People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1893-02-17

Archie Hartley holding the rank Of
lieutenants
All the preparations had been made
for the grand event of February %. BY
assistance from the ladies of the town
the troops were properly costumed to
represent either the patriots or they ro-
alists, and the three main commanding
officers looked extremely well in their
uniforms. Don had taken great pains
to make himself look like the father of
his country, and, as nature had given
him a noble, kindly face, he was high
ly successful
Chance threw Don and Lima together
on the morning of the great day.
might an humble maiden deign to
wish Gen. Washington success" asked
Lima.
Something in her look and tone made
Donald's heart beat with a quickened
pulsation. lie mad never spoken Of his
love, feeling he could not until he had
gained sure position in his profession.
1t was now certain he would soon be
admitted to the bar, and he felt conf
dent of the future. Answering an i'm
pulse, therefore, he could not control,
he said:
Lima, never mind Gen. Washington.
am merely Don Waldron, the lawyer;
but l love you, Lima viii you marry
me when | get rich?"
A startled look came into the young
girls eyes and she glanced hastily up
at Don, and then as hastily looked
upon the ground.
"Will you, darling? Don't you love
me. Lina?'
1t was earnest pleading and the
maiden knew it. She answered, sim
ply: Yes, Don, l love you; rich or
poor, will be your wife if you want
me-"
Some hours later and the streets OF
Beverley presented gala sight. The
citizens were out in holiday attire and
houses and stores were decorated with
the national colors, while the stars and
stripes foated from every flag staff.
Down the road came the patriot army,
Gen. Washington at their head He
was marching upon Yorktown. There
the British, under CORVALLIS, were
encamped. The union jack could be
seen floating from the governors man
sion.
An advance of the continental troops
with the artillery was already in front
of the city. The gunners were at their
post. Boom! The rattle of musketry
was followed by the dull roar of the
cannon. An aid-de-camp dashed swift
ly up TO patriot officer with an order
from Gen. Washington. Away rushed
regiment of troops in full charge
upon the enemy.
Observation-Disclosures went
the cannon and the muskets Charge
after charge, repulse after repulse, was
made, only to charge again. At last
a wild cheer went up from the patriot
Threats, and the union jack was sup
planted by the star-spangled banner.
In the last sortie made by the Ameri-
can troops the gunners had joined,
leaving their pieces loaded but unat-
tended.
Beppo had been an excited witness
of the fight. The roar of the guns and
the smell Of burnt powder had set the
half-witted Italian wild. All he real
lied was that Big Don was fighting
those inside the barricade, and he
wanted to do something 1t was all
real to him, and with crazy cunning he
cast about for some means to act eff
fectively. lie was not noticed in the
general excitement and he saw his OPP
portunity. Picking up large stone he
forced it into the cannon, and quickly
lOuCICAl IL uldlCh W lllG lust.
Gen. Washington was Just receiving
the sword CORVALLIS had sent in sur
render. Boom! - crash!' and the
startled troops, officers and all, fairly
jumped in the air. A shot had crashed
into the side of the old farmhouse just
at window cap, tearing away the
woodwork. What the people found in
that opening was if anything more
startling than the shot Can upon can
of all sizes and kinds were taken out
and found to be full of money. The
miser's secret hiding place was re-
vealed. Don Waldron's fortune was
found.
And Beppo? Poor fellow. He had
not realized what he was doing; but
he paid a severe penalty. The old
gun, not used to such a charge, had
burst and the Italian boy was found
fifty feet away, bleeding, inanimate
mass.
After Beppo's funeral Don Waldron
and Lima Fulton walked away from
the grave together.
well, DEAR" said he, 80 you see
you are to marry me rich and not
poor"
Yes" answered Lima, thanks to
! Beppo's chance shot"
J. J. FULLER
Beginning Married Life.