His destructive instinct had turned to one of .
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But, Nelse, I have no further hopes,” saidthe dejected man. “You have, and you shall have. You’regoin’ back to Kintucky, an’ you ’re goin’ back agentleman. I kin he’p you, an’ 1 will; you’rewelcome to the last I have.” “* God bless you, Nelse — ” “ Mas’ Tom, you used to be jes’ about mysize, but you’re slimmer now; but—but Ihope you won’t be mad ef I ask you to put onasuit o’ mine. It’s put’ nigh brand-new, an’ —” “ Nelse, I can’t do it! Is this the way youpay me for the blows —” “ Heish your mouth; ef you don’t I’ll slapyou down!” Nelse said it with mock solem-nity, but there was an ominous quiver about hislips. “ Come in this room, suh;”’ and the masterobeyed. He came out arrayed in Nelse’s bestand newest suit. The coloured man went to adrawer, over which he bent laboriously, Thenhe turned and said: “This “Il pay your passage 200 NELSE HATTON’S VENGEANCE to Kintucky, an’ leave somethin’ in your pocketbesides. Go home, Mas’ Tom, — go home!” “ Nelse, I can’t do it; this is too much! ” “ Doggone my cats, ef you don’t go on —” The white man stood bowed for a moment ;then, straightening up, he threw his head back.“ll take it, Nelse; but you shall have everycent back, even if I have to sell my body to amedical college and use a gun to deliver thegoods! Good-bye, Nelse, God bless you! good-bye.” “ Good-bye, Mas’ Tom, but don’t talk thatway; go home. ‘The South is changed, an’you’ll find somethin’ to suit you. Go home—go home; an’ ef there’s any of the folksa-livin’, give ’em my love, Mas’ Tom — give7em my love — good-bye — good-bye!” The Negro leaned over the proffered hand,and his tears dropped upon it. His masterpassed out, and he sat with his head bowed inhis hands.
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