Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1886-11-20

demand your release OF that man. was the
reply.
Ats the , gal at Prattsr' said a voice,
which / recognized as Long Macs
The ghost was laid The committee felt
somewhat easier. Still this was serious iu-
terruption TO business
Miss, we amt agoing TO do the young
man any hurt said one of the committee,
the readiest at recovering his wits. "We're
only here for a sociable little time and"
"'That's lieln came from Blanche's lips
with vigor which savored of her piratical
uncle
miss. now you'd better 60 home," said
Long Mac, in the tone he would have as
sumed toward child. '"rhis Is no place for
you. wonder you dare resk yourself in
these woods, where there's bears and Cali
forny lions
Bears" answered Blanche, contempt
uously "All bears are not grizzlesl
know you mean that man some mischief.
Now, release him"
"Shan't do it,n roared a gruff voice go
home yourself Ef you was my wife or
darter I'd start ye blamed quick where ye
belong. Go about yer biznessl"
That's just what am doing" replied
Blanche
She had weapon from tho folds of her
dress in twinkling, its shining barrel flash
ing by the freight before the eyes of the as
tonished party below
1.-THE first man of you that moves his hand
fer his weapon and I'll fire into the crowd"
said she. II think can handle this pistol
well enough for that. They called me good
shot at the gallery in New York, and had
smaller targets and much farther off than
those have now"
"By - she's got the drop on us, an she'll
do as she says" muttered one OF the COM
mittee, who now seemed to feel uncoInfort-
able; "it's in her eye."
As the party stood with the fire burning
behind them, their figures were thrown in
bold relief against its light, and tho least
movement was visible to Blanche.
NOW, gentlemen" she continued. "busi-
ness, you know. / suppose you think this is
all very wrong for woman But as there
seems no man here to take a defenseless
mans part, why, a woman had to do it.
Whatever John Holder has done whether he
be guilty or not of the charges against him,
is not to be found out by taking him from
his bed at night and carrying him into these
WOOuD w Aiatblc1u unu tOAAuA6 HILL Anitb ,
neither justice, fairness, nor decency,
and you gentlemen know 1t now
that you take a moment to think II
over. Would you do what you propose
to do to him before his motheri
Would you do 1t before your own mothersi
You have forgotten yourselves. gentlemen.
Kick over that kettle of tar and go home,
and you win feel more like men tomorrow.
The committee were irresolute. Blanche
stood there rigid, her eye upon them and her
| pistol ready.
The tension was becoming painful No
| jury's verdict was ever more eagerly
| awaited.
Come, gentlemen, you win take the gas
from that mans mouth and then leave him,
she said, In accents more winning than those
in which she had first spoken. You will I'm
sureln t..
Let the gal have her own way" said one
| This expression Of opinion was as the first
| crack in the dam to be undermined.
Don't believe in bein' humbugged by q
woman" was the remark from the commit
teeman, who had previously preached hi
| rigorous views as to marital and family dis
cipline.
| won't she rouse the whole Bar whether
we go or nota Anyway, I've got enough fol
one night" was the reply.
She did not stir from her post or uncoci
her pistol. Evidently she held herself il
leadiness either for war or persuasion.
Some one pulled the gag from my mouth
The committee filed slowly out of the hol
low One hastily returned, remarking as b,
| glanced up at Blanche "'Scuse me, miss, but
/ ma fo.~o% +hio Ha casuad +ha Io,..{s,i.
| and bore it of.
'Mr. Sefteri Mr.. Sefterir called ou
Blanche.
Setter forgot his disguise and stopped
| why, it is really you, Mr.. Setter" sale
Blanche. Setter pulled himself up for an
other start, as IL he was anxious to get away
from the locality of SO many laundering self
revelations. Mr.. Setter, when next yol
| organize a conspiracy remember that tn,
walls of cloth houses near together have very
large ears-that is, when womans insid
one Of them," was Blanche's parting remark
"Yes'm," answered Setter, in the tone of
corrected child, as he went stumbling of
with the demijohn.
They were gone. Blanche and myself stoo,
facing each other. The situation was embar
RAISING Perhaps some lingering fend of lir
spirit with the committee popped into m,
head the thought: Should | now exclaim Il
the gush of the old-fashioned novel, my pre-
server How can / thank your etc. wa
irritated now at being saved" by Blanch
Seton.
But had soon to do something notices
that Blanche was unsteady on her feet Sh
caught at sapling, stood there a moment
and then sat down
She was suffering from the ordeal she ha
undergone and the nervous relaxation tina
must follow such extreme tension.
gained the cliff summit. She was weak
almost unable to stand, and said on my profile
of assistance: ''You must see me home,
believe"
t. he Continued.