotten the latter part of my name," she remarked. + +Ensal resumed his walking. Happening to look up at the top of his desk +he caught sight of a sculptured bust of Frederick Douglass. He paused, +and pointing to the bust, said: + +"Behold one whose distinctive mission in the world was to serve as a +harbinger for his race! A star of the first magnitude, he rose in the +night of American slavery, attracted the admiring gaze of the civilized +world, and so thrilled the hearts of men that they broke the chains of +all his kind in the hope of further enriching the firmament of lofty +human endeavor with stars like unto him. I name you Tiara Douglass." + +Ensal turned to Tiara, his face enkindled with enthusiasm. He stepped +back, threw up his hands, and plainly showed in his eyes the unbounded +surprise which he felt at the way in which Tiara had received his +suggestion for a surname. There Tiara sat, tears evidently long pent-up +freely flowing and her body shaking with, emotion. + +To find a word expressive of Ensal's bewildered state of mind is a +problem to be handed over to the type of man engaged in the search for +perpetual motion and does not come within the purview of a simple +author. Man who tames the lion, harnesses the winds, makes a whimperer +of steam and cowers the lightning--this same vainglorious, triumphant +man is simply helpless in the presence of a woman's tears! Ensal stole +quietly to his seat and sat there in a state of amazement. + +Tiara looked up through her tears, a few pretty locks of hair having now +fallen in beautiful disorder across her brow. + +"Mr. Ellwood, I cannot endure the name Douglass and I cannot explain," +said she. + +Ensal now perceived that this name Douglass had somehow made the girl's +thoughts touch upon the very core of her life's troubles. + +"Douglass, Douglass, Douglass; no not Douglass," repeated Tiara in +passionate tones, evidently trying to accept the name for Ensal's sake +and yet being unable to do so. + +"Your name shall be Tiara Merlow," said Ensal. + +"Merlow--Merlow. I like that," said Tiara. + +"I will arrange for you to stop with Mrs. Helen Crawford," said Ensal. + +"Thank you," said Tiara. + +Tiara now arose to go, but it was evident that there was something yet +unspoken. As she reached the door of the room she turned around and +looked Ensal directly in the face. Ensal had been following her to the +door, and the two now stood near each other. + +"She is just tall and large enough to be grand in appearance, which, +coupled with her beauty of face and symmetry of form, make her fit to +set a new standard of loveliness in woman," mentally observed Ensal. + +"Mr. Ellwood," said Tiara, "I perceive that you are an admirer of +Frederick Douglass. Do you approve of his marriage to a white woman?" + +Ensal was about to answer, when something in Tiara's look told him that +he was somehow about to pass final judgment upon himself. He looked at +Tiara to see if he could glean from her countenance a hint of her +leaning, but her countenance was purposely a blank. He now tried to +recall the tone in which she asked the question, but as he remembered +it, that, too, was noncommittal. He was not seeking to divine Tiara's +opinion with a view to shaping his own accordingly. If it was apparent +that he and she agreed, he was of course ready to answer. If they were +to differ, he preferred to postpone answering until such a time as he +might be able to accompany his answer with his reason for the same. + +Ensal now said smilingly, "Practice suspension of judgment in my case. +In some way I may let you know my views on the matter later on." + +"All right," said Tiara, slowly turning to leave. + +It was evident to Ensal that further progress in her favor was largely +contingent upon his answer, and the marriage of Frederick Douglass to a +white woman became an exceedingly live question with him. He accompanied +Tiara and Foresta home and the moonlight and starlight never before +appeared so glorious to him or nature so benign. + +After all the heart makes its world. + + + + +CHAPTER VI. + +_Friendly Enemies._ + + +It has always been a mooted question with Ensal as to whether he did or +did not sleep the night of Tiara's call at his residence. But he has +ever stood ready to take oath or affirmation that, whether waking or +sleeping, Tiara was constantly in his thoughts that night. And when +turning his face toward the window the following morning he saw streaks +of golden sunshine stretched across the floor, and realized that there +was a nameless something within him which that sunlight could not match, +he knew that the crisis in his life had come. + +After a frugal meal with his mother, and the planting of a kiss of +unusual warmth upon her cheek, Ensal stepped forth for his day's duties. +As he went out of his gate he noticed a white man across the street +acting as though he was sketching his (Ensal's) home. Feeling that he +was warranted in having as much interest in the man as the man seemed to +have in that which pertained to him, Ensal walked somewhat obliquely +across the street, coming near enough to the man to receive an +explanation, if the man desired to give one, or, at any rate, near +enough to have a good view of the sketch taken. + +The white man took advantage of the opportunity to get a full look at +Ensal, who felt a little uneasiness at the intense interest which the +man's whole countenance showed that he had in him. The man's eyes had an +earnest, pained expression. His cheeks were hollow and seemed to +indicate that he was just going into or emerging from a hard spell of +sickness. His hat was a faded brown derby and his suit of clothes was of +a tough, coarse fibre and much worn. Standing by him on the sidewalk was +what appeared to be a much battered drummer's case to which the man's +eye would revert oftener than the utmost caution would seem to have +rendered necessary. Ensal passed on, but somehow this strange white man +came into his mind and demanded a share in the thoughts which would +otherwise have gone undividedly to Tiara. + +Ensal called at the home of Mrs. Crawford and made it possible for Tiara +to arrange for a home with her, an alliance which would at once afford +Tiara an entrance into the social life of the best Negro circles. This +much accomplished, Ensal started in the direction of the Crump's to +apprise Tiara of the arrangements. + +"Why so much haste?" + +Ensal turned and looked into the face of his friend, Earl Bluefield. + +"Was I walking fast?" asked Ensal. + +"Fast!" exclaimed Earl. "If you can induce the saints in your church to +give the devil half as much trouble to catch them as you have given me, +why they will be saved all right. Really a person who didn't know would +have thought that your mother-in-law had died and that you were hurrying +to make arrangements for her funeral," said Earl. + +"By the way," said Ensal, "I am glad that I met you. A-a friend of mine +from New York, a Miss Merlow, Tiara Merlow, is in the city. I wish you +to pay her a call with me to-morrow evening. May I make the engagement?" + +Earl dropped his head in meditation. His brain was exceedingly active. +Beneath this apparently simple proposal of Ensal's lay hidden many +possibilities. + +Ensal and Earl represented two types in the Negro race, the conservative +and the radical. They both stood for the ultimate recognition of the +rights of the Negro as an American citizen, but their methods were +opposite. They intuitively assumed, it seemed, opposite sides on every +question that arose pertaining to the race, and championed their +respective sides with much warmth and vigor. Yet they remained friends, +were great admirers of each other, and lived each in the hope of +converting the other to his way of thinking. + +On the question of racial connection Ensal was really proud of the fact +that he was a Negro, and felt that had he been entrusted with the +determining of his racial affinity he would have chosen membership in +the Negro race. Earl accepted the fact of his connection with the Negro +race as a matter of course, had no desire to alter the relationship, and +felt neither dejection nor elation on account thereof. + +Ensal felt that the acceptance of slavery on the part of the Negro in +preference to extermination was evidence of adaptability to conditions +that assured the presence of the Negro on the earth in the final wind up +of things, in full possession of all the advantages that time and +progress promise. Earl rather admired the Indian and felt that the dead +Indian refusing to be enslaved was a richer heritage to the world than +the yielding and thriving Negro. + +Ensal held that the course of the Negro during the Civil War in caring +for the wives and children of the men fighting for their enslavement was +a tribute to their humanity and would prove an invaluable asset in all +future reckonings. While thoroughly approving of the Negro's protection +of the women and children of the whites from violence, Earl was sorry +that the thousand torches which Grady said would have disbanded the +Southern armies were not lighted. Ensal deprecated all talk and thought +of the sword as the final arbiter of the troubles between the races. +Earl had his dreams--and his plans as well. + +The procuring of the full recognition of the rights of the Negro was +such a passion with Ensal that Earl relied upon it to finally bring him +from the ranks of the conservatives to the radicals. Earl was fully +convinced within himself that all of Ensal's hopes of a satisfactory, +peaceful adjustment of matters were to be dashed to the ground, and +knowing how thoroughly Ensal's soul was committed to the advancement of +the race, he really expected Ensal to develop into the leader of the +radicals. But this looming into view of a young woman, a friend of +Ensal's, was liable, Earl thought, to complicate matters. + +Earl had all along rejoiced in Ensal's determination to remain +unmarried, fearing that family life might add to his conservatism. This +accounts for the fact that Ensal's simple invitation to call on a Miss +Tiara Merlow on the following evening so deeply affected Earl. + +"Yes, yes, I'll go," said Earl slowly, almost as much to himself as to +Ensal. + +Ensal knew Earl so well that he could have told him the character of his +(Earl's) thoughts. + +On the following evening as Ensal and Earl sat in the parlor of the +Crawford's chatting, Tiara parted the curtains shutting off an adjoining +room, and stepped in. Her hair was arranged in two rich black braids +tied up so as to extend only to her shoulders. The hair on the front +part of her head was allowed to come forward, but not enough to forbid +glimpses of a well rounded, beautiful forehead. As she stood there, +symmetrical in form, just large and tall enough to be commanding in +appearance, Ensal again inwardly declared that she was the most +beautiful woman he had ever seen, heard of or dreamed about. Her eyes +would have made a face of less regular features appear beautiful. As for +Tiara, they made her beauty simply dazzling. + +When Earl's wits, swept away by Tiara's beauty, slowly returned, it +dawned upon him to his great astonishment that he was face to face with +the young woman who had ridden into Almaville with Ensal and himself. + +"If she was Ensal's friend, why did he not make himself known to her on +the train?" asked Earl of himself. But this query was soon dislodged +from his mind by one of far more interest to him, to wit: "Is it not +likely that I may utilize this young woman as a means of bringing to me +a second glimpse of that girl that paid us a visit from the coach for +whites?" + +Earl was introduced in due form and joined in the conversation now and +then; but it was evident to Ensal that he was, for some cause, ill at +ease. Tiara and Ensal, however, enjoyed the evening, each intently +weighing the remarks of the other. + +They say that Cupid is blind. This may be true of him at some stage of +the proceedings, but when he is looking for a spot at which to let fly +an arrow, he could play schoolmaster to Argus, of the many eyes. + +Ensal and Earl departed, Ensal going home to live the evening over +through the night, while Earl called upon Leroy Crutcher and engaged him +to use Tiara Merlow as a clue to trace the unknown young woman. + +"Is this honorable, this forming an alliance with Leroy Crutcher, this +placing of a surveillance, as it were, on the movements of my friend's +friend?" + +These questions came to Earl more than once that night and the answer of +the hot blood of his soul was: "Conditions have made me an outlaw among +my kind. Rubbish aside, am I not as much of an Anglo-Saxon as any of +them? Does not my soul respond to those things and those things only to +which their souls respond? He that is without the law shall be judged +without the law." + +Judged! That is a solemn and sometimes an awful affair with nature. + + + + +CHAPTER VII. + +_Officers Of The Law._ + + +"Hold on, there!" said one of a group of white boys on their way to +school. The command was addressed to a Negro lad fourteen years of age. +"Where are you going?" asked the self-appointed spokesman of the white +boys. The Negro lad looked sullenly at the white boy. + +"No need of clouding up; you can't rain," said the white boy. "Don't you +know the law? The school board said for you niggers to get to school a +half hour before we white children. What do you mean by hanging around +and going to school on our time?" + +"It is none of your business," said the Negro. + +"I guess you had better skip, Mr. Coon," said the white boy. The group +now sat down on the curbing, while the Negro walked away. The white boys +gathered stones preparatory for battle. + +The race problem had at last reached the childhood of the two races. In +former days the children of the whites and the Negroes had played +together, and ties of friendship were formed that often survived the +changes of later years when one playmate became a master and his fellow +became his servant. But that friendly commingling of other days was +practically all gone now, and clashes between the white and Negro +children became so frequent that the school authorities had decreed +separate hours for the opening and closing of the schools of the two +races, so as to lessen the friction as much as possible. + +"Fly, you black face nigger, you," shouted a white boy. + +"My face ain't near as black as your heart," rejoined the Negro, +adroitly dodging the stones thrown by the white boys. The Negro threw +his books to the sidewalk and soon had a handful of missiles. +The rock battle was now on in earnest, the white boys feeling sure that +their superior numbers would soon put the lone warrior to flight. The +Negro entered into the battle with his whole soul, and was vigorous and +alert. It was his idea that the injuring of one or two of his opponents +would bring the battle to a close. A policeman rounded a corner leading +to the street in which the rock battle was raging. The Negro's back was +to the policeman, while the other boys were facing him. They dropped +their stones and assumed a pacific and frightened attitude in time to +impress the policeman that they were being needlessly assaulted by the +Negro. + +[Illustration: "The rock battle was now on in earnest, the white boys + feeling sure that their superior numbers would soon put + the lone warrior to flight." + (54-55)] + +The Negro who did not see the policeman, ascribed the capitulation of +his opponents to his own vigorous campaign, and now picked up his books, +a look of exultation on his face. When he turned he found himself in the +arms of the policeman. One of the boys, it developed, had been slightly +bruised by one of the Negro's rocks. The Negro was put under arrest and +locked up in the station house for the night. + +The next morning as Tiara was perusing the paper, she noticed that a +Negro boy, Henry Crump, had been arrested on a charge of assault and +battery. + +"Henry Crump--Henry Crump--Crump--Crump! That name is familiar to me," +said Tiara, laying aside the paper to see if she could recall why the +name sounded so familiarly to her. "I have it," said she, springing to +her feet. "Why, I stayed with the Crumps the first night that I was in +Almaville. And it is their little Henry in trouble. I'll help the little +fellow out," said she. + +Tiara observed that little Henry's case was set for ten o'clock that +morning and it was then nine. She dispatched a note to Ensal, who +immediately responded in person to accompany her to the place of the +trial. + +"This," said Ensal, "is but a symptom of a growing disease. In the days +before the war the young master and the Negro boys played together and +there was undoubtedly a strong tie of personal friendship between the +slaveholding class and the Negroes on their plantation. But all is +changed now. Rarely do you find white and Negro children playing +together, and the feeling of estrangement grows apace with the years." + +"What is pending?" earnestly asked Tiara, turning her large, anxious +eyes on Ensal. + +"Heaven alone knows," replied Ensal. "Just think! In order to have peace +here between the children of the two races, the school authorities +provide that there shall be a difference of an half hour between the +respective hours of going to and coming from school," continued Ensal. + +They were soon at the police station. Climbing the flight of stairs they +entered a room crowded with Negroes from the lower stratum. The great +majority of the women, it could be seen, had made some effort at +respectability in attire. Some of the occupants of the room were there +as witnesses in cases, others because of interest in parties to be +tried, while the majority were there to pass judgment on the judge and +learn as best they might the ways of the court and the law. Here and +there was a sprinkling of respectable people who had by means of some +mischance been caught in the drift. + +One by one parties charged with offenses were called forward, fined and +ordered released or passed back. At length the case of Henry Crump was +called, and he came forward at a rather brisk pace, looking confidently +at his mother and Foresta who had come prepared to lift him out of his +trouble. On the same seat with Foresta and her mother sat Tiara and +Ensal and their presence somehow gave added assurance to Henry. + +Henry made his statements, the witnesses were examined and in the +monotone with which the police judge went through with all of the cases, +he said, "Fined twenty dollars and costs." + +Foresta half arose, shocked at the amount, and Mrs. Crump crouched back +in her seat in despair. Foresta had in her hand a crisp ten dollar bill +which the family had raised, not dreaming that the fine would go above +that amount. + +"Pass him back," said the judge. Henry cast an inquiring look at Foresta +and his mother. Tears were in Foresta's eyes and Henry knew that they +were helpless. It simply meant that he was to have a pick on his leg and +work the streets of Almaville. He dropped his head disconsolately, +nervously fumbled his hat, and tears appeared in his eyes. The sting +went deep into his boyish soul as he walked away. + +"Wait a minute!" rang out Tiara's voice, and going up to the judge's +desk, she put down a fifty-dollar-bill, saying, "Take the amount of the +fine and costs out of this." + +The judge looked up somewhat surprised. Tiara's act, born purely out of +sympathy for the youthfulness of Henry and of sentimental regard for the +first family that harbored her in Almaville, was totally +misunderstood by the court officials. They fancied they scented a race +contest in the matter and felt that Tiara was simply trying to show +that it was all right for a Negro boy to stand up against white boys. +They now decided to punish Henry to the limit of the law. + +"Release the prisoner," said the judge. + +Henry was released and Foresta and her frail looking mother rushed to +Tiara to thank her. While they were doing this the deputy sheriff +stepped up and rearrested Henry. + +"Pardon me," said Ensal, interrupting the felicitations of the ladies. +"We are not through yet. I see they are taking the boy over to the +County Court." + +"That isn't right," cried Foresta, as she followed the group. + +The Criminal Court was then in session, and Henry's case was not long in +being called. The deputy sheriff was seen to whisper a few words aside +to the judge. The jury brought in a verdict of guilty and the judge +assessed his punishment at ten months on the county farm. + +Henry was now placed on the bench, where sat the row of convicted +prisoners awaiting the pleasure of the sheriff, whose duty it was to +deliver them to the places assigned them. As the boy took his seat on +this bench to await the issue of other trials, when the sheriff would +carry all the prisoners over together, there began to crowd to his mind +all that he knew of Negroes on the county farm. He had heard of the +indecent manner of whipping Negro women practiced out there. He saw one +woman whose eye had been knocked out by an overseer. He had seen a +petition emanating from the colored people containing sworn allegations +setting forth a multitude of horrors. + +Henry remembered having seen one boy return whose foot was frost-bitten +and had to be amputated as the result of exposure at the farm. It was +summer now, but ten months would carry him fully through the winter at +the farm. The thoughts of a stay there was too much for him. Arising +quickly he sprang up into the court house window. An officer rushed +toward him to intercept him, but it was too late. Out of the window he +jumped, dropping to the pavement below. He dashed out of the side gate +of the court house yard and ran southward across the square, in the +center of which the court house stood. Coming to the street which led to +the bridge over the river that intersected the city, he turned eastward +and started across the bridge with all the speed at his command. + +The court officials were now in hot pursuit of the fleeing lad, one +officer seizing a buggy, another jumping upon a street car and ordering +the motorman to proceed at his utmost speed. + +Henry had almost covered the full length of the bridge when the cry of +the officers, caught up from one to another, had about come up with him. +When he had all but reached the farther end of the bridge, in order to +avoid an officer whom he saw standing awaiting him with a drawn pistol, +he leaped over the railing and dropped about twenty feet, striking the +embankment reared up for a resting place for the end of the bridge. + +This officer of the law saw Henry leap and ran to the steps which were +not far from the spot whence he had jumped. The officer reached the +steps in time to see Henry sliding toward the water's edge. The officer +began running down the steps, shooting as he ran. The people on the +bridge crowded to the side over which Henry had leaped and witnessed the +race between Henry and the shooting officer. Henry fell and it was +thought that he was hit, but he arose and continued his running. He +turned under the bridge and ran along parallel with the waters of the +river. After passing fully under the bridge, Henry plunged into the +stream and ran somewhat diagonally toward the center of the river until +he was up to his neck in water. + +"Move a step further out and I will kill you," said a bareheaded +officer, who had at last reached the river bank, brandishing his pistol +as he spoke. + +By this time hundreds, perhaps a thousand or so, of people had gathered +on the bridge. Henry stood in the water tossing his arms up and down. He +feared to come ashore and was equally afraid to try to swim further out, +feeling that he would be killed in any event. Some one on the bridge +lifted a revolver to the railing, leveled it at Henry's head and fired. + +"Shame! Shame! Shame!" was the word passed from lip to lip, as the noise +of the shot was heard. Henry threw up his hands and fell, his arms +upstretched above his head as he disappeared beneath the surface of the +water. No one of the thousands stirred. In breathless silence they +watched the spot where the lad had sunk out of sight. Some felt that +Henry had simply dived and in due time would rise. Second after second +passed, on the brief moments of time flew, while the eager eyes of the +multitude were fastened on the murky waters of the river. Henry did not +rise. He was dead. When it was known that life must be extinct, officers +of the law rowed out to where he was last seen and fished his body out. + +Ensal who had followed the chase now returned to the court house. Tiara, +Foresta and Foresta's mother had heard the shooting and formed an +awe-struck group, fearing that something had happened and yet hoping +against hope. Ensal's sad countenance told them that their worst fears +were realized. + +"Henry is dead, mama," moaned Foresta, as she threw her arms about her +frail mama's neck. "He is dead, mama; let's go home," wailed Foresta +again. + +Ensal and Tiara returned to Mrs. Crawford's. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII. + +_A Messenger That Hesitates._ + + +Mrs. Crump sat in her room, her elbows propped up on her knees and her +cheeks resting on her hands. The death of Henry, her only boy, was +indeed a severe blow to her, but at this particular moment she was +bearing up well under it, reserving her strength by a supreme effort of +her will to the end that she might comfort her husband when he became +aware of the tragedy. + +Foresta had gone for her father with the understanding that she was not +to tell him what had occurred, but was to allow her mother to break the +news to him upon his arrival home. + +Every step that Foresta took on her sorrowful journey was accompanied by +a rain of tears. As she drew near the place where her father was at +work, she stopped and tried to remove all traces of sorrow. She wiped +and wiped her eyes, but the tears persisted in flowing. Her father was +at work in a quarry as a rock breaker. + +The city was using small stones as a sort of pavement for the streets, +and aged Negro men were given the work of breaking rocks into fragments +to be used in that way. The occupation was not an ideal one, as +employment was of a fluctuating character, and the sitting on the +ground, often damp, was not conducive to health. The amount earned in +proportion to the labor performed was very small. But aged men unable to +move about very much found this to be about all that they could do. So, +the rock pile grew to be the accepted goal of all the Negro men who wore +themselves out in other service without laying aside a competence or +establishing themselves permanently in the good graces of their +employees. + +There were many who did thus establish themselves, and Ford Crump would +have been such a one but for the following chain of circumstances, to +which account you may give heed while waiting on Foresta to feel +self-possessed enough to approach her father. + +Soon after the Civil War Mr. Arthur Daleman came to Almaville and +entered business. Ford Crump, Foresta's father, then a young man, was +his first Negro employee. The business grew until Mr. Daleman was +rightly classed as a very rich man. + +For several years after Mr. Arthur Daleman's marriage, no children had +come to bless their home. Early one morning, as Mr. Daleman was crossing +the bridge, he saw a young white girl acting rather suspiciously, +peering up and down the bridge. Drawing near, he found that she had an +infant wrapped in a bundle. Fully believing that it was the intention of +the girl to drown the babe, he asked that she give him the child. This +the young woman very gladly did. As the child grew, Mrs. Daleman's heart +warmed to it and after several years of anxious thought and observation +of the child the couple decided to adopt it as their son. Within a year +after this was done a beautiful little girl, whom they called Alene, was +born to them. + +When Mr. Daleman grew wealthy, he decided to travel through the North +and induce capital to invest in the South. He felt that the commercial +tie between the sections would be of the greatest possible value and it +was said of him that he brought more outside capital into the South than +any other one man. He turned his business over to his adopted son, +Arthur Daleman, Jr. + +Arthur Daleman, Jr., did not like Negroes, and though Ford Crump had +been with the business from its infancy, his presence was not desired by +the new manager. When Ford Crump got so that he was not as active as was +desired, he was summarily dismissed and his place given to a young white +man. Arthur Daleman, Sr., whose interests were now immense, never came +near the store, and, as a consequence, did not know the fate that had +overtaken his faithful employee. + +Ford Crump did not appeal to Mr. Daleman, Sr., in the matter, partly +through pride and partly because he could not bear the irritating tone +of the younger Daleman, which was in such striking contrast to the +kindly manner of the elder Daleman. He had saved his earnings and bought +a little home, and he was now willing to take his chances in the world +even at his advanced age. It was thus that he found his way to the rock +pile. + +We now return to our messenger. Foresta sees that she is not going to be +able to appear before her father free from signs of sorrow, and she +decides on another course. Picking up a stone she rubbed it violently on +the back of her hand, tearing the skin and causing blood to flow. She +now hurried to the spot where her father sat, and said, + +"Papa, mama wants you!" + +The tone of Foresta's voice caused her father to look up quickly and +anxiously. + +"What are you crying about, my dear?" asked Mr. Crump. + +Foresta made no reply, but held out her hand so that her father could +see it. + +"Poor thing; how did you hurt it?" he asked. + +"Don't think about that. Mama wants you. Come on!" said Foresta, +averting her face. + +The father and daughter trudged along home, the father trying to say +comforting things to Foresta and she weeping the more bitterly the +while. At length it occurred to Mr. Crump that Foresta was more deeply +touched than would have been the case if her trouble had been merely +that of a bruised hand. Stopping, he said, + +"Say, now, Foresta, is your mama hurt?" + +"O no, papa! Mama is not hurt. Come on!" + +"Is Henry----" + +Foresta perceived the coming question, and ran to avoid it. They were +now near home. Foresta rushed in and threw her arms around her mother. +Hearing her father's footsteps, she ran into the kitchen, leaving her +mother to break the news. + +"Ford, we haven't any little Henry now!" said Mrs. Crump in sad, +soothing tones. + +Ford Crump whirled away from his wife and walked rapidly out of the room +through the kitchen into the back yard. Little Henry's chief task was +attending to the chickens, and Mr. Crump stood at the fence running +across the yard to form an enclosure for the fowl. + +"Chicks, your best friend is gone," said he. + +"My head! my head!" he cried. + +Foresta and her mother heard his cry and reached him just in time to +break the force of the fall, but not in time to prevent his answering +the final summons. + + + + +CHAPTER IX. + +_A Plotter Is He._ + + +Neighbors came and took charge of the body of Ford Crump. The body of +Henry was brought home and received the same kindly attention. Foresta +and her mother now set forth to make arrangements for the burial. The +undertakers asked for a lien on their place as a guarantee of the +payment of the debt. + +Upon investigation it transpired that the place had been purchased by +Arthur Daleman, Sr., in his own name. Mr. Crump had paid him in full for +the place but the proper transfer had never been made. Mr. Daleman was +not in the city and Arthur Daleman, Jr., refused to have anything to do +with the matter. He also intimated that unless Mrs. Crump could show a +clear title to the place, she would be charged rent. + +This intimation did not worry Mrs. Crump, for she knew Arthur Daleman, +Sr., to be the soul of honor and knew that he would do what was right, +title or no title. But her personal confidence in Mr. Daleman could not +be converted into cash, and she had to look elsewhere for money. + +There infested Almaville scores of loan companies that charged +exorbitant rates of interest and had their contracts so arranged that a +failure to pay put them in possession of the household goods of the +party in debt. It was also held to be a criminal offense punishable by a +term in the penitentiary for a person to borrow money from more than one +company on the same items of furniture. + +Little Henry had always asserted that he was going to be a merchant when +he became a man, and made it a custom to pick up and preserve such +business cards as were thrown into his yard. From his pile of cards +stacked in a corner Mrs. Crump learned the location of these loan +companies and decided to resort to them for the money needed. Getting a +small sum from each, she had borrowed from fifteen companies when she at +last got the amount demanded by the undertaker. + +Arthur Daleman, Jr., was not making money as fast as he desired in the +business turned over to him by his father, so he had resorted to the +loan business. Knowing that people would often borrow from more than one +loan company in spite of the regulations forbidding it, and reasoning +that such borrowers would be even more sure than others to pay, because +of fear of the penitentiary, he had ten loan companies of his own +operating in different buildings under various names. + +It happened that on the evening that Foresta and her mother made the +rounds borrowing money, he was on an inspecting tour of his loan +companies. Mrs. Crump borrowed money from five of Arthur Daleman's +companies without, of course, knowing it. Arthur Daleman, Jr., himself +was present in two places when she was borrowing the money. On each of +these occasions he had taken more than a passing interest in Foresta. +Her beauty was by no means diminished by the mourning attire, and Arthur +Daleman, Jr., found himself admiring her, notwithstanding his hatred of +her race. When the papers were signed in the second loan transaction +which he witnessed, he said to himself with a feeling of satisfaction: +"My way is tolerably clear." + +With the money procured from the various loan companies little Henry and +his father were given what the people called a nice burial. Within a +week after the interment Arthur Daleman, Jr., made his appearance at +Mrs. Crump's home. Foresta was at school when he called, and when she +reached home she found her mother standing, facing him, with an angry +and excited look in her eyes. Foresta read in her mother's countenance +that she was angry and that the advantage in whatever matter it was, was +not altogether on her side. + +"What is it, mama?" asked Foresta. + +"This man wants you to hire out in his family after you graduate." + +Foresta looked at the man in surprise. The thought of going into the +service of the whites was utterly foreign to her ambition. + +"You may take your choice," said Arthur Daleman, Jr., sure of his +ground. + +"What choice?" asked Foresta, alarmed by the man's tone of assurance. + +"It is this way. Negro servants are not up to what they used to be. They +are getting squeamish, and you have to be so careful how you speak to +them or they will leave you. We are kept always on the lookout for a +servant girl." + +"What on earth have I to do with that?" asked Foresta, her eyes widening +with astonishment. + +"This much--I am going to have a measure of stability in my family +service somehow. Your mother here is in a tight box. All I have to do is +to speak the word and to the penitentiary she goes!" said Daleman. + +Foresta grew weak, her lips slightly parted and she backed to the wall +for support. + +Arthur Daleman, Jr., continued: "Borrowing money from loan companies +takes the form of a sale, as you can see by reading any of the +contracts. Now you can't sell a thing to two different people at the +same time. The law does not allow such. It is a penitentiary offense. +See?" + +Foresta rushed to her mother and threw her arms about her and sobbed +bitterly. + +Mrs. Crump said, "I'll go to the pen. Come after me when you get ready! +but Fores' shall never work for you." + +"Take your choice," said Arthur Daleman, Jr., and walked from the room. + +Foresta tore herself from her mother's arms and rushed out of the room +after him. "Mister! Wait!" she called. "Don't do anything to mama. I'll +come and do the work faithfully," said Foresta trying to smile. + +"All right," said Daleman, smiling, "Be a good girl and you won't have a +better friend than I am," said he, in a significant tone, trying to +awaken Foresta to the real situation. + +If she understood it her impassive countenance did not reveal the fact. + +The world at large has heard that the problem of the South is the +protection of the white woman. There is another woman in the South. + + + + +CHAPTER X. + +_Arabelle Seabright._ + + +"Arabelle, I am not going to have a thing to do with this whole matter. +Suppose the bottom falls out and we are detected. Just imagine _my_ +fate." + +"Detected?" hissed Mrs. Arabelle Seabright, turning a scornful gaze upon +her husband. "You talk as though we have committed or are about to +commit some crime. You just stay in your place, please, and leave +matters to me." + +"Do you mean to tell me that I need not meet the man?" asked Mr. +Seabright eagerly. + +"Yes!" replied Mrs. Seabright. + +He leaped out of his chair and waltzed across the room, kissed his wife +and darted through the door. + +"Fool!" she muttered between her teeth. + +Mrs. Arabelle Seabright in her room in the Domain Hotel was now awaiting +the arrival of a newspaper reporter, the next victim to be bent to her +will. It had been on her programme to have her daughter Eunice and her +husband present during a part of the interview with the reporter, but +as they were not entering enthusiastically into her plans she was rather +glad that they had declined to be present. + +It was not long before a Mr. Gilman, reporter for the "Daily Columbian," +was ushered into Mrs. Seabright's room. + +"Let us understand each other at the outset, if possible," said Mrs. +Seabright, with a smile, directing a kindly gaze in the direction of the +young man. Mr. Gilman bowed deferentially, but said nothing. + +"I am ambitious." said Mrs. Seabright. + +"Ambitious people are the ones that carry the world forward," ventured +the young man modestly. + +"I have an unbounded ambition,--an ambition to live in history as long +as a record of human affairs is kept. Oh! I hate death!" said Mrs. +Seabright with a shudder, stamping a foot upon the floor for emphasis. +"I have money with which to further my ambitions. I am aware of the +traditions of your paper, the 'Columbian.' I shall not ask you to +violate them. But if you will put your heart in your labor and be an +incessant worker in my interest, your ambitions will be gratified. A +fair exchange is no robbery. You put me on the way to attain my ends and +I shall do the like for you. Is it a bargain?" + +"Whatever I may be able to do consistently, I shall certainly do, and +shall be duly appreciative of whatever may result in my favor in +consequence of work worthily done," said the young man with so much +fervor that Mrs. Seabright knew that she was well fortified in that +direction. + +Bit by bit the Almaville public was educated as to the Seabrights. They +were descendants of sires that took a prominent part in the affairs of +the Colonies during and succeeding the period of the American +Revolution. Mr. Seabright inherited a large fortune which a keen +business sense had enabled him to increase very materially. He had now +moved to Almaville to found one of the largest furniture manufacturing +establishments in the country. He was so absorbed in business pursuits +that he did not relish social affairs much, but his charming wife was +such a dispenser of hospitality that she made up for his deficiency. + +Eunice, reputed to be the sole heir to the Seabright millions, was a +girl of great beauty, highly accomplished, and the center of attraction +of any group of which she formed a part. + +A valuable tract of land had already been purchased for the +manufacturing establishment and a contract for the construction of the +plant had been let. As soon as a suitable location could be found, Mr. +Seabright was going to erect a mansion in Almaville that would be the +pride of the South. An option had been taken on a piece of property in +the West End that about measured up to the requirements, and the +likelihood was that the residence would be constructed there. + +The mere prospect had caused the prices of the property in that +vicinity, already valuable, to soar much higher. + +The public soon perceived that the conservative, the reliable +"Columbian," the paper of the Southern aristocracy, was favorably +impressed with the Seabrights as a valuable addition to the commercial +and social life of Almaville, and even the most exclusive circles +prepared to make room for the newcomers. + +The Hon. H. G. Volrees sat in his law office with his chair tilted back, +his chestnut brown hair much rumpled upon his large Daniel Webster +looking head. Here was one of the most astute legal minds of the state +and the real head of the Democratic party of the state. He was now +forty-five years old and unmarried. He had never held public office but +was seriously considering entering the race for United States Senator. A +venerable senator was to retire within about three years and the +position could be his if he but indicated a willingness to accept. + +The Hon. H. G. Volrees had large ambitions. He was anxious to restore +the old time prestige of the South in the councils of the nation. He was +a well-to-do man but did not have the money to gain an assured social +position at the nation's capital. He fancied he detected the flavor of +ambition in those flattering notices concerning the Seabrights. + +"It may be that my hour has come," said Mr. Volrees, picking up the +paper and looking again at the published picture of Eunice. He closed +his desk and went to his hotel. + +Mrs. Arabelle Seabright's net had caught its fish. And what had the fish +caught? Now _that_ is the vital question. + + + + +CHAPTER XI. + +_Unusual For A Man._ + + +Never in all of human history was an ambitious woman more satisfied with +the progress of her plans than was Mrs. Arabelle Seabright. In due time +the Hon. H. G. Volrees had formed her acquaintance and it was not long +before they had come to an understanding. Eunice demurred not in the +least when it was made known to her that she was to be Mrs. H. G. +Volrees. + +At an opportune time the Hon. H. G. Volrees announced his willingness to +accept a seat in the United States Senate and long before the time of +the election party leaders vied with each other in declaring in his +favor. When the success of his candidacy was assured he approached Mrs. +Seabright with a view to laying claim to his bride. The announcement of +the engagement was made, the date of the marriage was set and +preparations for the great event went on apace. Eunice appeared to enter +heartily into all the plannings, and was seemingly happy to an unusual +degree. + +The "Daily Columbian" did its share in stimulating interest in the +forthcoming marriage. Almaville as a whole seemed to be particularly +well pleased with the proposed wedding, involving, as it did, a union of +the wealth and beauty of the North with the brain and chivalry of the +South. + +As for Mr. Seabright, the more his family attracted social attention the +more uneasy he grew. At first he did make out to accompany his wife to +church and to theaters; but he had such a way of staring at the ceiling, +avoiding the gaze of people, and hurrying away to escape introductions, +that finally she was glad to leave him at home. Many brilliant social +functions were given at his home, but he was always absent. + +A Mrs. Marsh, in whom curiosity was more strongly developed than even in +the rest of her kind, was determined to find out something about this +eccentric Mr. Seabright. She managed to get on intimate terms with Mrs. +Seabright, and was very free in moving to and fro in the Seabright +residence. Her intentions were not however hidden from Mrs. Seabright. +She knew that Mrs. Marsh was planning to get closer to her husband as a +matter of curiosity, and she was glad of the experiment, hoping that +Mrs. Marsh would eventually succeed in making him at home in the social +circle. + +There was a sort of turret-shaped cupola crowning the Seabright +residence and Mr. Seabright made this his retreat. It was fitted up +with a telephone connecting it with the rest of the house and with his +place of business. It also had connections with a long distance system. +The door to his den was always locked, and no one could gain admission +without first calling him up over the telephone. + +One day Mrs. Marsh, who was a good mimic imitated the voice of a foreman +in Mr. Seabright's factory and caused him to open the door of his den. +When Mr. Seabright caught sight of a woman's face and form he made a +quick attempt to close the door, but Mrs. Marsh apprehending such an +attempt, thrust a foot in so as to prevent this. + +"Will you kindly withdraw?" asked Mr. Seabright, excitedly, holding the +door as nearly closed as the foot would allow. + +"No, thank you; I have had too hard a time getting here," said Mrs. +Marsh cheerily. "To be frank, Mr. Seabright, would you allow a lady to +be able to truthfully charge you with discourtesy?" asked Mrs. Marsh +naively. + +Mr. Seabright opened the door in despair, intending to dart out of the +room as soon as Mrs. Marsh entered. + +Mrs. Marsh was looking for just such a step and forestalled it by +closing the door and pocketing the key. She now took a seat and bade Mr. +Seabright to do likewise. Seeing that he had an unusual character to +deal with, Mr. Seabright sat down resignedly to await the further +pleasure of his female captor. + +Mrs. Marsh looked directly at Mr. Seabright, and said, "I have broken +through all rules of propriety in order to get to you. I wish to say to +you, Mr. Seabright, that this plea of absorption in your business is all +humbug. You have other and secret reasons for not desiring to appear in +our social circles." + +The perspiration broke out in great beads on Mr. Seabright's face. + +"You have treated your wife and daughter shamefully, refusing to honor +their social affairs with your presence," continued Mrs. Marsh. + +The tone of reproach in this remark, indicating that Mrs. Marsh did not +approve of his absence from social functions, caused Mr. Seabright to +feel slightly better, as she evidently did not think that the secret +reasons governing his course were to his discredit personally, else she +would not have lamented his absence. + +"You are from the North and rate the Southern women as being beneath +your notice, do you?" inquired Mrs. Marsh. + +"O no! no! no!" said