The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-07-28
DAILY SHORT STORY
"JONES OF ARK"

Jones" was embarrassed and dus-
trated. but she said enough to bring the
thrill hoped for. and it was decided to
guard that swamp day and night with
shotguns. The first Hessian to stick a
spade into the sacred soil must die. and
II the lawyer appeared it would be bad
day for him. The county papers pub
was on.
For two weeks the farmers waited for
the enemy to appear. but as nothing hap
pened they went back to their corn and
potato fields. They had put UP blum
to scare the lawyer and the county. and
it had not been called Jones Of Ark
lost her job.
One day. as peace reisned over the
land and the shotGuns had been unload
ed and put away in corners, Miss Fannie
Melton sat on the shady veranda reading
a bool. 1t had nothing to do with Lex
ington or Bunker Hill or Joan Of Ark.
In fact, It was a cavalier story Of other
days, and the cavalier rode up to the
gate in a buggy just at the proper mo-
ment. He wasn't in armor. but In .
business suit. His visor wasn't down. but
very much UP. and Miss Fannie noted
that he was a smart-looking young man
and had a business air about him He
was also smiling as he opened the gate
and came up the path.
IF this is Miss Melton. should like to
talk with you a few minutes"
Eyes, SIR"
MY name Is Winchester. am iew-
yer over at
"why-why, you-you-"
Eyes, I am tho owner OF the big
swamp"
Then I will call mother"
Not a bit of need of II. think can
make Jones Of Ark understand the stu
alton"
They misunderstood and got It that
| way" she explained with bushes.
"Of course. but 1t rather pleased me to
have such a leader rise up. We must not
let patriotism languish in, this country.
We must be prepared to offer our lives
any time the country wants them"
Miss Fannie blushed some moro and
half rose from her chair.
When King George oppressed IA
continued the lawyer. I'VE arose IN our
patriotic wrath and drove his minfons
into the sea- When a lawyer buys q
swamp we must do the same thing. Per-
| nit me to offer you. as leader or this
Just revolution, arms and ammunition.
About how many muskets can Jones OF
Ark make use of"
His words were cutting. but his smile
| pleasant The girl was SO taken by sur
prise that she sat still
And the tar and feathers. you know.
You should figure on a whole barrel OF
| tar and at least one feather bed Shall
send them out here in your care?
Sir" almost shouted the girl as she
| sprans to her feet.
But I'm bit sorry for Jones'" said
| the lawyer. as he shook his head. The
| swamp is not to be drained. nor have
| had such a plan in view I give her all
| credit for patriotism, but her efforts have
| been wasted. part OF the swamp is to
! be set aside for a frog farm and the re-
mainder will be a cranberry and buckle
berry ranch. Respects to your mother.
| Good day.!
J And when Miss Fannie told Farmer
| Gray Of it. and added that she should
always hate the sight of the lawyer. he
| shouted out:
BY thunder but Of course you will
But she didn't. He not only drained
| the swamp at his own expense. and
| thereby gained a valuable farm. but he
called at the Melton farm SO often that
the gossips said there must be something
! doing, and no one was surprised when
| the engagement was announced-not
even Farmer Gray. who said:
by thunder, but of course they'll get
married. Amt everybody in love with
Jones of Ark"
Copyright. 1851