Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1906-10-11

was TO surprise the Golden House, seize
the person Of the President and all cash
and securities on the premises: no killing
if ii could be avoided, but on the other
hand no llyshally. McGregor wanted
to put the President out of the way at
once, as a precautionary measure. but
strongly opposed this proposal, and. find
ing the Signorina was absolutely inte1-
ible on the same side, he yielded.
l had strong desire to be present at
this midnight surprise, but another duty
called for my presence. There was
gala supper at the barracks that even
ing, to commemorate some incident or oth-
er in the national history. and was to De
present and to reply to the toast OF Ihe
Commerce of Aureataland.' My task
was, at all hazards, to keep this party 60
ing till the Colonel's job was done. when
he would appear at the soldiers quarters,
brbe in hand and demand their ALE
glance. Our knowledge of the character
of the troops made us regard the result
as a certainty. if once the President were
prisoner and the dollars before their
ewes. The Colonel and the troops were
to surround the officers messroom. and
offer them life and money, or death and
destruction. Here again we anticipated
their choice with composure. The army
was then to be paraded in the Piazza the
town overawed or converted. and. behold,
the Revolution was accomplished
The success of this desi gn entirely de-
pended on its existence remaining dead
secret from the one man we feared, ana
on that one man being found alone and
unguarded at 70 o'clock on Friday night.
If he discovered the plot, we were lost.
If he took it into his head to attend the
supper, our difficulties would be greatly
increased. At this point we turned to the
signorina. and | said, briefly:
This appears to be where you come ln'
Signorina. Permit me to invite you to
dine with his excelency on Friday exen-
ing at s precisely
"You mean" she said slowly, that l
am to keep him at home on Friday"
Yes" said |. rs there any difficulty"
81 do not think there is great difficult
ty," she said, but l don't like it; 1t
looks so treacherous.'
OF course it did. l didn't like her do
ing it myself, but how else was the Pres
ident to be secured?
Rather late to think OF that, isn't
it?" asked McGregor, with a sneer. "A
revolution won't run on high emotional
Wheels
Think how he jockeyed you about the
money" said I, assuming the part Of the
tempter.
"By the way" said McGregor, tits un-
derstood the Signorina enters into pos
session of the Presidents country villa,
isn't it?"
Now nv poor Sgnorina had longing
for that choice little retreat, and between
resentment for her lost money and de-
sire for the pretty house, she was sore
beset. Left to herself, believe she would
have Welded to her better feelings and
spoiled the plot
"I'l do it, if you'll swear not too
hurt him." she said.
I've promised already" replied the
Colonel, sullenly Il won't touch him, un-
less he brings it on himself. If ne tries
to kill me, suppose l needn't bare my
breast to the blow!'
mo, no." | interposed; II have re-
gard for his excellency, but we must not
let our feelings betray us into weakness
He must be taken-alive and well, II
possible-but in the last resort, dead or
alive"
Come, that's more like sense" said
the Colonel. approvngly.
The Signorina sighed, but opposed US
no longer.
Returning to ways and means, we ar
ranged for communication in case of need
during the next three days without the
necessity Of meeting My position as the
center of financial business in Whiting
ham made this easy; the passage of bank
messengers 10 and fro would excite little
remark, and the messages could easily be
40 expressed as to reveal nothing to an
uninstructed eye. 1t was further agreed
that on the smallest hint Of danger reach
ing any one of u.s. the word should at
once be passed to the others, and we
should rendezvous at the Colonels
ranch" which lay some seven miles from
the town. Thence, In this lamentable
case, escape would be more possible.
And now" said the Colonel, "if Mar
tin will hand over the dollars, think
that's about all"
Go be continued.)