Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-11-20

crack of scattered rife-shots reached
them
GO back! Go back! The wars be-
gum" cried Ardmore; but, though he
quickened the pace of his horse, Jerry
chung to his side.
''If there's war, and | hope there is,
/ shall not shrink from the firing line,
Mr.. Ardmore."
AS they dashed into their own lines
they came upon the regimental officers
seated in comfortable chairs from the
red bungalow, calmly engaged in a
game of cards.
Great God, men!" blurted Ardmore,
"why do you sit here when the states
honor is threatened? Where was that
firing?"
you seem rather placid, gentlemen,
to say the least" added Jerry, coldly
bowling to the officers, who had risen
at her approach. UNLESS / am greatly
mistaken, that is the flag of South Car
DINA | see Haunted in yonder field"
And she pointed with gauntleted
hand to palmetto flag beyond the
creek.
at is, Miss Dangerfield," replied
INC SoiohCl pOlllCly, anu you Suh SOY
their pickets occasionally, but they
have been drawn back from the creek,
and apprehend no immediate ad-
vance,"
mo advance! Who are we to wait
for them to offer battle? Who are we
to play bridge and wait upon the pleas
ure of cowardly enemy?" and Jerry
gazed upon the furious Ardmore with
admiration, as he roared at the Off
GERS, who stood holding their caps
deferentially before the daughter of
their commander-in-ch Ardmore, it
was clear, they did not take very SER
iously. fact which she inwardly re-
sented.
Il don't think it would be quite fair,
said the colonel mildly, ito force is
sues today
mot force issues!" yelled Ardmore.
with your brave sons of our Old
North State, not force battle? In the
name of the constitution, l ask you,
why not?"
For the reason" replied the colonel
that the South Carolina troops ate
heavily of green apples last night in
an orchard over there by their camp
and they have barely enough men to
maintain their pickets this morning
drawn considerable distance from
the creek"
"Then tell me why they have been
firing upon our lines? Why have they
been permitted to shoot at our help
less and unresisting men if they are
not ready for war;"
They are not shooting at our men
Mr.. Ardmore. Their pickets are very
tired from loss Of sleep, and they were
trying to keep awake by shooting at A
buzzard that hung over field yonder
where there is, our scouts inform us
a dead calf lying in one of your pas
lures"
They shall have better meat! Buz
yards shall eat the whole state OF
South Carolina before night! Colonel
order you to prepare at once to move
your troops across that creek"
The colonel hesitated
81 regret to say, sir, that we have nc
pontoons."
"Pontoons! Pontoons! What. by the
shade of Napoleon, do you want witt
pontoons when you have legs? Again
sir, order you to advance your men,
1t was at this crisis that Jerry lifted
her chin trife and calmly addressed
the reluctant colonel
Colonel Daubenspeck, in my ia
Tiers name. | order you to, throw you
troops across, the Raccoon"
A moment later the clear notes of ;
bugle rose above the splash and bubble
of the creek. There was no opportun
ity for grand onward sweep; 1t mus
be scramble for the southern shor,
over the rocks and fallen timber il
that mad torrent.
And the Raccoon is stream from
all time dedicated to noble uses an,
destined to hold mighty kingdoms il
leash. One might well hesitate befor
crossing this wayward Rubicon. TIL
Mississippi is mere an excuse for ar
preparations, the Potomac the sportin
ground OF congressman and shad. N
other known stream Is so happily ca
culated as the foamy Raccoon to de
light at once the gods of battle an
the gentle sons of song. 1t marks on
of those impatient filings of nature i
which. bored with creating orderl!
broadly-f1owing streams, or varyin
the landscape with uuiet woodlands 0
meadows. she abandons herself for
/ moment to madness and shakin
| water and rock together as in die
box, splashes' them out with joyou
. laughter.
Jerry Dangerfield. seated upon he
, horse on a slight rise under clum
Of trees little way back from tn
stream, coolly munched cracker an
T slipped coffee from lineup. Ardmor'
again calm, now that Daubenspeck ha
|, been spurred to action, smoked h
pipe and watched the army prepare
advance
! Beyond e creek. and somewhat r
! moved from it on the South Carolin
side rife cracked, and far again:
, the blue arch a huge, black, languo
Gus object, rising with last supren
!, effort as though to claim refuge
! heaven, fell elawing at space wit
sprawling wings, then collapsed an
pitched earthward until the trees G
q the farthest shore hid it from sight.
feeble cheer rose in the distance.
y They sound pretty tame ovt
there" remarked Ardmore CRITICAL
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