The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1917-06-07
McFadden' S Flight
A Story For St. Patrick's Day
By ELINoR MARSH

i a@NE
with harp on It. calling on the peo-
pie TO arm and shake OF the yoke OF
England
This was very well 80 long as the
revolution lasted, but when Il was put
down Mike was one OF the persons
marked for punishment. But his pop
ularity stood him In good stead. Where
there was, one person 60 hunt for him
there were q hundred TO conceal him.
He was talking to crowd OF listen
ers IN his native town. exhorting them
mot to give up the ship as long as
there was O stick OF timber left In
her," that 81. Patrick was with them
and would grant them the victory,
when a woman from an upper window
cried out:
''rhe soJcrsl They're comln'."
Aud 50 they were. They were CON-
ing for Mike, and there was a beautl-
ful chance OF their taking him. and u
they took him he was sure 10 hang
The question OF the moment was how
70 protect Mike. ireland was forgot
ten. Mike was all In all One OF the
girls present beckoned him 20 follow
her and darted into house. As Soon
as Mike was inside she shut the door.
A few minutes later the soldiers rode
into town aud began to look for thu
rebel.
"All the men come into the streetp
cried the sergeant In command. Some
OF the men were already there. and the
rest thought Il best to obey the order.
They were lined up. and the sergeant
said:
"T.et Mike McFsdden step to the
front"
Mike did not materiaiixe.
"If Mike McFadden doesn't step 10
the front. every mothers sou OF you
will be taken TO Dublin and lodged In
jail"
This produced no effect. Mike. dress
cd In pcttlcoats, was circulating among
the girls and when called on TO step
forth wns standing between two girls
with an arm around each Ia true fem
inlne style.
With the sergeant was one who had
scca McFadden. and he told the SER
geaDt that the culprlt was not In line.
Then the order was given TO search ev-
cry house In the place, the men mean
while being obliged TO stand where
they were.
"I'll show yc where Mike McFadden
is." said one OF the girls whose waist
Mike was enclrcling.
"Do II aud I've got something nice
for yoa.v
The girl led the sergeant short dis
tance down the street. and as soon as
they reached open ground Nike pulled
his skirts above his knees aud ran Ike
a deer.
Unfortunately for the fugitive. he
had been too hasty. He should have
slipped away quietly before making an
exhibition OF his masculine legs and
what they could do. But Mike was
never given to forethought. One Of
the soldiers who had been left TO watch
the men standing In line took after the
supposed girl. Mike was swift OF
foot and, except for the ncumbrancc
OF the skirts, was more than q match
for the soldier, who carried a knapsack
on his shoulders and n musket in his
hands. lie didn't know why the girl
was running. He supposed that there
was some plan on foot to outsit him
self and his comrades. Not gaining In
the chase, he called ON the fugitive TO
stop or he would fire Mike kept On.
and the soldier. not relishing shooting
a woman, desisted.
During his flight Nike saw a stout
cudeel In his way. and, picking II up'
he began 10 think OF a more manly de
fense than flight. Reaching 4 slight
rise IN the ground. he stopped. turned
about and faced his enemy
A number OF the girls had broken
away and run after the sergeant. eager
10 learn the result OF Mikes digit.
Those In advance were hnally treated
10 the sight OF a man In woman's APP
parel defylng with cudgel a soldier
With a musket. But while the latter
was FAR better armed than the former
he was Handicapped by the belief that
bis enemy was a girl. When a short
distance from Mike he paused ana
said:
"Come back with me- l don't want
20 hurt you, young woman"
"Diyil bit do l go back with ye.
If ye come near enough 90 me IN brain
ye wild this shlllalahv'
The mrls who had followed. seeing
that Mike had been mistaken by the
soldier for one OF them now came up
aud, reproachlng the soldier for hight
ing woman. threwefhemselves be
tween Mike ana the soldier. Fortu-
nately for their protection. Mike was
ON the edge OF the wood. and, there
being enougl, women 10 screen him, he
\ darted away between the trees and
this time made good his escape.
While he was doing 50 the women
gathered round the soldier and began
10 push him back toward the village.
One OF them finally got his musket'
aud after that he was helped along
by means OF its bayonet
Tho earveanf when il was evident