The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1912-11-21
6 %! q! :; 80: 3 ,! , y 81:
e%MWHK<N o7,poHr Illustrations by NRY TMDR
COPYRIGHT AcnCLURe G. co. 1911

command, released by their guard OF
partIsans. and now YEARLY seeking
refuge But why were they coming
here? Surely this was not the Phila.
delphia road?
They turned In upon the open lawn
In front OF the door, and could plain
ly distinguish the faces. There could
no longer be any doubt but what these
were the men we had fought and de-
feat'd the evening before Grant, with
the two Hessian officers, was in adj
vance. and the former strobe directly
toward the house. while the majority
or his following flung themselves at
nun length on the ground. as though
utterly exhausted. Some strange fas.
cination held me motionlcss. Watching
the man climb the front steps The
iron knockcr rang loudly twice before
there came any response from with.
IN. Then | could hear voices, but the
words reaching me were detached, and
without definite meaning. Finally the
door closed, and the two men passed
along the hall, beyond the room in
| which ] waited. Then Potcr's voice
said solomnly, as II announcing q dis.
. '.uguished guest.
Captain Alfred Grant"
There was an exclamation of sur
! prise a quick exchange of sentences
indiaIinguishable. although was sure
or Grants peculiar accent. and the
other voice was that OF the Young
| light Dragon lieutenant. Uncertain
! what best to do ! stole toward the
door and gripped the knob. This was
the only known way out, for ! dare
not venture to use the window which
was IN plain view OF those soldiers
| resting on the lawn. Whether Peter
mad retired or not, / possessed no
means Of Knowing, yet opened the
door silently a bare inch to make sure.
At the same instant my ears caught
the lIeutenants Diminishing order, even
as my eyes had glimpse Of Swanson's
broad back blocking the open doorway
OF a room nearly opposite.
That viii do, Peter, for the present,
Have the table prepared for three
guests at once"
II" backed out, casting quick
glance OF caution in my direction. and
Disappeared down the hall. rubbing his
bald head industrously. / opened the !
door wider wondering II dare Ven.
tur" upon slipping by unobserved
Then Grant spoke, his voice loud
enough 20 be easily heard:
How did We come here Why
where else could we 90? Tho damned
rebels stripped US clean, we had to
have food. This was the nearest
place whore We were certain Of getting
any. or course ! didn't know our
foragcrs had left Elmhurst alone. and
that-for some cause which mvsfiges
Clinton these Jersey outlaws have
been equally considerable. There was
plenty 10 be had here, and meant TO
have It in spite Of the servants"
You must have marched straight
past your own place" the boyish voice
interrupted
We'll what II we did? There was
nothing there, as you know Tho
house has been stripped to mere
shell Not Niger left, nor n horse.
I'd Ike to know what influence keeps
this property untouched"
That's easily answered. You forget
We are n divided family, with fighting
men on either side"
Little these outlaws care for that "
AT least they appear to. as we re-
m n in uumnIaeta1 srb.,z -. -. -
n raiding party halted here since the
war began"
We'll, II you hadn't been at home.
there would have been ono along
now, burst forth Grant rather rough
ly. Those fellows out there are dos.
pcrate enough TO sack tho house ~
that was their only method Of getting
food. And ] promised they should have
the chance"
'Oh, you did, indeed! That would
have proven friendly act"
Necessity does not take much nc.
count Of friendship. ! was responsible
or hundred starving men. Under
such conditions force would be tus,i.
led. doubt II could control the fell
ows now II provisions should be re.
used"
There is no necessity for INDUCING
II threats, Captain Grant" said the
'oy's voice coldly "Elmhurst has
lever yet turned soldier away in
lunGer. Peter will instruct what few
ervants remain to attend to the i'm. Il
Mediate needs of your men. May ask Il
low long jou expect to remain"
! thought Grant was walking merry. "
usly back and forth across the room t
How long? Until night probable. Il
hen with bite in our haversacks g
'ell take the road again That is. y
roviding you condescond to act MS s.
ur host for so long time. odds life,
ut thil reception is not over warm to Ia
~ thinking" y
"Eimhurst is not tavern. sir" 81
h,f 3