The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1901-09-26


Suddenly the two guards attracted her
attention. They had been in the hall
ever since my arrival, but had not un-
til this moment excited her antago-
nism.
"What are you doing here" Though
her words were spoken sharply, her
voice was soft and musical.
"On guard" replied one Of the men.
"This isn't your house. Go away
from here"
"Hain't got no orders"
T give you orders" Fire was be-
ginning to dart from her eyes.
interfered. "rhey are only doing
their duty"
'"rhey have no right in this house."
"But If you drive them out they will
take me with thcm."
"Will theyW Her manner changed.
"Never mind" she said to the guard.
"Please don't leave us. wouldn't have
you go for the world. You're quite
ornamental, one on one eluo oI une
door, the other on the other SIDE like
statues. men ut arms in castle halls"
The men looked ut each other fool
ishly and grlnncd. The girl went up to
one Of them and asked him to let her
examine his carbine. He did not quite
like to let 1t 60, but she took it without
saying "by your leave"
"What n funny gun! How short!
How many times can you fire it off?
I wonder If I could shoot with itp'
She brought 1t up to her shoulder
and, after pointing 1t to the wall, lev
elcd it first at one man, then Mt the
other. They both looked tritlc nerv
Gus. but said nothing. Then she made
n melton to cock it when the muzzle
was covering one Of the men, and he
protested. She burst into merry
laugh.
"What a brave man! Can't stand
being pointed Mt by girl! Ever in a
battle? What's it likcW
The soldier made no reply, but reach
| ed for his carbinc and seemed very
| much relieved when she suffered him
| to take 1t. There was no more play, for
| ut that moment we heard the sound Of
horses hoofs, and, looking out through
the hall doorway, saw two men riding
up to the house. The one was Captain
bitterest of all my Tennessee enemies
and upon whom | had visited most
summary punishment for the part he
had taken In the massacre. In another
minute they had dismountcd and as
cended the steps Of the gallery, then
came rapidly through the hall. Cap
tain Beaumonts appearance denoted
that there was something on his mind
Of great moment. His companion lum-
bered along beside him with the np-
pearance Of ono looking for something
or some one Of peculiar interest to
him. He was short, thickset man In
| corduroy trousers, double breasted
| vest, open, no coat and broad brim-
med straw hat, tho hue Of which indi
Gated that it had served for several
summers. His nose had been broken,
and he had lost an eye. \ coarse. stub
by, brown and gray beard grew Oh his
chin. An uglicr specimen I. the poor
white Of the south could scarcely be
imagined, and the moment l saw him.
knowing of his enmty for me, | gave
myself up for lost.
"There he is," said Captain Beau
mont.
II rcckoncd So" replied the other
Hes yo' man."
"Who is he?" asked Miss Jack quick
ly.
"A renegade from the south, an abo.
lition hound. one O. our cast Tennessee
dogs. What he's doin hyar dunno
but l reckon he's on some crrant 70
! the Yankee gincral at Murfrccsboro."
Suddenly all the careless indolcnt de
meanor OF the captain deserted him.
! with true southern impulse without
stopping to investigate the charge, he
was fired by the story that he held in
his hands one who, though a southern,
er, was hunting information for tic ,,c.
| tested Yankees.
| "Guard" he called.
| lhc two men approached.
| axe nm away, and see that hr
| oor%ht get back here. -,!ont r-cg
| want to see tim aG .in."
was stunned. | knryv well what
hhIS order meant. | had i.v"rd il ..iyan
IN case OF outlaws and knew Ihit Il
Wa" In" form in which orders ,vyr,
given to tax" men out and shoot them.
Many guerrilla received his sentence
IN those words.
'Captain,' | cried, "if YOU shoot me.
you Will commit q murder. That rlan''
pointing to the brute beside him-"js
the real murderer. | know him we'll,
saw him shooting down women and
children. | saw him. | stoo1cd
short. There was an incrcduous Zoo,
on the captains face. | knew thai my
accuscr had his confidcncc realized
that dcnials and counter accusations
were expected from one in my posit!on
and would have no weight
Jaquollnc though she could not have
understood the captains order, from
my words and from my stricken ap-
pearance, realized the situation. She
STOOD paralyzcd, but only for mo-
ment. While the guards were nd.
vancing toward me she stole up to the
captain and Slipped her arm through
Ills. when he looked down at her, she
i,,t, l,I,,