The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-02-18

ask
day morning while she waited for Hose
to escort her TO church.
II have thought a hundred times. Paw.
but what's the use. I love him. He can
Just twist me round his little finger.
I've got TO have him
1t was so fixed. On Wednesday night
Hose came down from the foothills with
a half dozen kindred spirits. and an old
fiddler 10 make the music.
Hose wanted to have q dance and
plenty Of liquor fresh from the noun
tain dew district. But Tom put his
foot down on ii.
The Rev. John Durham had p~0-
uounced them man and wife and had
hurried away to see some people that
were sick. The old fiddler was doing his
best. Hose and his bride were shaking
hands with their friends and the boys
We're trying TO tease the bridegroom with
hoary old jokes.
Suddenly a black shadow fell across
the doorway. The fiddle ceased, and
! every eye was turned TO the door. The
burly figure Of d big negro troOper from
a company stationed in the town stood
before them. Ills face was in a broad
grin and his eyes bloodshot from whis-
key. He brought his musket town on
the floor With q bang.
My frien's. Use sorry ter disturb yer
but l has orders to search dis house
SHOW your orders" said Tom, hob
bling before him.
We'll, deres one I'm EN-" he said,
still grinning as he cooked his gun and
presented It toWard Tom. f ef dat
amt ennuf ley's fifteen mo- stan'n'
'roun' dis house. It's no use ter make
or fuss. Come on, coys!'
Before Tom could utter another word
OF protest six more negro troopers
laughing and chuckling and nudging one
another crowded into the room. Sud
denly one of then threw a bucket OF
water into the fire place. where a pine
knot blazed, and two others knocked out
the candles.
There was q Scuft1e, the quick thud Of
heavy blows. and Hose Norman fell to
the floor sonseless. 4 piecing sceam
rang from his bride as she was seized
III the arms Of the negro who first APP
peared. He rapidly bore her toward
tie door surrounded by The six scoun-
drels who had accompanied him.
my God. save her. They are drag
gin Annie out of the house" shrieked
her mother.
Help, Help! Oh, Lord. ave mercy"
screamed the girl as they bore her away
towards the woods, still laughing and
yelling.
Tom overlook one Of them in the rear.
snatched his wooden leg off and knocked
him down. Hoses six mountain boys
were crowding round with their pistols
in their hands
What shall we do, Tom? If we shoot
we may kill Annie
Shoot, men! My God, shoot! There
are things worse than DEATH
They needed no urging. Like six
young tigers they sprang across the or
chard toward the woods whence came the
sound OF the laughter Of the negroes.
stop de screechin'!" cried the leader.
'sShe nebber get Cat gag out now"
TOO smart fur de po' white trash dis
time sho'!' laughed one.
; Six pistol shots rang out like a single
report, Six more. and six more. There
> was a wild scramble. Taken completely
by surprise, the negroes fed in confus-
) ion. Four lay on the ground. Two Were
dead, two n1ortally wounde and three
2 more had wled away with bullets in
their bodies. There in the midst of the
| heap lay the unconscious girl gagged.
us she hurt?" cried a mountain boy.
0 Cant tell, take her to the house
quick"
r They laid her across the bed in the
q room that had been made sweet and tidy
for the bride and groom, The mother
! bent over her quickly with a light Just
where the blue veins crossed in her deli.
y cate temple there was a round hole from
which a scarlet thread was running
down her white throat.
Without z word the mother brought
Tom, shove it to him and then fell into
: his arms and burst into a flood of tears.
Don't cry so, Annie. 1t might have
S been worse. Let us thank God she was
saved from them brutes."
The next morning when Tom Camr
called at the parsonage to tell thu
/ preacher of his sorrow and arrange fol
n the funeral of his daughter he fount
him in bed.
II Why, what's this, preacher? A ban
Is dage over your eye, looks like some.
e body Knocked o in the head?"
o oh! nothing much. Tom"
k I'll tell you what happened" criet
y Mrs. Durham, standing erect with he
great dark eyes flashing with anger.
,e "As he came home last night from
lg visit to the sick, he was ambushed by
A. dreI, knocked down, bound and gage,