The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-01-13


skill and thoughtfulness were not among
the louis Oh rictaristics. But he was still
more Disconnected on pushing back his chair
to find small india-rubber tobacco pouch
lying beneath 1t. The mas .er instantly
recognized it; he had seen it hundred times
befors-it was Uncle Ben's. 1t was not
there when be had closed the room Yesterday
afternoon. Either Uncle Ben had been
there last night, or had anticipated him
this morning. But in the latter case he
would scarcely have overlooked his fallen
property-that, in the darkness of the
night, might have readily Q capped detection.
His brow darkened with a sudden conviction
that it was Uncle Ben who was the real and
only offender, and that his simplicity of the
previous night was part of his deception. A
sickening sense that he had been again
duped-but why or t. what purpose be
hardly dared to think-overcame him.
Who among these strange people could he
ever again trust9 After the fashion of
more elevated individuals, he had accepted
the respect and kindness of those he be-
Ieved his interiors as natural tribute to
hs own superiority; any change in their
feelings must therefore be hypocrisy or dis
loyalty; it never occurred to him that he
might have fallen below their standard.
The arrival of the children and the re-
sumption of his duties for time diverted
him. But although the norniA g's exercise
restored the masters self-confidence, it can
not be said to have improved his judgment.
Disdainng to question Rupert Flgee, as
the possible confidaucs of Uncle Ben, ne an
swered the curious inquiries of the children
as to the broken doorl0ck with the remark
that it was a mater that he should have to
bring before the trustees of the board, and
by the time that school was over and the
pupils dismissed he had quite resolved upon
this formal disposition of it. In spite of
Cressy's warling-rather because of tin
the new attitude be had taken toward her
and her friends, he. fingered in the school
house until late. He had occupied himself
IN drawing up a statement of the facts,
with an lntim Ation that his continuance in
the school would depend upon a rigid in
vestigatiOn of the circumsd noes, when he
was aroused by the clatter of horses hools
The next moment the school house was sur
rounded by a dozen men.
H looked up; half Of them dismounted and
entered the room. The other half remained
outside darkening the windows with their
InotlonleSs figures. Each IN IN carried a
gun before him on the saddle; each man
wore a rude mask of black cloth partly COW
ering his face.
Although the master was instinctively
aware thai he was threatened by seriou
danger, he was far from being IMPRESSED
intruders. o. the contrary the obvious and
glariug Inconsistency of this chsapiy the
at zeal invasion Of the peaceful school
house; Of tins opposition OF menacIng figures
t. the catered childish prIuers and text
books that still lay on the desk, around lin,
only eXIac ed lrUm MIN half scornful
smile as he coOlly regarded them. the fear
IesSne5S of Ign ran,a is of en- as unaS,albis
as the mos expeienced valor, and the awe
and then humanity angry. A lank figure 10
the right made a forward movement of I'M
potent rage but was Checked by the evident
leader~of The party.
"Ef he likes to take it that way, there
amt no regulators law agin it, l RECKON, - he
said, IN a voice which the master insta I'll il,
recognized as jim Harrisou's, Enough ez a
gIn'ral thing they dot usually ind it fun .
Then turning TO the mas. or he added:
mister Ford. eli that's the name YOU 20 by
eve where we're wanJin' a man about your
siZs."
Ford knew that he was in hopeless peril
He knew thai he was physic tliy defenseiess
and at the mercy of twelve armed and law
less men, But he retained a preternatural
clearneSs Of perception, and audaCity born
OF unqualified sccrn for his antago lists, With
a femme sharpness Of tongue. In voice
which astonished even himself by its con
Ny name is Ford, bat as only suDpose
your name is Harrison perhaps you'll be
rair enough to take that rag from your face
and show 1t to me like a man."
The man removed the mask from his face
with a slight laugh.
"ThanG you, said Ford. "Now, perhaps
you will tell me which one of you gentle
men broke into the school house, forced the
lock of my desk and stole my papers. Ii
he is mere 1 wish to tell him he is not only a
thief, but a cur and a coward for the letters
are a woman's-whom he neither knows nor
mas right to know"
II he had hoped to force a personal quar-
rel and trust his lie to the chance of "a sin
gle ant agonist, he was disappointed, for al
enough his unexpected attitude had pro-
duced some effect among tue group, aud
even attracted the attention OF the men at
the windows, Harrison strobe deliberately
toward him.
That kin wait" he said Jest now we
propose to take you aud your letters and
drop 'em aud you outer this Yer township of
Injin Springs. You kin take 'em back to
the woman or crltter you got 'em Of. But
We kalkllate you're little too handy and
free in them Sorter things to teach school
round yer, and we kinder allow we don't
keer to hev our gals and boys dedicated up
to your high-toned standard. So eff you
choose to KEN along easy wen make you
comfble on a boss we've got waitn' outside,
an cOrt you across the line. Eff you don't
we'll take you anyway
The master cast a rapid glance around
him. In MS quickness OF perc -ption ne had
already noted that the led horse among the
cavalcade was fastened by lariat to one of
the ride! $ 50 that escape by flight was i'm
posi- lie. and that he had not q single
weapon 10 defend himself with or even pro-
woke, IN his desperation, the struggle that
could forestal ignOminy by death. No-h-
ing was left him but his voice, clear and
trenchant as he faced them.
"You are twelve to Jne,n he said, calmly,
'but if there is a single man among you
VINO dare step forward and accuse me OF
what you olly together dare do, | will tell
him he is a liar aud n coward, and s.aui
here ready to make it good against him.
You come here as judge AID jury condemn
ing me without trial and confronting me
with no accusers; you come here as lawle,s
avengers of your honor, and you dare not
give me the privilege of as lawlessy defend
ing my own"
There was another slight murmur among
the men, but the leader moved impatiently
forward.
"We've had enough o. your preachin'; we
want YOU he said, roughly. "Come!"
stop" said dull voice
1t came from mute figure which had re-
manned motionless among the others.
Every eve was turned upon it as it rose and
lazily pushed the 10th from its face
"Hiram .hcKinstryp said the others in
mingled tones Of astonishment and sus-
piclon.
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