The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1908-11-27

Father made IL TOT US 10 uIihh,
mockingly. And vinegar Is just
right. Bring In pitcherful. quick!
1T Is out in the barn"
Quick. Didn't tell vel" yelled
the man. I'VE don't want any pala-
yernia."
Mercy caught up a large pitcher
and hurried out, an eager light com
ing into her eyes. II she was to do
anything, she must do II now. But
what?
As was often the case In rural
communities, the Standwen young
people had some little interest In the
farm Mercy owned a calf and n
few OF the chickens and field which
she sometimes gave TO crops and
sometimes left Il In grass for hay.
The last season it had been in grass.
and her seven or eight tons OF hay
now rose in large stack on the slope
below the barn, where II awaited a
purchaser With the proceeds she ex-
pected 10 buy from her father. some
English dress goods from the store,
and some presents for the various
members OF the family.
When she left her house her mind
was on the stack. and her face clear
ed OF some OF its anxiety when she
noticed that the wind blew away from
the barn.
''Ye was a long time drawin'."
grumbled the man who wanted his
vinegar. surlily. as she came TO him
with the pitcher.
Vinegar runs slow when the bung
is SMALL she answered. and. be-
sides. the pitcher is heavy
Lazy steps lag" he retorted.
"Ye'd ought to be a boy. and on ship
board"
Ten minutes later the captain
leaned back. wiping his mouth on the
back OF his hand
Now. what do ye give us for the
finish?" he called to Mercy. Have
We cake and other sweet stun"
Yes. sir many kinds: and pies
and things 1T for thanksgiving"
We'll. bring them all on. But
what's that smoker" suddenly. and
springing TO his feet, he rushed out
side. drawing his sword. When he
came back a few minutes later, his
eyes were red and angry.
Didn't | tell you men to be care
full until we had eaten?" he cried.
Some OF We have dropped fire in
lighting a pipe. and the dry grass is
burning below the barn. II II
spreads, the barn itself may catch.
and then some OF the torpid soldiers
may be wakeful enough 10 see.
Hurry. now. and get through The
psalm singers will be here soon, and
we must be ready TO invite them on
ri al
us part OF the feast Come, now,
girl; bring on the sweet things.
quick. quick!"
Mercy ran to the storeroom, IT..
turning a few minutes later with her
arms straining under a pyramid OF
pies. These she hurried along the
table, dropping one before each man.
Then she ran back after more. Oh,
II she could only keep the men feast
ing until the soldiers arrived-and
even more than that. II only the men
in the meeting house would be slow,
SLOW in discovering the smoke, SO The
soldiers could arrive as soon as they.
All of them would believe II was
raid, with buildings being set on fire,
and would come hurrying to the spot.
Fortunately the freebooting captain
himself did not suspect. He had gone
just far enough TO see II was not the
barn. and then the feasting had
tempted him back. He supposed the
fire to be grass burning In some field
beyond
He did not seat himself again In
his chair. but stood by the table. TAX
ing huge mouthfuls of cake and pie.
and swallowing glass after glass of
the fresh buttermilk that Mercy
brought in. Presently he swung
around.
"Turbell." he called TO the next
room, take all your men and gather
up what food we can find in the house.
Go into the storeroom where the
wench keeps her cakes and pies.
Take everything, and all we are leay-
ing on the tables. We will have n
few days rest from the blackamoor.
Hurry, now, and get them to the
boats. in case anything might hap
pen; then come back. We will stay
here and watch. The praise-makers
will be here soon"
Ten minutes and the house had
been stripped OF its food; five more,
and there was the sound OF voices.
Stand by the DOORS" ordered the
captain. When they get close. spring
out on them. Better club every one
into insensibility; they will be easier
carried"
The soldiery." he warned In
hoarse whisper They're almost
here. WHAT"
But the captain was by him with a
bound. The men tumbled after. One
look was sufficient The soldiers
were approaching at a run.
TO the boats." yelled the captain.
They're too many for us, and We
know our fate II captured. Where "a
Wade? Not here? Then Turbell
must have taken him. Run. now!
run.''
When the soldiers came I'D painting.
the last of the buccaneers were tumb.
ling into their boats on the beach.
The soldiers fired volley to accele-
rate their movements. AS the echoes
died away gaunt, disheveled figure
crept from under the Standwell porch.
It's eyes were big and hollow, and there
were scars OF ill-usage and cruelty
upon the face, and one arm was in
a sling. The people coming from the
house stared incredulously.
then united In a ringing. welcoming
joyous shout of Robert Wade, Rob
ert Wade!"-Frank III. Sweet, in The
Advance.