The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1885-01-22
CHAPTER v.

v.
Not more thar a week passed until ]
returned with ten men, brave fellows
who had served in the army. Having
secreted them to advantage, I went to
call on Mr.. Jeffries. I saw in an instant
that his daughter had followed my in
structions.
'Come back airter more health, ehp"
said he, with a sly wink at his wife. who
sat in the corner rafting her knitting
needles.
Eyes, and 1 hope that l will find
enough to last me for some time to
come"
81 reckon you are tired. Cap'n. Bet
ter 90 to bed, don't you thinkp"
mo, l have work tonight"
Work." he repeated in surprise.
What work can you do tonight"
II will explain tomorrow. Good
night"
Lentie followed me to the door. Her
tears rolled down my cheek.
l found my men anxious for the fun,
as they termed it. They had not much
longer to wait. We crossed the river
without making a sound. Whex within
a short distance of the cave we halted.
The boys secreted themselves and l adj
vanced. The was shining bright
ly. The old troglodyte sat on his stool.
Seeing me he took up his flute. He was
out of patience with me. His manner
was insulting. Looking around while
talking to him, l saw my men creeping
from rock to rock. Each one was an
excellent shot.
You have been in this neighborhood
long enough" said the old man. Il
don't want you here. l warn you 60"
Suppose 1 don't go?"
Fatal superstition"
why, do you W this countryP"
Don't question me-"
''Old man, l will not leave here!" /
had moved aside and was not standing
directly in front of the ave
He blew a loud, startling note.
A yell came up from the cav A
body of rough men rushed forth. l
lodged behind a rock, and my men
fired. Wild yells arose. Then came a
hand to hand fight. l knocked the old
man down with a pistol, The fight was
desperate. Two of my men fell and
rolled into the river. The ravine rang
with the terrible din. At last the
ruffians, seeing themselves beaten,
sprang into the river. Only a few of
them escaped. The old troglodyte sat
up. Convulsively he tore away the long
white hair and whiskers, revealing the
face of a comparatively young man. We
bound him and entered the cave After
entering the old mans room we noticed
that a rock had been removed, discov-
ering a dark apartment. 1t was a large
distillery. A passage led to the river,
far down the stream. A complete eX.
ploration showed how perfect were
their arrangements.
The old troglodyte proved to be q
once-noted Kansas outlaw. He was
sent back to that State and was hanged.
My men preferred to camp after re
covering the dead bodies of their com
rades. When l returned to the house ]
found Lentie Frustrated from excite
ment. The old gentleman was almost
wild. Then l explained how Lentie
while gathering nuts, had heard severa
men speak of killing me if l ever at.
tempted to go nea the cav again.
wall, this do beat anything I evel
heard about exclaimed the old man
II heard the shootin', an + didn't know
what it vas about, but if muir thai
hadn't hill me I woulder jined in. Wall
blast my stupid shin, l never knowet
that thar was a '%stillery so close. ",
sot here night airter night, sufferin' flu,
a drink, when thar was oceans O. the
stuff in the neighborhood. But say
Cap'n, we KANT stay here no longer
Them fellers what got away will thinl
that l was the cause O. Their downfall
"You pack up and go to tow
with u.s."
Lentie clapped her hands. The OLE
Z lady who had thrown down her knittin,
made a movement toward me, then sa
, down, took up her knitting and rattle'
: the needles. Lentie placed her hand il
mine. l kissed her.
' WALL" said the old man. The oil
lady ratified her needles. ''She's yourn
I reckon" said the old man. Though
so from the fust. Mother, we'd bette
. see about packin' up. Stir your stumps
:. for you're goin' to be a town lady il
I your ole age.'-Opie P. Read, in Arkan
sdW Traveller.
Lucy Stone regretfully admits that
> while women do most of the amateu
playing on pianos, they compaa
ecarnolv apv of tho muoio