The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-05-16

e,cu7ro 1884 BY AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION.
and whispered: "De sogers hev cum
fur de Yankee, an dey's gwine to do
sunthin awful to him! Dey wants he un
to cum outdoahs right smart!"
SOLDIERS? What soldiers?:" asked
Marian.
"Why, dem soldiers dat's paradin up
an down an maxim SIGH a fuss! Oars
ober a hundred of 'em aroun de house!'
"And they want Mr.. Kenton?"
"Yes'm-want him right bad. l
heard '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 the
front door. Just as she opened it Steve
Brayton was reaching out to ring the
| bell. Behind him were a dozen or more
men.
"Well, what is wanted?" quietly
asked Marian as Steve pulled of his
hat and shifted about in a ervou way.
"sN-nuthin, ma'am, nuthin tall" be
seplied as he backed off. "That is, we
lest considered that we'd better call
and-and"-
"Did you want to see any n here:"
"Wby don't you IN tell herr" e1-
claimed Ike Baxter as he pushed him
self forward.
"Waal ma'am, we I'M cum yere to
see somebody" continued Steve.
eyes, we uns cum to see that Yam
keel, added Ike.
"You mean MI. Kenton:" queried
Marian.
CHATS it! They say he's a Yankee
spy, and it's our dooty to hev a little
talk with him!"
"sWho 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 q company, 20
know"
"And Mr.. Wyle told you that MI.
Kenton was a Yankee spy, did he?"de-
manded Marian as her eyes flashed and
her breath came quickly.
"Yes, ma'am."
.Steve Brayton, yo' un's a FOOL" call
ed a voice from the c1owd-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 a 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 out::"
"No! Three of you a 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 a puzzled
look on MS race.
Steve Braytcn 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:
"Mr. Kenton, some folks around
yere ar ta1kin that yo' un's a Yankee
spy. Will 80 put yo'r name down on
this paper:?"
II will, and I'll 60 with your COM
pany whenever it is ready to co." was
the prompt answer as he drew a pencil
from his pocket and wrote his name,
which was the ffty-third on the roll.
Twenty minutes later Steve Brayton
and his companions appeared at the
hotel, where Duke Wyle was impatient
ly waiting for news.
well, Steve, is it tar and feathers?"
he asked as the crowd came up the
steps.
OOSS LudG LUX 11h0 tdI duO 1Sdlu-
ers:" replied Steve as he handed out
the paper and pointed to the same Of
Royal Kenton.
What, he volunteered in this COM
pany!"
Exactly"
did you threaten him."
mot a threat! Reckon we'd better
make him second lootenant, eh:"
But Duke Wyle did not answer. He
sat and stared at the name and was
dumb with amazement.
CHAPTER V.
1t took three days more to enlist the
men necessary to fill the ranks of the
Shenandoah guards, as the company
called itself, and while awaiting orders
from Richmond an election Of officers
Was held. ONLY a few of the volunteers