Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1904-07-30
SPANISH PEGGY.


Poor Antywine!" he whispered, and
carefully shut the door as he went out
to settle the unconscious boys fate.
The self-appointed censors of the
Grove had once wrecked store In New
Salem, and kicked the merchandise
about the street. The population OF
the village was about 100 souls, few
of whom could be mustered as fight
ing men; while the Grove males were
all fighting men.
The night was starlit and cloudless,
but there was no moon. Dull panes OF
oiled paper revealed candles in some
houses, but a hush like expectation
seemed to stretch along the unseen
windings of the street. When the Grove
boys mounted for raid Of any sort
they usually rode at full gallop, yelling
like Indians. Lincoln was ahead OF
Sticky Green in the race to the tavern,
when both stopped, halted by pro-
,cession with lanters. There had been
mo noise of shouting and no crash OF
destruction The quiet approach OF the
company seemed worse THU its ordi-
nary riotlng-
They didn't stop at the tavern!
whispered Sticky Green.
They had been to the tavern, for Dick
Yates, bareheaded, was leading them
peaceably away from it, walking in
front of the cavalcade; and girls
figure could be discerned sitting upon
led horse. The velvet dust of a
village road muffied the tread of hoofs.
But along house fronts on each side,
where footpaths were marked by daily
use, sounded the uneven patter or
many feet. Men. women and children
OF New Salem, suffered to witness what
they could not prevent, were lowering
around Lincoln and the little Spaniard.
: tie thought he saw Ann Rutledge, In
her short-sleeved house dress, her face
showing white and anxious through
the dark. and Minter Grayham, whose
Magazines and puny strength the
Grove boys would have laughed at II
| opposed to them.
Here is Abe Lincoln" announced
Yates; and as IL he had given COM
mand to halt, the company halted.
Here am" said Lincoln. do
you want met" Dick and Sticky stood
beside him In the middle of the road.
MY friends and l" spoke voice
with a foreign accent, have an at
fair of two minutes with you. You
have somewhere a snakeskin purse
belonging to my cousin. Consuelo
Lorimer Bring it and you shall not
be injured"
but If | did she'd be injured!"
Don't let them take me, Mr. Lin
coln!' besought Peggy from the midst
of the riders. st will not go! Where's
Antywine?"
Boys. you ought to be ashamed OF
yourselves"
I'VE didn't come out for a speech
Abe" Knocked Redmond Clary.
And I'm not practicing polemics."
"You get the girls money and hand
1t over"
sYou let her out of that gang"
The gang growled.
I'VE have a crowd and you have just
two hackers. New Salem people can't
do anything. We don't want to hurt
you, Abe, unless we have to-"
String him up like horsethief!
cried a man at the rear.
"Arc you going to hand over the
Spaniard's money!"
mo, I'm not" replied Lincoln.
ride him down." cried another, and
Some women and children shrieked In
fright as the three young fellows were
driven in retreat to Antywine's cabin
and sprang upon the chest of drawers
Standing close together with that short
rostrum under their feet, they faced
about the ring of horsemen who drew
up around them. The perforated tin
lanterns showered drops Of yellow light
! on trampled grass. Behind the mems
heads and shoulders were void OF
trees and the starlit sky, and the ex-
cited murmur of New Salem. Lincoln
lowered in the midst of the circle.
He could dimly see the Spanish girl
aud he remembered for one instant
now Antywine lay exhausted within
the cabin. She was looking for the
last time at what was to have been
her home, and wondering, with an achs
OF grief worse than her terror of the
wufians, what had become OF the
gentle housemate who had never be-
fore failed to take her part.
Now men, listen to me one minute, .
exclaimed Dick Yates.
We're not here to listen." ruled the
leader.
These boys ought to be- put out"
Dne man insisted I'VE don't want
hem
Let my cousins property be re-
stored to her." spoke Pedro Lorimer,
without delay"
.'And who are your" demanded
Yates, the beauty of his rosy youth,
which had been felt rather than seen.
hanging suddenly to the power OF q
nan with irresistible magnetism. His
Eoice rolled out across the wall of
|ough faces. His eyes had scathing
ghts. His unwilling listeners raised
heir lanterns to look at him. Il have
|een gathering facts about you for