Mr. Seabright. "On the contrary, I very much +admire----," he did not finish the sentence, some fresh thought checking +him in the midst of the utterance. + +Mrs. Marsh waited for him to finish, but he did not go on with the +remark. Finally, finding herself unable to make any headway with Mr. +Seabright, Mrs. Marsh eventually arose to go. + +"I would be very thankful if before you leave you will sign a statement +that I shall draw up," said Mr. Seabright eagerly, going to his desk to +do the writing. + +Mrs. Marsh looked at him a much puzzled woman. His phenomenal success as +a business man gave proof of his sound mental condition, and yet he +acted so queerly about everything else. + +"I wonder what sort of a statement he wants me to sign," thought she. + +The paper ran as follows: + +"This is to certify that I was in the presence of Mr. Seabright +unaccompanied for a few moments and can testify that his treatment of me +was in every way exemplary." + +Mrs. Marsh smiled in an amused manner. "You are making me testify to the +fact that I deserved my cool reception. I will sign." So saying she +attached her signature to the paper and departed. + +Mr. Seabright folded up the statement and put it among his most valuable +papers. "This may save two hundred and eight bones from being broken. I +think that is the number of bones in the human body," said he, +double-locking his door. + + + + +CHAPTER XII. + +_A Honeymoon Out Of The Usual Order._ + + +The much heralded Volrees-Seabright marriage is at last a reality, and a +morning train is now bearing the distinguished couple through the +beautiful mountain scenery of the state, en route to an Atlantic +seaport, whence they are to set sail for an extended tour through the +Old World. + +As the porter passed through the coach in which Eunice sat, he +recognized her and she likewise recognized him. Eunice perceived that +the porter remembered her and she was glad of it, for it simplified the +work before her. + +In order that they both might look directly out of a window Eunice +insisted on taking a seat behind Mr. Volrees. Taking advantage of her +position she wrote the following note. + + "MR. PORTER: Enclosed you will find a one hundred dollar note. + For this you must see to it that this train stops after it has + gone a few hundred feet into the long tunnel. Now you had better + do as I tell you or else I will see that you have trouble. You + know that any white woman can have a Negro's life taken at a + word. Beware! Do as I tell you and say nothing to any one!" + +The porter took the note and read it with much anxiety. There came to +his mind instance after instance in which white women had given innocent +Negro men great trouble. He had heard how that Negro tramps begging for +food had been greeted by such a show of fear and excitement on the part +of those approached for food that the tramps had been overtaken and +lynched for alleged attempts at heinous offenses, when the real offense +was that of begging for bread. He recalled one case particularly that +took place on a farm adjoining the one on which he was reared. + +The father of a girl seriously objected to the attentions being paid his +daughter by a white man, and he cautioned his old faithful Negro servant +to keep a watch upon the movements of the daughter with a view to +preventing an elopement. Seeing that there was not much hope of +outwitting the father without first getting rid of the Negro, the girl +decided to get him out of the way. The Negro was so loyal to his +employer and so faithful in the discharge of his duties that the girl +knew that she could not attack him from that quarter. One morning before +day she was found lying upon the front porch of her home, her dress +covered with blood. When after much effort she finally spoke, she laid a +grave charge at the door of the Negro servant. He was apprehended and a +mob was formed to lynch him. The father of the girl, however, doubted +her story and insisted that the Negro be given a trial. Within a very +few days the girl eloped with the suitor so unacceptable to her father. +After her marriage she testified that the Negro was innocent, that the +blood found on her was the blood of a chicken sprinkled there by herself +and that she concocted the whole story of the outrage to get rid of the +surveillance of the faithful Negro servant. + +The perturbed porter canvassed in his mind the stock of alleged facts +circulated secretly among the Negroes setting forth the manner in which +some white women used their unlimited power of life and death over Negro +men, things that may in some age of the world's history come to light. +After thoroughly considering the situation, the porter succumbed to the +temptation and concluded to stop the train according to Eunice's +directions. + +Eunice read in the porter's eyes his acquiesence and her spirits rose +high. She was all life and animation and the Hon. H. G. Volrees was +regaling himself with thoughts of his home as the social center of the +life of Washington. + +"Let me bring you a drink of water," said Eunice laughingly. + +"And where does Southern chivalry take up its abode while you do that?" +asked Volrees. + +"In the granting of the first request of a newly made and happy bride," +said Eunice, playfully pulling Volrees down in his seat and tripping +gaily out to get the water. She used a cup which she had brought along +and into which she had dropped a drug of some sort. + +Volrees drank the water suspecting nothing. As the day wore on he found +himself growing very sleepy, but did not associate it with the water +which he had taken. In order to get his business in such shape that he +could leave it, he had not found much time for rest of late and felt +that his tired body was now calling for rest. Eunice arranged a tidy +little pillow for his head and watched him sink into a profound slumber. + +Toward nightfall the train reached the designated tunnel. Eunice under +cover of the darkness, incident to passing through the tunnel, went to +the door of the coach without attracting much attention. When the train +made the stop prearranged with the porter, Eunice dropped off of the +coach step and stood with her back pressed against the tunnel wall. The +train soon pulled out, the officials concluding that it was the shrewd +trick of some tramp "riding the blind baggage" (between the baggage and +the express car), who desired an easy way for alighting. + +On and on rolled the train bearing the sleeping Mr. Volrees. When he +awoke the sunlight of the day following the one on which he went to +sleep was falling in his face. Tied to his wrist he saw a letter. +Looking about for Eunice and missing her, he concluded that she was +playing some joke, and with a smile he took the note from his wrist and +read: + + "DEAR MR. VOLREES: Pray act sensibly in this trying period that + has come in your life. Think well before you act. I am a + sincere friend of yours and really like you. Now it will pay + you to do just as I am going to tell you to do. Continue your + journey to the Old World. From each point mapped out for a + sojourn send back the appropriate letter from the batch which I + have written and am leaving with you. I have read much of the + places which we have planned to visit and I am sure that my + letters have enough of local color to pass for letters written + on the scene. Send these letters back to be passed around and + read by my friends. + + "In some foreign country telegraph back that I am dead. Your + ingenuity can supply the details. By this time mother knows all + and will join me in my advice to you. When you return to this + country come as a widower and enjoy the money which comes to + you through your marriage with me. By all that is sacred in + earth and in heaven, I swear that I shall ever remain dead to + you and will in no way directly or indirectly cross your path. + Nor shall any one save my mother know that I am alive and she + shall never see or hear from me again. + + "EUNICE." + +It was not long before Mr. Volrees was handed a telegram which read as +follows: + + "For God's sake do as the girl directs. So much is involved! + + "ARABELLE SEABRIGHT." + +[Illustration: "What do they take me to be, a knight errant of hell and + a simpleton withal? I swear by every shining star that I + shall probe to the bottom of this matter if it shakes the + foundations of the earth,' said he." + (86-87.)] + +The Hon. H. G. Volrees' wrath knew no bounds. "What do they take me to +be, a knight errant of hell and a simpleton withal? I swear by every +shining star that I shall probe to the bottom of this matter if it +shakes the foundations of the earth," said he. He took the first train +back to Almaville, his spirit crushed within him, though he bore his +sorrow with an outward calm. He utterly refused to discuss the affair, +as did also Mrs. Seabright. Almaville society had not received so +profound a shock since the unexplained course of Sam Houston in +returning his young bride to her parents and disappearing among the +Indians. + + + + +CHAPTER XIII. + +_Shrewd Mrs. Crawford._ + + +Between Tiara and Ensal there existed a barrier which had seemingly +prevented a development of the ties that all who knew the two expected +with full assurance. + +The attitude of a Negro on the social question as between the races was +no child's play with Tiara. It struck at the very root of the deepest +convictions of her soul, and she was firmly resolved to allow no Negro +into the inner circle of her friendship of whose views on that question +she was ignorant. She had, as she felt, practiced "suspension of +judgment" with regard to Ensal, and assured herself that he was making +no progress in her esteem. She also impressed Ensal that he was a +decidedly stationary quantity, no further advanced in her esteem than on +the occasion of their first meeting. + +This situation did not displease Ensal altogether. He felt that so long +as Tiara did not and would not take more than a passing interest in him, +he could continue to keep in abeyance that grave question as to whether, +in view of the drift of things, a young Negro, absorbed as he was in +the question of the condition of the race, should form family ties. So +he journeyed along cherishing an ever-increasing attachment, but content +for the present to worship her at a distance. + +Mrs. Crawford, with all her quietness, was an exceedingly wise woman. +She did not know exactly what it was, but she knew as well as did Ensal +and Tiara that there was an artificial barrier between them. She also +knew that if ever a man loved a woman, Ensal was in love with Tiara. And +she knew more. She knew that Tiara was self-deceived; that Tiara herself +would be the most astonished person imaginable when she awoke to find +out how much she really cared for Ensal. + +Mrs. Crawford knew Ensal's reasons for hesitating to form family ties, +but did not regard them as substantial. She was determined that Ensal +and Tiara should marry; her whole heart was set upon the project. Never +in her whole life had she met a couple more clearly designed for each +other than this pair, as she viewed the matter. She knew how firm of +mind both Ensal and Tiara were and how useless it would be to attempt to +talk to either of them. In view of the secret barrier, Tiara would have +given her to understand that the matter was not worthy of a second's +consideration. As for Ensal he could not have been brought to think that +Tiara came any nearer being in love with him than with the rankest +stranger, for in all their conversations, not being settled upon the +question of marriage, as a matter of honor he had neither sought to +develop nor to test the strength of Tiara's regard for himself. + +Mrs. Crawford felt fully justified under the circumstances in forcing +matters to an issue. She perceived that to do this involved a great +sacrifice on her part, the temporary loss of Tiara's friendship; but she +decided that the purchase was worthy of the price. + +One night as Tiara was about to retire to rest, Mrs. Crawford dropped +into her room for one of their customary chats. After talking on various +topics she brought the subject around to Ensal. + +"Now there is a young man that inspires many people with contempt," said +Mrs. Crawford, in a manner to suggest that she, too, was one of that +many. + +Tiara almost fell, clutching the footboard of the bed for support. + +"How can any one possibly have such an opinion of Mr. Ellwood?" asked +Tiara, in tones of deepest injury. + +Mrs. Crawford merely shrugged her shoulders. + +"I have never met a nobler man," continued Tiara. + +"Oh, some people have faith in the fellow," said Mrs. Crawford +sneeringly. + +"You seem to have changed, Mrs. Crawford. It hasn't been so long since I +heard you speaking of Mr. Ellwood in the highest possible terms." + +"We learn more of people from time to time and must revise our estimates +of them in keeping with our more extensive knowledge," replied Mrs. +Crawford. + +"Be specific, Mrs. Crawford; Mr. Ellwood is a friend of mine," said +Tiara, now thoroughly aroused. + +"Oh, if you are that much of a friend, you might not be competent to +weigh the evidence in the case," said Mrs. Crawford, smiling and arising +as if to go. + +"Would you cast aspersions upon a person's character and treat the +matter so lightly?" asked Tiara, a flush of anger appearing on her face. + +"Things other than moral blemishes inspire contempt sometimes. I do not +care to say more about the matter. Good night," said Mrs. Crawford. + +Tiara went no further with her preparations for retiring. She stowed +away all of her possessions in her trunk and locked it. She then sat +down and wrote a note to Mrs. Crawford, thanking her for her many +courtesies and expressing regret that she found it beyond her power of +endurance to longer stay under her roof. + +Tiara now went to the telephone in the hallway and called for a +carriage. It was not long in coming and she was soon being whirled in +the direction of Mrs. Crump's residence. + +Mrs. Crump was glad to receive Tiara and she was again assigned to the +room in which she slept on the night of her arrival in Almaville. Tiara +did not go to bed, but rocked to and fro, anxious for day to break, +eager, so eager to see Ensal. At length the question crept into her +consciousness: "Why are you so enraged? Are you as anxious to see every +one whom you have defended as you are to see this one?" + +"My God! I love the man!" said Tiara, rising from her chair and throwing +herself face downward across the bed. "Oh, I must never see him again. +He might read this awful, this maddening love in my eyes." + +Early the next morning, Mrs. Crawford sent for Ensal. + +"Mr. Ellwood, I wish you had been more frank with me," said Mrs. +Crawford. + +"Please explain," said Ensal. + +"I took occasion to discuss you rather freely last night, and I seem to +have given mortal offense to Miss Merlow, who appears to be madly in +love with you." + +Ensal was perplexed and knew not what to say. + +"Where is Miss Merlow?" asked Ensal. + +"She became so indignant that she left my house last night. When you win +people's love to such a degree as that, you ought to post your friends +so that they may be careful. Miss Merlow has gone to Mrs. Crump's. I +shall offer you no explanation of my course until you have heard from +Miss Merlow. Now leave me and go to her." Much mystified at the strange +turn of events, Ensal took his departure. + +The postman early that same morning had left the following note at Mrs. +Crump's for Tiara. + + "Ensal Ellwood is a noble young man. You loved him and did not + know it. I have opened your eyes. Forgive me, dear, but I could + not see two, whom I regard so highly, so far apart. As for + Ellwood, the lad has never had his right mind since he first + met you. + + "MADGE CRAWFORD." + +That day a telegram came to Mrs. Crawford's for Tiara and she carried it +to the latter forthwith. When the two met there was a mischievous +twinkle in Mrs. Crawford's eyes and the light of happiness in Tiara's. +When Tiara read the telegram she appeared much disturbed. That night she +left Almaville. When she returned she bought her a home on the outskirts +of the city, took Mrs. Crump to live with her, and denied herself to all +her former Almaville friends, Ensal included. Eunice Volrees or +Seabright, had come to stay with Tiara and the latter had for the sake +of Eunice shut herself out from all her friends. + + + + +CHAPTER XIV. + +_Alene and Ramon._ + + +Alene Daleman and Ramon Mansford stood within the vestibule of the +former's home. Ramon's arm was around Alene's waist and her beautiful +black eyes were upturned to his, as if to say, "Fathom the love we tell +of, if you can." Down stoops Ramon and plants a fervent, lingering kiss +upon the lips of the girl he loves, saying, as he stroked her hair, + +"The last token of love until the minister has his say." + +"Let me have a last, too," said Alene, tiptoeing to plant a kiss upon +Ramon's lips, and thus the two parted. + +Light of heart, Alene went tripping to Foresta's room and said: + +"Foresta, as you know, the house is full of people who have come from a +distance to attend my wedding. You need not stay here to-night. I will +occupy your room." + +Foresta was very glad indeed, as an early release enabled her to carry +out some plans of her own. + + * * * * * + +"Mama," said Foresta, her face buried in her mother's lap, "I have +something which I wish to tell you." + +Her mother stroked her hair, and said, "Tell me, dear." + +"You know Mr. Arthur Daleman, Jr., threatened you with the penitentiary, +but compromised the matter on the condition that I should work for him." + +"Yes, dear," said Mrs. Crump, beginning to breathe fast through the +force of increased excitement. + +"He pretended that he would not cancel the matter, in order that he +might be sure to hold me as a servant," said the girl. + +Foresta paused and her mother said, "Go on; I am listening." + +"He had dark purposes, mama," said Foresta. + +"Yes," said Mrs. Crump, rather feebly, fearful of what was to come. + +Foresta, detecting considerable anxiety in her mother's voice, looked up +quickly. + +"Now, mama, don't look so scared and troubled; it isn't anything awful, +now." So saying, she buried her face again and continued her recital. +"He pretends to love me, mama. He has tried many times to kiss me. I +knew what kind of a sword he held over you, and while I resented his +advances, I sought not to enrage him for your sake." + +"Well!" said Mrs. Crump, thoroughly alarmed. + +"I kept him in his place by threatening to tell Miss Alene. He thinks +lots of her and that scared him. He wouldn't care about anybody else." + +Foresta took another look into her mother's face, then resumed her +former attitude. Continuing, she said: + +"Miss Alene leaves to-morrow, and I am afraid to stay there with him. +You know a colored girl has no protection. If a white girl is insulted +her insulter is shot down and the one who kills him is highly honored. +If a colored girl is insulted by a white man and a colored man resents +it, the colored man is lynched." + +Mrs. Crump let a tear drop and it fell on Foresta's cheek. Foresta felt +the tear and raised herself and said. + +"Now, you bad mama, you! What's the use crying? I'll take care of +myself," a fierce gleam coming into her pretty eyes. + +Having wiped her mother's cheeks free from tears, Foresta buried her +face again. + +"I am not going back any more. I am going to get married to-night. Bud +and I are going to get married. And Bud has saved up enough money to pay +us out of debt." + +Mrs. Crump now understood why Foresta was hiding her face. She +remembered her own feelings when the question of marriage had to be +broached to her mother. She bent over and kissed Foresta. + +"Bud and I are going to run away and get married. Run away from you," +said Foresta laughingly. "And you must be awfully surprised when we come +back. We are going to do this to avoid a lot of useless expense in +getting up a big wedding. That money can go to help us get rid of those +eating cancers, those old loan men." + +Mrs. Crump knew how much Foresta's heart had always been set on a fine +wedding, and she knew that Foresta was making that sacrifice for her +sake. + +"My sweet Foresta, you have been such a dear child--God will reward +you," said Mrs. Crump, burying her head on Foresta's shoulder. "This is +not what I had planned for my darling; but God knows what's best. His +will be done." + +At the appointed hour Bud Harper was standing at Foresta's gate. Foresta +soon joined him and they took a train for a nearby town where they were +made man and wife. + +In the meantime some awful things were happening at the Daleman +residence. Leroy Crutcher, of whom we caught a glimpse or so in an +earlier chapter, happened to be passing along the sidewalk that ran +parallel with the side of the Daleman residence. As he reached the alley +at the rear of the yard, he saw a man standing on a rock looking over +the back fence. The two men glared at each other. The moon was shining +brightly and they could see each other well. + +Leroy turned away and walked along the street, saying to himself, "I +ought to have shot that scoundrel, Bud Harper, then and there." +Reflecting a little he said, "No, I must get him without hurting +myself." + +The man about whom Leroy had thus spoken climbed over the fence and +crouched in the shadow of the coalhouse. His eyes were fixed on +Foresta's room and his vigil was ceaseless. At about eleven o'clock +Arthur Daleman, Jr., emerged from the hallway of the second story, +paused a few moments and crept toward Foresta's room. + +"Yes, its true," muttered the Negro, between gritted teeth, the look of +a savage overspreading his face. He clambered over the fence saying, +"Wait a few minutes, happy couple." + +In the meantime Arthur Daleman, Jr., had unlocked the door to Foresta's +room and stood as if rooted to the spot. There upon the bed lay Alene +instead of Foresta, as he could plainly see by the dimly burning light. +Fearing that Alene might awaken and see him, he quickly turned out the +light and stepped from the room. In his haste he left the door slightly +ajar. What took place thereafter the morning revealed. + + + + +CHAPTER XV. + +_Unexpected Developments._ + + +According to previous engagement, Mr. Arthur Daleman, Sr., Alene's +father, and Ramon Mansford, her affianced, went forth together for an +early morning walk. Arm in arm the somewhat aged Southerner and the +young Northerner sauntered forth. + +"My boy," said Mr. Daleman, "I have thought to have a talk with you +concerning the dark shadow that projects itself over our section, the +Negro problem. Not that I would infect you with my peculiar views, but +that those of us and our descendants who abide here may have your +sympathy." + +"My love for Alene invests all that is near to her with my abiding +sympathy," said Ramon with quiet fervor. + +"Yes, but the mind must be informed if sympathy is to be intelligently +directed. To begin with, men of my class, families like mine have no +prejudice against Negroes nor they against us. We know them thoroughly +and they know us. There is never the slightest trespass on forbidden +ground by us or by them. It is a boast of many Negroes that they can +tell a 'quality' white person on sight, and practically all Negroes +ascribe their troubles to a certain class of whites." + +"I have noticed the kindly relations between your people and all the +Negroes that have had dealings with them," interposed Ramon. + +"My class was humane to the Negro in the days of slavery and under our +kindly care developed him from a savage into a thoroughly civilized man. +But I am glad slavery is gone. Under the system bad white men could own +slaves and their doings were sometimes terrible. They were the ones who +made Uncle Tom's Cabin possible and brought down upon us all the +maledictions of the world, Like 'poor dog Tray,' the humane class were +caught in bad company and we have paid for it. But all of that is in the +past. A word about the present and the future," said Mr. Daleman. + +The two men were now in a grove of trees in the suburbs of the city. Mr. +Daleman took a seat on a stump and Ramon, unmindful of the dew, threw +himself at full length on the grass, and looked up intently into the +face of his prospective father-in-law. + +Mr. Daleman now resumed: "The radical element at the South has always +given us trouble. The radicals hate the Negro and nothing is too bad for +them to do to him. We liberals like him and want to see him prosper. +Such of us liberals as labor to keep the Negro out of politics do so, +not out of hatred of him, but for his own good, as we see it. We hate to +see him the victim of the spleen of the radicals and they do grow +furious at the sight of the Negro in exalted station. In your Northern +home bear in mind these two classes of Southerners and remember that +some of us at least are anxious for the highest good to all." + +Mr. Daleman now paused and a sad look came over his face. + +He resumed: "One of the hardest tasks among us is the suppression of +lynching. In the very nature of things, as conditions now exist, there +cannot be such a thing as a trial of a charge of outrage by a Negro man +upon a white woman. Often in cases of that nature the crime charged is +disproved, by proving another offense involving collusion. Well, no +lawyer can be found who would set up such a defense for a Negro client +if the white woman in the case objected, for he would be killed, +perhaps, and, furthermore, collusion is punished in the same way as +outrage. So lynching is here fortified. Tolerated and condoned for one +thing it spreads to other things and men are lynched for trivial +offenses. + +"If a departure could be made from the custom of public trials and jury +trials in such cases, relief might be found. The trials could be secret +and before a bench of judges. Care for the feelings of the woman and her +guardians, and things will be better. There is no pronounced sentiment +among the better classes in favor of lynching for other causes and it +can be put down. There is marked improvement in this matter, and it may +be that lynching may be stopped without the changes in jurisprudence +which I suggest." + +Mr. Daleman now arose from his seat, saying, "Come, my son. They will be +awaiting breakfast for us, I fear. Tell the North that down in this +Southland there is an element of as noble men as the world affords; men +with a keen sense of justice and an unfaltering purpose to lift our +section to a position of high esteem in the estimation of the world. We +may seem to work at cross purposes with you of the North; we may be +overwhelmed by waves of race prejudice from time to time, but we are +here, and I claim to be one of them. I challenge the man, white or +black, rich or poor, to say that I ever mistreated him by word or deed." + +"You need no vindication. Time was when practically all Southerners were +classed together by the outside, but that day has passed." + +The two men walked back home in silence, Mr. Daleman thinking about the +future of his home without Alene, and Ramon thinking of his own future +home with her. When they got back to the house breakfast was ready and +they were soon seated at the table. + +"Tell Alene to come down. I know the child is a little shy this morning, +but I must have her by my side this once more. Go for her, Arthur," +said Mr. Daleman, Sr., to his son. + +Arthur involuntarily drew back slightly at the request and his father +cast an inquiring look at him. + +"I hate to disturb the child's slumbers. I doubt whether she slept much +last night," said Arthur, in somewhat husky tones. + +"He hates to see Alene leave him," thought Mr. Daleman. + +Arthur ascended the stairs and, coming to Alene's door found it slightly +ajar. He knocked, but received no response. He knocked harder, then +again and again. He knew that he had knocked hard enough to awaken one +from sleep, so he concluded that Alene must be up and in some other part +of the house. As she had left the door open, Arthur decided that the +room was prepared for entering. He had a secret desire to step in and +glance around the room in which, on the previous night, he stood in such +imminent danger of exposure. Pushing the door open, he stepped in +quickly, but far more quickly stepped out, terror stricken. Upon +Foresta's bed lay the beautiful Alene, her face covered with blood and +her hair falling over her face, dyeing itself a crimson red. + +Arthur was speechless with horror. He ran his fingers through his hair, +brought his hand down over his face as if seeking by that means to clear +his brain so that he could answer the question as to whether he himself +had not committed the murder. Recovering his self-possession in a +measure, he dragged himself down stairs to where Mr. Daleman was. There +was such an awful look upon his face that Mr. Daleman was thoroughly +aroused. + +"What is the trouble, Arthur?" asked Mr. Daleman. + +Arthur said nothing, but made a motion in the direction of the room that +looked to be as much a sign of despair as of direction. + +Mr. Daleman rushed up the stairway and into the room. A glance told him +the awful story. The kindly light that always lingered in his eyes died +out and a cold, keen glitter appeared. His form showing the slight +curvature of age, now stiffened under the iron influence of his will and +he stood erect. The tears tried to come, but he tossed the first away +and others feared to come. No more bitter cup was ever handed man to +drink; but he quaffed it, dregs and all. One awful unnamable fear, +involving the motive of the crime, haunted his soul. The family +physician was sent for and said tenderly, as he came from the room of +the murdered girl, "It might have been worse." Through the dark sorrow +of Mr. Daleman's soul there shot a gleam of joy. The two men clasped +hands in silence. The horror was less. + +The whole city was soon in a furor of excitement. Bloodhounds were put +on the trail and about noon a Negro who had been tracked was +apprehended, sitting quietly on a bridge a few miles out from the city. +He made no effort to escape, and manifested no surprise when caught. + +"Have they killed anybody else?" was his first and only utterance to the +officers who took him in charge. His captors did not deign to make +reply. The Negro was handcuffed and led back until the party arrived at +the outskirts of the city. The patrol wagon was telephoned for and the +Negro was soon safe in the station house. News spread like wildfire that +the criminal was in the prison and soon the street was full of +thousands. A mob was formed and an assault was planned upon the prison. +The chief of police came out on the steps of the building and, with +drawn pistol, declared that the majesty of the law would be maintained +at all hazards. He then retired within. + +Nothing daunted the mob surged forward. The chief of police came forth +again and in a manner that left no room for mistake, declared that only +over his dead body could they take the prisoner. His long record as a +daring and faithful officer was well known and the mob now hesitated. + +The sheriff of the county was out of the city at the time and one of his +deputies was in charge of affairs. This deputy had been laying plans +with a view to being the candidate of his party for the office of +sheriff at the next election, and he fancied that he now saw an +opportunity to curry favor with the masses. He elbowed his way through +the crowd and held a whispered conference with the leader of the mob. +Thereupon the leader took his place on the steps and harangued the mob +as follows: + +"Fellow citizens, do not despair. The voice of the people is the voice +of God, and your voice shall be heard this day. I assure you of this +fact. I beg of you, however, that you now disperse. You shall meet again +under circumstances more favorable to your wishes." + +The persons in front passed the word along, and knowing that some better +plan of action had been agreed upon, the crowd dispersed into +neighboring streets. + +The deputy sheriff, armed with the proper papers, appeared at the +station house and demanded and secured the prisoner, as the city had no +jurisdiction over murder cases. When he had proceeded about a block with +his prisoner, a group of men who understood the matter raised a mighty +yell. The mob which had dispersed now reformed. + +The prisoner was taken from the deputy sheriff, and was hurried to the +bridge connecting the two parts of the city. A rope was secured and the +Negro was dropped over the side of the bridge. As his form dangled +therefrom, every man in the crowd who could, and who had a pistol, +leaned over the railing and fired at the Negro. The rain of bullets made +the Negro's form swing to and fro. The crowd finally dispersed, leaving +the body suspended from the bridge. + +Gus Martin had kept up with the mob from the beginning, walking about +with folded arms, betraying no trace of excitement save, perhaps, the +rapid chewing of the tobacco which was in his mouth. His blood was +stirred, but its Indian infusion contributed stoicism to him on this +occasion. + +When the whites were through with the body, Gus went to the side of the +bridge and drew it up. Calling to his aid another Negro, he procured a +stretcher and bore the body to Bud Harper's home. + + + + +CHAPTER XVI. + +_An Eager Searcher._ + + +Up and down the street on which he lived, Ramon Mansford, the affianced +of Alene Daleman, walked as one in a trance. Night was coming and as the +shadows deepened the bitterness deepened in his soul. + +"Think of it! my father sleeps in an unmarked grave somewhere in the +South, and I know that the hope of freeing the slave actuated him to +enlist in the army. For the Negro, my father buried his sword to the +hilt in the blood of his Southern brother and in turn received a thrust, +all for a race from which this vile miscreant has crept to murder Alene, +my Alene." + +In the darkness of his own calamity distinctions between right and wrong +began to fade away, and he found his hatred of the Negro race assuming a +more violent form than that manifested by the native Southerner. In his +heart there was the harking back to times more than a thousand years +ago--to times when his race was a race of exterminators. At this +particular time it seemed to him that nothing would have suited him +better than to have taken the lead of forces bent on driving every black +face from the land. Now and then he would pause and ask himself: + +"Is all this horror true? Is the sweet Alene gone? Was the dear one +foully murdered while I slept? Great God of heaven, can all this be +true? Must I go through life unsupported by the brave heart of Alene on +which I was depending for strength to conquer worlds?" + +He sat down upon the curbstone and buried his face in his hands. + +About twelve o'clock that night a Negro woman came rushing along at full +speed. Ramon seized her and she uttered a loud scream, falling in a +helpless heap at his feet. With a tight grip on her arm he said, + +"Have you, too, blighted somebody's happiness? Have you murdered some +one?" + +With terror stricken eyes the woman looked up into his face and said, +"Mistah, please lemme go, please sah!" + +"What have you done?" sternly asked Ramon. + +"Nothin' sah," said she. "I'se been roun' ter Dilsy Harper's, settin' up +ovah Bud Harper's daid body, whut wuz sent home frum de bridge. Wal, +sah, ez shuah ez dis here chile is bawn ter die, while we wuz settin' up +ovah Bud's body, Bud hisself walked in. We looked at Bud, den at de +body, en we wuz skeert ter death. Den de livin' Bud, went up an looked +down on de daid Bud, and de daid Bud skeert de livin' Bud, and de livin' +Bud fairly flew outen dat house. Den, bless yer soul, honey, dat ole +house wuz soon empty." + +This weird tale furnished the needed diversion to Ramon's overburdened +mind. His thoughts began to run in another direction. + +"Was the mob mistaken? Is the man thought to have been killed yet alive? +If one mistake has been made, who can say that two haven't been made? Is +her real murderer yet alive?" + +Such were the thoughts that went crashing through Ramon's mind and his +grip on the woman's arm slackened. The woman wrenched herself loose and +continued her journey with increased speed. + +As late as it was Ramon hurried to the Harpers' home and found the +Negroes standing about at a distance from the house, discussing the +sudden reappearance and disappearance of Bud Harper, when there, all +agreed, lay Bud before their very eyes. + +Ramon returned to his home strangely becalmed, and though late in the +night he sat down and wrote the following letter to his home in the +North. + + "MY DEAR NORFLEET: I am in the throes of an overwhelming + sorrow. My Alene has been foully murdered. A mystery surrounds + the case. We cannot fathom the motive of the crime. To-day + (rather yesterday now, for it is two o'clock in the morning) a + man accused of murdering her was lynched. To-night the man who + was supposed to have been lynched made his appearance at his + home. But the mother sticks to it that the real murderer, her + son, is the corpse, and appearances seem to bear out the + contention. Now it may be that Alene's murderer is yet alive + and that an injustice has been wrought upon somebody. My heart + is more firmly knit to my Southern white brethren than ever + before. I fling ambition to the winds. Tell my friends that I + shall not make the race for Congress, and thank them for me for + the way in which they have always seconded my aspirations. It + pains me much to not be in a position to attempt to scale the + heights which their loving hearts fancied I could make with + ease. I shall walk with my kith and kin of the South in the + shadow, for in the furnace of a common sorrow, my heart has + been melted into one with theirs. We of the South (you see I + call myself one of them), know not what the future has in store + for our beloved section, but we face the ordeal with the grim + determination of our race. If you believe in prayer, pray that + I may be just and may even in darkness do the right. + + "RAMON, 'THE MAD.'" + +When Alene had been laid to rest, Ramon, after lingering in Almaville +for a few weeks, disappeared completely, leaving behind no trace of +himself. He had previously given Mr. Daleman and friends assurances that +he would do no violence to himself. So while they knew not where he was +nor what was his mission, they were not unduly apprehensive as to his +welfare. + +Ramon Mansford had simply stained himself a chocolate brown and had thus +passed from the Anglo-Saxon to the Negro race. He had gone to fathom the +mystery of Alene's murder. + + + + +CHAPTER XVII. + +_Peculiar Divorce Proceedings._ + + +"Dilsy Brooks, would you 'low me er few wurds wid you?" + +Dilsy Harper, Bud's mother, paused in her knitting, pulled her +spectacles a little further down on her nose, and peered over them at +Silas Harper, her husband, who had just entered her room and stood with +his hat in his hand. He was low of stature, small and very bow-legged. A +short white beard graced his chin, while his upper lip was kept clean +shaven. His head was covered with the proverbial knotty, wool-like hair, +which was now the scene of a struggle for the mastery between the black +and gray. Since the moment that the news was brought to him that Bud was +accused of Alene's murder he had been acting rather queerly, even after +all things were taken into consideration, thought Mrs. Harper. + +The tone of Mr. Harper's voice and his sober face led his wife to +believe that he was now about to unbosom himself. As he had seen fit to +call her by her maiden name, Mrs. Harper did not deign to reply. + +"I is willin' ter 'cept yer silunce fer cunsent, as I feel I mus' say +whut air in me," Mr. Harper resumed. Continuing, he said: "Yer been +'ceivin' me, Dilsy; yer been 'ceivin' me." + +Mrs. Harper could not stand that impeachment of her honor and she +quickly hissed, + +"Yer air jes' a plain, orternary liah, Silas. I is er hones' 'oman +myself. But out wid yer pizen. I been knowin' 'twuz in yer." + +"I 'peats ergin whut I dun sed. Yer hez been 'ceivin' me, Dilsy; yer +been 'ceivin' me, an I ken prove it." + +Mrs. Harper cast a withering look of contempt at her husband, folded her +arms and leaned back in her chair, more puzzled than ever at his queer +course. + +"Now, Dilsy, let me ax yer some queshuns. W'en I wuz a lad in slabery +time, didunt I dribe my young missus 'bout whar' eber she went? An' she +wuz safe. Didunt dis heah same Silas do dat?" said he, his voice rising +to a high pitch in his earnestness. "W'en de yankees wuz fightin' our +folks and our mens wuz ter de front in battul, didunt dese hans er mine +hole de plow dat brung de corn ter feed my missus? At night did I sleep +er wink wen dare wuz eny t'ing lackly ter pester de wimmins?" said he in +the same high tones. + +[Illustration: "'Yer air jes' a plain, orternary liah, Silas. I is er + hones' 'oman myself. But out wid yer pizen. I been knowin' + 't wuz in yer.'" + (114-115.)] + +"De wimmins befoh de wah an' since de wah an' in de wah hez allus hed a +pertectur in old Uncle Silas, an' yer knows it!" said he, pointing his +index finger at his wife. "Wal, I'm comin' ter de p'int. Bud's done kilt +er 'oman. He ain't no blood uv min'. You ain't been er true wife ter me. +He's sumbody else's boy. He aint mine. My blood don't run dat'er way." + +Not a muscle in Mrs. Harper's face moved as she listened to this +indictment on the part of her husband. + +"An', now," he continued, "you needunt min' 'bout sayin' eny ting 'bout +dis. I aint gwine ter say nothin' 'bout yer ter skanderlize yer. I am +gwine ter nail up de doh 'twixt you an' me. You aint no wife er min' fur +Bud an me aint got de same blood. He kilt er 'oman." + +Mrs. Harper looked steadily at her husband, her anger gone, now that she +understood all. She leaned forward and parted her lips as if to speak. +She seemed to take a second thought and slowly leaned back in her chair. +It was evident that a debate was going on in her mind. + +"No, he talks too much," said she to herself. She adjusted her +spectacles, picked up her knitting and resumed work, a gentle look of +forgiveness upon her face. + +Silas Harper with bowed head, and shoulders more stooped than common, +walked from the room. Procuring a hammer and nails he soon had the +entrance from his room to that of his wife securely barred. And every +lick that he struck was like unto driving a nail into his own heart, for +he loved Dilsy, the love of his youth, the companion of his earlier +struggles after slavery, the joint purchaser of their four-room cottage, +and the mother of the two boys whom he had hitherto regarded as his +sons. + + + + +CHAPTER XVIII. + +_Mists That Vanish._ + + +In his far away peaceful Northern home, Norfleet, friend of Ramon +Mansford, received the following letter: + + "MY DEAR NORFLEET: I am about at the end of one of the most + shocking and most mystifying affairs known to the human race. + In keeping with my resolve I disappeared into the Negro race + for the purpose of fathoming the mystery of the murder of my + beloved Alene. The fact that I could so disappear is one of + far-reaching significance. It shows what an awful predicament + the Negroes are in. Any white criminal has the race at his + mercy. By dropping into the Negro race to commit a crime and + immediately thereafter rejoining the white race, he has a most + splendid opportunity to escape. And men who commit the darker + crimes are not failing to take advantage of the open door; but + I picked up my pen to tell you my weird story. + + "Well, I actually became a boarder in the home of Aunt Dilsy, + the mother of the man accused of murdering my Alene. By + mingling with the Negroes I came in contact with three + persistent beliefs which I investigated. + + "First of all, the Negroes were practically a unit in holding + that Bud Harper had not committed the crime. + + "On the next point to be mentioned the popular belief was + divided. The more intelligent class held that the Negro lynched + was not Bud Harper, but some strange Negro resembling him. When + confronted with the fact that Dilsy Harper accepted it as the + body of her son Bud, they shrugged their shoulders and said + that that report came from the white officers who would pretend + that a Negro had said just anything and that Aunt Dilsy would + hardly know Bud after the mob got through mutilating him. They + believed that Bud was living and that he had come home while + the body supposed to be his was lying there. The more + superstitious among them held that Bud was unjustly killed and + his ghost had come to the wake, and that it could be seen + almost any night on the bridge. + + "I found whispered around in a rather select circle the belief + that Arthur Daleman, Jr., had killed Alene. It was thought that + Arthur was secretly in love with his foster sister and + in a fit of uncontrollable jealousy had murdered her. A Negro + woman, who went to the Daleman's to care for the house, was + reputed to have found in Arthur's room appliances for making + one assume the appearance of a Negro. + + "Now all of these rumors I investigated and I came to the + conclusion that the truth of the matter was as follows: + + "1. Bud Harper did not kill Alene. + + "2. Bud Harper was not hanged. + + "3. Bud Harper and not his ghost appeared at his home. + + "4. Dilsy Harper accepted the body as that of Bud to prevent a + further quest of Bud. + + "5. Arthur Daleman, Jr., bore some relation to Alene's murder. + + "The fifth conclusion was forced upon me by the guilty + hangdog appearance of Arthur Daleman, Jr., which some people + mistook for sorrow over Alene's death. + + "Now let me tell you the strange manner in which I received + confirmation of these things. On taking up my abode at Dilsy + Harper's I noticed that she and her husband had no dealings + with each other, though they lived in the same house. To-day I + came home and found the door unbarred and Silas Harper sitting + in his wife's room, his face all wreathed in smiles. Mrs. + Harper had been called away and he proceeded to unfold the + cause of his previous strained relations with his wife and his + present happy state. He had separated himself from her by the + process of the barred door, because she had borne him a son + that stood unpurged of a charge of having murdered a woman. + While thus separated from his wife, brooding over the disgrace + brought upon his name by his reputed son, he became very sick. + His wife offered to nurse him, but he refused her services. + + "In order that Mrs. Harper might be near her husband in his + affliction, she gave him information that actually cured + him--lifted him from his bed. She explained to him that she + would have told him before, but feared that he would tell + abroad what she confided to him, and thereby occasion more + trouble. He promised to never divulge what she had said and + kept his promise by