Pittston Gazette

              *STAHIJSIIK1» 1H50. ( VOL,. XL.1II. NO. 1 i. I Oldest Newspaper in 'he Wyoming Valley. ITJTSTON, LUZERNE CO., PA., FRIDAY, JULY 27, 1894. A Weekly Local and Family Journal. (*'£?;ffi5A?CaP C«? ChaK)E5 B.{ewi5 M.c, IJr *C fopvUKVHTCB 1894 BY JUWCAICAN PRESS AS ing in ms n» art. Ho could not credit it at first, but Captain Wyle aided him in his mental struggle. The day came when Iko had an ambition and a burning desire. It was to lie a corporal yr sergeant. In liis wild dreams of glory he did not stop there.  to go higher and become a lieutenant or captain. As soon as he was given to understand that Royal Kenton stood in Itis way it was but natural with one of his nature to determine to removo the obstacle by any means possible. passed dear through without touching tho bone. It was a painful and temporarily disabling wound, and he had lost much of his strength before the bleeding could be checked, but bo was inclined to make light of tho situation as Biayton and Uncle Ben appeared. The old darky knew Kenton only by sight, but the sight of him lying there in that helpless condition was a call for him to throw himself down on his knees and moan out: found her dressing Kenton's wound and preparing for his immediate removal to the house. While the raiding party had stolen tho horses, as before mentioned, pecting to find Kenton there, tho old man shouted at the top of his voice: Arter trouble yo', nut yo can t aims ten What may happen. If wuss comes to Wuss, bullets will count fur mo" than Words." IllIJ, NYE O.V WORK. boon injured by a fall when he was Hjtle. It was not noticed, however, while he remained in England. "Cum. back yere—cum back I Yo' bin kill me if yo' wants to, hut fur God's sake doan' put yo'r feet in dat house 1" Ronton advised her to take it, and lJraytC Dn assisted her down to the high- Wily and said as ho left her: HE GIVES A BEAUTIFUL LOVE STORY Claude had the air of one who has tracked the juice all out of life and flung the oollapsed rind upon the bosom of the storm tossed sea. On the rugged banks of life he stood, with haughty mien, and pitied people who went on year after year paying their bills and thinking thoughts. IN HIS OWN WORDS. "What's the matter?" asked ono as the gang came to a halt. ¥ I ViVfcVS* "Yo' may hear some shootin up this Way doorin tho day, but don't be narv«s about it and don't run any risks to Cum and see what tho trubhle is." And Shows flow »n Englishman Won a "De ole missus am lyin in dar dead an all alone, an it hain't fitten dat yo' should go in!" Itri.lo Without nit Eflhrt and flow Her Father Broke the Sa«l News—Other In- "Whar's that Yankee? Whar's tho gal? Whar's Steve Bray ton?" wai shouted at him. On approaching the house Marian Caught sight of tho horses and men and realized what had happened and was happening before she had made out the figure of tho loyal old slave chained to the post. She had felt terribly anxious About her mother as shecamo along tho foad, and she had grown faint at thought £tf the troubles and perils surrounding her, but everything was forgotten the ipstant she saw that circle of men. It Was no wonder every man in tho gang looked at her as if spellbound when she fluddenly appeared in their midst and Cried out to stop Ike Baxter's uplifted Arm. As women despise cowardice in a man, so do men admire anything approaching heroism in a woman. Marian rested one hand 011 the naked shoulder of the old slave who had trotted her On his knee as a child a thousand times, And holding the revolver ready for instant use in the other, her slight form drawn np, her brown eyes Hashing, her handsome face handsomer than ever before, she demanded: quiries Answered, "Fo' do Lawd an fo' de Lawd, but what am Miss Sunshine gwine to say an do when she knows dat ho has bin shotted wid a dozen bombshells?" [Copyright, 1MU, by Edgar W.Nye.] Oh, how hollow and bitter was hit existence I How sorry he felt for those who wore American shoes while he dressed up every day in waterproof cowhides made on Regent street and so constructed as to prevent rattlesnake bites at American tea parties. Before tho war the "Yankee," both as a man ami as the representative of a section of the republic, had few friends in the south. Ho was supposed to be hostilo to nil southern "institutions." The more ignorant the southerner the more heartily ho hated and despised the citizen of tho north. Ho believed what the fire eating politicians pretended to believe and often asserted. The John Brown raid uiDon slavery in Virginia and the events in "Bleeding Kansas" served to intensify the sectional hate of the "poor whites." Thus it was that ike Baxter, picking up his crumbs of history and his bits of information on current events at the doors of the livery stable or around the stove of the barroom, was something of a local champion in tho matter of Yankee hating. If Kenton had not stood between him and military glory, he would still have felt a bitt. rness toward him as a man horn in tho north. Uncle Ben's cautious approach to the house cn this night had reference only to Mrs. Baxter. There was another man stealing throngh the darkness and making a noiseless approach at the same time—Ike Baxter. Neither (Jncle Ben nor Marian Percy caught a sight of him, bat be noticed their overy movement and drew his own conclusions. The gun which tbe old man had been told to secure was in bis room in the little bouse. He had departed from Rest Haven without being seen or his absence noted by tbe woman, but his retnrn aroused her, and her sharp eyes were upon him as he carried away the firearm and loaded himself with the bnndles Marian had prepared and brought to the door. She was dressing to follow hi in as he disappeared down the highway, having a dim suspicion of the date of affairs, when Ike knocked at her window apt) was admitted. In loss than a minute he had related what ho saw outside, and she had told him of Uncle Ben taking the gun. "Whar's be uu bound fur?" queried A numlx r of inquiries lie on my desk this morning and demand some recognition, so I take pen in hand to give them a brief reply. "Uun gone—all aun gonei ne aniwered. '"It's je«t like I tole yo' •nociAtio**. Kenton soon made the situation plain to him, and then as the two talked abont affairs at tho house Steve Brayton washed and bound up the wonnd afresh, made np a comfortable bed, arranged one of the blankets for a shelter and saw that Kenton ate aa well as talked. The adventure which Undo Ben had on tho road was felt to lie another menace to lie guarded against. After leaving tho house where they had taken breakfast and encountered the Confederate sergeant, they had hastened up tho side of the mountain and headed direct for Rest Haven. Within an hour they found that a number of men were on tlieir trail, and two or three times during the day they were obliged to hide themselves tor