Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1906-10-11
II.

Left alone in the garden, the young
woman realized the cold for the first
time. She wore no wrap, and her head
in its linen cap yet sparkled with a
diamond frost which, in her hasty run,
the trees and ivied trellis-work had
showered over her. She shivered and
turned to &c. Fortunately progress tc
the house was free, the soldiers having
gone above to witness the trial of the
newcomers.
She slipped around to the kitchen
and peered in.
Good morning, America, is the
coast clear?"
"Yaas, honey, but l spec dem po'
white trash in brass buttons II be
hyar soon messin' 'roun'."
Where are the other servants?"
LA, chile, don ak me dat!" and the
black cooks face grew blacker with
anger. Dem on'ry niggahs won't help
none; dey jest loaf 'roun' de cabins
like scairt woodchucks! Oar amt de
backbone OBJ a lizard in de whole pas.
sci OBJ EN-"
But you aren't afraid, American"
America brandished a skillet threat.
eningly. STD like to see de sojer var,
minis dat could scare dis yer niggar!'
and her head, its woolly topknot pro.
truding from the gay turban, gave vici-
Gus mods of emphasis.
At last she said suddenly: "Do me
a f%avoryte, honey; go wild me to dc
| springShouse, and hep me to fetch
some buttah and aigs. | mus fix some
OBJ dem new-fangled sandwiches. Dey
amt no'hin but hunks O. bread wild
meat-leavins in de middle, but missus
says it's a new style, an l amt nebel
berlin de times in my cookin'-dat's
no lie!"
Together, peering cautiously about
for fear of molestation, they proceeded
to the spring house. Here they were
confronted by a trio of militiamen.
idling at the entrance. One reclined
upon a statue which, dragged from its
pedestal, stretched its broken length
across the walk. Rising, he made a
tipsy salute. "Egad! here come Beauty
and the Beast!"
At the sight of the blear-eyed fel-
lows, who made no effort to conceal
their admiration, the girl would have
fled; but America stood her ground.
Folding both long, skinny arms over
her hollow chest she glared sternly at
them.
EFF y'all amt de beatenes' white men
eber | come %acrost!"
Mind your W business! what are
you, anyway"
But America was not to be daunted
What I am, Pm dat-and OATS what
| am" was her oracular response. Then
she continued: "Ain' you had no rails
in? Don you know a lady when 70
sees one?"
BY st. Anthony, that I do, and nc
mistake!" was the maudlin answer;
"and does MY duckie know her dearie
when she sees him." and suddenly
Keeling up to the girl, he chucked her
under the chin.
With a movement swift and strong,
America sent him sprawling back, his
body spanning the PROSTATE statue.
His companions staggered to the res
cue as the rufian arose ,uttering a vol
ley OF oaths.
you black she-devil!" he roared,
with clenched fist raised, "I'1l teach
you manners"
But just then a voice said: Better
learn them first, my man." and a
slight, but muscular frame was inter.
posed between the women and their
a~ssailants. The girl gave a scream
half of fright, half Of relief, as she
recognized the gentleman who had led
the strangers this morning-he who
had introduced himself as Winslow.
AT assistance from this unexpected
quarter, the other soldiers retreated
through the %shrubbery, leaving their
leader alone to face the indignant res
cuer.
Half soDered at the situation, but
too angry for caution, the bully drew
sword and made a lunge at Winslow
"a thrust unsteady and weak. Wins
low easily parted it with his cane,
but rs he did SO, the lace ruffies Of his
shirt fell over q wrist white as a wom-
ans. AT the sight Of its delicacy his
opponent laughed contemptuously:
II never fight milksops; get home to
your mother!.' and he turned to go.
but, angered now, Winslow barred
the way. You would draw upon an
unarmed man. but you sneak out Of I