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About The Nebraska advertiser. (Nemaha City, Neb.) 18??-1909 | View Entire Issue (May 25, 1906)
MARION'S By MAJOR J. H. CHAPTER XIII. (Continued.) I "If that Is tin- case, I shall make HIh Mnjost.y lln.' subject of my powerful pray ers," re turned .lob, earnestly. "Do ho, liy nil means; they'll have a great effect, no doubt. Hut I trust you will be willing to light for lilm, mm well m to pray for lilm?" "VeHly, I oiinnot fight with tlie carnal weapons of human warfare; hut I wrestle despentely In prayer. My houI dolight cth In pence," said Dawson. "What may I call the name of hiicIi nn exemplary, ploun and conscientious young gentleman?" asked Ferguson. "I am willed .Totham, and my Hiirname In Stcbblns," replied Job, and then added, "May I aHk the nnme of ho noble-looking nn olllcer nH you seem to be?" "My nnme Is Ferguson, and I nm call ed colonel, which you may call me," re plied Ferguson, mimicking thu singing ntylo of Dawson. "Then thou art that mighty man of valor of whom I have heard ho much, and whose fame Ih trumpeted throughout nil thin hind. Verily, thou art one of the valiant ones, but I like not thy trade. And Ih it not written, friend Ferguson, that those who take the nword tdull per ish by the Home, instrument of death 7" "Are there any Whigs where you came from, honest Jothain7" imid the colonel with much nonchalance. "Verily, friend Ferguson, they have been scattered abroad like sheep upon the mountains of Israel," replied "simple Jot ham." "Did you ever hear of one Francis Marion, pious Mr. Stcbblns?" continued the colonel. "I havo heard of his deeds, and he'n a man of blood," said "pious Ktcbbins. "It hath been nqwrted In my hearing within the last hour that he is in n large swamp on the Santee river, hard pressed by Major Weniyss, who hath resolved on his destruction." "This Is Important news," continued -the colonel to Dlx. "Do you think the report of Marlon's being on thu SanU'e, under the circumstances you have name", can lie relied on, Mr. Stebblns?" "I had it from one whom I consider as one of the salt of the enrth," was the Teply. "If I hear anything more about Francis shall I tell thee?" inquired Daw son. "Of course, .Totham, by all means; but you must keep your mouth tight as a powder horn In relation to what you see and hear at this place; ant as you are a stout, able bodied man, I advise you as n friend to join these loyal and peaceful ly disposed people In defending the rights of the excellent king to whom these North American provinces owe allegiance." "If I really thought it wasn't wrong," nam Job. Col. Ferguson thereupon assured him that It was not wrong. "I'll thluk of It, friend," added Job, "and if I should conclude to go up to battle with the kings Israel, I shall as suredly smite the evil-doers, hip and Jhlgh, but not with carnal weapons, for my soul lovetli not t no sound of the t rum pet, and I have no pleasure In the neigh Jng o: war steeds wlien they prepare them for battle." It was now the hour of sunset, and until twilight had given place to the night the g'gantJc figure of Job Dawson was neen moving slowly about among the To ries, Marlng at everything he saw with clownlhh curiosity. It might have leen remarked also by a close observer that tiie Quaker was often near Ferguson and Dlx, nnd though the parties Hpoken of frequently changed their position, he usu ally managed, although In a manner calcu lated to appear wholly Incidental, to es tablish the same relations between them and himself. It vns natural thnt Cyrus Dlx should be confidential with the colonel ; he grew eminently so. lie even talked of Kate Martin, and related the substance of his past Interview with her and her father. "When Dlx mentioned the pastor's nnme Ferguson remarked that he was n dan gerous man, and unless he became more cautious about disseminating his rebel lious sentiments It would be imperatively uecesi-nry to resort to rigorous measures with him. He heard from good authority that he had preached exciting