The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1904-02-19

E-=.Si the roans setting sharp pace
(SSJ as they turned eastward on
the pike toward home.
They'll make the eight miles In
three-quarters of an hour" said Judge
Briscoe proudly. He turned from his
daughter at his side TO Miss Sherwood.
who sat with Mr.. Fisbee behind them.
and pointed nherd with his whip.
Just beyond that bend we pass through
Six Crossroads
Miss Sherwood leaned forward eager
ly. What did you mean last night
after the lecture" she said to Fisbee.
when you asked Mr.. Martin who was
to be with Ir. Harklessl''
"who was watching him." he an
swered.
watching him? don't under
stand"
Yes: they have shot at him from
the woods at night. and
But who watches mr.
"The young men OF the town. He
has a habit of taking long walks after
| dark. and he Is needless OF all remon-
STRANGE. so the young men have organ
lied guard for him. and every even
ing one OF them follows him until he
| goes to the office to work for the night
| II Is a different young man each night.
and the watcher follows at a distance.
so that he does not suspect"
But how many people know OF this
| arrangement?''
''Nearly every one In the county ex-
| cept the Crossroads people. though IL is
Il
| cred it,
| And has no one told himT
mo: he would not allow II to con-
tinue. He will not even arm himself" /"
| They follow and watch him night
after night. and every one knows and
no one tells him? oh. l must say"
| cried the girl. II think these are good
| peopler'
| The blackboard turned the bend In the
road. and they entered a squalid settle
ment built raggedly about black
smith shop and a saloon. I'D hate TO
have breakdown here" Briscoe re-
marked quietly.
Half a dozen shanties clustered near
the forge. a few roofs scattered through
the shifilessly cultivated fields. four or
five barns propped by fence rails. some
sheds with gaping apertures through
which the light glanced from SIDE TO
side. a squad Of thin razorback hogs.
now and then worried by gaunt hounds.
and some abused looking hens cropping
about disconsolately in the mire. a
broken topped buggy with a twisted
wheel. settling into the mud of the
middle OF the road there was always
abundant mud here in the driest sum-
merl: n dim face sneering from bro
ken window-Six Crossroads was for
bidding and forlorn enough by day.
The thought OF what might issue from
II by night was unpleasant. and the
legends of the Crossroads. together
with an unshapen threat easily fanciei
I'm the atmosphere OF the place. made
Miss Sherwood shivcr as though cold
draft had crossed her.
cit Is so sinister" she exclaimed
"And so unsnoat"''v moan. This T.
where thes live. the people that hats
aim. Is IL? The White Capsr
They cali themselves that" replied
Briscoe. Usually White Caps are 9
A
the law isn't enforced. These fellows
J aren't that kind. They got together tc
wipe out grudges. and sometimes didn'i
need any grudge-just made their raids
. for pure devilment. There's a feud be
4 tween US and them that goes back intC
pioneer days. and only a few Of US olC
folks know much about It."
"And he was the first to try to stoI
themT
well. you see. our folks are pretty
long suffering" said Briscoe apologet
ically. WED sort of got used to tl'
meanness OF the Crossroads. II tool
q stranger TO stir things up. and IN
did. He sent eight of them to the peni
tentiary. some for twenty years"
As they passed the saloon a mai
stepped into the doorway and looke'
g at them He was coatless and clad u
garments worn to the color OF dust
His bare head was curiously malform
: cd, higher on one side than on the 9th
D er. and though the buckboard passes
rapidly and at distance this singula
I lopsldedness was plainly visible to th
n occupants. lending an ugly signlfcanc
y W lAo hlcabtAs gtAO" aaNC- AAN '" ..
tall. lean. hard. powerfully built III
= eyed the strangers with affected lar
guor and then. when they had gone By
= broke into sudden loud laughter.
. That was Bob Skillet. the worst Q
. the lot" said the judge. "Harkles
:, sent his son and one brother to prisor
d and IL nearly broke his heart that
couldn't swear to Bob"
d When they were beyond the villag
q and In the open road again Miss She
; wood took a deep breath. Il think
breathe more freely. That was a hiC
eous laugh he sent after u.s."
The judge glanced at his guests fac
and chuckled. Il guess we won
. frighten you much" he said. "Youu
y. lady. I don't believe you'd be afraid {
many things. would youf You don
Jssk 1Iks Il Bssidsa. ths Crosscoae