Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1897-01-01

Il
examined Il enormous percussion cap
that was fitted over the nipple. Mis-
trusting the cap, he removed it and re-
placed it with new one. He scruti-
nized the gun keenly, as if he could
Judge in this manner of the condition
of the load. All his movements were
deliberate and deadly.
When he arrived upon the porch Of
the tavern, he beheld the yard filled
with people. Peter Witheby, sooty
faced and grinning, was i'll the van.
He looked at the major.
"Well?" he said.
"Well?" returned the major, bridling.
"Well, what's che got?" said old
Peter
"Got?' Got rebel over in tn
woods!" roared the major.
AT this sentence the women and boys
who had gathered eagerly about him
gave vent TO startled cries. The women
had come from adjacent houses, but the
little boys represented the entire village
They had miraculously heard the first
whisper of rumor, and they performed
wonders in getting to the spot. They
clustered around the important figure OF
the major and gazed in silent awe. The
women, however, burst forth. At the
word rebel" which represented to
them all the terrible things, they deluged
the major with questions, which were
obviously unanswerable.
He shook them off with violent impa-
thence. Meanwhile Peter Witheby was
trying to force exasperating interroga-
tions through the tumult to the majors
ears.
what? Mol Yes! How d. know"
the maddened veteran snarled as he
struggled with his friends. mo! Yes!
What? How in thunder d know"
Upon the steps Of the tavern the land
lady sat, weeping forlornly.
AT last the major broke through the
crowd and went to the roadway. There,
as they all streamed after him, he turned
and faced them.
"Now, look a-here don't know any
more about this than yeh do. he told
them forcibly. "All that l know is
that there's rebel over in Smiths
woods, an all know is that l IN agoin
after i'm -
But hol on minnet," said old
Peter "How do yeh know he s a rebel?"
Il know he is, cried the major.
Don't yeh think | know what rebel
is?'
Then, with gesture of disdain at the
babbling crowd, he marched determin-
eddy away, his rifle held in the hollow
of his arm. At this heroic moment "a
new clamor arose, half admiration, half
dismay Old Peter hobbled after the
major, continually repeating:
'Hol on "a minnet "
The little boy who had given the
alarm was the center of "a throng Of lads,
who gazed with envy and awe, discov
ering in him new quality. He held
forth to them eloquently. The women
started after the figure of the major and
old Peter, his pursuer. Jerozel Bronson,
half witted lad, who comprehended
nothing save an occasional genial word,
leaned against the fence and grinned
like skull. The major and The pursuer
passed out of view around the turn in
the road where the great naples lazily
shook off the dust that lay on their
leaves.
For moment the little group of wo-
men listened intently, as if they expect.
ed to hear sudden shot and cries from
the distance. They looked at each other
their lips little ways apart. The trees
sighed softly in the heat of the summer
sun. The insects III the meadow contin.
ued their monotonous humming, and
somewhere a hen had been stricken with
fear and was cackling loudly.
Finally Mrs. Goodwin said
well, I'm goin to tn turn o tn
road anyhow" Mrs. Willetts and Mrs
Joe Peterson, her particular friends,
cried out at this temerity, but she said:
well, I'm goin anyhow. "
She called Bronson.
Come on, Jerozel. Yeh're a man,
an if he should chase us why yeh mus
pitch inteh i'm. Hey?"
Bronson always obeyed everybody
He grinned an assent and went with
her down the road.
A little boy attempted to follow them,
but shriIl scream from his mother
made him halt.
less their eyes fixed upon Mrs Goodwin
and Jerozel Then at last one gave
laugh of triumph at her conquest of
caution and fear and cried:
well, I'm goin tool'
Another instantly said, $50 am j.
There began general movement. Some
of the little boys had already ventured
hundred feet away from the main
body, and at this unanimous advance
they spread out ahead in little groups
Some recounted terrible stories of rebel
ferocity. Their eyes were large with ex-
element The whole thing, with its
possible danger, had for them delicious
| element. Johnnie Peterson, who could
whip any boy present, explained what
he would do in case the enemy should
pounce out at him.
The familiar scene suddenly assumed
o new aspect The field of corn which
met the road upon the left was no lon.
| ger a mere field of corn. 1t was dark.