Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1892-12-29

4 ton, when i.ords Waverand and his
friends Were enjoying a game Of billiards,
n shout, wild and terrific rang out upon
the air. 1t filed the. house with strange,
weird sound. From every room. the in
mates their alarm linstenetl to the hall.
1t was bright from the light made, by the
burning stables. QAll round the house and
yard q throng of people, crowding and
sfoutingG great excitement, were calling
loudly for Lord Wavcrlantt. irj 5YCej
The party left the billiard hall and ord
"avcrland sat covered down in u corner
OF the room, trembling with fear. His face
was ihaggartl with terrible dread. His
conscience told him, but too truly. what
this midnight tisitneant Hoarse voices
thl'ndeIrd up from below, Bring him out,
or We'll burn him o,it.''
| Every face in the room was white with
terror. What could be done. went to
the window and threw open the sash: as /
did so ball came whining and lodged in
the window casing. ! lodged. bur there
was 10 time to quail. The men below
We're carrying large torches of blazing
fasots.
What will you do if Lord Waverl..nd
answers your CALI | asked
Make him promise to reduce our rents
and relieve our wants, or We'll show him
big blaze replied voice from the
| crowd
Bring him ont. or Wen burn him out"
again Numbered up from the desperate
people, and they began throwing logs
against the doors. Something must be
done. for there WAS no WAY of escaping
from the house. We all went to Lord Wa
verland and nrge,l am. cntreated him to
go to the window Ele sat glum and made
no reply to our pieadings. At last Miss
Everett Went to him and said
| sir If you do not answer we must all
perish
| He sat for n moment undecided then ris-
| ing, he took her by the hand and led her to
the window. ! made movement to keep
her back, but she waved me off with a mo-
ton of her hand. I followed them, and
when they reached the open window, she
called out in her clear sweet voice:
Here is Lord Waver!and." Ina mo-
ment the hoarsc cry changed to triumph
ant shout for the "Swate Lady," For some
moments the cheering continued. When
there was a lull she called out again:
Lord Waverland will speak to you!"
"Whnt do you WANT he asked in g.
trembling voice.
We want our rent reduced, our homes
restored and a promise of protecton.''
cried Il voice from below
Come to me III the morning. and will
grant You anything and everything. only
spare us now.' he said trembling, his
teeth chattering as with an ague tit.
80, yes, yez can plade for mercy now,
bur when we pied for our wives and child
ers what mercy did yez grant," called out
u voice.
The men gathered in group and held
short consultation, then left the yard
shouting, ireland and liberty forever
With Il thankful heart went to Miss
Everett, and taking her hand said, We
owe vou Il debt of gratitude, my dear
friend. But for you our home would have
been in ashes. and all of us either muir
dered or burned alive" A shu.lder ran
through her frame at the terrible thought,
but She permitted me to still retain her
hand.
The guests all gathered around her to
offer their thanks. Even Lord Waverland
came to her, saying:
''What am ] to do next, Miss Everett,
you seem to know
men the justice they demand of YOU" she
said, in calm. clear tone, that added force
to her words.
What. would you let those miserable
wretches know tina; they have frightened
me into submission
"1.ord Wavcrland. would show them
that valued my word fnr more than my
wealth or my PRIDE AS She uttered
these words she looked very goddess of
justice in her quiet dignity.
We'll, We'll sec,' he said, and left the
room.
After Lord Waverlnnd and his friends
had retired, leaving my mother. Miss Ev-
erett, myself and q few servants III the
great empty hall. mother said:
How terrible to think that mcn are
driven to seek such revenge''
Il was just thinking what change
from the last time we We're in this ROOM
Then all was light. warmth and beauty"
s2id, going to the window and looking
ont at the burning pile.
Il cannot blame them" said Miss Ever
EFT. They have suffered beyond the pow
or of endurance"
Seeing how exhausted my mother
looked, | took her in my arms and carried
her TO her room.
When | reached my room could not
sleep. The timbers Of the stable were yet
burning, and cast n weird light into my
window. fancied | could see the black
ened forms Of all the horses and cattle ON
the place. as they probably lay roasting in
their stalls. Then remembered by whose
aid we had been saved from a terrible
death. So complete had been the arrange
ments of the mob, that not door or win
dow had been left nnguarded. The order
was given to fire on any one who should
attempt to escape. That was the reason of
the shot that came whizzing past my head
as opened the window
Almost ..umconscionsly to myself, Miss
Everett had become very dear to me. Her
quiet ways and pleasant face had not only
Brought sunshine into the house, but into
my heart rs well. felt glad that to her
we were indebted. But what would be
the result of this nights work? was an oft
returning thought. Would Lord Waiver
land listen to reason and humble himself
enough to nuke terms with his outraged
tenantss or would his proud heart bring
further calamities OH his family.
With tho first Sirn of dnv T-,,en+ AFT RI