Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1885-03-21

q week, SettlnS IulnSS W n1s-
Mr.. Mumps, in mild form, has
been paying his compliments to the
youngsters Of this village during the
past month. Thirty-fve pupils of the
graded school were on the sick list at
one time.
Mr. Huff, resident OF our village,
received dispatch while in Edin-
burg, of the illness of his wife. He
Immediately started for home, making
the drive, ifty-fve miles, in 8 hours.
Some miscreant ours visited the
sheepfold of Mr. Jas. N. Mcdonald,
recently, and killed three valuable
sheep. Farmers, provide yourselves
with plenty of bells and shot gun.
The pleasure season, which has
been one of unusual enjoyments, cul-
minated last week in one of the most
BIZ. liant of entertainments, given by
Thomas E. Barrett in compliment to
Miss Bessie Sencindiver. Ransom's
String Band, from Brucetown, furn
ished excellent music. A splendid
collation. was served at the rsual
time and the dancing continued until
The wee sma' hours Friend Thomas
is an excellent host and his lady
knows how to take care of the house
hold.
Our venerable q. s. Gauger, Mr..
JOS. Barry, had quite fright the lat
tor part Of last week, and but for bis
presence of mind and pru. mt brave
~, might now be in the rec ms where
"Internal Revenue is no more" Mr..
Barry received through the mail
nicely wrapped package, which he
naturally conjectured contained some
touching memento of kind remem-
braGee. Who can picture the smile
that illuminated the old gentleman's
countenance as the words of the poet
fitted through his mind: "Do they
miss me at home.n A tear, beautiful
tribute to memory's shrine, coursed
his cheek and dropped like pearl,
unseen on the now beloved package.
Wrapping it carefully in the skirt of
his cloak, he repaired to his lodging
and began to pry off the lid. Cap
tain Jos. Chapman, who was present
and has a versatile mind, suggest
ed care, that this was the age when
dynamite stalketh abroad. Instantly
the tender reflections are forgotten.
All anticipations of neckties, perfum-
cry OF silk hapdkerchiefs are obliter
ated, while with yell and bound,
the rheumatic u. S. official vacated
the premises. Mr.. Lyle politely re-
quested the now thoroughly frighten-
ed man to please come back and
take the darned thing" with him.
He summoned courage to comply
and fortunately conceived an idea as
ingenious as it was prompt. He APP
piled to A. D. Tate for Irvine. Andy
told him, with batting eyes, certainly,
take all the Irvine in the store, but
for heavens sake, hurry and remove
that imp of hades to some other To-
cality The old man suddenly found
himself an outcast where he had once
been so welcome. Sorrowfully, he
gathered up box and about mile of
string, and slowly wendell his way
from the habitation of men. Arriv-
ing at secluded spot behind Hill,
he secured the box to arock, carefully
tying the string to the lid in such
way that when the string was pulled,
off would come the lid. Everything
being arranged, he hastily repaired
\ to point about quarter of a mile
J East, in the direction of Harper's
Ferry. Bracing himself behind a
sturdy oak, he pulled the string 1t
came with jerk-he gasped, thrust
his thumbs into his ears and mot a
sound was heard, not funeral note;r
all was impressive silence, save the
beating of his own heart. After
tremblingly waiting two hours he
cautiously peeped over the hill. There
lay the mysterious box, minus the lid
y Another delay and the brave man
ventured near enough to see quietly
Proposing in its downy bed, a cart
ridge with the ominous word across
the end Dynamite. Horror of hor-
rors, another stampede. With due
caution and plenty of water the thing
was supposed to be rendered harm
less and the victim proceeded to
more closely investigate. He picks
up the cartridge with many winks
)and blinks, turns it over and smelled
it, when-"It's putty by jingo.' fell
from his whitened lips. Different
from the P o. tears dropped from
But we draw the veil over a scene in
(which about an acre of earth was
plowed up in vain endeavor to
Stamp out an unseen foe. VAN.