Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1902-07-18
Won by the
Sword ~ 80
By JOHN DICKINSON SHERMAN.
ScOprrIghted BY Daily story Pub. Cos
NHARK you, Francis Beauclerc!
2V2 said Sir Charles Anthony, join

MHARK you, Francis Beauclerc!"
tVN said Sir Charles Anthony, join
ing me as l sat moodily drinking alone
in the White Horse inn, and thrusting
cicse to mine his wicked, handsome
facs, "You are an evil case-a younger
son crowded out of Your brothers
house; no chance for preferment al
court; no means of livelihood; at the
end of your resources"
Here he drew out a score of gold
pieces and jingled them right musical
ly. / eyed him askance, for / hated
she man. And dpresently he went on:
"Bethink you how many bottles of
noble wine, how many nights of gam
ing with dice and cards, what gener-
Gus meals and goodly raiment lie in
these golden coins. And therefore l
Shink you are the man for my work."
"What is your work ?" / asked, keep
ting my temper in check.
'EZounds!'' he cried, with an evil
laugh "'Tis like play. With half a
dozen of my bullies you stop carriage
In which rides pretty maid 1 hold
most dear. You make a play at alb
aduction with much noise and clashing
of steel and stage business. Then
come to the rescue. We cross swords,
you fall, and l carry off the maid in
triumph, her rescuer and protector"
'You have forgotten my temper in
your catalogue of my failings, Sir
Charles Anthony" said, rising. II will
,play no villain in any plot of yours.
But as TO crossing swords" Here
I laid my hand on my hilt and bowed
to him.
With that Sir Charles sprang up also
with fury in his face, and while one
might count two score, we stared in
each others eyes. Twice his hand
stole to his belt as if he would draw
steel, but in the end my gaze mas
tered his and scowling evily he turned
his back and strode from the house.
a woman's scream reused me from
my thoughts as / strode up the mar
row side street that led to my humble
lodgings. II seemed to come from an
alley close at hand, yet when |
searched its depths with eyes and ears
it was as silent as the grave. Twas a
dark hole and prudence whispered to
let the adventure pass. Yet 1 knew,
though l knew not how l knew, that
it was a good woman who had
screamed and no creature of the
streets. So, with drawn sword, / tip
-tocd into the darkness till I saw a
fiutter of white against the wall.
"Who cries for help?" i said, loudly,
stepping forward.
at concerns you not" answered
surly voice, and dark figure came
boldly out. "Be gone and mind your
own affairs"
What have you here?" I asked,
pressing forward. But the man barred
KAY way. threatening to spit me on his
blade. Loath to use the steel till
saw further into the matter, / caught
him by the wrist as he raised his arm,
and with twist and trip sent him
'sprawling, and slipped past him into
the turn of the alley. Here twas
dark as pocket and + could see moth
ug- But as 1 felt about my hand
closed on the soft, flimsy stuff of
soman's gown, and under it was
'woman's breast-a girls.
Hal" cried, "',Es some wench you
-are misusing."
~You mistake" said civil voice
from behind the girl. "'Tis my young
sister, who will out o. nights, and we
but take her home"
II tell you again you are meddling
in private matter" broke in the first
Snan's voice. "'Tis for the girls good,
and we have authority. Stay longer
at your peril"
Il was half convinced and was on the
point of withdrawing with an easy
conscience when the girl caught my
hand and carried it to her face. She
cNas gagged.
"Hou knaves!" cried, tearing loose
the scarf from her mouth. "Who is
this you have gagged?"
With an oath the man behind the
girl stepped out and ran toward the
street crying for lanthern and blow
Ding a whistle shrilly. Grasping the
girl by the. arm / dashed forward.
-thrusting ahead of me as went. Half
wny out my point took something soft
that cried out and fell. At the alley's
mouth i could see better and here n
dark figure rushed on me fiercely.
spitted him like lark and he went
down in heap.
In the street thought to have clear
way, but the whistle brought three
Sor four men who set upon me with
yhwords. Calling to the girl to run for
her life i faced about briskly 10 meet
their attack. But she would not, and
went back with me against a wall
where they pressed me hard. Two |
pinked SO that they drew out with
sErosns and cusses, but one Of the