telling me, the first man that he had seen + since he was told. And here is the strange story that + disentangles a deep mystery and solves a question which I was + determined to probe to the bottom. I give in my own words the + story told me by Silas Harper. + + "This couple, Silas and Dilsy Harper, had had two sons so very + much alike that hardly anyone save Mrs. Harper could readily + distinguish them when they were attired alike. + + "Dave was one day walking along the street with a young lady + when a policeman collided with them. Words passed between them + and in the fight that ensued Dave wounded the policeman and was + sentenced to prison for twenty years. Another lad, a + consumptive was sentenced the same day for two years. The guard + that took them to the prison did not know one from the other, + and at the suggestion of the consumptive the two exchanged + names and sentences. When Dave Harper's name was called the + consumptive stepped forward and registered, and when the + latter's name was called Dave stepped forward. The prison + officials, not dreaming that a man with a two years' sentence + would exchange with one having twenty years' sentence, the + matter was arranged without difficulty. In less than a year's + time the consumptive, regarded as Dave Harper, died and was + buried as such. + + "The real Dave Harper served the consumptive's two years' + sentence and was duly released from prison. He was so chagrined + over the disgrace that his incarceration in prison had brought + upon his family, he did not make himself known at home when + released. Desiring to live in Almaville and yet be free from + the danger of being identified as Dave Harper, he found + employment in a saloon patronized only by whites. It was here + that he overheard Arthur Daleman, Jr., telling his companions + of a pretty 'coon,' Foresta Crump, whom he had slated for his + next victim. Knowing that Foresta was Bud's fiancee he + determined to look into the matter. As he watched the Daleman + residence he saw Arthur Daleman, Jr., enter the servant girl's + room. Judging that Foresta was favorably receiving his + attentions Dave determined upon the killing of them both. Thus + it was that my dear Alene lost her life. She received a blow + that was drawn to her by the wicked plannings of her foster + brother. + + "Dave Harper supposing that he killed Foresta and Arthur + Daleman, Jr., ran by home, made himself known to his mother and + confessed all to her. He told his mother that Leroy Crutcher + had seen him and no doubt mistook him for Bud and that he would + therefore be compelled to hover near the city so that he might + return and confess to the committing of the crime in case Bud + was about to be made to suffer for his deed. + + "Such are the facts as they came to me from Aunt Dilsy's + husband. I have confronted Arthur Daleman, Jr., with the matter + and he has confessed to his part of the awful tragedy. + + "I have now changed back to the white race. In my capacity of a + white man I have assured Aunt Dilsy that Bud Harper shall not + be molested and have assured Mrs. Crump that it is safe for + Foresta to return. The two women are happy souls. I have + succeeded in locating Bud and Foresta and shall leave at once + for the purpose of restoring them to their families and their + friends. + + "My dear Norfleet, in view of the terrible way things get + twisted down here, don't you think it is an awful shame that + this weak and often hated race is denied the right of trial by + jury? + "RAMON." + + + + +CHAPTER XIX. + +_The Fugitives Flee Again._ + + +When Bud Harper and Foresta, on the night following their elopement, +returned to Almaville, Bud took Foresta by her home to break the news to +her mother, leaving her at the gate, while he went to his home to tell +his mother. Finding a corpse in his house and noting the terror that his +appearance seemed to inspire, Bud left and ran back to Foresta's home. +In the meantime Mrs. Crump had explained the situation to Foresta, who +now told Bud. With bowed heads and troubled hearts the three sat in deep +study as to what to do. + +The white people were under the impression that Bud had committed the +murder. They had killed another man thinking that it was he. In case +they now apprehended him, would the popular feeling be that there was a +mistake in the lynching or a mistake as to Bud's having committed the +murder? + +Bud felt fully able to demonstrate his innocence, but the ruthless mob +would hardly give him time to collect his evidence, he feared. Thus, +though innocent, he decided that it was best for him to leave Almaville +and remain in hiding for a time at least. Foresta asserted her +determination to go with him it mattered not where he went. + +Bud gave to Foresta the privilege of choosing their exile. For a number +of years the condition of the Negroes in the cotton states farther South +had been weighing heavily on her mind. She had read how that under the +credit system, the country merchant, charging exorbitant prices for +merchandise for which the crops stood as security, was causing the Negro +farmer to work from year to year only to sink deeper and deeper into +debt. She had read of the contract system under which ignorant Negroes, +not knowing the contents of the papers signed, practically sold +themselves into slavery, agreeing to work for a number of years for a +mere pittance and further agreeing to be locked up in a stockade at +night and to pay for the expense of a recapture in case they attempted +to escape. She had heard much of the practice of peonage, how that +planters and contractors would enter into collusion with magistrates and +convict innocent Negroes of crimes in order that they might get Negro +laborers by the paying of fines assessed on these trumped up charges. +She had read accounts of investigations of the prison system of the +South, showing that the various states made the earning of money by the +prisoners a prime consideration, and detailing how brutal overseers were +wont to maltreat convicts leased to them by the state. These things +coupled with the absence of reformatories for youths were destined, +Foresta felt assured, to produce a harvest of criminals. What to her +mind added to the hopelessness of the plight of the Negroes was the fact +that an emigration agent was required to pay such a heavy tax and stood +in such a danger of bodily harm from the planters that nothing was being +done toward pointing the inhabitants of the blighted regions to better +lands. + +Foresta concluded to choose Mississippi, a state in which conditions +were in some respects so thoroughly forbidding, as their future home. +Two things influenced her in making a choice, a desire to use her +education for the amelioration of the ills of which she had heard so +much and the thought that a land reputed to be so destitute of hope for +the Negro would be searched last of all for Negro refugees. So the two +had gone forth in the darkness and journeyed southward. + +With money that Bud had saved they bought a small farm near Maulville, +Mississippi. It was not long before Foresta's quiet influence was felt +throughout that region. The whites who had been preying upon the more +ignorant of the Negroes were not long in tracing this new influence to +its source. It was agreed among them that the Fultons (for such was the +name assumed by Bud and Foresta) were rather undesirable neighbors and a +decision was reached to put them out of the way. The thousands of +individual murders, and lynching by mobs, had so blunted the sensibility +of these whites that they reached this decision without any qualms of +conscience. Sidney Fletcher was agreed upon as the man to rid the +settlement of Bud and Foresta. + +On this particular afternoon, Foresta's hair was hanging down her back +in girlish fashion. A small cap sat upon the top of her head, while a +blue gingham apron protected her dress. She had finished the milking and +was walking toward the house when Sidney Fletcher, the owner of a +neighboring farm, approached her. + +"Where has Tobe Stewart gone?" asked Fletcher, in a very gruff manner, +inquiring about a Negro lad who had run away from him. + +Foresta looked at him steadily without replying. + +"You ---- wench, you, you can't speak can you? You and that dad blasted +man of yours have got the big head, anyway," said Fletcher, drawing his +pistol and starting toward Foresta. + +Foresta dropped her milk pail and ran into the house. + +Fletcher took a seat on a bench in the yard and awaited the coming of +Bud Harper, Foresta's husband, who was out hunting and was not due for +some time yet. + +Foresta stole out of the door on the other side of the house and reached +a patch of woods without being observed by Sidney Fletcher. By a +circuitous route she was able to place herself in Bud's pathway so as +to intercept him before he reached home. + +"Oh, Bud," said Foresta, greeting her husband, "Old Sid Fletcher is at +our house waiting for you with a drawn revolver." + +A frown came over Bud's face. "The jealous knave," said he. "Ever since +we bought this farm he has had a dislike for me and I have been +expecting trouble from him." + +"Yes, Bud; but we must stay out of trouble. A colored man hasn't a dog's +show in this part of the world." + +Bud sat down on a stump and Foresta dropped at his feet. + +"Let's stay away from home to-night. We have had trouble enough, Bud," +said Foresta pleadingly. + +Bud looked down on her tenderly, and said, "It is a shame for a +peaceful, industrious man to have a home and not be able to go to it." + +Just then Sidney Fletcher was seen coming in their direction. + +"Get behind a tree; nobody knows what will take place," said Bud to +Foresta. She obeyed and Bud now calmly awaited the approach of Sidney +Fletcher. + +When Fletcher got in shooting distance he deliberately opened fire on +Bud. After the third shot Bud raised his gun to his shoulder and fired +and Fletcher fell backward a corpse. Bud and Foresta now looked at each +other aghast. They knew the penalty attached to the raising of a black +hand against a white man, even when that man unjustly sought the life of +the black. + +Rushing to their humble little home, Bud and Foresta hastily gathered a +few things into a bundle, seized whatever food there was in the house, +armed themselves and went forth as fugitives, Foresta attiring herself +in man's clothing. By day and by night, through fields and forest, swamp +and morass, avoiding the sight of man the unhappy couple fled. + +The news of the killing of Fletcher was not long in getting abroad and a +mob of several hundred whites was soon organized to give chase. The news +agencies acquainted the whole nation with the situation and day by day +the millions of America scanned with eagerness and with sad forebodings +the progress of the chase. Several Negroes who happened to be found in +the pathway of the mob that was sweeping the country were shot down or +hung according to the whim of the pursuers. + +The two in turn relieved each other at watching, whenever the exhausted +condition of one or the other imperatively demanded sleep. It became +Foresta's time to sleep and the two took a position behind a huge fallen +tree, Foresta reclining her head upon Bud's lap. Soon she was asleep, +with Bud looking down in tenderness on her pretty face, now showing +signs of the terrible strain that they were undergoing. Bud thought of +his position as her protector and gnashed his teeth in the bitterness of +his soul as he contemplated his utter helplessness. Hot tears coursed +down his cheeks and, dropping on Foresta's face, awakened her. + +Foresta, who had been having troubled dreams, quickly lifted her head +from Bud's lap and looked about in terror. Turning toward him she saw +his eyes reddened from weeping. She threw herself on his shoulder and +the two now gave way to their feelings for the first time. + +"We have one consolation, Bud. They can't destroy our love for one +another, can they?" said Foresta. + +Bud was too full of sorrow at the plight of the wife of his bosom to +reply. A deep groan of anguish escaped his lips. He leaned back against +the log, Foresta still clinging to his neck. After a while both of them +from sheer exhaustion fell asleep. + + + + +CHAPTER XX. + +_The Blaze._ + + +Little Melville Brant stamped his foot on the floor, looked defiantly at +his mother, and said, in the whining tone of a nine-year old child, + +"Mother, I want to go." + +"Melville, I have told you this dozen times that you cannot go," +responded the mother with a positiveness that caused the boy to feel +that his chances were slim. + +"You are always telling me to keep ahead of the other boys, and I can't +even get up to some of them," whined Melville plaintively. + +"What do you mean?" asked the mother. + +"Ben Stringer is always a crowing over me. Every time I tell anything +big he jumps in and tells what he's seen, and that knocks me out. He has +seen a whole lots of lynchings. His papa takes him. I bet if my papa was +living he would take me," said Melville. + +"My boy, listen to your mother," said Mrs. Brant. "Nothing but bad +people take part in or go to see those things. I want mother's boy to +scorn such things, to be way above them." + +"Well, I ain't. I want to see it. Ben Stringer ain't got no business +being ahead of me," Melville said with vigor. + +The shrieking of the train whistle caused the fever of interest to rise +in the little boy. + +"There's the train now, mother. Do let me go. I ain't never seen a darky +burned." + +"Burned!" exclaimed Mrs. Brant in horror. + +Melville looked up at his mother as if pitying her ignorance. + +"They are going to burn them. Sed Lonly heard his papa and Mr. Corkle +talking about it, and it's all fixed up." + +"My Heavenly Father!" murmured Mrs. Brant, horror struck. + +The cheering of the multitude borne upon the air was now heard. + +"Mother, I must go. You can beat me as hard as you want to after I do +it. I can't let Ben Stringer be crowing over me. He'll be there." + +Looking intently at his mother, Melville backed toward the door. Mrs. +Brant rushed forward and seized him. + +"I shall put you in the attic. You shall not see that inhuman affair." + +To her surprise Melville did not resist, but meekly submitted to being +taken up stairs and locked in the attic. + +Knowing how utterly opposed his mother was to lynchings he had +calculated upon her refusal and had provided for such a contingency. He +fastened the attic door on the inside and took from a corner a stout +stick and a rope which he had secreted there. Fastening the rope to the +stick and placing the stick across the small attic window he succeeded +in lowering himself to the ground. He ran with all the speed at his +command and arrived at the railway station just in time to see the mob +begin its march with Bud and Foresta toward the scene of the killing of +Sidney Fletcher. + +Arriving at the spot where Fletcher's body had been found, the mob +halted and the leaders instituted the trial of the accused. + +"Did you kill Mr. Sidney Fletcher?" asked the mob's spokesman of Bud. + +"Can I explain the matter to you, gentlemen," asked Bud. + +"We want you to tell us just one thing; did you kill Mr. Sidney +Fletcher?" + +"He tried to kill me," replied Bud. + +"And you therefore killed him, did you?" + +"Yes, sir. That's how it happened." + +"You killed him, then?" asked the spokesman. + +"I shot him, and if he died I suppose I must have caused it. But it was +in self-defense." + +"You hear that, do you. He has confessed," said the spokesman to his son +who was the reporter of the world-wide news agency that was to give to +the reading public an account of the affair. + +"Well, we are ready to act," shouted the spokesman to the crowd. + +Two men now stepped forward and reached the spokesman at about the same +time. + +"I got a fine place, with everything ready. I knew what you would need +and I arranged for you," said one of the men. + +"My place is nearer than his, and everything is as ready as it can be. I +think I am entitled to it," said the other. + +"You want the earth, don't you?" indignantly asked the first applicant +of the second. + +Ignoring this thrust the second applicant said to the spokesman, + +"You know I have done all the dirty work here. If you all wanted anybody +to stuff the ballot box or swear to false returns, I have been your man. +I've put out of the way every biggety nigger that you sent me after. You +know all this." + +"You've been paid for it, too. Ain't you been to the legislature? Ain't +you been constable? Haven't you captured prisoners and held 'um in +secret till the governor offered rewards and then you have brung 'em +forward? You have been well paid. But me, I've had none of the good +things. I've done dirty work, too, don't you forget it. And now I want +these niggers hung in my watermelon patch, so as to keep darkies out of +nights, being as they are feart of hants, and you are here to keep me +out of that little favor." + +The dispute waxed so hot that it was finally decided that it was best to +accept neither place. + +"We want this affair to serve as a warning to darkies to never lift +their hands against a white man, and it won't hurt to perform this noble +deed where they will never forget it. I am commander to-day and I order +the administration of justice to take place near the Negro church." + +"Good! Good!" was the universal comment. + +The crowd dashed wildly in the direction of the church, all being eager +to get places where they could see best. The smaller boys climbed the +trees so that they might see well the whole transaction. Two of the +trees were decided upon for stakes and the boys who had chosen them had +to come down. Bud was tied to one tree and Foresta to the other in such +a manner that they faced each other. Wood was brought and piled around +them and oil was poured on very profusely. + +The mob decided to torture their victims before killing them and began +on Foresta first. A man with a pair of scissors stepped up and cut off +her hair and threw it into the crowd. There was a great scramble for +bits of hair for souvenirs of the occasion. One by one her fingers were +cut off and tossed into the crowd to be scrambled for. A man with a cork +screw came forward, ripped Foresta's clothing to her waist, bored into +her breast with the corkscrew and pulled forth the live quivering flesh. +Poor Bud her helpless husband closed his eyes and turned away his head +to avoid the terrible sight. Men gathered about him and forced his +eyelids open so that he could see all. + +When it was thought that Foresta had been tortured sufficiently, +attention was turned to Bud. His fingers were cut off one by one and the +corkscrew was bored into his legs and arms. A man with a club struck him +over the head, crushing his skull and forcing an eyeball to hang down +from the socket by a thread. A rush was made toward Bud and a man who +was a little ahead of his competitors snatched the eyeball as a +souvenir. + +After three full hours had been spent in torturing the two, the +spokesman announced that they were now ready for the final act. The +brother of Sidney Fletcher was called for and was given a match. He +stood near his mutilated victims until the photographer present could +take a picture of the scene. This being over the match was applied and +the flames leaped up eagerly and encircled the writhing forms of Bud and +Foresta. + +When the flames had done their work and had subsided, a mad rush was +made for the trees which were soon denuded of bark, each member of the +mob being desirous, it seemed, of carrying away something that might +testify to his proximity to so great a happening. + +Little Melville Brant found a piece of the charred flesh in the ashes +and bore it home. + +[Illustration: "Poor Bud, her helpless husband, closed his eyes and + turned away his head to avoid the terrible sight." + (134-135.)] + +"Ben Stringer aint got anything on me now," said he as he trudged along +in triumph. + +Entering by the rear he caught hold of the rope which he had left +hanging, ascended to the attic window and crawled in. + +The future ruler of the land! + + * * * * * + +On the afternoon of the lynching Ramon Mansford alighted from the train +at Maulville in search of Bud and Foresta. He noted the holiday +appearance of the crowd as it swarmed around the depot awaiting the +going of the special trains that had brought the people to Maulville to +see the lynching, and, not knowing the occasion that had brought them +together, said within himself: + +"This crowd looks happy enough. The South is indeed sunny and sunny are +the hearts of its people." + +At length he approached a man, who like himself seemed to be an +onlooker. Using the names under which Mrs. Harper told him that Bud and +Foresta were passing, he made inquiry of them. The man looked at him in +amazement. + +"You have just got in, have you?" asked the man of Ramon. + +"Yes," he replied. + +"Haven't you been reading the papers?" further inquired the man. + +"Not lately, I must confess; I have been so absorbed in unraveling a +murder mystery (the victim being one very dear to me) that I have not +read the papers for the last few days." + +"We burned the people to-day that you are looking for." + +"Burned them?" asked Ramon incredulously. + +"Yes, burned them." + +"The one crime!" gasped Ramon. + +"I understand you," said the man. "You want to know how we square the +burning of a woman with the statement that we lynch for one crime in the +South, heh?" + +The shocked Ramon nodded affirmatively. + +"That's all rot about one crime. We lynch niggers down here for +anything. We lynch them for being sassy and sometimes lynch them on +general principles. The truth of the matter is the real 'one crime' that +paves the way for a lynching whenever we have the notion, is the crime +of being black." + +"Burn them! The one crime!" murmured Ramon, scarcely knowing what he +said. With bowed head and hands clasped behind him he walked away to +meditate. + +"After all, do not I see to-day a gleam of light thrown on the taking +away of my Alene? With murder and lawnessness rampant in the Southland, +this section's woes are to be many. Who can say what bloody orgies Alene +has escaped? Who can tell the contents of the storm cloud that hangs low +over this section where the tragedy of the ages is being enacted? +Alene, O Alene, my spirit longs for thee!" + +Ramon took the train that night--not for Almaville, for he had not the +heart to bear the terrible tidings to those helpless, waiting, simple +folks, the parents of Bud and Foresta. He went North feeling that some +day somehow he might be called upon to revisit the South as its real +friend, but seeming foe. And he shuddered at the thought. + + + + +CHAPTER XXI. + +_Planning To Act._ + + +On the morning following the Maulville tragedy, before Ensal was out of +bed Earl was tugging viciously at his door bell. Recognizing the note of +distress in the clang of the bell, Ensal arose, quickly attired himself +and hurried to the door. + +"Oh, it is my good friend, Earl. Glad--" + +Ensal stopped short in the midst of his cordial greeting, so struck was +he by that look on Earl's face that said plainly that some overmastering +purpose had full charge of the man. + +"Walk back," said Ensal, in a more subdued manner, leading the way to +his room and steadying himself to meet some grave crisis which Earl's +demeanor plainly told him was at hand. + +"And what may I do for my friend?" asked Ensal soothingly, when the two +had taken seats facing each other. + +Earl placed an elbow on his knee, using his hand as a rest for his +throbbing temples. Turning his eyes full in the direction of Ensal, as +if searching for the very bottom of the latter's soul, he said, + +"Have you read the morning paper?" + +"No," replied Ensal. + +"Read," said Earl, taking a paper from his pocket and handing it to +Ensal. + +"My God! This cannot be true!" exclaimed Ensal in tones of horror, as he +read the detailed account of the Maulville burning. He arose and strode +to and fro across the room. + +"Never in all my wide range of reading have I ever come across a more +reprehensible occurrence," muttered he. + +"Listen," said Earl, in the tone of one having more to add. + +Ensal paused in his walking and unconsciously lifted his hand as though +to ward off a blow. + +"The man and his wife who were burned at the stake were Bud and +Foresta." + +"What! Our Bud! Laughing, innocent, whole-souled Foresta!" almost +shouted Ensal, the horror, through the personal element brought into the +matter, now doubling its force. + +"Poor Mrs. Crump! Poor Negro womanhood! Crucified at the stake, while we +men play the part of women, for, what can we do?" said Ensal, looking at +Earl, tears of pity for his people welling up in his eyes and stealing +their way down his noble face. + +"This is at once the saddest and the sweetest moment of all my life," +said Earl, rising. Continuing, he said: + +"The fact that a race that lashes itself into a fury and cries aloud for +the sympathy of the outside world if a Negro casts a look of respectful +admiration in the direction of a white woman, finds no limit to what it +will do to the women of our race, fills my cup of humiliation to the +brim. But I find a measure of compensation in the fact that you, dear +Ensal, the arch-conservative, have at last been stirred to action." + +Earl now paused to give emphasis to what he was to say next. + +"Ensal, the Christ has bidden you, you say, to preach his Gospel to +every creature. If the white people of the South permitted you to preach +the Gospel to them, you would have some basis for the hope that you +would be contributing your due share to the work of altering these +untoward conditions. Since they deny you your way of reaching them, come +and go our way," said Earl. + +"Have you at last found a plan of escape from our awful condition that +commends itself to your sober judgment, Earl?" asked Ensal, looking his +friend earnestly in the face. + +"I have" said Earl. + +"Earl, come back to-night. My spirit is tired, tired. Give me the day +for the finding of my truer self. I doubt whether the elements which +this terrible shock has brought to the surface can be trusted to pass +sanely upon matters of such vast importance." + +Earl accepted the suggestion and departed. + +During that day the two busiest brains in all the world, perhaps, were +the brains of these two Negroes: Earl, arranging for the successful +carrying out of his plans, and Ensal fortifying himself for events which +he knew would largely affect the destiny of his people. He knew not the +details nor even the direction of Earl's plans, but he knew that Earl +was every inch a soldier and that the blood of some of the mightiest +captains of the English speaking people was coursing through his veins. + + + + +CHAPTER XXII. + +_The Two Pathways._ + + +The day wore on, and about dusk Earl returned to Ensal's home, and the +two at once entered upon the consideration of the grave matter that was +to be the subject of their conference. + +"Before giving my plan, Ensal, I will present the course of reasoning +that leads me up to the conclusion that it is the one path to pursue," +began Earl. + +"So do," said Ensal. + +"The men and women," began Earl, "who moulded the sentiment that led to +our emancipation and enfranchisement, who set in motion the influences +that have tended toward our general uplift, are fast passing away. I am +told that the younger generation now coming into power in the North is +not as enthusiastic over the matter of helping us as were their fathers. +As I see the matter, several influences are at work producing these +changes. + +"First: A very natural desire on the part of Northern people to be on +more pleasant terms with their blood relations of the South. + +"Second: The moving of whites from the South to the North, where, in +social circles from which Negroes are debarred, they mould sentiment +against the Negro. There are more than one million five hundred thousand +Southern white people in the North. + +"Third: Among the Negroes going North there is a shiftless, criminal +element, whose tendency downward is aided by the prejudice against +Negroes in labor circles of the North. This class of Negroes in some +parts of the North almost monopolizes the attention of the criminal +courts and the result is an erroneous opinion with regard to the race as +a whole. + +"Fourth: There is a decided drift of Northern capital to the South. The +greater the holdings of the North in the South, the greater the +indisposition of at least that element to have conditions down here +disturbed, I think. I believe that by acting now we shall receive far +more sympathy from the North than we would be likely to get a few years +later." + +"Suppose, for the sake of progress in the discussion we concede the +validity of your conclusions. Granting that the present is the time to +act, what would you do?" asked Ensal. + +"Let me state first of all what I would not do. I would not attempt an +exodus. The white people of the South would resort to force to prevent +our leaving in a mass. I would not attempt a _general_ uprising. They +have absolute charge of the means of transportation and +intercommunication as well as the control of the necessary equipments +for waging war." + +Earl now paused and looked steadily at Ensal, who awaited with almost +breathless anxiety Earl's next words. + +"When I was a lad I declaimed the address of Leonidas to his brave +Spartan band, and the idea of a vicarious offering has ever since lain +heavily on my heart. + +"In Almaville here I have a picked band of five hundred men who are not +afraid to die. To-night we shall creep upon yonder hill and take charge +of the state capitol. When the city awakes to-morrow morning it will +find itself at our mercy. We also have a force of men which will take +charge of the United States government building. This will serve to make +it a national question. + +"When called upon to surrender, we shall issue a proclamation setting +forth our grievances as a race and demanding that they be righted. Of +course, what we shall call for cannot be done at once, and our surrender +will be called for. + +"We shall not surrender. Each one of us has solemnly sworn not to come +out of the affair alive, even if we have to commit suicide. Our act will +open the eyes of the American people to the gravity of this question and +they will act. Once in motion I am not afraid of what they will do. I am +not fearful of America awake, but of America asleep. + +"Such is my plan. In brief, it is the determination of desperate men to +provoke intervention. + +"Look at Cuba. A handful of men stayed in the field and kept up a show +of resistance until our great nation intervened. It is within the power +of the Negro race to bring about intervention at any time that it is +willing to pay the price. I have found the men and recruited them from +the ranks of the plain people who were already ripe for action for the +following reasons: + +"Labor circles here are just now very bitter toward the city government +because of its course toward Negro roustabouts. The white men in charge +of the boats that ply the river, fed their Negro hands poorly and made +the whole crew eat with spoons out of one pan. They were afforded no +sleeping accommodations, being forced to sleep on the bare floor. If a +piece of freight was accidentally dropped overboard the Negro who did it +was forced to jump into the water after it or be clubbed to death. Some +roustabouts who were forced to jump overboard to recover freight lost +their lives. These things have influenced the Negroes to abhor +roustabout work. But the police force, in the interest of the boatmen, +pounced down upon the Negroes and forced them to do the work, and this +course is practically urged by one of our leading daily newspapers. In +this condition of affairs, the laboring Negro sees a sign of a return to +the conditions of slavery, and he is alarmed. + +"If in a city of light such as is Almaville this spirit obtains, it +won't be long, they feel, before the Negro laborers of the South will be +firmly in the grasp of a new form of slavery. They are also alarmed at +the clamor of leading newspapers for a vagrancy law which will be +invoked in times when the Negroes refrain from labor in the hope of +advancing their pay. The presence in our ranks of the labor element +representing the Negro masses will give striking evidence of the effect +things are having upon all classes of Negroes, welding them together. + +"Now, Ensal, you have my whole story. This is to be the most sublime +affair in the whole history of our race. Honor yourself, my friend, by +joining our ranks." + +Earl now ceased. + +"Earl," began Ensal, slowly, earnestly, "do you know the Anglo-Saxon +race and particularly that brand found in the South? Provoke the +passions of that race, arouse the dormant but ever-present fear of +secret plottings for a general uprising, and you will inaugurate the +wholesale slaughter of innocent men, women and children. Satan hearing +of what is going on, will resign his post as King of Hell, will broaden +his title and move up to sit as Emperor of the South. + +"No, no, no, Earl. Dark, dark is the night, but let us not mistake the +glow of the 'jack-o'-lantern' leading to a bog for the gleam of the +morning star ushering in the day." + +Ensal ceased speaking and the two men looked at each other in silence. + +"Do you regard yourself as having finished?" asked Earl after a few +seconds of silence. + +"Sir," he continued, "if in this hour when I am strangled with the ashes +of Bud and Foresta you feed me with a negation----" He did not finish +the sentence. + +"I understand you, Earl. I must offset your proposition with a better +one. Foreseeing that you would demand this of me, I have prepared +myself," said Ensal. + +Going to his desk he procured a rather bulky document. Ensal turned the +manuscript over and over. In it he had cast all of his soul. Upon it he +was relying for the amelioration of conditions to such an extent that +his race might be saved from being goaded on to an unequal and +disastrous conflict. He hoped that its efficacy would be so self-evident +that Earl might stay the hand that threatened the South and the nation +with another awful convulsion. No wonder that his voice was charged with +deep emotion as he read as follows: + + * * * * * + +_"To the People of the United States of America:_ + + "The Anglo-Saxon race is a race of the colder regions and there + evolved those qualities, physical, mental and temperamental, + which constitute its greatness. A large section of the race + has left the habitat and environments in which and because of + which it grew to greatness, and in the southern part of the + United States finds itself confronted with the problem of + maintaining in warmer climes those elements of a greatness + hitherto found only in the colder regions. + + "The race in these warmer regions took firm hold of the + doctrine of a foil, a something thrust between itself and the + sapping influences of weather, sun and soil. The Negro was + pressed into service as that foil. He was to stand in the open + and bear the brunt of nature's hammering, while the + Anglo-Saxon, under the shade of tree or on cool veranda, sought + to keep pace with his brother of the more invigorating clime, + counting immunity from the assaults of nature and superior + opportunities for reflection as factors vital to him in the + unequal race that he was to run. + + "Not only was this foil deemed necessary to the maintenance of + the intellectual life of the South, but to its commercial well + being as well; for the white man was regarded as + constitutionally unable to furnish the quality of physical + service necessary to extract from the earth sufficient fruitage + to have the South hold her own commercially. + + "The wealth of the South, because of a deep seated conviction + as to the absolute need of a foil for the white race in warmer + climes, because of the hardiness of the Negro's frame, his + docility, his habit of cheerfulness when at work, his largely + uncomplaining nature, his conception that labor conditions are + fixed, his individualism leading to ineptness in + combining--these qualities the wealth of the South regards as + ideal for the services of capital, and Negro labor is much + preferred to that of chronically discontented, aspiring and + combining whites. + + "The capitalist influence would have the Negro treated + humanely, would give him industrial, moral and religious + training, and would have him enjoy the protection of the law + that he might continue in the South, working in contentment and + with efficiency in the lower forms of labor. + + "But this element desires that the Negro play the part of the + foil and accept this as mainly his mission in America. It has + scant sympathy with the college professor and the political + agitator that would set the race to dreaming very largely of + higher things. The element, therefore, that is most desirous of + retaining the Negro population and seeks to make the race + satisfied with its present habitat is for the very reason + leading to that course, thoroughly opposed to making a + speciality of developing _all_ there is in the Negro, so that + the development that this element stands for is assuredly one + sided. + + "Opposed to the element that is half friendly to the Negro + because of his superior qualities as a foil and commercial + asset, are the white industrial rivals of the Negro, whose + animosity is whetted by their conscious inferiority in matters + physical to this son of the tropics, who is more nearly at home + under southern sky than are the children of the colder regions. + + "The industrial rivals of the Negro, led on by those who would + exploit race prejudices for their profit and those who feel + that grave danger lurks in a mixed civilization, keep the baser + passions of the people so inflamed that such horrible outrages + take a place that the future often seems overshadowed with a + cloud dark, portentous and riftless. + + "The two elements thus far mentioned, the half-friends of the + capitalist class and the rancorous industrial rivals of the + Negro, are opposed to each other on the question of the Negro's + leaving the South, the former opposing and the latter favoring + his elimination, but they are one in insisting that the Negro + must be restricted in his aspirations. The question has another + complication and a third element is to be reckoned with. + + "There is a vein of idealism running through our country that + would hold the American people to the thought that the United + States has a world wide mission. It is the dream of this class + that shackles, whether physical, political or spiritual, shall + fall from every man the world around. + + "This class says to the capitalist class of the South: 'Our + ideals will suffer if we permit you to have political serfs, + however well fed they may be.' To the class that would oppress + the Negro it says, 'The patient suffering and material service + of him whom you buffet entitles him in his own right to a home + in this country, and here of all places justice shall be his + portion.' This class has opened Northern institutions to them, + and training has produced a large and aggressive army of able + young Negroes enraptured with the expressed ideals of the + republic. + + "When it is sought by idealists to make the position of the + American Negro square with the constitution, the capitalist + class of the South, which fancies that it sees the sudden loss + of the foil, and the rivals of the Negro in the labor world + combine to oppose the programme looking to the political uplift + of the Negro. As the Negro in the groove ('in his place') has + the self-interest of the capitalist class on his side, while, + aspiring to be as others are, he finds his erstwhile friends + and chronic enemies forming a cordon to prevent his rise, it + has been suggested that political advancement be made a + secondary consideration. + + "In view of the powerful forces which we find arrayed against a + programme looking to the political advancement of the Negro we + can understand the desire of the American people that it be + made clear that the political needs of the Negro are vital to + the improvement of present conditions. We shall therefore + proceed to show how intimately the political question is + inwrought in the whole situation. + + "After the last word has been said in favor of the capitalist + notion of race elevation, it is still found to contain the + wonderfully fecund germ of repression. To sustain a notion from + generation to generation that the Negro should be denied + participation in the political life of his nation necessitates + an atmosphere charged with the spirit of repression, a + voracious guest, whose appetite calls for food other than the + dainties set before him. + + "The making of official life in the South independent of Negro + sentiment was evidently intended to cause white men to feel + free to act according to their own instincts, undeterred by + calculations as to the possible effects of their course on the + attitude of the Negro toward them. + + "With repression the order of the day, and the process of the + survival of the fittest operating along this plane, that man + who best exemplifies the repressive faculty will survive in the + political warfare and thus will be brought to the front the + element out of touch with the broadening influences of the + age, whose vision is yet bounded by the narrow horizon of race. + + "The administration of the government, then, inevitably falls + into the hands of the less refined and a contemned race of an + alien blood is handed over to them to be governed absolutely. + As might be expected under a system that picks its rougher + spirits for rulership, the governing force is often worse in + its attitude toward Negroes than are the great body of whites. + Instead therefore of the government being the guide, piloting + the people to broader conceptions, the governing power often + sets in motion brutalizing tendencies that eventually sweep + down and affect the people. + + "Local sentiment has been invoked to hold in check the wrathful + outpourings of United States senators, legislatures have held + in check rampant governors, and cities have cried out against + the acts of legislatures imposing repressive measures not + warranted by local conditions, things that signify that + repression sends to the front men whose tendency is to lower + rather than advance civilization. + + "It is generally conceded that the drift of the Negro + population of the South toward the cities is due to the lack of + police protection in the rural districts. In the city + policeman, then, we have an opportunity to study the output of + the system of repression at its highest level. Policemen are + often the most unbearable of tyrants, arresting Negroes upon + the most flimsy charges, and refusing to tolerate a word of + explanation. It is actually a capital offense for a Negro to + run from a policeman, however trivial the charge upon which he + has been arrested. + + "In Almaville, which represents the South at its highest point + of civilization, policemen have wantonly shot to death Negro + after Negro for seeking to elude arrest. + + "The following article which we reproduce from one of America's + most reputable journals, will speak for itself. + + "'How lightly the wanton killing of a Negro has come to be + regarded in some Southern communities is brought out by an + incident of the week at Memphis, which hardly needs comment. An + inoffensive Negro was hawking chickens about the street, + when ----, who was not in uniform at the time, jumped to the + conclusion that the chickens had been stolen, and arrested the + man. While he went to put on his uniform he left his prisoner + in custody of a nearby grocer, rightly named ----, to whom he + handed his pistol, with the offhand injunction, 'If he tries to + get away from you, kill him.' ----'s assertion that the Negro + made a break for liberty is disputed by the testimony of + bystanders, but at all events he fired on the Negro, wounding + him so severely that he died the next morning. 'Well, you got + him, didn't you?' said ---- on his return. 