an hpur or two. No shots were exchanged until about 5 o'clock in the evening, and then they were fired upon by three men iu ambush. Kenton was hit and fell, but he strnggled up and made a run of it, with Steve Brayton covering his retreat. Pain and loss qf blood finally brought the wounded man down again, and he appealed to Steve to leave him and make his own escape. body in dar but do dead missus 1" —uo- "Qo on, go on I" yelled Ike Baxter, "but lookout fur yo'selvesl The hull crowd of 'em ar' in thar, and they'll likely make a fight fur i^l" In the case of Mr. Bracebridgo O. Hull, however, I havo gone out of my way to supply a short, account of an incident of which I happened to havo some knowledge, hoping that it might be of servico#as an illustration, thus teaching a valuable lesson to those who may have a wrong idea of life: fcONTINTED.] CHATTER XXII \o' innst go to the house and git blankets anil bandages and suutiiin fnr us to eat. Yo' mast also bring that gal yere, but not tonight. Tomorror will do far her, but we must hev tho other things tonight." should be brought to the house. none of the vehicles had been taken, and she argued that it would be easy for the two men to get Kenton down to the road am] then convey him to the house in one of the carriages. He looked upon the plan favorably, but when she turned to Steve Brayton he said: The girl hr\'l determined that Kenton As he stood leaning against a fence, feeling a strange yearning for something more definite, he looked down at hif own shoes, which had legs to theca laced np on the instep and smelling like an old tannery. He noted their shapeless and "pussy" appearance, their sag in the center and their wide, overfed an4 choked aspect. He felt of his youngest pimple and looked far away toward England, whither he would go as soon as he got married and began to get an allowance from her father. While Uncle Ben was slowly progressing along the frozen and slipper/ highway, and when he had reached a point about three miles from Rest Haven, he suddenly encountered about a dozen men, most of whom were mounted. All but one were in citizens' dress, and he at first suppCised them to be farmers. They rushed upon the old man with a shout, and pistols and knives were flourished before his face as the gang cried out: The men cautiously enfered the house, firearms held ready for instant nse, but at the end of seven or eight minutes they came out to report that'' the cussed old nigger" had told the truth. "Par de luv of healDen, but how yo do talk 1" gasped the old man. "Den Mars Kenton ho wasn't killed at Harrisonburg?"Aggravated f'ase, Fort Smith, Ark.— Yes, the reason that the ropo broke doubtless was 011 account of the rain. Scientists Ray that the tensile strength "Beg pardon, miss, but I can't agree with yo'. Yeie as' the situation: Over thar on tho other road yisterday mawniti we nns was tooken fur Yankee spies. He nn's a Yank straight 'miff, but not a spy, while I'm a purty good rebel, as the t'other side calls ns. We uns had a fuss with a tool of a Confederate, and he got help and tried to run ns down. It wasn't over two miles away that 1 "Dead, eh?" exclaimed Iko Baxter as they told of tho corpse on tho lied. "Waal, I'm goin to burn the house jest the same, though mebbe some of yo' uns will lug the body outdoors fust. Time 'nufl fur that a'ter we git through with this old nigger. Run he un np to that post I Now, then, chain him therel Yo' old black devil, but I'll make yo' suffer for the rap yo' giv me last night I I'm goin to begin at yo'r chin and skin yo* cl'ar down to yo'r heelsl After yo've bin skun we'll build a fire around yo' and roast what's left!" "No." "And he dun got shot try in to git olier yere today?" "Yes. house?" Is Ike Baxter's wife at the Not far away In the brilliantly lighted bay window of a hotel a young person is standing, idly drumming on the pane as she looks out into the starry night She is not neglecting her work, however, for she has none. "Hang him up!" "Slice off his ears!" "Build a firo and roast him if ho ot# to ns!" "Her am, an she dun jest hates Mara Kenton." "Then yo' must be keerfnl. Try and seo tho gal alone. Tell hei she must send the things tonight, but not to come herself till tomorrer. Go now as fast as yo' kin, I'll be waitin fur yo' right yero on this spot. Hold on a minit. Hev yo' got a gnu at the house?" "Fo' .I® Lawd, gem'len, but what's de matter?" asked the old man as soon as he could get in a word. dropped one and winged another. la that plain to yo'. Miss Percy?" " Who are you, and what is the meaning of this?" She ros bora to be lored and ha* hardly been out of a Job daring her lifetime. She is sort of gran widow raised to the third degree. Her father was made suddenly rich by the disco* cry of natural gas under his tana. She, like Claude, dislikes those who swop perspiration for bread Look at her father. He worked, and now at the age of 86 he is an old man. Every man instinctively foil back a step or two. Ike Baxter let his arm fall, find no one dared look the girl full in the face. For a long half minute no One spoke. Then Ike, shifting from one toot to the other and looking past her instead of at her, muttered: "We want them two Yankees!" shouted throo or four men in chorus. "Waal, them critters hain't goin to give it up without knowin who we ar' and all about us. We uns will hear troin them today lur shore. Then thar is Ike Baxter to look out fnr. Pity yo'r nigger didn't strike a leetle harder and finish him, but it seems that Ike got away. He nn was probably sent to spy on yo', and yo* kin bet that Captain Wyle and his critter company hain't fur off. Wo shall also hear from them befo' the day's over," "Yes." He went to his saddle for a rawhide, one he had seemingly brought along for the occasion. When he returned with it, Undo Ben was stripped of coat and vest and his shirt torn away from his shoulders. They were going to take his life, not mercifully, as one kills a savage beast by a bullet through the heart or brain, but they would torture him for hours perhaps. Ho could not fail to realize this, but he did not beg for mercy. He simply shut his eyes and prayed God to give him strength to endure everything for the sake of those in hiding down the road. He would be asked to betray them. His refusal would bring other tortures, but he would refuse. "W-what Yankees? I nebber dun seen a Yankee sence dat big army went by de house on hors'back!" "Then bring it back with yo', and powder and shot and caps. If wo hev a font yere, it will be at clus range, and buckshot will be better'n bullets." "Yes, a double bar'l'd shotgun." "Yo' lie, yo' old black faced devil!" said the leader as he got off his horse and seised Undo Ben by tho collar. "Now, then, tell ns where they are hiding! Don't protend to us that yo' have not seen 'ein. for we know better! Out with it now, or yo' won't livo two minntes!"'"Couldn't think of it. Yank—couldn't possibly play any pich dirt on a man who hns font 'longsidi.' o' me so often!" was the hearty reply. "Thar was only three of 'em when they fust popped at us, and I'm sartin shore thar hain't but two now, and mebberneo' them is wuss off than yo' ar'! 