The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1893-06-08
JOE ANDTHE"WHITEC CAPS

Late one afternoon Joe Baxter,
astride gaunt bay farm horse, rode
into the little village at the flour cor
ners." AS he passed the tavern dozen
. men on horseback had ridden off, TAX
ing the road by which he had come.
Joe had just dismounted in front of the
one store when the stable boy at the
b tavern hurried across the road.
"Joe," said the boy. ''!id you see
those men that just rode off? Well.
they're the Whit Caps going to tar and
feather some one. I guess it's your
father. They say he did something to
.he election returns Bailey's the White
Cap captain, and heerd 'em tell that
the recount O. the votes beat him for
supervisor. He just hates your father"
Joe jumped to his saddle. He knew
Bailey had made many threats of ven
geance. His father must be warned;
but how could it be done? The White
Caps were on the only road leading to
the Baxter farm. "
In that wild portion Of Northern New
York there are not many highways.
The boy was familiar with all the
country round about. He remembered
from the main road, and led to the big
brush pasture in the rear of the farm
house. By making that circuit and rid
ing very fast, perhaps he could reach
his father in time to warn him.
Home was four miles away, and the.
men had ten minutes start There was
but the smallest chance of success; but
it was worth trying. His father would
resist the outrage by every possible
MEANS but Bailey and his gang of
course had pistols, The boy did not
like to think what the result might be.
Perhaps they would kill his father.
Joe galloped over the well known
road, making the old horse do it's best,
but not urging the animal too fast for
fear Bailey would hear him coming.
Two miles Of the main road, then a
long stretch of the wood trail which
finally lost itself in the brush-covered
pasture. Here he urged the horse to
his utmost pace. Over stumps and
bushes they plunged, the bay horse 60
ing as if he realized that their business
was urgent
AS the boy emerged from the woods
and struck across the half-cfeared
pasture, he had q glimpse Of the road.
There were the hOrsemen, trotting
leisurely. Joe conjectured that they
did not plan to reach the farmers be-
fore he had left his work for supper,
when he would be the more easily
captured.
It, was already growing dusk Joe
urged his horse to a still faster gait
Now he was not more than eighty
rods from the barns. The friendly
cover of the brush pasture was left be-
hind, and before him stretched All open
field of grass land, through the center
of Which a brook, NOW dry. had run in
bygone years. There was left to mark
It's course a gulch or hollow, the sandy
banks Of which sloped down some
thirty feet to what had been the
brooks bed Joe crossed this ravine
and rode into the farm yard
Farmer Baxter was just leaving the
barn for the house. Joe, almost breat TIL
less with hard riding and excitement.
called to him:
Father, a lot of White Caps are
after you! Don't stop for questions:
jump on behind! Quick, or it'll be too
late! l know what I'm doing, father!'
Although Mr.. Baxter had much faith
IN Joe's common sense, this appeal
seemed little too extraordinary. AS
he hesitated squad of riders made their
appearance on the road. The boy
cried again:
See there! Trust me. father. It's
serious matter. Jump on!''
Joe's face showed he was in earnest.
The farmer leaped to the horses back.
behind the saddle, and they started
toward the pasture; but they were seen;
and fellow wearing a mask shouted
and spurred forward AS the bay horse
left the barn yard, the pursuers turned
in at the front gate, not fifteen rods
away.
Joe's only hope was in the gather
ing darkness IT he reached the bushes
OF the pasture, he might slip away
unseen; but the horse, ridden SO far
and fast, had exhausted it's speed, and
doubly burdened as it was, refused to
go at a pace much more rapid than "a
walk.
When they reached the gully it was
all Joe could do to keep the bay at a
slow lope. AS they rode into the ravine
and passed a spot where the bank .oNer-
hung, Joe thought of Il plan. aes
Father" he said, troll off and lie
On the sand just under that bank. Ill
keep on, and it's so dark already thar
they won't see that you amt with me.
Stay here till 4 get help from the vii
lage.7
Mr.. Baxter saw the wisdom of this,
and flung himself to the ground Joe
slipped off his coat and as he appeared
at the top of the bank, where the White
Caps could dirnly see him, ne held the
garment behind him on his extended
arm. Seeing what seemed to be two
figures on the horse, the ruf1ians had
no thought that Baxter had vanished.
Stop, or we'll sbootr' the leader
shouted. ~.
Joe did not stop. A pistol was fired,
but the boy heard TO whizzng bullet.
He galloped on. A moment later the
White Caps rode into the rayine, and
again appeared on the nearer bank.
They had not discovered the farmer.
Joe urged the horse to greater speed.
He feared that if he were caught alone,
his pursuers would go back and search
the gully for his father. He must keep
away from them as long as possible.
Now he had reached the brush pas
ture For several minutes he walked
the horse through the paths that twist
ed about among the bushes, which.