Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1906-02-27
CHAPTER VIII.

The news that Col. Ferguson was an
preaching Rocky Creek with a large
! BODY of dragons, marking his footsteps
with blood and fire, produced genera
CONSERVATION among the inhabitants who
remained at home.
| There were quite a number at Rocky
creek favorable to the royal cause; and
they resolved to organize and choose a
leader. The tidings of Ferguson's prox.
unity served to quicken their zeal and
| hasten their movements.
A young man by the name of Dix was
very active in the contemplated organ
| lzation. Having provided himself with
list of those who were friendly to the
cause, he rode up and down the coun-
try, inviting them to assemble at a des.
ignated place in the vicinage of Rocky
Creek. Cyrus Dix lived not far from
Rev. William Martins and knew well
that he was stanch patriot The for
mer felt an earnest desire to change
the latter's mode of thinking. Dix was
well acquainted with Kate Martin. knew
her worth, and had felt the power of
her dazzling beauty. He had ardently
sought her company for many months.
Dix was at heart bad man, but he
took the best care to disguise his true
character, and to appear to Martins
eyes like one who honestly and consci-
entiously differed with him in opinion.
The day before the royalists of that and
the adjoining districts were to assemble.
with view to an armed and permanent
organization, Dix walked over to Mr..
Martins, in order to make a final effort
to shake his patriotism to its founda.
ton.
Nor was this the sole object of his
visit. After doing all that he could in
that particular direction be had deter
mined to make full declaration of his
sentiments to the peerless Kate.
have come 10 converse with you
once more on the subject of our honest
difference of opinion. l wish you could
see as l do in this matter" said Dix,
with much emphasis.
Il respect your friendly earnestness
young man." replied the pastor; 'but
pardon me when | say that | thorough
ly detest your cause. l have not only
wished that you might discover the error
into which you have unwittingly fallen.
but l have prayed that our common
Father would mercifully open your ewes
and quicken your understanding"
~ must regret your infatuation," re-
turned Dix, earnestly; ''and perhaps l
might say hallucination. Your sacred
profession prevents you from fighting
with the ordinary weapons of human
warfare. You are we'll known among
the Royalists as having melted the hith-
erto peaceful inhabitants to arms. and
they feel justly indignant against you
Who, then, will protect yourself, your
wife and fair daughter from the ven
yeance of those marauding parties who
are sweeping like lightning through the
Il have served the God of heaven
many years, and have never yet been
replied Martin, devoutly.
Once more l appeal to you, sir. Will |
vou not, at least in appearance, favor
he Royal cause? Your own safety and |
hat of your family require this much of |
you"
Go, young man!'' exclaimed Martin. |
'ternly. You forget the respect which |
S due one so much your senior. | never |
was a hypocrite and never will be. To |
persist in such language would soon |
rob you of the respect which have hith-
erto entertained for you. Go, and never |
et TINS subject be renewed between us,
lnless you are led to see the fatal error
INTO which you have been led"
l am sorry for this" resumed Dix. |
lrtfully affecting some emotion. 81 have
esteemed you highly. and earnestly wish
% see you shielded from the evil which
$ surely determined against you"
Blessed are they who suffer for
sake" responded Mr.. Mar
in, fervently.
Dix despaired of shaking the constan-
y OF such man as the worthy pastor.
de accordingly sought Kate. to learn
low matters stood in that direction. AS
happened, a very favorable opportu-
lity presented itself.
Il have been conversing with vour
ather this morning in regard to his nm
ortunate political sentiments" said Dix.
Have you succeeded in convincing
i'm of his heresy?" asked Kate, calmly.
Z am sorry to say l have not" was
he reply.
"Will you be kind enough to inform
ne why you regret the circumstances 2"
dded Miss Martin.
For several reasons, my fair neigh
'or, rejoined Dix, blandly. First. be.
ause such a worthy man should be
hnded in his judgment; second, because
UGH sentiments endanger his personal
afety; third, on your own account, for
naturally follows if your father suf-
ers for the active part he has taken
n the rebellion you will also suffer by
he punishment"
While he was speaking Kate was
uletiy studying his character. and ar
living at .ery accurate conclusion in
egard to the object of his apparently
isinterested efforts.
Perhaps. Mr.. Dix" she said. with
nuch seeming simplicity of manner a;t