and per nicious sermons, which had Incited many of tho misguided people of lloeky Creek to take arms and join Marlon's brigade. Dlx answered that the rejiort was en tlrcly true, Inasmuch as Mr. Martin had dono more than most persons were aware of in tho Whig cause, and in that respect was the most dangerous man in that sea tlon of tho country. Dlx added, moreover, that in the event that Kate should prove capricious, be intended to noften her to his wishes by proceeding to extremities with her rebel father, and tho colonel might rely on him to keep the inflamma tory doclalmer Rt 111. Son after this conversation Job Daw- eon dmapiMjared from the Tory rendez vous; nnd the awkward young man was peon no longer gazing in wondering npa thy at the preparations for war. CIIAPTRR XIV. Mnry Adair recovered her coosclous ness lu n short time, and ns she was still trembling with excitement, Ruth Insisted thnt she should return instantly to the house. On the way thlthor Mary re Sated the particulars of what had just IranHjilred the sudden appearance of the Tories and the danger .to which Haw thornc had been exposed. f''-'llcre in n secret for woman's curl islty to unravel," suld Ruth, playfully. 'Who jh this Lewis Hawthorne of whom frou have been speaking? i Mary Adair colored, and Miss Strlck- BRIGADE ROBINSON land kindly forbore to press the subject. When the two young ladies had reached the house the recent adventure was made know i to Mrs. Strickland, who had been onsld. rably alarmed by the tumult which she had heard, without knowing the. ex act position of affairs. WjIIo proper explnnatloiiH were being made, the parties were ngain thrown Into some xeilcnient by the sound of prolong ed shouting at a considerable distance. I'o hnMVti outside Into the open air was an Impulse quickly felt and obeyed by each. "I can nee Cunningham's men, said Until. "They are still near the spot where Iiewis was in such danger," added Mary Adair. "TJit re seems to lie something unusu ally xeltlng taking place," remarked Mrs. Strickland. "I;t us walk forward In thnt direction." The parties proceeded a few hundred yards and again paused. "Porlinps," suggested Ruth, "they are Interring the body." "Ann It Is possible," added Mary, In an agitated voice, "that they have Ix?wls Ilawti'orne." "Heaven forbid!" exclaimed Mrs. Strickland, "for the wretches show no mercy." At itiat Instant Ruth uttered a pierc ing sh.iek ard clung convulsively for sup port. 'I'o the earnest Inquiries of the latter, and the sympathetic Mary, she rc- sjMind"d only by sighs nnd tears. At length she was able to exclaim : " Pis he! 'tis he!" '"T.s who?" cried Mary, whom Ruth's exclamations had placed on a rack of suspei.se. F.nstall !" replied Ruth, with a shud der. "I should know him among a thou sand." Mrs. Strickland nnd Miss Adair looked anxiously and steadily toward the group of iie -ions. Roth felt sick at heart when their uorst fears were confirmed. I hey beheld Forstall In that awful position when eternity seems to ojhmi upon the sens". so narrowed down are the limits of metal existence so brief the space betwc.'i the two worlds. The beholders' cheeks grew pale, nr.d they gazed into each other's eyes, and at Ruth, in speechless agony of spirit; for it is a dreadful spectacle to look upon the extent ion of a fellow-being under any circumstances ; and the pain is inconceiv ably uihanced when the sufferer is a friend and a martyr to some high and holy cause. . Mrb. Strickland endeavored to shut out the fearful scene from Ruth, but the lat ter put her gently aside and strained her eyes in the direction of the tragic pro cecdinjr. "Why do we remain here inactive?" she exclaimed at length. "Why do we not hasten forward and entreat the mis crcants to spare his life?" "Alas! before we could pass over half the distance, the horrible drama will be closed, the young man will then be no more, returned tlie mother. "j.et us pray. Ruth." The three sank to their knees as If m United by a single will, and .Mrs. Strick land prayed earnestly and