The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1880-01-30

near by, and, much to his surprise,
Higgins was arrested.
"Now I come to the unlucky portion
of my story. Howmy share in the fore
going proceedings got about I don't
know, but day or two after this I found
great change in Cormack's manner
toward me. Hitherto he had been hos
pitality itself; now he seemed anxious
to get me to leave his house, though he
was as studiously polite in hiding his
wishes as the most finished gentleman
could have been. Of course, however,
I could not stop longer with man who
was tired of me, and I signiied to him
accordingly my attention of leaving
him. He appeared to me somewhat re-
lieved by the news.
81 dined at Mr.. Ms the night before
my departure, after farewell game of
tennis with the ladies, and did not leave
the house till nearly dusk. As was
walking back to Cormack's 1 noticed
footsteps behind me, and looking
round, saw that I was followed by a
small body of men all armed with
sticks. Not wishing them to come up
with me quickened my pace little.
They did the same, and closed on me
somewhat.
81 had to pass sharp town on the
road. Just as I neared the hedge, and
for the moment lost sight of my follow
ers, saw woman on the other side
close to me. Leaning forward, she said,
eagerly, Run for yer life, sir; its you
they're AFTER Before I could reply she
had sunk down behind the hedge again
as my pursuers came in sight.
I hope, if ever there be any chance of
holding my own, that 1 shall not be
found ready to run away; but when fol-
lowed by dozen men with sticks it is
about the only thing that can be done,
so trust may be pardoned for taking
to my heels.
s'The men instantly followed at full
speed, and for time the pace was hot;
but having still my tennis shoes on, and
being naturally swift of foot, I soon dis
tanced them, and they were good half
mile behind when 1 reached Cormack's
door. "l3H-
"Cormack himself was standing on
the threshold. At one glance he took in
the situation, having probably had some
previous information as to what was 90
ing to happen. With mutttered oath
he seized me by the arm and hurried me
through the house and into the yard at
the back. There was rick of turf there
which had that day been opened, leav-
ing small aperture in the smooth con-
tinuity of its rows.
"'Get in there, SIR said Cormack,
sand you, Pat addressing his son who
was working in the yard when we en-
tered), build up the clamp again, while
I 60 and lock the door. An if ye tell
the boys where the gentleman is, ye're
no son of mine.'
"The case was not one which admit
ted of parleying. got into the rick, and
Pat built up the outside turf with mar
velous celebrity. There was room enough
for air and sound to enter through the
interstices between the sods, but the
dust nearly choked me. However, I
was glad enough of even that refuge
when I heard the storm of curses that
broke from my pursners, as, having at
length burst open the door, they poured
into the yard.
" So help me God!' I could hear
Cormack saying, Il let him out at the
back door, boys. Was I to let the gen.
tleman be murdered in me own house,
an he staying there?'
"Furiously enough, as thought, the |
angry men admitted the plea, but all
now turned upon Pat to know which
way I had gone. He gave them most
minute directions as to the route I had
taken, and, after hurried search of the
house and yard, they started off in pur-
suit.
"When they were out of sight Pat
unpacked me. By this time was al
most fainting from the suffocating dust
and smell of the turf, and was glad to
sit down in the kitchen and have
draught of buttermilk. Meanwhile
Cormack had saddled one one of his
horses and brought it round to the
door.
"'Get up on that horse, SIR said he,
'and ride as hard as you can to the
police-station at Bally-; it's the only
place yell be safe in, after this. I'll