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CHAPTER XI

LEGREE'S REVENGE BEGINS

HARBISON'S triumph seemed at first to be complete. The whole community was stirred to new life by the visit of the brilliant head of Tuskegee, who seemed, at one blow, to have destroyed Legreeism in Dothan. The young men of the town seemed girt with fresh strength, and the hunted look left the faces of the older people. The negro specter, with which Legree had terrorized the community for years, was seen to be a bogy man, and under the leadership of men like Donald Shelby Dothan seemed about to enter a new era of prosperity and mutual confidence between whites and blacks.

But Legree had not yet played his last card. He determined to wait for a little while, until the first effect of the speech of that "fool nigger, Booker T.," as he called the President of Tuskegee, had passed away, and he was confident that he could again arouse the dying spirit of the racial hate. Meanwhile, his minions were instructed to let nothing escape which might lead to disputes between the two races.

A few days after his visit to the camp meeting in the woods Jefferson Lilly found out that his appearance there had been reported in Dothan, and all kinds of stories were being passed around. He heard that he had "joined the nigger church." He had "turned the heads of the niggers, telling them they were just as good as the whites." Worst of all, and most damning, it was

reported as being undeniable that "he had actually eaten with a nigger." No one who is unacquainted with modern conditions in Dothan can fully understand the awful nature of the last charge. It is enough to ruin a man for life. A thief may win his way back into society. A woman with a question mark after her reputation may live down her undesirable past; but for a man who has eaten with a negro to get back into society in Dothan was an impossible task. When Jefferson Lilly began to reflect on his Sunday at the camp meeting he decided that if Legree retained any power whatever in Dothan his own fortunes were in imminent danger. Had it not been for the quieting effect of Booker T. Washington's visit Legree could have run him ignominiously out of town the next day, but the crafty Legree, feeling sure that he now had Jefferson in his power, waited quietly until he could use the camp-meeting incident more effectively to arouse a bitter hatred once more against Harbison Institute, and the black race in general. His plans were somewhat upset by an unexpected incident.

Rose Atkinson was walking downtown one day alone. She had often done this before, and she had no fears whatever of insult or violence. As she was approaching a street corner she noticed a crowd of men standing in animated conversation, but she was paying no attention to them whatever until she heard one of them exclaim, with an oath, "That's the Yankee teacher that is trying to make this a nigger town."

The girl was shocked at the insulting remark, and, with burning cheek, was hurrying past, when one fellow, under the influence of liquor, stepped in front of her, bawling out, "So you want a nigger husband, do you?' Quick as a flash the girl lifted her closed parasol and struck him a stinging blow across the face, causing him

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to reel backward in sudden retreat. Some of the others began to crowd forward, crying, "Nigger teacher, nigger teacher!" Rose was frightened. The rough men were surrounding her, and insult, and even violence, seemed imminent.

Suddenly around the corner, attracted by the noise, came Jefferson Lilly. He had a heavy walking cane in his hand, which he had purchased a few days before as a protection that might be needed. Recognizing Rose, and taking in the situation at a glance, he dashed into the crowd with uplifted cane and began to belabor the startled toughs in a terrific manner. "You white dogs!" were the only words that escaped his lips, as he struck out so fiercely and furiously that the whole crowd scattered like a school of minnows when a huge pike darts into their midst. In a moment two of the fellows lay senseless on the sidewalk and the rest were in full retreat.

With a glad cry of joy Rose ran to Jefferson's side, and, taking his arm, they walked swiftly away, leaving a fast increasing crowd of men and boys, who gaped at them in wonder. They were soon out of reach, and no one attempted to follow. For some time Rose did not speak. At length she found her voice and whispered, "Thank you very much, Mr. Lilly. That was a new experience for me, and it almost overcame me. Who were those dreadful, drunken fellows?"

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They are some of Legree's followers," answered Jefferson with a dark frown; "but I confess they are lower than I thought them to be. You will have to remember after this, Miss Atkinson, that it is unsafe for you to walk the streets of Dothan without an escort."

By this time Rose had regained her composure, and she began to realize the nature of the attack. 'I suppose

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