The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1895-08-20

no good at talking. l was there
right enough on your land, and the
rabbits was yours. But, Colonel.
p'r'aps you've never been starving and
seen food running about wild, an
yet YOU mustn't touch it. 'Iwasn t
for myself l stole it. I'm man, and
short commons for a bit don't frighten
me; but'-and here his voice faltered
live got sister at home, and dry
bread and little of it don't lengthen
the lives of folks as is ILL.,"
Hunger does not justify theft, y
retorted Colonel Traite, harshly.
And what about the brutal attack
on my keepers?'
1T was tLeir fault, Colonel. They
fred"
Colonel Traite held up his hand
impatiently.
"We've heard enough of that"
said he, angrily. "You fellows won't
make your case any the better by
pretending you've been i'll treated.
You are set of lawless ruffians, who
take advantage of temporary clos
ing of the pits to rob other people,
and, when caught in the act, would
not hesitate at numbering the men
who detect you. While am on the
bench property shall be protected
and the laws of the country rigorous
ly upheld. You come into our
grounds, and, if you are not stopped,
will soon be entering our houses. |
shall pass upon all of you; the severest
sentence it is in my power to in
fict."
Colonel Traite looked round at the
other magistrates, and no one ven
tured to oppose him. But, as the
men were being led away, Jim
Hawel stepped back, and, in desper-
alton, played his last card.
Colonel" said he, may l say
another word?"
"Well?"
"Your Honor, my sister IS very
i'll. When she hears OF this the
shock may kill her. You yourself
have a daughter about her Rsc.
Think
''Take him away" said the Colonel,
coldly.
Then, as they hustled him from
the court, Jim Hawcl, his face white
and set, turned his head again, and
through the hall the fierce words
rang:
Pm going, Colonel Traite; but so
sure as live to get my liberty again,
I'll be even with you!'
And for that speech Jim got an
extra week.
jim Hawel lived to regain his lib
erty, and, when again he was free,
dark hatred ranklcd in his heart.
Sister Bess had had bad time Of
it, but buoyed up by the hope OF set-
ing Jim again, she struggled bravely
with her illness, and though she had
to give up the cottage managed to
live on somehow on the charity Of her
lowly neighbors till the happy day
came when Jim was out.
The pits were working again, and
Jim easily found work, and to BeSs
the trouble seemed t. be over. The
doctor, too, said that with plenty OF
nourishment she might possibly, in
time, get quite we'll again.
Had she known the desperate
scheme that had been hatched in the
brains Of her brother and his three
comrades her recovery would have
been even slower. For brooding over
their wrongs, those four men, their
hatred Of Col. Traite burning in their
hearts, had vowed upon revenge. And
the man who had been shot had Su1-
gested means Of which all approved.
HoDsley Grange was TO be set On lire.
The house is an old one said
he, y!ecfuIlt. Once fairly started
nothing can stop the flames. I've
done ol,l jobs about the place, and
there is a stable chock full Of hay
and straw close to the new wing that
will, when the wind blows from the
west, burn the house to the ground
with the striking Of !; single match.
For Il week or so the conspiratorS
made no move, but when they could
do so with safety one or another of
them was continually spying around
The Grange. observing the surround
ings Of the house, so that in the dark
ness no mistake might be male.
Then one evening, us the crowd 81
them came trudging home from thc
pit, four OF them exchanged mean-
ing glances, for Il strong wind WAS
blowing. and lie weathercocli on the
roof of the Town Hall showed that it
came from the west. At 9 clock
under tree in Il lonely lane the same
four met, and Il surprise WAS in store
for them.
Mates" said Jim Hawel. hoarSe-
ly, you know that I'm no coward.
The white feather amt much in my
liue. but l tell you, can't do this
job
''What?" they sasped. in chorus.
II can do it, repeated jim Il II
tell you why. You know my sister
Bess? I've got but her in the wo!ld
to care for; and if | come to grief
it'll finish her. The poachiny buSi-
ness she's only just managed 10 get
over. and I tell you, for her sal kr. |
can risk this. Alone I'd fire the
Colonel's place and tell him as how
it was me us did it; bat with her
alive it amt no good. B'lieve me or
blieve me not, the hate OF Col. Trai'c
sticks rs deep in me as ever it did.
and. Us swore. I'll be even with
him yet: but Just now my hand
aim t free, and must wait.
The three men, mutter!nG t"
themselves, stared ut him. The man