The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-02-16
For the Sake Of Honor

]
John Randall stood for a moment
leaning over the pasture bars in the
direction Of the hills that rose between
him and the Delaware. It was IN the
troublous times Of the War OF Inde-
pendence, and John and his mother
and sister Betty remained on the little
New Jersey farm. The boys and girls
who have studied history know that
New Jersey was marched across more
than any other state. John had seen
the fleeing patriots hurrying along the
highway more than once. and. too.
he had seen the triumphant redcoats
marching by. It had not been an easy
matter to make the family living dur
ing this time. and John. as the head OF
the family Ia his fathers absence.
felt the full responsibility Of this.
They gave freely from their stores for
the patriots and frequently what re-
mained was taken by the redcoats
without even so much as a thank
you"
John had kept one precious treasure
through It all. his horse. Beauty. II
ever any horse deserved the name Of
Beauty It was Johns. Her black
coat was as carefully cared for as II
she had belonged to king. She low
ed her master. and followed him about
as a petted dog would. You may
wonder how she escaped being cap
tured by the redcoats. Well, there was
a little hollow down In the woodland
where John concealed her at the FIRST
alarm. The soldiers were always In
hurry, and took anything they saw:
but so far they had never searched
nor asked questions.
Mother" said John one day, II the
soldiers ever ask II have horse. II
would be all right to say no, would Il
not? couldn't let Beauty 80. She Ia
used to being petted so. and the SOL
diers would be cruel to her, I'm
afraid"
MY son" said Mrs. Randall. 4
know that many good people cali It
right and lawful to tell a falsehood to
those thieving soldiers, but, John,
your father would scorn to tell a lie to
save his life, and think he would like
TO know that his son loved truth above
all else. However. use your own
judgment. my son. It would, indeed,
be a sore trial to lose Beauty, and
pray the good God not to put you to
the test"
John thought for a moment and
then said. III they ask me I will tell
the truth, because OF my father and
because it is right. But. nevertheless.
/ shall hide Beauty so that they shall
not find her unless they search long
and WELL"
On this morning. as he stood look
ing toward the hills, he caught sight
OF a gleam Of red passing through one
OF the dehles. He ran TO the house as
fast as he could
"The redcoats, mother!" be shouted.
Then he turned to the pasture bars adj
joining the yard and called. Come
Beauty Come, Beauty" Beauty came
out OF a clump Of bushes and raced
across the pasture. She came up 70
her master with arched neck and
dainty. pranclng steps, expecting a
irolic. no doubt
mo time to play to-day. my Beau
"" said John, scrambllng on her
back Nov away with you to the
hollow"
Beauty had never known the touch OF
4 whip, and she scampered away down
he lane at Johns command.
when the soldiers rode up they went
straight to the barn. There were no
horses there. They had been taken 1
away long before. One OF them came
10 the door where John was standing.
Boy, Is there a horse any place
about?"
Johns heart was as heavy as lead at
his question. He heard Betty give q
Job in the kitchen back Of him. for
Betty loved Beauty as well as John
I'D.
yes. sir" said John. braveiy. at
last.
"Oh. there IS. Is there7v said the
ioldier. surveying him with an i4c ed
ilous air. Perhaps you viii tell rs
where It is, or even get It Tor u.s."
mo. sir. I viii not" said John.
Mrs. Randall held her breath for
ear at the boldness Of the answer.
,ut TIE soldier turned away. laughing. /
IS Z il we're huge joke.
Major" he said. turning 70 the
Office. will you send 4
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