1 hain't been sbootin five or six times jest fur tho fun of it! If yo' can't walk, jo'vo got to lie carried!""We uns cum yere to captur' that cussed Yankee and pay this nigger off fur smashin my head last night!" "Fo' de Lawd!" muttered the old man as he setoff at his best pace. "Dat Cap'an Wyle he lio to Miss Snnshine. Den Miss Sunshine wants mo to go to Harrisonburg. Den I meet up wid some gorillas an git switched till I smart like pepper. Den 1 start fur home an meet dat Steve Brayton an find out dat Mars Kenton hain't dead but hurted, nn de Lawd only knows what's gwino to happen tomorrer!" She will take warning and shun the mad maelstrom in which he has wrecked his young life. She shudders as she thinks of it She also reooils. It oosts her an effort, bat she reooils. She then standa on the other foot awhile as she peers out through the gloaming. Her brow is low, but as she gradually singes off her pyrotechnic hair with a slate pencil her forehead grows wider and more intelligent Her hair is naught back mostly in an inflamed doughnut at the rear of her head and held in plaoe by means of a tin dagger. Her throat is long and and the poise of her head, which she wean at the top of her long swanlike neok, is first rate. " Yes, that's what wo uns cum fur!" added two or three others. Marian deposited her weapon on the fcronnd and proceeded to cast off the Qliain by which Uncle Ben was secured to the post. Some of tho men crowded 4 little nearer, and some muttered and Cursed, but no one interfered. When the slave was free, she signed to him to but cn his garments, picked np the Weapon, and sweeping her eyes around tho circle she said: "Well, suppose wo do?" asked Marian. "Mr. Kenton has been true and loyal to Virginia and the south. He is here in Confederate uniform and has only escaped from the Federals after being taken prisoner in another battle. Suppose the Confederates do come?" "What yo' mean?" asked tlio old man, who was badly upset over the sudden attack. WAITING FOR DRY WF.ATHER. "We mean jnst this: We'Yebeen following two Yankee spies along the mountain nearly all day. One of them was wounded about an hour ago, Tliny were headed this way, and yo' must have met them and know where they now are. Did they send yo' for a doctor?"Heeding none of Kenton's protests, the faithful fellow gut him on his back and picked his route through scrota and over rocky until he reached the spot where Uncle Ben found thein. He knew it was within a mile or two of Rest Haven, and he was alDout starting for the house when the old man came along. of a rope is only one-tliird when wet what it should bo when dry, and a greased rope is even weaker. We learned that out west years ago and lots of times had to wait a day or two for dry weather rather than have the ropo break, causing a sickening sight "Now, then, yo' black bound, whar ar' the rest of the folks?" demanded Ike Baxter as ho walked np to Uncle Ben and flourished tho crnel whip. Tim invalid mother had fallen into a light sleep, and Marian sat thinking. She and Mrs. Baxter had taken turns at watching with the sick, and this was her night, while the other had gone to the help's quarters. Uncle Ben need not have been cantioned about Mrs. Baxter, as he felt that ho thoroughly understood her disposition. He turned off the road to approach the house from another direction, and «o softly did he draw near that the first warning Marian had of his presence was a tapping on the window pane. He pressed his old black "That's yo'r way of lookm at It, Miss Percy," said Steve as he twirled bis hat in his bands. "My way is a leetle different. Captain Wyle, Ike Baxter and the rest of the crowd want revenge. If they find Mr. Kenton in yo'r bouse, they'll take him out and carry him off to some camp. They'll use him rough. They'll make charges. They'll stick right to him till they hev his life. I'm not figgerjn on myself 'tall. If they don't shoot mo offhand, I'll git martialed and bo chained np sumwhar till the eand of the war. Fact is, Miss Percy. I 've j«it about dun cut loose from this glorious old southern confederacy and gone over to the Yanks!" "Aye, he knows the exact spot whar they ar' hidin, and he's got to tell!" shouted two or three in the crowd. "Yon speak of capturing a Yankee. Who is he—where is he?" Ike. "Yo' know who wo mean," replied ike Baxter, who was recovering his assurance sooner than the others. "We tins want Kenton, that cussed Yankee «pyi" You also did wrong to use a railroad bridgo over tho river. In case of aocident you and your friends are left to probe 25 miles of river with a pike pole all day in tho hot sun while the accused is very likely making a wet trail across tho Indian Territory line. Good manilla rope kept dry for that purpose and six feet fall from a cottonwood limb generally yield no opportunity for adverse criticism, while in a plumb prairie country a railroad tie across from one freight car to another gives a good support for tho ropo. Sometimes you will find scrions drawbacks, of course, in these little impromptu affairs, "but love will find a way." "Nebber, sah, nebber! I tole yo' de troof. I nebber did meet up wid nobody aence I started from de bouse I" "Dunno, butsunthin'shappened sumwhar! Yo' must MJer frim!" "I'll take a trot up the road and see "Of co'se he knows, and I'll hev it outer he un mighty quick!" replied Ike. "I'm goin to give yo' a powerful lickin, ole man, fur the way yo' banged me last night, but I'll make it a leetle easier if yo'll tell whar they all is hid away." "how the nigger's dead man is," said Steve when he could do no more for Kenton. "It's my everlastin opinynn that the chnrD wijl turn out to be Ike Baxter, and I shan't be overly sorry if rich ar' the case. I'll hev to git the The air is one of disdain. She has been on the eve of marriage seven or eight times. "From what house?" "No, but the gal's beam news, fur shore! Reckon he un may be lyin out around yere sumwhar, and the nigger's takin ont stuff to hirat Git right arter he nn. Ike, and if yo' find the Yankee go'n tell Captain Wyle and hev him cuin with his critter company!" "Has that Yankee bin yere?" "Dat bouse back dar which b'longs to Missus Percy, Mebbe yo' knowed de Percys of Winchester?" "Aye, he un's the man!" growled three or four others. But Claude does not know it. "I has nuthin to say," quietly replied the old man as he looked about him, "And you call him a Yankee—yon, tke Baxter 1" she replied as she stepped forward to face him. "He enlisted Vhen yon did. He fongbt when yon *an away. Ho has encountered a score Qf dangers to your