'If I didn't, I + almost,' answered ---- with a smile. The policeman's only + statement in palliation of the unprovoked killing was that the + deputy to whom he delegated his authority had 'taken his + instructions literally.' The most shocking feature of the + affair is that ---- has not been arrested, and the policeman is + apparently to continue on his beat. The 'Commercial-Appeal' may + well exclaim in bitterness, 'Life in this community is cheap; + the life of a Negro is so valueless that it is freely taken + without fear of future punishment in this world.' + + "The question may be asked as to whether there are provisions + for redress against police outrages. There are courts and + commissions that may be appealed to, but two considerations + render these institutions of slight value to Negroes. In the + first place the sentiment obtains that the evidence of a Negro + is not to count as much as that of a white man. With this much + the start the policeman has still another advantage. The policy + of repression has fostered the idea that it is all right for a + white man to commit perjury in cases where there is a contest + between a white man and a Negro. Witness the manner in which + election commissioners have often been chosen because of their + known willingness to swear falsely as to the contents of ballot + boxes. + + "So, with little sentiment against perjury when a Negro is + involved and the extra weight attached to the word of a white + man as against that of a Negro, the wrongs of the Negro more + often than otherwise go absolutely unavenged. + + "Public utilities are likewise administered by white men who + often maltreat Negroes. In Almaville a street car conductor was + sentenced to two years in the penitentiary for the killing of + an inoffensive Negro who was asking him for correct change and + at whom, according to his own sworn statement, he shot 'to see + him run.' + + "In this same city a Negro woman was kicked off of a street car + by the conductor for pulling through mistake the cord that + registered fares instead of the one that signalled for the + motorman to stop. + + "For this same offense a Negro in Memphis was shot in the back + four times and killed by the conductor, who was allowed to make + his escape. + + "Many good white people of the South will ask 'If this state of + terror exists among our Negro population, how does it happen + that it has not impressed itself more forcibly upon the public + mind?' Largely because the affected people are voiceless and + because they grow weary of invoking the aid of courts and + commissions that somehow find their way clear to sustain the + side holding membership in the race to which they belong. The + Negroes, therefore, meet in groups and exchange accounts of + outrages and bitterly sneer when they read in the white + newspapers of the South accounts of the ideal relations of the + two races. + + "The claim of some of the white people of the South that the + Negro needs no power in his own hands to insure a proper regard + for his interests ought not to be tolerated for a moment in + view of all that has happened since the whites have had + exclusive charge of the southern governments. + + "It has long been a contention of the Anglo-Saxon race that the + people should retain power to protect themselves against + possible indifference, incompetence or outright meanness on the + part of public officials, and if Anglo-Saxons refuse to commit + their welfare unreservedly into the hands of fellow + Anglo-Saxons, it seems clear that it is placing too great a + strain upon human nature to expect ideal results when an alien + race is involved. Not only does repression bear such fruit as + we have indicated, but it also bears heavily upon the repressed + in other directions. + + "All history shows that a race stands in need of great men, in + need of the contributions of their superior powers, and the + inspiration that their names will carry from generation to + generation. + + "Grappling with the affairs of state affords unique + opportunities for growth, while the honor of having served the + state operates as a magnifying glass enlarging the + inspirational force of individuals so honored. Thus a race + having the privilege of committing great trusts to its members + draws as a dividend men of enlarged powers and names which will + inspire. These influences reapplied to the needs of the state + serve mightily to pull the people forward. + + "Again, to fix a limit to the development of a race is to run + counter to the forces of evolution which are indisposed to + recognize barriers of any kind. The human mind revolts at a + '_ne plus ultra_.' The Great Unknown has hid himself in the + heart of things, and yet the fainting soul of man lingers + forever at the barred door of His palace in a sort of + rebellious worship, determined to learn of Deity even the + forbidden things. + + "The human mind is yet human when encased in a Negro body and + if this mind chafes at limitations seemingly imposed by eternal + forces, it will not submit to limitations arranged by finite + creatures. + + "We have no doubt arrived at the point in this discussion where + it is in order to suggest a remedy for these ills. The + offerings of the humane class of Southern white people who + would like to settle the whole question upon the basis of the + development of the Negro race along restricted lines, must, + because of the danger that lurks in the principle of + repression, be rejected as totally inadequate. Above all + things, the government must go out of the business of + repression, must cease tagging the Negro as an outcast among + his fellows. The men who administer affairs must be made + amenable to the sentiment of the whole body politic and not + simply that portion represented by the white citizenship. + + "One says: 'The nation felt all this and granted to the Negroes + political power.' Explain to us those largely writ words + 'Reconstruction Governments.' + + "Right gladly do we respond to the task assigned. + + "One whom the nation knows as perhaps the foremost living + Southerner, who has acquired the art of speaking upon this + whole matter in a way that seems to beget at least a respectful + hearing everywhere, says: 'Few reasonable men now charge the + Negroes at large with more than ignorance and an invincible + faculty for being worked on.' + + "To this we make reply, the overturning of slavery in the South + was revolutionary and not evolutionary. There was no spiritual + cataclysm to correspond with the political one. He who on one + day ruled _over_ the Negro was found spiritually unprepared to + rule _with_ him on the succeeding day. + + "When, therefore, the Negroes were approached by two + sets of men, the one set, composed of the former ruling class + of the South, equipped morally and intellectually for good + government, but wrong at heart upon the great question of human + rights, the other composed largely of carpet baggers, scalawags + and bad administrators, but true to the principle of equality + before the law, it ought not to be surprising that a race fresh + from the galling yoke of slavery should choose the set that + would look after their liberties. + + "This, we feel, fully explains the ills of reconstruction, and + those that lament that they were thrust aside from leadership, + should further lament that they were evidently not far enough + away from the ruling of a race by a race to have charge of the + momentous experiment of the joint rulership of races. The real + blame for the unfortunate state of affairs falls, perhaps, upon + those crushers of free speech in the South who, prior to the + Civil War, allowed not the preaching of the doctrine of human + rights which would have furnished men of the right temper and + proper vision to take charge of the new order of things. + + "But we gained much from those times that must not be lost + sight of. We gained our racial awakening, the upward impulse. + This was a supreme need of our country. For, what pen can set + forth what would have been the outcome of a festering carcass + of a dead race within our borders. + + "The ballot put into the hands of the gloom enshrouded Negro + sent a thrill of hope into his very bone and marrow, and the + sense of responsibility and the beckoning of the high destiny + of citizenship in a great republic begot such a fever of + progress in the race that the problem is now that of dealing + with the aspirations of the race rather than the more awful + problem of trying to avoid the contaminating odor of a race + dead to higher appeals, sinking and pulling the nation with it. + + "And finally upon the question of reconstruction we find that + perpetual disbarment is not visited upon the people of the + mightiest city of the new world, because it has from time to + time made mistakes and put bad men to the fore. + + "Moreover, be it remembered that the Negro of to-day is not + restricted to the choice of yesterday. Good men and true + abound in both races in the South, who are now fully equipped + to operate a truly democratic government. + + "People of America: We were wrested by you from the savage + wilds and thrown into your mould. Our bodies have been fitted + to your climes, our spirits have been put in tune with yours. + We love your institutions, and if your flag could speak, it + would tell you that it has no fear of the dust when entrusted + to our sable hands. + + "The great burdens of your future need the cheer that we can + bring, and your labors in the tropics now dimly foreshadowed, + may put a premium on what we can yield. By the token of our + patriotism and in sight of our willingness to yield all the + blood or brawn or brain necessary for the advancement of our + common country, we simply beg that you cast not away your + ideals, that you do not unsettle the foundations of your + democracy when you come to deal with us. + + "Grant unto us equality of citizenship. Fix your standard for a + man! If you choose, plant the foot of the ladder in a fiery + test and engirdle each round with a forest of thorns. Do this + and more, if your civilization and the highest needs of the + unborn world require it. But when, through the fire and up the + path of thorns, we climb where others climb, hurl us not back + because of a color given us from above. Let one test be unto + all men. Let the strong arm of the nation for its own good and + for the ultimate good of humanity insist upon the observance of + this principle wherever Old Glory floats. Let this be the + guiding star of your policy toward us. This grave question + settled, the vast army of Negro leaders absorbed in the + momentous work of adjusting this external problem, will be + free to turn undivided attention to the curing of those ills + that are gnawing at the vitals of the race. + + "Those most interested in the internal development of the race + can render the cause so dear to their hearts no greater service + than by facilitating the adjustment of the outer relation. + + "The campaign, then, is one that concerns not only the + political forces of the nation, but the moral forces as well, + since the pressing of this great wrong upon the hearts of an + inoffensive, patient and aspiring people tends to their moral + undoing, not only by the evil passions engendered, but also, as + has been pointed out, by the withdrawing of so much of the + attention of the race from internal development to the + absorbing, exacting and, in some respects, narrowing task of + battling against an alien aggression. + + "From the depths of our dark night we cry unto you to save us + from the oppression inherent in the present situation and clear + the way for our higher aspirations. + + "In behalf of the Negroes of the United States of America, + + "ENSAL ELLWOOD." + +Ensal finished the document, folded it carefully and laid it upon his +desk. + +"Now Earl," he said, "let us print millions of this address and see to +it that a copy thereof gets into every American home. Furthermore, let +us see to it that it is translated into the various languages of the +civilized world that the whole thought of the human race may be +influenced in our direction. Earl, our cause is just and we must learn +to plead it acceptably. That is our problem. Eschew your plan and join +hands with me." + +Earl was silent for a few moments and then said: + +"This is all very good, Ensal, but it needs a supplement. Charles +Sumner's oratory and Mrs. Stowe's affecting portraiture of poor old +Uncle Tom were not sufficient of themselves to move the nation. There +had to be a John Brown and a Harper's Ferry. Preserve that paper and +send it forth. The blood of Earl Bluefield and his followers shed upon +the hill crowning Almaville will serve as an exclamation point to what +you have said in that paper," was Earl's comment. + +Earl now arose to go. Ensal stood up facing him. + +"Ensal, clasp my hand in farewell," said Earl feelingly. + +"Earl, knowing the mission upon which you go to-night, criminal in its +utter folly, I would not for my life put my hand in yours," responded +Ensal. + +A flush of anger overspread Earl's face, his lip quivered and he was +upon the eve of uttering some biting remark. He suppressed his anger, +however, and departed, determined upon making his offering of blood. +True American that he was, Ensal was determined that the offering should +be the output of brains, rather than of veins. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIII. + +_They Grapple._ + + +Almaville is asleep, watched by the quiet moon, now about to disappear, +and the far off silent stars. + +Upon the bridge from which hundreds had seen little Henry Crump driven +to his death; where the majesty of the law had been trampled under foot +in the murder and mutilation of Dave Harper--upon this bridge now stood +Ensal awaiting the coming of Earl who had to pass that way to reach the +place of rendezvous agreed upon by himself and followers. + +At about one o'clock Ensal, standing in the shadow of the framework of +the bridge, saw Earl walking rapidly in his direction. As the latter was +about to pass, Ensal laid a hand firmly upon his shoulder. + +Earl looked around quickly to learn the meaning of the firm grasp and +recognized him. There was a look of determination in Ensal's eye that +caused Earl to feel that important developments were sure to follow. + +"Earl, my friend, you shall not commit this blunder," said Ensal. + +"Blood must be shed at some time and it might as well be shed now as at +any other time," said Earl, staring Ensal in the face as though he might +have reference to his (Ensal's) blood. + +Ensal's grasp tightened, and he said, "I tell you frankly, Earl, you +will have to disable me before you get to that crowd to-night." + +"Turn me loose," said Earl, in a quiet, determined, yet kindly tone. +"Ensal, you and I have been friends all of our lives. We sat in school +together and hunted birds' nests in the woods side by side. I have +sought your counsel from time to time and you have served as a check to +me in many instances. But my mind is fully made up now, and it will not +pay for even such a friend as you are to stand in my way. I warn you, +beware!" + +Ensal decided that it was time to act. He quickly pinioned Earl and +backed him up against the iron railing. He had just heard the city clock +strike one and felt that he could hold Earl in his grasp for one hour, +at which time a policeman would come along, whereupon he could deliver +Earl over to the officer. With Earl out of the way he felt that he could +get around and dissipate the forces that he had organized. + +Earl remembered that in Ensal's earlier days, he had suffered a fracture +of his left arm, and in his struggling Earl now weighed heavily on that +arm which began to weaken. Ensal soon saw that he was not going to be +able to pinion Earl for the hour to intervene before the coming of the +officer. So deciding, he concluded to stake all on a fall. He felt that +if he could get Earl down and get the famous neck hold, which they had +practiced so much in their youth, he could succeed in holding him in +that way. + +To and fro the two men swayed, each man feeling that the welfare of +millions depended upon the outcome of this duel of the muscles. + +At last Ensal gained an advantage and Earl was thrown. Earl pretended to +be making violent efforts to hurl Ensal off of himself, but this was +merely a feint. By skillful maneuvering unknown to Ensal he got hold of +his pistol and sought to so aim it that he could shoot Ensal through the +heart. Concluding that he now had the pistol at the right angle, he +pulled the trigger. The trembling condition of his hand could not insure +a steady aim and the pistol falling down sent the bullet crashing into +his own side. Ensal leaped up, but Earl lay motionless upon the bridge. + +It was now only a few moments before the policeman was due at that point +and Ensal was in a quandary as to what to do. He was not long in doubt, +however. Lifting the wounded man, he half dragged and half carried him +to one end of the bridge where there were steps leading down to the +river. He disappeared down the steps and hid under the bridge just in +time to escape the eyes of the officer. + +[Illustration: "To and fro the two men swayed, each man feeling that the + welfare of millions depended upon the outcome of this duel + of the muscles." + (164-165.)] + +Ensal did what he could to staunch the flow of blood. He then tried to +think. He did not care to expose Earl to the fury of a white mob by +revealing the conspiracy. He preferred to heal the racial sore himself +without calling a doctor, whose remedy might be worse than the disease. +But if he kept Earl's illness secret and Earl died, he was himself +liable to be arrested on the charge of murder. He concluded, however, to +take the risk of handling the matter himself. He would have Earl nursed +back to health and then demand that he leave Almaville on the ground +that he was an unsafe leader for the people under existing conditions. +He now felt the need of a confederate and his mind ran to Tiara, who was +yet living in practical seclusion. + +"By the way," said he to himself, "she lives near the river." + +Taking possession of a boat which he found moored near by, Ensal put +Earl into it and rowed until he was opposite Tiara's house. After +considerable effort he succeeded in arousing the inmates. + +Tiara attired herself and came out upon the back porch and listened to +Ensal's story. She dared not look him in the face too often. Her eyes +told too plainly of her suppressed love. + +As humble as was Ensal's opinion of himself he was compelled to admit +that the net result of this short interview was a decided conviction +that Tiara was not altogether indifferent to him, that he held no mean +place in her regard. But he was the more mystified as to why she had so +persistently refused to allow him to call. + +But all this is aside. Tiara accepted charge of Earl and in her faithful +hands we leave him for the present. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIV. + +_Out of Joint With His Times._ + + +"Jedge, I'd lack to mek' er few dimes. Ken I peddle limonade nigh de +co't 'ouse do', sah, yer honah?" + +The judge looked with a kindly eye upon the rather small, aged Negro, +who made the above request. The look of the man was so appealing and his +voice so sad of tone that the judge was moved to grant the request. + +"Thank 'ee, jedge, thank 'ee," said the Negro, bowing low, his face and +whole frame testifying to his immense joy at being allowed to sell +lemonade at the court house door. + +"His family must be starving," thought the judge, as he resumed his walk +to the court house, haunted by the pleading look in the Negro's eye. + +"He asked for that insignificant favor with as much soul as a man could +put in a plea for his life," mused the judge, as he continued to think +of that haunting look. + +"That Negro would hardly tell me, but I would like to know what dark +cloud it is that so patently casts its shadow over him," thought the +judge, turning to cast a look in the Negro's direction. The Negro saw +him turn and greeted him with another profound bow and humble laying off +of his hands. + +The judge entered the court room, which was now crowded with people from +far and near. That day was to be a great day with them. The lynchers of +Bud and Foresta were to be tried, but that was not what excited their +interest. + +The Congressman from the district in which Maulville was located had +just died, and his successor was soon to be chosen. There was but little +free discussion of political matters in that district, the white +population generally rendering unswerving allegiance to the Democratic +party, while the Negroes were equally as ardent in the support of the +Republican party, each race claiming that so far as it was concerned the +exigencies of the situation permitted no other course. In the absence of +a political arena in which young statesmen might display their prowess, +the court house became the nursery of statesmen in the South. + +Thither then the people were flocking to-day, ostensibly to witness the +trial of the slayers of Bud and Foresta, but in reality to pass final +judgment upon the claims of the young prosecuting attorney who had +announced himself a candidate to succeed the deceased Congressman. The +ability of the young man was unquestioned and his exposition of the +fundamental principles of the Democratic party was all that could be +desired, they felt, but they wanted to hear him on the one question +that was the final test of his acceptability, his attitude on the race +question. + +The court assembled and the crowds poured in. The prosecuting attorney, +H. Clay Maul, son of Gen. Maul, after whom the town was named, arrived +early and took his seat, his earnest face wearing the look of a +determined man sure of his course. Well did he know how much was +involved for himself personally in what was to transpire that day, but +he had vowed on the previous night, which he had spent at his mother's +grave, that he would do his duty regardless of its effect upon his own +future. + +The first case to be called was that of the man designated by the mob to +apply the torch. The chief concern of the defense was in the matter of +securing a jury. They expected the judge to do his duty, and the +prosecuting attorney to put forth his best efforts to convict. But their +reliance was in a jury in whom the race instinct would triumph over +every other consideration and cause it to bring in a verdict of not +guilty. + +It was at last young Maul's time to speak and he arose, slightly +nervous. He hesitated an instant before beginning. All the hopes of his +deceased father concerning him, all the dreams of his boyhood, all the +blandishments of fame and power came surging to his mind and his Ego +said, "Spare thyself. Thy sacrifice will be in vain." + +Overcome by conflicting emotions that gathered in his bosom at this +moment, he waved his hand to the audience as if to say, "Wait," and sat +down. His eyes were directed to the floor and his hand still +outstretched to the audience, giving the people to understand that he +was yet to be heard from. + +Every eye in the room was now upon him, and all were conscious that a +supreme struggle was going on in his bosom. At last he stood up, a smile +of triumph upon his face. And thus it was that a son of the New South +came into his spiritual inheritance. + +The audience was more eager now than ever to hear every word of the +forthcoming speech, and as it forever fixed the status of the young man +with his fellows, we give enough of it to our readers to warrant them in +passing judgment on the judgment of the people of Maulville, Miss. Said +he: + + "Upon an occasion such as this, in order that we may the better + get our bearings, it might pertinently be asked as to why, in + the evolution of things, you, honorable Judge, you, esteemed + gentlemen of the jury, and myself, your humble servant, are + here to-day addressing our attention to a crime which was in no + wise directed against us personally. + + "We are here to take care of the interests of society, to guard + it against the influence of a savage deed whose foul breath + blown upon our civilization threatens it with utter decay. + Availing myself of the latitude accorded one in your court, + honored Judge, I shall seek to point out all the involvements + in the case which we have before us. + + "God has given unto us, or, to be more exact, has permitted us + to wrest from the Indian and from creeping snake and prowling + beast, a goodly land. Here we raise a product that supplies a + need of the world that cannot be so acceptably filled up to the + present time by any other quarter of the globe. + + "The world at large, therefore, has a vital material interest + in the manner in which we conduct ourselves on this spot. We + have in our midst Negroes who have a superior adaptation to the + labor of the fields, and it is to our interest and to the + interests of mankind generally, that they be treated properly, + as in their humble way they do this their share of the world's + work. + + "Crown Murder king here to-day, if you will, and his bloody + sceptre waved over our fields will drive the Negroes therefrom, + keep us poor, and sadly disturb economic conditions in the most + remote corners of the earth. The material interests of + civilization at large, therefore, appeal to you for the + administration of justice in our part of the world. + + "But civilization has even higher interests involved. We must + bear in mind that these are no longer days of isolation, that + the deeds of Maulville have been canvassed throughout the + earth. Man has been battling upward through the ages, and his + savage instincts have sought to mount the ladder with him as he + climbed. It has been one of the hardest of man's battles to + leave behind him these depraved parts of his nature, and + evidence that you carry your savagery with you will make the + battle harder for the whole of the human family. And so the + moral health of the world demands that every community have a + pest house where the isolation and treatment of the morally + diseased may forestall an epidemic. + + "Coming nearer home, I would call your attention to our sister + states to the north of us. These states are bound up with us in + a political system. Destiny has made us one people, and by the + outside world we must be reckoned with as a unit. Under these + circumstances, the thought must unavoidably develop that _that_ + for which all are to be held responsible must, when the need + arises, be made the subject of inquiry and action on the part + of all. + + "For the honor, then, of the other members of our political + compact who form a part of our shield against the outside + world, and to enable them in view of the attached + responsibility, to accord, with a clear conscience, full + deference to our claim to the right of local self-government, + it is incumbent upon us to act worthily here. + + "Gentlemen, our own larger interests are involved in this + matter. It is our privilege, and our duty as well, to + contribute our best heart and brain to the care of the + interests of our nation and to the guidance of the world. But + if our statesmen walk through the halls of Congress emitting + from their garments the scent of burning human flesh, when they + would put forth their souls as great magnets for mankind, the + tender, sensitive world-heart will recede from their touch, and + leave their hollow, resounding voices reverberating through + space. Thus shall we lose our share of great world leaders. + + "Gentlemen, the lives of white men will be placed in jeopardy + by a miscarriage of justice here to-day. The jury that refused + first to hang a white man for killing a Negro, seared its + conscience, lowered its estimate of the value of human life, + and now, without due process of law, the white man who kills + any one is almost uniformly exempt from the death penalty. The + maltreatment of Negroes according to immutable laws precedes + but by one day the like maltreatment of whites. + + "Need I to tell you of the patient dark faces that sit in their + humble cabins to-day and quietly await your verdict which will + make their lives secure, or subject to the caprice of the man + with murderous instinct. + + "Gentlemen of the jury, remember that the interests of your + children are involved in this case. The capital on which they + are to begin life is necessarily that which they draw from your + social manifestations. They saw that holiday crowd that + gathered here on the day of the burning and some of those hot + human ashes fell in their innocent faces. What happened here + that day will be talked over by them in their childish sports. + Let us give to them a fitting conclusion to the recital. We + have made it possible for them to say that the deed was done. + Let us avoid contributing to their hardness of heart, by + causing them to say that the deed was spurned. + + "Having at length put before you the claims of society whose + mouthpiece I am this day, I am now ready to deal more + specifically with the case before us. + + "I have no hesitancy in asserting that the evidence before you, + gentlemen, is of a sufficient character to justify the + conviction of the defendant. The case is so plain that it seems + like arguing an axiom to discuss it. I will not impugn the + intelligence of this jury by a review of the evidence in so + plain a case. But knowing the deadening miasma of race + prejudice that hangs over, envelops and stifles us so often, I + shall dwell briefly upon the nature of the crime committed by + the defendant. + + "A Negro, acting upon that instinct of self-preservation that + ramifies all nature, shot down his would-be murderer, no other + course save the surrender of his life being open to him. Have + we gone back to the days of the cannibal kings, when it was + deemed a virtue for a subject to lay down his life to satisfy a + whim of his master? Have we, the proud Anglo-Saxon race, fallen + so low that we are to ask that the Negro meekly lay down in our + pathway, while we enjoy the pleasant sport of boring holes + through his body? If this is not what we mean, how do you + account for that writhing form, the form of that Negro, whose + only offense was that he sought to preserve from the violence + of man a life granted unto him by his Maker? + + "And now I come to the crowning horror of the ages. Our poets + have sung in loftiest strains of the devotion of woman. + + "A Negro wife, true to that impulse of the woman's heart that + has made this old world worth living in, that has taught men + that the fireside is worth dying for, that + impulse--devotion to a loved one in distress, led that + girl to journey by her husband's side through bog and swamp, + bearing up bravely under the scorching heat of the sun and + wilting not in the dead of night amid the gloom of the beast + infested forest. + + "Ah! gentlemen, that girl deserved better of us than what we + gave her. And I declare unto you that as the ages roll by, the + people of the earth are going to make of those cruel flames + that wrapped themselves about her nude body a fiery chariot of + glory to carry the blessed memory of her devotion from age to + age. + +[Illustration: "'Is it a crime for me, one of your sons, to invoke + loyalty to the national constitution? If so, I commit + that crime.'" + (174-175.)] + + "Such will be the verdict of the future; but, gentlemen of the + jury, you are this moment the mouthpiece of your age and we are + concerned about your verdict. + + "Gentlemen of the jury, the evidence in this case, the + revolting nature of the crime and every consideration of + society demands a verdict of guilty. We have reached the apex + of infamy in the crime which lies unavenged at our doors. + + "Let us retrace our steps beginning here to-day. Seeing whither + our present policy as a people toward the Negro has led us, let + us adopt another course. + + "Is it a crime for me, one of your sons to invoke loyalty to + our national constitution? If so I commit that crime. Let us + accept the Negro as a partner in our government, and acts such + as these will not occur. Nor in so saying do I abate one inch + of my stand for white supremacy. As long as there are distinct + races there will be racial aspirations for first place. But I + crave not the first place born of the prestige of sitting upon + a throne whose base is forever lapped by the waves of the blood + of the innocent and the helpless. I stand for white supremacy + in intellect, in soul power, in grasp upon the esteem of others + through sheer force of character. But all this aside. Justice + whom you cannot afford to banish from your borders calls upon + you to pronounce over this defendant's head the verdict of + guilty." + +Young Maul's speech was now over, but he did not sit down. Having +declared himself in the manner that he did, he knew that he was +henceforth to be a political outcast, a pariah. He had not stood up for +the extension of the caste idea to the political system and knew that +its ban would henceforth be upon him. Yet in spite of the dreary future +which his speech had carved out for him his soul was at ease, for he was +conscious of having advocated that which was best for his people. +Grasping his hat he strode out of the room, not waiting for the verdict +of the jury. + +"It is a pity that our section can find no place for so true a soul +presided over by so bright a mind," thought the judge, his eyes +following young Maul, as the latter passed out of the court room, and +through the court house yard, looking neither to the right nor to the +left. The people understood his going. He was saying that he had done +his duty and personally could be absolved from concern as to results. + +The lawyers for the defense, feeling sure of the jury, saw no necessity +for the making of speeches on their part. They waived their rights in +this particular, and the jury, after being solemnly charged by the +judge, was handed the case. + +The Negro at the door selling lemonade had been an eager listener to all +that was said in the case. He had now totally suspended his sales and, +standing in the door was eagerly scanning the faces of the jurymen, who +had announced that they did not need to retire, but could return a +verdict on the spot. + +"Come here, darkey, with your lemonade," called a white man on the +outside to the Negro. + +The Negro obeyed, though his heart for some cause was in the court room. +Suddenly there was a tumult in the court room and the Negro dropped his +lemonade bucket and ran to the door. He saw a crowd surging about the +lyncher that had been on trial, and he cried out in startling tones: + +"Gemmen, don't do dat. Don't kill de man. De boy whut wuz burnt, I'm his +daddy. I jes' wanted yer ter 'nounce de man guilty so as ter tek de +stain off'n de dead; but fur Gawd's sake, don' lynch de man." + +The judge saw through it all at once and hastened to Silas Harper's +side, for it was he, Bud's father. In sorrowful tones the judge said, +"You are mistaken, friend. They are congratulating the man. They are not +trying to hurt him. The jury has said that he was not guilty. You had +better come and go with me. They might become enraged against you and +have another lynching." + +Silas Harper's jaws fell apart in amazement and his eyes took on the +look of a terror-stricken, hunted animal. He meekly slunk along after +the judge, and to an outsider would have appeared to be a criminal +doomed to die. + + + + +CHAPTER XXV. + +_A Joyful Farewell._ + + +Mr. Seabright sat upright in bed and rubbed his eyes. The gas was +burning and there sat a man in one corner of his bedroom, turning a +rifle over and over, in a cool manner, a keen look of satisfaction in +his eyes. + +"Am I dreaming? O, I am dreaming!" said Mr. Seabright, trying to thus +reassure himself; but a man was sitting in a chair in the corner, all as +plain as day. + +"But I have had dreams that appeared as real," thought Mr. Seabright. + +He pinched himself so as to further determine the fact as to whether he +was awake or asleep. Being thoroughly convinced that he was awake, he +quickly fell back in the bed and pulled the cover over his head. +Remembering, however, the man's rifle, he pulled the covering far enough +down to allow one terrified eye to keep track of the weapon. + +"Mr. Seabright!" called the intruder. + +"Sir," responded Mr. Seabright, in sepulchral tones. + +"I think your wife belongs to that man Marshall's church," remarked the +man. + +Mr. Seabright nodded assent. + +"Tell her that her pastor will hardly live till morning and that he +would like to see her," said the man. + +Mr. Seabright had now found courage to pull the cover down from over the +other eye, and it now rested on his nose. + +"Did you hear me," said the man, rather sharply. + +"You will please excuse my boldness," said Mr. Seabright, tremblingly, +"but you have a totally wrong conception of my disposition I fear, Mr. +Stranger. You can get the full benefit of my services with only the butt +end of that thing pointing my way, instead of the occasional shifting of +the muzzle in my direction." + +The stranger smiled coldly and said, "Tell her what I said." + +Mr. Seabright now got out of bed and proceeded to the door opening from +his room into that of his wife. + +"Arabelle!" called Mr. Seabright through the partly opened door. + +Mrs. Seabright, who was in the midst of a horrible dream, sprang out of +bed. + +"Arabelle, Percy G. Marshall is dying and would like to see you." + +"O my God! Can I save him?" she cried, wringing her hands. + +Excited though she was, it was not long before she was attired and +rushing to the study of the church where she was told that she would +find the dying man. The door of the study was slightly ajar so that she +had no trouble in entering. There upon the sofa lay the dying man, his +hand pressed to his side, evidently in an effort to staunch the flow of +blood. It is the young man whom we saw repeating his childhood prayer +after Mrs. Seabright in the Domain Hotel. + +"I knew that it would come to this, mother. I wanted to live to tell you +that," said the dying preacher. + +"O my boy, my darling! O what has lain hold of me?" cried Mrs. +Seabright, as she knelt by the bedside of the dying one and kissed his +lips fervently. + +A gasp and the spirit of the young man was gone. A loud scream rang out +on the night air when Mrs. Seabright realized that it was all over with +him. + +"Wait, my boy, mother is coming." + +Taking from her bosom a small vial she swallowed the contents, fell +across the breast of the dead and joined him in the spirit land. + + * * * * * + +When Mr. Seabright had delivered to Mrs. Seabright the message of the +intruder, he turned and looked at the man in a helpless sort of way. +When Mrs. Seabright was gone the man remarked to Mr. Seabright: + +"I been had my eye on your house for sevul years. It makes a good fort +to shoot frum. It'll be turned to that use to-day. You'd better clean +out, for a mob 'll be here soon." + +"O my God! Have they found me out? O my God! my God!" said Mr. +Seabright, wringing his hands. + +"You may git now, I say," said the man. + +Mr. Seabright sought to put on his clothes, but trembled so that he did +not make much headway. His visitor, to expedite matters, assisted him in +dressing. + +"Take your money and the like. I won't need it where I'll be 'fore +night," said the intruder. + +Mr. Seabright took advantage of this offer to pile into a small valise +all the money, valuable papers and jewels in the house that he could +find. He went out of the rear door and passed back to his stable, and +out into the alley. + +Casting a look back at his house, he said: "Farewell, Hades!" Looking up +into the heavens, he whispered as he ran: "In case, O stars, any inquiry +is made of you as to my whereabouts, please let it be known, of course +without specifying the exact spot, that I have gone to the land of the +Eskimo. My face will soon be overgrown with a beard which I shall so dye +that the keenest scented mob in all the world can not discern any +difference between my humble self and the anatomy of the regulation +Eskimo. So, farewell!" + + + + +CHAPTER XXVI. + +_Gus Martin._ + + +Gus Martin, for it was he who was Mr. Seabright's visitor, saw to it +that every window and door of the house was properly barred, and then +repaired to the tower which commanded every approach to the house. To +his very great surprise he found the tower a veritable arsenal with +ammunition in abundance and death dealing devices of the most improved +types. He perceived that the tower was protected by armor plate and was +so constructed that one might fire upon others with practically no +danger of being hit himself. + +"Beyond doubt I shall go to judgment to-day, but I shall take along with +me a putty good body guard," said Martin, as he settled himself back. + +The day dawned beautifully, and Martin put a hand to his lips and threw +a kiss at the sun. "To-morrow I'll know more about you than I do now," +said he. "And some others will, too," he added. + +At about eleven o'clock he saw leaping the front gate a tall raw boned +bloodhound. + +"It's a pity a pore dum' brute has got to lead this pursession; but +if it mus' be, it mus' be." + +So saying, he lifted his rifle to his shoulder and a shot rang out on +the air. The beast leaped high up in the air, twisted his head to one +side and plunged forward lifeless. Within a few more moments a second +hound appeared, and he met a like fate. Soon there was a clatter of a +horse's feet and an officer of the law came dashing down the street. As +he got opposite the Seabright home a rifle shot rang out and his horse +fell, throwing the rider against an electric light post, and stunning +him for the time being. Martin aimed his rifle at the officer as he lay, +then lowered it. + +"Not yet. Ain't had the confab yet." + +The people in the vicinity perceived that there was something unusual +going on and began to crowd in front of the space facing the Seabright +residence. It soon became known that Rev. Percy G. Marshall had been +murdered and the murderer had been tracked to the Seabright residence. +It was also surmised that the offender was a Negro, as the hounds had +traced him from the place of the killing to a Negro dwelling, thence on +to the Seabright house. The city of Almaville was soon in a ferment and +the white people poured out to that section of the town. Several +thousand people were soon massed in the neighborhood of the Seabright +residence. + +Martin had provided himself with a speaking trumpet and through it he +now shouted, "You people are permitted to stand in front uv these +premises, but you mustn't 'tempt to git over my front yard fence." + +Some one suggested the getting of a trumpet to induce whoever the party +was to allow officers of the law to come in unmolested. The trumpet was +procured and the following dialogue took place. + +The trumpeteer of the crowd shouted, "Whoever you are, we call upon you +in the name of the State to surrender." + +Martin replied, "I'm a nigger. Martin is my name. I have killed a white +man fur a good cause. Before I give up I would like to have a little +talk with the sheriff. Tell him to step to the neares' tellerphone place +and call up Seabright." + +The sheriff did as requested and Gus went to the telephone. + +"Say, Mistah Sheriff, this is Gus Martin that saw Dave Harper lynched. +If I give up to you will you perteck me?" + +"I'll do what I can, Martin. Of course, you know what you have done." + +"Will you lose your life trying to perteck me?" asked Martin. + +"Well, uh--well, Martin, that's pretty hard to say, considering you +murdered one of my race, you know." + +[Illustration: "'I have tellerphoned 'round the world and there ain't no + justice nowhere fur a black man. We'll fight it out right + here.'" + (184-185)] + +"Ring off," said Martin. + +Gus now called up the Governor's office. + +"Governor, this is Gus Martin. Will you perteck my life if I surrender +to this heah sheriff? I am 'cused uv killin' a white preacher." + +"I can do nothing unless called upon by the sheriff of your county," +said the Governor, and put up the telephone receiver. + +The Seabright residence had 'long distance' telephone connections and +Gus called up the White House at Washington. He stated his case and the +secretary to the President replied: + +"We are powerless to act. The most that we can at present do is to +create a healthy public sentiment against lynching." + +"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed Gus through the telephone. "Is that all you can +say to a man that risked his life fur your flag?" + +Gus now called up the British legation to sound it on the question of +proposing intervention on the part of the leading nations of the world. +He was told that the problem was a domestic one and that foreign +countries could not intervene. Gus returned to his trumpet and said, + +"I have tellerphoned 'round the world and there ain't no justice nowhere +fur a black man. We'll fight it out right here." + +In the meantime five young men had formed an agreement that they would +make the dash to the building. They had figured that Gus could not +shoot all five before one of them could reach the lower door and be +sheltered from the fire. They made the dash, but Gus was quicker than +they fancied, and one by one they went down before his deadly aim. The +city was in a frenzy. + +We must leave the scene of combat for a while in order to be prepared +for the dramatic turn events were about to take. