Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1896-10-08
REBEL IN THE WOODS.

When the ablcbodied citzcus uf inc
village formed a company and marched
away to the war, Major Tom Boldin ns'
eumod in a manner tho burden 81 the
village cares Everybody ran to him
when they felt Obliged to discuss their
affairs. Tho sorrows Of the town were
dragged before him. His little bench NJ
the sunny side II Migglesville tavern
became a sort of an open court whcrn
people came to speak rcscntfully ~ thoir
grievances Ho accepted his position
and struggled manfully under tho load
IL bohooycd him ~ a man who bad seen
the aly red over the quaint low citios Of
Mexico and the compact northern hayu'
nots cleaning on the narrow roada
ono warm summon day the iunior Hnt
aslcrp on his little brnch There wg a
luli in The tempest Of discussion which
usually cnvclopcd him. His cane, BY
uso Of which he could mako the most
tremendous and impressive gesture, r..
posed beside him. His hat lay upon the
bench, and his old bald head had swung
forward until his nose actually touched
the frst button u his waisicuai.
Tho sparrows wnnglcd desperately IN
the road. dcfying preparation. Once
team went iangling and crcaking past
raising a yellow blur u dust bcforo the
soft tones ~ the field and Ky. In The
long grass n the meadow acruss Tho
road tho insects chirpcd and clackcd
ctCrnally.
Suddenly a frowzy headed boy APP
pcnrd IN the roadway, his hafo feet
paitering rapidly 10 WINS extremely
excited. Ilo gave shrill whoop o. b.
discovered the sleeping major and rush
ed toward him. He created a tcrriilo
panic among some chickens that had
been scratching intcntly near the mniuf's
feet They clamofcd Ia nm insanity 81
fear and rushed hiihor and thithcr aok-
ing a way Of escape, whereas M reality
all ways lay opon to them.
THIS tuinnlt caused tho major TO
nrousc with sudden little jump q
nmazcmont aud apprehension. io rub
bed his eyes aud gazed about him
Meanwhile some cloyorchickon had die
covered a passage to safety and led The
flock into tho garden. whcfo they
nquawkcd In sustained alarm.
Painting from his run and chokcd
with terror. the little boy stood bofor
the major. struggling with tale that
was ever upon tho tip 81 bis tongue
Major-now-major'-
Tho old man. ruuscd from a delicious
slumbor, gland impaiieutly at tho lit
tie boy.
Come. comci What's IN matter
with yehl" be- demanded. whats IN
mattori Don't stand there shaking
Speak up''
Lots IL IN matter" the little hoy
shouted valiAntly. with a courage born
Of the Importance Of his tale. MY mas
chickens us all stole. an now-ho's
over In tho wood.'
"who isl Who Is over In the woOdsi
Go ahoadr'
"Now-th' rebel isl'
"whAti" roarod the major
9TH rcbcll'' cried tho little boy with
.hc last breath
Tho major bounced from his bench In
tompcstuous excitement lilo scigcd the
little boy by the collar and gave him u
great jerk
"wherci Arc yeh urci Who saw
'iml How long ngoi Whore IL ho now
Did ych sco imp
The little boy. frightened at the ma.
3or's fury. began to sob After mo-
ment no managed 10 stammcr;
Hes now-he'sin the woodsl saw
'imi Ho looks uglicr'n anything"
Tho major released his hold upon the
boy, and, pausinH for time. indulscd
IN glorious dream.
"By thunder. we'll kcich the ouai
Yeh wait here" ho told tho boy, IAN
don't any word e anybody Do yeh
hcari"
Tho boy, stiii weeping. nodded. and
the major hurricdly entered tho inn
lie took down from it, pegs an awk.
ward. Emoothhofo rifle and carefully
examined thu enormous percussion cap
that WIS fitted over the nipple. Mis-.
trusting tho cap, he removed IL and 70
placed IL with new one, lio scuu.
nizcd the gun koonly, ~ II b. could
judge In this manner Of the condition
Of tho load All his movements were
hNAAANAaNN hHn AfNAlNs
When he arrived upon the porch Of
the tavern, he beheld tho yard filled
with people Peter witheby, fuoty
faccd and grinning, WIS ia tho van.
lie looked at the major
"Wolli' he said.
"WellF returned the major. bridline.
"wcll. what's 'cho goty' said old
Peter
"'GotF Got rebel over In III
woods" ruared tho major.
At this sentence tho women and boyi
who had gathered eagerly about him
gave vent 20 startled cries. Tho womef
had come from adjacent houses, but th,
little boys rproaontcd tho ontirc village
They had iniraculously heard the fr.
whisper Of rumor, and thoy pcrformot
wonders IN getting to tho spot The,
clustered muand the important hguro o
tho major and Razld in silent awe. TIN
women, however, bust forth. Al In
word "rubel, which represented "a
them all the terrible things they dplugc,
tho major with questions. which wor,
obviously uuanswcrablc.
lie shook them OIL with violent lima
thence. Meanwhile Peter withoby wa.
trying TO force oXsperatiag iutcuuga
tons through tho tumult 10 tho major
ears
"whatl MOL Yosi How d. / known
tho maddcnod veteran narlcd, as h,
struggled with his friends. "Nol Yes
WhatI How In thunder d. known"
Upon the stepso tho tavern the land