They whipped scalawag politicians night after night and drove them from the county. They called on carpetbagger postmasters who immediately left for parts unknown. They whipped Negroes, young and old, for all sorts of wrongdoing, real or fancied, and finally began to regulate the general morals of the community. They whipped a rowdy for abusing his wife and on the same night tarred and feathered a white girl of low origin who lived in the outskirts of town and ran her from the county.
The morning after this outrage occurred, John Graham walked into Steve’s law office, brushed by his clerks and boldly entered the inner room where his enemy was at work.
Steve sprang to his feet and his hand instinctively sought the revolver in his hip pocket.
“You needn’t be alarmed; I’m not ready for you yet,” said John, his eyes holding Steve’s with their steady light.
“Well, I’m ready for you,” was the quick retort. “What do you want?”
“Merely to give you a little advice this morning.”
“When I need your advice, I’ll let you know.”
“Your men are covering the name of the Ku Klux Klan with infamy,” John went on evenly. “If you have even the rudiments of common sense you must know that within a few weeks these fools will be beyond your control.”
“I haven’t felt the need of your help as yet,” interrupted Steve.
“No, but I’m generous. I volunteer to anticipate the needs of your weak intelligence.”
“John Graham,” Steve broke in angrily, “if you have anything to say to me, say it, and get out of this room!”
“I will say it, my boy, and--don’t--you--forget it!” John answered with quiet emphasis, taking a step closer to his rival. “I’m close on the track of the men who are at present terrorising this county. I’ll come up with them some night and there’ll be business for the coroner next day. Dare to permit another outrage of a personal character in this county and I’ll find your men if I drag the bottom of hell for them, and when I do, I’ll hang them to a tree in front of your door. And--mark you--if I fail to find them I’ll--hold--you--personally--responsible!”
Before Steve could reply he turned on his heel, slammed the door and left.
IMMEDIATELY following the interview with Steve the character of the raids of the new Klan changed to harmless pranks and practical jokes on impudent Negroes, scalawags and carpetbaggers, and John Graham observed it with a sigh of relief. Some of these escapades he could have enjoyed himself--particularly a call they made on the Apostle of Sanctification.