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVII. + +_Tiara Mystifies Us._ + + +Tiara was sitting on the front porch of her home gazing pensively out +upon the blue hills that fringed the distant horizon. + +On the day previous she had been able to pronounce the wounded Earl well +and he had gone forth solemnly pledged to no longer rebel against the +overwhelming desire of the Negro race to pursue steadily the policy of +moral suasion, as exemplified by Ensal. + +That morning Eunice had taken her departure and had for some reason or +other refused to let Tiara know her destination. + +Tiara missed Eunice, but there was a countervailing joy in her soul. +Eunice gone, her period of exile was over, and Ensal--O, well, well; he +could call to see her sometimes. That was as much as she would admit to +herself, but there was an enlivening sparkle to those beautiful dark +eyes whenever that individual came before her mind. She was intending +that night to write him a note suggesting that he ought to call and +receive an account of her stewardship in the matter of preserving +Earl's life. That was a non-committal piece of territory on which a +renewal of friendly relations might begin, she felt. The newsboy came +riding along and tossed the afternoon paper upon her porch. She picked +up the paper, opened it and glanced at the various headings. In an +instant her interest in the paper was more than perfunctory. + +She saw an account of the murder of Rev. Percy G. Marshall, and of the +besieging of the supposed murderer that was still in progress when the +paper went to press. + +At that moment a white man was passing in a buggy. Tiara hailed him, +grasped a hat and was soon in the buggy by his side begging him to speed +her to the city, which the wondering man kindly did. + +Directed by Tiara, the man drove to the edge of the crowd of besiegers. +By brave struggling, her hat gone, her long hair down her back, her +dress torn, she made her way to the front of the swaying, surging mass +of frenzied humanity. + +"Gentlemen," said she, "Let us stop this frightful slaughter. Suspend +hostilities! Give me a chance and I will bring things out all right. All +I ask is that you respect my prisoner." + +Tiara's sweet, strong voice carried conviction and the crowd in silence +awaited her action. Snatching a walking stick from a bystander and +tearing a sleeve from her dress she made a flag of truce and mounted the +steps of the gate. + +[Illustration: "Snatching a walking stick from a bystander and tearing a + sleeve from her dress, she made a flag of truce and mounted + the steps of the gate." + (188-189.)] + +Through his trumpet Martin shouted, "Flag uv truce held by the lady +won't be shot at, purvided no one else comes with her." + +The crowd now awaited with feverish anxiety the outcome of this new turn +of affairs. Tragic as were the surroundings, the great throng found time +to admire the great beauty, the magnificent form, the queenly carriage +of Tiara, as bareheaded and with flag aloft she marched up to the +citadel of the outlaw. + +Martin met her at the door, let her in and ran back to the tower to see +that no one took advantage of his absence to attempt to approach the +building. But his precaution was unnecessary. It was a matter of honor +with the great throng and none thought of violating the flag of truce. + +Tiara followed Martin to the tower and spoke to him a few words in a +low, earnest voice. + +"Woman, is that true? And all this havoc to be laid at my door?" + +"My God!" said Martin humbly. "My God," he murmured again. Steadily down +the stairway he walked and flung the door wide open, saying to Tiara, +who followed, "Well, I'm done. They may have me." Tossing his rifle in +midair, he said, "I give up, gentlemen." Taking the white flag he +marched down the sidewalk, stepped outside the gate and stretched forth +his hand for the sheriff to handcuff him. No sooner was he thus fastened +than the mob surged in upon him. A blow from a stick knocked him down. +As he lay upon the ground the muzzle of a pistol was seen protruding +from each of the side pockets of his pants. Leroy Crutcher, whose +testimony had helped to stimulate the mob that lynched Dave Harper, was +again on hand. Eager for a souvenir that would enable him to boast to +the white people as to how he stood by them, he stooped down to snatch +one of the protruding pistols. Martin had the pistols so set in his +pocket that to snatch them would pull the triggers and cause them to +fire. A shot rang out and ploughed into Leroy Crutcher's body and he +fell a corpse. + +The crowd swayed back from Gus in superstitious fear, taking him to be a +remarkable personage to be able to keep up a bombardment in his +condition. As no more shots came the mob felt reassured and drew near +the prostrate form of Gus. His eyes looked up into scores of pistols now +leveled at him, and as they rang out their death song Gus Martin smiled +and died. + + + + +CHAPTER XXVIII. + +_Poor Fellow._ + + +The whole of the night following the Gus Martin tragedy was spent by +Ensal in sorrowful meditation, as he restlessly walked to and fro in his +room. + +The Rev. Percy G. Marshall had been an outspoken friend of the Negro. +The white South, Ensal felt, had at one time seemed to fetter its +pulpit, not allowing it much latitude in dealing with great moral +questions that chanced to have an accompanying political aspect. Ensal +had looked on with profound admiration as the young Rev. Mr. Marshall, +by precept and by example, boldly led the way for an enlarged scope for +the white clergy of the South. + +Had the pulpit in question done its full duty in preaching against the +institution of Slavery, it might have been eradicated by peaceful means, +and the Civil War averted, was Ensal's firm conviction, and he further +felt that the future well-being of the South and the happy adjustment of +the relations of the races was largely dependent upon the extent to +which the white preachers taught the brotherhood of man and invoked the +application of the Golden Rule to all pending problems. + +In all this work the Rev. Percy G. Marshall was a pioneer spirit, and by +degrees the white pulpit of the South was growing more and more +aggressive and emphatic. And now it was the irony of fate that this +young minister should be slain by a member of the race for which he had +imperilled his own standing among the whites. + +In addition to his grief over the tragic death of the Rev. Mr. Marshall, +there was another phase of the Gus Martin affair that gave Ensal deep +concern. Gus was the child of the new philosophy that was taking hold of +the race, which was as follows: + +Faith in the general government was at a low ebb. Concerted action of a +warlike nature on the part of the race was regarded as being out of the +question, if for no other reason than that the Negro leaders were +practically a unit in pronouncing such a course one of stupendous folly +under the existing unequal conditions. Word was therefore being passed +down the line that every man was to act for himself, that each +individual was himself to resent the injustices and indignities +perpetrated upon him, and that each man whose life was threatened in a +lawless way could help the cause of the race by killing as many as +possible of the lawless band, it being contended that the adding of the +element of danger to mob life would make many less inclined to +lawlessness. + +Ensal saw where such a course would lead the race. Negroes were +ordinarily approached in the name of the law and in that name disarmed. +When the law had thus rendered them helpless, the mob would form and be +presented with the object of its wrath bound hand and foot. + +Resistance, then, to be effective would have to be offered to the +officers of the law. The utter pitiableness of the lone Negro being sent +by this philosophy to fight the organized power of modern society went +home to Ensal's heart. + +The night passed and dawn found him yet pacing his room. His mother +summoned him to breakfast, but the all-night agony of his spirit had +robbed him of an appetite. The mail man's whistle blew, announcing the +morning's mail. + +"I hope I will get a letter that will turn my thoughts into another +channel." + +Such was Ensal's solemn soliloquy. How little did he dream of what was +in store for him. Going to his front gate he received the mail. To his +great surprise, the handwriting on one envelope seemed to be that of Gus +Martin. He quickly tore this letter open and read its contents. He +looked around and about cautiously, as if to see if any one was +observing him. He crumbled the letter tightly in his hand and started +toward the house, when he began to sway to and fro. His head grew dizzy, +he tottered and fell. His mother, who had been observing him through +the window, suppressed an incipient scream that almost escaped her lips, +and rushed to her son's side. She had seen the effects of the letter, +and her first act was to attempt to gain possession of it for the +possible protection of her boy. But even in his swooning condition he +clutched the letter with so powerful a grasp that she could not wrest it +from him. She now cried aloud for help, and neighbors came to her +rescue. + +Ensal was borne into the house, his mother keeping in close touch with +the hand that held the letter. After some effort he was restored to +consciousness, and his first words were, + +"The letter! The letter! O my God! the letter!" + +"You have it, my boy. It has never left your hand," said his mother. + +"Thank heaven!" uttered Ensal fervently. + +When Ensal seemed to be nearly restored to his normal state the +neighbors retired. + +"Mother, ask me not why, but prepare my things. I must leave America," +said Ensal, in a tone so forlorn as to deeply touch the mother's heart. +Drawing near to Ensal she threw her arms around his neck and looked into +his eyes as if to read his soul. + +Upon this holy scene where troubled son and anxious mother meet we will +not obtrude, and so step lightly out of the room. + + + + +CHAPTER XXIX. + +_A Revelation._ + + +The fact that Ensal was to resign his church and leave the country was +soon known throughout Almaville and filled the hearts of the good people +of both races with sore regret. Tiara was amazed. + +"Am I no more to him than that," she asked herself. + +Choosing an hour when she knew Ensal would not be in, Tiara called at +his home to see his mother. Mrs. Ellwood received her in her bedroom. +She dropped on her knees by Mrs. Ellwood's side, and said in tones that +told of a sadly torn heart: + +"Mrs. Ellwood, don't let your boy leave. We need him. I--, don't, don't +let him go." + +"I have plead with him, my dear, but his mind is made up, it seems," +said Mrs. Ellwood sorrowfully. + +"Perhaps he thinks that--that--that I am not--as good a friend to him +as--ah! but he ought to--." + +Tiara arose, clasped her hands tightly and bent her beautiful face +toward the floor thinking, thinking. Tears began to gather as she +thought of this culminating sorrow of a life so full of sorrows. + +"Mrs. Ellwood," said Tiara, "when your son comes home, for +my--well--please, oh please, beseech him to stay. Think me not immodest +because I plead with you thus. I feel so sure; I know--somehow I know +that if all were known between your boy and myself he would not leave +the country, at least would not leave it--." Tiara paused and looked up +at Mrs. Ellwood as she finished her sentence with the word, "alone." + +"May heaven pardon my boldness," said Tiara, with clasped hands, lifted +face and eyes straining for the light that would not come to her soul. + +"I understand you, dear child. I must confess that I do not know what +has come over Ensal." + +The two women now sat down upon the bed, and, clasped in each other's +arms, silently awaited Ensal's coming. + +"Wait, dear," said Mrs. Ellwood. "I will bring you a copy of the +farewell address which he has prepared. Girl, my heart is drawn to you +and I love you, have loved you, and I always thought that Ensal loved +you with all the ardor of his soul. But I don't understand. I will get +the address. It might give us some light." + +Mrs. Ellwood soon returned bringing with her the document, which was +addressed to a Negro organization devoted to the general uplift of the +race, a body that had been founded, and was now presided over by Ensal. + +The paper ran as follows: + + "FELLOW MEMBERS: I believe in the existence of one great + superior Intelligence whom the Christians know as the God of + heaven. I believe that this great being accords to men free + moral agency, but gathers up all that we do and shapes it to + his 'one far off divine event.' + + "The Dutch slave trader that landed his cargo of slaves upon + the banks of the James River was moved thereto by his greed for + gain, we know. The Southerners who wrought upon their slaves + and gave them the rudiments of civilization, wrought, we know, + for the purpose of gain. + + "The war which brought emancipation was not in itself a + deliberately planned altruistic movement, but was precipitated + upon the country, and waged primarily in the interest of the + solidarity of the white race in America. + + "In order that the Negroes might preserve their estate of + freedom and thus obviate another martial conflict they were + given the ballot, and, that the national life might not be + corrupted by the putrid exudations from ignorant aliens to its + civilization and its ideals, culture was provided for the + liberated millions. + + "The medley of motives working through all the past has at last + produced in America the strongest aggregation of Negro life + that has at any time manifested itself upon the earth. + + "To say the least it is a striking coincidence that + simultaneous with the turning of the thought of the world + toward Africa and the recognition of the need therein of an + easily acclimated civilizing force, that the American Negro, + soul wise through suffering, should come forth as a strong man + to run a race. + + "In America we are confronted with a grave problem, the + adjustment of our relations with a strong race. Some have + suggested that our social absorption by this race is the only + real solution of our difficulties. + + "Fellow Negroes, for the sake of world interests, it is my hope + that you will maintain your ambition for racial purity. So long + as your blood relationship to Africa is apparent to you the + world has a redeeming force specially equipped for the work of + the uplift of that continent. + + "Again, a seer linked to us by ties of blood, foreshadows that + the paramount problem of our century will be the problem of the + adjustment of the white to the darker races. If we disappear as + a dark race this world problem must look elsewhere for special + advocates. It seems to me that our situation is from every + point of view eloquent with the voice of destiny. + + "I go to introduce a working force into the life of the + Africans that will make for their uplift. May it continue your + ambition to abide Negroes, to force the American civilization + to accord you your place in your own right, to the end that the + world may have an example of _alien_ races living side by side + administering the general government together and meting out + justice and fair play to all. If through the process of being + made white you attain your rights, the battle of the dark man + will remain to be fought. + + "As I enter therefore upon the larger mission of the American + Negro, it is with the confident hope that my base of supplies + shall remain intact that our struggling kinsmen everywhere may + ever find men of their blood piloting the whole strength of + America into channels that make for the good of the whole human + race. + + "Yours in perpetual bonds of brotherhood, + "ENSAL ELLWOOD." + +The two had just finished the reading of the paper when the door bell +rang. + +"Ensal's ring," whispered Mrs. Ellwood, who now closed Tiara in the room +and went to meet her son. + +Armed with the knowledge of the fact that Ensal was strong in Tiara's +regard, Mrs. Ellwood was ready for a determined attack. Mother and son +entered the study, Ensal perceived at once that his mother had something +of importance to say to him. + +"My boy," she began, "I know of the noble purpose that moves in your +bosom and have ever been proud of it. I shall not chide you now that it +turns your face to the fatherland. But I would have you marry." + +"No! no! no! mother. O no! never," said Ensal, losing all his wonted +calmness, but kissing his mother to let her know that his displeasure +over the subject did not extend to her for mentioning it. + +"My son, I shall hold you in utter disfavor unto the day of my death if +you, without just cause, declare war upon womankind. How can you, my +son!" said Mrs. Ellwood reproachfully. + +Ensal grew calm and looked long and lovingly at his mother. He saw that +for some reason or other his mother had taken up the battle against him +and that he was under the necessity of exonerating himself. Said Ensal: + +"Mother, I am going to divulge to you a secret which I had firmly +resolved to carry to the grave with me. I have withheld it from you, not +because I mistrusted you, my dear, dear mother, but for the sake of +another. In all my life, mother, I have seen but the one girl whom I +have loved, Tiara Merlow--and she loved another!" + +The mother shook her head and smiled knowingly. + +"Ah, but I know, mother. The object of her love was a white man. Gus +Martin saw him kiss her and killed him, killed the Rev. Percy G. +Marshall. The letter which gave me so much trouble told me all, told me +all! O my God! She loved another." + +Mrs. Ellwood sat and looked at Ensal utterly dazed. She arose and, +thoroughly weakened physically by the shock of Ensal's information, +crept out of the room to Tiara. + +"Darling," she gasped, "he says that you loved another--a white man--a +preacher--Percy Marshall. Daughter, darling, deny it! Deny it!" + +"O! God of Heaven, what shall I do! What shall I do," groaned the +unhappy Tiara. + +With one hand pressed upon her throbbing heart and the other laid upon +her fevered brow the beautiful girl left the Ellwood home. + + + + +CHAPTER XXX. + +_Mr. A. Hostility._ + + +It will be recalled that in a very early chapter we saw a cadaverous +looking white man, wearing a much worn suit of clothes, making a sketch +of Ensal's home, as the latter was going out to make arrangements with +Mrs. Crawford for the introduction of Tiara into the best circles of +Negro life in Almaville. + +And now in the crisis of the relations of Ensal and Tiara he comes +forward to inject his peculiar virus into the awful wound made in +Ensal's heart by the disclosures of the Gus Martin letter. Tiara, +burdened creature, was hardly out of sight of Ensal's home when this man +made his appearance and was ushered into the study. When he had taken +the seat proffered him, he said: + +"Gus Martin wrote me a letter, enclosing a copy of a letter which he had +sent to you." + +"O heaven, be merciful. Let it not come to that!" said the agonizing +Ensal, shocked that Gus had let another know of the matter that had so +disturbed him. + +"Your prayer is not directed to me, but I hear, understand, and will +answer it. You do not wish the public to know of the contents of your +letter. You would shield the good name of the girl. As I shall very +shortly trust you with one of the gravest of secrets you will have a +hostage which will of itself insure silence on my part. You and I, I am +sure are the only two persons to whom Gus communicated the affair and +between us we can take care of the secret." + +Ensal stepped across the room and clasped the man's hand fervently and +the two regarded themselves as mutually pledged to secrecy concerning +that matter and whatever was now about to be canvassed. + +"It is not necessary for you to know my name, nationality or anything +that pertains to me. I am the incarnation of an idea. You may know me as +Mr. A. Hostility," said the man. + +"Is there any significance attached to your choice of an initial to +represent your rather significant given name?" asked Ensal. + +"Decidedly," said Mr. Hostility. "The A stands for Anglo-Saxon, the +God-commissioned or self-appointed world conqueror. I am the incarnation +of hostility to that race, or to that branch of the human family +claiming the dominance of that strain of blood." + +The man drew his seat up to the table and, motioning for Ensal to take a +seat on the other side, said "Come near me, friend." + +Ensal did as bidden and sitting thus close to the man noted the almost +maniacal look of intensity in his eye. + +Keeping his eyes steadily on Ensal's face, Mr. Hostility lifted his hand +to his inside pocket and drew out a leathern case. Laying it on the +table he crossed his hands upon it and said: + +"Will you hear me patiently? Gus Martin told me over and over again that +you were a Negro who had dedicated your all to the welfare of your race. +I began watching you years ago and I have carefully noted the trend of +events waiting for the moment that would make our spirits congenial to +each other, and I do believe that the dark shadow under which you stand +will sober you into fellowship with my sombre soul." + +"You seem to be bitter. I am more crushed than bitter," said Ensal. + +"Yes, but bitterness is the next stage, and I am sure that consideration +of a few things which I shall put before you will bring you to the next +stage," said Mr. Hostility. + +Opening the leathern case he said, "Look at this map." + +Ensal bent forward and looked at a map of the world spread out before +him. + +"The world, you see, will soon contain but two colossal figures, the +Anglo-Saxon and the Slav. The inevitable battle for world supremacy will +be between these giants. Without going into the question as to why I am +a Pro-Slav in this matter, I hereby declare unto you that it is the one +dream of my life to so weaken the Anglo-Saxon that he will be easy prey +for the Slav in the coming momentous world struggle." + +"Do I understand that you are to talk treason to me to-day; for of +course you know my people are tied up in a political system with the +Anglo-Saxons," asked Ensal, with some warmth. + +"Ah! That is the question? Are you a part of the American nation or a +thing apart? I can prove that you are a thing apart--a fly in the +stomach for whose ejection an emetic is being diligently sought. Now, +hear me," said Mr. Hostility. + +Always eager to hear what thoughtful men had to say with regard to his +race, Ensal leaned back in his chair, determined to give earnest +attention to this observer of American life, whose very hostility +assured the acuteness of his observations. + +Just at this moment Ensal's mother informed him that a committee was in +their parlor, having come for the purpose of pleading with Ensal to +reconsider his determination to leave America. + +"Madam," said Mr. Hostility, "tell the gentlemen that there is a party +closeted with your son, who has the one key to the Southern situation +long needed by your race, and that I am sure your son will abide in +America." + +Mrs. Ellwood cast a look of warning at her son as she withdrew from the +room. She was not at all favorably impressed with Mr. Hostility, and +had been ill at ease ever since he entered the house. + +Ensal said, "Excuse me a few moments, Mr. Hostility," and stepped out of +the room. + +Mrs. Ellwood, knowing that her son would follow her, stopped in the +hallway, and when he came dropped a pistol into his coat pocket, saying +in a whisper, "My dear boy, do be careful." + +Ensal smiled sadly and kissed his mother. + +"Tell the committee, mother, that my mind is fully made up and a +discussion of my going would be utterly useless. Take the name of each, +assure them all that I appreciate their interest and will call on them +to have a social chat before I leave, provided, however, they agree not +to seek to disturb my purpose in this regard." + +Ensal's mother went to the parlor with his final word, and Ensal +returned to Mr. A. Hostility. + +Tiara was now at home praying that Ensal might not leave America yet +awhile. Mr. A. Hostility was also praying to his evil genius for a like +result. + +Monstrous incongruity! How often do diverse spirits from widely +differing motives work toward a common end! + + + + +CHAPTER XXXI. + +_Two of a Kind._ + + +While Ensal was absent from the room Mr. Hostility had caught sight of a +book which he perceived was the work of a rather conspicuous Southern +man, who had set for himself the task of turning the entire Negro +population out of America. He clutched the book eagerly and said to +himself: + +"I will further inflame the fellow with this venomous assault on his +race. I will further ripen his heart for my purposes." + +Upon Ensal's return to the room, Mr. Hostility called his +attention to the book written for the express purpose of thoroughly +discrediting the Negro race in America. The militant look that came into +Ensal's eye pleased Mr. Hostility immensely. "I will get him! I will get +him!" thought he. + +Ensal did not speak for some time, allowing his weary mind to go forth +upon excursions of thought begotten by the mention of the book. The +movement for which this book stood, constituted what Ensal regarded as +one of the most menacing phases of the problem of the relation of the +races. He knew that in the very nature of things a policy of +misrepresentation was the necessary concomitant of a policy of +repression. Now that the repressionists were invading the realm of +literature to ply their trade, he saw how that the Negro was to be +attacked in the quiet of the AMERICAN HOME, the final arbiter of so many +of earth's most momentous questions, and he trembled at the havoc vile +misrepresentations would play before the truth could get a hearing. + +Ensal thought of the odds against the Negro in this literary battle: how +that Southern white people, being more extensive purchasers of books +than the Negroes, would have the natural bias of great publishing +agencies on their side; how that Northern white people, resident in the +South, for social and business reasons, might hesitate to father books +not in keeping with the prevailing sentiment of Southern white people; +how that residents of the North, who essayed to write in defense of the +Negro, were laughed out of school as mere theorists ignorant of actual +conditions; and, finally, how that a lack of leisure and the absence of +general culture handicapped the Negro in fighting his own battle in this +species of warfare. + +At last Ensal discussed the book with such warmth that Mr. Hostility +greatly rejoiced. Leaning across the table, his fiery eyes glowing more +fiercely than ever, he almost shrieked: + +"Friend, aside from that book, knowest thou not unto what the content of +the Southern policy is leading? Extinction, sir, extinction! Listen to +me awhile." + +"One could hardly be more absorbed than I am at this moment," said +Ensal, rather glad of the warmth of the discussion that took his mind +somewhat away from his personal grief. + +"The Southern white man, when it comes to you, is a believer in caste. +He believes or professes to believe that God, who created the worm and +the bird, also created the Negro and the white man, and that the gulf +between these respective orders of creations is just as wide in the one +case as in the other. Follow this caste idea to its last analysis. The +lower orders must give way to the higher. The mineral is absorbed into +the vegetable and we get the herb, the cow comes along and crops the +herb, the man comes along and eats the cow. The higher order is given +the power of life and death over the lower. Can't you see that your race +is simply preserved because it is not yet in the way of the white race?" +said Mr. Hostility. + +"Proceed," said Ensal. + +"Even now, when have you heard of a white man's being hanged for the +murder of a Negro, however cold-blooded the murder? Can't you see the +awful significance of that fact? Over seventy-five thousand Negroes have +been murdered in the South since your Civil War and I know of just one +hanging of a white as a result. Again, the worst houses to live in are +assigned to your people; the lower forms of labor, involving the most +exposure and danger to life, are reserved for your folks. Phosphate +mines and guano factories shorten human life wofully and your people are +sought for these 'life shortening' jobs. Mark my words," said Mr. +Hostility, rising and bending across the table, "when the Anglo-Saxon +feels the need of it, he is going to exterminate you folks. Theories to +the wind! When has a theory or sentiment of any kind been allowed to +stand in the way of his interests?" + +"Well, what are we to do?" asked Ensal, anxious to draw the man out. + +The man dropped back to his seat. "Now that's right," said he; "'Where +there is a will there is a way,' you Americans say." Reaching into his +vest pocket he pulled out a bottle which was hermetically sealed. +"There, there, lies your salvation," said he, tapping the bottle. + +"How so?" enquired Ensal. + +"This thing came to me like a revelation," said the man. "The way to +attack an enemy is to get at him where you can do him the most harm at +the least risk to yourself." A sinister smile now played upon the man's +face. "Your color is the thing that operates against you Negroes. You +can take what is your curse and make it your salvation." + +The man was delighted with the interest that was plainly evident on +Ensal's face. + +"Listen!" said he, bending forward and speaking in low tones. "The +pigment which abides in your skin and gives you your color and the +peculiar Negro odor renders you immune from yellow fever. This bottle +here is full of yellow fever germs. Organize you a band of trusted +Negroes, send them through the South, let them empty these germs into +the various reservoirs of the white people of the South and pollute the +water. The greatest scourge that the world has ever known will rage in +the South. The whites will die by the millions and those that do not die +will flee from the stricken land and leave the country to your people. + +"The desolation wrought will for a time disorganize this whole nation +and the Pan-Slavists will have the more time to plan for the coming +struggle. + +"My scheme helps you and helps the Pan-Slavist cause and disposes of a +common foe, a section of the white race. Of course, we will have you +Negroes to fight in the last contest. But you would prefer being the +ones living to make the fight, would you not?" asked the man, now +nervously awaiting Ensal's next words. + +Ensal was silent for a few seconds. Then he asked slowly: + +"Do you make that proposition to me, a follower of the Christ?" + +"I have anticipated you there. Did not God use plagues and a wholesale +slaughter to solve the Egyptian race problem? Shall you be more +righteous than God?" + +"Really would you, a civilized being, propose to me a course that +involves the wholesale destruction of women and innocent babes?" asked +Ensal with mounting wrath. + +"Did not your God tell the Hebrews to wage a war of extermination on the +Canaanites?" asked the man. + +Ensal arose and pointing his index finger at the man, said with a voice +vibrant with deep feeling: + +"Now hear me a while. During the Civil War my race met the requirements +of honor where-ever the test was applied--whether it was in the test of +the soldier on the field of battle or the slave guarding the women and +children at home. + +"Nor has freedom altered this trait of Negro character," continued +Ensal. "When discussion rages fiercest, Negro servants continue to abide +in white families, with no thought of leaving or of being dismissed. +Negro men sit in carriages by the side of the fairest daughters of the +Southland and take them in safety from place to place. The Negroes do +the cooking for the whites, nurse their babies, and our mothers hover +about the bedside of their dying. This they do while their hearts are +yearning for a better day for themselves and their kind. But the racial +honor is above being tainted. Let the Anglo-Saxon crush us if he will +and if there is no God! But I say to you, the Negro can never be +provoked to stoop to the perfidy and infamy which you suggest. + +"And as for you, sir, I pronounce you the true yoke fellow of him about +whose book we have been talking, who, wearing the livery of the unifier +of the human race, smites the bridge of sympathy which the ages have +builded between man and man, who, inflamed racial egotist that he is, +would burn humanity at the stake for the sake of the glare that it would +cast upon the pathway of the one race. Is the issue clearly enough drawn +between us?" + +Mr. Hostility nervously folded his map of the world, restored his bottle +of germs to his pocket, and stood facing Ensal in silence for a few +seconds, his keen disappointment adding to the uncanny look of his face. + +"Remember, we have each other's secrets," said Mr. Hostility meaningly +in tones that showed his keen regret at the failure in this instance of +his long cherished scheme. This somewhat recalled Ensal to himself. + +"Yes! Yes! Fear me not. I do not need to impose anything whatever +between your suggestion and our racial honor. That is simply +unapproachable from that quarter. For that reason I am not tempted to +repeat to others what you have said to me." + +Thus reassured, Mr. Hostility made a bow of mock humility, directed at +Ensal a look of utter contempt, and disappeared. + +Ensal dropped upon his knees and prayed thus: + + "O Spirit eternal, God of our fathers, move thou upon the + hearts of the American people and bid them to lift thy children + of the darker hue from their 'low ground of sorrow,' where all + the evil influences of the world feel free to tempt them. In + all the dark night that may yet await them, when men shall so + beset them as to threaten the sustaining influence of + patriotism, grant from the dawn eternal the lighted taper of + hope that shall throw its beams athwart the darkness, and + furnish a cheering glimpse of the fair end of all things. Watch + with thine all seeing eye and nail with thine omnipotent hand + the machinations of those who would poison human hearts and + destroy the humane instincts that are the graces of our faulty + world. Abide thou here forever and grant that the post of pilot + of our planet be given unto this land unto which, though I + depart, my heart is moored by the sweat of brow, flowing blood + and anguish of spirit contributed by my ancestors. Grant unto + this prayer the full measure of consideration that can be + bestowed by divine will upon the heart pleadings of an earnest + humble soul." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXII. + +_Working and Waiting._ + + +Tiara had gone home from her painful interview with Mrs. Ellwood, and +sought the seclusion of her room for the purpose of trying to think out +a course of action. She was able, she felt, to make all things plain to +Ensal, but in order to do this it would be necessary to make +disclosures, which, if given publicity, would very materially affect the +welfare of others. She felt that Ensal would sacredly guard her +revelations, but her disclosures would be of little service to him if he +could not use them to protect himself in case the charge against her +became public. + +Not desiring to put him in a possibly embarrassing position, Tiara +concluded to bear her sorrow until such a time as she would be free to +defend herself openly, if such a course became necessary. As to when she +would be in a position to do this, Tiara was utterly unable to tell and, +to add to the horror of the situation, there was absolutely nothing that +she could do to advance her interests. Chance, blind chance, so far as +she could see, had her fate in hand, and to all the pleadings of her +heart as to what was to become of her, no answer came. + +The time came for Ensal to depart, and the lips of Tiara were yet sealed +by circumstances and did not utter the word that would have set all +matters right with her, but wofully wrong with some others, perhaps. It +soon became evident to Tiara that she could not stand the strain of a +life of hopeless brooding and Ensal had not long been out of America +before she began to cast around for a line of endeavor. + +Before leaving America, Ensal had published the address which he had +prepared in his contest with Earl, and Tiara chose as her mission the +placing of a copy thereof in every American home, feeling that it would +draw to conditions in the South a greater degree of interest on the part +of the nation as a whole. + +Not only did Tiara thus appeal to outside influences for an amelioration +of conditions, but she also addressed herself to matters that depended +upon forces operating within the race. She looked upon the dead line in +the business world as being as baneful as that in the political world. + +This spirit of caste in the upper grades of employment in the South +forbade Negroes from working side by side with the whites. She felt that +the most practicable manner of banishing this dead line was for Negroes +to combine their capital and launch enterprises that would make it +possible for their people to rise in keeping with the claims of merit, +unhampered by the fact of their color. She felt that the infusion of +hope in the industrial world, the breaking of the bands that hopelessly +chained the Negroes to the lower forms of labor was a question of far +reaching consequence, and in every way possible she brought the question +home to the hearts of the people. + +To do this work the more successfully, Tiara took the lecture platform +and traveled from city to city, pleading her cause. She also took an +active interest in the question of local option, seeking to suppress the +liquor traffic wherever local sentiment could be educated to the point +that made such a course possible. This work of temperance brought her +very often before audiences in which there were white people and +Negroes, and sometimes she spoke to audiences in which there were white +people only. + +It may be said with truth that Tiara was deeply concerned in all these +matters and sometimes felt that it was perhaps destiny's way of forcing +her out of a reserve that had hitherto denied the world the +benefit of some of her powers. But while her heart was in this work, it +must also be confessed that she never faced an audience but that her +beautiful eyes surveyed it with eagerness, ever in search of some one +woman face. + +Her correspondence grew to be very large, and each batch of letters, +before being opened, was looked over hurriedly in the hope of finding a +certain woman's handwriting. A close student of countenances could have +discerned over and over the signs of disappointment that her weary heart +would often register upon her beautiful face. Days and months and then +years dragged their way slowly along. + +At last one day Tiara's patient waiting seemed about to be rewarded. An +exclamation of joy, a happy little laugh, a beautiful face that told of +a weary heart at last made glad, indicated that the letter which Tiara +had long hoped for had come. + +Tiara took the next train for Goldsboro, Mississippi, a small town in +the interior of the state. It was not until the next morning that her +train pulled up to her stopping place. + +"Can you tell me where the Hon. Q. A. Johnson lives?" + +"To be shuah, ma'am," said the Negro lad to whom Tiara had spoken. "Ef +you'll git right in heah, you'll be dah befoh yer know it, ma'am," said +he giving a Chesterfieldian bow. + +As Tiara took the back seat of the double seated buggy, a young Negro +man clambered upon the front seat by the side of the driver whom Tiara +had accosted. He had a somewhat intelligent looking face and was +evidently accustomed to good society, although his clothes on this +occasion were ragged and dirty. This Negro had been on the train with +Tiara since leaving Almaville, but she had been so absorbed in the +object of her mission that she was oblivious to all that was passing +around her. + +"Whar you gwine?" asked the driver of his Negro companion. + +"Scuse me, but beins you don't seem to be over prosp'rous, I specks you +had kinder bettah pay in advance," said the driver, with a diplomatic +smile that said, "Now, don't get mad. This is a business matter." + +Without a word the stranger pulled out a bill and handed it to the +driver, who took out his fare. + +Tiara reached the Johnson residence, which was a large building, built +on the colonial style and surrounded by as fine a set of trees as one +could wish to see. Tiara went around to the kitchen and was taken into +the dining room by the Negro woman cook. + +"You will please withdraw as I desire to be alone when I meet Mrs. +Johnson," said Tiara to the cook, with a pleasant smile. + +Mrs. Johnson pulled aside the sliding door leading into the dining room +and, catching sight of Tiara, uttered a scream of joyous surprise and +rushed into her arms. Tiara gently disentangled herself in order to +close the door which Mrs. Johnson had left open. Sitting down by Mrs. +Johnson's side, Tiara took hold of her hand and talked in low, earnest +tones for a few moments, watching her countenance the while. + +"No, no, no, I could not think of that for a moment. No, no, no," said +Mrs. Johnson, and in her heart there grew a great coldness toward Tiara +for even suggesting such a thing. + +As for Tiara her hopes fell to the ground, and with despair written upon +every feature she arose to go. The two went to the back door through +which Tiara had entered, Mrs. Johnson in an excited manner saying over +and over again: "O no, no! Such a thing is not to be thought of for a +moment!" words that pierced Tiara like a dagger each time they were +uttered. + +Sitting on a bench in the back yard waiting, as he said, for an +opportunity to ask Mrs. Johnson for a job, sat the Negro who had ridden +on the train with Tiara and had come to the Johnson residence as she +came. Mrs. Johnson looked at him, felt herself grow weak, and swooned +away. The Negro had looked scrutinizingly at Mrs. Johnson, and now arose +hurriedly, evidently satisfied with his inspection. When Mrs. Johnson +recovered consciousness, she asked wildly, + +"Where is he? The Negro, where is he? Ah, he will----" + +Mr. Johnson, who had been summoned from the library to assist in caring +for his wife, placed his hand over her mouth and prevented her from +talking further. + +Tiara, who had become somewhat dazed by Mrs. Johnson's treatment, had +not stopped to help care for the swooning woman, but had walked away as +one in a trance. How she made her way back to Almaville, she never +knew. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIII. + +_Back in Almaville._ + + +The Hon. H. G. Volrees sat in his office room looking moodily out of the +window. Since the desertion of his young bride his life had been one +long day of misery to him. His mystification and anger increased with +the years, and he had kept a standing offer of a large reward for +information leading to the discovery of his wife. He had vowed vengeance +upon the author or authors of his ruin. + +"Come in," said he in a response to a knock on his door. + +A young Negro man walked in and Mr. Volrees turned around slowly to look +at his caller. + +"This is Mr. Volrees?" asked the Negro. + +Mr. Volrees nodded assent, surveying the Negro from head to foot, noting +the flush of excitement on his swarthy face. + +"I understand that you have offered a reward for information leading to +the discovery of the whereabouts of your wife," said the Negro. + +An angry flush appeared on Mr. Volrees' face and he cast a look of +withering contempt in the Negro's direction, who read at once Mr. +Volrees' disgust over the fact that he, a Negro, dared to broach the +question of his family trouble. + +"Pardon me," said the Negro, turning to leave. + +"Come back! Are you a fool?" said Mr. Volrees angrily, his desire for +information concerning his wife overcoming his scruples. + +"My wife took me to be one and left me," said the Negro in a tone of +mock humility. + +Mr. Volrees looked up quickly to see whether he meant what he was saying +or was making a thrust at him. The solemn face of the Negro was +non-committal. + +"Now, what do you know?" asked Mr. Volrees gruffly. + +"I know where your wife is," said the Negro. + +"How do you know that she is my wife?" + +"I was the porter on the train that you and she began your bridal tour +on," replied the Negro. + +"How have you been able to trace her?" + +"I was the porter on the train on which she first came to Almaville. She +came into the section of the coach for Negroes, and she and a Negro girl +created a scene." + +"Go on!" almost shouted Volrees, now thoroughly aroused. + +"The reward?" timidly suggested the Negro. + +"Of course you get that. Go on!" said Volrees, with increasing +impatience. + +"The affair was so sad-like that I always remembered the looks of the +two women," resumed the Negro. "One night not long ago I saw the Negro +girl buy a ticket to Goldsboro, Mississippi. It came to me like a flash +that she was going to see your wife. She had the same sad look on her +face that she had the night I saw them together. I followed this girl to +Mississippi and sure enough I came upon your wife." + +Volrees had now arisen and was restlessly moving about the room, his +brain in a whirl. + +"Was she living with some family, or how was she situated?" he asked. + +"She and her husband live----" + +"Her husband!" thundered Volrees, grabbing the Negro in the collar, +fancying that he was grabbing the other husband. + +"The people there say that she is married," said the Negro timidly. + +"I will choke the liver out of the miscreant," said Volrees, tightening +his hold in the Negro's collar as if in practice. + +"I am not the man," said the Negro, with growing determination in his +voice. Volrees was thus recalled to himself and resumed his restless +tramping. + +"No, you are not the man. You are only a ---- nigger." + +Grasping his hat, Volrees strode rapidly out of the room. At the door he +bawled back, + +"You will get your reward." + +The Negro followed Volrees at a distance and noted that he went to the +office of an exceedingly shrewd detective. + +In the course of a few days the city of Almaville was shocked with the +news that a Mrs. Johnson, wife of a leading Mississippi planter had been +arrested and brought to Almaville on a charge of bigamy. The prosecutor +in the case was the Hon. H. G. Volrees, who claimed that the alleged +Mrs. Johnson was none other than Eunice Seabright, who had married him. +Mrs. Johnson denied being the former Miss Seabright, and employed able +counsel to conduct her defense. + +The stir in the highest social circles of Almaville was indeed great, +and for days very little was talked of save the forthcoming +Volrees-Johnson bigamy trial. