Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1904-04-13

colors of early autumn. The
grounds about Glover Creek Academy
We'd with the surrounding hills in their
lavish display Of red and gold, and the
long sweep Of tree-plumed ground that
sloped off to the stream back of the
barracks building seemed to be one
mass of scarlet, intermingled with the
darker hues of the never-dying spruce.
The cadets had been In harness long
enough to know what military re-
straint was, for already they chafed
under the restrictions of semi-official
duty and began to look with awe upon
the relentless rigor of Major Ken
bricks, the commandant.
There had been one or two small
football games, series of elaborate
dress parades and one expulsion. This
summed up the excitement Of the
early session, and MS they pored over
their books in the stufry classrooms
nothing seemed more tantalizlng than
these purple stretches Of country on
which the most fantastic and tickle
sunshine fell.
Il have IN idea, Barry" declared
Wallace Wedrell, as the two cadets
lolled upon the green after school
hours. 1T would mean some risk, but
there would be all kinds CT fun in It."
Barry, who, like many Of the others,
highly respected Wedrell, not alone for
his manliness, but for a certain spirit
Of healthy adventure which dominated
his character, wanted to know all
about 1t without further delay.
II know Of a little farm about mile
from here where grapes grow US If
they had been taught the business"
Wedrell continued. ut isn't case of
theft at all. You see, the farm has
been abandoned for several years, and
while the vineyard hns not been cared
for the grapes are as fine MS any Cali
fornia product"
How do you know about it?'' in
CURED Barry cnrlously.
went over there last year at about
this time. Was driving to Auburn to
meet my father and passed the place.
! asked about It yesterday down at
Trimmings store, and Flemming said
the place is still untenanted."
"Well, out with your scheme
II suggest that we use the ropes to.
night and go across to the place for a
basketful of grapes; 1t would be jolly
lark and this weather simply gets Into
my bones; want to be under that
faultless sky for while"
"Poetical, ehy' warbled Barry; then
with a slap on his friends shoulder
'.1'm with you; give me some details
"You know about all there is to it;
we must start from the barracks at
II or 11:3O and be quiet from the word
go; II old Ken learns about the affair
1t will result disastrously.''
..No. fireworks" limited Barry, with q
smile.
Indications, however, promised any
thing but quiet night, for Wedrell
and Barry had scarcely entered the
barracks building when small boy
slipped noiselessly down the big tree
under which the two lads had been
lying. Few there were who knew that
"Noddy" Slote had peculiar habit OF
studying high in the branches of this
particular oak. 1t was cool up there
amid the branches and "Noddy" nevel
found disturbing influence.
"whew!' he whistled, closing hi
Latin book with pop; II must tel
Fletcher about this; more than two car
eat grapes, and Fletch can get ever
with that Wedrell chap for his pnrtlc
ular brand Of audncity."
An undercurrent of petty animosit
existed between Fletcher and Wedrell
which. If not encouraged by Wallace
himself, was nursed into vivid sparl
Of hatred by Fletcher, with whom n,
one could get along.
Tips had ben sounded a full hou
when two dark figures, outlined for
moment against the white walls of til,
barracks, fell upon the grass beneath
certain third-story window. The.
shot OF down the slope under MAJ,
OF somber green trees and almost sim
ultaneously from another barracks
window FIVE other figures dropped int,
the night with equal precaution.
The first two lost 10 time in clear
ing the wall that surrounded the acad
envy grounds and headed straight To-
the undulating stretch of half-opel
country that lay bathed in the sof
moonlight.
"Mads 1t without tangle," whis
pered Barry, cooking on one elbow tn
basket that he carried with jubilan
satisfaction; nov for the grapes"
Wedrell shifted the night mir witt
suppressed content.
isn't that breath of the field
enough to pay us for our little ven
ture?" he inquired spirltedly. His com
panion nodded enthusiastic assent.
The walk consumed scant half
hour; then they came upon ramblin,
old house, picturesque in its desolation
On every hand were signs Of neglec
III the over-grown garden, trees trailet
their branches on the ground, weed
reared, green barriers beneath them
and where once brick path had lie,
down to the road rank vegetation hi,
II from view.
Wedrell led the way to the vineyard
There were six long arbors loade'
with trailing vines and luscious blue
black grapes. Beneath these arbors
where a wilderness Of foliage hemme,
them in, 1T was blacker than the nigh
itself.
Barry was giving vent to his salts
faction with n handful of choice ca
tawhas when it seemed that the arbo
became suddenly alive. No sound, IL
cry; but figures. lurking farther bac1
In the gloom, now closed in on the tw
cadets. A furious struggle followed
Wedrell and Barry struck out left an,
right in the darkness, but five agains
two proved Irresistible odds.
During that wild scrimmage Wedrel
had been trying to figure out the al
fair; this attack had been SO suddel
and SO unexpected that for the nc
ment he was nonplussed. The method
employed by these assailants were no
these generally popular with tramps
NuI VAT NnIpajl ooulb thi,,k NJ ~, ~,