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About The Nebraska advertiser. (Nemaha City, Neb.) 18??-1909 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 21, 1896)
i i l A. f THE NEBRASKA ADVERTISER W. W. 8ANDKU3, TuMUlier. NEMAHA, NEBRASKA. - BAREFOOTHOOD. How tho mornings used to rlso Just llko music In tho oldest How tho firm breath of tho day Smcllcd llko paradl&o In May, jSnd you couldn't stay In bed For tho bird-songs overhead I -A hi how sweet llfo was and good, In tho dayfl of Darcfoothoodl Not a troublo nor a caro In tho wholo world any whorot Just ns light and gay and froo As n bird that tops a trooi Just as puro from willful wrong; Just ns full of gratoful song. Not n wnrblor In tho wood Praises Qod lllto Uarofoothoodt :SImplo Joya, and yot how swcotl Just tho pools that laved your feet; Just tho mud botwoon your toes: Just tho wild fruit whero It grows; .Just tho homc-mado lino and hooks .Just tho cool plungo In tho brook: .Such as theso woro drink and food, In tho days of Uarofoothood. """ Oh, tho soft, cool morning dow, Kro tho days of socle or shoot Oh, tho showering, as you pass, Of tho sparkling spears of grass! MUos and miles of cobwob lace, Morning f roshncss on your faco Who'd forgot them, if ho could, Dear old days of Uarofoothoodt Jamc3 Uuckham, In Youth's Companion. uatajjfft (Copyright, 1801, by tho Author.) CHAPTER IV. Continued Another thrill to tho chorus of excite ment that had throbbed tho long night -through, and yot not tho last. Thero were still left a few minutes to dark ness, and the dovil of mischief seemed afloat in tho very air. "Go and tell Sirs. Foster tho truth tho best way you can," isaid the major, miserably, to his adju tant. "Thero sho is on tho veranda now. I'll go round tho west side of tho ofllcc. You can joiu mo there. Yes, Turner, mount and start at once if your .men have had their coffee. Now sweep 'that road clean from hero to tho Sandy, :and don't lcavo an Indian to tell tho story. Look for Foster or his men and try to find Raffcrty." And so saying ho turned him to tho west and pushed slowly up tho slope, a heavy-hearted man. Almost tho last thing he heard .as ho reached tho cud of ofllccrs' row was Nellie Foster's weeping; If stout, soldierlike Irish Jim couldoc so swiftly, surely massacred by unseen foes what must have been Leon's fate? Littlo "black-eyed Leon riding alone, unarmed, with Mrs. Downey's sorely needed medicine, through tho dark depths of this Indian-haunted nisrht? But now the mountain tops were all shimmering with the glow of coming day, and even into the valley depths tho faint light seemed to peer, and still thero waked no sign of life from tho distant outpost, uo reassuring flame to warm his heart with tidings of tho boy's safe coming but something new and weird and strange was bulging Signal Butto all out of shapo and tho sentry on No. 4 stood halted in fascination and amaze. 'Tho purple fringe of tho familiar pino crest seemed to bo soaring slowly up ward, drawn out into a floating curl, rose-tinted at the top where it met tho blush of dawn, deep hucd below whero it left the black base, then all on a sud den it burst into lurid glare, red, yel low, banishing tho roso and flaming over the valley for many a milo. No welcome signal that, telling of tho wanderer's safe return, no messago of hope or comfort, but most dreaded sign of all, it was tho cry for help from tho Sandy valley, tho appeal of terrified women and children tho token that .red war had burst about tho walls of tho old frontier fort, and even its littlo ,-garrison was now in peril. If Maj. Thornton was in gravo dis tress beforo ho was in tho depths of de jection now. For hours ho had been longing for day, and day had only brought him new and worso disaster. Here ho was with one small company of infantry as permanent guard and three troops of cavalry, fresh from the Baddle work of tho plains and utterly untaught in mountain fighting, as his striking and scouting column. Well had the Apaches chosen their time, and uiro indeed was tho effect of their con certed blows. All in a flash tho major .realized that his littlo force was scat tered or scattering Foster somewhero up in tho Socorro to the northwest, pos sibly pushing still farther away from tho post and into peril; Turner already inarching out in support