The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-08-04

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"RosENBAUM SPRAwLED IN THE ROAD
"Hullo yourself F." replied Shorty, in Mrs
Bolster's tones.
@ It's matchmaking. Call off yer dogs
ST and Shorty looked startled, and ex
changed significant glances Needn't we
told it was him." said Shorty. II could
smell his breath even this far. Hullo
Come on up. Git out, Watch Lay down
Tige! BECOME, Bones Come on up, Ground
hog. What's the news ?"
louder, longer, more penetrating hiss than
ever sounded from the house. Shorty looked
around angrily. 81 made break for the
door.
. No, can't come up, now," said Ground
hog; 81 jest come by to see if things wu1
all right. A company went out o. camp this
mornin' for some place that could mt find out
| couldn't git word t you, an I've bin anxi-
GUS bout whether it come this way"
Never fetched u.s." answered Shorty, in
perfect reproduction of Mrs. Bolster's ac-
cents. ''We'uns is all right"
The kissing from the cabin became so loud
that it seemed impossible for Grounding not
to hear it.
''Blast it, ST, can't you gag that old guinea
hen," said Shorty, in a savage undertone.
ST was in the meanwhile mutterin9 all
sorts of savage threats at Mrs Bolster, the
least of which was to 90 in and choke the life
out of her if she did not stop her signalling.
"Glad t. hear it, said Grounding.
was leetle skeery all day about it, an come
out as soon s l could. Have yo' seed Brad
Jingle 2"
eyes; seen him to-day"
"D' yo' know whar he is? Kin yo' git
word to him quck?"
6 Yes, indeed; right Off"
"Well, send word t. him ez soon ez yo'
kin, that I've got the mules ready for STAN
pedin' an runnin' off at any time, an waitin'
for him. The sooner he kin jump the corral
the better. Tonight if he kin, but suttenly
not later'n to-morrer night. Be sure and git
word to him by early to-morrer mornin', at
the furthest."
''TlI be sure t. git word t. him this very
night" answered the fictitious Mrs. Bolster
''Well, goodnight. | must hurry along,
an git back afore the second relief goes off
Ill my friends air on it. See yo' ter-morrer,
if / kim"
g You jest bet you'll see me tomorrow, +"
said Shorty grimly, as he heard Groundhog's
mule clatter away. :" If you don't see me
the disappointment III come nigh breaking
my heart. Now I'll 90 in and learn Mr. and
Mrs. Hack berry how to spend the first night
o. their welded lives
- don't keer eli yO' do shoot me. I'd a
heap ruther he shot than not" she was say
inc to 81 as Shorty came up. i've changed
my mind sence I've bin put in here. I'd a
heap ruther die than live with jeff Hack
berry"
Never knowed married folks to git tired
o. one another so soon, commented Shorty
' But / should've thought that Jeff'd got
tired first. But this is no time to fool around
with family jars. Look here jeff Hack berry,
you must make that wife o. yours keep quiet
If she tries to give another signal We'll tie
you up by the thumbs now, besides shoot
you in the mornin'."
"What kin do with her?" whined jeff.
"Do with her? You kin make her mind
That's your duty. You're the head O. the
fambly"
"Head o. the fambly?" groaned JEFF, in
mournful sarcasm mister, you don't seem
to be acquainted with Sal"
Head o. the family" sneered his wife
" He amt the head O. nothin'. Not the head
O. pin. He haint no more head'n a fish
worm"
"Look here, woman" said Shorty, "didn't
you promise to love, honor and obey him ?"
"No, didn't nuther. / said I'd shove,
hammer an Delay him. Hits none o. yer
bizniss, nohow, yo' sneakin' Yankee, what
do to him. You hain't no call t. mix in be-
twixt him an me. AM my mouths my
own. I'll use hit jest as please, in spite O.
yo' an him, an forty others like yo' Hear
that 2"
swell, you git back into that bed, an
stay there, and don't you dare give another
signal, or I'll auckland gag you on your
wedding night"
"Don't you dar fetch me-" she said men,
aciDgly.
q amt goin' to touch you. I'm too care
full what l touch. But Pll tie you to that
bed and gag you if you don't do as l say
Get back into bed at once"
Il amt gwine t, an yo' can't make me-"
she said defiantly.
Take hold of her, jeff" said Shorty,
pulling out his bayonet, and giving that
worthy little prod.
jeff hesitated until Shorty gave him
more earnest prod, when he advanced toward
his wife, but, as he attempted to lay his
hands on ner shoulders, she caught MIN,
gave him quick twist and a trip, and down
he went; but he had clutched her to save
himself from falling, and brought her down
with him. Shorty caught her elbows and
called to ST to bring him a piece of cord,
with which he tied her arms. Another
piece bound her ankles. She lay on the
floor and rallied with all the vehemence of
her vicious tongue.
nd lou Nov 10
there" Shorty ordered jeff Jeff found
some difficulty in lifting the tall, bony
frame, but Shorty gave him little help
with the ponderous but agile feet, and the
woman was finally gotten on the bed.
''Now, We'll gag you next, if you make
any more trouble" threatened Shorty.
s. We don't allow no woman to interfere
with military operations"