The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-11-17


copyrighted, 1895, by T c. Harbaugh.
In the fall of 1880 there stood at g
crossroads near the fords of The
Santee in South Carolina a small
blacksmith shop under a large tree.
1t was a picturesque spot, one Of the
prettiest in the district. then the hot
bed of rebellion against King George
and on more than one occasion tbs
horses of Iarion's men had been shod
there. Not only this, but it was the
only smithy for miles around. aud
more than one Tory was compelled to
ride to the shop to have his work done
by rebel. hands.
For Peter Cory, stout Peter, was the
best smith in the vicinit and when he
Joined the patriot army the shop fell
to his only son, a lad Of It. who had
learned how to shoe horses under his
fathers observing eye.
A Busy Boy.
Little Jason was a strong boy for his
years and good looking. He had a
clear blue eye like his mothers and
a kindly disposition, but, like his
father, he was resolute of purpose, and
nothing could swerve him from what
he thought was right.
The Santee home stood some dis
lance from the humble shop, but near
enough to enable the mother to hear
the clear, resonant ring of Jason
hsmmer.
The boy was always up with She
lark and his anvil rang all day as he
worked. beating out lons pieces Of iron
into the rough but terrible broad
swords with which Marion and his
rangers We're wont to spread terror
throughout the British camps.
They'll stop you one of these days,
JASON said a man one afternoon as
the boy blacksmith finished shoeing
his horse.
WHO will:" asked the boy.
why. these British. They must
know that you have been making
swords and when they get a chance at
you and your smithy they'll make
short work of both"
Let them try it, cried the little
smith, his blue eyes suddenly getting
CLEAN Of defiance. 1t is a game two
can play at, and as for me shoeing a
British dragoon's horse-that viii
never be done!'
The patriot rode away " tn an adj
1niring glance at the boy standing in
the door of his forge under the tree
and Jason presently went back to his
anvil.
Approach OF the Enemy.
For some time the fortunes Of war
had gone against the courageous
Swamp Fox, as Marion was called.
Colonel Tarlton. one of the best
kings men in the neighborhood, had
taken it upon himself to capture or
kill the patriot leader, and to this end
had swept across the Santee with an
overwhelming force of dragons. Ma
rion was not prepared to resist such
formidable numbers, and after several
engagements was compelled to retreat
toward the mountains Of North Caro-
lima.
This retreat left the district entirely
at the mercy of the enemy, and, as it
was noted for its rebellious people, the
British We're not disposed to treat the
with much leniency.
During these misfortunes OF war the
little smithy under the trees kept on.
Jason piled the hammer and worked
the old fashioned bellows now and
then whistling as he turned out some
ingenious bit of mechanism, but al
ways keeping a keen lookout up and
down the road as if he more than half
expected a visit from Tarleton's dra-
goons.
Every day he heard of new depreda-
tons of the enemy, and his ire rose as
be listened to stories Of pillage told by
those who came to him will. work.
UaweIcome Visitors
October and Jason Cory was at the
forge when he heard the rapid gallop
Of horses. and looking out he discern
ed a number Of red-coats riding to-
ward the shop.
The boy Vulcan was just finishing a
shoe. but he kept on till he completed
his task and held the shoe in the tub
at his left.
AS the water sizzled over the heated
iron he surveyed the dragons with
more care, noting that they numbered
about twenty ana that they were stall
Wart fellows with new uniforms and
well groomed steeds.
Their sabres clanked as they neared
The smithy and he saw that their
leader was looking direct at the place.
In another minute sharp halt"
spoken by the Britisher officer at the
head of the squadron caused every
man to draw rein, and all sat in their
saddles in front of the smithy.
"Hallo there. my little man. cried
the officer, who was a fine looking
man with a full beard of raven black
ness. You don't seem to be very
ousy just now"
Jason had stepped to the door with
ais hammer in his hand and his leather
apron on.
He spoke pleasantly to the dragons,
saying: Good evening, gentlemen as
ne bowed, but the next moment some
,olor left his face, for the officer con-
inued:
We've little work for you. Two I
# our horses threw their shoes half |
IN hour ago and we've ridden out of |
,ur way to give you job
AS the officer spoke he pointed to the !