Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-08-18

the cannon, and this the adventurous Co.
lumbia reserved for herself
"They d never believe wo could do TINT,
but I've watched them lots of times, and
| know VIC can. / Wouldn't miss IL for
anything. i shall want you, Hilda Ora
ham, to help me, and you Mamie Miller.
The thrcc Of us can mSrage 1t, I'm sure"
This cannon was "a rusty relic of the
Mexican war; procured from the govern
ment for Fourth of July purposes in the
days when Rustval esteemed itself
model of patriotism. 1t was kept housed
in an open shed at tho top of n slight rise
of ground just outside the village
"Wc won't try to move it down" said
Columbia Wed best shoot it off right
where 1t stands.
At last tho night of great events had
come, to he signalizcd by new revolt
against ovorboaring tyranny. All Rusti-
val was asleep apparently except Joel Slo
cum who uncasly paced his porch and
listened ut the gate, still haunted by vague
apprchcnsions anent "thcm striped petit
coats. "
suddenly the still moonlight was Jared
by tho sharp clang of a bell. Peal after
peal sang out with clashing and discordant
precipitancy like q fire alarm. Then there
burst forth an uncarthly shrilling and
sqnawking Of horns and conchs and u
suffering and banging of hrccrackers of
all dimensions Joel rushed out into tho
street, to be greeted by the Kissing rush OF
mountain rocket, and the meteorc
glare, as it exploded and spilled downward
its shower of particolorcd sparks, showed
him that tho aforesaid striped petit
coats were abundantly in evidence. A
moment later came the roar Of tho cannon
from the hill, jolting the ear and rafting
all the window punes with its harsh con
cussion
Meanwhile the fair artillery corps were
standing in terrific triumph by their FUN
ing gun.
Il thought was just blown to atoms"
screamed Mamie, still dancing about.
Lucky you didn't stay behind It,
Clumby. That was real cute plea of
yours to set 1t of with n 1lrecracker. Sec,
it's kicked u hole right through the back
of the she'd
"And isn't tho smell perfectly nwfulS"
cried Ililda, snCezng.
Il rather like the smell of gunpowdcr
myself" answered Columbia stoutly, but
She too, chokcd and sncczcd
Now for another onc!' shouted Manic.
"Hurry up, Clumby, before anybody
left for wadding. I'd no idea the old
thing would take so much. What will we
dos"
1--WE seen tho boys use grass, replied
the rcsourccful captain.
So with straining arms and heroic dis,
regard Of CRIME, they pulled their heavy
ordnance back into position and filled ii
nearly TO the mu2zlc with armfuls of dcwy
grass, ramming it homo with all their
strength.
Don't be afraid. They always fiji il
clear up" painted Columbia, breathless
with her oxertions.
"You didn't forget to put in the pow
DER"
mot I, she responded. "That would
be girl trick, wouldn't it?"
At that momcnt shouts were heard at
the foot Of she hill. Sho hastily adjusted
the printing and sprang to her feet. a
throng of dark, gcsticulating figures wer,
pressing up tho slope, Joel Slocum ut the
head of the column.
you leave alone that cannon." he bel
lowed as he cantcred toward them like ar
angry bull. you shoot that gun AGAR
an I'll have you jailed
put 'cm under tho pump!" bawlcd an.
other of the gallant party.
Look cut for yourselves! It's Rong.''
rang out the shrill, sweet treble of the cap
tain, keyed to concert pitch by intense OK
element.
Tho fuse was already sparkling and
splitting gushcs OF fire. She stood in its
fitful light aglow with color. Then the
mir was rent with Il tremendous detOna
ton, and both the cannon and its inclos
ing shed had vanished.
Slocum was hit full and fair by the
huge w0d of pulpy grass Lucky for hin
he was no nearcrl Stained green from
head to foot, he lay writing and raging
like n blisterCd snake.
"Shcs n.killln folksl" he yelled. "ShC
fred right at us Tar an feathers is toe
good fer her" And the crazcd mob tool
up the cry.
But the girls also had vanished. TIL,
two aids had fled in shricking panic, bu
as the storm Of threats broke upon he
Columbia staggered to her feet, gropint
for support, u littlo stream of blood trio
king from her forehead. Stand back =
she cried family. Don't you dare touch
, mcl'
's'tand back, you scoundrcls!"
A clear, strong, menacing voice cam'
like an echo with rovello of hoof beat
from the farther slope of the hill. A youns
cavalry officer, closely followed by squat
) Of his men, drew rein beside her, Ho lift
ed tho girl to the saddle and drew u biz
revolver.
! This gun shoots lead" no warned
them. Don't you advance another step
suspected there might DO trouble tonigh
in dcspicablc little town where they re
spcct neither country nor women"
Are you badly hurt swcctheartp" h
, asked tonderly ms they rode away.
NO, Edmund; only "a little cash on III.
tcmplc-iust Scratch" she whispered
but she was shuddering uncontrollably.
} Anyhow" he responded sitting sol
dier's OATH for he was still hot witt
wra,n, you snau aga, i.u ..,.,
with the craven traitors Of Rustival. ]
yon will go to war, Columbia, you shall
20 with me. "--Boston Transcript