Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1894-04-28
None whatevor., :

Then you must stand on the same
platform we do. You must stand by
your state"
He has doubtless given the subject
serious thought, said the mother in
tones meant to gently reprimand the
daughter for her eagerness.
II have indeed, answered Kenton.
land it seems to me that
At that moment a colored girl ap
peared at the door and beekoned to
mother and daughter in an excited way
and whispered: de sogers hev cum
fur de Yankee, an dey's gwine to do
snnthin awful to himi Dey wants he un
to cum outdoahs right smarti"
SOLDIERS? What soldiers?" asked
Marian.
why. dem soldiers OATS paradin up
an down an maxim SIGH a fuss. Oars
ober a hundred of 'em aroun de housei"
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 ont 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 wanteds'' quietly
asked Marian as Steve pulled Oft his
hat and shifted about in a neIvous way.
"N-nathin. 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 am one heref"
why don't you un tell her?'' ex-
claimed Ike Baxter as he pushed him
self forward.
WAL, ma'ain, we uns cum we're TO
see somebody" continued Steve.
Yves, we uns cum to see that Yam
keel" added IKE.
"'You mem Mr.. Kenton?" queried
Marian.
That's It! They say he's a Yankee
spy, and its our dooty to hev a 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 a Yankee spy, did he?" de-
manded Marian as her eyes flashed and
her breath came quickly.
Yes, ma'am."
"Steve Brayton. yo' un' a fool!'' call
ed a voice from the crowd-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 outi" continued Steve, who
wanted to square himself.
And you want to question him2"
asked Marian.
"As a dooty, ma'am, as a dooty to
Vi1ginny. 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?"
mo! Three of you can come in ard
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 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:
Mr.. Kenton, some folks around
yere ar talkin that yo' un's a Yankee
spy. Will yo' put yo'r name down on
this paper?"
Il will, and III so with your COM
pany whenever it is ready to go!'' was
the prompt answer as he drew a pencil
from his pocket and wrote his name,
which was the fifty-third on the roll.
Twenty minutes later Steve Brayton
and his companions appeared at the
hotel. where Duke Wyle was impatient
~ waiting 1Or news.
well, Steve, is it tar and feathers?"
he asked as the crowd came up the
steps.
Does that look like tar and feath-
ers?" replied Steve as he handed out
the paper and pointed to the name of
Royal Kenton.
What, be volunteered in this com
panyi"
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.
FRO BE CONTINUED.