The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1895-08-26
THE BIG DR .zA!(=5!>e!(Z@(:Gz9
:. A Revolutionary Boys Adventure i.
ALLEN SHEPIEY'S KEEN MANOEUVRE
BY WHICH HE TRICKED BIG GIDEON BY T. c. HARBOUGH

, his hand threateningly on the hilt OF the
saber.
"Mind YOU. Stree" said he, eff you make
game of big Gideon he'll cut you down
without mercy. So look out, lad!'
Alan did not quavcr at this, but repIeu
with the same firmness he had already as
played. ~
Come. 7 know where your father is. He's
with Washington the rebel whom the king
will have the pleasure of hanging one oil
these days"
Alan Shepley's face flushed.
"When he hangs Washington, your king
will be much older than he is now, ne eN-
claimed. "You red coats cannot crush OUT
liberty in North America"
"What's thatg' cried big Gideon. This
is treason boy and I'm kings man.
"Kings man or not, sir. l am going 10
tell you what | think, sir"
For a moment il locked as II Alan Shep-
lev would nav dearly for his display OF
patriotism. but the big dragoon Suuuehiy
thought of his wants.
''This pie. the pier he exclaimed. Wei
compromise on that if it is well done, ha,
har'
He crossed his legs and waited, but the
boy did not move.
ooh, you gave me leave to search the
house did your he said. I'm take you ut
your word. The pantry first. Come along.
He sent an eager. suspicious glance down
the road, for the predatory bands OF
''SknnerS, patriot were app
to come i'm sight, but seeing nothing, he
left the stool and entered the house.
Alan stepped forward and opened the
pantry.
There is the little storehouse." he re-
marked. looking at the Dragon.
Hunting the Pie.
1t did not take long for the big fellow
no thrust his head into the pantry. he
could do little more. owing to his great
-.sfa
ed it, running his huge hands along the
shelves to the irreparable damage of some
precious glassware. which was shivered
on the floor.
Now. the CELLAR cried Big Gideon,
turning from the pantry. Il don't like
preserves, else | could have stripped your
pantry. This way, lad"
He tramped back to the porch, looking
once more up and down the country road.
and hating near the cellar door he babe
the boy unlock it,
The door was secured by an old-fashioned
paddock, into which fitted a key of formid-
able size. and the door itself was made of
the strongest of oak planks.
Alan stopped over the lock and opened
it. then rising. with the key in his hands.
he looked at the soldier as he raised the
door with the greatest ease.
The cellar looked dark enough. and Big
Gideon called for "A candle, which the boy
brought, handing it to him. In another
moment the kings regular began to de-
scend. and in "A little while Alan heard
him rumaging in the cellar.
Well did Alan Shepley know that no
plum pie would reward the red coats
search. and for few seconds he stood and
listened to his movements, now and then
catching glimpses of the nickering light,
which the gloved hand carried.
At last he heard the plunderer in the
iurthermost corner of the cellar, and then
he sprang to the door. Catching it firm
ly. he slapped it down. and the moment
it struck he was upon 1t and the paddock
snapped In it's old place
The Kings Man Trapped.
Big Gideon was n prisoner in the Gel
lar.
For half minute Alan Shepley seemed
overcome with what he had DONE but he
knew that the Dragon could not set out
without assistance. no matter how big
and strong he was.
Presently he heard something strike the
under side of the cellar door.
Here. you young rebel. let me out!'
cried a half-smothered voice.
Alan did not speak.
"Il see that ii gets pretty warm for
you. I'm of the kings regulars, and
you dare not hold me prisoner like this"
Dare not, sr?' answered the boy as
he went toward the door and leaned over
1t. Don't you know that you have no
right to plumber defenseless farmhouse?
We are rebels. but we have rights, and l
intend to show you. Big Gideon. that a
kings regular can't have his own way all