The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1903-03-06

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produced loaf Of bread and fell to
cutting off liberal Slices These be
toasted on long fork. had expected
nothing better than fried salt pork,
and, 10, a savory rabbit stew steamed
before me! At first l ate like a long
shoreman. My host leaned against
the wall and watched me- He would
not eat. His eyes left my face only to
fix on space behind me with a startled
expression that made me turn in my
seat several times. began to shake
as with cold, but knew it was fright.
The handle of the cup slipped from
my trembling fingers, the hot coffee
streamed over my legs, with difficulty
1 repressed yell, and the cup smashed
into fragments on the floor. The her.
mit's face worked fearfully, and l
leaped up.
IL didn't mean TO do i'll" cried.
The remark was supremely foolish,
but | was terrified out of my wits.
The effect on my host was extraordi-
nary. He bolted out into the night so
suddenly that his chair was thrown
down. | determined not to remain
longer as the guest of a madman Be-
fore l could get out he confronted me
on the threshold, and in his hollow
eyes there was a resolution that
should stay. l succumbed when he
waved me to a seat. Then be took
down the shotgun from the rack, patted
the breech lovingly, pressed the lever,
fumbled in his coat pocket and ran two
cartridges into the barrels. When he
snapped them into place, l thought my
last hour had come, so set, grim and
evil seemed his expression.
"Tbat's fine gun you have there" "
1 said, with my heart in my throat,
feeling that my only chance of life lay
in getting possession of the shotgun.
"I'd like to examine it," said l,
standing up and holding out my hands.
1t was critical moment, and l re-
member that shook as with a con-
gestive chill.
The fierce old man held out the gun,
and l grasped it, but before l could re-
verse it. my intention being to cover
him and tell him to throw up his hands,
he wrenched the piece from me-, his
eyes rolling wildly and his head in
clined as if listening.
There was sound without, the beat
of horses boof on the roadway. I
broke past the lunat;c and gained the
wood shed behind him, slamming the
door and putting my foot against it.
Within reach was a small window. l
shook the sash until it gave way, and
sent cry for help out into the night.
| Was it heard? The horse was being
urged up the bank, as if the rider we're
in hot haste.
l peered out.
What was my amazement when my
host sailed forth, lamp in hand! By
its Ii ght saw the horse pulled up and
ragamuffin of boy handed him a
paper, swing the horses head round
and plunge down the bank. Raising
the lamp above his head, the old man
read the paper. He read second
time, as if to make sure of the con-
tents, and then, lifting his head like
hound when it bays, he uttered series
of yells that tue rid dge gave back with
many reverberations The next mo.
ment he was in the house, and the next
outside with the leap of a spring box.
A report followed He had fired the
gun. Bang! it went again. Rapidly
reloading, he discharged both barrels
and kept on firing until lie had saluted
the wilderness and the night eight
times.
"Say, stranger, come out y thar"
he shouted at the wood shed. IL amt
goin to hurt nary hair on yer head"
came l,ewildered into the living
room, my face dripping with perspira-
tion He seized me in his arms and
hugged me until gasped.
Look at tha,!' he said, thrusting
into my hands the paper the boy had
brought.
read:
Eph Holland, Head of Beaverkill Creek:
Blaine comedies New York to Cleveland.
He is elected beyond all doubt. Shake!
Ed BARNES,
Editor Sullivan County Palladium.
And before I could say anything or
ask any questions Eph Holland broke
into jig step, the while yelling like a
Comache.
"Likker up. you son O gun!' he
roared at me, stopping from shortness
of breath. He filled my glass and
tumbler for himself