The National tribune., 1901-12-12
'such stuff from woman whose waist

"Such stuff from woman whose waist
is beginning to look like a string around
the middle of a bag is sickening," COM
mented Mrs. Powhatan Cudger. She got
all that knightly lingo from Hopkins.
| He'll talk it by the hour. Next to the
| Bible he knows Sir Walter Scott. He
vowed to be my eal knight and true, too,
| the cowardly, double-faced domiuick. L
was fool enough to give him silken
| scarf to wear as my lady's favor"
20, | guess he had one in almost every
town." the Deacon consoled her, Some
of them he married. And TO keep up his
knightly character he had to steal a boss
everywhere. He'd have to be the Thou
sand-and- One Nights himself to square
up with all the women he's ccurted, and
ride all the hosses he's stole"
Such 4 false, disloyal, recreant varlet
should be fayed alive" said Mrs. Pow
hatan Cudger, unconsciously falling into
the same cant of chivalry, which was the
fad of certain classes in the South at the
time.
20, 1 guess few years pounding stone
down at JeffeTsonvilie will fit him ike
paper on the wall" suggested the Dea-
con. He'll get an opportunity to ac-
quire some solid information-the rock
about the Falls of the Ohio sets mighty
firm, and then peoples hosses and women
will be safer"
Say, we're coming to something more
important than a sentimental FOOLS gush,"
continued Mrs. Cudger, as she read on.
LISTEN"
II must beg you, on my bended knees,
to fOrego your fierce intent of making
your way into the Governors very pres
ence, and striking him down, in the midst
of his myrInidOns and satellites, with your
own strong right hand. Such design is
characteristic of your impetuous, daring
temper, and | know how much you have
suffered from his incessant, heartless per-
secutions Bnt your life is too valuable
to be sacrificed even for his, and to give
freedom to the State. 1t is too valuable
to your friends-to the cause-to me. If
you care for me as you have vowed, you
will refrain from this mad sacrifice.
Leave that to others-tO men whose lives
are worth less. There is no need of it.
Let me tell yol; something that | have
sworn not to tell, but L feel that l must
at least to you, who are so true, and be-
cause it will save your self-immolatiOn,
upon which you are so determined. Every
arrangement has been perfected for kid
naping the tyrant, and keeping him i'm
prisoned in the dark depths of a coal
mine, far from human eye, until our de-
signs are accomplished. Then he will be
impotent and harmless, the scoff of the
meanest, too low even for vengeance.
Everything is ready. The prison has been
prepared, relays of horses are now stand
ing in the stables TO swiftly convey him
thither; brave, devoted Sir knights of the
Inner Temple have been designated to
seize him with irresistible strength and
drag him away to the closed carriage.
This may take place at any moment, even
before this reaches you. When l tell you
that Sir Knight j. l.. is the leader you
will know
Say" said the Deacon, pulling the let |
ter from her hand, ''the Governor ought |
to know this at once. This is a new
wrinkle, that he mayn't be up to-"
why, aren't you in sympathy with |
it?' she asked, in surprise, but snatchins |
back the letter.
Me? Not on your life, amt. If 1
thought l had u drop O. Copperhead blood |
in my veins I'd despise myself"
why, you told me"-
81 told you nothing. You didn't give |
me Il chance. You told everything your
self. I'm from Posey County, but no
that amt true-blue Union gets the ak
quick, tell YOU
well, l am against it. too-just to
spite that awful Libby Quiggs. if nothing
else. I'd like to see the upstart in Fort
Lafayette. This letters enough to send
her there. Then, the Governors been
very decent to me. Go bring him in here
I'm not ungrateful."
Agitated far more than he had ever re-
the Deacon made his way to
where the Governor was talking in his
usual composed, forceful way, to group
of men around him. His voice was
pitched low, but every word was clear
and distinct, and to the point. AS was
usual, whenever Gov. Morton spoke his
listeners gave him their undivided atten-
ton, and treasured up every word He
was the chief of strong men, saying that
which they would carry into action. The
Deacon got the impression that the abb
duction was imminent, that it might take
place at any minute, and that the Gov
ernor was entirely ignorant of his danger.
The Deacon glowered suspiciously at
several Southern-looking men, whom he
thought might be spies or accomplices, and
glanced hastily around for something that
might serve as q weapon. \ heavy poker
in the fireplace caught his eye.
That's a heap better'n revolver. in
a close miSup,' he thought. ii won't ,