Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-07-17

hours work sufficed to carry out this
suggestion; and Life had then, ready at
his hand, powerful wstergun which
had the advantage of being always
loaded.
At seconds warning, he could
catch up that nozzle and discharge q
stream of water which, at fifty or six
ty feet. would knock man PROSTATE,
TO say nothing of taking his breath
and wetting him to the skin. Life
laughed as he was preparing this
aqueous engine; and after he tried it
he laughed again. Then he called in
Mr.. Macdonald, and exhibited the new
weapon.
Il don't think 1t will kill anybody
said he. But if any foolish fellow
comes in here to give US thrashing,
think l can wash him awavl'
The next day was the Fourth OF
July. Life, with more Of the spirit
of patriotism than of prudence, per-
haps, got out the little American flag
from his valise, nailed strip of board
Ito the ventilator and hoisted the small
Stars and Stripes over the mill.
Strictly speaking, this was none of
any ones business so long as the pro-
prletor of the mill did not object to 1t.
Still, it was not judicious proceed
ing, but Life felt patriotic. He thought
that he had been abused, and some
thing in his mood that Fourth of July
morning made him feel defiant. He
longed for an old cannon and half q
cask of powder, to make a noise with.
Life did not have cannon, but he
borrowed Mr.. Macdonald's rife, and
fred eight or ten shots at mark. By
way of grace, before beginning work
for the day, he flung up his hat In
front of the flag and gave three hur-
rahs. But of course if any Canadian
official had passed the mill, and order
ed him to take down his flag, he
would have done SO, and, in his usual
way, have laughed.
The saws hummed, and work pro.
ceeded as usual; but during the fore.
noon the little flag attracted attention,
and word was carried to the lrritated
mill men who only desired a pretext
for QUARREL. A little while after
dinner, Life, who was at his work,
heard shouts, and on looking out saw
twelve or fifteen rough looking fell
lows-among them McGufin, the dis
charged mill man-standing at little
distance, in the open YARD.
Here you Yankee, what have you
got that striped rag up there for?' one
of them shouted.
Life came forward to the open side
of the mill, laughing, and said: That's
only little flag Of mine. This is a
holiday in my county, when we all
put out our flags. l thought:lt would
seem home-like and natural to see it
up, but l meant no offence to this
country
We don't take no stock in you, no.
how said McGufin. You can't fly
that flag here
why not? said Life.
Because we won't let you
This is notyour mill.
Makes no odds. You haul down
that rag, or we will haul it down for
ye.'
You'd better let it alone replied
Life, still laughing.
With that, McGufin and three 9th.
ers ran to get ladder which stood
against shed hard by. The man
planted the ladder against the mill,
and started to ascend it. to tear down
the flag. He had climbed four or FIVE
rounds when there was a sudden whiz
in the all and a jet of water struck
him-struck him with such force that
he was lifted off the ladder and land
ed on his back in heap of sawdust
just outside the sill of the mill.
The jet then cut circle right and
left, caught another of the four men
who had taken the ladder, as he turned
to run, and pitched him headlong.
By this time McGufin scrambled up,
but was no sooner on his feet than the
jet struck him again. He dropped on
the ground to escape it, but this time
it played on him steadily. He howIed
and tried to get away. The jet labor
ed with him, and the spray few. Then
it ploughed into the sawdust and lit
orally covered him with it. He was q
dreadful object to look at when at last
Life shut off the stream and allowed
him to beat retreat.
From the road, the gang of men
threatened vengeance. and then went
off hastily to gather a larger party.
Meantime, Macdonald had come to the
mill, and had seen the latter part oi
Life's performance.
Those fellows will be back soon
with a big crew. said he. But We
will be ready for 'emp The French
, mill men we're called up, and set tc
work to barricade the open side Of the
mill. With deals and spikes all the
J openings were closed, leaving wide
chinks through which to play the jet
of water.