The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-03-09

just twist me round his little finger. I've
got to have him"
TON Camp. you don't want to forget yor
were not 4 saint when I stood up with YOU
one day." cried his wife. with a twinkle in
her eye.
That's a fact. ole woman" grinned Tom.
You never give me a days trouble after
I got hold Of you. Sometimes tine widest
colts make the safest horses"
Yes. that's so. It's owing to who has the
breaking OF EN-" thoughtfully answered
Tom.
Il like Hose. He's full of fun. but he'll
settle down and make her a good husband"
The girl slipped close to her mother and
squeezed her hand.
d you love him much. child?' asked
the father.
We'll. enough to live and scrub and work
for him and to die for him. l reckon
All right. that settles II. you're too many
Cor me. you and Hose and your NAV. Get
ready for 1t quick. Well have the wedding
Wednesday night. This home is goin' TO be
sold Thursday for taxes and II will be our
last night under our own roof. Well make
the best of it"
1t WIS so fixed. On Wednesday night
Hose came down from the foothills wit! 4
half dozen kindred spirits. and an old fiddler
to make the music.
! Hose wanted to have a dance and plenty
OF liquor fresh from the mountain-dew dis
trict. But Tom put his foot down on it
No dancin' in my house. hose. an no
ncker." said Tom with emphasis. I'm Z
deacon in the Baptist Church. ! used to be
young an as good lookin' as you, my boy,
but I've done with them things. You're
goin' to take my little gal now. I want you
TO quit your foolishness an be a man"
Il will. Tom. ! will. She Is the prettiest,
sweetest little thing in this world. and to
tell you the truth I'm goin' to settle down
rtohf .nur e. IT, IL ---r y $780, l.1 H.
my life"
That's the way to talk, my boy" said
Tom. putting his hand on HOSES shoulder.
You'll have enough to do these hard
times to make a livin'.'
They made a handsome picture. In that
humble home. as they stood there before
the preacher. The young bride was trem-
bling from head to foot with fright. Hose
was trying to look grave and digniied. and
Erinning In spite of himself whenever he
looked into the face of his blushing mate.
The mother was standing near. her face
fun of pride In her daughters beauty and
happiness, her heart all a-quiver with the
memories OF her own wedding-day seven
ten years before. Tom was thinking of the
morrow. when he would be turned out of
his home. and said, as his eyes filed with
tears:
Thank God she will have some one to
love her and protect herr
The Reverend John Durham had pro-
nounced them man and wife and had hur-
ried 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 rhe boys were try
ing to lease 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 bury figure
of a big negro trooper from a company (
stationed In the town stood before them.
His face was In a broad grin. and his eyes
bloodshot with whisky. He brought bis
musket down on the floor with a bang.
my frien's. Use sorry ter disturb yer. but |
1 has orders ter search dis house."
Show your ORDERS ca'G Tom hobbling |
before him.
well. dere's one an 'emr' he said, still
grfnning as he cooked his gun ard pre-
sented 1t toward Tom. f Of dat amt |
ennuf dey's fifteen mo- stan'n' 'roun' DIS
house. It's no use ter make er fuss. Come |
on, boys" |
Before Tom could utter another word Of |
protest six more negro troopers. laughing \
and chuckling and nudging one another. |
crowded into the room. Suddenly -Cne of
them threw a bucket OF water In the fire
place where a pine knot blazed an6 two
others knocked out the candies. \
There was a scufie. the quick thud OF
heavy blows. and Hose Norman fell 10 the
floor senseless. A piercing scream rang
from his bride as she was seized in TIE
arms of the negro VINO first appeared. He
rapidly bore her toward the door, sur-
rounded by the six scoundrels who had &C
companied him. |
NJ God. save her! They are draggin' An
ME out of the house." shrieked her mother.
Help! Help. o. Lord. have mercy!'
the girl as they bore her away
toward the woods. still laughing and yell
Tom overlook one Of them in the rear,
his wooden leg of. and knocked
him down. Hoses six mountain boys were
round Tom with their pistols In
their hands. !