Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1915-12-02
CHAPTER XIV.
] Choose Death.

Choose Death.
l knew the town we'll, and few
changes had occurred since last |
walked those streets hand in hand
with my father. 1t had not grown any
larger, and thus far the war had
wrought little damage. The most of
aire In the sleepy old town centered
about the Frost hotel, a three-story
wooden structure. where the officers
or the garrison lodged, and the court
mouse, dignified edifice of red brick,
oiock beyond, where in other days
my father presided on the bench, now
completely surrounded by a military
camp. There were more Federal SOL
diers here than had expected to see,
nut remark exchanged between two
OF my guard informed me that most
or these had arrived during the night
"A regiment of Ohio troops, and a
battery of light artillery, destined to
assist in contemplated attack on
Covington.
The head Of our little column halted
In front of the hotel, but Whitlock
shouted command to the sergeant,
and we rode on past. the guard closing
UP tightly. kept my face straight
ahead, determined to make no sign,
but, nevertheless, had glimpse Of
Noreen, standing at her horses head.
and, for an instant, felt certain her
eyes were resting on me. Then Ray
mond spoke to her, touching her
sleeve Familiarity with his hand to at
tract attention, and she smiled up into
his face, as II in answer to some witty
remark. This was the last glimpse I
had as We clattered on down the
street.
At the courthouse steps the SER
geant turned me over to the officer OF
the day, and / was marched into the
basement The old Jail had evidently
been burned, for could see the roof
had fallen in, and the stone walls
were blackened with smoke, but the
lower story of the courthouse was bas-
tile enough, the windows barred, the
walls strong and thick. The place in
which they thrust me had at one time
protected the county records. was per-
haps nine feet square, with one mar
row window high up in the wall. and
an iron door, The floor and walls
were of stone, and the ceiling beyond
reach. A soldier threw in box, to be
utilized as seat, together with a
couple of blankets.
There, Johnny" he said carelessly.
"T guess you'll stay here till you're
wanted. There1l be some grub along
after awhile"
The iron door changed behind him,
and heard the sharp click Of heavy
lock, then regular steps passing back
and forth across the stone floor, proof
that a sentinel had Deen posted. There
seemed little need of one as l sat
down on the box and stared discon-
solately about. The window afforded
ample light, but no hope of escape.
The shelves on which had once re-
posed the records Of Green Briar
county were of iron, as a safeguard
against fire, with sheet of iron at
their back, concealing the wall be-
hind. My heart gave a sudden leap.
As a boy had played about this
building, invading every nook and cor.
ner. / could even recall when those
shelves we're first installed, and had
sat almost where was sitting then,
and watched the workmen bolt them
into their present position. 1t was be-
fore my father bought the place out
on the ridge, and we were living only
q block down the street. Those shelves
rested against the big chimney. and
there was an opening leading into 1t,
across which they had nailed a tin
protector before they fastened the
tron to the wall
II Il could once get in behind that
iron plate the way out would not be
such a hard or difficult one to travel.
The chimney was large; IIrecalled
standing upright In the fireplace on
TIN floor above. and looking up to
where could perceive the light OF the
skv II vas constructed of irregular
tits o. ~'@ne, which would afford lodg-