Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1914-04-29


groups, Who'd a thought such a
thing could have happened in any
civilized community in this day and
age Of the world?"
Il swami" said Jasper Grimes,
back in Connecticut such an out
rage was never heard Of" and then,
for a moment skeleton number three
appeared, as Mr.. Grimes went on to
say-"they must have been a pretty
shiftless lot of young folks to let a
thing like that occur right before
their very eyes, as you might say
''I'll tell you what it is, Grimes,
said Joe Pettus, with considerable
show of anger, that there kin O
talk amt in no way becomin' to We:
them young folks amt no more to
blame nor you are, darned if / don't
think nobody but a consumed idjut
would talk like you do" And with
this timely rebuke Mr.. Pettus wrath
fully strobe away, followed by Petrie
and Inness, who said nothing but
thought much. The latter shoulder
ing his rifle, which was his constant
companion, made his way to the
Pines, without delay.
Mr.. Armstrong being assured that
nothing more could be done till the
next morning remained home to rem
der what comfort he could to the
mother, who, under Mrs. Badleigh's
gentle ministrations was bearing up
under the trial with calmness that
was really wonderful. In the NOR
ming searching parties went out in
every direction. All day long and
far into the night they explored the
surrounding country, only to return
without success.
In the meantime, at Jesse's request,
his mother had sent out the gun
given him by Olaf Petersen, and he
with Frank Inness struck out in a
north-westerly direction, under the
impression that if Frances had really
been seized and carried off, her alb
ductors had probably taken that d.
rection. For some time, nothing oc-
Cured to interfere with their steady,
methodical tramp. Then, just as they
were about to turn aside from a
beaten path they had been pursuing
for several miles, Inness stopped and
STOPPING down, called Jesse's atten-
ton to a small foot print which had
been left in a soft place in the path.
Upon examining it closely Jesse was
convinced that il had been made by
Frances, as there was no other foot
like it in all Winneshiek county. In
ness agreed with Jesse and explained
that she had most likely left it on
purpose to attract attention, should
any of her friends follow in that
direction.
The finding of the foot print in
fused new courage into the heart OF
the boy and filled him with an in
tense desire to push on and over
take them before dark if possible.
Frank, with a cooler head advis-
ed caution.
Wont do to be in too big hur-
ry," he said. WED better go slow
er an keep up a close watch for
signs, that there foot print bein'
hern, it's likely she'd leave some
other marks afore long" This was
really what had occurred, for they
had not gone over two miles farth-
er before Jesse noticed small white
object hanging on bush near the
path, which, upon examination prov
ed to be a lady's mitt so concealed
that only sharp eye would have
observed it.
1T was hers!" he excitedly ex-
claimed, Il would know it any
where. Oh, Frank, do let's hurry,
she may be right near here for all
we know"
At that moment bullet whistled
past Jesse's head and was followed
by the sharp report of a rife, from
a direction west of the course they
were pursuing. This was an unlock
ed for diversion, what could it
mean? A little more accurate and
the career of Jesse Badleigh would
have ended right then and there.
Jesse! that bullet wa'ant really
intended for neither of u.s." said In
ness, after a brief consultation, I'm
thinkin as how maybe it was fired
by somebody that wanted to git our
notice an draw us away from the
direction we're headin', to some other
pint of the compass. Well, all right,
I'd like mighty we'll to 'commodate
him just long enough to git my eyes
on him once, an return his saloot
'cordin' to the same manner he gin
it to u.s."
who could it be do you think?
asked Jesse.
Il don't know for sure, cause
didn't see the ornary pup, but I've