Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1882-09-30

~>@-> ~ - 0AOC>L~~AAASAIa G-t4AQ M0LU
even laughings most of them had their
pipes in their mouths. smoking. At q
desk on one side Of the room stooa q
man who was talking loudly to tAess
around him. Every now and thea
Nelly heard the words sSninshiee.@ y
"never give up,S masters and naea, ~
but she could raake nothing ot them.
Week after week the workmen came
to the tent, until Nelly grew 50 aeeas-
toned to their meetings that she scarcely
noticed them. But one day, about ten
weeks after their first meeting, when
the strikers were assembled under the
tent, they talked so loudly and made so
much noise that Nelly elambered upon
the orchard wall again. wandering what
was going to happen. She noticed that
there was no pleasant laughing and
talking, as there had been at frsts In
stead Of which, the men seemed to Nelly
be scolding and shaking their fists at
one another. She tried very hard to
make out what they were saying, bat as
they all spoke at once she soon foana
that impossible. But still she sat
perehed under the ple-tree> until at
last all but two Of their number got NJ
and went away. These two kept their
seats untl the rest had disappeared
down the road. Then they came last
outside of the tent and stood close to
Nelly without observing her
II will not bear it another day. said
one, looking very miserable and angry
"Dly wife and young ones are starving
Can I stand by and see thatR And yet
you tell me to have patieneer
'1t's all Mr.. Wizards fault, BIN
said the other, more quietly, 'lf he
would give in, all the other owaexs
would followhisexample> They always
do"
"well, then" answered. Bill. shaking
his fist, "he shall, if have to kill >kS@
myself"
60 home, Bill, said the Other. IN a
warning voice, ''aEd don't talk R0A-
sense. 1t will come all right in tSnas,@
Then he turned away, and LETT BaN
alone, scowling and mutterings while
Nelly sat on the wall trembling with
fear lest she might be discovered
When Bill thought himself alone he
drew out heavy pistol IRON his pocket.
and Nelly saw him load it and thrust il
into the breast Of his red shut. He
then went back to the tent. aud throw
ing himself upon one Of the benches
appeared to fall asleep
Nelly's fright incteased. SI woaaes,~
she said to herself. s'if he really means
to kill old Mr.. WillardF' Then she
determined to be very brave. What
was best to do she could not tell,
Finally she said to herself, an last
stay where i am and watch
Nelly sat with her eyes fixed On BIM
for long time but he did not stir
until the clock in the Windksn ehareA
struck six; then he stood up and after
looking all around. crossed the road and
climbed the wall that 'inelesed Mr.,
Willard's woods.
"There" said Nellys NOW I know he
means to shoot Mr. Willard
Nelly and every one living near knsw
that Mr.. Willard, the richest factory
owner in Windham, walked tAroaeh
these woods alone every evening, akoat
half past six to the poskef&eeA Mr.,
Willard chose this way to TIE village
because it was the shortest and plsas-
ATTEST.
When Nelly saw Bill climb the wall.
she knew it must be for the purpose q
meeting Mr.. Willard, as the mans Aene
was quite in an opposite 9ireesions 50
she jumped down and followed hl@
quickly. As she reached the apper
stone Of the wall inclosing the wood.
she caught q glimpse Of him harsylRg
toward the road that led 10 the pest
Office. But by the time she had reached
the ground he was gone SSNelly Aew
along without even glaneiRg At the
pretty golden-rod and squawbesFies hat
cleaned yellow and red between the
trees.
At last Nelly gained the wide roaa
and looked around. Something red
lying upon the ground attracted her
attention. After 8 moment she per
ceived that it was Bills red shirt, and
that Bill himself was stretched upon
the ground behind . large sycamore
tree, and he was almost hidden in the
long giass and weeds.
Nelly stood in the path some time,
fearing to pass him, he looked 20 angry
and wicked. Bat she had determined 10
try and see Mr.. Willard before Bill ard
so perhaps save his life At last she
heard something that sounded like =
footstep. This made her forget her
dread Of Bill. and she sprspg past her
hiding place like frightened hare and
never stopped until she reached sEAll
rustic gate that separated the woods
ffom the smooth green lawn sarfonnd,
ing Mr.. Willard's home.
From where she stood Nelly could
see the wide porch Of the 6zovn'stens