Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1898-05-19

to Sessumsport would come Of my own
accord carly in the morning it wouldn't
induce you to let me stay here till day
breaks?"
"Not by jugful. Our major is a
martinez. When he gives an order, we
obey it, we don't question it. Our Or
ders arc to fetch enc Seth D. Martin to
his headquarters, out In the courthouse
at SesGunsport, and if you are inclined
to go peaoeably 1t will be better for you
and the women folks-for everybody
concerned. If your beast is turned out,
you'll have to double up with ono Of
the boys"
II would like to leave note, then,
for my mother"
"Perhaps 1t would be best to 60 quiet
ly," he argued mentally Indeed there
was no room for choice i'll the matter
II won't keep you waitin long. III
just step into the library and scratch of
line"
"You won't try to skip"
"SEip?"
"Varoose tho ranch:"
on n'aH utuSo you!
"Thnt' about tho size Of it. "
"Seth Martin amt got much to be
proud of, gentlemen" taid Seth, lifting
his STOPPING form with an angry gcs-
ture, "hut he amt never yet caught
himself tryin to dodge anything or amy
man"
"Good for Seth Martin. All the
same, Corporal Grecnleaf, step Inside
with Freshly while he writes that note
to his ma.
There was something in the light,
scoiIIg voice that s!ung Seth into 81
lence. He turned away IRON the men
and walked quickly toward the library,
closely followed by Corporal Greenleaf
On the library table no knew he
would find one of the soft, tallowy can.
dies his mother and the madam were SO
inordinately proud of, stuck in ono Of
the tall silver candlesticks that had be-
longed to generations of Strongs. 1t al
ways stood ready for night emergencies.
Seth lighted it, and with sense Of
desecration resting heavily upon him
seated himself at the governors S writing
table to write q comforting note to his
mother.
Corporal Greenlcaf took possession Of
the big leather armchair that was rare
ly ever occupied, now that the governor
was gone, and, laying his heavy cap
across his knees, gave himself up to con-
temptation of the splendid appointments
Of the room.
Seth's pen scratching rapidly across
the sheet Of paper was the only audible
sound.
"It amt a easy letter to write" he
said lifting his head to smile apologct-
ically at the corporal. "4ou see,
don't want to scare them any more than
can l- helped. I've told her Two been
rested, but cant just exactly tell hor
what the major Of the Fifth wants Of
me. Do you happen to know Iow?''
The simple earncStness Of this rustic
won upon his more sophisticated guard
strangely. Corporal Greenlcaf rncross-
ed and rocrossed his military legs with
deliberation, toycd mcditativcly with
the rowcl of his huge spurs and answer
ed oonfuscdly: Blessed if do. recl-
OH, however, it's safe to tell her that
you're in no danger Of hcing roasted
alive or passed through the sausage
grinder; not fat 'nough on your bones
tor that "
Thank you," said Seth, cCurtcously
smiling faint acceptance of the corpo-
ral's broad personalities before resum-
ing the laborious undertaking. Of writ
ing his mother the first letter he had
ever indited:
DEAR OLD MAMMy-Don't you 90 and get
scared now when don't turn up about break
fast timc. Tho Yankees out at Scssumsport
want mo for something O. rutker, and I'm un.
der Arrest would have woke you mp to tell
you all this by word er mouth, but thought
you needed all the sleep you couid GIT after
yestylay 8 scare. don't see as anybody's got
much az inst me. wisht they had more, but
l reckon they'll turn me loose when they find
ont what small game they We basged. The fell
Ter that's watcEin me while l'm writin this
don't seem to think thar's anything very tur'
rifying ahend of me. so you mustn't be Gun
perin up anything dreadful If / ain t back
home by l? o'clock, please tell Dolbear to be
sho and hoo ont tho rest OF them turn'ps,
had laid off to do it myself fust thing this
mOrnln, Dut JneSe SCNt3 IL SO picSoih iii tAio'i
invitation Pm 'bleeged to 80 with 'em.
P. S-The above Is joke With love to sis
Your attached son, 4. D. MARTIN.
Pallid, breathless, terrified, with this
note fluttering in her trembling hand,
Mrs. Martin burst into the room occu-
pied jointly by Liza and Mamie Colyer.
who were both startled into intense.
wide awakeness by her wailing cry.
Liza oh, Liza, wake up, honey, and
give me some comfort My hearts like
to break. "
Liza, barefoot, rosy from slumbcr,
bright eyed and disheveled, was by her
side in a second.
"What is it, minnie? The smoke
housep"
"Smokehousel Oh, my Lord, no! It's
your brother, your brother Seth. The
onlies' one l had left. ."
"Sethr"
"He's done took, honey. They've
rested him. The Yankees is got him
out at Sessumsport this ve'y minute,
and how do I know what they're doin
to him? And, oh, my Lawd, just bet
anything it was them red stripes down
the side of his poor legs. He said them
stripes made him look like a major gen-
eral, and / reckon them fools thought
he was. Poor boy And him never hav-
ing chance to shoot anything but beef
cattle"
She wiped her fast flowing tears on
the cuff of her gown sleeve and sighed
resignedly:
"You needn't say a word, Liza. 1t
was them red stripes. But when women
haa To cnt their mon folks breaches