The National tribune., 1901-12-12
What is it, Deacon?' he asked.

What is it, Deacon?" he asked.
Something of the greatest Importance"
said the Deacon. Come over here to
Mrs. Cudger"
The Governor walked to the bay win
dow, where Mrs. Cudger was impatiently
waiting for him, letter in hand, while the
| Deacon sped to the fireplace, seized the
poker, and concealing it close to his leg,
took his position on guard by the side of
the States Chief Magistrate.
Governor, you are In the greatest dan
| ger, all on account of that Odious Mrs.
Vernon Quiggs," said Mrs. Cudger excit-
edly. Remember it was l that discov-
cred it. l may be Southern sympathizer,
but am true to those who befriend me.
You are in great danger, l tell you, and
it may come at any moment"
The Deacon grasped his poker more
firmly.
THAT has a rather familiar sound,
Mrs. Cudger," said the Governor, quietly
smiling. u have been hearing it every
day for nearly four years now"
But this time it is real-imminent-
right at hand,' exclaimed Mrs. Cudger ex-
citedly.
What, have you there, Mrs. Cudger|
asked the Governor, quietly indicating
with look the letter in her hand
Listen, and I'll read it to you," said
she, and proceeding to read the abduction
part of the letter. while the Deacon anx-
Ously watched the Governors face, and
glowered about on anybody who came
near.
There was a burst of leonine laughter
from the Governor as she concluded. 20,
she's got onto that old coa-mine plot, has
she?" he laughed. why, that is more
than year old. | had nearly forgotten
1t. That's the trouble with you ladies as
news-getters. II you would get on to the
M l. rlyr Il IL
what valuable assistants you would be.
But your news is likely to be as out of
season as last years birds nests. That
coal-mine project was first started during
the Fallandigham campaign. The plan
was then to kidnap both Gov Brough of
Ohio and me, and hold US in pledge for
Vallandigham. There were some really
dangerous men in it at the time. But we
managed to head it off. Sir Knight J. L.?
That's Joe Long, Deacon, whom, you will
remember, l sent down to you a few
weeks ago, on a confidential mission.
Joe's slick one, l tell you, and played
them in great style. 1 hated to lose him,
but he got so tired of associating with
Copperheads that l gave him 4 commits
sion as Major in one of the new regi-
ments. He said he was nearly dead for
breath of fresh air. The Kidnapping
project has been dropped by the fellows
who really meant business, and is now
being run by men like our acquaintance,
Bible Sam, who're using it solely to ex-
ait themselves before their Iewd fellows of
the baser sort. They're making some cap
Ital out of it in the groggeries and other
resorts, and getting their drinks, etc, free.
But as | don't see how they could be more
harmlessly employed, we don't interfere
with them"
But aren't you going to do anything to
that horrid Libby Quiggs?" asked Mrs.
Powhatan Cudger anxiOusly. She's
dangerous plotter, and ought to be shut
up in Fort Lafayette, or somewhere where
she can't do any harm. She is an odious
ways"
Let me see her letter." said the Gov
ernor
He took it. and without glancing at the |
walked over to the fire and threw |
Now, Mrs. Powhatan Cudger," he |
said, remember the little poem:
The mercy l to others show,
That mercy show to me-
Il have told you that no one should
know of your letters. See that nothing is
said of Mrs. Quiggs's. Mr. Quiggs, like
Mr.. Cudger, has been of great assistance
to me at times, and I'll not allow their
wives names to be dragged through the
mire of this affair."
wants to see you very much, Governor"
said Thad Virgins, coming up. you
know he is No. on the list of the men
who'd swore to kill you-with Bible
Sans name first"
Yes, l know him. Mainly gas Not
dangerous, except to whisky
Hes probably heard of Sans arrest,
and wants to get ahead of him with his
Probably. Let me see: this is the
bird or fourth plot he has been in and
given away, isn't it?
Yes. He got the contract for that hos
,ital fence for giving away that plot to
'un the train through the Wabash bridge
md kill you and nearly all the State Of
icers. That was bad scheme, and his
,eaching was worth all he got"
Yes. And then for that scheme to re-
ease the rebel officers at Camp Morton?'
He got job as Superintendent and
yatchman of the new barracks
And for that plot to turn the arms for
he new regiments over to the knights
f the Golden Circle" i