The Lambertville record., 1912-04-19

your fault-why. why, the whole seven
of you will hang for 1t If have to do
it myselfi" The widow looked per-
fectly capable of engineering any num-
Der of lynchings at that moment.
Absurd as was the situation from one
point of view. there wns the tragedy
I'm the background, and 1t was grave
ly preoccupied party that swung
around the last hill as the sun dropped
its lower rim below the horizon.
A yellow shaft of sunlight struck
the cottonwoods, and from the tallest
one something dangled from stout
upper limb.
Don't you look, ma'am-wait till we
come back" commanded Gabriel with
sudden authority, and he pressed a
flask into her hand.
The brave hearted little widow sud
denly lost courage and bowed her
head once more on the neck of her
pony.
When the seven pounded to n stand
still under the cottonwood tree they
slipped from their saddles and hesltat-
ed Harry Barry's roam horse whin-
MED sharply. and then, apparently
from the air above them, came fam
iliar voice. peevish, as IL from long
waiting.
Don't stand staring like idiotsl I'm
plumb tired ont hanging up here" 1t
said
The seven turned awed looks upon
one another, and as by one accord the
youngest and strongest, the two Lew
iSeS, Jim AMI Tim, sprang toward the
tree and fairly spurred their way up
into the lower branches, from which
they mounted higher Then there came
the sound of several voices raised in
inquiry, explanation and direction.
After awhile three men came down
| the tree instead of the two who had
| climbed up. The third man was Harry
/ Barry, and the others were helping
him, for his limbs seemed stiff and
his face was quite pale He smiled
as cheerily as ever as they gathered
around him
Another one on me-" he grinned
shcepIshly when they had administer
n restoratives to him. al was coming
back from dosing the sick critter,
when took notion to climb that
there tree and look around the land
and see If there was anybody / knew
sashaying around-laugh IL you
wanter!' he said as n knowing smile
went the round OF the group.
II went ull In the tree, and looked,
and thought | saw way off an old
friend of mine" the showed all his
white teeth "and so | was In hurry
to get down and my heel caught in n
crooked little branch, and | fell ker-
plunk till handy little stump OF a
broken limb caught hold of my belt,
and there | hung as fine as silk. That
was all beautiful and nice, only, gents,
1t was so that there was sharp
little prongy branch sticking out Of
the tree rlAht behind my shoulders,
and couldn't move hand or foot with
out ketchinC IT like knife, so there |
hung till | vent TO sleep while back.
When woke up was all numb and
cold from hanglng there Pm feeling
better now. thanks. Next thing |
knew heard you fellers coming and
seen you out the corner of my eye"
They exam med the small ragged tear
in IIarry's shirt between his shoulder
blades ana they saw that the flesh
was red and bruised from the tortur-
ing branch that had pierced 1t.
you had narrer escape" said
Gabriel sobcrly
"1 guess .ou won't get to breaking
no laws now." joked Hem Wayland.
you've somehow got taste of what
a necktie party feels like when you're
the guest OF honor
Crane had ridden nhend to break the
good news to Mrs Clancy, and Gabrie
suddenly vanlted into his saddle and
wheeled about we chaps better be
making for the Lone Bull. Lees keep
ing your supper hot for you, Hnrry!'
"And there's a lady waiting around
the corner for you" added Jim Lewis
over his shoulder as he followed Crane.
"A who-ahr The question
died on Harry Bnrry's lips as the Wild
| ow Clancy's little pony dashed toward
the cottonwood tree. bearing n slender,
erect figure. with an nureole of au-
burn hair and dancing blue eyes There
was no lack OF color In her cheeks
as she saw the stnlwart form OF
Harry
Gosh, Let's get out of thisI' gasped
lin Lewis Ms he followed the rest or
the seven In their mad dash to escape
the tender scene that would follow.
lets go home and see Lee has sup
per plenty hot for them suggested
Gabriel, and soon the faithful seven
were dim dots on the twilit plain.
Following them In the mystic light
came Harry Barry and his sweetheart,
riding slowly. hnnd In hand