of him and in pursuit of tho ambushing Indians, who, at this rate, beforo another sunset would lino tho Prescott road with igraves, and this left only Raymond's troop, diminished in strength by tho detachment of Lieut. Crane and his party to go to tho rescue now. Thorn ton was quick to think and act. "Mount your horse, you I" ho cried to tho orderly trumpeter just issuing from tho adjutant's ofilce. "Ride like a streak after Capt. Turner. lie can't bo across tho lowlands vet. Tell him to return at once." "Foster's strong enough to tako caro of himself," reasoned tlio major. "Poor Rafferty's done for, and anybody who's fool enough to bo riding tho Prescott foad this morning niu&t tako his own chances. My first duty Is to savo theso peoplo to tho west.' Already tho sen try's cry had summoned tho corporal. Tho guurd was springing to ranks at tho tidings that tho beacon was blazing on Signal Butto. Thero was no need of sounding "To arms," since tho wholo command was practically alert and belted now no need to sound rovelllo slnco tho cntiro post was up and astir. Tho sunbeams wcro gilding tho west ward peaks and tho upper billows of tho clouds of dust, in which Turner's troop camo trotting back and, met half way by instructions, never entering tho post, turned "column half right" midway across tho sandy swalo and went cantering westward into tho dim valley, spurring swiftly to tho rescuo Thornton and his adjutant with them, leaving Raymond in command at Retribution. And as tho sun climbed higher and blazed slanting down upon tho mcas and tho soaring dust cloud faded out of Bight, men, and women, too, gathered on that westward bluff to watch for further sign of weal or woe. "Oh! that wo had kept Leon with us!" was Mrs. Foster's plaint. "It breaks my heart to think of him." Indeed, Leon and Leon's fato seemed uppermost in tho hearts of all. Rare, indeed, wcro tho occasions and strong their numbers when Apaches had dared to faco a wholo troop in tho Hold, and Capt Ray mond strovo to soothe tho fears of thoso who trembled at tho thought of peril to Foster and Turner and their men. "Apaches have raided tho ranches most probably," washis theory. "Crano cannot protect them and tho old post, too He has probably been penned at tho corral and could hardly look out for oven Kelly's homestead. Tho Apaches aro possibly thero all around them, but Turner will brush them off like- so many flies. Kelly's people aro safo in tho cellars, I haven't a doubt, and tho old man, with tho assistance ho has, can easily stand off tho prowlers until they seo Turner coming; then they'll all skip for tho range, perhaps run slap into Foster, and between tho two thero won't bo much left of tho Tontos." All this was very buoyant and reas suring, but women can seo so many possibilities of peril to loved ones at such a time. Somebody was sure to bo killed and several wounded no matter how tho Indians wcro driven. It al ways happened so. Tho troops might win the fight and hold tho ground and drive tho warriors bolter skelter through the hills, but who suffered most? Who got tho worst of tho fight itself? was tho thing which wives and children, mothers and daughters, most considered, and in almost every caso it must bo owned that tho preponderance of dead and wounded lay with tho troops. "Already two of our best uro gone," sobbed an Irish laundress, "and what have wo got to show for it?" "Two killed outright." cried Mrs. Foster, "and ono of them our Rafferty, and now whero is Leon?" Alas! who could say? Leaving Ray mond, his weoping women and anger ing men, let us spur on after Turner and the sorrel troop, by this time near ly half way to tho Sandy Even on fleetest of American horses we cannot J&mLJ V ?? "-? TWO'Xir.r.KD OUTKIGIIT." hope to overtake them until they aro almost within pistol rango of tho wil lows in tho bottom, and when we do tho first platoon is dispersed in wide skirmish lino, tho men riding fivo yards apart. Tho other is in reserve, ready to strike wherever tho foe may bo developed. Only a mile away lio tho old ruins across the Sandy. Only a milo and a half up thero along tho falda, to the northwest, aro tho brown adobo buildings of Kelly's little ranch, Hereaway to tho north, nearly opposito tho gateway of Apacho canyon, through which the Sandy comes brawl ing, towers tho