one. He has done *noro for the cause of tho south than all (Df you combined. When yon call him ■l Yankee spy, I call you a cur, and a toward, and a disgrace to tho uniform Vou wear!" She has a haughty way of out her gum and sticking it against the celling, which reminds one of a duchess in high spirits. "The Percys, eh? nigger?" Are you a Percy body outer tfie way anyhow, befo' anybody stumbles over it." "Yes, sah, an de only one dat's left." "And where were yon going?" ■"I'll do bettei'n that!" grjmly leplied the man as he stepped ont intc the uight. "It I find that Yankee around yere, I'll put a bullet into bim fust and tell Captaiu Wyle next!" In tho course of 20 minutes ho reached tbo spot, but no man, living or dC ad, was to lie found. He made a thorough hunt, but nothing could be discovered. "What! Yo' won't tell me?" "Give it to him! Cut his hide into strings!" yelled the crowd. She now changes back to the other foot and looks out yearn fully through the gathering night Her attitude Is on* that a painter might study for weeks if he wanted to. "'Down to Harrisonburg, Rah, to git news 'bout dat battle dey fout dar de odder day. I hain't seed a single pusson on de road, an if yo' was to kill me I dun couldn't tell yo' nuflin 'bout no Yankees!" ■'Then what would you advise?" Ike responded by striking Uncle Ben about 20 blows across tho bare back. Each blow raised a welt, and as each one fell tho victim strained and tugged at his lashings. Uncle Ben had been whipped the night before, but that was more in the nature of an assault or an attack by armed men. For the first tiino in his life he had been tied up and his back bared. He felt the sbaine and indignity almost as much as the blows. "Leave he un right yere fur awhile. We nns' got two guns and a revolver, and if tho crowd comes we kin stand 'em off a good deal better than at the house. Meanwhile let Uncle Ben sot oat down tho valley to find the Yankee soldiers and tell em what's up. If 'nnft of 'em cum, and thoy cum in time, we will bo all right. If not, we might ae well say pur prayers!" Uncle Ben had only a few hundred yards the start, and the man on his trail soon lessened the distance until he could hear the old man's footsteps and make out a shadowy form through the darknca*. There seemed nothing more certain than that he would follow on and uncover the hiding place of the fugitives. For nearly three-quartern of a mile the slave messenger bad but one idea—to return to Steve Bray ton as fast as possible. He was hurrying along when a sudden thought flashed through his brain, and he instinctively stepped aside and halted to listen. CHAPTER XXIV Her dress is out so as to give the • tator no cause for complaint, yet so fw to escape arrest She has had all the refining influences of a year In Port Dodge, la., and the naivete of the Pennsylvania oil region. Uncle Ben returned to the honse at midnight and found Marian anxiously waiting for news. Royal Kenton bad told bim what to tell her, and while she was comforted in 0110 direction pho was frightened in another. If Kenton and tsrayton nad been roiiowea over tne fountains and blood had been shed, would the pnifitiit cease until they had been hunted downy If the man whom Uncle Ben had struck down in the darkuess was Ike Baxter, wouldn't bis information brfng Captain Wyle and his oompany Into, the neighborhood at once? Provided it was not Ike Baxter at all, it certainly was an enemy of some sort, who would demand revenge. The outlook was indeed an anxious one, but they pould only wait and hojie. George W. Toplady, Magnolia, La.— Your idea of getting up ahead of tho lark cach morning is all right if you cannot sleep later than 4 o'clock, but if you desire to arise just in time get tho entire accumulation of miasma for 24 hours (as our scientists tell us those do who go out early) for heaven's sake don't write to tho papers about it and make a mouse colored ass of yourself in publio. They had looked upon it as jnst a chance that Uncle Ben had encountered the men they were after, and their vigorous measures were intended to frighten the information ont of him. While he was trembling and afraid, his tones satisfied the crowd that he was telling the truth. It wonldn't do to let bim Following a Krirntl'n Advice. The night has almost Instantly grown intensely dark. "Wouldn't it bo a good idea," said fho disinterested friend, "to put a high (frado bicycle in your window and mark ft $60 or some such price? You'd lose tome money on it, of course, but look lit the advertising you would get out of ft Everybody in town would be talking about it inside of 24 hours, and four store would get a reputation for Celling good machines cheap that would tie worth hundreds of dollars to you." "Yo' kin see what brung on this yere war," said Ike as he paused for breath. "Them air Yankees was tellin our niggers that they was Jest as good as thar masters. Yere'e a case of it right yero. If he'd bin my nigger, he'd hev bin as humble as pumpkin pie, but the Percys, who hev alius bin half Yankee themselves, brung him up to think heunwas as good as anybody!" The wind is soughing through the darkness, and the trees are tossing their exposed limbs around like a divertissementdown too easily, however The negroes Both Marian and Kenton realised the situation as he presented it, and witbin five minutes Undo Ben had bis instructions. It was believed that be would run across Federal cavalry within 10 miles of Rest Haven. He was to ask for General Custer, and if he fonnd that commander to ask hiin in tho name of tho Percys to come at once. He was to call at the house and say to Mrs. Baxter that Mariaii would be home witbin an hour. of the country were breaking over all rules and regulations and traveling •fiowt at nlsrbt toconfer with each other and plan escapes to tbo Federal camp*. "Now, then," said the leader of the band, "yo' havo had a powerful close call, and yo* want to remember it! Niggers have no business away frC,m home after dark. Yo' wero probably going to Harrisonburg to give yo'self up to the Yankees, but we'll spoil that little game! This will do yo' a heap of good!" And thereupon, holding Uncle Ben with his left hand by firm grip on his collar, he nsed a rawbide over the old man's back and his right and administered the fij-st whipping of his life. When his bad grown weary, he stopped and sa'id: "Now, yo' ma ke a beeline for homo and don't stop to rest on the way! If any other prowling niggers ask yo' about that battle r,t Harrisonburg, yo' tell him yo' waq. in it and got licked! Geeop!" , As the man headed for Rest Haven the tjfang of men rode in the other direction. He stepped out at a lively pace til hidden by the darkness and thejf stopped apd turned to shako his and whisper: When you are down with malarial fever in a year or two from now, of what avail will bo all the worms of which you have robbed