d triumph politically, they will murder and
plunder, and when once licensed and started, you cannot check them. I
see that they are being armed--a dangerous proceeding. Take care
Colonel; I beg you to beware lest those guns in the hands of these
people be turned upon you, and the best white people of this community
be compelled to quit it. I listened with fear and apprehension a few
evenings ago, to Fisher's harrangue to the poor whites of Dry Pond. They
will take him at his word, for they are just that ignorant. Shall we for
the sake of political ascension plunge Wilmington into an abyss of
shame?"

"Now, Gideon," said the Colonel, "your talk is all nonsense, we are
trying to extricate Wilmington from the slough of infamy into which it
has been plunged by Radicals. We are going to elevate the white man to
his place and regulate Sambo to his sphere, if the streets have to flow
with blood to accomplish that end. Good niggers who know their places
will be protected; but these half educated black rascals who think
themselves as good as white men, must go. 'Nigger root doctors' are
crowding white physicians out of business; 'nigger' lawyers are sassing
white men in our courts; 'nigger' children are hustling white angels off
our sidewalks. Gideon, in the name of God, what next? what next?" and
the Colonel bounded into the air like an Indian in a war dance. "White
supremacy must be restored, and you Gideon will regret the day you
refused to assist your white brethren to throw off the yoke of
oppression. Good day, Gideon, good day"; and the Colonel stalked out of
the office.

Uncle Ephraim, one of the old Nimrods who supplied Wilmington's markets
with savory ducks and rice birds, stood with his gun on the corner of
Front and Market streets that morning, as the Colonel briskly strode
past on his way from the office of Mr. Gideon to the Court House.

"Good mawnin Co'nel," said Uncle Ephraim, saluting politely; but the
Colonel did not as usual pause to crack a joke with the docile old
darky; he did not even vouchsafe a nod of recognition, but moved hastily
on his way. Uncle Ephraim stood and wistfully watched the Colonel until
he turned the corner of Second and Market streets.

"Whoop! dar's er pow'ful big load on de Co'nel's mine sho. Dat white man
didn' eben see me; an' I his ole bodysarbant, too." Uncle Ephraim strode
slowly down Market street and entered the store of Sprague & Company.
"Look yer!" said he, "I wants er bou