black pyramid of Signal Butte, a thin smoko still float ing skyward from its summit. A dozen times, say the men of tho rescrvo, have they Been Leon's pony tracks on tho way, but not enco sinco passing tho dry arroyo two miles back. Over beyond that strange cone-shaped buttb, so strong a landmark as it stands like a sentry guarding the canyon's gate, the shallow rift in tho Socorro tells whero tho trail comes in from Raton Springs over on tho northeast. Riding at speed until within a milo of tho timber, Turner has been watching with eager eye for any sign of lifo or action, of frioml or foo, from across tho stream, and not so much as wave of flag or blanket, or oven ban dana has rewarded his wistful scrutiny. Kelly's homo is apparently deserted. Tho dismantled walls of tho old post aro now hidden behind tho sheltering fringo of timber clostf to tlju stream. Downey's ranch below is out of sight it behind tho shoulder bluff that shrugs to tho very brink of tho Saudj "Queer," says Thornton. "Not a sign, yet they must havo scon us coming. Look out for every clump of trees or bush ahead there, Turner. Sinco last night's experience I sniff an Indian in every twig." Turner only nods grimly in reply. All along tho skirmish lino tho carbines are advanced, tho men peering eagerly into tho thickets ahead of thorn. Tho road itself winds through tho low bottom and enters tho stream nt a gravelly bend opposito tho walls of tho old quartermaster's corral, but that is a couple of hundred yards further to tho south now. Turner is aiming to reach tho opon ground mid way between Kelly's and tho post, and thereby bo enabled most promptly to lend aid to either. If tho Tontos aro in strong forco and lurking in tho tim ber to give lilma hot welcome, then tho light will bo hand to hand, and that's what ho wants. If, on tho contrary, they aro too weak to match him, then thero is littlo hopo of meting punish ment, for in his own hands tho Apache can only bo thrashed when thoroughly surprised, and ono might almost as well hopo to catch a weasul asleep. Ono hundred yards only to tho timber now, and not a sign from anywhere. Mora slowly, cautiously, tho lino advances, expecting any instant to hear tho crack of tho Indian riflo among tho trees. Tho suppressed excitement of tho men communicates itself through muscles, that pardouably quiver a bit, to tho mottlesomo horses, and these are sniff ing tho hot air suspiciously, with wide oyo and nostrils, and erect, twitching ears shrinking from tho possible am bush ahuad. Then comes a sudden shout from tho reserve: "Look! Look at Kelly's!" And half a dozen horses cower and shy, and, such is tho nervous strain of tho moment, a scoro of hu man hearts bound in young troopers breasts. Somo one thoy can't discover who is waving a shawl or blanket from Kelly's doorway. Some ono elso can be dimly seen lunging out from bohlnd tho ranch and fiercely gesticulating and pointing toward tho rango to tho north. "It's tho old man himself," cries a ser geant. "Thcy'ro all right." Tho next minute, too, waving his hat, a trooper comes spurring through tho willows at tho front and rides briskly out toward tho advancing lino. Men breathe freer at tho sight. "What's gono wrong? Whero arc tho rest, corporal?" queries Turnor, riding eagerly to moot tho coming trooper. "Patohics, sir ran off Kelly's mules and killed his herder and tackled th6 ranch at dawn. They skipped away up the canyon, and tho lieutenant's after them with ten men. He said ho know tho captain would bo coining as soon as the signal was seen. They fired on us, too, sir, but didn't harm anybody. Six of us wcro left to look after the women and children. It's lucky Downey's peo ple had como or they'd all been killed." "Are tho women all safo?" "All safe, sir, but pretty badly scared. They must havo had a close call at Kelly's. The old man wouldn't leavo it last night and Mrs. Kelly wouldn't leave him, but " "Then if you're all safe at the post we'll go right on to Kelly's," said Turner, impatiently. "Assemble on the right skirmisher!" ho shouted to tho lighting lino. "Sound tho trot, trum peter!" and away ho went with his or derly and a few men at his heels to tho point whero tho right of tho lino had just reached tho timber. But Thornton lingered. "How's Mrs. Downey? Did she got her medicine?" ho