Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1918-11-21
The Pacifist
orTILIA FRANCES pFEIFFER
Copyright. 1913. Western Newspaper Union

cried out Ben Cleayer, bringing, the
truck he drove to an abrupt halt and
staring wonderingly at form lying
PROSTATE, peering through a thick
hedge.
Abner Dale came to his feet with y
Jump, looked mysterious. placed an ex-
pressive finger to his lips and uttered
thrilling: Hist r He swept aside
his coat. Upon his vest lapel reposed
4 silver badge.
what is it9' questioned Ben.
Detective. Government secret serv-
ice. You know I've been In the city for
two days. Well, as you are aware my
hurt foot keeps me out Of the war.
had TO do something for my country"
Ben grinned broadly. Abner's hurt
foot was a village Joke. He had nearly
split two toes cutting wood with q
sharp ak. When the war came on Alb
ner began to experience great pains
He claimed that he could not run q
step. When the big draft came on in.
luding his age, Abner limped with
both feet.
1--WE Joined an association for home
protection" proceeded Abner, from
spies, slackers and pacitists. Say.
ran across big case, first thing"
How do you meant" submitted the
curious Ben.
"0n the train CHANGED to SIT direct.
ly behind man and his wife. heard
the man say: We've got to have peace,
I'll make any compromise, even TO Civ.
ing up half I've got to the enemy, but
peace, at all costsr shadowed the
man to the old Merritt place here"
"Why, you mean Mr.. Thornton !" ex-
claimed Ben. HE leased the old place,
furnished, the day You went away.
moved their trunks only this morning
Struck me as genuine people. You've
made no mistaken"
mo, stree This Mr.. Thornton Of
yours must be rank traitor TO be
actually willing 10 pay the enemy 10
make peace. I'm on his traIi and I'll
soon have him aud his treacherous
brood in detention camp"
"People want 10 be pretty circum-
spect when you're around, heyf'
suggested Ben. and helf-chuckled. He
had not much faith in this valnglori.
Gus spouter.
The third day after his return to
town Abner hailed Ben in q great state
of excitement. I'm mailing that nest
Of plotters," he declared.
Found Gut something more7"
II laid out In the wet grass watch
Ing that house all night. A young fel.
low wearing q mufiiIng sort OF coat
sneaks in the front way. About an
hour later two other fellows come
along IN an automobile. could see
the three Of them aud old Thornton
and his wife hobnobbing inside the
house. They put their heads together.
They acted just like eonspirators. The
automobile driver went down 10 the
roadhouse. drank beer, talked In
broken English and smoked a. long
china pipe. I've told .soafe fsllowa, and
we're all going up there fonigre =
serve MARRIAGES. Thornton 10 get Oh
Of town Just as quick as he came"
Abner led the struggling commit.
tee" straight up 10 the door OF the
handsome mansion. They fell back as,
in answer 70 their cat calls and yells.
Mr.. Thornton came out upon the porch,
whats all thisf" be demanded, and
awed them by his dignity and the fact
that he was built like a college athlete.
Abner flashed his star He repeated
the words favoring peace he had over.
heard. 1--WE give you fifteen minutes
to vanish, GIT, vamoose, UNDERESTIMATE
he demanded.
John Thornton reached out one hand.
Much as he would have handed cat,
he seized Abner by the nBpe Of his neck,
lifted him clean OF his feet aud swung
him behind him.
Now, then. IL you can be orderly
come in" he invited. annd I'll show
you how much OF a paciAst am. Open
that desk Of mine" he ordered serv.
ant. "Lefthand drawer. Bundle with
rubber band around it, There are
twenty one hundred.dollar Liberty
bonds. Marcia !" he called.
A sweet.faeed old lady, his wife, en-
tered the room. She had been working
ON service flag. As she held Il up Il
showed three stars.
MY boys down at the eneampment,"
explained Mr.. Thornton, paid us
flying visit last night. My friends, !
am no pacifist. Every time / pass q
map OF Europe | take out my pocket
knife and jab II through certain part
Of It, where our boys over there win
soon arrive. As to the peace talk, I've
got some lukewarm relatives who
threatened TO break up my business
because have offered a free Gift OF
my factory to the government, aud 10
satisfy their greed am making I'D 10
them out of my private fortune the
profiteering graft they hoped 10 grab
| moved here to be near our three sol.
der boys. This Paul Pry bungler, who
discovered mares nest, must goIg
The herculean "pacifist" fastened
his grasp on the squlrming Abner. Ike
gave him a swing and whirl. Bana
Crash Abner Dale went clear througA
the window and landed on the grass
outside.
"Hurrahw yelled the crowd, IN
chorus sang "The star-spangIed Ban
ner," and departed cheering.
Sad retribution II was, but the next
week an expert examined Abner Dale'l
hurt foot" pronounced him sound al
dollar, and sent him to the encaIap
ment as full-fiedged rookie.
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Nallv Thnunht