Westways

and the corn bread. John being left alone in care of the guest after the meal proposed a visit to the stables. Mr. Grey preferred for a time the

mbarrassed, thought of his Aunt Ann. The habit of chewing was strange to the boy's home experience. Certainly, Billy chewed, and others in the town, nor was it at that time uncommon at the North. He

ith the statement that he had to go to school. When he returned through the woods, about noon,

of politics. He talked first to Pole, the butcher, who hearing that he was a cousin of Mrs. Penhallow assured him that the tow

ing-rod that

. Penhallow she gave me a dollar to pay pole-tax if I vote

ts, as he realized the simple fellow's mental condition. "A fishing-pole-tax-w

," and Billy was no

came upon the only unoccupied person in Westways. Peter Lamb, slowly recovering strength, was seated on his mother's

"You seem to be the only ma

m not quite fit to work. Sicknes

t, "Quite right, it is hard. How are the people

key barber. He's a runaway-I guess. Been here these three or four

dee

ir; ought to be sent b

me? I suppose h

barber-cut my face last time he shaved me. You

ey, of a sudden refle

" said Lam

pose I know ever

ot. Might I ask

ous and silent. "Here is a little help, my man, until you get work. St

'll be a great help." It meant for the hapless drinker whisky, and he was quick

t risk your barber's

well when he's sober. H

might show you his sho

us, "all darkies look so much alike

for us-no

thoughtful, Lamb was maliciously inspired by the size of Grey's donation and the prospect it offered. He studie

not own him. My inquiries were, I

ely casual" he did not know. If it implied lack of interest, that was not the case, or why the questions and this gift

you again. I am with my cousin at Grey Pi

untry, desire to do justice to the South." He felt himself on the way to another exposition of constitutional rights, but realising that

over of law, "we are j

ocr

. Grey caught sight of the black's face. One look was enough-it was familiar-unmistakable. In place of going in to be shaved he turned away and quickened his steps. Peter grinned and went home. "The darn nigger horse-thief," murmured

t on, and at last asked if there was in Westways a good Democratic lawyer. Pole was c

wing for the man who had brought down on him the anger of Mark Ri

t men who cared little about slavery were indignant at a law which set aside every safeguard with which the growth of civilization had surrounded the trial of even the worst criminal. As he considered the situation, he walked more and more slowly until he paused in front of Swallow's house. Every one had assured him that since General Jackson's time the town and county had changelessly voted the good old Democratic ticket. Here at least the rights of property

e town, built a house, married a pretty, commonplace young woman, and began to look for business. There was little to be had. The Squire drew his own leases and sold lands to farmers unaided. Then Swallow began to take interest in politics and to lend money to the small farmers, taking mortgages at carefully guarded, usurious interest. Merciless foreclosures resulted, and as by degrees his operat

cket seated at a desk. The man thus occupied on hearing his entrance sai

ee me;" and, his voice rising, "I am a

ger said, "Excuse me, I was drawing a mortgage for a

might be hostile ground, he was in doubt concerning that which he felt he honourably owed as a duty to his neighbour. The word had for him limiting definitions, as indeed it has for most of us. Resolvi

se," sai

I am at Grey Pine on a

hal

e lawyer; "absent just now, I he

f, most amusing-most amusing. It seems that my cousin gave him money to pay his poll-tax. The poor simple fellow bought a fis

what I can for the party, but the people here are sa

Lamb, out-of-work and sick. He assured me that the

ur prize drunkard, sir, and would have been in jail

cter had been sadly at fault and that he had been w

reclaimed a slave in this county that there w

and would obey the law. Suppose, sir, that you were frankly to put

y. As a sound Democrat it wil

, I am all

room Caesar, an excellent servant, much trusted; used to ride quarter races for my father when a boy. When we came out, Woodburn's horse wa

horse; that makes

t a tavern in this State, with my name and a

this county?"

is Josiah-seems to be k

vourite of Penhallow. A case to be grav

he will ob

s at one time a Democrat, but now is

ems incr

ink the matter over for a day or two. Di

d he has lost two fingers. Oh! I know the fellow. I can swea

me think it over

and pray consider yourself as

ght, Mr

ge Grey's, horse-a personal wrong. His duty to Woodburn was plain. Then, if this black fellow was as Swallow said, a favourite of Captain Penhallow, to plan his capture while himself a guest in Penhallow's house was rather an awkward business. However, he felt that he must inform his friend Woodburn, after which he would turn him over to Swallow and not appear in the business at all. It did not, however, present itself to the Maryland gentleman as a nice situation. If his cousin Ann were, as he easily learned, a strong De

ces and new ones were forming. Moreover, Josiah was much liked and much respected. Then, too, there was the fee. He walked about the room singularly disturbed. Some prenatal fate had decreed that he should be old-aged at forty. He had begun to be aware that his legs were aging faster than his mind. Except the pleasure of accumulating money, which brought no enjoyment, he had thus far no games

