Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-03-05
soon learned the cause of this tumur.

| III Tue uCdAb Va hduNdt50 NhO h1AAO 81 ~~-l
that runs through the town is widened into g
cistern about ten feet square and five in
depth, over which hung a ducking stool for
Scolding wives. And since the townspeople
draw their water from this cistern, It's TO be
supposed they do not fear the infection. A
long beam on a pivot hangs out over the
pool, and to the end is a chair fastened, into
which, despite his kicks and screams, they
now strapped this. poor wretch, whose gray
locks might we'll have won mercy for him.
Souse! he was plunged; hauled up choking
and dripping; then-just as he found tongue
to shriek-sousel again.
Twas dismal punishment; and this time
they kept him under for full half minute.
But as the beam was lifted again, heard a
hullabaloo and cry;
THE bearl the bearl"
And turning, saw a great brown form
numbering down the street behind, and driv-
ing the people before it like chaff
The crowd at the brink of the pool scat
tered to right and left, yelling. Up few the
beam of the ducking stool, relieved of their
weight, and down with splash went the
pickpOcllet at the far end. As well for my
own skins sake as out of pity to see him
drowning l jumped into the water. In two
strokes | reached him, gained footing, and
with Anthony's sword cut the straps away
and pulled him up. And there we stood, up
to our necks, coughing and spluttering, while
ON the deserted brink the bear shifted at the
water and regarded US
NodOubt we appeared contemplate enough,
for after time he turned with a louder sniff
and went his way lazily up the street again.
He had broken out from the pit wherein, for
the best part Of the day, they had baited him,
yet seemed to bear little malice. For he
sauntered about the town for an hour or two,
hurting no man, but making clean sweep of
every sweet stall in his way, and was taken
at last very easily, with his head in treacle
| caSk, by the bear ward and a few dogs.
Meanwhile the pickpocket and l had
scrambled out by the further bank and
wrung our clothes. He seemed to resent his
treatment no more than did the bear.
"Ben cove-'tis good world. My thanksr'
And with this scant gratitude he was gone,
leaving me to make my way back to the sign
of 'The Boot" where the chambermaid led
me upstairs and took away my clothes to dry
by the fire determined to buy horse on
the morrow, and with my guineas and the
| kings letter under the pillow dropped off to
slumber again.
! Ny powers Of sleep must have been noised
abroad by the hostess, for next morning at
| the breakfast ordinary the dealers and
| drovers laid down knife and fork to stare as
| | entered. After a while one or two lounged
out and brought in others to look, so that
soon ! was in a ring of stupid faces, all gaz-
! ing like so many COWS.
For while affected to eat undisturbed,
| but lost patience at last and addressed a red
| headed gazer:
"If you take me for show you ought to
pay"
| That's fair" said the fellow, and laid a
groat on the board This came near to put
| ting me in a passion, but his face was serious
| "'Tis a real pleasure" he added heartily,
| Ito look on one 50 gifted"
IF any of you" said, could sell me a
! horsen-
At once there was q clamor, all bidding in
one breath for my custom. So, finishing my
| breakfast, | walked out with them to the
tavern yard, where | had my pick among
| the sorTiest looking dozen of nags in Eng
| land, ard finally bought from the red haired
man, for five pounds, bride, saddle and a
| flea bitten gray that seemed more honestly
| raw hOned than the rest And the owner
wept tears at parting with his beast, and
| thereby added a pang to the fraud he had
already put upon me. And | rode from the
tavern door suspecting laughter in the eyes
of every passer by.
The day Ctwas drawing near noon as
started) was cold and clear wiki coating of
Time over the fields; and my horses feet rang
eheerfulIy on the frozen road. his pace was
of the soberest; but, as ! was no skillful rider,
this suited me rather than not. Only it was
| CALLING to be told so, as happened before
had gone three miles.
Twas my friend the pickpocket; and he
sat before fire of dry sticks a little way
back from the road. His scanty hair, stiff as
a badgers, now stood upright around his bat
tered cap, and he looked at me over the bushes,
| with his hooked nose thrust forward like q
birds beak.
''Bien lightmans, comrade-good day. It's
q good world; so stop and dine"
Ipulled up my gray.
''Glad You find it So" answered; you
had a nigh chance to compare it with the next
last night"
''Sha'n't do so well i the next, fear" he
said, with twinkle; "but l owe thee some
thing, and here's hedgehog that in five min
utes II be baked to a turn. IT'S good world,
and the better that 10 man can count on it.
Last night my dripping duds helped me to a
cant tale and got me silver penny from q
man of religion. Goods in the worst; and
lfe's like hunting the suuirrel-a man gets
much good exercise thereat, hut seldom what
he hunts for"
That's as good morality as Aristotle's,"
said l.
IT'S better for me, because it's mine"
While l tethered my horse he blew at the en-
berS wherein lay good sized bail of clay
baking. After a while he looked up with red
cheeks. They were so fast set on drowning
me-" he continued, with a wink, ''they
couldn't spare time to look i my pocket-ths
rufin ely them!"
she pulled the clay bail out of the fire,
cracked it, and lol inside was q hedgehog
cooked, the spikes sticking in the clay, and
coming away with it. So he divided the flesh
with his knife, and upon a slice of bread from
his wallet it made delicate eating; though l
doubt if l enjoyed it as much as did my COM
rade, who swore over and over that the world
was good, and as the wintry sun broke out,
and the hot ashes warm'd his knees, began to
chatter at great pace.
''Why, sir, but for the pretty uncertainty
of things I'd as lief die here as l sitn-
He broke of at the sound of wheels, and
coach with two positions spun past US on the
road
had just time to catch glimpse of fig
ure huddled in the corner, and a sweet, pref
ty girl, with chestnut curls seated beside it,
behind the glass. After the coach came
heavy broad shouldered servant riding on a
stout gray, who flung US a sharp glance as