Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1910-09-30

snd-shoveI havoc and cleariLg q WIoe
circle to right and left with the sweep
of his old service cavalry saber, was
the Major, coatless, hatless, and crying
them to come on. the u~nnumbered host
of them against n man.
Opposed to him the men Of the con-
struction force. generated by the young
engineer in brown duck and buttoned
leggings, were deploylng cautiously to
surround him. Gordon spoke to his
mare; and when he drew rein AMI
wheeled to shout to the gun crew,
Thomas Jefferson heard the engineers
low-toned order to the shovelers: BE
careful and don't hurt him, boys. He's
the old maniac who threw me off the
seranda of his house. Two of you take
him behind, and"
The break came on the uprush of the
unanticipated achievements. With
the battle readiness of a disciplined
soldier, Caleb Gordon whipped from
the saddle and ran to help the gun
crew slue the makeshift feldpiece into
position.
Fall back, Major!" he shouted; fall
back on your front line and give the
artillery a chanst at 'em. l reckon a
dose O. broken pot-iron1l carry further
than that saber O. yourn. Buddy, hunt
me a punk match, will ye?"
Thomas Jefferson ran to the nearest
rotting log, but one of the negroes was
before him with a blazing pitch-pine
splint. There was a respectful recoil
in the opposing ranks which presently
became a somewhat paniciky surge to
the rear. The shovelers, more than
half of whom were negroes, had not
come out to be blown from a lannon's
mouth by a grim-faced veteran who
was so palpably at home with the tools
of his trade.
That's right; keep right on goin'!"
yelled the ironmaster, waving his blaz-
ing slow-match dangerously lear to
the printing. Keep it up"
The panic had spread by its own
contagion, and the invaders were
fighting among themselves for place on
The hat-cars. And while yet the rear
guard was swarmiug upon the engine,
hanging by toe and hand- holds where
it could, the train was backed rapidly
out of range. Caleb Gordon kept his
pine splint alight until the echoes of
the engines exhaust came family from
the ~overhanging cliffs of the mountain.
They've gone back to town, and |
reckon the fires plum out for to-day,
Major" he drawled. Buck and a few
O. the boys'll stay by the gun. against
their rallyin' later on, and you might
as we'll go home to your breakfast
Didn't bring your hawss, did we? Take
the mare, and welcome. Buddy and
nell walk"
But the Major would not mount, and
so the two men walked together as far
as the manor-house gates, with Thorn
as Jefferson a ace in the rear, leading
the mare.
1t was no matter Of wonder to him
that his father and the Major marched
; in solemn silence to the gate of part.
ing. But the wonder came tumultu
; ously when the Major wheeled abrupt!
at the moment of leave-taking an;
l wrung his fathers hand.
sub, you are a right true-hearte,
V gentleman, and my very good friend
: Mistuh Gordon!" he said, with tn
manner of one who has been CAREFUL
weighing tHe WoruS De|lOrendnu. !
e you had been given youh just due.
sub, you'd have come home from F"
ginia wearin' youth shouldeh-straps.
n And then, with a little throat-clearin
. pause to come between: "Suh; an ow
5 brotheh couldn't have done mo-! L
I've been misjudgin' you, Caleb, q
y these yeahs, and now I'm proud I
l shake o by the hand and call you m
Q friend. Yes, sub, l am that"
1t was, in a manner not to be under
o stood by the Northern alien, the accc
Q lade of knighthood, Inc Caleb Gordon
u ~toil-rounded shoulders straighted Wis
q bly, when he returned the hearty hanG
- grasp. And as for Thomas Jefferso,
u in his heart gratified pride tapped 4
wings and crowed Justify.
. Ito be %continued.)