poor robin redbreast?Here and there the wind tosses about in wild eddies the dead leaves of a forgotten Jnne or seeks oat the man whose wife gave his underwear to Mr. Coxey last summer. "How do I know but what dat woman dun heard nDe git de gun an is follerin me?" he whispered to himself. "She'd do it! She's powerful wicked, she am! An mebbe some mo' of dem gorillas am waitin long yere to grab me an giv me anodder wbippinl" You ask if I nm at homo for the summer and what the faro is from Magnolia to Ashevillo. In reply let me say that, if you have a notion of coming hore to make us a few weeks' visit and brighten up our home life and intend to get up at 4 o'clock and go singing about the house with a heart bubbling over with joy and gladness, I have a watermelon protector loaded to the muzzle with things that I have been collecting fur years, and the first time you come down at 4 o'clock you will leave a bloody trail the whole length of the stairs from the garret down. "And will he never oome?'' murmurs the girl as she sits on one of her feet in a large easy chair, as tnougn Dent on batching out some more feet rite Jlrxtvarninri Marlon had of hlx jrrca- etiec Kwt a UipjDiim on the window. faco against the glass that she might know who was there, and a moment later she stood outside the door with a Hhawl thrown over her head. "That's not a bad scheme," said the bicycle dealer after thinking it over. "John," ho callCid out to one of the boys, "put that Greased Lightning raoC*r in the front window and mark it 450." "Hurry up. Give he un Bome more!" yelled the crowd. It was well for the mother that she was too ill to realize that anything unusual was happening. The doctor had exercised hin skill to no benefit, nnd though permitting Marian to hope that A favorable change might occur ho realized that the chances of recovery worn voiv remote. All that long night she lay as one sleeping heavily, and lint for the many distractions tbe daughter would have noticed that tbe chauge was for the worse. "Thar hain't no rush about it," replied Ike as ho flourished the whip. "I want to mako it last as long as I kin. It's a dod gasted pity we hain't got lfi or 20 other niggers yere to look on and take warnin by bis fate. I've alius itched to lick a nigger, but never had the cbanco befo'. Ar' yo' goin to tell me, yo' infernal old imp, wliar that Yankee is hidin out?" Uncle Ben simply shook his head. " Yo' hain't, eh?" screamed Ike. "Then everybody stand back, fur I'm goiu—I'm goln to make the blood fly all over the yardt" "And while yo' nn's yere to look oat fur the patient," said Steve Brayton to the girl an the old man moved away, "I'll j*-st git ready fur tbo call I'm expectin!"Hist I Did some one fall over something? "You are back. Uncle Ben—what's the matter?" she asked. He was listening as well as whispering, and after a minute ho heard the lounds of footsteps coming down the road. He drew back into tbo deeper Yes. It was Claude. He did not have Ms monocle on, and he has fallen into the fountain. ••But"  "Heaps do mat.tab, Miss Sunshine, heaps. I dun met np wid mo' dan fo'ty bushels o' trubble! I'ze news fnr yo'!" "Never mind arguing the matter. I know what I'm doing." The camp had plenty of natural defense, but by moving some of the bowlders with a lever and using such stones as he could lift a»,"chinking" ho had the place proof agaiimt anything but artillery within an hour. While be works and Marian and Kenton plan let us follow Unvie Ben. Ho had Ikjod intrusted with a message to Mrs. Baxter, but on his arrival at the house he failed to find her. Entering her room in tbo "quarters" in bis search, be found things in snch disorder that ho felt certain she had packed up a few articles and fled from the place. Under no other circumstances would he have dared to look into the liedroom of the "missus" in the other house. Alarmed at tho thought that she wan helpless and abandoned, he ventured to intrude. She was lying with her face toward him. and the first glance brought a moan to his lips. lie called to her, passed into the room, called again and finally reached out and touchod the wbito and wasted hand resting on the cover. It was cold as ice. Ho pushed forward an old black hand which had served her and hers for half a century and more and laid it on her face. The Greased Lightning racer was placed conspicuously in the show window with the $."D0 tag appended. But now he is out again and at the door. The young heiress goes to meet him. They gaze into each other's eyes earnestly, as though in search of something, but all is vacancy. shadow of the high bank, dropped his bundles, and taking a firm grip of bis gun be mentally resolved to make a fight for it if he was overhauled by the samo crowd as before. A few seconds later he realized that only one person was approaching. The footfalls were too heavy for a woman. He had just decided this point when a man loomed np in the darkness before him and halted almost within arm's length to mutter:"You—yon met some one who told yon nliont Mr. Kenton?" "Fnr shore! Dat Cap'an Wyle lie to 70'! Mars Kenton he dun git away irter dat battle, 'long wid Stove Brayton.""Now," said the disinterested friend, ''that looks something liko it You'll fee a crowd gathering there inside of five minutes. By the way, yon may just consider that machine sold. I'll take it off your hands. But I'm no hog," he added cheerfully. "I'll let it Stay in your window till tomorrow (horning.'' It is what they expected. She runs and gets him a pair at dry trousers. Neither Marian nor Uncle Ben had reason to suspect that Mrs. Baxter had seen or beard anything that night, but she mnst soon know all. Tbe girl bad determined that Kenton should be brought to tbe house and cared for. The thought of his rude shelter, wounded and suffering as ho was on that cold winter's night, almost drove her wild. It was hardly 7 o'clock in tbe morning, and she had simply tasted breakfast, when she went out to Undo Ben and said: Bra«;bridgo G. Hall of Blasphemia, la., writes: "1. Where can I get the most exhaustive treatment, or treatise rather, on the subject of creation, and who is the author? "Thank Oodf" she whispered as she raised her clasped hands to tho bright stars in the winter sky. They belong to her father. For some little time they sit and look at each other. "Stopl- Ike had his arm raised for a blow when a figure passed him and halted beside Uncle Ben. That figure had pushed its way Into tbe circle unheard and nnseon. Everybody stared iu as- "But dar's trubble, Miss Sunshine— heaps o' trubble! Dey was tryin to git ober yere when some gorillas reckoned dey was Yankee spies an dun shotted Mars Kenton. He hain't dead, but he's bad linrt, nn he's lyln in the bresh an rocks down yere 'bout a mile. I met dat Steve Brayton, an ho dun tolo me all 'bout it." "2. What is your idea about the effect of work on refined people? Does it not degrade and coarsen them?" She and Claude. I mean. Then she says: "Claude, we are to be married at 0:45. Would you like a little something to oat first?" "Wasn't that rather an unhandsome trick?" asked tho silout partner after tho disinterested friend had gone away. ''No," reflected tho dealer. "That machine has lx*'ii on hand two years, but it's worth eveiy cent of $47.50."