Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-11-14

the struggle winners. But they had
done nothing lawless then. They had
not had an Owen Davies. They knew.
too, that many strikes had been lost
among the colleries through rioting
Capt. Legendre was quick to perceive
the wavering in their ranks.
Look here, my men," he cried, -
see that there are some sensible fell
lows among you, and before you al
! low yourselves to be led astray by the
counsels of that frebrand a. your
! head. listen to reason. You lave
everything to lose and nothing to sain
/ by the course he proposes Numeri-
, cauy you are our superiorS, no doubt.
but We are armed and prepared. and
| warn you that the first person who
attempts to enter Gwynhynlleth House
against the viii of its master will be
fired at as a common burglar. There
will be bloOdshed to a certainty"
This reasoning appeared to possess
great force with the multitude, and
it is probable milder counseis might
have prevailed had not owen Davies.
seeing the tide Of public feeling run
ming against him and incensed by the
success Of Capt. Legendre's oratory,
suddenly rushed forward AID flung a
stone with all his strength at the cap
tain. 1t hit him on the head and he
would have fallen to the ground had
not one of the domestics supported
him and drawn him indoors. Nav
Ester, with great presence Of mind
Immediately boIted the door and made
all fast. The besieged were now in a
bad way. for their general lay uncon-
SciOuS and had to be carried to the
dining room, where the women and
children were assembled. Fortunately,
he soon came to his senses. but he
had a bad wound, which rendered
him so faint that lie was unable to
stand upright Meanwhile the besieg-
els were battering at the door and
Uttering angry cries. Luckily, it was
made Of solid oak and resisted their
blows. Capt. Legendre had caused
round hole to be bored in TIE shutters.
He begged Violet to look through it
and report what was going on outside.
But that young lady had taken refuge
beneath the dining room table and
refused to bulge.
How can you be so selfish as to
want me to expose myself TO danger?"
she responded. ''SUrpCLing a bullet
were to come whistling through the
window and hit me in the face. |
should be disfgured for life, and then.
pray, what should l do? No, no, you
don't catch me moving from here"
And she craWled further under the
table-a pitiable picture of abject
horror.
Captain Legendre looked at her with
undisguised contempt.
Il must ask you, then, Miss Foster"
he said.
Don't be afraid to make use of
me-" she responded readily. Il will
try not to faint or do anything silly"
He glanced at her for a moment
with admiration. Amid all this crew
Of terrified females it was inexpress-
bic relief to find one with a head on
her shoulders. He felt instinctively
that this girl was to be trusted
''Will you look through the peep
hole he said, "and tell me if you can
see a big mau with red hair who is
melting the men to adyance?"
May did as desired.
"1 eS," she said. HE is walking
over the lawn dragging huge branch
of tree behind him.
THE devil he is! He means to use
that as battering ram and will break
in the door in no time if we don't
take steps to prevent him"
What are we to do?' asked May.
/ 1--WE must fight" he responded, a
stern expression passed over his face.
DO you think you could hold me up
while l shoot?'
rs it necessary" she asked, turning
a little pale.
"Quite. shall only pepper that fell
lows legs, just to disable him for the
time being; if l don't there is no
knowing what mischief he may lead
his companions into. Whereas, if we
can get him out Of the way, it is quite
on the cards the rest of them may re-
turn to their homes. You can be very
sure l shall not fire unless under the
strongest prOvOcation.
May looked out of the window again.
OH she cried suddenly, two or
three of them have lifted up the
bough and are striking the door with
it,
Now is the moment" said Captain
Legendre. Undo the shutter, there's
a good girl, and hand me my shotgun.
1t is on the ia bic there
Supported by May, he rose to his
feet and, partly throwing open the
window, babe the men desist.
do that again." he Grief, and 1
fire. You are fully warned
A shower of stones and Jumps of
coal greeted this announcement. With
a howl of Gerision Owen Davies raised
the branch aloft and hurled it against
the door. Captain Legendre put two
No. s cartridges into his gun and then
fired. \ terrific yell burst upon the
air, drowning every other sound. The
beSieged shit down the window and
Immediately closed the shutter.
Through their peephOle they could see
the gigantic form Of Owen Davies ~
ing full length upon the ground. A
critical siIe-ce succeeded to the hub
bub that had hitherto prevailed. The
only Sound audible was the moaning