asked, uneasily. "Mrs. Downey's better sinco tho Indi ans skipped, sir; but I don't lenow of her getting any other medicine." "Didn't Leon get back?" "Not here, sir. Ho may bo up at Kel ly's. Wo didn't suppose he'd attempt to come back after Ferguson and tho other fellers got in hero last night i chasing old Muncey. They must havo run foul of this very baud, sir. Muncey rodo in all by himself, ho said, to warn us and Kelly's peoplo, and was then going" "Never mind him- I hopo tho Apaches havo got him. You aro sure Leon never got back." "Sure, sir. Wo never know ho'd left you." And then Thornton turned and rodo hard to tho ranch. Thero stood tho old sergeant, mopping his red faco and modestly receiving Turner's congratu lations on tho plucky fight ho made in defense of his home; but tho light went out of Kellys eyes when the major burst forth with. "Sergeant, is Leon with you? Did ho reach you in time?" "Leon, sir? I haven't scon or heard of him sinco yesterday. I thought ho was with tho women and children down yonder," and the sergeant pointed to tho old post, his faco paling with grief and apprehension. "I wish to Heaven ho were!" said Thornton, sadly. "Mrs. Downoy was suffering great pain, and tho boy rodo all tho way to us for tho doctor und in sisted on going back with tho medicino. Wo never dreamed at least I didu't of Apaches hero. God grant they haven't got him!" But just then thero rodo up from tho direction of tho canyon Sergt. Chari ton, with sorrow in his sunburned face. "I'm afraid they havo, major," said he, dismounting. "See, hero's tho medi cine phial all wo can find of him and his pony lies dead at tho foot of Signal Butte." CHAPTCU V. It will bo remembered that Muncujy with a fleet horse had probably xu hour's start of his pursuers, possibly more, that ho had dropped in at tho old post long enough to give them warning, and then hi ridden away for Kelly's. "Just as quick as I've warned tho old man I'll come back to you," ho called to Lieut. Crano, who had thanked him somewhat inadequately for the servico rendered. Crano shared tho universal suspicion, perhaps, and disbelieved Muncey's report on general principles. Muncey was spurring off when Crano hailed him: "You must ha?o met Leon a milo or so out. Didn't you turn him back?" And Muncey whirled around in saddle, evidently astonished and for a moment confused. "Leon! Nover saw nothln' of him or nnybody," ho muttered. "Nover know ho was baclc here at least er I didn't know it until I heard a rumor of It to-night." Evidently it wouldn't do for Mr. Muncoy to toll that lio, as it would soon bo known how thoy had been talking but a few hours beforo of Leon's return. "How'd you eomo to lot him go?" ho queried, turning about again and apparently forgetting his urgent mission to Kelly's. "Well, ho nover stopped to ask mo," Bald Mr. Crano, which was very true. "But I can't understand how you TIIOIINTON TUItNKn AND 110D1I HAM) TO TIIK IIANCII. missed each other if you kept tho road. However, go ahead and warn Kolly, and then como back hero and we'll talk about Leon." And Muncey had gono on to Kelly's, but that was tho last seen of him, de spite tho fact that ho gave Kelly to understand that ho must hurry over to Crano again at once. Ferguson und his friends camo galloping in to old Retribution and stirring up tho guard, and they could toll of Loon's safe arrival within easy rango of tho now post, and of their warning him to stay there, but they, too, had xmshed on over to Kelly's, and thence, scoffing at Kelly's story of Muncey's return to the outpost, and tolling him tho man was a liar, which Kelly already know, and a horso thief, which ho moro than sus pected, they had ridden straight back past tho lower gate of tho canyon and made for tho trail to Raton Springs. Whether they had met or had escaped tho Indians no ono could tell. Tho fato of Muncey and his pursuers became for tho timo being a secondary consid oration. Thornton's first offort was to ascertain what had becomo of Leon. T0 DK CONTINUED.! AN EARTHQUAKE. Description of Ono Timt Convulsed tho City of Mexico. Writing from tho City of Mexico to tho Boston Herald, Mr. F. R. Guernsey describes somo of tho queer sensations associated with tho severe earthquake that disturbed that city: Thero is noth ing enjoyable in an earthquake; tho sen