The Charles Mix new era. (Wagner, Charles Mix County, S.D.) 1???-1911, 1907-09-20


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! sssxsassett Asslttaa AtM ID lNsNNNsAs alS
ssSlssAe sas Ee No A. - has hees*at 4.
Ne mssst ~ ~ Y Y M sis tsaa0is
sfa Sarah NAastea. ahis lAtelllEeass
ssvs aNsxpexteA pseasares stAlas tgpaA
her aai. sAs haae he blssA show nlseh
into ghe apartment. Ia ths deep recssess
ef tAN windows a. the cottage were seats
az ranslea verb with rich damssk cur
talass Into one Of These neeessss Captain
Wharton nov threw himself, drawing The
curtain before him IN =:.::- -a.. ! a,anner as to
euuceai most Of his person from ohserva-
tioa; while his younger sister silently
took possession OF the other.
Harvey Birch had been a peddler from
his youth. lie was q native of one OF
the eastern colonies. Ten years before
he had arrived in the vale. purchasing the
humble dwelling at which Harper had
made his unsuccessful application. Until
age and inirmities nad prevented. the
father devoted himself to the cultivation
of small SPOT of ground, while the son
pursued with asidity his humble barter.
Their orderly quietude had soon given
them so much consideration in the neigh
borhood as to induce a maiden OF i've
and-thirty 10 accept the Office OF presid-
ing over their domestic comforts. The
roses had long before vanished from the
cheeks of Katy Haynes when she entered
the family of the Birches. On the one
hand she was neat, Industrious, honest
and good manager. On the other she
was laxative, selfish, superstitious and
inquisitive.
The war did not interfere with the
traffic of the peddler For year or two
his employment was uninterrupted, but
at length dark and threatening hints be-
gan to throw suspicion around his move
ments His imprisonments, though fire.
quent, were not long. and his escapes
from the guardians of the law easy. COM
pared to what he endured from the perse-
cution of the military. Still Birch sur
viyed. and still he continued his trade,
though compelled to be very guarded In
his movements whenever he approached
the neighborhood of the American lines.
On entering the room the peddler relieved
himself from his burden and saluted the
family with modest civility. To Harper
he made a silent bow. Sarah commenced
her survey of the contents Of the pack:
and for several minutes the two were ens
gagged in bringing to light the various ar
ticles 1t contained. At length. having se-
lected several articles, and satisfactorily
arranged the prices, she observed in
cheerful voice:
but, Harvey. you have told us no
news. Has Lord CORVALLIS beaten the
rebels again.
There Is some talk below about Taris-
ton having defeated Gen. Sumter on the
Tiger river"
.Indeedr' cried the exulting Sarah;
-Sumter-Sumter-w Is he? I'll not
buy even pin until you tell me all the
news" she continued laughing, and
throwing down q muslin she had been ex-
aiming.
For a moment the peddler hesitated:
his eye glanced toward Harper, who was
yet gazing at him with settled meaning,
and the whole manner Of Birch was al
tered. A slight indication of humor show
ed itself on his face as he said:
.They say at the Plains that Sumter
and one or two more were all that were
hurt, and that the rig'lars were all cut
to pieces, for the militia were fixed snug
IL in log barn.
sNot very probable" said Sarah, con-
temptuously. though I maze no doubt
the rebels got behind the logs"
II think" said the peddler, coolly,
again offering the silk, tits quite in
genious to get a log between one and a
gun. instead Of getting between gun and
a log"
The eyes Of Harper dropped quietly,
while Frances came forward with smile
in her face as she inquired, in tone OF
affability:
"Have you more of the lace, Mr..
BirchF
The desired article was Immediately
produced, and Frances became a pur-
chaser also.
.Have you any other news, friend?"
asked Captain Wharton, venturins to
thrust his face without the curtain.
Ito be eontinued.l