Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1914-01-01

Barnes!
darted back and put my ear to
the door, but they did not come In
at once Mr.. Thoburn made a speech,
saying how happy he was that they
we're all we'll and able to go back to
civilization again, where, the broiled
lobster fiourished like a green bay
tree and the prune and the cabbage
we're unknown.
There was loud applause. and then
Senator Biggs cleared his throat.
Ladies' and gentlemen. distin-
guished fellow guests" he began, Il
suggest a toast to the autocrat OF
Hope Springs. 1t is the only blot on
the evening, that, owing to the ext
gencies OF the occasion, he can not
be with us. Securely fastened in his
room, he is now sleeping the sleep
that follows q stomach attuned to
prunes. mind attuned to rule"
Eat, drink and be merry!" some
body said, for tomorrow you diet!"
There was a swish and rustic, as II
woman got up in hurry.
do you mean." said Miss Patty's
clear voice, that you have dared to
lock Mr.. Pier-Mr. Carter in his
room?"
MY dear young lady" several Of
them began, but she didn't give them
time.
ut is outrageous, infamous!" she
stormed l didn't need to see her to
know how she looked. How dare you!
| Suppose the building should catch
| flrel"
! FIRE." somebody said in bewil-
dered voice. my dear young lady"
Don't my dear young lady me"
she said angrily. Father, Bishop.
will you stand for this? Why, he
may jump out the window and hurt
himself, Give me the key!"
Miss Julia's fingers were beating q
tattoo behind her, as IL she was afraid
| might miss 1t.
"If he jumps out he probably will
hurt himself. 1t Is impossible to re-
lease him now, Miss Jennings, but II
you insist we can have a mattress
placed under the window"
Thanks, Thoburn. 1t won't be
necessary" The voice came from the
door, and hush fell on the party.
slipped my bolt and peeped out
Framed in the doorway was Mr.
Pierce, with Doctor Barnes looking
over his shoulder.
The people in the spring house were
abject. That's the only word for 1t
Craven, somebody suggested later, ant
they were that, too. They smiled
sickly grins and tried to be defiant
and most of them tried to put dowI
whatever they held In their hands anC
to look innocent.
Mr.. Pierce never smiled. HI
wouldn't let them speak word in de
Tense or explanation. He slmpl.
, lined them up as he did at gym, ant
sent them, one by one. to the corne
with whatever they had in thei
; hands He made Mr.. Jennings Civ
up a bottle OF anchovies that he'
stuffed in his pocket, and, the bisho
i. had to come over with the cheese.
And when 1t was all over, he he'll
the door open and they went bac
to the house. They fairly ducked pas
him in the doorway, although h
hadn't said a dozen words. 1t was
= rout The backbone OF the rebellio
! was broken. / knew that never agai
. would the military discipline OF Hop
Springs be threatened. Thobur
q might as we'll pack and go. 1t wa
Mr.. Pierce's day.
Mr. Won invalid was almost the las
h,y cnnnrinn NTH
o bottle of olives in his hand, watchin
, the others go out. Mr.. Pierce hel
the door open and eyed him.
q I'm trouble you to put that bottl
/. with the others in the corner" NJ
~ Pierce said sternly.
v They stood glazing at each othC
o angrily.
a And II refuse?"
y you know the rules. II you r
rs fuse, there Is hotel at Finleyville
"a Mr.. Won invalid glanced past M
"a Pierce TO where Doctor Barnes stoc
n. behind him, with his cauli1ower ei
N and his pugilist's shoulders. Then l
looked at the bottle in his hand, ar
70 from it to Miss Patty, standing haug
m lilly by.
X Il have borne much for you, p
n tricla," he said. "but l refuse to
Id bullied any longer. | shall go to Il
hotel at Finleyville, and l shall tai
ne the little olives with me-" He smil'
Id unpleasantly at Mr.. Pierce. whose ia
at did not relax.
ID, He walked jauntlly to the door al
he turned, flourishing the bottle. at
m land of the free and the home OF t
ny brave!" he sneered, raising the bot
IT. in the air. Standing jeering in I
nd doorway, he bowed to Miss Patty a
to Mr.. Pierce, and put an olive into /
ce mouth.
But instantly he made a territ
Iss face, and clapped a hand just in fro
~. OF his left ear. He stood there n
II ment. his face distorted-then he da
he ed into the night. and / never 81
Mt him again