sation of a wobbling earth-crust is de structive to one's notions of what a well made and orderly planet ought to bo. To seo one's walls swaying to and fro, to hear tho pictures flapping against the walls, to seo telephone cables swinging liko a dothos-lino of a Monday morning on Capo Cod, and to noto tho electric light poles dancing a jig, all this is disquieting, and con tributes to sudden giddiness and a squeamish sensation at tho stomach. In fact, tho deadly faint and sick feeling in tho digestivo apparatus is what ono notices first of all in an earth quake, and having now had an exten sive oxperienco in theso affairs, I al ways, on fooling giddy and faint, look around to seo if hanging lamps aro not flying to and fro, and things generally dancing. To cap the climax, tho olectrio lights wcro extinguished, owing to tho dyna mos getting out of gearing with tho forco of tho skock, so that tho crowds kneel ing in tho streets felt a pall of thick darkness enshrouding them, and re doubled their entreaties to heaven. Horses drawing coaches fell to the ground unablo to sustain themselves on their feet, and tho mules of tho street curs simultaneously spread their logs and refused to go on. Water was hurled out of fountains, and in somo cases, great iron receptacles of water on tho roofs of houses came crashing down into courtyards with a terrifying and thunderous crash! It wan tho night of El Dia do los Muertos All Souls' day, when peoplo go out to tho oeineterie'j to light can dles nt tho graves of their dead and renew sad memories. Vast crowds wero roturning at tho hour of the shock, and with their Vnludv filled with tho thoughts of another world and with a renewed senso of tho shortness of lifo, they wero doubly ter rified, shouting: "Tho doy of judg ment has -wjuiqI The earth trembles!" UnMM'i' A SILVEft ADDRESS. Tho Chairman of tho National Party Publlshoa an Appoal. Mr. Molt Thinks Amorleium should l.ujr Asliln I'nrty ObllgiitlnnR itiul Voto to llnvo tho U'hltn Mntnl lti- ntorod to Its Old lint to. Washington, Fob. 17. J. J. Mott, chairman of tho national committee of the sliver party, has Issued an address to tho people, tho principal points in which are as follows: As tho necessity of monoy ns n medium of oxclmngo beenmo rovonlcd to tho minds of men, tho two metals llnally ncceptod ns tho most suitable for monoy woro silver and gold. This was natural, bocnuso thoy woro tho two most precious motals adnptod to tho purpose, and woro sunlolontly limited In quantity. Krom this oondltlonof regularordor nnd con tontmont, contributing to thogrndual olovntlon of nil classes of society, tho oxtonslon of civ ilization nnd tho gonornl bottormont of tho human race, this country and tho world hai boon ruthlessly torn. It has boon done by tho rejection of ono of tho prooloua metals lii tho Intorostsof greod, nnd by this not tho monoy changorn hovo been enthroned nnd tho narrow ing of tho scopo of monotlzntton begun. As monotlzntlon has boon narrow oil. monoy has becomo senrcor In proportion, nnd us monoy becamo senrcor prlcos foil In proportion, and falling prices havo boon tho bnno of this world. Itwasprodlcednrtor tho demonetisa tion of silver thnt groat suffering would follow. This sufforlng Is already hero. Prom a con traction of tho ourronoy wo aro now In tho throes of ono of thoso dosporato stages of human exporlonco a period of hoartaeho. ennkor and slcoploss night ns tho foundation of prlcos have crumblod. Obligations resting upon tho supposed llrm foundation of prlco in roady monoy havo crumblod Into dirt ns tho foundation of tho prloo has orumbloit. Tho country Is oonfrontod by a gravo emergency. Long patlonco nnd dlspasslonnto 'reilcotlon has convlncod mo that an Indopondont Ameri can llnanulal system Is absolutely necessary to tho restoration of national prosperity mid tho establishment of commercial conditions In this country that will give tho common pooylo tho agricultural and laboring olassos an equal show with capital and concontratod wealth. How can It bo effected? Tho llrst stop tho ossontlnl prollmlnnry to tho correction of present abusos, tho ro-ostnb-llshmont of national prosperity and tho main tenance of our nntlonal credit Is tho election of a prosldont whoso Androw Jnokson ourago and lnlloxlblo Integrity will defy tho Influences that prostltuto