." The scene surrounding it was one of extreme loveliness, and Lemuel, though a child, was yet poet enough to be silent while nature was speaking to him so eloquentl

trees that stood near to the pond cast their shadows upon its clear waters and saw with satisfaction themselves mirrored therein. A few cows had come to the

ond. The scenery had no charms for this boy, who, tiring of the monotony of unsuccessful

attention to him, not so much as

the Negro boy attempted to start up a conversa

in Lemuel's

uched Lemuel on the shoulder, and with a

either speaking to n

ishing pole across his shoulder, started away, s

ike

ke h

her be

or whit

mount to a declaration of war, and was everywhere regarded as a casus belli, and Lemuel Dalton accepted it as such. He sprang to

his purpose to settle this old score before assuming charge of his estate on th

he was a slave of the Dalton's and remained on the place after the coming of freedom. Sober, industrious, thrifty, thoroug

estate, the practical operations of his farming affairs b

He was conscious of his acceptable personal appearance and was somewhat vain. This vanity was not lessened, of course, by his knowledge of the fact that he was the best farm hand in all that section of country. He was, however, very companionable, and his

e in order that he may be in prime condition for the sports incident to the coming of an excursion from the neighboring city to a n

m farm house in which they lived, said to Harry,

shoulder, but did not d

was, dismounted, hitched his horse,

oken to each other, and both now understood that a fi

ndition of crops you quit to go to picnics, shows, dances, camp meetings, funerals, and on every excursion that comes along. Your example is demoraliz

s though he were a slave. Before he could suppress his anger en

aces by the death of their uncles don't know that Grant

ton said to Harry: "You apologi

n my sentiment

uel's reach was longer than that of Harry, and he was by far the more skillful. He had for years been taking boxing lessons secretly, that he might be prepared for this very occasion. Lemuel Dalton had the further advantage of coolness

e presence of Beulah was too galling, and Harry determined to prevent such an outcome at all hazards. In a fit of exasperation, and in return for a we

w, with his right hand he drew his pistol in time to shoot Harry just as the latter

ng to Harry's sid

urned to go he cast a look of triumph and contempt at the wounded Negro and his screaming sister