The Emmett index., 1912-06-13
A TfftieGh Anniversary WAR Story
BY RANDALL PARRISH
COPYRIGHT. 1909. BY A c MecLURG s. co.

prisoner. yet. had | chosen TO do so. I
could have been well out of your hands
by now. | am a Federal officer. de-
tailed upon the staff OF General Rose
Grams and temporarily in command of
scouts But short time ago was
\ ordered TO take two men and examine
| this ueighborhood for the purpose OF
! discovering. II possible. the rendezvous
( of guerrilla leader known 70 us as
/ Big lem Donald" | gnzed directly
into the eyes of the giant who was
now leaning back In his chair. Are
/ you the many'
"lou may assume so for sake of ar
( gument Go on.
Understanding that Judge Dunn
had some connection with this band
OF raiders. | left my men asleep this
morning and ventured here alone. hop
ing TO discover opportunity for invesH-
cation. In the shadow of the grape
trellis | UNEXPECTEDLY encountered a
Young lady, who offered TO permit my
searching the house While prosecut-
ing that search was suddenly locked
into storerOOm ana made prisoner"
The deep voice of Donald interrupt
ed with a question.
"Who were the men with you?"
"Two scouts. Daniels md O'Brien."
"That X why we have doubted your
purpose" he explained shortly. "Well.
before YOU 70 on will tell you some
thing about Bill Daniels" the voice
low. quiet. convincing. something that
possibly may Justify our action toward
you, II we are guilty OF any mistake.
Daniels was born into feud that has
cursed this mountain region for many
years. Ny father was involved In It.
and II cost him his life. When | grew
up to manhood made every effort In
my power TO reach n just settlement of |
the difficulty. | refused 10 go armed; |
| refused 10 retalnte for injuries done
my property. | appealed to the courts |
instead of lighting Il out with the rife
But those fellows couldn't understand |
that sort OF thing; they held me a
coward and started In To drive me out
Of the country. This Daniels was the
leader. and he had with him n lot of
assasslns. Before | learned
the uselessness of courts my house
was burned. my crops destroyed. and
my wife, weakened by the exposure,
He'd was twice shot from ambush,
md three men allied with my interests
lad treacherously been done TO death.
L was then ! became a lighting man.
L took three years 10 rid those bills of
heir vermin: II cost blood and money.
)ut when we were done those noun.
ain roads yonder were safe 10 travel
,ver. This man Daniels was con
lemned Tor murder. with Judge Dunn
lere on the bench. The atroclty OF his
rlmes was almost beyond belief, and
le was sentenced TO death. In some
way he escaped from prison and dis
The war broke out: but.
moving him TO be alive. knowing the
hreats he had made aud that the peo-
lie here required my protection. know
ng there still remained In the region
hose who would. through ties OF blood.
arbor him II he returned and even
ssist I'm his vengeance. burst not
into the Confederate service.
gained me an independent
ommand in this section. thus enabling
le 10 serve both country and friends
I the same time. | am Jem Donald.
ut am not guerrilla; am a com
lissioned officer under the Confederate
overnment"
bowed silently. impressed by the
lan's earnestness. lie had not fin
shed.
"Not until Yesterday did know Dan.
ELS had actually returned. His pres
nee would not be so serious, but my
ommand is just now badly scattered. ,
nd he comes backed by a force OF
'ederals"
'If | had my way" broke in the Of
Ger on the sofa. I'D hang this whole
couting party and have done with It."
| turned and looked at him, instant
= recognizing the voice. He was Cal
ert Dunn.
"A kindly thought" I returned cold ,
Y, land one worthy of soldier. Miss
)enslow, | do not really mean to !