prosldonts and cablnots and malio tho administration of tho government a. subject of humiliation and roproauh. Tho ono hopo of tho pooplo. I am convinced, is In tho oloctlon of a president pledged, un conditionally nnd unrosorvcdly to tho frcu nnd unlimited colnngo 'of sllvor and gold, tho same as from tho foundation of our govern ment until 187.1 And also unconditionally pledged In favor of a national currency, without tho Intervention of banks of Issue, and against tho lssunnco of Intor-cst-bonrlng bonds In tlmo of ponco for any purpose wlntovor. I appoal not only to tho republicans lii mv own stato, who can appreciate tho snorltlco I mako In renouncing party obligations on this question In udvanco of party tuitions In tho premises, but to tho peoplo throughout tho country without regard to party, to co-oporato In this groat non-pirtl-sau. patriotic Amorlcnu movement to sustain tho Industrial and financial lndopondonco of the Unltol States In tho ponding Irroprosslblu conflict. I appeal to themto lay nsldo party feelings, Ignore parly obligations on this social ques tion, disregard party appeals, forgot pnrty contention and spurn tho offer of placo und emolument. Tho porll that menaces tho pnoplo In tho election of a president whoso administration of the government menus a perpetuation of tho present llnanclnl syr.tom can only bo averted by tho peoplo themselves. It may bo too lato four years honeo. Proscnt abnormnl condi tions do not warrant belief In tho pcucoful sub mission of tho pooplo tofurthoropprosslonaud impoverishment. Tho gold gamblers may do rldu tho popular ebullition as a systoln of harm less "socialism," but If thoy aro wise thoy will heed .tho admonition and not porslst in their greed or accumulation, at tho oxpeuso of tho tolling and mirroring pooplo. Tho plain, pnirlotlo duty of every American who loves and honors his country, who would Jealously gu.ird Its Institutions, who would dlo for tho principles that have inado It tho greatest, tho rlchost, the proudest, tho most Indopondont nation on tho faco of tho globe, Is to assort his manhood and subordinate party succoss to tho country's welfare in tho impending conflict. Let us havo this metal monoy restorod and In tho proportions found In naturo'.sstorchouso und as It existed In Washington's tlmo, when tho flag and tho constitution woro fresh and Ood seemed to spcalc to tho people from an opon book, tho men who arc for gold stand togother, mmnttor what party thov bolong to. Thoy huvo control of both the republican und the domoor.ulo pnrtlos. The pooplo In their distress, striking nt entronohod power, knock out llrst ono and then tho other party, but, no muttor which turn Is taken, gold Is upper most. Tho gold loaders are keen, dotormlnod and loyal to tho gold standard. Aro tho sllvor leaders loss dotonnlnud, less Intelligent nnd loss loyal? If thoy uro equal to tho others In thoso qualities, what Is tho muttor with thorn that thoy allow victory uftor victory to bo scored against them, und that, too, when tho silver pooplo in tho country are in tho vast majority. Tho men who blnzod tho way to tho sllvor conrercneo did well. Tho people soo tho cltu dol of their liberties and nro ready for the bat tle. The l'hlllstlnos aro at our doors. To your tents, Q, Israol. SAW FOUR HUNDRED SHOT. A KuniiiH Luwyur Trlln or nil Kxciltlni; Kx purlnncn Wlillo In Culm. Emi'OMA, Kan., Fob. 17. Charles Christy, a young lawyer of Waverly, Coffey county, has just returned from Cuba, whero ho and 10 other Ameri cans, captured in battlo by Spaniards, wero savod by tho American consul. Ho says 400 others captured at tho saino timo woro lined up and shot. Accord ing to his story tho Cub ins havo every thing on tho island excopt Havana, and if tho United States would inter fere thoy would boon havo that city. M'KINLEY FAR AHEAD. Tho Now Yorlc JIurnliV Forecast of tlio Strouvtli of Itpptibllriiii i uniltiliitcH. Nkw Youif, Fob. 17. The Herald prints a forecast of tlio result in tho republican national convention from returns received of delegates elected and an estimate on thoso to bo chosen. It 8iimmnriv.es: "McKinlcy at prcbent' is far in tho lead. Ho is utmost curtain, to rcceivo at least 209 votes on tho first ballot. Reed will como next, with 182. Allison will have 130 und Morton lSL'J i iififiihitmunimi V