The Irish standard., 1905-06-03
CHAPTER NIX.

S4i-Al iIlA -Nl-N
D'ri and left the chateau that aft
ernoon, putting up in the red tavern
at MOrriStown about dusk.
My companion rode away proudly,
the medal dangling at his waistcoat
lapel
''Jerushy Janet" said he, presently,
as he pulled rein. "Ain't agoin' t hev
thet floppin' there so-meks me feel
LUX a bird. Don't seem nohow nat raj.
Wha' d We s'pose he gin me thet air
thing fer?'
He was putting it away carefully in
his wallet.
LAS token of respect for your
bravery" said l.
His laughter roared in the still
woods, making my horse lift and snort
a little. 1t was never an easy job to
break any horse to Dri's laughter
ITS reedic'lous," said he, thought
fully, in a moment.
"Why?"
Cause fer the reason why they
don't no man deserve nuthin' fer doin'
"AAtAS AC u oA IC4 Gil" "SlCuy Will
serious and determined look.
''You did WE'LL" said l, "and deserve
anything you can get
Done my damdest!" said he But
l did MT do nuthin' but git licked. Got
shot an tore an slammed all over
thet air deck, an could Mt do no harm
t. nobody. Jes LUX hoss tied n the
stall, an a lot o. men whalin' i'm, an
a lot more tryin' t. scare i'm t. DEATH"
"Wha' d ye s'pose thet air things
made uv?" he inquired, after little
silence.
"Silver," said l.
"Pure silver?"
Undoubtedly" was my answer
Judas Priest!" said he, taking out
his wallet again, to look at the trophy.
'Thet air mus be wuth suthin,.''
More than a years salary" said l.
He looked up at me with sharp
whistle of surprise.
"Ain' no great hand fer sech funny
diddles," said he, as he put the medal
away.
''It's badge of honor" said l..
ut shows you re a brave man."
Got 'nough on en- said Dri.
"This ere rip n the forehcads bout
all the badge l need"
ITS from the emperor-thc great
Napoleon" | said. ut 8 mark of his
pleasure"
'Wall. by Judas Priest!" said D'ri,
Il would MT jump over stump or
a stun wall t. please no cmp'ror, an
l would MT cut off my lectle finger fer
hull bushel basket O them air.
haint a-iighin' fer no honor"
"Wlat thcn?" said |.
His face turned very sober. He
purscd his lips, and spat acrcss the
ditch; then gave his mouth a wipe.
and glanced thonghtf:!lly at the sky.
Ger liberty" said he. with decision.
Same thing my father died fer"
Not to this day have ! forgotten it,
the answer Of old D'r, or The look Of
him as he spoke. was only reckless
youth fighting for the love of peril and
adventure. and with too little thought
of the high purposes of my country.
=
me; that proclamation of Mr.. Madi-
son had been discussed freely in our
home, and ! had felt some share in
the Indignation Of D'ri and my father.
This feeling had not been nIlayed by
the bloody scenes in which had had
a part. Now | began to feel the great
passion of the people, and was put to
shame for q moment.
"Liberty-t is n grand thing to
fight for" said l. after a brief pause
Swap my blood any time fer thet
air" said D'ri 81 can fight sassy, but
not fer no king but God Almighty
Don't pay t. git all tore up less it IS
fer suthin' purity middlin' vallyble.
My life amt with much, but, yc see,
haint nuthin' else"
We rode awhile in sober thought,
hearing only a sough Of the wind above
and the rustlng hoof-bcat of our
horses in the rich harvest of the au-
tumn woods. We were walking SLOW
ly over stretch of bare moss when, at
a sharp .urn, we came suddenly in
sight of huge bear that sat facing
us. drew my pistol as we pulled rein,
firing quickly. The bear ran away
into the brush as fired another shot
"He s hit" said Dri, leaping off and
bidding me hold the bit. Then, with a
long stride, he ran after the fleeing
bear. had been waiting near half an
hour when D'ri came back slowly, with
downhearted look.
cot ain no USE" said he. Cant
never git thet bear. He g got flesh