The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1904-01-27
countered.

Il
greatest being a temperance orator who
Numbered forth denunciations of rum
and the theater with the bitterness of
Juvenal inveighing prohigate Rome.
Whatever he was, poet, orator and
dramatist, an English Gavazzi," or
"mOuntebank." ''humbug' or back
slider" Mr.. Cough was even at that
early period an antagonist not to be
despised He had been out of pocket
and out at the elbows; indeed, his
wardrobe now was mean and scanty.
Want and privation had been his COM
paniOns. and from his grievous expert
ences he had become a sensational
story teller of low life and penury.
Certainly Barnes had reason to lament
the coincidence which brought players
and lecturer into town at the same
time, especially as the latter was her
aided under the auspices of the Band
of Hope.
Exceptional inducements could not
tempt the villagers to the theater.
Even an epilogue gained for them none
of Mr.. Coughs adherents. "The Tenn
perance Doctor failed miserably,
"Drunka-d's Warning" admonished pit
| iably few, while as for "Drunkard's
Doom" no one cared what It might be
and left him to it.
After such a disastrous engagement
the manager not only found himself at
the end OF his resources, but hOpelessly
indebted, and with much reluctance he
laid the matter before the soldier, who
had already advanced a certain sum
after their conversation on the night Of
the country dance and had Also come
to his assistance on an occasion when
the box Office receipts and expenses
had failed to meet Moreover, he had
been a free, even careless, giver, not
looking after his business concerns
with the prudent anxiety of a mer-
chant whose ventures are ships at the
rude mercy Of troubled sea. To this
third application, however, he did not
answer Immediately.
SIS it as bad as thatT' he said at
length thoughtfully.
Eyes It's hard to speak about it to
you" replied the manager, with some
embarrassment, but at New Or
leans
The soldier encountered his troubled
gaze. "See if you can sell my horse."
he answered.
"You mean began the other sur
prised.
Yes"
Hanged II l willr' exclaimed the
manager. Then he put out his hand
lmpulsively. II beg your pardon. If
/ had known-but If we're ever out OF
this mess l may give better account
Of my stewardship"
In spite of BarneS refusal the SOL
der offered to sell his horse to the
landlord. but the latter CURLY declined,
having horses enough to "eat their
heads off, during the winter, as he eX-
pressed il.
Thus it was that the strollers per-
force reached a desperate conclusion
when making their way from the thea
ter on the last evening. BY remaining
longer they would become the more
hOpelessly involved; in going
llltAA llONA > NllillSoiOf Alltg Nbhih NC
taking the shortest route toward an
honorable settlement in the near flu
ture "A paradoXical flight from the
brunt of their troubles to meet them
squarely. This, to Barnes, ample rea-
son for unceremonious departure was
heartily approved by the company in
council assembled around the town
pump.
"Stay and become a county burden,
indeed" exclaimed Mrs. Adams trag
ically.
las well be buried alive as anchored
herer fretfully added Susan.
The council Is dissolved" said the
manager promptly, with no one the
wser-eXcept the town pump"
AN ally of Mr.. Cough" suggested
Adonis.
Thus more merrily than could have
been expected, with such distasteful
enterprise before them, they resumed
their way. 1t was disagreeable under
foot, and they presented an odd appear
ance, each one with a light. Mrs.
Adams old campaigner that she was,
led the way for the ladies, elastic and
chatty as though promenading down
Broadway on a spring morning. With
their lanterns and the purpose they
had in view they likened themselves to
a band of conspirators. AS Barnes
marched ahead with mis- light Susan
playfully called him Guy Fawkes of
gunpowder fame, whereupon his mind
almost misgave him concerning the
grave adventure upon which they were
embarked.
The wind was blowing furiously,
doors and windows creaked, and all
the demons of unrest were moaning
that night in the hubbub of sounds.
Save for a flickering candle in the hall
the tavern was dark, and landlord and
maids had long since retired to rest.
Amid the noise of the rain and the
sobbing of the wind trunks were low
cred from the window, the chariot and
property wagon were drawn from the
stable yard and the horses led from
their stalls. In trice they were ready