The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1912-12-21
TANNING A
SHREW
BY ELIZABETH WEED

| u u
marry me I'd be In n fiery furnace 10
the rest of my life. II let her alon
III be goin' around like whippe'
rooster, It's six for one and half
dozen for the other.
"Why don't you git her down nn'
pummel Ter for awhile? Mebbe tina
would take some o. the cussednes
outen her"
I'D like to see the man that coult
Git il out OF her that away"
"You mought scare her"
This plan seemed to set the othel
thinking. They were two backwoods
men sitting by campfire. Rogers
was the man who loved the shrew. ant
Baxter was the friend who was advls
Ing him. Evidently In his last sug
gestion the latter had struck some
thing that warranted consideration.
"what dye think would scare herr
"1njuns."
"Mebbe,' said the other after some
thought. How'd you work it?"
"Waal. You mought git some on 'em
| often the reservation to put on their
war paint and come down on the gals
home. The neighbors mought be told
about 1t. They'd chime III with the
plan, for she's a terror TO the hull lot
of 'em. / think / know redskin-
Arapahoe Jim. they call him-who
would carry out the plan for jug o.
firewater."
The result OF this dialogue was that
one night soon after 1t occurred those
living near Tom Mcclure, the father
of Madge Mcclure. began to talk OF
trouble on the reservation and express
ed fear that the Indians might break
away. Tom didn't take much stock
In the reports. but so many persons
talked with Madge about ii that she
believed they were IN earnest Let
'em come" she said. I'm be ready
for EN-"
One night when her father was away
Madge heard distant whooping and
saw the light OF what she supposed
were burning houses. though they
were really bontires. She locked all
the doors and. getting down two rifles
that hung on the wall. made prepare
lions for defense. The wboops came
nearer. and finally. looking out through
window, she saw sight capable Ut
striking terror into the stoutest heart.
Half dozen Indians carrying lighted
brands were coming down the road.
As they drew nearer their war paint.
In the glare Of the burning wood. was
doubIy savage looking. But they
tended. for Madge sent bullet in
among them. which altered the sitna- /
ton. 1t tore the blanket of one and
scraped the leg of another. Baxter
was among them. dressed and painted /
as redskin. Rogers. who was wait
ing short distance mp the road, was
to Join them when they had rot Madge
scared and do the heroic by saving
her from their tomahawks. He was
to fire some shots Ia among them. and
at every shot redskin was to drop.
When most OF them were put ont OF
the fight the rest were to take to their
heels and Rogers was To appear to
siadge as her deliycrcr She was ex
pected to be so badly scared and re-
.eiye such evidence or Rogers power
that thereafter he would lead her like
4 lamb.
This initiative OF Madge's somewhat
.hecked the enthusiasm OF the Indians.
Dut Baxter said TO them. We'll make
t bar'l.'' and led his braves on. and
lnder the additional incentive they
we're ready to take the risk. But they
began their Indian tao.
les, crawling and lodging so that
lIadge was not able TO locate them.
an occasional shot came =
rom her fortress. usually followed by
yelp from some redskin who was
ither grazed or winged.
But they were too many for her. and
vhIle she WAS watching the front OF
he house Baxter and an Indian took
In the rear and. getting on the roof.
ropped down the chimney. Baxter got
lad In his arm. but they captured the
irl
Trifing incidents often turn gen
ais original intentions. and the spir
ed defense requiring the lndians 10
,ulk spoiled the plan Rogers. not =
moving what to do, rushed In. swore
blue streak at the savages. but did
1t hurt any Of them. Madge. whose
'e was full Of fire and who was pant
Z with fury. seeing that his advent
as OF no advantage to her. let out on
m.
''Why don't you go for 'emg" she 4
rieked. II
Go for en- repeated Rogers. like
actor who had forgotten his lines.
Il do believe you're one ON 'em."
Baxter didn't know what to do or
Y. Neither did Arapahoe Jim nor
" supers in the performance. Wheth-
Madge caught on to the fact that
ere was game in II all or gathered
uraGe from the inactivity OF her enc
es. she caught up n broom and be- .
II 10 lay about her like a fury. Bax-
:. who had blank cartridge In his o
e. fired il mt her. but II only served
enrage her The Indians. not relish :
. the broom beating. one by one got =
/ and away. Their leaders followed =
4 Baxter was next. Rogers was left =
ne with his love.
You. BIZ Rogers. cit ont o. here 4
. said. Won Ieen putin up job .
the. and Id have YOU know | won't :.