The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-04-02

once to the all important question. Aft
e1 1t had continued for time Mrs.
Percy suddenly observed:
Mr. Kenton, we were speaking of
You this afternoon and were agreed
that your position was at least embar
RAISING"
(which means," he smilingly re-
piled, that you have been wondering
which side l would take in this con
test"
Mother and daughter looked at him
withNconsiderable eagerness, but with
out reply and he continued:
mo doubt l ought to be ashamed of
the fact that have lived to be "a years
Of age and have taken no interest in
politics. If all others were clear ON this
question, could soon decide it for my
self. Here we have some of the ablest
men of America contending that no state
Is bound to the Union by any constitu-
tional law, while Others equally wise
advise war as Il penalty for secession.
We have no precedent TO guide us. No
state was forced into the Union. If the
people of any one state believe that sep
aration would be benefit, how can we
deny her right to withdraw? And vet
no state has moral or legal right to
imperil the welfare of the general gov
arnment.
Il cannot speak for the south. but
TOR Virginia only" said the mother.
| know little of politics. / am content
to leave the question to the statesmen
Of our state, have no bitterness of
sectional feeling"
You are from Rhode Island, Mr..
kenton, " observed the daughter.
Yes"
But You came here to make your
home with us. The state has adopted
you, SO to speak. "
YES"
You have become voter here. You
nave no intention Of returning to the
north:"
None whatever"
Then you must stand on the same
platform We DO. You must stand by
your state. d."
He has doubtless given the subject
serious thought" said the mother in
zones meant to gently reprimand the
daughter for her eagerness.
II have indeed" answered Kenton,
and 1t seems TO me that
At that moment colored girl ap-
peared at the door and beckoned to
mother and daughter in an excited way
md whispered; DE sogers hev cum
fur de Yankee, an dey's gwine to do
mnthin awful to him! Dey wants he um
20 cum outdoahs right smart"
Soldiers: What soldiers:' asked
Marian.
why, dem soldiers dat's paradin up
an down an maxim SIGH fuss. Oars
ober a hundred Of 'em aroun de house!"
And they want Mr.. kenton:"
"Yes'm-want him right bad. |
leard 'em talk bout tar and fedders!"
Whispering to her mother to entertain
their caller, the girl excused herself and
passed down the hall and out at this
'front.' door. Just as she opened it Steve
Brayton was reaching out to ring the
bell. Behind him were a dozen or more
men.
We'll, what is wanted?" quietly
asked Marian as Steve pulled Oft his
hat and shifted about in nervous way.
"N-nuthin, ma am, nuthin 'tall!" he
replied as he backed off. THAT is. we
Jest considered that we'd better call
and-and"--
Did you want to see any one here;"
why don't you un tell herr" en-
claimed Ike Baxter as he pushed him
self forward.
"Waal, ma'am, we uns cum yere to
see somebody" continued Steve.
" Yes, we uns cum to see that Yam
keel" added Ike.
You mean Mir. kenton:" uuerlea
Marian.
That's i'll They say he's q Yankee
spy. and it's our dooty to hev little
talk with him!"
Who says he's a Yankee spy?"
Reckon it was Duke Wyle, ma am,
and he orter to know. He's goin to be
first lootenant of our company, yo'
know"
And Mr., Wyle told you that Mr..
Kenton was Yankee spy, did he Y" de-
manded Marian as her eyes flashed and
her breath came quickly.
Yes, ma am.
Steve Brayton, yo' un' fool" call
ed a voice from the cIowd-the voice of
some one who knew that Wyle was a
caller at the house.
He dun told me so, and it's left fur
us to find out" continued Steve, who
wanted to square himself
And you want to question him?"
asked Marian.
"As a dooty, ma'am, as dooty to
Virginny. Can't hev no Yankee SPY
about yere, yo' know. We hain't got
nuthin agin him as a man, but if he un's
spyin on us that's different Will yo'
please call him outl"
mo! Three of you can come in and
question HIM"
Steve Brayton, Ike Baxter and Tom
Henderson followed her into the house.
while the others crowded up on the
veranda to wait for what might happen.
Mr.. Kenton, some callers to see
you," said Marian as they entered the
parlor, and he rose up, with puzzled
look on his face.
Steve Brayton had broken the ice and
recovered from his embarrassment. He
did not propose to do any talking.
Kenton was either for or against. The
quickest way to ascertain was to present
the enlistment paper. He took it from
his pocket, extended it to the young law
yer and said:
MIR. Kenton, some folks around
yere ar talkin that yo' un's Yankee
sDy Will va mt Vn'r namo. dou,, o,,