— Chicago Tribune. "Drat my hide, bnt has that ole nigger left the road an giv me the slip? I heard ho nnnnlya minit ago, but him's dnn gone now!" 1. The work yon refer to is no doubt a recent one by Rev. Joseph Cook, entitled "A Birdseye View of God." He said, "By all means," and she struck the table lightly two or three times with a piece of board, which stood near, as a signal to a servant, who brought in a cold joint Claude had unfortunately said once that he liked a cold joint " White man, I'ze only a pore ole nig-'gei but somebody has got to bleed fur It was Ike Baxter of course. He stood peering and listening for half a minute and then growled: 2. Yes, hard work coarsens the hands, uo doubt, and the complexion also, but it is better to do work, after all, on a salary than in the state penitentiary. It is better to have a hard, coarse palm and honest bread in the houso than lily white hands and trousers that are transparent. as to the seat f dis! Nobody ebber put a whip on Uncle Ben befo' sence he was a pickaninny, un I'll kill yo' fur dat as shoro as I ubber git de chance!" "Royal Kenton wounded—badly hnrt and lying in tho brush this winter's night!" moaned Marian as sho grasped Uncle Ben by tho arm. "I am ready to go and can't wait another minute. We will take Bome more provisions, but I shall havo Mr. Kenton brought to the house." "I orter hev run he an right down an mado him show me the wayt Now the cussed Yankee may git away from me! No, he won't though! I'll hunt over every foot of this country but what I'll find him an hev his scalp!" No Difference. He at first thought of resuming his journey toward Harrisonburg, but a moment's reflection convinced him that if be fell into the bands of the samo party again his life would be in peril. He realized how much disappointed Marian ■would be, but he would return and report and perhaps make a now start. He had covered two miles of the backtrack when at a turn in tho road a man stepped oat from the roeks at his left and ordered him to halt and added: "If," said an old schoolmaster to a Visitor, "certain pupils usod half as flinch ingenuity and application in finding out facts as they do in finding out Ways to be wrong and excuses for them, they would become excellent scholars. There's Tinkins, now, gazing out of tho Window. He nover eares to learn anything, but he is always ready with a iDiore or less ingenious blunder. Let's try him." It was a cold, enlarged joint, and there was nothing to prevent m good view of it "What about dat woman?" he asked. "I don't care for her. If she doesn't like his being here, she can go." "Hist dar!" he cautioned. "We mustn't woke up de missus or dat Baxter woman. Now, den, yo' be brave. Yo's got to tie! Steve Brayton he dun said I was to bring back blankets an bandages an sunthin to eat. We must step around mighty softly an pick 'em Much of this twaddle nbout shunning work bocause it is degrading and coarse comes from the old country and is brought hore very often by pinfeather Englishmen of tho younger son type who come over here to wear out their elder brother's clothes and let their whiskers grow. The justice of the peace now appeared and united the two. "Jest look into her room, Miss Sunshine!"Uncle Ben did not recognize the man at all, as it had been many months since ho had heard Ike Baxter's voice. It was instantly plain to him, however, that the man was a determined enemy and was seeking Royal Kenton's life. Ike took three or four steps forward and stopped again to listen. Noiselessly and with such a feeling as he had never experienced l»efore Uncle Ben clnbbed his gun, took one silent step forward Claude did not know that his wife had been talked about a good deal. Ha oonld not have believed that this slight; quiet girl of 80 h$d been a corespondentThe door was ajar, while the woman herself was at the other house. Tbore was a bloody towel on a chair, bloody water in a washbowl, spots of blood on a chair and on tbe floor. "Fo' do great Lawd in heaben, but de missus has dun diedl" he cried aloud as he hurried from the room with chattering teeth and trembling limbs. She had seemed to be sleeping when Marian left the house an hour or more before, but sbo might have lDeen dying then. Tho old man's first thought was to hurry back to camp and tell tbe girl what had occurred, but as he moved away he checked himself and muttered: up!" "And I will go back with you! God grant that his life may be spared!" "Stopl" she cricd. As ho looked at her admiringly he could hardly believe that this treasure was his with so little effort for he had hardly seemed to raise a hand to bring about his marriage. As he toyed with her dainty scissors, slyly trimming the fringe from the edges of his cuffs, he felt that his mission to America had been accomplish eCL "It looks as if some one had sought to murder her!" exclaimed Marian as Bhe looked alDout in astonishment. tonishment, and for half a minnto not a word was said. It was Marian Percy. She was known by sight to at least half of the gang, and the others at once identified her as "the gal" they had expected to find in tho house. Let us go back a little. When Undo Ben left the camp among tho rocks, she had intended to follow hiin within an honr. It had been settled that Kenton must remain whero he was until a force of Federals was brought to the rescue or until it was known that he was in no peril from the Confederates. While it was hoped that Uncle Ben's mission would be successful all realized tho chances of its failure. Both armies were scouting and raiding up and down and across. . A hamlet or crossroads or biidge held by the Federals ono day would bo in possession of the Confederates on the next, and vice versa. Uncle Ben might encounter a troop of Federal cavalry and bring them to the rescue, or he might be picked up by a Confederate troop or "TinkinsW' exclaimed the teacher. "Yes, sir " Such young men often have a strong hatred of work and have generally been advised by their physicians and tailors to go to America and get married. Sometimes they succeed. "Who are yo'?" "Uncle Ben Percy." "Gather in your eyes and yonr wits from the outer empyrean for a moment And tell ns what is the difference between the meaning of the word 'granite' tod that of the word 'pomegranate.' " "No difference, sir." "Hush, chilel Yo' can't go wid me tonight, but tomorrer. Dat's what Steve Brayton dun said. When I git back dar, I'll see Mars Kenton wid my own eyes, an I'll tell him all 