The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1889-07-17
tcoSwioa.d. isss.l
CHAPTER I1-coNrINuED.


Captain Smart remembering the ad-
vantage Lulxe's suggestions had been to
him, said: ...t gt,r ,t.
aTll give ye any four men In my compa-
ny ye want, If ye think they'll be enough 70
protect the people. I've tried q stop their
stealin' hut it don't seem In my power. II |
YOU kin do IL, yer welcome T. the detailp
Having the privilege Of making his own
selection, Luke chose his mess-Arkansaw
Tom, Ned Cotton, Bill Swain and Corporal
Max. Bill's wound was trifiing, and did
mot disable him. tt..
~what ye want US y doin asked Arkan-
saw Tom, as they hurried down the road
past the advance guard.
~you are 70 protect a house"
~Mr. Jordan Neft's.r
nJJnion OF secesnt"
"The family are divided. The only son is
in the Confederate army" ...t...
dThey,ii burn the house"
"Yot must not let them. The house and
inmates must be shielded from insult"
0If We say It, we'll perfect 'em, OF 1t costs
Us our liyes,n l.I.t
nThat is what want you TO do"
ats settled,n said old Arkansaw Tom.
uWe'll perfect 'em, ur bite the dust tryin'."
The old familiar farmhouse was at last
in Sight, and Luke felt his heart oeaung
high with hope and expectation Us ne neareu re
IT, -,.
az will see her once more" he thougnt
lShe will know that | have done TINS Ior
her sake, and that next TO my country she
Is the dearest object Of life."
How peaceful and quiet seemed the pleas
ant old country home. The tail popiars
and stately elrns lowered above the broad
lawn. and their leaves rustled In the breeze.
The focks were bleating on the hills, and
distant ttnl1ling OF cow-bells came 70 his
ears. Pigs were grunting In the fence
corners, and busy bees bummed from how
ar 10 flower. The strange silence ABOUT
a the house caused an uneasy feeling 10 come
over him. When they reached the gate
they saw that the house was closed, ana naa
the appearance of being deserted.
Followed by his comrades. Luke has
tened toward the front door, hoping by MS
sudden return to give his betrothed pleas
ant surprise. .+. ~.
Only hollow echoes answered his knocks,
and at last, growing impatient, ne Wrned
the knob and opened the door. Inc room
was unoccupied. There was Mr.. nen,s IL
ydrite couch, with one cushion on the moor,
as II the occupant had quilted the room
hurriedly. A few embers still smoldered
ON the hearth, and Lilies favorite chair,
with her sewing on the floor near 1t, was
at the side Of the couch A crumpled news
paper in tue middle OF the floor and the dis
arranged furniture all bore evidence OF .
hasty flight
Filled with strange dread, Luke has
tened 10 tho next room, calling the name o
lille. with no answer save the. hollow ech'
OF his own voice.
He soon satisfied himself that the hous
xvas deaerted. A warm dinner was smoh
ING on the table In the dining-room, whic
convinced him that tho house had been bu
recently occupied.
Hoping that the owners might be nea
he ran to the garden, then to the negi
quarters, but they could nowhere !
found. He was about TO return when
black face peeped out from cluster
woodbines at the rear OF q chimney TO OF
of the negro huts, and voice said;
aMassa Luke, am dot your"
aBlackhawk, why are you hiding there
Luke asked.
aHidin,, massa; all de others am doi
gone an hided, an so did l."
"who are you hiding FRONT" :,
aDun no, massa All de odders d.
runs an hided, an dis chile did, too"
"Blackhawk, where is Miss Lillie"
"Dun no, boss; she an ole massa ru
Ike de debil war after 'em down into
woods, an lef' me heah by myself, an q
Ihided heah."
8 "Go after them-tell them they shall 7
DO harmed"
aCouldn't find 'em, massa"
4 ssGo and try. must see Lille, q
have but short time TO stay. must
her father, too. / left 80 suddenly u
night that / did not get TO say all
wished"
bIkin go, massa, but ten to one l 90
fpd um."
VA The head withdrew into the woodbine'
Eight rustling noise and the negro '
gone over the low fence into the wood
ypnd. ,. -
rudes seated at the farmers table help
~ thenseives 10 the ready cooked dinner.
Gas they've all vamoosed we thought
bcst ter keep this ar grub from spiin',"
ia Tom. :,
M 10 appropriate the dinner OF others, but,
,.ncs Of hunger at last overcoming him
joined them in the feast.
Having satisfied their appetiteo the
soldiers went 70 the front yard, where
saw the advance guard OF the little q
coming down the hill.
aTake your places in front Of the iel
ana allow no one 10 come inside" SAID u
The tirst soldier who attempted 70 4
hIs way inside was stoppsd by Arlsan
Tom, who said;
g 70 can't como In"
'|||I. An 1. = ~ fha man aaked