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIV. + +_A Great Day in Court._ + + +Long before the hour set for the trial of the alleged Eunice Volrees on +the charge of bigamy the court house yard and the corridors were full of +people, but, strange to say, the _court room_ in which the trial was to +take place, though open, was not occupied. The crowds thus far were +composed of Negroes and white people in the middle walks of life, who +looked upon the forthcoming trial as a 'big folks'' affair and, as if by +agreement, the court room was spared for the occupancy of the elite. As +the hour for the trial drew near the carriages and automobiles of the +upper classes began to arrive. Each arrival would come in for a share of +the attention of the middle classes and the distinguishing feature of +each personage was told in whispers from one to another. + +When the carriage of the Hon. H. G. Volrees rolled up to the court house +gate silence fell upon the multitude and those on the walk leading to +the court house door fell back and let him pass. His face wore a solemn, +determined look and the common verdict was, "No mercy there. A fight to +a finish." + +The court room was now fairly well filled with Almaville notables, and +the plain people now crowded in to get seats as best they could or to +occupy standing room. Almost the last carriage to arrive was that +containing Eunice. The curtains to the carriage were drawn so that no +one in it could be seen until the door was opened. Eunice and her +lawyers stepped out and quickly closed the door behind them. Contrary to +the expectations of many, she wore no veil and each person in the great +throng was highly gratified at an opportunity to scrutinize her features +thoroughly. A way was made for her through the great throng and she +walked to the prisoner's seat holding to the arm of her lawyer. + +The case was called, a jury secured, and the examination of witnesses +entered into. The first witness on the part of the State was the Hon. H. +G. Volrees himself. As he took the witness chair a bustle was heard in +the room. The people in the aisle were trying to squeeze themselves +together more tightly to allow a man to pass who was leading a little +six-year-old boy, who had just been taken from the carriage which had +brought Eunice to the trial. "Make room, please. I am taking her son to +her," the man would say, and the crowd would fall away as best it could. + +The Hon. H. G. Volrees had opened his mouth to begin his testimony when +he noticed that his attorney, the opposing counsel, the judge and the +officers of the court had turned their eyes toward the prisoner's seat. +As nobody seemed to be listening to him he halted in the midst of his +first sentence and turned to see what was attracting the attention of +the others. As he looked, a peculiar sensation passed over him. +Perspiration broke out in beads and his veins stood out like whip cords. +He clutched his chair tightly and cleared his throat. + +There sat beside Eunice her child, having all of Mr. Volrees' features. +There were his dark chestnut hair, his large dark eyes, his nose, his +lips, his poise and a dark brown stain beneath the left ear which had +been a recurrence in the Volrees family for generations. The public was +mystified as it was commonly understood that the marital relations had +extended no farther than the marriage ceremony. The presence of this +child looked therefore to be an impeachment of the integrity of Mr. +Volrees and of Eunice. The wonder was as to why nothing about the child +had been mentioned before. Mr. Volrees sat in his chair, his eyes fixed +on the boy. + +The lawyer at length resumed the examination of Mr. Volrees, but the +latter made a sorry witness. It was evident that the coming in of this +child had thoroughly upset him in some way. He was mystified, and his +mind, grappling with the problem of his likeness sitting there before +him, could not address itself to the functions of a witness in the case +at issue. He was finally excused from the witness chair. + +The other witnesses, who, out of sympathy for H. G. Volrees had come to +identify Eunice as his bride, seeing his collapse, did not feel inclined +to take the prosecution of the case upon themselves and their testimony +did not have the positiveness necessary to carry conviction. It was very +evident that the state had not made out a case and an acquittal seemed +assured. + +The Negro porter was in the court room eagerly watching the progress of +the trial, knowing that the obtaining of his reward hinged upon the +outcome of the case. He saw the trend of affairs and felt that something +had to be done to stem the tide. He saw Tiara sitting in the court room, +and said to the prosecuting attorney in a whisper, "Yonder is a colored +girl who knows her thoroughly and can tell all about her." + +To her great surprise Tiara was called as a witness. She was a striking, +beautiful figure, as she stood to take the oath that she would tell the +truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. + +"Mr. Judge," said Tiara, in a sweet, sad voice, "can it go on record +that I am not a volunteer witness in this case?" + +The judge looked a little puzzled and Tiara said, "At any rate, judge, +if in after time it be said that I did not on this occasion stand up for +those connected with me by ties of blood, I want it understood that I +did not seek this chair--did not know that I was to be called; but since +I am here, I shall fulfil my oath and tell the truth, the whole truth +and nothing but the truth." + +Tiara now took her seat in the witness chair. + +Eunice leaned forward and gazed at Tiara, her thin beautiful lips +quivering, her eyes trying to read the intent of Tiara's soul. + +Tiara looked at the recording clerk and appeared to address her +testimony to him. Now that she was forced to speak she desired the whole +truth to come out. Her poor tired soul now clutched at proffered +surcease through the unburdening of itself. She began: + +"In revolutionary times one of your most illustrious men, whose fame has +found lodgment in all quarters of the globe, was clandestinely married +to a Negro woman. My mother was a direct descendant of this man. My +mother's ancestors, descendants of this man, made a practice of +intermarrying with mulattoes, until in her case all trace of Negro +blood, so far as personal appearance was concerned, had disappeared. She +married my father, he thinking that she was wholly white, and she +thinking the same of him. Two children, a boy and a girl, having all the +characteristics of whites, were born to them. Then I was born and my +complexion showed plainly the traces of Negro blood. The community in +which we lived, Shirleyville, Indiana, in a quiet way, was much +disturbed over the Negro blood manifested in me, and my mother's good +name was imperilled. + +"My mother confessed to my father the fact that she was a descendant of +Negroes and he made a like confession to my mother as to his ancestry. +When Shirleyville found out that my parents had Negro blood in their +veins, I was regarded as a 'reversion to type,' and the storm blew over. +My father became Mayor of the town, and great ambitions began to form in +my mother's heart. + +"A notable social event was to take place at Indianapolis and my mother +aspired to be a guest. She met with a rebuff because she had Negro blood +in her veins. This rebuff corrupted my mother's whole nature, and +hardened her heart. She had my father to resign as Mayor. Our home was +burned and we were all supposed to have perished in the flames. This was +my mother's way of having us born into the world again. + +"My mother, father and the other two children began life over as whites, +and I began it over as a lone Negro girl without family connection, and +we all had this second start in life here in your city. + +"Most all people in America have theories as to the best solution of the +race problem, but my mother fancied that she had the one solution. She +felt that the mixed bloods who could pass for whites ought to organize +and cultivate unswerving devotion to the Negro race. According to her +plan the mixed bloods thus taught should be sent into the life of the +white people to work quietly year after year to break down the Southern +white man's idea of the Negro's rights. She felt that the mixed bloods +should lay hold of every center of power that could be reached. She set +for herself the task of controlling the pulpit, the social circle and +the politics of Almaville and eventually of the whole South and the +nation. O she had grand, wild dreams! If she had succeeded in her +efforts to utilize members of her own family, she had planned to +organize the mixed bloods of the nation and effect an organization +composed of cultured men and women that could readily pass for white, +who were to shake the Southern system to its very foundation. With this +general end in view, she had her son trained for the ministry. This son +became an eloquent preacher. My mother through a forged recommendation, +which, however, the son did not know to be forged, had him chosen as +pastor of a leading church in this city. + +"My mother had a strange power over most people and a peculiar power +over my brother. He did not at all relish his peculiar situation, but my +mother insisted that he was but obeying the scriptural injunction to +preach the gospel to every creature. The minister in question was none +other than the universally esteemed Rev. Percy G. Marshall, who now +rests in a highly honored grave in your most exclusive cemetery, from +which Negroes are barred as visitors." + +There was a marked sensation in the court room at this announcement +concerning the racial affinity of the Rev. Percy G. Marshall. + +"I visited my brother clandestinely; often he and I sorrowed together. +On the night of the murder, which you all remember, and preceding that +sad event, closely veiled I visited him at his study. When we were +through talking I arose to go and opened the door. 'Kiss your brother. +We may not meet again,' said he sadly. Neglecting to close the door I +stepped up to him and kissed him. When I turned to go out I saw that Gus +Martin, whom Leroy Crutcher, as I afterwards found out, had set to +watching me, had seen us kiss each other. I hurried on home embarrassed +that I could not explain the situation to him. When on the next day I +read of my brother's death, I immediately guessed all. That is how I had +the key to bringing Gus Martin to terms. When he found out his awful +mistake he was willing to surrender. + +"So resulted my mother's plans for the mastery of your Southern pulpit." + +Turning to Eunice, she said, "There is her daughter. Through her my +mother hoped to lay hold on the political power of the state. But that +girl loved a Negro, the son of the prosecutor, the Hon. H. G. Volrees +[sensation in the court]. + +"After leaving her husband, Eunice came to live with me. Earl Bluefield, +who is Mr. Volrees' son [decided sensation] was wounded in a scuffle +that was not so much to his credit, and he was brought to my house to +recover. Eunice waited on him. They fell in love, left my home and +married. This explains how that boy favors the Hon. Mr. Volrees. It is +his grandson." + +Tiara now stood up and said, "Mr. Judge, it may not be regular, but +permit me to say a few words." + +The whole court seemed under a spell and nobody stirred as Tiara spoke. + +"My mother is dead and paid dearly for her unnatural course. But do not +judge her too harshly. You people who are white do not know what an +awful burden it is to be black in these days of the world. If some break +down beneath the awful load of caste which you thrust upon them, mingle +pity with your blame." + +Tiara paused an instant and then resumed: + +"One word to you all. I am aware of the fact that the construction of a +social fabric, such as your Anglo-Saxondom, has been one of the +marvelous works of nature, and I realize that the maintenance of its +efficiency for the stupendous world duties that lie before it demand +that you have strict regard to the physical, mental and moral +characteristics that go to constitute your aggregation. But I warn you +to beware of the dehumanizing influence of caste. It will cause your +great race to be warped, to be narrow. Oratory will decay in your midst; +poetry will disappear or dwell in mediocrity, taking on a mocking sound +and a metallic ring; art will become formal, lacking in spirit; huge +soulless machines will grow up that will crush the life out of humanity; +conditions will become fixed and there will be no way for those who are +down to rise. Hope will depart from the bosoms of the masses. You will +be a great but a soulless race. This will come upon you when your heart +is cankered with caste. You will devour the Negro to-day, the humbler +white to-morrow, and you who remain will then turn upon yourselves." + +Tiara paused and glanced around the court room as if to see how much +sympathy she could read in the countenances of her hearers. The rapt +attention, the kindly look in their eyes gave her courage to take up a +question which the situation in the South made exceedingly delicate, +when one's audience was composed of Southern white people. + +"One thing, Mr. Judge, wells up in me at this time, and I suppose I will +have to say it, unless you stop me," said Tiara, in the tone of one +asking a question. + +The judge made no reply and Tiara interpreted his silence to mean that +she was permitted to proceed. + +Said she: "You white people have seen fit to make the Negro a stranger +to your social life and you further decree that he shall ever be thus. +You know that this weakens his position in the governmental fabric. The +fact that he is thus excluded puts a perennial question mark after him. +Furthermore the social influence is a tremendous force in the affairs of +men, as all history teaches. To all that goes to constitute this +powerful factor in your life as a people, you have seen fit to pronounce +the Negro a stranger. The pride of the Negro race has risen to the +occasion and there is a thorough sentiment in that race in favor of +racial integrity. + +"So, by your decree and the cordial acceptance thereof by the Negro, he +is to be a stranger to your social system. That is settled. The very +fact that the Negro occupies an inherently weak position in your +communal life makes it incumbent upon you to provide safeguards for him. + +"Instead, therefore, of the Negro's absence from the social circle being +a warrant for his exclusion from political functions, it is an argument +in favor of granting full political opportunity to him. When a man loses +one eye, nature strengthens the other for its added responsibility. Just +so, logically, it seems absurd to hold that the Negro should suffer the +loss of a second power because he is shut out from the use of a first. + +[Illustration: "'Don't circumscribe the able, noble souls among the + Negroes. Give them the world as a playground for their + talents and let Negro men dream of stars as do your men.'" + (234-235.)] + +"Your Bible says: 'And if a stranger sojourn with thee in your land, ye +shall not vex him.' White friends of the South! Let me beseech you to +vex not this social stranger within your borders; the stranger who +invades your swamps and drains them into his system for your comfort; +who creeps through the slime of your sewers; who wrestles with the heat +in your ditches and fields; who has borne your onerous burdens and +cheered you with his song as he toiled; who has never heard the war +whoop but that he has prepared for battle; whose one hope is to be +allowed to live in peace by your side and develop his powers and those +of his children that they may be factors in making of this land, the +greatest in goodness in all this world. Don't circumscribe the able, +noble souls among the Negroes. Give them the world as a playground for +their talents and let Negro men dream of stars as do your men. They need +that as much as you do. As for me, I shall leave your land." + +Turning to Eunice, Tiara stretched forth her hands, appealingly and +said, "Sister, come let us leave this country! Come." + +"Ha! ha!" laughed Eunice, with almost maniacal intensity, as she waved +her hand in disdain at Tiara, who now slowly left the witness stand. + +All eyes were now turned toward Eunice, who had arisen and stood trying +to drive away the passions of rage that seemed to clutch her vocal cords +so that she could not speak. At last getting sufficient strength to +begin, she said: + +"Honorable Judge and you jurymen: I declare to you all to-day that I am +a white woman. My blood is the blood of the whites, my instincts, my +feelings, my culture, my spirit, my all is cast in the same mould as +yours. That woman who talked to you a few moments ago is a Negro. Don't +honor her word above mine, the word of a white woman. I invoke your law +of caste. Look at me! Look at my boy! In what respect do we differ from +you?" + +She paused and drawing her small frame to its full height, with her +hands outstretched across the railing, with hot scalding tears coursing +down her cheeks, she said in tremulous tones: + +"And now, gentlemen, I came here hoping to be acquitted, but in view of +the statements made I want no acquittal. Your law prescribes, so I am +told, that there can be no such thing as a marriage between whites and +Negroes. To acquit me will be to say that I am a Negro woman and could +not have married a white man. I implore you to convict me! Send me to +prison! Let me wear a felon's garb! Let my son know that his mother is a +convict, but in the name of heaven I ask you, send not my child and me +into Negro life. Send us not to a race cursed with petty jealousies, the +burden bearers of the world. My God! the thought of being called a Negro +is awful, awful!" + +Eunice's words were coming fast and she was now all but out of breath. +After an instant's pause, she began: + +"One word more. For argument's sake, grant that I have some Negro blood +in me. You already make a mistake in making a gift of your blood to the +African. Remember what your blood has done. It hammered out on fields +of blood the Magna Charta; it took the head of Charles I.; it shattered +the sceptre of George III.; it now circles the globe in an iron grasp. +Think you not that this Anglo-Saxon blood loses its virility because of +mixture with Negro blood. Ah! remember Frederick Douglass, he who as +much as any other mortal brought armies to your doors that sacked your +home. I plead with you, even if you accept that girl's malicious +slanders as being true, not to send your blood back to join forces with +the Negro blood." + +Eunice threw an arm around her boy, who had arisen and was clutching her +skirts. She parted her lips as if to speak farther, then settled back in +her seat and closed her pretty blue eyes. Her tangled locks fell over +her forehead and the audience looked in pity at the tired pretty girl. + +Eunice's attorneys waived their rights to speak and the attorney for the +prosecution stated that he, too, would now submit the case without +argument. + +"Without further formality the jury will take this case under +advisement. You need no charge from me. You are all Anglo-Saxons," said +the judge solemnly in a low tone of voice. + +The jury filed into the jury room and began its deliberations. A tall, +white haired man, foreman of the jury, arose and spoke as follows: + +"Gentlemen: We have a sad case before us to-day. That girl has the white +person's feelings and it seems cruel to crush her and drive her from +those for whom she has the most affinity to those whom she is least +like. Then, I pity the boy. He carries in his veins some of our proudest +blood, and it seems awful to cast away our own. But we must stand by our +rule. One drop of Negro blood makes its possessor a Negro. + +"Our great race stands in juxtaposition with overwhelming millions of +darker people throughout the earth, and we must cling to the caste idea +if we would prevent a lapse that would taint our blood and eventually +undermine our greatness. It is hard, but it is civilization. We cannot +find this girl guilty. It would be declaring that marriage between a +white man and a Negro woman is a possibility." + +A vote was taken and the jury returned to the court room to render the +verdict. "The prisoner at the bar will stand up," said the judge. Eunice +stood up and her little boy stood up as well. There was the element of +pathos in the standing up of that little boy, for the audience knew that +his destiny was involved in the case. + +"Has the jury reached a verdict?" asked the judge. + +"We have," replied the foreman. + +"Please announce it." + +The audience held its breath in painful suspense. Eunice directed her +burning gaze to the lips of the foreman, that she might, if possible, +catch his fateful words even before they were fully formed. + +"We, the jury, find the prisoner not guilty." + +"Murder!" wildly shrieked Eunice. "Doomed! Doomed! They call us Negroes, +my son, and everybody knows what that means!" Her tones of despair moved +every hearer. + +The judge quietly shed a few tears and many another person in the +audience wept. The crowd filed out, leaving Eunice clasping her boy to +her bosom, mother and son mingling their tears together. Tiara lingered +in the corridor to greet Eunice when the latter should come out of the +room. She had thought to speak to her on this wise: + +"Eunice, we have each other left. Let us be sisters as we were in the +days of our childhood." + +But when Tiara confronted Eunice, the latter looked at her scornfully +and passed on. When Tiara somewhat timidly caught hold of her dress as +if to detain her, Eunice spat in her face and tore herself loose. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXV. + +_Eunice! Eunice!_ + + +With slow, uncertain step, a wild haunted look in her eye, Eunice, +clutching her little boy's hand until it pained him, moved down the +corridor toward the door leading out of the court house. She was about +to face the world in the South as a member of the Negro race, and the +very thought thereof spread riot within her soul. The nearer she drew to +the door the greater was the anguish of her spirit. More than once she +turned and retraced her steps in the corridor, trying to muster the +courage to face the outer world in her new racial alignment. At last she +stood near the door, her whole frame trembling as a result of the +sweeping over her spirit of storm after storm of emotions. Her little +boy, unable to grasp the import of his mother's behavior was eagerly +scanning her face and weeping silently in instinctive sympathy. + +With a sudden burst of courage Eunice stepped out of the court house +door and a young white man, who had been awaiting her, stepped up to +speak to her. His hat was tilted back on his head, a lighted cigar was +in his mouth, and his hands were thrust deep in his trousers pockets. + +Eunice looked up at him, saw the wicked leer in his eyes, and recoiled. + +"Don't be scared, Eunice. I stayed here to tell you that the hackman who +brought you here got a chance to make a little extra by taking some +white ladies home and said for you to stay here until he got back. He +won't be gone but a few minutes." + +The suggestive look, the patronizing tone, the failure to use "Mrs.," on +the part of the man that addressed her, and the action of the hackman in +leaving her to take some white woman home, served as a tonic to brace up +the quailing spirit of Eunice. + +Her first brush with the world as a member of the Negro race had aroused +her fighting spirit. + +"How dare you address me in that manner, you boorish wretch!" exclaimed +Eunice, her small frame shaking with indignation. + +The young man seemed rather to enjoy Eunice's rage and coolly replied, +"Well, Eunice, you know, Eunice, that you are a Negress now and there +are no misses and mistresses in that race. If you were a little older I +would call you 'aunty;' if you were a little older still I would call +you 'mammy;' if very old, 'grandma Eunice.' But as it is, I have to call +you plain 'Eunice.' My race would disrespect me if I didn't follow the +rule, you know." + +"You wretched cur! You yap!" screamed Eunice. + +"As this is your first day in the 'nigger' race I won't bother you for +calling me out of my name. But let me give you a piece of advice. We +white folks like a 'nigger' in his place only, and you find yours quick. +And remember that you 'nigger' women don't come in for all that stepping +back which we do for white women. We go so far as to burn your kind down +here sometimes. As for that brat there, bring him up as a 'nigger' and +teach him his place, if you don't want him to see trouble." So saying +the young white man turned and walked away, leaving Eunice enraged and +amazed at his effrontery. + +The refined classes among the whites who would not under any +circumstance have wantonly wounded Eunice's sensibilities, had +nevertheless issued the decree of caste and the grosser ones among them +were to execute it, and Eunice was tasting the gall that the unrefined +pour out daily for a whole race to drink. + +Typical of that class that enjoyed seeing the Negroes writhing under +their wounded sensibilities, this young man had craved the honor of +being the first to make Eunice taste the bitterness of her new lot in +life. + +Eunice and her son now proceeded to the street car. A number of white +women boarded the car just in front of her and the conductor politely +helped them on. When her time came to step up, he caught hold of her +arm to assist her. When a glance at her face told him who she was, he +(having seen her picture in the newspapers, and learned the result of +the trial) quickly turned her loose so that she fell off the car, badly +spraining her ankle. + +Eunice did not understand his action and looked up at him inquiringly. +The contemptuous look upon his face explained it all. With her sprained +ankle she hobbled on the car and took a seat near the rear door. A +number of half-grown white boys were on the rear platform and felt +inclined to contribute their share of discomfort to the newly discovered +Negro woman. They hummed over and over again the "rag time" song. "Coon, +coon, coon, I wish my color would fade!" + +When Eunice and her son arrived at her hotel she alighted from the car +unaided, and painfully journeyed to her room, which was being thoroughly +overhauled by an employee. + +"Where---- where---- is my room?" asked Eunice, haltingly, fearing that +she had somehow made a mistake. + +"You haven't any in this hotel," was the gruff response. + +"But I have; I am in the wrong room, perhaps," said Eunice. + +"No, you have been in the wrong race. You are a 'nigger' and we don't +run a 'nigger' hotel. Your things are piled up in the alley, and you +will please get out of the building as quickly as you can." + +Eunice's mind now ran back to the occasion of her first stay in that +hotel, recalled how royally she was treated then and contrasted it with +the treatment she was now receiving. Stepping to the mirror she gazed at +herself saying: + +"What leprosy, what loathsome disease has befallen me that everybody now +spurns me. One cruel little word--Negro--has converted fawning into +frowning and a paradise into hell." + +Taking her boy by the hand she started out of the building as hurriedly +as her sprained ankle would permit. + +"Back doors for 'niggers,'" shouted the employee, as he saw that Eunice +had started toward the front entrance. + +Rage mounted the throne in Eunice's heart and she turned towards her +tormentor. She parted her lips and the oaths of stern men were upon the +eve of bursting forth, but she repressed them and was soon out of the +hotel. The railroad station was not far away and she preferred walking +to submitting to the indignities that might attend riding on the cars. +Appearing at the railroad ticket office she applied for a berth in a +sleeper. Her face was known there, too, and she was told that all the +berths were taken. A white woman going on the same train was the next to +apply for a berth and was given her choice of a number. Eunice noticed +the discrimination and returned to the clerk. + +"You must have been mistaken as to the train I am to travel on, for the +lady that has just left secured a berth on that train after I had +failed," said Eunice pleadingly, for she desired the seclusion of a +sleeping car for her mournful journey home. + +"You belong to a voteless race and I can't give you a berth," said the +ticket agent. + +"What has voting to do with my getting a suitable place to ride on a +train?" said Eunice, tears of vexation coming into her eyes. + +"Everything," said the young man more sympathetically. + +"You see it is this way," he continued. "The Governor of this state, who +sprang from a class of whites, who never had much love for the Negro, +happened to take a sleeper that was occupied by a few Negroes who did +not conduct themselves properly. Though the great body of Negroes who +were able and disposed to occupy berths were genteel and well-behaved, +this governor, to properly bolster his dignity resolved upon a course +that would work discomfort for thousands. He threatened to recommend to +the legislature that a law be passed demanding separate sleeping cars +for the two races unless Negroes were kept out of sleepers. We lose less +by keeping Negroes out than we would by being compelled to operate two +sets of cars. If you people had voting power and could stand by us we +could stand by you. It is a matter of business with us." + +"You are discriminating against me without the warrant of law and are +subject to a suit," said Eunice. + +"The case will be tried by a white jury and a verdict will be rendered +against us. We will be required to pay the cost of the court and to hand +over to you one cent!" + +Taking her little boy by the hand, Eunice slowly turned and walked away +while the tears rolled down her cheeks. She did so much crave the +darkness and seclusion of a berth, where she could take an inventory of +the new world into which she had come, but there was no escape from the +lighted coach occupied by Negroes. Getting on the train she took a seat +in the section of the coach set apart for Negroes. The Negro porter +thinking she had made a mistake took her into a coach for whites. + +"Take that woman back. She is no white woman," bawled out one of the +passengers, who had in his hands an afternoon paper containing a +likeness of Eunice and an account of the trial. + +The puzzled porter turned to Eunice and said, "Are you a--are you a--" +He was afraid to ask the woman as to whether she was a Negro fearing she +might be a white woman and would have him killed for the insult; and he +was equally afraid to ask her as to whether she was a white woman, +fearing that if she was white she would resent a question that seemed to +imply any sort of resemblance to a Negro. It occurred to him to say: + +"This coach is for whites and the one you came out of is for Negroes." + +Saying this he left hurriedly, leaving her to select the coach in which +she was to ride. Eunice groped her way back to the section of the coach +set apart for Negroes. + +Earl had heard by means of the long distance telephone of the outcome of +the trial, and desiring that the first meeting with Eunice after the sad +experience should be private, he had preferred sending to the railway +station for her, to going himself. He was now in his library when Eunice +and her son reached the house. As Eunice pushed open the library door +and stood facing her husband she stretched forth her hands and said in +tones that pierced Earl's heart: + +"Doomed! Doomed! Assigned to membership in the Negro race! Made heir to +all the contempt of the world. Doomed! Doomed!" + +Earl stood with folded arms and a heart whose emotions cannot be +portrayed, and looked at the picture of woe before him, his beautiful +wife frantic and despairing and his little son already feeling in his +youthful spirit the all pervading gloom that creeps through the Negro +world. + +"Be not dismayed, Eunice, dear! I am not at the end of my resources. I +shall yet burst a bomb in this Southland," said Earl. + +Eunice rushed to Earl clutched his arms and looked up wildly into his +eyes. "Earl, dear Earl! Tell me! Tell me quickly and tell the truth! Is +there, can there be any hope for the Negro here or elsewhere?" + +Earl did not answer at once. He looked steadily into her eyes and +realized that he was in the immediate presence of a soul about to make a +final plunge into the dark, dark abyss of despair. It was to him a holy +presence and he could not lie! + +"Eunice, dear, there is hope. Slowly, but surely the world is working +its way to a basis of justice for all," said Earl. + +"My boy! Is there hope for him?" + +"The hope of sublime battling, dear," said Earl. + +"Is that all there is for my boy? No hope of reward. Only battle! +battle!" asked Eunice. + +"Grant me a favor, Eunice. I know what that look in your face means. I +see that you are thinking of leaving me, and of taking my boy and your +boy with you. You are planning suicide," said Earl. + +"Ha! ha!" laughed Eunice, in the uncanny tones of madness. "You guess +well. Come with us," she said, casting a look in the direction of a +drawer where she knew the pistol to be. + +"Grant me this favor, Eunice. Don't die. Spare my boy. Live and let my +boy live a little while longer. I have several more lines of attack. If +they fail then we can all go." + +Eunice whirled around the room gayly and said with childish glee, "You +will then die with us, will you? Ha! ha! ha!" A terrible fear stole over +Earl as he watched her peculiar behavior. + +"Live! Ha! ha! ha! 'Nigger,' 'darkey,' 'coon'--live! Yes, I'll +live! I'll live! Whee--poo--poo--wheep!" screamed Eunice, now +dashing wildly about the room. She had gone mad. + + * * * * * + +At the earliest moment practicable Earl bore the raving Eunice out of +the Southland, carried her to a sanitarium in a northern city. Giving +the physician in charge a history of the case and allowing him time to +study it, Earl awaited the verdict as to Eunice's chances of recovery. + +"Mr. Bluefield, to be absolutely frank with you, I am compelled to say +that, in my opinion, your wife's case is an incurable one. The one +specific cause of her mental breakdown is the Southern situation which +has borne tremendously upon her. That whole region of country is +affected by a sort of sociological hysteria and we physicians are +expecting more and more pathological manifestations as a result of the +strain upon the people. + +"Only one thing could cure your wife and that is the reversal of the +conditions that have wrought upon her mind. She has lucid moments, but +whenever her mind forcibly recurs to the Southern situation she again +plunges into the gulf of despair. If in these lucid moments you could +place before her a ladder of hope, I am of the opinion that a cure would +be effected. That is equivalent to saying, I fear, that the case is +incurable, for I can see no way out of the Southern tangle." + +Such were the awful words addressed to Earl Bluefield by the physician +in charge of the sanitarium when Earl called to learn of him his opinion +concerning Eunice's case. + +Earl walked forth from the sanitarium and journeyed hurriedly to the +southern border of the city. When the houses of the city were well at +his back and he had an unobstructed view to the south, he paused and, +holding his right hand aloft, he said: + +"Hear, O spirit world, if such there be, that, in the days to come, you +may witness how faithfully Earl Bluefield, Humanity's Ishmaelite, kept +his word. Non-existent was I until the whim of a Southern white man, +trampling upon the alleged sacred canons of his race, called me into +being and endowed me with the spirit of his kind. In the race into which +I was thrust, I sought to manifest my martial spirit, but met with no +adequate response from men grooved in the ways of peace. I found me a +wife with spirit akin to mine, and like myself a victim of the bloods. +The two of us withdrew from the active affairs of men, and from our own +heath looked out upon the land of our birth, in the very which we had +been made aliens. And now we have been dragged from our happy seclusion +and gibbeted. + +"And thinkest thou, O Southland, that the last has been heard of me? Ha! +Ha! For fear that thou mayest deceive thyself thus, hear the oath of +Earl the Ishmaelite: + +"By the wrenched chords of the heart of a boy spurned by a contemning +father; by the double shame of a mother wickedly wooed and despised in +the one breath; by the patience and optimism of the blood of my black +forbears; by the energy and persistence of my grant of blood from +Europe--by all these mighty tokens, I make oath that this nation shall +rest neither day nor night until this shadow is lifted from my soul. And +I further make oath, O despisers of the offerings of my higher self, +that I shall meet your every fresh wound with face the more uplifted +because thereof, and to better meet all that you have to hand out to me, +I shall keep company with the Spirit that makes nerve food of disasters +and ascension chariots of whirlwinds." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVI. + +_Enthusiastic John Blue._ + + +In a room of a hotel in the city in which the sanitarium having charge +of Eunice was located, Earl Bluefield sat upon a sofa, his hands, with +the fingers tightly interlaced, resting between his knees, his head and +shoulders bent forward. The intense, haggard look upon his face told +plainly of the painful meditation in which he was engaged. + +Owing to Earl's peculiar status in the world, Eunice, beloved as a wife, +was far more to him than a wife. He looked upon himself as a sort of +exotic in the non-resisting Negro race and considered himself a special +object of scorn on the part of the white people of the South, who seemed +to him to resent his near approach unto them in blood, and to mistrust +_his_ kind more than all other elements in Negro life. In the absence, +therefore, of a perfect bond of racial sympathy anywhere, Eunice became +to him his world as well as his wife, and no more horrible suggestion +could be made than that he should go through life apart from her. Here +indeed had been a marriage--the welding of two into one. + +Earl was not brooding as one who had hopelessly lost his all, but was +plotting as one who would save his all. The task of the knight of old +upon whom was the burden of rescuing some lovely maiden from +imprisonment in a seemingly impregnable fortress, was but child's play +compared to the task before Earl, who must scale the walls of the castle +of despair and batter down doors that laughed at the feebleness of steel +if he would claim Eunice for his own again. He was face to face with the +dreadful fact that nothing but the solution of the long standing race +problem of America could release to him the one so dear to his heart, so +essential to his existence. + +As Earl sat canvassing the terrible plight in which he found himself, +his mind ran the whole gamut of panaceas that had been proposed for a +solution. + +His own martial scheme of his earlier, unmarried days passed in review +before his mind, but failed to appeal to him as it did in the days of +yore. So far as he himself was concerned he would have welcomed a death +in a glorious cause as an honorable release from the ranks of the +advocates of universal justice, who, to his impatient spirit seemed to +be marking time in the face of an aggressive foe. But death for himself +would not rescue Eunice! + +His mind recurred to the impression that seemed to prevail in some +quarters that the solution of the problem mainly hinged upon giving +industrial training to the Negro masses. + +"That," said he to himself, "will solve a large part of the Negro's side +of the problem, but how great an army of carpenters can hammer the +spirit of repression out of those who hold that the eternal repression +of the Negro is the nation's only safeguard? What worker in iron can +fashion a key that will open the door to that world of higher +activities, the world of moral and spiritual forces which alone +woos Eunice's spirit and mine? What welder of steel can beat into +one the discordant soul forces of willing Negroes and unwilling whites, +the really pivotal point of the problem? Really pressing is the need of +industrial training for our people, but my peculiar case calls for +something that must come from Lincoln the emancipator rather than from +Lincoln the rail-splitter." + +Earl next thought of Ensal's proposed campaign of education which had +been vigorously carried on by Tiara and he said: "It is one thing to +produce a Niagara and another thing to harness it. O for a means of +harnessing all the righteous sentiment in America in favor of the ideals +of the Constitution." Thus, on and on Earl soliloquized, groping for the +light. + +He stretched out upon the sofa and sought to refresh his tired brain +with a few moments of sleep, but sleep refused to visit him. Suddenly he +leaped from the sofa and said: + +"I have it! I have it! Eunice shall be free." + +He now began to make hurried preparations for a trip South. While he is +thus engaged we shall divulge to the reader the process of reasoning +that at last led him to what he conceived to be daylight. + +"Two things must be done," argued Earl within himself. "Repression in +the South must die and men with broader visions in that section must +take charge of affairs. This is an age of freedom and an age of local +self-government. Freedom must obtain in the South, and largely through +some agency found or developed therein. The most effective way of +killing repression is to make it kill itself and out of the soil +nurtured by its carcass will spring a just order of things. + +"I will lure repression to its death and then find my force within the +South that will lead the South into nobler ways." + +Understanding this much of Earl's new plan we are now prepared to follow +him and intelligently watch developments. + +The scene now shifts from the North to the South. + + * * * * * + +Fully conscious of the stupendous character of his undertaking, Earl +walked slowly up the walk leading to the office of the Governor of +M----, a Southern state. He was steadying himself for the coming +effort. + +When shown to the governor's office he said: + +"This is the governor of the state of M----, I believe." + +"They say that such is the case," responded the governor, smilingly. + +"I am just from the North and am making a tour of the South. I am +traveling _incognito_ and would like to be known to you as John Blue. As +I shall broach only matters of common public interest in case you honor +me with an interview, I shall be pleased to have you excuse me from +making myself further known to you in a personal way," said Earl, with +great affability. + +The governor was captured at once by Earl's suave manner and actually +fancied that some Northerner of exceeding great note was paying him a +visit. + +"Well, I am glad to see you--glad to see you. The more you men of the +North see our Southern 'niggers' the more you will sympathize with us," +said the governor. + +"Do you think that either we Northerners or you Southerners get anything +like an adequate view of the Negro?" asked Earl Bluefield, alias John +Blue. + +"Why not?" asked the governor. + +"Well, you Southern people don't mix with them socially, practically +never enter their best homes, and would be amazed, I am told, if you +really knew of the high order of their development socially. It is said +that you call them 'niggers,' that your children speak of them as such, +that you often speak harshly of them in your home circles, that many of +your men are not as refined as they might be when they are dealing with +Negro women, and that for these reasons the better grade of Negroes are +leaving your domestic service, so that your observation of the Negro is +more and more centered upon the type that does not represent the race at +its best." + +"I had never thought of that. We do call them 'niggers.' I have a lot of +trouble in keeping a cook. I wonder if that is the reason. Well, well, +who would have thought that there was anything about a 'nigger' that +Southerners would have to be told by a Northerner," remarked the +governor, winding up with a loud guffaw. + +"As for the tourist class of Northerners," resumed John Blue, "and +Northerners residing in the South, they see only the rougher side of +Negro life, much as do you Southerners. The Northern missionaries whose +duties place them in touch with the best and worst that there is in +Negro life have the real rounded view of the situation." + +The governor's affability now disappeared. Said he: + +"Don't praise those mawkish missionaries to me. They are down here +educating the heads of 'niggers.' We white folks have got enough heads +to run this country." + +"Your irritation," said Earl, "paves the way for me to say what I came +to say. We Northerners are tired of being estranged from you +Southerners. We are becoming a world power and should have a thoroughly +united country. Why don't you Southern people begin a campaign of +education and let the North know your real mind, so that we won't tread +on your corns so often, to use a homely phrase." + +"Ha, ha! the North knows my views. They were heralded abroad everywhere +and gave me the governorship. I had five planks in my platform and, to +match your homely phrase with another one, they took like hot cakes," +said the governor. + +"Would you object to outlining your platform to me," asked Earl. + +"Object? Why I am the boldest man in the South. I don't bite my tongue. +Surely you have heard of me," said the governor. + +"Yes, I have heard of you," said Earl, "but I did not know but what you +had been misrepresented by political enemies." + +"Well, you can judge for yourself as to whether I have been +misrepresented or not. The five planks of my 'nigger' platform are +these," said he. + +"First, this is a white man's country. + +"Second, one drop of Negro blood in a man's veins makes him a 'nigger.' + +[Illustration: "'We machine men in the South don't want this "nigger" + bugaboo put down. It's our war whoop.'" + (258-259.)] + +"Third, public office, neither federal nor state, was gotten up for a +'nigger' to hold. + +"Fourth, all money spent on educating a 'nigger,' except to teach him to +work, is a squandering of the public funds. + +"Fifth, the outside world be d----d. We will deal with the 'nigger' to +suit ourselves. + +"I will also tell you confidentially that I am one that don't want the +'nigger' question out of politics. We are living side by side with these +'niggers,' and public agitation helps our people to keep in mind that +there is an impassable gulf between the races. Such men as I am would be +perfect fools for trying to solve this 'nigger' problem. A crazy man can +see that the solving of this problem puts my kind out of business. +Thousands of Southern men can whip me out of my boots on any issue +outside of abusing the 'nigger.' That's where I can go them one better. +Haven't you observed the universal lament that we are not up to the +standard in point of statesmanship. The trouble is we ride into our +kingdoms so easily. It don't take a genius to persuade a people that you +can beat a more tender-hearted man keeping a 'nigger' in his place. We +machine men in the South don't want this 'nigger' bugaboo put down. It's +our war whoop." + +"Aside from the political use to which you put your announced views on +the race question, you really believe them, don't you?" asked Earl. + +"O yes. I think the good of the world demands that the 'nigger' be kept +in his place," replied the governor. + +"Now, I am getting to the point," said Earl. "Lincoln once said our +country could not always exist half slave and half free. You see he was +right. Now a lesser light than Lincoln tells you that the policy of +repression must obtain in all our country or none, for the nationalizing +spirit is at work, and is sure in time to produce a national unity of +some sort. Shall this unity, so far as touches the question of the +races, be upon the Northern or Southern basis, is a very live question +for you Southerners. Now I suggest that you Southern people make this +question a national one." + +"How can we raise the issue," asked the governor. + +"Easily. You people have been tolerating Negroes in federal positions +down here for years. Collectorships of ports, marshalships and numerous +positions of honor have all along been held by Negroes. Become tired of +this and demand that they be withdrawn. That will be an invitation to +the nation to join with you in your policy of repression." + +"Good! Good!" said the governor, clapping his hands. + +"You can go further. The presidency of our nation is where the +copartnership of the states finds conspicuous concrete expression. +Demand that none but a repressionist or a man silent on that question +be allowed to occupy that chair." + +"Good! Good! Good!" exclaimed the governor. + +"Now as to your chances. The race instinct is in the North, but is not +cultivated as much as it is in the South. Send your men to the North who +are most adroit in their appeals to prejudice and you will find a force +there to join you. Then remember you Southerners sprang to arms so +gallantly in that skirmish with Spain that you made a fine impression. +It was discovered that you had been brave enough not to allow defeat to +rankle in your hearts, a really good quality. A more opportune time for +you Southern people to take a stand would be hard to conceive," said +Earl. + +Down came the governor's hand upon his desk with a thud. + +"Don't you know I have been thinking that very thing. I have great +influence in the councils of my party and I shall see to it that the +'nigger' question is the next national issue," said the governor. + +"You will have one little backset," said Earl. + +"The man whom you will have to oppose has made fewer Negro appointments +than any of his more immediate predecessors and those made have been of +a very high order--a thing that could not always be said. Again, he has +made it a point to have no Southern adviser save a known friend of the +best element of the Southern people." + +The governor looked wrothy again. "Best element," said he, sneeringly. +"He is losing his time fooling with that crowd. All we radicals have to +do is to crack our whips and they run to cover." + +"That brings us to another point of considerable importance. When the +campaign is launched, whose views on the race question shall be in the +foreground--the views of the radicals or conservatives in the South," +asked Earl. + +"The radicals shall occupy the center of the stage, sir. We are tired of +these half-way policies!" thundered the governor. + +Earl now arose to go. + +"You will certainly hear from us radicals as never before in the history +of the nation--that is, since we jumped in the saddle and brought on the +war," said the governor. + +"By jinks, you don't think another war will come on, do you, Mr. Blue?" +asked the governor. + +"Oh, no; we have had our last war with lead and steel. All of our +internal conflicts for the future must be intellectual, it seems," +answered John Blue. + +"I