Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1891-08-13

events 0SScc1OSo, - the 1NX0H lana.
lady of the Cross Keys was Industrious
" biting the edge of suspicious six
pence preparatory to placing it with the
rest of her honest days ''takings," she
was startled by gentle rap at the
door.
''Who's there?" she asked
1.-THE thirsty crew of the pirate ship
Falcon. hailing from New Brunswick
replied cultural voice.
''Why, if it amt Capt. Marriner!'' ex-
claimed the hostess, finging open the
door.
''Hush, my lassr' grunted the cap
tain. ''Old man in his bunk?"
eyes"
s'Him, too?''
eyes"
''Chairs and tables under the trees?"
s'Oh, yes
'sHere, boys, each of you fill a mug
and go out there to the table. No noise,
mindi'
The men did as directed and Capt.
Mariner, after few whispered words
with Mrs. Van Buren, (which seemed to
afford the lady immense pleasure)
picked up a lantern and went upstairs.
When, after the lapse of few minutes,
he reappeared, he was accompanied by
a tall gentleman, clad only in his night
robe, who carried a boot in one hand
and wig in the other.
''This way, major" said the captain,
pushing him out doors.
'sMaj. Shelton on the table for q
song!' came in unison from the trees,
which were now illuminated by the rays
of a rising moon.
''Now, my dear captain-ha! ha! ha!
Good! Very good"' said the shivering
soldier. ''But I don't sing at all, you
know; really dont!''
''Im afraid" whispered the captain,
''these men are desperate dogs, so you'd
better mount the table without more
ado, and give them The Yankee
Sword p"
Here the majors eyes fell on Mrs.
Van Buren,, who had all she could do to
control her risibilities.
Mount the table-lilxe this! cannot
Il will not do such thing!''
Click! went the locks of dozen pis-
tolls, and dozen voices shouted. as be-
fore: "Maj. Shelton on the table for a
song!"
''Splendid shots, those fellows whis-
pered the captain.
ooh, this is dreadful And such a
barbarous high wind, too! Surprising I
run up stairs and get my small clothes, -
whined the victim. ''Im afraid you
haven't forgiven me for
sob, they'll excuse your appearance;
up with you!" and up the major scram-
bled, frightened out of his wits, al
most, amid the roars of the privateers-
men.
''But don't know the song" he sniv-
elled.
''You shall sing it after me, line for
line" replied Mariner, ''and don't you
back water at the last line, which is
three cheers for General Washington, or
there'll be plenty of crows in this neigh
bOrhOod Tomorrow
Quaking in every limb the major, his
knees bent and his fingers convulsively
clutching the hem of his scanty robe,
sang the six verses Of the song in the
manner directed, and he certainly gave
the three cheers with vim, whatever
may have been his thoughts
'And now" said the captain, when
the applause had ceased, lone Of you
run upstairs and get his brooches and
the mate to this boot and we'll be Off %
The poor major looked at his perse-
cutor in horror at this remark.
''You see," volunteered thai worthy,
''we're afraid the boys would quiz you
too much if we left you here, so we're
just going to run you over to New York
"a prisoner of war;
That was how Capt. Mariner repaid
a blow.-Thomas Frost, in n Y. Her.
aid