Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-07-08

finely and this delicate bit, cu,led by
the Colonel from the back of his die
tionary in leisure hour, wasrendered
with voice and gesture that brought
admiration into Dingle's eyes-eyen
the glass eye. The little man put away
his revolver and they both took seats
on the cot.
"The uncomplaining manner in
which you bear this reverse" said
Dingle, "has touched me most pro-
foundry"
81 can bear as well as forbear," re-
turned Col. Keever.
~ see you can, Colonel, and it's that
which shows your inherent nobility.
You are not the only Concord man
whom the Harmony people have in
their midst" Being of the old school,
Col. Dingle chung to some of its p.ati-
tudes. another of your fellow towns
men has experienced the misfortunes
of war;"
"Another Concordian in this town."
exclaimed Keever.
Not in town, exactly, but out at
Whittaker's and being cared for by
one of our men,"
"To whom do you refer?''
"To Mr.. Guy Herbert"
"He is not Concord man, sir; he IN
clines more toward Harmony than to-
ward his own town."
"What do you mean by that?"
Every Samson has his Delilah," was
the others gloomy and significant re-
spouse. Herbert has deserted to
you?"
mo; some of your people chased him
out of Concord and pursued him into
a company of Harmonyites. Shots
were fired, Mr.. Herbert was hit"
"Hit! Not killed."
mo, no; Just wounded, that's all.
But isn't that enough? The affair
might have been infinitely worse. If
any one gets killed during this sqpab-
be the governor of the territory will
take hand and it will go hard with
all of US. Miss Vlandingham saw the
shooting this morning and when Her
bert dropped from his horse, she rode
up to him, dismounted in a twinkling
and raised his head. She was pale as
death and how she did lecture us! She
would have no violence, no bloodshed,
she declared, and she would have some-
thing to say to all of us after Mr.. Her.
bert had been attended to. The some-
thing she had on her mind was spoken
only little while ago and to nearly
every man in town-all of US having
been summoned to her fathers house
for the purpose. I can't tell you all
she said, but reconciliation is the order
of the day. The fight for the county
seat is to continue just as vigorously
but, if it can possibly be, Miss Vlan-
bingham desires that the struggle for
supremacy shall be good nasured
one"
at can't be-" declared Keever, $50
long as you have the courthouse"
cts young woman's dream, that's
what it is, an unsubstantial fancy.
Matters in this town, however, are rum
about as Miss Vlandingham desires.
We wouldn't give up this courthouse,
though, even if she should order us
to-"
"Then the bitterness will continue
sir, mark my words"
with me that was foregone con-
clusion. Nevertheless, was told off by
Miss Vlandingham to inaugurate her
new policy. 1 have reconciled myself
with you and am now to drive you back
to Concord, or as near Concord as 7
dare to CO."
81 am free?" asked Col. Keever.
"You are. Ny horse and gig are out
in front"
"Do take the records back with
me?"
"You do not" ?
Col. Keever sighed. J.
"In accepting my liberty at your
| hands," said he, understand that I
make no promises"
"Thatis understood. Miss vlanding-
ham presents her compliments, how
ever, and hopes that you will persuade
| your fellow citizens to accept the olive
branch which she holds out to them
on behalf of HARMONY
When Miss Vlandingham sends the
olive branch to Concord nailed to the
courthouse, give my word it will be
accepted" This from Col. Keever, with
dignity.
Dingle wagged his head decidedly
and led the way out of the building.
| Two minutes later the red wheeled
| gig was making record time in the
direction of Concord
ITO Re Continued