am glad to hear you say that, for if we got into another tangle I do +believe to my soul that these 'niggers' would be a little less quiet +than they were before. But for our political alliance with the North we +of the South would have to be one of the most truckling of nations. For, +what could we do to a foreign foe with all these discontented 'niggers' +squirming in the fires of race prejudice, like so many worms in hot +ashes. You are sure there won't be any physical fighting?" remarked the +governor. + +"The North would hardly hit you, for you are blood of their blood and +they know how utterly helpless you are with an awakened race in your +borders thoroughly of the opinion that you are not giving them a +semblance of fair treatment," said John Blue. + +"I gad, we must bring the North our way. I see that whoever, in this +fight of the races, gets the outsider is going to carry the day. We are +coming in the next campaign. Look out for us." + +The two men bade each other adieu and Earl walked out of the office. + +Earl invaded state after state in the South and conferred with the +radical leaders wherever he went and found the sentiment everywhere +prevailing that the time was ripe for the radical South to pull off its +mask and let the world see its real heart. + +With an anxious heart Earl watched the forming of the lines of the +campaign. Men in all parts of the country, whose only hope of success +lay in obtaining the political power in the hands of the radicals, +besought them to forego making the Negro question an issue, but they +were deaf to all appeals. + +The convention dominated by the radicals met, and John Blue, alias Earl +Bluefield, was there. When the Anti-Negro plank was read, from his seat +in the gallery a mighty cheer rang out that started a wave of enthusiasm +unsurpassed in the history of political conventions. + +As John Blue stood waving a flag and cheering, his eye swept over that +great throng, and he said to himself: + +"O bonnie Southland: if you had developed real statesmen among you, men +who knew their age, they would be here to tell all these people save +myself to be quiet, on the ground that it is indelicate for a corpse to +cheer at its own funeral. But your really great men are at home +sorrowing over your coming humiliation. This day's work is the beginning +of the end. Eunice, the sky brightens! + +"Heaven of heavens, I thank thee that thou hast so arranged it that the +American people must now say as to whether or not the caste spirit shall +be allowed to lay his bloody tentacles on the political life of the +whole nation." + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVII. + +_Postponing His Shout of Triumph._ + + +With ceaseless, tireless energy Earl Bluefield went everywhere in the +North during the campaign that followed, assailing the political power +in control of the South. The heat of his heart warmed his words and his +eloquence thrilled the nation. + +"How has it happened that an orator of such power has remained so long +hidden from the nation's gaze?" was the question everywhere asked. + +In an address to Northern labor, which was heralded far and wide, Earl +said: + + "To those of you who in the sweat of your brow earn your bread, + I bring the message that your earning of a livelihood, a very + grave matter with you, is affected by the Southern situation. + + "It has been said that the South is freer from labor strikes + than any other equal area of territory within the borders of + civilization. The weakness of the Negro in the body politic, + his lack of means to insure his protection, gives timidity to + Negro labor and causes it to be little inclined to organize. + + "The enforced cheapness of Negro labor brings down the price of + all labor, just as a house sinks with its foundation. Lo, the + word has already gone forth that the South is the place for + capital, that labor is cheap, that there is an absence of + social unrest found elsewhere. + + "Read your commercial journals and note how many of the + institutions upon which you have depended for a livelihood have + been transferred to this land of cheapness and peace, ominous + peace. Note how your captains of industry are asseverating that + factories in the North must cut wages in order to compete with + those that have gone South. + + "Your economists saw in the days preceding civil strife that + the workingman of the North could ill afford to compete with + slave labor at the South. Permit me to say to you that the + half-slave, the political slave, made timid by an environment + that tends to crush his spirit and dwarf his energies, is a + menace to you, holding the white labor of the South down and + affecting you of the North. + + "Again, adverse conditions at the South will drive the Negro to + your very door. Some day when you desire to remain away from + work to allow your employers leisure to ponder a condition + which you desire improved, you will find the Negro there to + take your place. + + "Men of the North, mark well my words: You must lend your aid + to an adjustment of relations in the South upon an equitable + basis or be confronted with the question of the disorganization + and readjustment of your own affairs. Stand out against the + repressionists of the South, make the whole nation a field of + fair play and then we will not have this one disturbing center + distributing trouble to all other parts of the nation." + +Addressing the business interests of the country, he said: + + "Work is the one American word, and as a result great is the + monument erected to our industry. Our accumulations are + enormous. + + "From time to time questions affecting the whole wealth of the + nation must be passed upon by the people. These repressionists + have shown that there is no interest so vital but that they + will smite it hip and thigh if by so doing they may advance the + policy of repression. You are confronted therefore with a power + that bids you to become repressionists or stand subject to + onslaughts whenever the fancy obtains that a lick at your + interests will do their cause good. + + "You cannot commit yourselves to the cause of repression. It + taints character. You are great employers of labor. In the + mighty problems that are to confront you your spirit will be + your most valuable asset. You must keep it pure at all hazards. + Nor can your business interests long endure these constant jars + from the repressionists. You cannot afford to accept either + horn of the dilemma offered you by the repressionists. Your + only remedy lies in smiting repression." + +To the statesmen whose anxious eyes were upon the future of the nation, +he said: + + "In the days that are now upon us and in the years that are to + come there can be no escape, perhaps, from some ills of which + the fathers never dreamed, unless a larger grant of power be + given unto our national government. However pressing the + situation, rely upon it, the repressionists will seek to keep + the nation in swaddling clothes for fear that added power + might some day turn its attention to the question of + repression." + +In an address to the whole people, he said: + + "A power that would wrong a race, that would in any way + restrict human growth, that would not have the nation a fair + and open field, is out of tune with heaven, is working at cross + purposes with the whole universe, and will carry into an abyss + all whom it can mislead." + +The Negroes are a people capable of great enthusiasm and ardent +attachments. All their fervor was thrown into the campaign. Any vast +body of people with deep convictions have the power to greatly impress +others. The settled conviction of the Negroes that their very destiny in +America hinged, it seemed, upon the outcome of this election, was not +without its psychological effect upon the public mind. + +The cause championed by Earl marched to a glorious triumph at the polls, +but he took no part in the jollification that followed. + +"My work is only half done," was the reflection that kept him calm in +the presence of the victory for which he had made the full offering of +his soul. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXVIII. + +_He Cannot, But He Does!_ + + +Ensal Ellwood entered his room in his home in Monrovia, Liberia, West +Coast Africa, a thoroughly dejected man. He had just returned from an +extended trip in which he took a survey of his work and contemplated the +outlook. His investigations had served to increase his hopes as to the +possibilities of the African race, but he was nevertheless depressed. + +Nor was this the first time during his stay in Africa that this gloomy +atmosphere seemed to envelop him. In fact, he was the subject of +frequent attacks of melancholia which the many friends that he had made +had found inexplicable. + +This depression was not due to the African fever, because science had +been able to prepare his system to resist that debilitating agency. + +It was not due to a want of encouragement in his plans. He had met this +on every hand. A number of Southern men in sympathy with the higher +aspirations of the Negro race, hopeless of seeing those aspirations +realized in the Southland, had placed at his disposal a large sum of +money with which to draw off the Negro population from unfriendly points +in the South and establish them in Africa. + +Far sighted capitalists of America seeing in an awakened Africa a +possible market for American goods, thought it wise to keep in touch +with this young man who was to be so largely the great awakening agency. + +England, France and Germany vied with each other in offering inducements +for him to devote his energies to their respective holdings. The +Republic of Liberia was wild with joy over his interest in her welfare. +The King of Abyssinia had made urgent requests for him to come to his +borders. + +Thousands of cultured young men and women had caught Ensal's zeal for +the world-wide awakening of the race and were only awaiting his signal +to flock to his standard. + +And yet his heart was heavy. Ensal took his seat at his desk and rested +his throbbing brow thereon. He mused to himself, saying: + +"Here I am with the mightiest work of the ages on my hands, and the door +of opportunity before me, and yet, terrible, terrible thought, I see +failure written upon my skies. For my spirit lags; there is no +quickening battery at my life's center. Ah! it is awful to be dead +alive. That which would quicken my spirit and give me the needed zest +to face the work of an Atlas, the bearing of a world upon my +shoulders--that influence is far removed from me, farther than those +stretches of thousands of miles tell of." + +During Ensal's absence of many months his mail had accumulated until now +he found himself face to face with a huge pile of unopened letters and +newspapers. Lifting his head from his desk, he wearily turned to his +mail. + +In the pile of letters he came across one from Earl Bluefield which ran +as follows: + + + MY DEAR ENSAL: + + There is great need of you in America at this hour, and a + golden opportunity for winning an enduring place in the history + of the world awaits you. + + The repressionists of the South made their policy an issue in + the presidential campaign which has just come to a close, and + they have been most badly beaten. + + As you know, statesmanship is a great passion with the South + and she is not going to remain contented in the position of + impotent isolation to which her repressionist element has + consigned her. A new order of leaders will now be put forward + as the spokesmen of the South and the fairness of their words + is going to be seized upon by the nation as offering hope for a + new order of things. + + Since the liberal element among the whites of the South are to + be given a day in court, there is great need of that type of + Negroes that has standing with them. I, as you know, am + _persona non grata_. I have added to my unpopularity by the + manner in which I lambasted the repressionist element in the + campaign just closed. + + Come to America and help the nation to reap the fruits of its + victory over repression. + + Apart from my interest in the Negro race, which you of course + have never doubted, I have grave personal interests at stake, + and know not what I shall do if you fail the nation in this + hour of its need. A sorrow as great as the world has ever known + hangs over me and over the Negro race. Come and lift it. + + EARL BLUEFIELD. + +"No, I cannot go. I cannot be that near to Tiara. Heaven knows that I +would be driven mad to see, to be near that girl, and be conscious that +her love lies buried with another. No, I cannot go. America may need me, +but so does Africa, so does Africa." Such were Ensal's thoughts upon the +reading of Earl's letter. + +Now all of you who believe in altruism; who believe in the giving of +one's self for others; who believe in fixedness of purpose; who have in +any wise pinned your faith to that man Ensal--let all such prepare +yourselves for evidence of the utter frailty of man. Bear in mind that +Ensal claims to seek the highest good of his race, that he has chosen +Africa as the field for the greatest service, and that he has just +rejected a proposition to return to America from an ultra-radical, who +of all men has come to regard him as the man of the hour. + +Picking up a package of newspapers, he tore the wrappers off and noticed +that they were Almaville papers. + +"I have seen that face before," said he, looking at the likeness of +Eunice Seabright Volrees-Bluefield reproduced in one of the papers. + +He now turned to the reading matter, taking note of a column that had +blue marks calling attention thereto. This was an account of Eunice's +trial and contained in full the words of Tiara in court on that +occasion. + +"O my God!" exclaimed Ensal when he came to that part of Tiara's +testimony which disclosed the fact that the Rev. Percy G. Marshall was +her brother. Now observe him, you who have faith in man. + +"Landlady! landlady!" Ensal exclaimed, rushing out of his room in search +of that personage. Finding her, he said excitedly, "Put everybody in +Monrovia at work packing up my possessions, please. I must leave." + +"What can this mean, pray tell. _I understood that you were to devote +your life to this work_," said the landlady, much amazed at the sudden +turn of affairs. + +"What work? Life?" asked Ensal, absent-mindedly. + +"The uplift of Africa, the redemption of your race," replied the +landlady. + +"My _race_, dear madam, is to catch the first steamer returning to +America. Just now the whole world with me converges to that one point. +Let us be in a hurry, please." + + * * * * * + +As Ensal stepped off the gangplank and again touched American soil, Earl +was there to greet him. Arm in arm the two men wended their way through +the crowded streets until they reached the hotel at which Earl was +stopping. + +Earl told Ensal the story of Eunice's derangement and of his quest for a +message of hope with which to effect her cure. Ensal readily grasped the +situation. At times in the past friends had hinted that the problem +would derange him. + +"Let us serve each other," said Ensal. "I will go South and see what +message I can bring back for you to carry to Eunice. I will serve you +thus. While I am thus engaged there is something you can do for me. The +kissing of the Rev. Percy G. Marshall by Tiara, made known to me by poor +Gus Martin, caused me to abandon my purpose of seeking the hand of +Tiara. I wish you to go to her, and pave the way for a visit from me. +Tell her that I have always known that she was the noblest girl in all +this wide, wide world; that I looked upon the kissing incident as a pure +love affair, not knowing but that she was one who held that of one blood +God had made all the sons of men to dwell upon the face of earth; and +that I felt that death alone prevented her and the Rev. Mr. Marshall +from becoming man and wife in some other part of the world. + +"Now, Earl, tell her all this. You are her brother-in-law and can find a +nice way of talking freely with her concerning the matter. May I depend +upon you?" + +"To the utmost," replied Earl earnestly. + +The two men now parted, each in search of hope for the other. Earl's +task was comparatively easy, for Tiara had all along fully understood +Ensal and felt no need of the assurances which Earl sought to bring. +Earl was more than happy at the outcome of his mission, happy that he +could inform Ensal that the way was now clear for him to declare himself +to Tiara. + +We shall now follow Ensal to find out what measure of success attended +his mission. + + + + +CHAPTER XXXIX. + +_A Son of the New South._ + + +"I understand that a few years ago a Negro man and woman were burned at +the stake in this neighborhood. Would you kindly show me the place?" + +This request came from Ensal Ellwood and was addressed to young Maul, +the attorney who had plead so earnestly for the conviction of the +lynchers of Bud and Foresta. A sad look stole over young Maul's face. + +"I never go that way if I can avoid it easily. That was indeed a +horrible affair and our section, according to the law of retribution, +will have it to pay for," replied young Maul, won by Ensal's kindly tone +and look. "There is the kindly Negro of the past revised and brought +down to date," thought young Maul, as he looked at Ensal and further +studied him. + +"It has already paid for it, perhaps," said Ensal. "It may be that some +one of this place was marked by nature to shed unfading lustre upon your +state, and could have made these rivers and hills and plains revered in +all the earth, but the light of his genius was extinguished by that +smoke, perhaps, perhaps," said Ensal sadly. + +The two men now walked in the direction of the scene of the burning. +They soon arrived at the spot, and Ensal looked long at the charred +trunks of the trees that had served as stakes. He scanned the trees from +the parched roots to the forlorn tree tops, took note of the fact that +the bark was missing and reflected that the absent bark was no doubt yet +serving as souvenirs in many Maulville homes. + +"They are dead--the trees I mean--and perhaps it is well. Time will now +eat away their vitals and they shall no longer stand as monuments to the +shame of our land," said Young Maul. + +"Suppose we sit down. I have much to say to you, Mr. Maul," said Ensal, +who felt himself the ambassador of millions and of Tiara's demented +sister. Anxious indeed was he that he should succeed in the object of +his visit. + +The men walked over to the Negro church near the scene, and took seats +upon the steps thereof. + +"Quite a fitting place for my talk," began Ensal. "My name is Ensal +Ellwood. Looking at the spot where the South is seen at its worst is but +a prelude to what I have made a long journey to say to you," said Ensal. + +"I shall be glad to hear what you have to say, Mr. Ellwood," said young +Maul. + +"I notice that you say 'Mister,'" said Ensal, in kindly tone. + +"I am not one of those that believe that my manhood is compromised by +the use of the term 'Mister' to a Negro. I remember that the greatest of +all Southerners and the greatest of all world heroes, the immortal +Washington, once lifted his hat to a Negro man. When asked about his +action he replied that he could not let that Negro be more polite than +he was. I take the same position. I think a man's manhood is exceedingly +feeble when it has to have an army of sentinels to be always on the +alert, to keep somebody from kidnapping it," said young Maul. + +"To come at once to the point, Mr. Maul, I have come to you to make +overtures for a treaty of peace between the Negroes of the United States +and the white people of the South," said Ensal. + +"I shall hear you gladly," said young Maul. + +"George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Robert E. Lee are to the people +of the South stars of the first magnitude, and you would like to send +other stars to keep them company. But, changing the figure, an actor +must have a stage that places him in the full view of his audience, if +he would do his best work. Our nation is the stage upon which your sons +are to strive for immortality. + +"To labor to the best advantage they must have the chance to be vested +with the authority of the nation, the power of the whole people. Given +that power, the scroll of immortality will at least be laid before them +that they may make effort to write their names thereon," said Ensal. + +"Now, Mr. Maul," he continued, "the Negro population is so distributed +that it now holds the balance of power in the nation. We have it in our +power to keep the South out of its larger glory. + +"However unpalatable it may be to a Southern white man, he must reckon +with the fact, that between himself and the coveted favor of the nation +stands the will of the Negro." + +"That is very apparent," said young Maul. + +"While we can hamper," resumed Ensal, "the white people of the South +nationally, they can trouble us considerably locally. Now, we are not +enemies of the South, and take no delight in the crippling of her +influence _per se_, and we would like to see this unarmed strife come to +a close. Nothing would give the Negroes greater joy than to see the +right kind of a white man from the South made President of the nation. + +"And the right kind of men exist in the South! There were perhaps as +many white men from the South in the Union army as there were Negroes. + +"Only one thing is now needed to gladden the hearts of the Negroes of +the United States and cause them to turn enthusiastically to the making +of the South the grandest section of the Union," said Ensal. + +"What can that be, pray?" said young Maul. + +"Mr. Maul, excuse me for not stating at once. Cast your eye back over +the history of our country and take note of the woes that have been +heaped upon the South and upon the nation by the radicals among you. + +"There was a strong anti-war party in the South prior to the breaking +out of the civil war, but the radicals overwhelmed them and brought on +that disastrous conflict. + +"Immediately after the war the radicals got control of some of your +state legislatures and began to pass laws that would have practically +re-enslaved the Negroes. The radical policy of the nation, as revealed +in reconstruction measures was the child of radicalism in the South, so +charge the burdens and woes of that period to your radicals. + +"'Carpet-baggers' and 'scalawags' mismanaged affairs in the South, and +some of your good people, you state, resorted to lawless methods to +displace them. The radicals took charge of this lawless organization, +you claim, prostituted it, and made a record of crime and villainy in +the South so great that eleven large volumes in the records of Congress +are required to merely hint at the atrocities. The nation grew quiet for +a period, to catch your point of view and reason with you, and your +radicals misread its attitude and thought that it had undergone a change +of heart. They led the South to its recent crushing defeat. + +"The radicals who have oppressed the Negroes of the South and sent them +North, sent them forth with heart burnings, and through the pivotal +states of the North they are ever on guard to turn the tide of battle +against your section. Radicalism, then, is building up a political power +in the North that will be a potent factor in continuing the isolation +and impotence of your section, and will render the wish of a Negro ward +politician of the North of more consequence than the combined pleadings +of all your congressional delegation from the South. + +"In the South to-day radicalism is widening the breach between the races +and that old kindly feeling is fast disappearing, being succeeded by +suspicion and hate. + +"The bonds of personal friendship which have served to keep things quiet +in the South when circumstances seemed most forbidding are being snapped +asunder. The sullen hatred of the Negroes engendered by the rabid +utterances and violent conduct of the radicals among the whites is +pregnant with harm to the South, and tends to summon to a resurrection +the entombed savagery of some members of the race, and to dishearten +others in their upward strivings. On and on I could go, showing the +awful wreckage in the pathway of the Southern radical. + +"If the nation would ever heal this sore the radicals must be +suppressed. If the Negroes attempt their undoing a feeling of racial +solidarity among the whites greets them. If the North attempts it a +sectional feeling is stimulated. + +"I come now to the one thing that will gladden the hearts of the Negroes +and the nation and make secure the glory of the South. _We would have +you good white people of the South to assert yourselves_--that class of +you who have not been carried away with that false doctrine that the +problem can be solved with the Negro shorn of political power. In short, +the one missing factor now needed is _aggressiveness_ on the part of the +right thinking white people of the South," said Ensal, who now ceased +and awaited with anxious heart young Maul's reply. + +"As to the matter of our aggressiveness, Mr. Ellwood," responded young +Maul, "have no doubt on that score. The South has been so unmercifully +carved in the slaughter pen into which her radicals led her, that she is +now willing to hear from men of saner moods. Many a true Southerner, +silent through force of circumstances, has been waiting for just this +hour. Watch us. We are going to suppress lynching, enforce laws +impartially, allow Negroes all their rights as citizens, make no +discriminations because of race, color or previous condition of +servitude, and encourage them to develop their God-given powers fully. +Nor shall we be afraid of them. They did not strike us in the back in +the time of civil strife and they have never lost a kindly feeling for +us in spite of what the radicals have done to them. Quite well has +Professor Shaler said that if the two races do not live in amity it will +not be the fault of the Negroes." + +"Mr. Maul," said Ensal, grasping the young man's hand, "well might the +struggling world, writhing up from its low estate, rejoice that your +type is now to assume charge of the destiny of the white race in the +South." + +"Now, Mr. Maul," continued Ensal soberly, "one thing for which we +Negroes are to labor might be construed as an evidence of distrust of +the better element of Southern people, and I would have you to +understand us. The radicals of the South, as I have stated, invited +radicalism from the North as the only sure antidote. To correct some +evils, numbers of your good people condoned a departure from accepted +standards of ethics. Men whom you knew to be perjurers, ballot box +stuffers and violaters of law were, because of those very qualities, +allowed to occupy high station among you. Many of you felt that your +ills could only have been cured in that way. We Negroes have felt that a +moral revolution could have been effected, and would have left no +residue of evil in its wake. But other methods prevailed and you now +have among you a class of men who feel no compunctions of conscience at +cheating. Having blunted their consciences cheating us, they will now +seek to cheat the better element of whites in the era of promised +agressiveness. We Negroes are going to ask one favor of the nation, and +that is that it enforce its constitution, which provides one test for +all American citizens. If we win it will not only free us from the +repressionists, but will free the better element of Southern whites as +well. Your type of men can then have a chance in the South." + +Young Maul sat meditating a while and then said: + +"Do you know that in a fair test of strength the better element of +whites even now would triumph at the polls. But the spirit of fraud +built up to dethrone the 'carpet bag' government yet lingers to haunt +those who would now dispense with it, which shows how dangerous it is to +do evil even that good may come. + +"We of the South hear much of bribery and corruption in the North, and I +stand ready to co-operate with the decent element to purify the suffrage +of the entire nation." + +"You favor then the enforcement by Congress of the Fifteenth Amendment +to the Constitution," asked Ensal. + +"I would not have our nation live a lie and pollute the whole stream of +our people's life. If the nation is lawless it can hardly expect its +citizens to be different. I stand for the enforcement of law, all law. +The very life of the nation itself depends upon the purity of the +electorate, and the ballot box is as sure to become sacred in America +as our nation is to stand," said young Maul earnestly. + +"Now that we understand each other on those matters, let me now say a +few words to you concerning some needs of the Negro race," continued +young Maul. + +"Radicalism and aggression on the part of some of the whites constitute +one phase of our problem, but the weakened condition of your race must +also be reckoned with as a factor. Had Africa been in a position to make +it uncomfortable for all who sought to hold her children in bondage, +there would have been no traffic in slaves from that continent. While we +are going to do what we can to hold in check those who would oppress or +restrict you, we expect you to eliminate the weakness in your race that +invites attack. + +"You must become intellectually strong, so that you may always be in +hailing distance of the world's thought power which determines the +destiny of the human race. + +"Take special note of what I am now going to say," continued young Maul. +"When an air of genuine democracy pervades the South and the spirit of +caste no longer obtains in the political and industrial world, forms of +labor now regarded as beneath the dignity of white people will no longer +be so regarded, and the Negro will find himself face to face with +competition in fields now conceded to him. While political power is +necessary to safety in the body politic, do not expect too much of it, +and neglect not the industrial crisis. + +"As to politics, it is clear that your political problem in the South is +going to be a difficult one. You see, your race was freed by a political +party which conducted the war of the sections. It is hard to get your +people to do other than vote with that party, while the more substantial +element of the whites in the South have for a hundred years been in the +opposing party. The great misfortune of the political situation is that +the Negroes and the better element of whites never pull together in the +one political harness." + +"We have given that matter much thought and feel that we have a +solution," said Ensal. + +"My friend, if you can solve that problem you have gone a long way +toward solving the whole problem," said young Maul. + +"Here is our plan," began Ensal. "The Negroes have discovered the utter +impotence of the class of whites who joined them for the sake of office, +and the federal pie-counter element of whites has utterly lost favor +with the great body of Negroes. The situation within the Negro race is +therefore ripe for a new alignment. We have come to the conclusion that +the American people need an idealist class in their political life, and +it would be a great gift to the nation for the Negro to point the way +for such a party. + +"The Negroes are going to organize in the South an Eclectic party that +will serve as an antidote to to safety in the body politic, do not +expect too much of it, and neglect not the industrial crisis. + +"As to politics, it is clear that your political problem in the South is +going to be a difficult one. You see, your race was freed by a political +party which conducted the war of the sections. It is hard to get your +people to do other than vote with that party, while the more substantial +element of the whites in the South have for a hundred years been in the +opposing party. The great misfortune of the political situation is that +the Negroes and the better element of whites never pull together in the +one political harness." + +"We have given that matter much thought and feel that we have a +solution," said Ensal. + +"My friend, if you can solve that problem you have gone a long way +toward solving the whole problem," said young Maul. + +"Here is our plan," began Ensal. "The Negroes have discovered the utter +impotence of the class of whites who joined them for the sake of office, +and the federal pie-counter element of whites has utterly lost favor +with the great body of Negroes. The situation within the Negro race is +therefore ripe for a new alignment. We have come to the conclusion that +the American people need an idealist class in their political life, and +it would be a great gift to the nation for the Negro to point the way +for such a party. + +"The Negroes are going to organize in the South an Eclectic party that +will serve as an antidote to the tendency toward party worship. We +shall separate city from county politics, county from state, and state +from national. We shall often, perhaps, be found supporting one party's +candidate for governor and another party's candidate for president. The +question of human rights and the civil and political equality of all men +shall be a first consideration with us, and we shall go to the aid of +the class of men of like faith on these points, it matters not in what +political party they may be found. The best interests of the people, and +not party loyalty, shall be our creed. + +"In this way we shall be able to co-operate with the best element of +Southern white people. Though not posing as the political leader of my +people, I feel sure that I correctly forecast their policy," said Ensal. + +"Great possibilities lie in that direction, and I firmly believe that we +have at last found the way of peace and honor and justice to all," said +young Maul. + +The two young men now parted, and Ensal went to the telegraph station +and sent the following message to Earl: + +"Problem will now be solved. Aggressiveness on part of better element of +whites assured. The whole machinery of the national government is in +hands that will accord them support. Working basis in political matters +agreed upon for better element of both races. Am writing you at +length." + +When in due course of mail Ensal's promised letter reached Earl and set +forth the prospects of an adjustment of the questions at issue, Earl was +exultant and felt that he had at last good news to carry to Eunice. + + + + +CHAPTER XL. + +_Sorrow and Gladness._ + + +In the parlor of the sanitarium Earl sat awaiting the coming of Eunice, +his face telling of the hopes now alive within his heart. + +With an exclamation of joy Eunice ran and threw herself into his arms. +During her whole stay in the sanitarium the Negro question had not been +broached to her and her mind seemed almost normal. Earl now sought to +complete the work by letting her know that things had at last been set +right and that the color of a man's skin was to no longer be in his way. +Standing over her he whispered: + +"Eunice, the American people have decreed that the door of hope shall +not be closed to any of their citizens because of the accident of +birth." + +A strange glow came into Eunice's eyes. + +"When will the duly authorized power see to it that the states live +according to this decree and apply one test to voters of both races," +asked Eunice so quietly, so intelligently, that hopes sprang up in +Earl's breast. + +Stooping, he kissed his wife, saying: + +"I can't say, my darling; but it will surely come in time." + +"Time!" shrieked Eunice. "Same old thing! Time! Bah! We shall all die in +'time.' Earl, are you turning against me, coming to me with that old +word 'time?' Ah! Earl, are you a Southerner? Time! Earl, can't you +persuade the people to let justice do now what they are waiting for +'time' to do?" + +Jumping up she whirled round and round until from sheer exhaustion she +fell into her weeping husband's arms. + +"O thou of little faith, counterpart of my own darker days, Eunice, +awake! Awake! The currents are forming that will sweep the caste spirit +out of the political life of the nation. Awake, my Eunice! Awake!" +plaintively spoke the grief-stricken husband to the unheeding ears of +his wife. + +While hope thus wrestles with despair, we visit another parlor. + + * * * * * + +In the parlor of Tiara's home Ensal sat awaiting the coming of the girl +that he had loved so long and so ardently, on whom he had now called for +the purpose of asking her to link her destiny with his. + +[Illustration: "Without any pretense at delivering any one of the many + thousand little preliminary speeches framed for the + occasion, Ensal bent forward and kissed Tiara." + (290-291.)] + +Ensal had delivered many speeches in the course of his lifetime, but he +could hardly recall one that had given him as much trouble as the short +speech which he had sought to prepare for Tiara. Form after form of +approach came to him, but they were all rejected as being inadequate to +the occasion, so that when the beautiful Tiara appeared in the parlor +door Ensal was absolutely and literally speechless. + +With love-lit eyes Tiara walked unfalteringly in his direction and, with +a smile for which Ensal the great altruist, mark you, fancied he would +have been willing to return from a thousand Africas, she extended her +hand to him in greeting. + +There is a saying among the Negroes to the effect that "If you give a +Negro an inch he will take an ell." Whatever may be the meaning of that +expression, this we do know, that when Tiara gave Ensal one hand, he +_deliberately_--no, we won't make the offense one of premeditation--he, +without deliberating the matter at all, hastily took not only more of +the hand than what Tiara offered, but the other one as well. + +For the sake of Ensal's reputation for poise, already a little shaken, +we fear, we fain would draw the curtain just here; but as we have all +along sought to tell the whole truth about matters herein discussed, we +will have to allow our hero's reputation to take care of itself the best +way it can. Without obtaining any more consent than that which was +plainly written in Tiara's eyes, and without any pretense at delivering +any one of the many thousand little preliminary speeches framed for the +occasion, Ensal bent forward and kissed Tiara! + +Now that he has by this act lost favor with you, dear reader, we shall +expose him to the utmost! + +Dropping one of Tiara's hands, an arm stole around her waist, and Ensal +kissed her again and, sad to say, again, and, vexing thought, again. And +to cap the climax, the two were joyfully married that night, and on the +next day set out for Africa, to provide a home for the American Negro, +should the demented Eunice prove to be a wiser prophet than the hopeful, +irrepressible Earl; should the good people of America, North and South, +grow busy, confused or irresolute and fail, to the subversion of their +ideals, to firmly entrench the Negro in his political rights, the denial +of which, and the blight incident thereto, more than all other factors, +cause the Ethiopian in America to feel that his is indeed "The Hindered +Hand." + +[Illustration: THE END] + + + + +NOTES FOR THE SERIOUS. + + +1. The author of THE HINDERED HAND was an eyewitness of the driving of +"Little Henry" to his death by the officers of the law. + +2. The details of the Maulville burning were given the author by an +eyewitness of the tragedy, a man of national reputation among the +Negroes. Some of the more revolting features of that occurrence have +been suppressed for decency's sake. We would have been glad to eliminate +all of the details, but they have entered into the thought-life of the +Negroes, and their influence must be taken into account. + +3. The experiences of Eunice upon being assigned to membership in the +Negro race are by no means overdrawn. The refined, cultured and most +highly respected young woman whose actual experiences form the +groundwork of that part of the story was not only thus accosted and +insulted by a white man of the order indicated, but was actually beaten +in a most brutal manner and fined fifteen dollars in the police court. + +4. The following statement of facts lends interest to the contention of +one of the characters of THE HINDERED HAND, to the effect that the +repressionist order of things brings forward, by its own force an +undesirable type of officials. + +During the recent presidential campaign the repression of the Negro was +made an issue in the state of Tennessee. + +The most representative audience that assembled during the whole +campaign in the State was wrought to its highest pitch of enthusiasm by +the following outburst of eloquence from the Junior Senator of that +state: "The man that does not know the difference between a white man +and a 'nigger' is not fit to be President." The kind of a state +Legislature begotten by a campaign in which the foregoing remark marked +the highest level of the discussion so far as the popular taste was +concerned, may be judged from the following comments on that Legislature +after it adjourned: + + "There were many men in the last Legislature upon whose faces + the mark of incompetency or worse was as plain as the noonday + sun."--_The Nashville American._ + + "It would be better for Tennessee to groan on under present + laws and let the Legislature meet no more in ten years if it + were possible under the Constitution."--_Lebanon Banner._ + + "Mediocrity was in the saddle, and picayunish partisan politics + held the center of the boards."--_Franklin Review-Appeal._ + + "The Legislature has adjourned. Many praises unto the 'Great I + Am.'"--_Murfreesboro News-Banner._ + + "Throwing bricks at the Legislature is a favorite pastime, but + really a brick is hardly big enough for the purpose.--_Franklin + County Truth._ + + "In our opinion the present Legislature will go down in history + as the most incompetent body of lawmakers that ever sat in the + capitol of Tennessee."--_Tullahoma Guardian._ + + "The Tennessee Legislature has adjourned and perhaps done less + to commend itself than any of its predecessors."--_Obion + Democrat._ + + "The people elect the legislators and the people are + responsible for the character of men they elect and send to + Nashville to make and unmake laws. We know the Legislature was + bad, even miserable, but the members got their commissions from + the people."--_Gallatin News._ + + "The weekly press of the state is almost unanimous in its + condemnation of the late Legislature. * * * As we have said + before, the general littleness of the body, its petty conduct + in many instances, its trades and combinations, the autocratic + methods of self-seeking members, the quarrels, the cheap + declamations and intemperate and undignified and unwarrantable + public denunciations by members who should have shown a better + sense of dignity and decency, the dishonesty in juggling with + bills, the unreliability of promises--the general record and + conduct of the body marked it as unworthy of the state or the + approval of the people. What man of established reputation + would care to be known as a member of such a Legislature as the + one recently adjourned?"--_The Nashville American._ + +These comments are from newspapers of the same political faith as the +Legislature. + +5. The question might be raised as to whether the conditions set forth +in THE HINDERED HAND are true of some special locality or are general in +character. + +As to how general the conditions complained of are one may infer from +the following editorial from a leading Southern newspaper, which never +fails in defense of the South where defense is possible. + + "In South Carolina, as we have noted, the safest crime is the + crime of taking human life. The conditions are the same in + almost every Southern State. Murder and violence are the + distinguishing marks of our present-day civilization. We do not + enforce the law. We say by statute that murder must be punished + by death, and murder is rarely punished by death, or rarely + punished in any other way in this State, and in any of the + Southern States, except where the murderer is colored, or is + poor and without influence. Now this state of affairs cannot + last forever. We have grown so accustomed to the failure of + justice in cases where human life is taken by violence that we + excuse one failure and another until it will become a habit and + the strong shall prevail over the weak, and the man who slays + his brother shall be regarded as the incarnation of + power."