'bout yo. an I'll stay right dar all night an nuss him." "What, is that yo,' Uncle Ben?" "Fnr shore, but I hain't dnn met up wid no Yankee spies, jess as I told yo' befo'." "I know what happened," replied Undo Ben. "Dat pusson I knocked inter de middle o' last summer was Ike Baxter. Ho was follerin me from de house. Boaf of 'em knowed what was up. He cum to arter a bit an cum yere to hev hii hurts tooken car' of. I heard a noise 'bout daylight, au I reckon dat was when he left." The gloriiied and inflamed west was just, deepening into a rosy twilight, and the eastern hills were in the act of peoling off their ruddy sunset robes for the night when a loosely fitting Englishman might have been seen wending his way in a northwestly direction regardless of tho gathering niglit. ne wore a billywk hat, with a Pall Mall Gazette insido tho sweatband to make it fit his low and measly brow, for it was his elder brother's hat. Ho also rattlod round in a suit of his brother's tweed, for tho box plait down tho back of his Norfolk jacket was almost as broad shouldered as he was. "Uncle Ben, don't yo' nn know me?" asked the man as be came nearer. " I' ve talked with yo' many a time in Winchester befo' the war. I'm Steve Brayton.""Jest wait now till we figger a leetle. De good Lawd has dun tooken de missus away, an my ole heart's ready to break wid sorrow, but I mustn't give up to de feelin. Dar's Miss Sunshine, an dar's Mars Kenton an dat 60ger Steve, dey's all alive an in danger. If I tole Miss Sunshine, she couldn't do nuffin now 'copt to wing her hands an cry. No, I won't go back darl I'll hurry up an find dem Yankees an tell 'em to cum as quick as dey km!" "Then why do we sometimes say 'granite' and sometimes pomegranate.' " Just then her father camo in. ."Violet, are you married again?" he asked, taking off his coat and stretching out on the bed. "Oh, Uncle Ben, but I feel that 1 most go to him"  "Hush! Yo' jess git all dem fings wliat I spoke of packed up fur me as qnick_as yo' kin an let me go back! If yo' want dvm gorillas to finish Mars Kenton, yo' jest make a fuss so dat Mrs. Baxter will open dem big ears o' hern an find out de news!" "When wo arc in a hurry, sir, wo ray colloquially 'granite,' hut if we Havo plenty of tinio wo take pains to say 'homegranato. * " "Fo' de Lawd! Yes, I 'memlier yo'r voice! I dnn reckoned yo' wassoniQ mo' of dat crowd what was gwine ter kill me!" "I'm glad you didn't kill him, but I expect Mrs. Baxter will now feel like taking revenge upon the whole household. Let us be going." '' Y es, father," sho said sadly. "Claude, come and shake hands with the old gent" He did so. "Lot mo coniplimont you on tho Ingenuity of your answer, Tinkins. Now fou may go and look up tlio definitions o{ thoso two words in the unabridged Aud writo down each definition for mc JO times. The class in rhetoric will return to their seats."—Youth's Companion."Hev yo' met np with anybody?" "Claude," exclaimed the old man, "I havo sad news tonight from home. Tho gas 011 my farm has quit squirting, and I am a ruined man. Otherwise I would have asked you to come and visit us a few days. It's pretty tough on a man of my years to go back to work again, but Violet's married now, and so 1 am not so bad off as I thought In her you will find a companion who will unfold day by day new characteristics that will surpriso you. Sho has clothes enough to last till oold weather. I have paid my bill hero and will leave In the morning. Yon had better go now, as I desire to go to bed. Good night You can get another room on Ihe floor above this for $1.60 per day if you wish. Good night, Violet Goodnight Claude." "De Lawd fnrgive me. but I has! Sack dar 'lDont two miles a gang o' white men stopped me an war gwine tc shute me dead an cut my froat! Doy said I had sawn some Yankee spies, an bekase I dun hadn't seen nobody 'tall dey giv me demoas' powerful lickin on airth!" Half an hour later they were challenged by Steve Biayton, who had already prepared breakfast for tbe wounded man and was able to report that Kenton had passed a comparatively comfortable night. Ho met them just outsido tbo camp, and with a wink to Uncle Ben be said to Marian. CHAPTER XXIII He had turned about in his tracks when he heard a great clatter up the road, and nest minute he was surrounded by about 20 mounted men. Some were in uniform, nnd among these he noticed one with his head bandaged and at once identified hin as Iko '.oxter. There were others in citizens' drees, and while he was wondering who they might bo one of them laughingly exclaimed: - As was stated in a previous chapter, Captain Wyle's company, along with others, had been returned to the valley and placed under the oiderB of Genera) Imboden. Ike Baxter and tho others captured at Kernstown had rejoined the company when exchanged. Ike felt more than ever that iioyal Kenton was an enemy he must get rid of, and Captain Wyle encouraged this feeling In various ways, though never openly and directly committing himself. On two occasions Ike had been granted leave of absence to visit his wife. Both times be had met her secretly. Ho was not tall, but lithe nnd pimply in tno extreme, wjrn a large, wisnui and dewy eye. Tho othor was made by au optician on Old Iiond street His name was Claude Ilalborn Korsykos, the ninth son of a domesticated brewer who fell in a fit and died with his tongue out when Claudo was a little rod child, with a vory limber nook and largo, pale blue English eyes. All tho brewery was left to the elder sou, nnd the other eight boys were sent to Amorica to get married. flow Mik'Ti It Cost Him. "Go right along, Miss Percy; ho tin's heard yo'r voice and is waiting fur yo'. I want to speak a word or two to Uncle Ben." Briggs—I see yon had your pictnre iu Tho S pouter this week. Havo to pay Anything for it? *' Yankee spies?" queried Steve. "Ah, I understand! And are yo' with the Percy fam'ly, Uncle Ben?" "Fur shore." "Do th«y una live nigh yere?" " 'Bout a inlle away, sab." "And whar war yo' goin when yo' met np with that crowd?" Unele Ren clubhrd Ms gun. Ik gang of guerrillas and sent olt some* to work on fortifications. and next instant brought tho heavy stock down npon Ike's head and felled him to the earth. The man sank down without a cry or groan, and after waiting half a minute the old man gasped out: "MeblDe the Yanks will come fust, and mebbe the Confederates," replied Steve Brayton when appealed to for his opinion. "It's goin to bo nip and tuck, I reckon, but with the chances a leetle in favor of tho Confederates. Kin I umko lDold to offer some advice?" Griggs—Tho editor wanted me topay f50, but I refused. Then he wanted me t'j take 100 copios, but I wouldn't do that. "What yo' want to spoke to me 'bout?" cautiously inquired the old man after they hud walked away a few stejw. "Hello, yo' old son of satan! How does yo' un feel after tho lickin yo got lust night?" "Nuthin, yo' old son of Africa!" answered Steve. "Don't yo' un know what b'longs to good manners? D' yo' reckon that gal wants nAyltody around when she fust claps eyes on tho feller sho loves like a house afire and is gwine to marry arter this cussed scrimmage is over?" Briggs—What did yon do? Griggs—I lent him $1.