I have long regretted
that affairs are in the condition that they are in, and have wondered
if something could not be done. Theoretically, you are right and
those who are with you. Practically, the matter is very embarrassing.
But I do not hesitate to say, Mr. Jackson, that those who commit
such outrages as that perpetrated at Red Wing disgrace the name
of gentleman, the county, and State, the age we live in, and the
religion we profess. That I _will_ say."
"And that's quite enough, Mr. Le Moyne. All I wanted was to ask
you to act as my trustee."
"Your trustee in what?"
"There is a deed I have just executed conveying everything I have
to you, and I want you to sell it off and dispose of it the best
you can, and send me the money."
"_Send_ it to you?"
"Yes, I'm going away."
"Going away? Why? You are not in debt?"
"I don't owe a hundred dollars."
"Then why are you doing this? I don't understand."
"Mr. Le Moyne," said Jackson, coming close to him and speaking in
a low intense tone, "I was _whipped_ last night!"
"Whipped!"
"Yes."
"By whom?"
"By my own neighbors, in the sight of my wife and daughter!"
"By the Ku Klux?"
"That's what they call themselves."
"My God, it cannot be!"
"Cannot?" The man's face twitched nervously, as, dropping his hat,
he threw off his light coat and, opening his shirt-collar and
turning away his head, showed his shoulder covered with wales,
still raw and bleeding.
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