Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-06-15

fall below the female knee. Ho, no,
| II he dared, If he quite dared, Natl"
He nudged Nathaniel again with
such enthusiasm that the latter
jumped as though a knife had been
thrust between his ribs.
by George, admire his taste!" he
laughed. The women caught him
staring at them, and one. who was
the youngest and prettiest Of the lot.
smiled invitingly.
"Tush-the Jezebel!" snapped Oba-
diah. catching the look. That's her
child playing just beyond"
The young woman tossed her head
and her white teeth cleaned in a
laugh, as though she had overheard
the old councillors words.
See her twist her hair" he snarled
venomously as the young woman, still
boldly cycling Nathaniel, played with
the luxuriant curls that glistened in
the sun upon her breast. Ezra Will
ton is 50 fond of her that he will take
no other wife. Ugh, Strang Is fool! ~
Nathaniel turned away from the
smiling eyes with a shrug.
why"
ITO tell our women that 1T helps to
save their souls to wear short skirts
and let their hair hang down. For
every soul of woman that it saves it
sends two men on the road to hell!"
So intense was the old mans dis
pleasure and so ludicrous the twisting
contortions of his face that Nathaniel
could hardly restrain himself from
bursting into roar of laughter. Oba-
diah perceived his inclination and
with an angry bob of his head led the
way through to the inner edge Of the
waiting circle Of men. Within this
circle, in a small open space, was a
short post with straps attached to an
arm nailed across it, and leaning upon
this post lin an attitude Of one who
possesses most distinguished office
was young man with a three-thonged
whip in his hand. An ominous 81
lence pervaded the circle, with the ex-
ception of the hushed whispering of
a number Of women who had forced
themselves into the line of spectators,
bent upon witnessing the sight of
blood as we'll as hearing the sound Of
lashes. Nathaniel noticed that most
of the women hung In frightened curl
osity beyond the men.
That is MacDougall with the lash
official whipper and caretaker of the
slave hounds" explained Obadiah in q
whisper.
Nathaniel gave a start of horror.
"Slave hounds!" he breathed.
The councillor grinned and twisted
his hands in enjoyment of his COM
pahion's surprise.
I'VE have the finest pack of blood
hounds north of Louisiana" he con-
tinued, SO low that only Nathaniel
could hear See! Isn't the earth
worn smooth and hard about that
post?"
Nathaniel looked and his blood
grew hot.
II have. seen such things in the
SOUTH" he said. But not-for white
men!"
The councillor caught him by the
arm.
They are coming"
In the direction of the Jail the
crowd was separating. Men crushed
back on each side, forming a narrow
aisle, even the whispering Of the
women ceased. A moment later three
men appeared in the opening between
the spectators. One of these, who
walked between the other two, was
stripped to the waist. About each
of his naked wrists was tied a leather
; thong and these thongs were held by
the mans guards. The prisoners
face was livid his hands were red
with blood that dripped from his lac
Grated wrists; his eyes glared mal1g-
nantly and his heaving chest showed
that he had not been brought from the
log prison without a struggle.
"Ah, it's Wittle frst!" breathed the
councillor. TITS he who said his wife
should not wear short skirts"
At the edge Of the circle the prison
er hesitated and the muscles in his
arms and chest grew rigid. Those of
Then sudden change swept over the
mans features and he walked quick
Iy to the stake and kneeled before it.
The thongs about his wrist were tied
to the straps of the sross-piece and
the whipper took his position. AS the
first lash fell, a cry burst from the
lips of the victim. When the whip
descended again he was silent A
curious sensation of sickness erept
over Nathaniel as he saw the red
gashes thicken on the white flesh.
Five times-six times-seven times
the whip rose and fell and he could
see the blood starting. In horror he
turned his eyes away. Behind him a
man grinned at the wilderness Of his
face and the involuntary trembling of
his lips. Again and again he heard
the lash fall upon the naked back.
From near him there came the Sob
bling moan Of a woman. A subdued
movement, sound as of murmuring
wordless voices swept through the
throng. A steady glitter filled the eyes
of the man who had laughed at him
and he turned again to the stake. The
mans back was dripping with blood.
Great red seams lay upon his shout
ders and q single lash had cut his
bowed neck Another stroke, more
fierce than the others, and MacDougall
turned away from the figure at the
post, breathing hard. The guards I'M