Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1914-03-19
Nza 81 EaagaaaH5L. CO.

then two shadowy figures outside
slipped around the corner of the build
ing. It was Mr.. Pierce and Doctor
BaTnesi
I darted back and put my ear to
the door, but they did not come in
at once NJ. ThobuTn made a speech,
saying how happy he was that they
were all well and able to go back to
civilization again, where the broiled
lobster fourished like a green bay
tree and the prune and the cabbage
were 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. It 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 a stomach attuned to
prunes, a mind a1tuned to rule"
Eat, drink and be merry!" some
body said, for tomorrow you diet!"
There was a swish and rustic, as If
a woman got up in a 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.
at is outrageous, infamous!" she
stormed I didn't need to see her to
know how she looked. How dare you!
Suppose the building should catch
fre!"
''Ftre!" 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 a
tattoo behind her, as if she was afraid
| I might miss it.
IF he jumps out he probably will
hurt himself. It is impossible to re,
lease him now, Miss Jennings, but If
you insist we can have mattress
placed under the window"
Thanks, Thoburn. 1t won't be
necessary" The voice came from the
door, and a 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 it
| Craven, somebody suggested later, and
/ they we're that, too. They smiled
sickly grins and tried to be defiant
/ and most of them tried to put down
whatever they held in their hands and
! to look innocent.
Mr.. Pierce never smiled. He
wouldn't let them speak a word in de
Tense or explanation. He simply
lined them up as he did at gym, and
sent them, one by one, to the corner
with whatever they had in their
hands He made Mr.. Jennings give
up a bottle of anchovies that he'6
/ obuICO III A4Io EOSHACb, anu SAAO C40AAO /
/ had to come over with the cheese.
And when it was all over, he hello
| the door open and they went back
| to the house. They fairly ducked past
him in the doorway, although he
hadn't said a dozen words. 1t was g
rout. The backbone of the rebellion
was broken. I knew that never agair
would the military discipline of Hope
/ Springs be threatened. Thoburr
might as we'll pack and 60 1t was
Mr. Pierce's day.
Mr.. Won invalid was almost the last
He stood by, sneering, with an OF II
bottle Of olives in his hand, watching
| the others go out Mr.. Pierce held
the door open and eyed him.
I'll trouble you to put that bottle
with the others in the corner" Mr.
Pierce said sternly.
They stood glazing at each Other
angrily.
and if l refuse?"
"You know the rules. If you re
fuse, there is a hotel at Finleyville.
Mr.. Won invalid glanced past Mr.
Pierce to where Doctor Barnes stood
behind him, with his caulifiOwer cal
and his pugilist's shoulders. Then he
looked at the bottle in his hand, ant
from it to Miss Patty, standing haugh
tily by.
Il have borne much for you, Pa
tricia," he said, but I refuse to be
bullied any longer. l shall go to the
hotel at Finleyville, and 1 shall take
the little olives with me-" He smiled
unpleasantIy at Mr. Pierce, whose face
did not relax.
He walked jauntily to the door ant
turned, fourishing the bottle. ''Tht
land of the free and the home of the
brave!" he sneered, raising the bottle
in the air. Standing jeering in the
doorway, he bowed to Miss Patty anC
Mr.. Pierce, and put an olive into his
mouth
But instantly he made a terrible
face, and clapped a hand just in from
of his left ear. He stood there mo
ment, his face dfstorted-then he dart
ed into the night, and I never saw
him again.
"Mumps!" Doctor Barnes ejaculat
ed, and stood staring after him from
the steps.
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