Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1894-06-01
PEG WESSON.

n was III hdlSh' i'f'' "hA bHN NNiA
raised in Gloucester to join the ex-
III Ran against Louisburg was to leave
=" With the rising of the morrow's
"" In the spring twilight three young
W. made their way, with noisy jest
n song, toward a wretched cottage
Nv stood in the outskirts of the town
TANNED loudly for admittance.
ina door was opened by withered
a rone. \ candle, burning on a
-,n table, dimly revealed the black
]Ualls of the interior, the punches
herbs hanging from the ceiling, a
mi simply of battered pewter plates
,.acoarse earthenware on some shelves
corner, few old chairs and a pack
I 4 worn and greasy cards apparently
int flung down.
aWbat We here for? Off with We" cried
\ se old woman when she saw who her
visitors were.
/ uOh. now, Peggy said the tallest of
no three in a wheedling tone, "we're
Ain the morning for Louisburg, you
now. and we thought we'd pay you
farewell visit and get our fortunes told"
| an warrant we've no siller to pay me
vi. Martin Sanders, said Peggy, keep
Ihgs firm grip on the door and pushing
IAs little closer as she spoke.
Here's bright new silver sixpence
Imye" displaying it as he spoke, "and
Ham and Job have more of the same
yt 50 now let us come in and give
Nssgood send off"
1 The money proved an argument not
h be gainsaid, and Peggy admitted
them. When they were seated she took
mn her cards, shuffied them and pro-
| rseded to tell the young mems fortunes.
| Job Ayers came first, then Tom Good
4 win When Martin Sanders turn came,
4 and Goody Wesson crossed his palm
with the coin he handed her, his imper-
Irritable gravity, contrasted with the
repressible snickering of his compan-
ions. made her suddenly suspicious. She
gaye him searching glance; then, as
she was about to place the coin on the
table with the others, she scrutiniZed it
kesnly and balanced it on her hand.
Ayers and Goodwin giggled and moved
toward the door. But not the ghost OF
smile passed over Martin Sanders
face Peg struck the coin sfnartly
against the base of the iron candlestick
and listened to the sound, then pressed
| It against the edge of the table, 1t bent
with the pressure.
/ Curse We, Mart Sanders, she cried
in a sudden fury; tits leadv'
L Then Martin Sanders laughed, and the
three roaring with laughter at the
result of their poor trick, opened the
door of Goody NELSON'S cot and rushed
out into the night.
She ran after them, brandishing her
staff and raving like a mad woman.
Course We, Mart Sandersw she
screamed; curse tn three of We, body
and breath, flesh and bonel Curse ye
lying down and rising up, sleeping and
waking living and dyingl I'll take
vengeance on We at Louisburgr The
night wind bore the dismal threat and
lsrepetition to their ears and silenced
ner laughter as they ran down the hill
btheir homes in the more thickly set
ted part ct the town,
The great feet of nearly 100 vessels,
mat made up the expedition against
Lous0urg sailed from Boston on the
Isl day of April Favored by wind and
weather. 1t soon reached Cape Breton,
snc was coasting along the shore of that
STAND toward its destined haven. IN
many Of the vessels the soldiers were
Salchlng the hills and woods on shore
Tth the interest inspired by new scenes,
out every indentation of the coast was
anllar to most of the Gloucester men,
W they had often been there on their
@ang voyages. Their attention was
s'lacted to the singular movements of
a"htary crow that lowered persistently
%0Ve them, now and then alighting on
Aetopmast.
as they were entering the harbor of
"Olsburg, Martin Sanders was sent for
'%d to assist in furling the jib. A
wye parted suddenly under his feet and
Ueieli headlong into the sea.
Inc last sound that fell upon his ears
Siore the rushing waters closed over
uini was the hoarse screaming of the
Aow, powerful current was running,
alu IT was only with great difficulty
1aG sanders was rescued.
When the excitement was over, and
us half drowned man was once more
'@ nc on deck, the crow had disappeared.
Inc feet cast anchor in the harbor
!. .uu countless boats took the men on
auOre' Before the siege could COM
u,ence the cannon must be landed and
Naced in favorable nnsition. It was