tearfully. Her supplvatlons arose strong nnd pure, up borne on tho celestial wings of all-con qucring faith. i ll" low, lervent voice oi prayer was inter'dpted by one louder and harsher than the clnng of n brazen trumpet Stiaighten up, you tarnal critters. Strik home, I tell you!" Plio parties sprung to their feet nnd looked toward the spot from which they had just turned with sickened hearts.' What an unexH'cted sight met their as tonistied vision ! They saw n party of horsemen, headed by u tall man, dnsh with the speed of lightning nnd the din of rolling thunder, into the group of lory miscreants, busy with the work of murdfr; they beheld, ns if by a divine in- terpoMtlon, tho wretches scattered and blasted before the inietuou;t onset of Capt. Uawes. tut 'em down, I tell you!" shouted the lender, the tones of his stentorian voice aiming afar, making the hearts of his enemies quiver with the horror of death "Tarleton's quarters, no mercy!" were .he stern words that again resounded through the hills and vallevs. "See how the dreadful foe is scattered." icmarked Mary earnestly. "Forstall is free; he joins in the pursuit. How chang ed is t'xi scene! What a wonderful re verse ! Ruth pressed Mary's hand in silence and fie color once more mounted to her cheeks "There goes Calney and Cunninghnni," added .Mrs. Strickland. "They are lean- 'ug fences and ditches to evade pursuit, They will escape their just deserts." In a few moments not an enemy was to be seen. Capt, Hawes had swept the field and proved himself a bold and In- trepid leader. The Idast of a bugle recalled the "tar- nal critters" from the sanguine chase, for the captain prudently remembered that he was to join the brigade as soon ns possible In order to be present nt the an ticipated surprise. His men were soon gathered nbout him, Hushed with tho pride and excitement of victory. "Neighbors and patriots !" said Hawes, "you have done yourselves Immortal hon or, inuividually, rcHpectlvdy and collec tively. The great heart of humanity will beat with new life when the history of your gallant conductions shall be gener ally promulgated throughout the airth, and at Rocky Creek, where many of you was cradled in the earliest Binges of ex- Istenc . This Is a mighty smart day In the annals of our country. My feejm n rush a'ong with the tremenjoiis sped of a wild hnrrycjine, and the power of an un tamed avalanche. Thnt colt is ifancin' up and I'iwii agin J .lone, mind your fall iii'h oi I'll have you arrested! The en iny's vhipt; he feels as though he'd been struck by a thousand acres of electric t'tild, tiiMiufacturcn into the spryest kind of llghtnin' known to iuqiitrin' mind?. We s'i.iII ride back to the brigade curry In' tlr Houl-choerin' news of nn nll-nVd lus!-:" '.Iiinrs Is throwd again!" Interrupted Oorpo'ul Higglns, as the captain paused to take his breath. Tlie military chief tain cast a reproachful look at the still nitsgiii'led Jones. I hope nothln' will transpire," he said, to mar the splendor of this afternoon's nchic wments. Jones, If you must make nn iha of yourself, do It when I ain't niakh a speech. Pitchin' aliout in that way 's a bad habit to get into. Glue you wit to that colt agin instantly, and throw no more double summersets in the ranks. Sergeant Davis, prick Jones n little with your toad sticker. Mr. For-1 stall, I see you're all-sufficient wistful to'nnls that group of fermernlne sped mints out yonder. I'll wait for you six mlnuf's and a few seconds, while you go and irive 'em your blessin'." Forstall gladly availed himself of thin perm's.Nlon, and in a moment reined up his home beside Ruth Strickland. Though still tailoring under the excitement of the Jaie proceedings, ForstalFs old em barrament returtved as soon as he found himself in the presence of the maiden In whom he felt so deep an interest. When a few words of general import had lxen exchanged, Mrs. Strickland re marked that it was necessary she should return to the house, and liegged to bo excused, trusting that Mnry and bet tnugiiM-r would more than make good her absMieo. ''he elder lady walked away; and in a moment nfter when Frank turned from Ruth to Miss Adair, he discovered that she was nt a considerable distance from u m lid his fair companion. 