The Carlisle independent., 1908-12-17
A MIDNIGHT SURPRISE
Copyright. 1908, by Daily Story Pub. Cob
BY EDGAR WHITE

tered and excite@, but still wonder fully beautift., a1d beg him to spare the city. Then he would walk back wards and forwards, his brow fur rowed and wrinklRd, as he fought out the problem 'twixk his righteous ven- 1 geance and
 Do this for my sake, Teddy" she would plead, in a spASm of agony, and will love you forever and ever" and then
 life. You are asking d, great deal, but I will do it-after l hhng the con- stable and the judge ana the mer- chant
 Then Agnes would obligiDgly say she didn't care much about them, any how, sos he didn't kill her dad and mamma, and the neighbors, at}d would throw her lovely white arm$ about his neck in gratitude and love.
 He liked that version best, and so as not to fogret how to act wHen the time came, he carefully wrotet it out.
 Students of humanity tell us that | DUy Ol dUlDlIlOn are i16 IudhSlS LII their own future. Fate gave Teddy lift when the great civil war broke out. He soon got together bunch of untamed spirits and they began set ting the issues of slavery and state rights by stealing horses, robbing trav- elers and holding up railroad trains. As the success of Teddy's crowd in- creased it grew in numbers until he had nearly 300 murderous lguerrillas at his back It was time to strike. He held a consultation with his lieu tenants out on the green sward and bound them with terrible oaths to fol- low him on his deed of retribution. They waved their plumed hats and powder pistols on high.
 Beaver Run, or dis." they cried.
 Thank you, gentlemen said Teddy, much affected. T knew you were faithful"
 So they took up the march to Beav- CT Run, some 50 miles away. Teddy rode at the head of the legions, just as he had written it down. There was long black chicken plume in his hat, and his belt glittered with deadly re- 1 NOlh C4 D. lt tuOIIlAS DSlOIc SclllnS cut on the last march before reach ing the doomed city, the general had carefully groomed his black charger, and dusted off his clothes. In the days when he had to go to church such matters were inconsequential, but to- day it was important Toward twi- light they reached the crest of line of hills overlooking the quiet city, which lay nestling in the valley. It seemed place for lovers to wander hand in hand, for children to run and play and for the hallowed chimes of the church to call the faithful to their devotions. But war is hell, and the soldier has no time to be sentimental. Besides, Beaver Run had earned her fate. The attack was planned to oc- cur at midnight, after the villagers had become sound asleep. It would be moonlight then, and the surprising party could maneuver easily. Two scouts were sent out, with instructions to get into the town, if possible.
 Capt. Teddy marched somberly to and fro under the cottonwoods, silent and studious. His mind ran back to the old days when he was treated so harshly by the people he had tried to Hive among in peace. He thought of i the disgraceful months in jail and how the taint had always clung to him. He was the town scapegoat, the outcast." the "Ishmaelite," the young hoodlum," but now
 He gritted his teeth as he observed a form approaching down the road which the moonlight had begun to sweep with it's silvery glow. Perhaps it was-his brow soft ened, and tender look crept into his eyes.
 For her sake he murmured, as he turned his head.
 Steaithily steps came near. Teddy slowly turned. Disappointedly, he rec ognized his scout
 Back already, Bill?" he said
 "Yep-got news"
 Good, Summon the officers to my quarters.
 In few moments the swash. bucklers were seated on logs around their captain, who indicated he wished them to hear the spy's report.
 T sneaked in along the north road said the scout in a hoarse whisper. and mixed with the people. They got a home guard, with squirrel rifles and fiintlocks."
 Huh" from one of the ieuten- ants.
 If they resist, their punishment shall be the greater" said Capt Ted dy, judicially.
 They're a pretty bum lookin' lot O soiers," said the spy; "an'-what dye think?-their captains an old fossil what used to teach the school-Davy something or other"
 Teddy coughed, and he looked atten- tivG'y at the ground.
 Comrades" he said Beaver Run ain't much of place. I used to live there, and 1 know it don't amount tc 1 cb, ct'c