—New York Herald. "I'd dun started fur Harrisonburg to git news 'bout dat big battle. Dat Cap'an Wyle he was long yere tcxlay nn told Miss Sunshine dat Mars Kenton was killed ober dar!" "May de good Lawd dun fnrgive me, but I bad to do it fur Miss Sunshine's sake!" There was a sergeant in command of tho squad, but Ike Baxter appeared to direct operations. Ho at first drew his saber us if (o give tho old negro a cut, hut checking himself he said: Claudo was a pelf made man, but Rside from that it was thought that lie had never done anything reprehensible. His parents had toiled, for tlioy know no better, but he was engaged in trying to overcome the desire in case it. should break out. on him. His snocess thus far had been phenomenal. The spirit which animated this humble twain will surprise only those who have never encountered the "pooi whites" of the south. Njno out of ten of the bfoody and long continued fends we read of in southern communities begin among the poor and ignorant. The cause is generally of trifling character. The '"poor white" may lie linniblC d by the law, but outside of tho courtroom he hates with an intensity Ijard to realize, lie is persistent, conning, merciless. Ike Baxter had never had an ambition in his life np to the hour ho enlisted. He could barely read and write, was naturally lazy and indifferent and felt no pride in anything except the fact that he was " letter than a nigger." When he found that corporals and sergeants were looked up to and respected, there came a queer feel- He picked np bis bundles and hastened 011 and 10 minutes later was telling Steve Brayton what had hapiDened. "Why, certainly," answered Marian and Kenton in the samo breath. Shriitlrul, And with that ho began to unlace his shoes and wind his watch. "Then let Miss Percy head fur homo to once. We can't tell what may bo happenin thar or what s goin to happen yero. She's a Percy and a good Confederate, and nobody'11 dare disturb the houso. Them blamed guerrillas which follered us yesterday may open fire yere any minit, and once they do she can't git away." "Well, "said the man who tries to be philosophical, "there's always room at the top, you know." Sometimes the impecunious son of Albion meets in this raw land a dose of bitterness which gives him a cruel surprise."Ho did?" "Now, men, look ulivet Some of yo' uns search the house and drag out that cussed Yankee and Steve Brayton, and the rest of us will drive a stake and find a chain ami somo firewood! I'm goin to burn this old nigger alive fur tryin to kill me last iiightl" "Yen, sah, an den Miss Sunshine com ont to me wid her face as white as snow an tears in her eyes an a big lump'in her froat, an when I seed how powerfn) she felt I dun said I would go an find oat dat Mars Kenton was all right." "Glad of it!'' replied the latter. "Reckon I orter go np thar and make shore he's dead, fur I sorter think his name are Ike Baxter. Hain't got no tiaae, though —not jest now. Tbis way, Unele Ben." "I'vo hoard so. But if tho weather tffceps up I'm looking for the thcrmomdW to furnish proof to tho contrary." Free Press. "Hul I seel" chuckled Uncle BC'ii "Of co'se yo' sees arter I has pin ted out tho way, but then yo' is only an ole nigger and can't lDe spected to hev any feelin's on less kicked by n mnle or licked by a passel of guerrillas." His pantaloons were worn flowing in the log and glossy across the roar breadths. All that he had done thus far in life had been in tho sedentary lino. He was proud of the fact that his hands had novor been hardened by low, coarse toil, and that he did not know how to harness a horse or oven milk a cow. Had he lDeon cast away on a desqrt island, with no one near him but a milk cow, he would liavo boon obliged to tackle the maternal fonnt in the same way that the calf on tho othor side did. There would bo no udder way. —Pun oh. ' Some had claimed that his brain had An Karly liird. "See yere, Uncle Ben, I've got sunthin to tell yo'!" said Brayton as he drew him out of the road. "Mars Kenton is np yere among the rocks and bresh!" They passed lDetween two great bowlders which had falleu from tho bank al)ove, followed a ravine Into the hills for altout 300 feet, and after a climb np the right hand bank found the hiding place among tho rocks. There was a small fire burning against a great lDowlder, and on a lied of leaves and branches lay Royal Kenton with n bullet wound in the calf of the right leg. it was n bit of good luck for him in the midst of adversity that the bullet had Caller—Your dear litt It! boy is just bo(ft iming to talk, isn't iie? Bon then told him of the discoveries made at the house nnd of his belief that his victim was Iko Baxter, and Steve looked very serious as he replied: Although surprised and confounded by tho sudden turu of events, Uncle Ben did not entirely loso his head. When he heard the men crying out for revenge and looked into their pitiless faces, he felt that his last hour had come. And yet the devotion of the old slave was never better illustrated than in what followed. As a portion of the crowd started for the house, no doubt fullv ex- CHAPTER XXV. Tho advice was full of wisdom, and Marian prepared to start at once. There are certain stages of illness when water, no matter how sweet and pore it may be, tastes brackish and unpleasant, yet tho patient will be devonred with thirst. Oftentimes a drink made of a teaspoonful of cranberry jelly dissolved in a glass of ice water will be quite refreshing. Other fruit jellies will anKW9t, but they should have a tart flavor always.—New York New* Thirst. "Got any we'pins in the house?" asked Steve as she was ready. "No." Papa—Oh, no. Ho commences along iihout ;i o'clock in the morning.—Chicago Tutor Ocean. f*-. "Fo' de Lawd!" "Then yo'kin bet we ar' in fur a redhot time! Ike Baxter will lie back befo' noon with a gang at bis heels, and the chances ar' thut somebody will git shot I" "That gang was after the two of us, though we are not Yankee spies. Mars Kenton was badly wounded jest befo' dark, and I had to cairy he nn on my back fur a couple of miles. Uncle Ben, "Kin yo' shoot a pistol?" "Of course. I have been porrv that I loft mino behind us in Winchester." Rare Krarred Rldrn, ' 'Why do tlioy put numbers on the flcyelo riders' backs, pa?" "Then take this revolver. It's a big un, but I guess yo' kin handle it. Bein yo' ar' a southern gal, no southern man "So thoy can toll ono man from another when thoy come in at the end of tho raoo."—Chicago Tribune. At this moment Marian called to them, and as thev entered thecamuthev