The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1904-01-28

mingling with the people, attracted by
the fresh beauty of the girls and young
women. With their sweet, dower-like
faces, their gentle, fawnIike eyes, their de-
mure qufetness, their neat dress, they were
a fascinating revelation to men accustomed
to the slatterniy, shrill-voiced, Ratchet
faced, snuff dipping mountain women. The
Confederates were possessed with the idea
that the Wartburgers were an inferior
race, and they could take even more lib
critics with them than with their own poor
white trash The Wartburger young men
had been frowning darkly and muttering
as the newcomers came up to their shrink
| ing sweethearts with impudent freedom
and rough jokes, putting arms around their
waists and pressing liquor-smelling kisses
upon them in the faces OF their own low
erS. Pheenie Margraf, leader Of all the
girls, and their proudest. for she was NOT
only tall, slender and handsome, but her
father had the best house and the most
cattle in the settlement, was standing a
little apart from the rest, with Rudy
Brant, young giant, whom she was to
marry at the Harvest Home Thank-offer-
ing As she spoke from time to time with
him, her hands were busy with bit of
filmy lace for her bridal finery, which she
was knitting Of spidery thread spun by
herself. Pheenie was the most skilful
spinner In the settlement. She could draw
~
would reach over the mountains on both
sides of the cove. without knot or an
uneven blemish in it's whole length. As
Lieut.. Hunloke turned from Father Meiilot
he noticed her, and her beauty went
straight to his head. He strobe directly
toward her, brushing back another man
who seemed headed that way, and without
more ado thrust his arm around her waist
and tried to kiss her cheek. She gave a
shuddering scream and snatched herself
away from his grasp to get nearer Rudy,
who had moved for the moment a little
from his sweetheart's side. He turned.
saw what was happening, and raised his
hand warningly to Hunloke, who flung at
him a muttered oath to attend to his own
business, and ran after Pheenie. Rudy
Brant made a long, fierce stride to her
side. and bringing down on Hunioke's
shoulder hand that looked as large as
small ham, jerked him off his balance,
and flung him headlong on the grass at
Pheenie's feet.
"Hunleke rolled over, swore bitterly,
and reached for his revolver. but Rudy
Brant stood over him with clenched fists
and darkly glowering countenance.
NAY, touch not thy weapon, Kissed
Rudy, or I'll stamp thee into the earth,
filth that thou art. Draw thy hand back.
1.-The women screamed, and ran to their
homes. The men gathered around Rudy
and Hunloke.
"sPeace here, to all and everybody,
commanded Father Melilot, waving his
m's-horn staff as a badge Of authority.
before whom all the men fell back. Stay,
withhold; forbear, Rudy. Touch not that
man again.
"sThen must he leave Pheenie alone,
srowled Rudy, not relaxing a muscle.
II he touches that man again | shall
kill him. shouted Capt. Bib, drawing his
l T. IL FL
crate army, and his commander. Get up.
Lieutenant, and come here"
Nay; nay commanded Father Nell
lot, interposing his staff in front of the re-
volyer. we must have no violence or
bloedshed here. We are all men Of peace,
who fear God. There must be no strife
among us. But no man must lay an iua-
pure hand upon hnether's wife, or be
trothed, or any Of weniankind that is his.
"Lieut. Hunloke rose to his feet, with
his hard face red and threatening. Rudy
Brant keeping close to him, with his huge
hands ready for action.
Father Melilot stepped between them,
and again waved his RIMS staff in au-
thoritative demand for peace.
Draw thy young men apart little,'
he said to Capt. Bibb. Let them take
their beasts to the hangers and feed them.
By that time dinner will ba ready, and.
after eating all will be in better humor.'
Ny men are not used to taking care
Of their own horses said Capt. Bibb, sui
lenly. They are. gentlemen, and have mig
gers to do that for them
ct know not what thou meanest BY
gentlemen, returned Father Melil0t
calmly. We are ell meReIy men before the
Lord, and hut weak, ainfnl men at best.
Pride gOeth before destruction, and a
naughty spirit befnrE q fal ALI Of ua are
willing 10 do the lpw1est ofIiee1sfor those
who may tarry with M BrefA1eus take
these strangers beasts to thy managers,
and feed and cAre Cor thesHs - lie thine
own. Childfen, q teH the sisters that
! thsy 7sienify unto-ms when t1sS are rsedyI
for our Gneotnss s -.
Capt Bibh, With L3ant. HuHtoies sakhsl
Eexs6 kaestleEDS seuasl TIN puneheea saak|
hefuEasn4 tha trsea wAilA Eaxhex AaliIeH|
bede me cone with him haclE to tho eouH-
cia Of tia DidArA
hat sa31 tsat man To- theAf hs In
squireQt % We eeQaA mp 10 tie othszDk
h md hit tk9eo wa4 war h thai
la1A, and that b hGk cpn6 h On. TulEnal