The Farmington times. [volume] (Farmington, Mo.) 1874-1902, 1900-02-22
ONE DOLLAR A YEAR


most Of despair, the man meanwhile
watching her and not utiering q Souna.
As soon as she had the :ube ready.
she graEpea the shovel, which was near
the kitchen door. and said; Comet
be qulckl We haven't a minute to
spare"
The man followed her, not psrcelving
her purpose. but too frightened 10 ques-
iion or protest. Quickly Mistress Fish
er ran TO the ash heap and began 10 dig
with feverish haste. Every moment was
precious now. and she lnbored dcsper-
ateiy, knowing that the fate OF life
depended upon her efforts. Az Sos n
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! Nav jump In and IN hide you.
BE sure aud keep your eyes and mouth
closed. Quick!"
Her purpose was clear nov, and In
stantly the man obcyed Then Mistress
Fisher covered him with ashes, being
careful TO see that the end OF the tube
was left free. and ar soon as the labor
was completed she fure the shovel io
one aide of the house aud entered the
kitchen. just as the tories came up on
the piaxza. Her heart was trembling.
though her eouutenancc was bold. "a
she advanced 10 meet The band.
"Who are you? What wish you here -
the brave woman demanded,
'Giye up that rebel, Joe Butler" said
the leader; Eve saw him turn in here"
Think you would give him mp IL
he were hcrr?"
you've got him here somewhere.
Now, give him overl" shouted the Lead
er. fiourlshing a pistol as he spoke.
Mistress Fisher felt strangely sick
aud faint, but, still striving to keep up
her bold appearance, said; Keep your
pistol 10 frighicn children with; YOU
shall not iutimidate me! If you want 10
give up your chase and look for my
neighbor Butler here, Il is your priv
ilege. 'TiE not the first time defense
less women 10 Wesichester county have
had their homes invaded by hirclinEs''
Come on. boysl" 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 nowl"
In moment the search was be-
gun. The loose boards Of the hoor
were torn away. but no rebel" was
found beneath them. Then into tho
cellar, into every room and clpsct,
tearing apart the beds and oycrturn-
ing chairs and tables in their efforts.
The men searched the house. but tho
missing man could not be found
"Somc Of you 60 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 On agony Of fear Mistress Fish.
| er watched and waited. Would he dis
cover the presence OF the man con-
eealed beneath his feet? The mo.
mentk dragged on like hours, but NJ
last the search was abandoned and
with many threats against her rebel
husband" and the whiE who for the
presen: had escaped them the men de-
parted. The woman waited until
half hour had gone and then, taking
her shovel, began 20 dig into the ash
heap again. Soon she had freed h"E
neighhOr from his hiding place, but
what q spectacle he presented ~
most too exhausted 10 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 aud such simple means
az were in the house, he was made
ready to return TO his home or so &c
the camp, rs he deemed best.
As ne stood on the piazza he said;
4 thought I was a dead man when
drnwled into that ash heap. ! was
thinking Of the words Of the preach.
er-'Dust TO dust, ashes TO ashes,
"out Of the ashes you came 60 life
again." responded Mistress Fisher,
solemhly. 80 may II be with our
country and with us ALL" And the
true-hrarted woman stood in the door,
way and watched her neighbor until
ne disappeared in the foresi.--f,crcii
r. Tomlinson, IN Congregationaiist