Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1888-05-05

Inc horse seemed spirited. or else not
properly guided. All, the driver ought not
to use whip in such a situation as this
Good heavens! the horse had become IN
manageable. A man, il was Bales himself.
and woman had been struck by the shafts
and rolled under the feet of the horse, who
was now rearing and plunging. uLile the
crowd scattered in all directions with screams
and curses.
Under the very wheels of the carriage lay
a woman stunned and helpless from the blow
she had received Instant death threatened
her, when a mans form rose suddenly out of
the dust under the horses iron shoes and
caught the excited animal by his bit, The
crowd gathered in more closely than ever,
while q dozen hands dragged out the old wo-
man from her terrible situation and wiped
the dust from her white, CHASTITY face. The
orator had ceased his eloQuence, and all dan
ger of accident seemed now ayerted, so
Philip Breton, was passing on his way.
But Bertha for the occupant of the car
riage was no other than she, found her way
| blocked in all directions by an angry mob
"Pull her out, scarlet face" screamed the
women. Tear her pretty rags off from her.
The barefooted children threw earth at her;
lean, dirty fingers plucked at her delicate
skirts. How dared they touch her she
shrank from the pollution of contact with
such creatures as these, with a terror that
would be inconceivable to man. She saw
them gather around the FESTIVE horse, who
seemed as impatient of their touch as she;
they were beginning TO undo his harness. In
another moment she would be lost But the
horse was strong, could he not break through
thems She did not care how many he should
trample to death; she would rather, thou
sand times rather, die herself, than endure
their insulting touch. But q rough hand
caught the whip from her grasp; the crea-
lures impaired nails hurt her; another hand
was on her shoulders: and vile words, whose
min cha ~ ono
Her heart grew sick; oh, she prayed God
would not LET her faint; oh, not now oh, not
now-yet her vision seemed failing, she could
not see the horses head, and the terrible in
suits the people hurled at her grew indistinct,
like roaring of many waters in her ears
But she saw hideous faced bag reach her
bare, brawny arm into the carriage and clutch
at her feet; they were lifting her out. But
hand like iron flung the virago back.
"Stand off. 1t is my wifelo The mill own
er's WIFE, The crowd fell back for a moment,
as if it was news for them; but Philip knew
by instinct, the lull would only last for mo-
ment. He must make the most of it. He
had only time to refasten little of the har
ness, when sharp stone struck him on the
cheek and drew blood.
How many husbands can a woman haveln
screamed q woman on the sidewalk.
''Jail's the place for her, growled'a man
at his shoulder Then the crowd closed in
again,
LET go the Bit demanded PHI lip, never
quailng. But Bales only grinned at him, as
Philip had seen him before, and frightened his
hold on the horse.
you're too small to give orders; amt in
your pay now" But before the fellow had
time to put up guard, his young master
had struck him a blow in the face that fairly
staggered him, large man as he was.
"Oh, that's your game, is it! Make way,
boys, all want is room. I'll finish him up
quick
The man wanted to make use of his weight
and strength in the directest way possible, so
he rushed forward to close with his antag
onist, throwing up his hands to protect him
self, But he miscalculated and his cheek
bono fairly cracked with the force of the
second blow Bales drew back for another
attack. The smile of contempt was gone
from his bruised and bleeding face, but
very dangerous look was in his eyes. His
young master had lost his first paleness, a
bright red spot burned in each cheek and his
black eyes flashed forth defiance The dis
charged servant ducked his head and came at
Philip like maddened OK. The crowd held
its breath; the slight form of the master
would go down, and the victor would pound
his young life out of him. Was the lad
crazy to invite u battle with man of almost
twice his weights The young man did not
finch hairs breadth. He raised his arm
again. What good of battering against the
fellows thick skulls He was upon him-no,
Philip had leaped aside at the last moment,
and, as Bales went past, had dealt him
blow in the temple that sent his great form
reeling to the ground.
Before the crowd had time to move Philip
had leaped into the carriage and caught the
reins from his fainting wife. He turned his
horse into an open space and the half fastened
harness let the carriage run against the ami
mals legs. 1t was better than thousand
whips, and he broke into a wild gallop.
Bales had only time to get his feet and shout
after the young mill owner:
''This is only the first roundm
Philip heard his words and nuttered to
himself II ought to have killed him, since
had to beat him There isn't gold enough
in California to buy him over now
"What did they mean, PHILIPPE Bertha
was lying on the sofa in her own little blue
room Philip had put a pillow beneath her
tired head, and was kneeling by her side
watching for the color TO come back to her
frighte ned cheeks
''Th,.nll God she did not know, not yet"
He looked down at the veins in her pretty
hands; how many there were to-day.
"lt was only their senseless Jargon. They
are angry with me, You know Do not think
about it again"
She opened her great blue eyes ON him.
She was going to thank him no donbt for her
| rescue out of the terrible peril.
you look so small and weak | wouldn't
have thought YOU had any strength That
was all she had for him.