The Great Negro Plot by Mat Johnson Read Free Book Online

John Hugh-son from
     the focus of the judicial eye. Considering the social relations and possible ramifications of prosecuting one of their own
     class for such a petty crime, if anything, an arrest of John Romme would make it more likely the Hughsons would be made the
     scapegoats, that the burden of blame could be carried by them completely. Fate dictated this to be the case, as the constables
     sent to retrieve Romme returned with the news that the gentleman had already absconded. Still, too much of a political bother,
     really, when you had a perfectly good (and perfectly guilty) white man to take the burden right in front of you. So it turned
     out that John Hughson was good for something after all.
    Seeing his predicament, Hughson thought confession his best alternative, and proved to have much to offer to the conversation.
     He confided that Peggy had given him goods, and told him that they had been left by Caesar, a stash, Hughson admitted, he
     later delivered to his mother-in-law. He added that he proceeded to hide the silver coins through repeated visits to confound
     the investigation. He further went on to say that it was Peggy that gave him the remainder of the bundle, which he delivered
     that morning to the authorities.
    The court scribe struggled to keep up with Hughson's guilty revelation, making sure the language was correct to ensure its
     legal worth. Finishing up the last words, the document was turned back to Hughson for his approval.
    "Sign your confession, John Hughson. Your testimony will be noted," the court clerk told him on completion. Hughson just stared
     at the lengthy page, its ink still wet.
    But now he declined to put his signature to the document.
    "What? What are you on about?" the court demanded. "It's your confession, man. You agreed to give your confession; you've
     already told the room of your part in this matter, what is the point of resistance now? Don't be daft, sign the paper."
    Hughson continued to stare at the words on the page, considering the matter. Then, coming to a decision, he shook his head
     at the whole thing. "No, I don't think I shall. No, not at all. Thank you anyway, gentlemen."
    "Are you quite mad? Sign the paper!"
    "There is no occasion for me to sign it," Hughson insisted.
    The court was aghast at the insolence of this rascal. They were so busy voicing the outrage over this affront to the court
     that they didn't bother to discern that the reason John Hugh-son wouldn't sign the confession was in fact fairly practical.
     The old fool couldn't read even the simplest words on the page, even if he could have managed more than an X to add to them.
     He was illiterate.
    Regardless, both John and Sarah were remitted right then and there, with the understanding that they would be brought back
     in front of the Supreme Court on the very first day of the next term.
    The last white on trial, Peggy Kerry, had more fight to offer. Despite the wealth of witnesses against her and the detailed
     confessions, Peggy stood on the witness stand unmoved, and unmoving.
    "Do you, Peggy Kerry, admit to having had possession of the stolen property from Hogg's store?"
    "I do not," the redhead resisted, her back straight despite the societal shame engendered in that room and foisted down upon
     her.
    "You do not even admit to the repeated attempts to conceal the evidence from the rightful authorities, as already laid out
     by the confession of your landlord, John Hughson?"
    "I most certainly do not." Peggy stood strong, ignoring the rumbling of the onlooking crowd.
    "Will you admit, then," the court continued, "as it has already been revealed here this day, that you willingly have shared
     your bed with a Negro property of Vaarck, the baker, this notorious black called Caesar, that now stands bound in this courtroom?"
    "I deny that as well," Peggy said to them, ignoring the motion off to her right when Caesar's shocked gaze snapped in her
     direction.
    Focused on Peggy's eyes, Caesar