NELSE HATTON'S VENGEANCE
to Kintucky, an' leave somethin' in your pocket besides. 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. "I'll take it, Nelse; but you shall have every cent back, even if I have to sell my body to a medical college and use a gun to deliver the goods! Good-bye, Nelse, God bless you! good-bye."
"Good-bye, Mas' Tom, but don't talk that way; 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 folks a-livin', give 'em my love, Mas' Tom— give 'em my love— good-bye— good-bye!"
The Negro leaned over the proffered hand, and his tears dropped upon it. His master passed out, and he sat with his head bowed in his hands.
After a long while Eliza came creeping in.
"Wha' 'd you do to him, Nelse— wha' 'd you do to him?" There was no answer. "Lawd, I hope you ain't killed him," she said, looking fearfully around. "I don't see no blood."
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