uns. We went back on our colored frends ter giv' yo' 'ristocrats ther
gov'ment, and we uns'll combine wi' ther colored men an' take hit from
yer, see?"

Teck Pervis turned and faced the men who stood like a wall at his back.
"Gentermen, go home an' keep yer guns an' yer powder dry, for yo'll need
'em! Good day, Mr. Mare!" He followed and addressed his men from the
steps of the City Hall.

"Gentermen, we pu' down nigger rule on the tenth, the nex' move mus' be
ter let ther 'ristocrats know thet the one gullus boys air indowed by
God wi' ther same rites as they air. We po' uns'll have er show, er
break up the whole thing. Go home, boys, and be ready to rally when ther
order's giv'!"

CHAPTER XX.

Rev. Jonas Melvin, Resigns.

"I've bin er readin' ther Scripter an' rastlin' wi' ther Lord in prayer
fer lo these meny ye'rs, an' hain't never seed er time when I tho't thet
er preacher of ther word was jestified in j'inin' in with sinners in
devilment. Thar's no use in talkin', Brother Melvin mus' wine up his
kareer in Free Will Church." Mrs. Aamanda Pervis was addressing the
above to Deacon Littleton, as arm in arm they proceeded toward the
church a few evenings after Thanksgiving Day. Ever since the massacre
she had been busily trying to awaken sentiment in the church against the
pastor, who on that fatal day had stood with Dr. Jose upon the firing
line to shoot down his fellow citizens of color. The deacons had waited
upon Jonas Melvin and informed him of what was being done, and had
advised him to tender his resignation and get out; but he preferred
coming before the church and "quitting honorably," as he termed it. Mrs.
Pervis had worked so earnestly that the church was crowded to the doors
on that evening. It was Deacon Littleton who called the meeting to order
and stated its purpose. "Brethren an' sisters," he began, "the 10th of
November was to the people of this community a tryin' time. It was a war
which many of us felt justifiable in enterin', but there was no
justification in it; it was the work of the devil. If we had got on our
knees an' kept our eyes fixed upon the things of God, such a deed as has
disgraced this community would not have happened. I wonder what the
Negro thinks of us now? Does he think we air the banner carriers of
Christian civilization? Orphans are cryin', widows are moanin', a
paradise has been turned into hell by a people calling themselves a
superior people. Christians and sinne