Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1907-01-17
From the Youth Companion.l
JABEZ ROCKWELL'S POWDER-HORN.
PART 1

when grown men like me have not a
pouch amongst them for a single
charge of powder +
A tall, gaunt Vermonter, whose
uniform was wooden bedcover drap-
ed to his knees, laughed loudly from
the doorway OF his log hut as he flung
these taunts at the STRIPPING soldier.
A little way down the snowy street
of these rude cabins group OF ragged
comrades was crowding at the heels
of man who Rugged leather apron
to his chest with both aims. JabeL
Rockwell was in hot haste to join the
chase nevertheless he halted to cry
back at his critic
"It's lie 1 put my fife in my
pocket at Saratoga, and | fought with
musket as long and ugly as your
self. And a redcoat shot me through
the arm. If the camp butcher has
powder horns to give away, l deserve
one more than those raw militia re-
cruits, so wait until you are a veteran
of the Connecticut line before you
laugh at US old soldiers.
The youngster stopped to tighten
the clumsy wrappings of rags which
served him for shoes, and hurried on
after the little, shouting mob which
had followed the butcher down to the
steep hillside Of Valley Forge, where
he stood at bay with his back to the
cliff.
"There are thirty Of you desperate
villains, pulled the fat fugitive, land
l have only ten horne, which have
been saved from the choicest of all
the cattle I've killed these two months
gone. l would l had my maui and
skinning-knife here to defend myself.
Take me to headquarters, ii there is
no other way to end this riot. Iwant
no pay for the horns. They are my
gift to the troops, but, Heaven help
me who is to decide how to divide
them amongst 80 many ?"
Stand him on his bald head, and
loose the horns from the apron. As
they fall,he who finds keeps y roared
one of the boisterous party.
"Toss them all in the air and let
us fight for them" was another sug-
gestion.
The hapless butcher glared round
him with growing dismay. At this
rate half the American army would
soon be clamoring round him, drawn
by the chance to add to their poor
equipment.
By this time Jabez Rockwell had
wriggled under the arms of the shout
ing soldiers, twisting like an uncom-
monty active eel, until he was close
to the red-faced butcher. With ready
wit the Youngster piped up plan for
breaking the deadlock
"There are thirty of us, you say,
that put you to rOut, Master Ritter
Let us divide the ten horns by lot.
Then you can return to your cow-pens
with whole skin and clean con.
science.
There is more sense in that little
carcass of yours than in all those big,
hulking troopers, that could spit you
on bayonet like sparrow y rum
bled Master Ritter. How shall the
lots be drawn 2"
Away with your lottery |" cried
burly riAeman, whose long hunting
shirt whipped in the bitter wind
"The road up the valley is well beat
en- down. The old forge is half a
mile away. Do you mark line, old
beef-killing Jack, and we will run for
our lives. The first ten to touch the
stone wall of the smitby- will take the
ten prizes"
Some yelled approval, others 6erce-
" opposed, and the wrangling was
louder than before. Master Ritter,
who had plucked up heart, began to
steal warily from the hillside, hoping
to escape in the confusion. A dozen
hands clutched his collar and leather
apron, and jerked him hsadlOng back
into the argument.
Young Jsbez scrambled to the top
ofthe nearest boulder, and rufled with
importance like turkey cock as he
waved his arms 10 command attention.
"The guard viii be turned out and
we shall end this fray by cooling our
heels 10 the prison butts on the bill,
he detained. "If We run fOOt-race
- :. 20 0ov which of ns first reAche,