Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1898-07-04

come out an shoot us jury'd be
mighty likely ter acquit him."
"Certainly they would, an give him
medal besides. He's liable to show
up any time now. G'lang there" and
the teams moved on, the plows cut
ting their smooth way through the
dark rich prairie with soft, steady
"s-w-i-s-h"
All at once there was transform
alton. Like n meteor there rose out
of the boundless darkness OF the east
stream of light, outlined with
startling distinctness against the un-
broken sky. Its force was undimin
ished by any city lights or rival dis
play; even the stars shone dimly
through light haze that had gath
cred.
Higher and higher the stream rose
and then burst into glittering shower
of colored stars that fell swiftly into
nothingness.
The appearance of an army before
them could not have astonished the
claim Jumpers more. The horses,
snort and rear. The mems voices as
they attempted to quiet them were
high and Quavering.
Then to the west 1t broke forth,
this strange bombardment. One, two,
three. dozen balls of light came out
of the tall grass and fell not far from
the teams, which snorted and reared
still more and We're eager to escape.
The next rocket took II lower course
and seemed aimed directly at the in
terlopers. Its shower of fiame-pearls
We're scattered in their very faces and
the men instinctively lodged to es-
cape the ball Meanwhile punches Of
fire We're rolling through the air In
their direction from the west, and the
frantic horses, now loosened from the
tools, could hardly be restrained.
The rattle of musketry (how could
the claim jumpers know that 1t was
only q package Of firecrackersD from
farther south-Ruth had changed To-
cation, the bright tactician that she
was-increased the strangers dismay.
"The place is bewitched, let's leave
itv' called one of the men.
The other did not answer, but as
Just then a rocket exploded within a
dozen feet of his horses heads, and
the terrified animals, defying all at
tempts on his part to control them,
leaped forward and started ON run
northward, he, perforce, led the re-
treat.
Streaming lights and cracking
musketry followed them as without
hope or thought of returning they fled.
Had their ears been more acutely
attuned they might have caught a
sound also of jeering laughter, for
revealed by the light of the tempest
uous celebration, their actions had
been plainly visible to the attackers
But the bombardment was not alone
terrifying to the claim Jumpers.
Farmer jerks and his wife, having
finished their business, came jogging
homeward in the evening. AS they
neared their claim the strange mani.
festation showing of over the prairie
frst puzzled and then alarmed them!
"If twas winter I'd think 1t was
Northern Lights" said the husband,
muslng
''lf 'twasn't twenty miles out on the
prairie, I'd think it was Fourth of
July celebration" added his wife.
Their alarm increased when they
found the cabin deserted and they
drove the weary horses on in the d.
rection of the display.
Here we are" called CHEEKY
voice from the darkness. They recog-
nized 1t as Ruth's, and in q moment
both girls We're in the wagon telling
In almost hopeless confusion the story
Of their days adventures.
When at Inst Farmer jerks under
stood the situation he kissed them
mpulsively and said they were
"trumps."
"Guess I'll 90 on an see what the
rascals left" he remarked dryly.
They may want to come back after
II an I'll keep 1t for them"
Crossing the fresh-broken ground
be came to the plows, which he loaded
INTO the wagon.
"They won't plow any more to-
night" said he with chucklc.
They've helped me out good DEAL
Ruth" spoke up Lettie, when the
two girls had climbed into the little
oed in the attic after returning home,
that was n queer celebration, wasn't
It? Do you know what l was savin'
my money for?'
"CandyY
"No, l was goln' to pay my way
oaek to New York"
$50 was I-with-mlne," reluctantly
admitted the other.
I'm glad l didn't, though" contin-
ded Lettie. II don't want to go now.
Let's stay here now for good, will
gou?"
"Yes," answered Ruth heartily.
And they did.
Beware of Ointments for Catarrh
that contain mercury, as mercury will
surely destroy the sense of smell and
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