Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1914-06-10
SYNOPSIS.

AmaZiah Badleigh under suspicion
of operating illicit stills in the Blue
Ridge mountains of North Carolina,
suddenly moves with his wife to the
adjoining state of Tennessee, where.
between himself and a stranger who
visits his cabin at night, an agree
ment is entered into for the removal
OF young child.
Soon after this agreement the Bad
leighs leave the South and journey to
the Mississippi river taking the child
with them. There Mr.. Badleigh falls
in with a party of gold seekers and
going with them to Pixies Peak loses
his life.
Mrs. Badleigh joins an emigrant
family and all become residents OF
DEBORAH, where young Jesse, the
adopted child makes good in an en-
counter with a school-fellow
Jesse Badleigh and Hiram Schoc-
key effect a rescue which nets them
some profit: while Frank Inness, a
mighty huntsman Iursues stag and
stumbles upon hidden foe of. small
Ter dimensions.
Mrs. Badleigh attends an old time
quilting party which, indirectly occa-
John Armstrong. Later Jesse and
his mother receive an unlocked for
visit from Sheriff McAndrews.
Jesse Badleigh, brought to trial
before Judge Barthell, charged with
stealing a ten dollar bill from the
meat market of Killum and Dressam,
is prosecuted by District Attorney
Harmon and defended by Judge
Sayre.
The appearance Of stranger at
Armstrong; store becomes the pre-
lude to a discussion on church af-
fairs. Which is followed by the
pledge of Tim Fleury.
Four years lattr Jesse and Fran
ces spend a very pleasant afternoon
on the Dugway. Which leads to an
evening party at the residence OF
John and Mrs. Armstrong. The next
day at a picnic Frances is kidnap-
ed by Jim Cobb and Niger Godfrey.
Niger Godfrey, searching for a
sack of pearls concealed in the Ice
Cave, makes a valuable acquaintance.
Frances is conducted to the camp
of the Sioux, on Root river, where
she Unexpectedly meets with friends
in the persons of chief Little Crow
and his daughter, Eowah.
Frances in company of Jesse es-
Gaping from the camp on Wolf river
are found in the forest by Niger
Godfrey.
Meanwhile Mr.. James Cobb passes
an uncomfortable night in camp.
In the meantime, Mrs. John Arm
strong and her daughter Frances
were comfortably seated in the front
parlor of their pleasant octagonal
home on Broadway, busily engaged
in the making of some fancy needle
work, which, with other articles OF
like character, useful, ornamental
or otherwise, skillfully fabricated by
ahe good ladies of the church, and
by them to. be offered to the general
public at the approaching dime So
ciety; whereat it was confidently ex-
pected to raise money enough to
buy a new organ for the church.
Incidentally it may be remarked
that the room Mrs. Armstrong and
her daughter were at the time occu-
pying was not one commonly used,
for be it remembered, in those days
the parlor was thrown open only on
very special occasions, as when Sc
1ect company was expected, or when
some unusual occurrence made it
necessary, as for instance wedding
or a funeral in the family, or the
entertaining of the dime society.
Otherwise it was kept carefully clos
ed. The curtains at the windows
were seldom raised because the sun
would insist on shining into the
room and fading the carpet when
they were raised.
Always there was a musty odor
about this best room, which one from
the outside could almost see as well
as smell
As before stated, Frances and her
mother were engaged in the doing
of some fancy work and pleasantly
chatting with each other, when the
former suddenly raised her head,
assumed a listening attitude and
said
Mother! what was that"
What do you mean Frances? ]
don't understand you"
Il thought / heard peculiar
noise as though some one was
scratching on the front door; but
perhaps / was mistaken, but no,
there it is again, don't you hear it?
hark!'
Mrs Armstrong intently listening
said she thought she did hear some
thing and wondered what it could
be.
"Why there il is again! / will go
and see if | can find out what it is, -
said Frances, who in spite of warn
ing from her mother that it might
be Niger Godfrey or Jim Cobb, reso-
lutely made her way to the front
door, the scratching appearing to
come from that direction.
Upon opening the door she almost