Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1900-02-16

OF men coming swiftly up the TOdu.
and her neighbor's words needed no
further confirmation. had they seen
him turn into her house? She could not
tell, but, satisfied that in any event
they would stop there to make inquir-
les, if nothing more, the courageous
woman instantly turned and once more
faced the painting man in the room.
Hide me! Hide me somewhere, any
where!" he pleaded. Don't let them
get mel"
Mistress Fisher glanced hastily about
the room. What could she do? Through
the kitchen door she could see the hens
f1uttering in the ash heap. Beyond was
the barn, and it was useless to think of
hiding there. And the tories were al
ready approaching and would soon be in
the house.
'Here!" exclaimed the undaunted
woman, selling a brush made of goose
quilts lying on the table. Taking
knife she quickly cut several of the
quilts loose. Then, cutting the feathered
parts away. she blew the 'pith" out of
each and joined four of them in the
form of long tube. She worked rap
idly and with desperation born al
most of despair. the man meanwhile
watching her and not uttering sound.
AS soon as she had the tube ready,
she grasped the shovel, which was near
the kitchen door, and said: ''Comei
Be quick! We haven't a minute to
spare"
The man followed her, not perceiving
her purpose, but too frightened to ques-
ton or protest. Quickly Mistress Fish
er ran to the ash heap and began to dig
with feverish haste. Every moment was
precious now, and she labored desper-
ately, knowing that the fate of life
depended upon her efforts. AS soon
as she had made a hole large enough to
satisfy her, she dropped the shovel, and,
taking the quill tube, said to her COM
panion: Here! keep this in your
mouth! Now jump in, and I'll hide you.
Be sure and keep your eyes and mouth
closed. Quick!"
Her purpose was clear now, and in
stantly the man obeyed. Then Mistress
Fisher covered him with ashes, being
careful to see that the end of the tube
was left free, and as soon as the labor
was completed she flung the shovel to
one side of the house and entered the
kitchen, just as the tories came up on
though her countenance was bold, as
she advanced to meet the band.
''Who are you? What wish you here %
the brave woman demanded.
"Give up that rebel, Joe Butler" said
the leader; 1--WE saw him turn in here"
think you I would give him up if
he were here?'
you've got him here somewhere.
Now, give him over!" shouted the lead
er, fourishing a pistol as he spoke.
Mistress Fisher felt strangely sick
and faint, but, still striving to keep up
her bold appearance, said: Keep your
pistol to brighten children. with; you
shall not intimidate me! If you want to
give up your chase and look for my
neighbor Butler here, it is your priv
ilege. IT'S not the first time defense
less women in Westchester county have
had their homes invaded by hirelings!"
"Come on, boys!" called the leader,
| restoring his pistol to his belt and
turning to his followers as he spoke.
''She hid that rebel husband of hers
| under the kitchen floor, and perhaps
Joe Butler is there now!"
In moment the search was be-
gun. The loose boards of the floor
were torn away, but no rebel was
found beneath them. Then into the
cellar, into every room and closet,
tearing apart the beds and overturn-
ing chairs and tables in their efforts.
The men searched the house, but the
missing man could not be found.
''Some of you go out to the barn"
said the leader, at last. I'll stand
here and keep my eye on both places"
he added, as he stepped upon the ash
heap.
In en- agony of fear Mistress Fish
| er watched and waited. Would he dis
cover the presence of the man con-
cealed beneath his feet? The mo-
ments dragged on like hours, but at
last the search was abandoned and
with many threats against her rebel
husband" and the wing who for the
| present had escaped them the men de-
parted. The woman waited until
half hour had gone and then, taking
her shovel, began to dig into the ash
heap again. Soon she had freed her
neighhor from his hiding place, but
what spectacle he presented AL
most too exhausted to stand, streaked
with the ashes, and almost blinded as
well, il was long before he was re-
! stored. But at last, by the aid of
soap ard water and such simple means
as were in the house, he was made
| ready to return to his home or go to
| the camp, as he deemed best.
| As ne stood on the piazza he said:
Il thought I was dead man when 1
| crawled into that ash heap. 1 was
thinking of the words of the preach
| er-'Dust to dust, ashes to ashes"
"Out of the ashes you came to life
| again." responded Mistress Fisher,