Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-10-15
Copyright, 1902. by G. w. Dillingham; Co

I. w. OuuuRQnm 20
uure at the upper left hand corner tn.
letters so often used in the old day
of the old army, O. P. S. ION publ,
servtce), instead Of the later shibbo
leth OF the war department. "off1cia
business"
ut is fatal" said the veteran law
yer, with gasp of dismay.
1T is forgery" said Fred, his son
whereas McKinnon started as though
stung. And now the mob, headed b,
Hugh Gale, came swarming to thei1
gate, and their spokesman, in his re.
sounding basso, addressed himself tc
the master
Squire Benton, it is my belief that
the man we want is hidden here on
your premises. Your son has long been
his most intimate friend. Mr.. Ladue
invited our committee to enter and
search. Will you do the same? Or
are you going to shelter rebel spies and
traitors?"
You are not going to enter and
Search" answered Benton, sturdily.
This city has been my home since
1t was a mere village This is my
home, and by the eternal, you shall
not violate it,"
Shut up!" yelled the crowd. Go
ahead, Gale. We're with you" and
sutting action to word two Of their
number leaped down upon the flower
beds and came lunging out across the
grass plot. In an instant Fred Benton.
breaking from Elinors restraining
hands, sprang to confront them, and
without word, sent his clinched fist
square at the leaders, jaw and tumbled
him among the pansies. His fellows
recoiled to the fence. and howl of
mingled wrath and admiration went
up from the mob Then somebody
picked up huge clod from pile of
soft, fresh-cut sod that stood by the
tree box at the edge of the gutter, and
with practiced hand hurled it at Nc
Kinnon. 1t took that portly counselor
'twixt midriff and gorge, just as a
bulky vegetable, hurtling through gas
lit space, landed full on his distended
cheek.
Then Of sudden there arose from
the Threats of the mob yell of tri-
umph and rejoicing, for at the head of
the steps stood Paul Ladue, facing
them with flashing eyes and without
a tremor. Another instant and before
Fred could interpose, light and agile,
he bounded down the steps, across the
lawn and vaulted to the f1at-topped
fence at the corner, lighting like a cat
on his feet. and confronted them.
Who accuses me--and of what am I
lccused?" he cried
You're damned spy" Rebel"
Traitor" Here, give us that let
er, SQUIRE were the yells from the
'rowd. And then big Gale, the black
smith, tore way round to the side
md waved under the pale, quivering
ace Mckinnon's contribution to the
evenings disturbance-the letter he
would now have been glad to with
1raw. What have you to say to this.
Mr. Lieut.. Paul Ladue, Eleventh Ala
oama?"
Il say it's forgery and lie!" was
Lie ringing answer.
ANY man would, fixed as you are"
doomed the blacksmith do you DENY
with your rebel crowd
n Alabama, too?"
mo, and you can see their letters
any time you wish"
Damn their letters!" shouted Gale,
Then facing the crowd. "Fellow citi-
.ens. what shall we do with him."
Up went chorus of curses and yells,
n the midst of which Fred Benton
'prang to the fence beside his friend.
Ind his father vainly shouted, begging
o be heard. you be quiet, Squire"
answered the nearmost. I'VE don't
want you-you're all right Fred
vas felled by a stone that str-ck him
ull in the forehead. Paul Ladue's
egs were jerked from under him and
lie was dragged, struggling and strik-
ng at every face within reach, and
borne away, the vortex of whirlpool
II raging humanity whose hosrse
'houtings gradually died to distant
oar as they surged onward down the |
slope to Market square, Benton and |
Nckinnon vainly following, implor- |
ng and protesting Then one level
headed lad ran like deer to the quar-
ers of cadet company across the
liver, and while Elinor knelt there by
Ter stricken brother, chatting his hand
nd bathing his .disclored brow, the
courthouse bell in rapid clang, pealed
ut the alarm of fire.
An hour later, limp and exhausted,
a the care of physician, a. es-
orted to the pier by Benton and city
fficials, the victim of mob fury was
orne to stateroom on the Northern
light" and SO on to Chicago.