1 ii.iugh the opportunity of being nlonu with the Interesting being beside him was wiutt lie had eagerly desired, yet when that condition actually existed, he was wholly unprepared to improve it. When Ruth jierceived that her mother and Mniy had suddenly vanished, she was painfully confused. For-'all could not think of a single appropriate remark to hazard under the circumstances. Contrary to the generally estabiisied precedent In such cases, the maiden was the first to break the silence, which had become awkwardly embarrass- In,:. "A most fortunate escape," said Ruth. "Yes, perhaps providential. I had giv en up all thoughts of deliverance from tlw unfortunate and ignominious position In which 1 was placed," he replied, with eon-dilernblo hesitation of mannur. Your friends will rejoice that so divadf jl a tragedy was averted," added Rurli, moving slowly toward Mary Adair, and feeling most keenly that she was placed In a position thnt might easily bo inis ontrucd. She resolved to prevent a possibility which should be so humiliat ing, and instantly called to Miss Adair, saying that Mr. Forstall and herself de Kite J tier company ; and Mary turned and .'ii, ue slowly toward them, apparently I'uiinj. to be wholly absorbed in her own though'?. M ss Adair is n charming young lady, Mis. Strickland, but when I have tho happiness to be near you, I do not feel tV want of other other " Hurry up hurry up!" shouted Capt. Hawes. "I can't allow you but a few minut"s longer. We've got to lick anoth er itwnsliip ot Tories to-nitrht. you know." " on are aware that we have been rc- lunini.'d for a long period, Miss Stride land, and that I naturally naturally Fo stall stopped, and vainly endeav ored I 3 recall ami embody the Idea which a" ";. when he commenced, bide her own embarrnssnient, Ruth asked i'rnnk if he knew Lewis Haw thorne: to which inquiry he replied in the ta'gn'i TI.e times are so so precarious, that it is very hard to tell when I may set yon asain. and therefore therefore" added Frank, failing entirely to come to the point. 'Ti.cn you don't know Mr. Haw thorne?" said Ruth. No,' stammered Forstall, wholly un nerved. "I had hoped that the friend ship that has subsisted subsisted I" the excitement of tlie moment. I have neglected to refer to my father's imprisonment. Have you yet learned any thing in relation to the general treatment and condition of the prisoners taken nt Camden?" asked Ruth. "I li'ivo not yet been able to gather any Infori'intion in regard to the prisoners, thnt would be of particular interest to you but be assured that I havo not yet forgotten the promise which 1 made at our last interview. It is probable that many of the unfortunate will be sent to Clufiestown for safe keeping. Should Mr. Strickland be among the number, there is a prospect that something may be -lone to set him at liberty; an event which I greatly desire, because it will add to Mie happiness of one in whom " "Come along, Forstall; we've stralght- eneu dp to start!" shouted Capt. Nick. "Give her your benediction, and don't let the grass grow under your horse's feet," rarcvell, Ruth, nam rrank, reluc- tantly. "Mist you go bo soon?" she ysked. "Duty forces me from the sjiot where I would linger forever," Forstall answer ed, nrnestly. "Attention, tho hull! right nbouUface!" cried Pawes. Fiank turned slowly away from Ruth, nnd she bade him adieu In a low voice. "March!" added the captain, and For stall vut spurs to hli horse and gal loped hwiftly after the men of Rocky Creek. (To b continued.) A Timely IMen. "What Is your defense to the charge of stealing this watch?" Htcruly nsked the Judge of the prisoner. "I merely wanted to gain more time," pleaded the prisoner. "In that case," renmrked the judge, "I will give you more time thim you could gain yourself nnd provide you with nil the wntelies you