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

Following upon ClOudeO SuuSCu nhu
come one Of those sudden changes in
the weather common to that climate
and season, and night set in in such
chilly fashion that Seth cast about his
threadbare wardrobe in an impatient
and hopeless search for something that
might serve as substitute for . top
coat.
He "was bound to SEQ that thing out
if he had to set the night through in
his shirt sleeves on that windy gallery. v
The Scriptural apportionment OF sew
en- women to one man came very near
of achievement at Sans Souct in those
days, and Seth felt sense of RESPONSE
bility for their physical welfare that
was not confined to the careful herding
of their diminishing flocks OK tho rails
ing Of acceptable food crops.
That "a lot Of impudent Yankee cuss-
es" should have visited Sans Souci and
let their trough tongues" loose on tho
madam and sissy was an indignity that
stirred him to hot but impotent wrath.
He had so expressed himself with in
effectual remorse when tho story Of the
morning had been told him. variously
and eXcitedly.
II don't know as l could a-done any
thing if Id ben here, but seems like
there oughter ben man bout to
a-savcd you all some"
1--WE amt through with 'em yet,
sonny. You'll have chance at 'em,
said his mother, with pathetic pride
in the courage of the Martins. 1T
wouldn't surprise me one particle If
them sassy rogues was to come back to-
night and stick u torch to US all while
we was asleep"
1t was this frightful prophecy that
set Seth to hunting up n topcoat, whic!-,
of course, he did not find.
He relinquished the search with a
patient sigh and compromised on a
moth eaten comforter, which he was
cheerfully convinced would secure hiEl
against the added pangs of sore throat.
They were an unexacting lot, these
hemmed in rebels, men and women,
and had learnt the great lesson of do
ing without thoroughly we'll And a
man who has learned to do without
such supcr1uities as -four and coffee
and sugar and shoes and hats is not apt
to grow captious over the absence OF O
topcCat
"If it worn't for the women folks,
could staLd it better, durn'd il l
couldn't I'd ENJOY mortifyin the
flesh III some fashion, seein I'm shut Off
from doin any Of the fghtin, but mann
my's old and the madam 8 delicate, and
dog-on me if it don't make me snortin
mad to have them pestered y
Thus Seth to himself, pacing slowly
and softly up and down the vine cur
tained gallery, lonely, bewildered sem
tinel, not knowing in the least what
the moments might bring forth, accept
ing duty for his password and ready to
follow his commander, conscience, into
the very jaws Of death.
Two huge tubbed oleanders flanked
the front steps on either side. The soft,
slow patter of the rain upon their thick
leaves made him nervous. 1t lessened
his chances of hearing approaching foot
steps and tended to further confuse his
bewildered senses.
At one moment the pattering sound
ed like the faroff clatter Of innumera-
BILE hoofs, then again it fell with the
sharp distinctness Of clinking spurs on
nearby heels, while over the shadowy
groups Of the dark shrubs the night
wind swept its eolian harp with rest
less fingers.