The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-04-26

and all about us. We uns will hear
from them today fur shore. Then thar
is Ike Baxter to look out fur. Pity yo'r
Niger didn strike a leetle harder and
finish him, but it seems that Ike got
away. He IN was probably sent to spy !
on yo', and yo' kin bet that Captain
Wyle and his eritter cohpany haint fur
off. We shall also hear from them bctu'
the days over" 81
"Well, suppose we do2" asked Ma
rian. Mr.. Kenton has been true and |
loyal to Virginia and the south. Hois
here in Confederate uniform and has
only escaped from the Federals after be- |
ing taken prisoner in another battle.
Suppose the Confederates do comeY'
That's yo'r way of lookin at it, Miss
Percy" said Steve as he twirled his hat
in his hands, My way is leetle differ
ent. Captain Wyle, Ike Baxter and the
rest of tho crowd want revenge, If they
find Mr.. Kenton in yo'r house, they'll
take him out and carry him Off to some
camp. They'll use him rough. They'll
make charges. They'll stick right to
him till they hev his life, I'm not fg-
germ on myself tall. If they don't
shoot me offhand, I'll git court mar
tailed and be chained up sumwhar till
the eand Of the war. Fact is, Miss Per-
cy, I've Jest about dun cut loose from
this glorious old southern confederaoy
and gone over to the YanksH'
Then what would you adviser"
leave he un right yere fur awhile.
We uns' got two guns and revolver,
and II the crowd comes we kin stand
'em off a good deal better than at the
house, Meanwhile let Uncle Ben sot out
down the valley to find the Yankee sol.
diers and tell EN- what's up. II 'nuft
Of 'em cum, and they cum in time, We
will be all right. If not, we might as
we'll say our prayers"
Both Marian and Kenton realized the
' situation as he presented it, and within
I've minutes Uncle Ben had his instruc-
tions. II was believed that he would
run across Federal cavalry within 10
miles Of Rest Haven. He was to ask for
General Custer, and if he found that
commander 10 ask him in the name Of
the Percys to come at once. He was to
call at the house and say to Mrs. Baxter
that Marian would be home within an
hour.
And while yo' un S yero to look out
fur the patient, y" said Steve Brayton to
the girl as the old man moved away,
I'm jest git ready fur the call I'm ex-
pectilv'
The camp mad plsnty CT natural de-
tense, bat py mo7ing some Of the bowl
dsTs With lever and using such stones
as he could lift as 'ehinking" he had
the place proof against anything but az
tiilery within an hour. While he works
and Marian and Kenton plan let Us fol-
low Uncle Ben. He had been intrusted
with message to Mrs Baxter, but on
+ his arrival at the house hefailed to find
her. Entering her room in the quar-
ters" in his search, he found things in
such disorder that hSsalt certain she
had packed up few articles and fed
from the place. Under no other circum-
stances would he have dared TO look
/ into the bedroom Of tue missus' inthe
other honse. Alarmed at the thought
that she was helpless and abandoned, he
ventured to intrude. She was lying with
her face toward him, and the first glance
brought moan tohis lips. He called to
her, passed into the room, called again
and finally reached out and touched the
white and wasted hand resting on the
cover. II was cold as ice. He pushed
forward an old black hand which had
served her and hers for half century
and more and laid it on her face.
go dc great Lawd in heaben, but
de missus has dun diedl' he cried aloud
as he hurried from the room with chat
tering teeth and trembling limbs. She
had seemed to be sleeping when Marian
LETT the house an hour or more before,
but she might have been dying then.
Tho old mans frst thought was to hur-
ry back to camp and tell the girl what
had occurred, but as he moved away ho
checked himself aud muttored:
"Jest wait now till we hgger leetle.
De good Lawd has dun tooken do missus
away, an my olo hearts ready to break
wild sorrow, but mustn't give up to dc
feelin. Dar's Miss Sunshine, an dsr
Mars Kenton an dat soger Steve, dey's
all alive an in danger. If / tole Miss
Sunshine, che couldn't do uufin now
'cept to wing her hands an cry. No, |
won't go back dar! I'll harry up an
find dem Yankees an tell 'em to cum as
quick as dey kinp' "a
He had turned about in bis tracks
when he heard great catter up the
road, and next minute he was surround
cd by about 20 mounted men. Some
were in uniform, and among these he
noticed one with his head bandaged aud
at once identified him as Ike Baxter.
There were others in citizens dress, and
while he was wondering who they might
be one Of them laughingly exclaimed:
Hello, yo' old son Of satanl How
does yo' un feel after the lickin 20 got
last nightY
There was sergeant In command of
the squad but Ike Baxter appeared to
direct operations. He at first drew his
saber as if 10 give the old negro cut,
but checking himself he said:
: Nov, men, look alive! Some Of yo'
uns search the house and drag out that
cussed Yankee and Steve Brayton, and
the rest of us will drive a stake and find
chain and some firewoodl I'm goin
to burn this old niger alive fur tryin
to kill me last night"
fro BE CONTINUED