Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1883-05-18

AcI Acdu very DIIi6 Will the Otu6I SEX
Not but that l had admirers.
But they were limited in quantity and
coarse In quantity. 1 mean rough;
manly enough, but lacking in that re-
finenent which a young girl in any
rank of life always long for, and with
sometimes sad results. Anyhow, the
bold young fisherman who made sheep
ish cvertures to my formidable self ex-
cited nothing On my part but polite
amusement. and was quite whole.
was very happy, had wonderful APP
petite, and sound in wind and limb,
and perhaps, young people, you have
to thank the rough freedom Of my
early life for the excellent constitu-
tions which you now enjoy.
On 3 certain day in September, when
was nearly seventeen years of age,
my grandfather being absent ON one of
his expeditions, and expected back at
night, set off for one of the long ram
bles in the country which / was in the
habit of taking when he was away. As
/ was not allowed to go off in this fash
ion when grandfather was at home I
made big day of it, starting immed-
lately after breakfast, and, taking some
bread and meat with me for dinner, |
rambled much further than 1 intend
ed, lost my way more than once, and
the night was coming apace when re-
turned. Tired and footsore, was tax.
ing a short cut over the heathery cliffs,
| where was only narrow track made
by the sheep, when amidst my dreamy
anticipations ofsupper and bed came
the recollection of a little serge bath
ing suit, which | had meant to fetch
in the morning in order to repair it.
The little cave where / kept it was
among the rocks of the Point, and
from where 1 was, being already on
the seaward side of the village, it was
not far distant. So Istepped out brisk
ly and soon came to the little gully or
ravine in the rocks which led to my
cave, up which, in 1.-THE course of the
night, our smuge ed features would be
stealthily conveyed. Carts used to
stand at the upper end of it to take
them away.
slipped into my cave, felt for my
dress and found it, and too lazy Just
then to face the ascent up the gully
again, stood gazing out to sea and won
dering where my grandfather was at
that moment. Then | turned home
ward. had got about third of the
gully, which was very dark, when /
heard strange sound. stopped to
listen. 1t was not the scream of sea-
bird, nor the moaning of the sea. 1t
came down the gully and drew nearer,
beat, beat, with a little, very distinct,
jingling sound. 1t was the tramp Of men
\ o1t. II e 90 ~ r
never seen any, but l guessed what
they were. In moment I had scram-
bled cautiously up the rocks and hidden
behiGd ledge. | crouched perfectly
still, with every sense ON the alert.
Suddenly the measured tramp ceased,
and presently two men came slowly
down the gully, talking in low voices.
They wore long cloaks, and their weap-
ous jngled as they walked. They pass
ed me and stood at the lower end of
the gully. The air was still, and | could
hear every word they said.
"This is the place, SIR" said the big
ger and stouter of the two. "The goods
are landed q little to the left of here,
carried up the gully, and received at
the top by the carts. The carts stand
WDcr6 we came down.
The other, who by the ease of his
bearing and the defence of the big man,
took to be an Office, had 81 paper In
his hand. He looked around him, evil
IDENTIFY taking in the features of the
place.
There won't be any carts tonight,
sergeant" he said in q pleasant voice.
"The people in the village know We are
hCre and will be sure to warn them. I
hope they won't manage to warn the
man we want"
"Not they, sir" answered the ser.
gent. mot boat can leave the harbor
without its being stopped by our men,
snd not man can leave the village and
come in the direction of the Point if
you post the men as venture to sug-
gest." Here the conversation became
inaudible for moment. "a man at the
top of the gully, Sir, and the others at
intervals on the seward side of the
village. You and |, sir, to manage the
signals down here, and then | step up
to the man at the top Of the gully, one
calls in another, and we are all down
here ready to receive them"
"By all means" said the officer: "and
as you know the place and don't, you
had better post the men. By the
way" he added, scanning The paper in
his hand and holding it close to his
eyes, Eat 1890 / think it is the signal.
You understand that, don't yoa?"
The sergeant produced something,
probably lantern, from under his
cloak, Here is the signal, sir"
Then we're right. Now post the
men."
The sergeant saluted and clanked up
the gully, while the officer walked
slowly toward the water and stood On
the edge-some distance from me, for
the tide was getting low with his
head bowed and his hand clasping the
paper behind his back-I ventured to
breathe freely again, and bsgan to re-
view the situation. What did it all
meat? 1t meant that the authorities
had got wind of my grandfather's do
incs and had sent this detachment OF
soldiers to take him in the act. 1t
must be grandfather, because there
was no one else ia the village likely to
be aimed at. And if they caught him,
what theu? What was this form of
words that kept ringing in my ears
over and over again? Transportation
for life" What was that2 1t was no
uncommon punishment" l had heard,
for q smuggler taken, rs my grand,
father was, red han led. For q mo-
ment the hope flashed into nay head
that he might not come that night. But
no; the wind was light and not unfs.
vorable, there was no suggestion Of
fortunate Storm in the sky, and knew
that our friends with the wagons had
arranged to come and that all was in
readiness. My heart sank within me
as thought of my old grandfsther's
gray hairs dishonored in the selon's
dock-for l had once seen a man
tried-an4 his kind old face bidding
me farewell forever. l bowed my
head on my hands and longed to cry.
Suddenly raised my head and my
heart beat with loud resolve. would
save himl Yes, Il The skill that
had attained for my own needless
pleasure should be put to stern pur-
pose. My resolve was this. When
the lugger showed her signal in answer
to that trescherous one from shore,
would swim out to the buoy and keep
myself aaoat at the entrance Of the
channel until could hail our people
and warn them of their danger.
II 81 I