Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-06-26

the prisoners were saved they must too
save mimi
No, Classy, they will not hurt us, - she
said, they will not dare do that, but they
will kill that prisoner, if they get him
We must save mis- life, Classy. Oh, Classy,
be brave and he'll me. Come
She drew Classy up by her hands. looking
at her with something in her face that
calmed the negress. Classy followed,
tremblingly obedient.
Lola ran to the kitchen, where she found
Benhadad-a keen. jet-faced little darkey,
always IN at the death if he could man
age it. She questioned him rapidly; his
story seemed reliable Probably the mob
knew of the sheriff's absence, and the
Jailor's, and counted on no resistance. hav-
ing secured Sam as he was returning
The night was most propitious for the
deed they contemplated, and the isolated
location of the jail favored it.
Lola thought rapidly.
''Benhadad, she said If you will 60
down to the hotel-run all the way-and
tell Mr.. Ellison what you nave told me,
and ask him to no, take him this =
she hurriedly wrote few linas-''I will
give you these, tomorrow, both of them.
Benhadad
She held up two silver dollars. They
glittered temptingly In the light and Ben
hadad eyes reflected the glitter.
''I'll skedadde right along
He vanished like shadow, and without
an instant's delay, Lola and Classy set to
work. Every heavy bolt was quickly shot,
and every iron bar secured In its place
Their massive strength gladdened Lola's
eyes. When all was done they put out
every light and stood listening in the dark
No sound broke the stiffness, but the wall
of the wind and the occasional beat of a
rain-drop against the panes. By this time
Benhadad must be delivering his message
The clock gave out one silvery note-half-
past eight. What would happen in the
next half hour?
Suddenly they were conscious of low
voices and many footsteps. Classy covered
on the floor, but Lola bent forward, try
ing to discern the size and location of the
crowd. 1t was so dark she could not be
certain, but she thought they were grouped
by the front entrance, near the balcony
window. They carried two dark lanterns,
and used them cautiousl y-they would
mean to execute their intention speedily.
Again that dangling figure seemed sway
ing before the girls eyes.
The bell was quitely pulled-in the
pause that followed the throbbing beats of
Cassy's heart were heard.
A second ring came, strong and deter
mined.
Lola opened the balcony window,
"What is wanted?" she said. clearly
There was an instant's silence, then
rough-toned voice replied:
well young woman, we don want to
disturb you none, but there ain t no time
to waste beatin round the bush. We've
come for the prisoner that was brung here
this afternoon. We know the Sheriff ain t
here-nur Nettlson-but if you'll just
show us the fellows cell, we'll go as quiet
we're come. an, you shan't be disturbed "
There was stir and murmur III the
crowd, but the leader did not hesitate.
''Ain't goin' to hurt you, Miss
break the first fellows head tries it-but
we're goin' to have that prisoner! You re
done your duty an showed grit, but there
ain t no help for it, you see. You jest open
the door now, an thinks II be all right
times up for talkin. The muscles tight
ened in Lola's throat.
Il do not know his cell, she said.
''All right, we'll have to find it our
selves then. Hurry up with that door,
Miss"
Lola neither moved nor spoke She
could not. A murmur of impotence
broke from the mob. She crossed the bal
cony floor and stood by the railing above
them.
Gentlemen, she said. 81 know your
errand well, and because know it, I say
this to you: The man you seek was place
ed here by the law, and only the law has
right to take him away You know this
jail is strong. Every bolt and bar is in its
place; you would not find them easy to
break down. And, gentlemen, once in,
the first one of you to try the stairs would
feel thisl''
The light of the lanterns flashed sud-
denly over the balcony, revealing in her
lifted hand the CLEAN of a revolver-her
white face set in resolution.
Before any one could move, all heard the
sound of running feet on the hill, behind
the jail and quick, stern voice command
ing
''Disperse, or I'll arrest You'll
The flaming light of fambeux played
over the building, and the militia COM
pany took the place of the flying lynch
ers.
Miss Waite, are you quite safe? It's
lucky this was our drill night. Lola
heard no more, for she had tainted
The affair spread like wild-fre, and
Lola was the heroine of the hour.
Miss Waite said the sheriff late in
the afternoon, Il promised to bring you
up to that young fellows cell. He's very
anxious to see you.
But Lulu shrank back
"Oh, Mr. Hyatt, must I?''
''How do you think you'd feel in his
placer"
Il thought that would settle it.
As they went he continued: Il like the
young chap-he's thorough man. The
trouble was all with few toughs that had
just whisky enough to make them lords on
the earth It's shame that he ever was
arrested, but he'll never come to trial.
He says he shouldn't have given the fran
chise to the negro until the negro was
fit to use it, but I'll stand by and see no
poor old darky abused by dozen white
roughs. Well, I'm mighty glad he isn't
ornamenting some of the trees around
here, as he would have been but for you!
Here we are, Mr.. Cameron, here is the
lady that you have wished to see, Miss
Waite -
Miss Waite. l. he paused abruptly,
sudden recognition lighting up both
faces.
"Oh, if l had known it was you" ex-
claimed Lola and, Il little dreamed thai
night what should owe to you, said the
conductor of the first train in this story.
Penelope Penn.
Prof. ]. P. Finley gives the width of