--_The Charleston News and Courier._ + +6. Since the recent defeat of the ultra radical element in the national +campaign, there has been a marked improvement as to the more violent +manifestations of race prejudice, emphasizing the fact that actual +political power can procure respect. + +7. It must never be concluded by those interested in these matters that +the mere suppression of mob violence approaches a solution of the race +problem. The programme of the Negro race, that must be ever kept in mind +as a factor to be dealt with, is the obtaining of all the rights and +privileges accorded by the State to other American citizens. + +8. Acknowledgment is here made of the generous aid often extended the +Negro race in its efforts to rise by the liberal element among the +whites of the South. One of the most notable achievements of this +element has been the manner in which they have fought off the attacks of +the repressionists, directed against the education of the Negroes in the +public school systems of the South, so amply provided for by the +"Reconstruction" Governments. + +9. The overwhelmingly predominant sentiment of the American Negroes is +to fight out their battles on these shores. The assigning of the +thoughts of the race to the uplift of Africa, as affecting the situation +in America, must be taken more as the dream of the author rather than as +representing any considerable responsible sentiment within the race, +which, as has been stated, seems at present thoroughly and unqualifiedly +American, a fact that must never be overlooked by those seeking to deal +with this grave question in a practical manner. + + THE AUTHOR. + + + + +NOTES TO THE THIRD EDITION. + + +1. The present edition of "The Hindered Hand" differs from previous +editions in that a review of Mr. Thomas Dixon's "Leopard Spots" appears +in former editions in the form of a conversation between two of the +characters of the book, whereas in the present edition the review is +more fully given in an article appearing in the rear of this book after +the closing of the story. + +No attempt is here made to deal with Mr. Dixon's second book bearing on +the race problem, it being the hope of the writer to give that matter +serious and independent attention. + +2. In spite of the solemn assurances of the writer that the incidents +depicted in "The Hindered Hand" are based upon actual occurrences, there +has appeared here and there a slight air of questioning with regard to +some things related. Particularly does it seem hard to believe what is +told of the manner of the death of Bud and Foresta Harper. The writer +would be only too glad if he could but free his mind of the knowledge +that the picture is true to life in the utmost horrible detail, The +Nashville _American_, one of the leading Southern daily papers, at the +time of its occurrence, accepted the account as we have given it as +correct and made editorial comment upon the same, and no one would dare +pronounce that paper hostile to the South. + +We stand ready to furnish ample evidence of the absolute correctness of +each and every portrayal to be found in "The Hindered Hand." + + SUTTON E. GRIGGS, + No. 610 Webster St., Nashville, Tenn. + + * * * * * + + + + A HINDERING HAND + + + SUPPLEMENTARY TO THE HINDERED HAND. + + [Illustration] + +_A Review of the Anti-Negro Crusade of Mr. Thomas Dixon, Jr._ + + + * * * * * + + + + +A HINDERING HAND. + + +THE POOR WHITE AND THE NEGRO. + +From the door of a squalid home, situated mayhaps upon a somewhat decent +spot in a marsh or upon the very poorest of soil, the poor white man of +the South, prior to his emancipation by the Civil War, looked out upon a +world whose honors and emoluments cast no favoring glances in his +direction. + +Between the poor white and his every earthly hope stood the Negro slave. +As his thoughts now and then stole upward toward the higher social +circles, he realized that the absence of slave quarters from his home +entailed his absence from those upper realms. If in the marts of toil he +offered the labor of his hands, he felt his cheeks tingling from the +consciousness that others regarded him as being upon a level with +slaves; and at the best the market for his labor was very limited, for +the fatted slave stood in his way. + +So utterly forlorn was the condition of the poor white that the enslaved +Negro felt justified in meeting his protruding claim of racial +superiority with contemptuous scorn. In the very nature of things the +strongest sort of repulsion developed between this class of whites and +the Negro slaves. The work, therefore, of overseeing and driving the +slaves on the plantations of the more wealthy whites, fitted the +habitual mood of the poor white exactly. No form of service was more +congenial to him than that of whipping intractable Negroes for their +masters. + +It thus came to pass that the poor white man registered it as his first +duty to wreak vengeance upon this unbowing, scornful Negro standing +between him and all that was dear to his heart. This feeling of +hostility was handed over from father to son, from generation to +generation, until the very social atmosphere was charged with this +bitter feeling. + +When the Civil War came this neglected and despised class suddenly +became important and furnished its quota of soldiers and commanders. +Nathan Bedford Forrest hailed from this class, and as a result the +American people have on their annals Fort Pillow and its savage-like +massacre. When the war was over, the poor white class began to bestir +itself in civil life, and from that class the nation derived the Hon. +Benjamin R. Tillman, of South Carolina. + +And now literature is receiving its contribution from this class of +whites, in the work being done by Mr. Thomas Dixon, Jr., of North +Carolina, who does not hail from the more wealthy and more friendly +element of Southern whites, but from mingling with the poorer classes, +where hatred of the Negro was a part of the legacy handed down from +parent to child. For, before Mr. Dixon's marriage he was a poor man and +was viewed by the Negroes of Raleigh, N. C., as one belonging to the +class of their hereditary enemies. It is with the outpourings of a man +who has been steeped in all the traditions of this hostile atmosphere +that we are now called upon to deal. + +The goal toward which Mr. Dixon is striving is the ejection from America +of nearly ten million of his fellow citizens, against the overwhelming +majority of whom he can allege no unusual offense save that they are of +African descent. + +The work of their fathers and of themselves in wresting the fields of +the South from the clutch of forest; in crimsoning American soil with +their blood in every war that has been fought; in yielding of all of the +best of their heart and mind for this country's good is, according to +Mr. Dixon, to count for naught. + + +HARNESSING HATRED. + +It is to be conceded that the presence in large numbers of two distinct +races in the same territory under a democratic form of government +constitutes a grave problem, and profound is the wish of many of both +races that a separation might be effected. Mr. Dixon is by no means a +pioneer in desiring a separation. The great emancipator desired this +result. + +But Mr. Dixon is a pioneer in the matter of seeking to attain his end by +an attempt to thoroughly discredit the Negroes, to stir up the baser +passions of men against them and to send them forth with a load of +obloquy and the withering scorn of their fellows the world over, +sufficient to appall a nation of angels. + +Mark the essentially _barbarous_ character of Mr. Dixon's method of +warfare. + +There is the good and the bad in all men. The world has learned since +the days of the Christ that by far the best means of obtaining the +largest results of unalloyed good is by appealing to the best that there +is in men rather than to the worst. In no respect is the reactionary +character of Mr. Dixon's crusade more apparent than in his attempt to +attain his ends through his appeals to the worst that there is in men. + +Mankind has been grouping itself from time immemorial, according to +certain physical likenesses, and each race or group has had more or less +of prejudice against alien groups. It has been the one struggle of the +higher human instincts to enable men, in spite of differences of form, +of feature, to find a common bond of sympathy linking mankind together. + +Uncle Tom's Cabin grappled in the mire of Southern slavery and lifted a +despised and helpless race into living sympathy with the white race at +the North. To cut these chords of sympathy and re-establish the old +order of repulsion, based upon the primitive feeling of race hatred is +the first item on Mr. Dixon's programme. + +The adopting of a course so patently barbaric stamps Mr. Dixon as a +spiritual reversion to type, violently out of accord with the best +tendencies of his times. + +The very opposite of Mr. Dixon is Professor Nathaniel F. Shaler, of +Harvard, himself a Southerner, who approaches this same grave question +of the relation of the races and seeks to prepare the American people +for the consideration of the subject free from the distorting influence +of prejudice. + + +A SERIOUS HANDICAP. + +The cultivation of race hatreds on the part of Mr. Dixon and others who +labor with him, if successful will react on the American people sadly to +their detriment. The wonderful activity of American industries call +loudly for the world as a market for their goods. The dark races of the +world, now backward in the matter of manufacturing, must largely furnish +these markets. The cloven foot of America's race prejudice will make +itself manifest, and its owner will find it increasingly difficult to +secure a ready purchaser for his goods. + +We have a hint of what will happen in the awakened darker world in the +boycott of American goods by the Chinese, because of the rude treatment +by American custom officials, of unoffending Chinese, a treatment born +of the spirit of race hatred. + + +MR. DIXON IS SHREWD. + +Let us now take note of the various artifices resorted to by Mr. Dixon +to unhorse the Negro in the esteem of the North and bestow his place +upon those who would repress him. + +In his first Anti-Negro book, Mr. Dixon was shrewd enough not to make a +Southerner who was _persona non grata_ to the North the hero of the +story. The poor old Ex-Confederate soldier, rank secessionist, the real +hero and dominating figure of his times, in this book is tied out in the +back yard, while the post of honor is given to a little boy whose father +fought most unwillingly against the Union. Mr. Dixon's choosing for a +hero this lad, whose father wore a confederate uniform over a union +heart, forcibly reminds one of the reply of the whimpering soldier whom +the captain was upbraiding for cowardice under fire. + +"You act as though you were a baby," angrily shouted the captain to the +frightened soldier. + +"I wish I was a baby and a gal baby at that," whimpered the soldier, +reasoning that "gal babies" were exempt not only from that battle, but +from all others. + +While Mr. Dixon was in search of a hero that would be far removed from +what was regarded as treason in those days he might have made assurance +doubly sure by doing further violence to the predominating sentiment of +the day by making his hero--not his heroine--a "gal" baby. + + +MR. DIXON SCOFFS. + +One of the brightest pages in the history of this nation will +be that which tells the story of those men and women of the North, who, +over the protests of loved ones, faced the ostracism of their kind in +the South that they might open the Negroes' eyes to the hitherto +forbidden glories of modern civilization and take care that the +spiritual was not lost sight of in the new maze of world wonders. +Withered indeed must be the soul that could scoff at such moral heroism, +and yet that is just what Mr. Dixon does. He suggests that the people +who produced a Washington and a Jefferson hardly needed missionaries to +perform work among the Negroes within their borders. + +But it must be borne in mind that as a part of the propaganda in favor +of retaining the Negro in slavery, the white people of the South +thoroughly committed themselves to the doctrine of the _ineffaceable_, +_inherent_ inferiority of the Negro, and had no largeness of faith in +his possibilities along lines of higher culture. It is evident, then, +that if salvation was to come at all, it was to come from a source that +deemed such an outcome possible. + + +THE EARLIER CHURCH LIFE OF THE NEGRO. + +Mr. Dixon essays to portray Negro worship and makes of it a very +grotesque affair. + +Over against Mr. Dixon's representation of Negro worship as a heathenish +affair, we place the old plantation melodies evolved in those and +earlier days. Charged as these melodies are with true religious fervor, +they stand as a bulwark against all who would assail these earlier +gropings of the race after the unknown God. Equally misplaced are the +sneers of Mr. Dixon at the Negro minister. The center of the whole +social fabric erected by the Negro race in the South is the Negro +church, and to the zeal and power of the untutored Negro pastor and his +more favored successor is this success due. Subtract from the assets of +the Negro race those things placed there through the instrumentality of +the Negro minister and small will be the remnant. + +Again, this religion and this minister at whom Mr. Dixon sneers, are +really responsible for the pacific character of the Negro population of +the South. The Negro race is a great fighting race. The native optimism +of the individual soldier causing him to discount his own chances of +being killed, coupled with his ability to be lost in his enthusiasms, +make the Negro very effective as a soldier. + +Africa has been one great battle field and the internecine strife of +fighting Africans is in a measure responsible for the plight of the +Negro race in the world, as a union of forces could have the better +halted alien aggression. But in America the Negro was taught the Gospel +of peace. The singing of the American Negro is said to lack the martial +strain found in the fatherland. For the peace loving Negro, credit the +church and the Negro minister, whom Mr. Dixon would have the world +contemn. + + +MR. DIXON STABS TO KILL. + +The late Hon. George F. Hoar, of Massachusetts, once remarked (we quote +from memory), "Our population is composed of various races of mankind, +but there are four great things upon which we are all united: Love of +home, love of country, love of liberty and love of woman." The glory of +the Anglo-Saxon race has come largely of the estimate it has placed on +woman. + +Mr. Dixon would break the accord of the American Negro with the rest of +his fellows by picturing him as the savage enemy of womankind. In order +to attain his end he picks up the degenerates within the Negro race and +exploits them as the normal type. In one of his books Mr. Dixon makes a +Negro school commissioner solicit a kiss from a white girl when she +applies to him for a position. The man of this character in the Negro +race is known of all men familiar with the Southern Negro to be an +exotic, for nowhere in the world does woman get more instinctive +deference from men than what Negro men render to the white women of the +South. The very fact that degenerates sometimes make them the objects of +assaults, invests them with a double measure of sympathy and deference +on the part of the great body of Negro men. + + +WHERE MR. DIXON'S POWER FAILS. + +Mr. Dixon displays great power in depicting the emotions of the white +people when the news was borne to them that a little white girl had been +outraged and slain by a Negro. + +Mr. Dixon, there were other hearts throbbing in that neighborhood! Oh, +that you had the spirit and the power to give utterance to those heart +throbs. + +The Negroes, whose absence from the mob you would ascribe to sympathy +with the criminal, were in their homes sorrowing over the death of the +little one, sorrowing over the disgrace that was so undeservingly +brought upon the race, and wondering whether your mob had the right man +or was making a mistake that would leave the really guilty free to again +bring death and grief and wrath to the white race and grief and shame +unspeakable to the Negro race. + + +AS TO INTERMARRIAGE. + +Not content with picturing the Negro race, as a race prolific with the +assaulters of women, Mr. Dixon would further have the world believe that +the highest ambition of the cultured Negro man is to find for himself a +white wife. + +Perhaps it may not be out of place just here for the writer to disclose +what he considers, from close observation, to be the attitude of the +Negroes on the question of the intermarriage of the races. They do not +hold with that group of writers who contend that the Negro is +inherently inferior to the whites and that a mixture of the blood of the +races produces an essentially inferior being. Dumas, holding his own +among the French; Browning and S. Coleridge-Taylor among the English, +and Douglass, among the Americans, to their minds belie that assertion. +Nor yet do they hold that the races must needs depend upon this infusion +for its greatness. The unmixed Toussaint L'Ouverture, Paul Laurence +Dunbar and J. C. Price speak up for the innate powers of the race. + +Accepting the race as it came to them from slavery, during which +mulattoism was forced upon it, the Negroes have gone on developing race +pride and visiting their supreme disfavor upon all who signify inability +to find thorough contentment within the race. The marriage of Frederick +Douglass to a white woman created a great gulf between himself and his +people, and it is said that so great was the alienation that Mr. +Douglass was never afterwards the orator that he had been. The delicate +network of wires over which the inner soul conveys itself to the hearts +of its hearers was totally disarranged by that marriage. + + +PRIDE OF RACE. + +It was this feeling of race pride which the Negroes have and thoroughly +understand, that Mr. Dixon was picturing in that Northern statesman who +would not give his daughter in marriage to a Negro suitor who was his +political ally. This pride of race Mr. Dixon confounds with the +prejudice which he would glorify. How utterly absurd it is to infer that +it is inconsistent in a father to apply a totally different test to a +man aspiring to be his son-in-law to that applied to a man asking for +political rights! The rejection of a man because he lacks generations of +approved blood behind him is classed by Mr. Dixon as race +discrimination, whereas such rejections are daily made for similar +reasons within all civilized races. + + +BACKWARD AFRICA. + +In his eager grasping after anything that would seem to serve his +purpose of thoroughly discrediting the Negro, Mr. Dixon holds up the +backwardness of Africa as an indication of the inherent inefficiency of +the Negro race. The life of the great body of the Negro race has been +cast for untold centuries in Africa. This one simple fact has meant and +still means so much. The peculiar character of the African coast, +lacking as it is in great indentations, the immense falls preventing +entrance into its greatest river, the Congo--these things have caused +Africans to be more nearly isolated from the rest of humanity than has +been the case with any other large body of people. With isolation and +lack of contact the Negroes have been compelled to rely upon their own +narrow set of ideas, while the progress of other peoples has been the +result of the union of what they begot with what strangers brought them. + +The soil of Africa fed the Negroes so bountifully that they did not +acquire the habit of industry, and with a plenty of time on their hands +they warred incessantly. The hot, humid atmosphere made them black and +sapped their energies. To save them from yellow fever, nature gave them +pigment and lost them friends. Other peoples have hesitated to +intermarry with them because of their rather unfavorable showing in +personal appearance. + +Some hold that a race is great in proportion to the distance it has +wandered through intermarriage from the parent stock. The great races of +the world, it is held, are the mixed races. When the Africans' +environments robbed them of comeliness and attractive qualities, they +were thrown off to their own one blood, no one courting alliance with +them. + +The merest tyro of a sociologist knows that these are the essential +facts which account for the backwardness of the African people, and yet +Mr. Dixon would fasten upon Negroes the charge of inherent inferiority +because of the showing made under circumstances most adverse to the +development of civilization. + + +RECONSTRUCTION DAYS. + +The most pathetic page in the history of the Negro race in America is +the story of reconstruction days. Kept in ignorance during the days of +slavery his one great desire under freedom was for knowledge and +self-improvement. Because the white South was spiritually unprepared to +deal with the new order of things, and because the North did not desire +to make one great military camp of the South, the Negroes en masse were +summoned forthwith to the task of establishing governments in the +Southern states in harmony with the Constitution of the United States. +The men whom the Negroes supported accomplished that task well, but in +other respects betrayed their trusts. + +When corruption in office, a thing by no means confined to one era of +the world's history, became manifest, in many quarters an appeal was +made to the Negroes to help overturn the corruptionists. And be it said +to the honor of the race, the cry for good government never failed to +rally Negro support, even at a great sacrifice. When Wade Hampton was +struggling for the dethronement of corrupt governments in South +Carolina, six thousand Negroes took part in one of the parades during +his canvass for the governorship. + +But some states did not have leaders prepared to deal with the Negroes +as political equals, leaders who were wise enough to appeal to the good +within the race. In such places the unreasoning, undiscriminating, +brutal, murderous mobs arose to do by violence what better and wiser men +had done elsewhere through moral suasion. Had enlightened methods been +employed the sky would not have been as portentous as it is to-day. As +it is, we have the sickening record of the atrocities of the Ku Klux +Klan and the heritage of evil and lawlessness left in its wake. + +Over against Mr. Dixon's lurid and grossly misleading pictures of the +conduct of the Negroes in reconstruction days, we offer the following +tribute to the race, clipped from the columns of the Nashville _Banner_, +perhaps the most widely read daily newspaper in the state of Tennessee, +and a paper opposed to the reconstruction policy pursued by the federal +government: + + "Let us do the negroes justice. There is no spirit of + bloodthirsty and incendiary revolt prevailing among them. + History and experience have shown that there never existed a + more tractable people considering all the trying conditions and + circumstances to which they have been subjected. In time of war + and in the frightful reconstruction period, when they were + urged and tempted by false friends and incentives and had + opportunities of evil appalling to contemplate, they were + restrained as perhaps no other people would have been + restrained and were more sinned against than sinning. And + to-day as a people they have no mind except to accept the best + that may come to them." + + +MR. DIXON VS. HON. JAMES G. BLAINE. + +Mr. Dixon's hope is evidently in the young North. That the young people +may not be wedded to the traditions of their section, he would impress +the young North that what their fathers did in the way of bestowing +equality of citizenship upon the Negro, was the result of a leadership +blind with the spirit of revenge. As a complete rebuttal to this +contention on his part, we quote from an article which appeared in the +North American _Review_ from the pen of the late Hon. James G. Blaine: + + "It must be borne in mind that the Republicans were urged and + hastened to measures of amelioration for the Negro by very + dangerous developments in the Southern States looking to his + re-enslavement in fact, if not in form. The year that followed + the accession of Andrew Johnson to the presidency was full of + anxiety and warning to all the lovers of justice, to all who + hoped for 'a more perfect union' of the States. In nearly every + one of the Confederate States the white inhabitants assumed + that they were to be restored to the Union with their State + governments precisely as they were when they seceded in 1861, + and that the organic change created by the Thirteenth Amendment + might be practically set aside by State legislation. In this + belief they exhibited their policy towards the Negro. + Considering all the circumstances, it would be hard to find in + history a more causeless and cruel oppression of a whole race + than was embodied in the legislation of those revived and + reconstructed State governments. Their membership was composed + wholly of the 'ruling class,' as they termed it, and, in no + small degree, of Confederate officers below the rank of + brigadier-general, who sat in the legislature in the very + uniforms which had distinguished them as enemies of the Union + upon the battlefield. Limited space forbids my transcribing the + black code wherewith they loaded their statute books. In Mr. + Lamar's State the Negroes were forbidden, under very severe + penalties, to keep firearms of any kind; they were apprenticed, + if minors, to labor, preference being given by the statute to + their 'former owners;' grown men and women were compelled to + let their labor by contract, the decision of whose terms was + wholly in the hands of the whites; and those who failed to + contract were to be seized as 'vagrants,' heavily fined, and + their labor sold by the sheriff at public outcry to the highest + bidder. The terms 'master' and 'mistress' continually recur in + the statutes, and the slavery that was thus instituted was a + far more degrading, merciless and mercenary than that which was + blotted out by the Thirteenth Amendment. + + "South Carolina, whose moderation and justice are so highly + prized by Governor Hampton, enacted a code still more cruel + than that I have quoted from Mississippi. Firearms were + forbidden to the Negro, and any violation of the statute was + punished by 'fine equal to twice the value of the weapon so + unlawfully kept,' and 'if that be not immediately paid, by + corporal punishment.' It was further provided that 'no person + of color shall pursue or practice the art, trade, or business + of an artisan, mechanic, or shopkeeper, or any other trade or + employment (besides that of husbandry or that of a servant + under contract for labor), until he shall have obtained a + license from the judge of the district court, which license + shall be good for one year only.' If the license was granted to + the Negro to be a shopkeeper or peddler he was compelled to pay + $100 per annum for it, and if he pursued the rudest mechanical + calling he could do so only by the payment of a license fee of + $10 per annum. No such fees were exacted of the whites, and no + such fee of free blacks during the era of slavery. The Negro + was thus hedged in on all sides; he was down, and he was to be + kept down, and the chivalric race that denied him a fair and + honest competition in the humblest mechanical pursuit was loud + in its assertions of his inferiority and his incompetency. + + "But it was reserved for Louisiana to outdo both South Carolina + and Mississippi in this horrible legislation. In that State all + agricultural laborers were compelled to make labor contracts + during the first ten days of January for the next year. The + contract was made, the laborer was not to be allowed to leave + his place of employment during the year except upon conditions + not likely to happen and easily prevented. The master was + allowed to make deductions from the servants' wages for + injuries done to 'animals and agricultural implements committed + to his care,' thus making the Negro responsible for wear and + tear. Deductions were to be made for 'bad or negligent work,' + the master being the judge. For every act of 'disobedience' a + fine of $1 was imposed on the offender, disobedience being a + technical term made to include, besides 'neglect of duty' and + 'leaving home without permission,' such fearful offenses as + 'impudence,' 'swearing,' 'indecent language in the presence of + the employer, his family, or agent,' or 'quarreling or fighting + with one another.' The master or his agent might assail every + ear with profaneness aimed at the Negro man and outrage every + sentiment of decency in the foul language addressed to the + Negro women; but if one of the helpless creatures, goaded to + resistance and crazed under tyranny, should answer back with + impudence, or should relieve his mind with an oath, or restore + indecency, he did so at the cost to himself of $1 for every + outburst. The 'agent' referred to in the statute is the + well-known overseer of the cotton region, and the care with + which the lawmaker of Louisiana provided that his delicate ears + and sensitive nerves should not be offended with an oath or an + indecent word from a Negro will be appreciated by all who have + heard the crack of the whip on a southern plantation. + + "It is impossible to quote all the hideous provisions of these + statutes under whose operation the Negro would have been + relapsed gradually and surely into actual and admitted slavery. + Kindred legislation was attempted in a large majority of the + Confederate States, and it is not uncharitable or illogical to + assume that the ultimate re-enslavement of the race was the + fixed design of those who framed the law and of those who + attempted to enforce them. + + "I am not speculating as to what would have been done or might + have been done in the Southern States if the National + Government had not intervened. I have quoted what actually was + done by legislatures under the control of Southern Democrats, + and I am only recalling history when I say that those outrages + against human nature were upheld by the Democratic party of the + country. All Democrats whose articles I am reviewing were in + various degrees, active or passive, principal or endorser, + parties to this legislation; and the fixed determination of the + Republican party to thwart and destroy it called down upon its + head all the anathemas of Democratic wrath. But it was just at + this point in our history when the Republican party was + compelled to decide whether the emancipated slave should be + protected by national power or handed over to his late master + to be dealt with in the spirit of the enactments I have quoted. + + "To restore the Union on a safe foundation, and to re-establish + law and promote order, to insure justice and equal rights to + all, the Republican party was forced to its reconstruction + policy. To hesitate in its adoption was to invite and confirm + the statute of wrong and cruelty to which I have referred. The + first step taken was to submit the Fourteenth Amendment, giving + citizenship and civil rights to the Negro and forbidding that + he be counted in the basis of representation unless he should + be reckoned among the voters. The Southern States could have + been readily readmitted to all their power and privileges in + the Union by accepting the Fourteenth Amendment, and Negro + suffrage would not have been forced upon them. The gradual and + conservative method of training the Negro for franchise, as + suggested and approved by Governor Hampton, had many advocates + among the Republicans in the North; and though in my judgment + it would have proved delusive and impracticable, it was quite + within the power of the South to secure its adoption or at + least its trial. + + "But the States lately in insurrection rejected the Fourteenth + Amendment with apparent scorn and defiance. In the legislatures + of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Florida it did not receive a + single vote; in South Carolina, only one vote; in Virginia, + only one; in Texas, five votes; in Arkansas, two votes; in + Alabama, ten; in North Carolina, eleven, and in Georgia, where + Mr. Stephens boasts that they gave the Negro suffrage in + advance of the Fifteenth Amendment, only two votes could be + found in favor of making the Negro even a citizen. It would + have been more candid in Mr. Stephens if he had stated that it + was the legislature assembled under the reconstruction act that + gave suffrage to the Negro in Georgia, and that the + unreconstructed legislature, which has his endorsement and + sympathies and which elected him to the United States Senate, + not only refused suffrage to the Negro but loaded him with + grievous disabilities and passed a criminal code of barbarous + severity for his punishment. + + "It is necessary to a clear apprehension of the needful facts + in this discussion to remember events in the proper order of + time. The Fourteenth Amendment was submitted to the States June + 13, 1866. In the autumn of that year, or very early in 1867, + the legislatures of all the insurrectionary States, except + Tennessee, had rejected it. Thus and then the question was + forced upon us, whether the Congress of the United States, + composed wholly of men who had been loyal to the Government, or + the legislatures of the rebel states, composed wholly of men + who had been disloyal to the Government, should determine the + basis on which their relation to the Union should be resumed. + In such a crisis the Republican party could not hesitate; to + halt, indeed, would have been an abandonment of the principles + on which the war had been fought; to surrender to the rebel + legislatures would have been cowardly desertion of its loyal + friends and a base betrayal of the Union cause. + + "And thus, in March, 1867, after and because of the rejection + of the Fourteenth Amendment by Southern legislatures, Congress + passed the reconstruction act. This was the origin of Negro + suffrage. The southern whites knowingly and willfully brought + it upon themselves. The reconstruction act would have never + been demanded had the Southern States accepted the Fourteenth + Amendment in good faith. But that amendment contained so many + provisions demanded by considerations of great national policy + that its adoption became an absolute necessity. Those who + controlled the Federal Government would have been recreant to + their plainest duty had they permitted the power of these + States to be wielded by disloyal hands against the measures + deemed essential to the security of the Union. To have + destroyed the rebellion on the battlefield and then permit it + to seize the power of eleven States and put a check on all + changes in the organic law necessary to prevent future + rebellion would have been a weak and wicked conclusion to the + grandest contest ever waged for human rights and for + constitutional liberty. + + "Negro suffrage being thus made a necessity by the obduracy of + those who were in control of the South, it became a subsequent + necessity to adopt the Fifteenth Amendment. Nothing could have + been more despicable than to use the Negro to secure the + adoption of the Fourteenth Amendment and then to leave them + exposed to the hazard of losing suffrage whenever those who had + attempted to re-enslave them should regain political power in + their State. Hence the Fifteenth Amendment, which never + pretended to guarantee universal suffrage, but simply forbade + that any man should lose his vote because he had once been a + slave, or because his face might be black, or because his + remote ancestors came from Africa." + +Thus is scattered to the four winds, we feel, Mr. Dixon's claim that +the Negro suffrage was born of the spirit of revenge. + + +MR. DIXON'S WIDE HEARING. + +If Mr. Dixon is so wholly false as we have set forth in this paper, the +question naturally arises as to how he could have obtained such a +hearing as has been accorded him. Of the many factors which perhaps +operated to secure this hearing we shall mention a few that commend +themselves to us as possible causes. + +In the first place, there is that great American spirit of fair play. +The Negro through Uncle Tom's Cabin and the Tourgee novels had his day +in court, and it was felt to be only just that the South be heard in all +fullness. + +Another factor in Mr. Dixon's success in obtaining his hearing we +believe to be his choice of the hour in the world's history in which to +demand a hearing. Queen Victoria, who had reigned so long and honorably, +had just summoned by her death all of Anglo-Saxondom to her bier, where +in a common sorrow over the departure of a great and good woman they +learned anew how that, fundamentally, they were all about alike. + +About this time, too, a poet had arisen, with voice to reach, for the +time being, at least, the whole English speaking world, furnishing +another scrap of evidence that differing forms of government, wide seas +and varying problems had not affected their spiritual unity. + +Anglo-Saxon lads, peacefully sleeping in the harbor of a Latin nation, +had been treacherously blown up, and at the sight of that which was +thicker than water in the hold of the Maine, the Anglo-Saxons of the +world got still closer together. + +In the war that followed, the South had its first opportunity of +attesting with its blood its professions of love for the Union flag +which it had sought to lower in four years of bloody strife. As a result +of that war the Northern and controlling section of the country felt +impelled by the logic of the situation to force an unaccepted relation +upon an alien race, thereby providing the one outstanding section of the +Anglo-Saxon race with some form of a race problem. + +These various happenings brought the English speaking people wondrously +close together and bridged the chasms made by internecine wars and +conflicting ideas of government. + +Listen now to the dream of Thomas Carlyle as set forth in his lecture on +"The Hero" as a poet. Says he: + + "England, before long, this island of ours, will hold but a + small fraction of the English; in America, in New Holland, east + and west to the very antipodes, there will be a great Saxondom + covering great spaces of the globe. And now, what is it that + can keep all these together in virtually one nation, so that + they do not fall out and fight, but live at peace, in + brother-like intercourse, helping one another? This is justly + regarded as the greatest practical problem, the thing all + manner of sovereignties and governments are here to accomplish: + what is it that will accomplish this? Acts of parliament, + administrative prime-ministers cannot. America is parted from + us, so far as parliament could part it. Call it not fantastic, + for there is much reality in it; here, I say, is an English + king whom no time or chance, parliament or combination of + parliaments, can dethrone! This King Shakespeare, does he not + shine, in crowned sovereignty, over us all, as the noblest, + gentlest, yet strongest of rallying signs; indestructible; + really more valuable in that point of view than any other means + or appliance whatsoever? We can fancy him as radiant aloft over + all the nations of Englishmen, a thousand years hence. From + Paramatta, from New York, wheresoever, under what sort of + parish-constable soever, English men and women are, they will + say to one another: 'Yes, this Shakespeare is ours, we produced + him, and we speak and think by him; we are of one blood and + kind with him.'" + +As set forth here the travail of the English heart is toward a unified +Saxondom, and, as indicated above, its hour had come. It was in the hour +when the world paused in awe to see a fruition of this dream, that Mr. +Dixon asked--_insisted_ upon being heard. Anxious to know upon what +terms the South would be a contented member of this new accord, Mr. +Dixon, essaying to speak for the South, got his hearing. + +What a terrible enemy to humanity does Mr. Dixon prove himself to be +when, essaying to speak for the South, he would impart to this mighty +force, with work before it worthy of the gods, a larger measure of the +virus of race prejudice. Rather, may this unified Saxondom, as the agent +of that "divinity that shapes our ends rough-hew them how we will," +choose the opening hours of its era for the purging from its great heart +all the lingering vestiges of hatred of men, and with eyes ever on the +heights above, begin the final climb of the human race toward the ideal +state. May this trumpet call to a greatness of soul in keeping with its +greatness of power, supplant the voice of Dixon the hater, summoning men +to grovellings in the valleys of a thousand years agone. + + +MR. DIXON'S BORROWED POWER. + +We shall now make mention of a force within Mr. Dixon which, from our +point of view, enabled him to seize the passing opportunity and +challenge the attention of so great a constituency. There is nothing +more patent to an observer of life in the South than the fact that the +Anglo-Saxon and Negro races are producing in each other modifications of +many of their racial characteristics. The erstwhile, abounding humor of +the Negro has found its echo in the white race of the South and we find +the dignified L. Q. C. Lamar, of Mississippi, succeeded in his grasp +upon public attention by the witty, fun-loving John Sharp Williams, +while the great American humorist, Mark Twain is likewise a product of +the South. + +The unquestioning faith of the Negro in the Bible is largely responsible +for the militant orthodoxy of the white Christian ministry of the South, +which makes life miserable for any mind retaining and applying to +religious matters the old Anglo-Saxon habit of investigating. "The hand +that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world," even if that +hand is a black hand. It is the boast of the Southern white preacher +that he was nursed by a black mammy. + +Along emotional lines there is appearing a marked difference between the +white people of the South and those of the North. It was remarked of the +National Democratic Convention, held in the city of St. Louis in 1904, +that such an emotional convention could only have been held somewhere in +the South. The Negro race is noted for its highly emotional nature, and +while contact with the Anglo-Saxon race is toning it down, there is also +evidence that the Negro race is affecting the Anglo-Saxon. + +Now, Mr. Dixon's publishers, in announcing a second book from his pen, +singled out for purposes of parade what they regarded as the most +powerful element in his work, namely, his grasp upon the emotions of +men, his ability to arouse and sway their feelings. In the long line of +men of letters of the Anglo-Saxon race we find no counterpart of Mr. +Dixon. So the question is very pertinent as to what influence has given +power to this pale-face shout exciter, this expert player upon men's +emotions, this literary (we beg a thousand pardons for seeming +billingsgate) demagogue and exotic in Anglo-Saxondom. The irony of fate! +Mr. Thomas Dixon, Jr., beyond doubt owes his emotional power to the very +race which he has elected to scourge. + +Mr. Dixon has not breathed the Negro air of emotionalism without being +affected thereby. The Negro minister whom Mr. Dixon derides in his book +is beyond all doubt Mr. Dixon's spiritual parent so far as power is +concerned. The fact that Mr. Dixon has chosen the discomfiture of the +Negro race as the chief end of his existence is not inconsistent with +the fact that the predominating element in his power is the gift of that +race. It is perhaps this subconscious feeling on the part of Mr. Dixon +that he is in the grasp of a power not Anglo-Saxon that causes him to +rant and cry for a freedom that his own Southern brethren less affected +do not understand. + + +THE REAL PROBLEM. + +Ah, good people of America, here is your real problem! Southern +self-interest may be relied upon to keep the Negro here; being here, no +human power can prevent him from contributing his quota to the +atmosphere of the group in which all the sons of the South must find +their environing inheritance. In the contact of the street workman with +his boss; in the cook kitchen; in the nursery room; in the concubine +chamber; in the street song; in the brothel; in the philosophizings of +the minstrel performer; in the literature which he will ere long create, +by means of which there can be contact not personal; in myriad ways the +Negro will write something upon the soul of the white man. It should be +the care of the American people that he write well. + +Mr. Dixon trembles at a possible physical amalgamation and would have +the races separated. The "nay" which the nation renders to his cause so +badly plead makes the spiritual amalgamation a certainty. + +That the contribution of the Negro to the coming composite Americanism +may be of the highest quality is the nation's problem. + +Just now the American people seem much engrossed with the training of +the hand of the Negro, confessedly a work of tremendous moment. _But be +it known unto you, oh Americans, that it is through his mind, his +spirit, the exhalations of his soul, his dreams or lack of dreams, that +the Negro is to leave his most marked influence on American life._ Let +the use to which Mr. Dixon is putting his borrowed emotional power +recall the nation to the slumbering Negro mind that must ere long awake +to power. May the coming, then, of Mr. Dixon, the literary exotic, serve +as a reminder to the American people that they give the Negro a healthy +place, a helpful atmosphere in which to evolve all that is good within +himself and eliminate all the bad. If this be done, even Mr. Dixon will +not have lived and frothed in vain. + + +A FINAL WORD. + +A final word with regard to Mr. Dixon. The appearance of such a man with +such a spirit might incline one to think that the world is going +backward rather than forward. But there is this redeeming thought. Mr. +Dixon represents the ultra radical element of Southern whites. The +coming of this radical of radicals before the bar of public opinion, +clothed in his garb of avowed prejudice of the rankest sort, means that +the self-satisfied isolation of the past is over, that even the radicals +desire or see the need of sympathetic consideration from other portions +of the human family--decidedly a step forward for them. The coming to +the light of this type where civilization may work upon it is in this +respect one of the most hopeful signs of America's future. Soberly the +great world consciousness will deal with this enemy of the human race, +and the universal finger of scorn that will surely in the end be pointed +toward him will render it certain that no other like unto him shall ever +arise. + +If, when his services are in demand, the chiseler of the epitaph for Mr. +Dixon's tombstone desires to carve words that will be read with patience +in the coming better days of the world, let him carve thus: + + "This misguided soul ignored all of the good in the aspiring + Negro; made every vicious offshoot that he pictured typical of + the entire race; presented all mistakes independent of their + environments and provocations; ignored or minimized all the + evil in the more vicious element of whites; said and did all + things which he deemed necessary to leave behind him the + greatest heritage of hatred the world has ever known. Humanity + claims him not as one of her children." + + SUTTON E. GRIGGS. + + * * * * * + + +TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES + +1. Words or phrases that were italized in the original are enclosed in + underscores ('_') in this edition. Words and phrases bolded in the + original are enclosed in pond signs ('#'). + +2. Unusual, irregular and obsolete spellings and punctuation have been + preserved as in the original text. + +3. The following printer's errors have been corrected in this edition: + + CHAPTER II monoply --> monopoly + CHAPTER III go there. "Well, Bud --> go there. Well, Bud + CHAPTER V "Name ... more," replied + --> "'Name ... more,' replied + CHAPTER VII missles --> missiles + totaly --> totally + CHAPTER IX astonshiment --> astonishment + CHAPTER X "I am ambitious?" --> "I am ambitious." + CHAPTER XVIII Authur --> Arthur + The fifth conclusion --> "The fifth conclusion + CHAPTER XX you?" Asked --> you?" asked + CHAPTER XXII When, therefore, --> "When, therefore, + '"What do they take --> "'What do they take + CHAPTER XXIII Two and fro --> To and fro + CHAPTER XXIV impluse --> impulse + Having at length --> "Having at length + CHAPTER XXV "Its a pity --> "It's a pity + CHAPTER XXIX she loved another! --> she loved another!" + CHAPTER XXXI Hostlity --> Hostility + CHAPTER XXXII her out a reserve --> her out of a reserve + CHAPTER XXXIV shall not vex him." --> shall not vex him.' + CHAPTER XXXV wont be gone --> won't be gone + 'darkey', coon --> 'darkey', 'coon' + CHAPTER XXXVI wooes --> woos + of the Negro," --> of the Negro?" + SUPPLEMENTAL SECTION -- MR DIXON SCOFFS + brighest --> brightest + SUPPLEMENTAL SECTION -- MR DIXON'S WIDE HEARING + Parmatta --> Paramatta + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Hindered Hand, by Sutton E. 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