Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-06-04
w'Tn s'evvaaS ~ TRANE VIC Hgek

We were turning from all this to go
In, when we heard Jeans voice raised
In altercation, and thinking our rustic
servant had fallen into trouble, we
walked across to the stables near which
| no and the horses were still lingering.
sWell, what Is it% l said, sharply.
"They say that there Is no room for
the horses Jean answered, querulous-
", scratching his head; half sullen,
half cowed, a country servant all over
"And there Is not!" cried the fore
most Of the gang about the door, hasten
Ing to confront us in turn. His tone
was insolent, and 1t needed but half IN
eye to see that the fellows were In
clined to back him up. He stuck his
arms akimbo and faced us with an i'm
pudent smile. A lanthorn on the
ground beside him throwing an uncer-
tain light on the group, saw that they
all wore the same badge.
"Come,' I said, sternly, 1.-THE stables
are large, and your horses cannot fill
them. Some room must be found for
NINE"
ITO be sure! Make way for the
king!' he retorted. While one jeered
"vive lie roll" and the rest laughed.
Not good-humoredly, but with touch
Of spitefulness.
Quarrels between gentlemen's serv-
ants were as common then as they are
to-day. But the masters seldom con-
descended to interfere. "Let the fel-
lows fight it out" was the general SEN
timent. Here, however, poor Jean was
overmatched, and we had no choice but
to see to 1t ourselves.
"Come, men, have care that you do
not get into trouble" | urged, restrain
ing Croisette by touch, for | by no
means wished to have repetition Of
the catastrophe which had happened at
Caylus. "These horses belong to the
vicomte de Caylus. II your master be
friend Of his, as may very probably
be the case, you will run the risk Of get
ting into trouble"
thought heard, as ! stopped speak
Ing, a subdued muttering, and fancied
caught the words "Papegotl Down
with the Guises!" But the spokesman's
only answer aloud was "Cock-a-doodle-
doo!" "Cook-a-doodle.dool" he re-
peated, tapping his arms in defiance.
"IIere Is cock Of fine hackle!" And
SO on, and so forth, while he turned
grinning to his companions, looking
for their applause.
Twas itching to chastlse him, and yet
hesitated, lest the thing should have its
serious side, when new actor ap-
peared. Shame, you brutes" cried
shrill voice above us--in the clouds it
seemed. ! looked up, and saw two girls,
coarse and handsome. standing at
window over the stable, q light between
them. "For shamel Don't you sce that
they are mere children? Let them be-"
cried one.
The men laughed louder than ever;
and for me, could not stand by and be
called child. "Come here" / said,
beckoning to the man in the doorway.
"Come here, you rascal, and will give
you the thrashing you deserve for
speaking to gentleman"
lie lunged forward, q heavy fellow,
taller than myself and six inches wider
at the shoulders. My heart failed me
q little as | measured him. But the
thing had to be done. If was slight, |
was wiry as u hound, and in the excite
ment had forgotten my fatigue. |
snatched from Marie loaded riding
whip he carried, and stepped forward.
"llave care, little MANI cried the
girl, gayly-yet half in pity, l think.
"0r that fat pig will kin you!"
My antagonist did not join in the
laugh this time. Indeed, it struck me
that his eye wandered, and that he was
not SO ready to enter the ring as his
mates were to form it. But before
could try his mettlc, a hand was laid on
my shoulder A man appearing from
| do not know where--from the dark
fringe Of the group, suppose-pushed
me aside, roughly, but not discourteous-
ly.
leave this to mel" he said, coolly
stepping before me. DO not dirty your
hands with the lSnave, master ! am
pining for work, and the job will just
suit me. | will fit him for the worms
before the nuns above can say an Avel"
looked at the newcomer. He was a
stout fellow; not over tall, not over
big; swarthy, with prominent features.
The plume of his bonnet was broken,
but he wore it In a rakish fashion; and,
altogether, he staggered with SO dare
devil al air, blinking his spurs ant
swinging out his long sword reckless
ly, that It was no wonder three or foul
Of the nearest fellows gave back foot
"Come onl" he cried, boisterously
forming ring by the simple process O.
sweeping his blade from side to side
while he made the dagger in his lef
hand flash around his head. "Who II
for the game? Who will strike blow