need. Five yours." Rnltlniore American. A (Joint Kxc'UNC. The Man Why did you kick my dog? The Kid Cos he wuz mad. The Man He wasn't mad. The Kid Well, he wuss after I kicked him all right. MlnuiHlei-Mtonil. "They struck gold in the ledge a good many feet under Rroadway where they are drilling for the foundation of n New York skyscraper." "In quartz?" "Oil, no, there was scarcely a pinch of It." Cleveland Plain Dealer. TlioiiKht He hint lilm. Rill Thought you said those cigars were from Havana? Jill So they are. P.lll Why, It says "Colorado" on the box. Yonker's Statesman. NOT SUCH The Parrott They say "Shakspeare never repeats." The Owl (disgustedly) Well, Shakspeare wasn't a parrot. A JMiikesliirt. The danger of sending telegrams is Bhown in tho following story : A mem ber of parliament was to have made a speech at Derby, and being unable to do so because the heavy rains had de stroyed the branch railway sent a tele gram as follows: "Cannot come; wash out on line." In a few hours the reply came: "Never mind; borrow a shirt." New York Tribune. II In Grievance. Bettle Why are you so opposed to the Hmnll families of the rich? Rertle Our millionaires haven't daughters enough to go around. Jant I.Ike it linn. Rleeker If you ure troubled with the toothache so often, I'd think you would consult a dentist. Meeker I did call on one the other day and 1 certainly experienced great rillef. Week or Did he pull tlie tooUi? . Meeker No; he wasn't In. C'((liif4r Ilcnily. Mrs. Racon WMiere's your husbnud?r Mrs. Egbert In the other room tin der the sofa. Mrs. Racon What It) the world! la he doing under the sofa? Mrs. Egbert Why, he's going to get. tin automobile next week nnd he wnnfc to get used to It before It comes! Yotilters Statesman. CluiiiKcnlilc. She "Now, what would you say Is the color of your wife's hair?" He "I don't know; I haven't seen: her since morning." Yonker's States man. No Clinncc to Utilise Them. "Tills paper says the house commit-) tee that has the pure fowl hill in eharga will permit the use of preservatives." "They wouldn't be of nny ubo at our house. We eat the food so fast there's no chance to preserve iL" Cleveland Plain Dealer. Tlie Itiiilu Tliliipr. He ran his fingers through his hMr. "Hold on," he said, "I'll show you the proofs of my novel." Rut the other lingered not. "No, no," he said. "I don't need proofs. Your word Is enough." Phil adelphia Rullctin. One of tli Sot. Kind Lady And you say your bluef blood has often been recognized? Gritty George Sure, mum. Why, onet time de brnkemuu threw me off ub Palm Beach. Puck. St rim kin Xmv, Clara He says my singing is supe rior to that of any girl he knows. ' Maude Poor fellow! It's a pity he, is unable to extend his acquaintance. ' A TALKER. IMfiitlfnl Supply. "What are you doing, Harker?" "Why, it Is so chilly In these flats t thought I would let up some hot air." "Rut that Is the speaking tube tho Janitor uses when he calls up here." "Well, I suld I wanted somo 'hot air,1! didn't I?" After tli Service. The Minister That was n vnthen long sermon I preached this morning, my dear. Do you think It met with tho approval of tho congregation? Ills Wife I suppose so, Aimer. I no tlced they were all nodding. One Mourner Left. Her I suppose Mrs. Wedagaln has ceased to mourn thu loss of her lirst; husband. lilm Yes, I suppose so, but I under stand her second husband hasn't. Henri Oume. . Gunnel' They say, desplto their lethargleness, the people of PhlladeN phlu ure dead game sports. Guyer I should say they are dead game sport. They still play plng- pong. Why li IVim 8nd. "You ure looking sad. Does the sight of the waves bring up memories?" "No, It isn't that. I fear that their motion Is going to bring up something else." Houston Post. A Hint. "Steward, what makes thlH ship tip so much?" "I do not know, sir. Maybe she la setting an example to the passengers. Cleveland Leader. Open to K u K'1 It ,u " Fttlr Worshliier Are you married, Mr. Greenroom? Fascinating Member of "The Prufes slon" Oh, dear, no; but my wife Is., The Tatler.