tireless lad had come back weary from long rides across rough country fields and over fences. The clergyman would talk no more politics, John pleaded lessons, and it was on the whole dull, so that Mr. Grey was pleased to hear of the early return of his cousin. A letter to John desired him to meet his aunt on the 8th, and accordingly he drove to the station at Westway

eful with those horses. When yo

reless sense of duty kept her busy-quite too busy at times, thought some of the vi

but Josiah's rheuma

ed; they're at the house for you-weighs seve

by?" said An

y, m

t don't tal

, ma

ed John. "Does she

t all; but

't, Au

ppose

allowed to w

ctor, who worshipped her, said once that her laugh was like the spring song of birds

ed for. I am-I was so gl

to tell you, Mr. Ge

How pleased James will be! I wonder how the old bachelor

nhallow would like it was for John d

out politics, and there

se of a fugitive slave.

y P

"But I never talk politics, John, and you are too young to know anything about them." This was by n

's amusement did not pursue the story concerning

sin gave her his hand on the porch. "Glad to see you-

e." Then her eyes fell on the much used spittoon b

t. Mr. Gr

he saw again the look with which Mrs. Ann regarded the article so essential to Mr. Grey's comfort. She disliked all forms of tobacco use, and the law

staircase ready for dinner. She rang for the maid. "Take that t

good host," she said,

found the mills interesting-in fact, most instructive." He

gence. The larger potations of her cousin in no way affected him. He talked as usual to Mark Rivers and John about horses, crops and the weather, while Mrs. Ann listened to the flow of disconnected

eorge Grey. It was not difficult, as Mrs. Penhallow saw, to make Grey feel at home; all he required was whisky, cigars, and some mild appearance of interest in his talk. She had long anticipated his visit with pleasure, thinking that James Penhallow wo

in the world," said G

gned to her fate, Mrs. Ann said, "Light your

understand that it was disagreeable

to talking politics," s

. "What else is there to talk about

-and a Democrat, James has seen fit to ab

s is the party of gentlemen-of old

e will be one Republican gentleman. However, George, as we a

rather awk

be rather

discuss, to criticize

ness was for a time

have heard of the captain's unfortunate change of opinion. I shall hope, however, to be able to conv

question about how he would vote. But now, since 1850-" and she paused, "in fact, I do not care to discuss with you what I will not with James." Her great love, her birt

e question, Ann.

n party, but it was at last my own dear South and its fr

Ann?" asked Grey,

id, 'Would you not, James?' I can never forget it. He said, 'Yes, I obey the law, Ann, but this should be labelled 'an act to exasperate the North.' I

said Grey, "that

ith thought of James Penhallow she sat smiling in the darkness

conceal from his host what he had done was the obvious business-like course. This troubled a man who was usually able to see his way straight on all matters of social conduct and was sensitive on points of honour. While Ann sat still and wondered that her guest was so long silent, he was finding alt

chair. "Who said

bered Mr. Swallow's characterization, and adde

lage barber. No one knew whence he came. I did, of course, suspect him to be a runaway. He is honest and industrious. Last year I was ill when James was absent. We have only maids in the house, and when I was recovering Josiah carried me up

the property of my friend and neighbour Woodburn. I knew hi

coldly, "what n

urse, see that no other course is possible. It is unpleas

slowly, "I do wish you

, "Have you taken any

e here in a couple of days. I am sure he will lose no time-a

am more than sorry-what James will say I do not know. I h

aid Grey. "I shall, of c

nger, or so he writes. I leave you to your cigar. I am

y, Ann. G

back with a new and rel

y this man

at you have told me, but Woodburn is an obstinate,

siah if he is returned t

an is no good?-he would proba

and then crying, "The pity of it, my God, the pity of i

Ann Penhallow went up to her room, although it was as yet early, leaving John in the library and Grey with a negle

ture fate was in her power, and she both liked and respected him, and he had been hurt in their service. Oh! why was not James at home? Could she sit still and let things go their way while the mechanism of the law worked. Between head and heart there was much argument. Her imagination pictur

unt Ann. W

so that no one will g

replied, much surpri

nce there is no one else to whom I can turn fo

, au

isper, "I do not want to explain, I only want to te

he told me a

he, i

ter now?" He was quick to understand that Josiah was in some danger. Na

ognised Josiah as a

t unwilling to say pla

And they mean to

tually decisive are hard to deal with. The

nt Ann. I think I o

now-to-

Arrest is not possible on Sunday-and

o, or else forbid him to go; it was unlike her. He had no desire to wait f

id, and kissing him went away sl

personally warn Josiah. Some other influences aided to make her feel satisfied that there should be a warning. She was resentful because George Grey had put her in a position where she had been embarrassed by intense sectional sense of duty and by kindly personal regard for a man who not being criminal was to be deprived of all the safeguards against injustice provided by the common law. There wer

e and down the avenue about eleven o'clock had no indecisions