Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1919-03-12

1
Of the words of this simple man. I'm.
til then I had heard only one side OF
the case. II I were to be the servant
Of justice. as Mr.. Wright had advised,
what was to do? These tenants had
been Grimshawed and were being
! Grimshawed out Of the just fruits Of
their toll by the feudal chief whose
remote ancestor had been kings IA
vorite. For half a moment watched
the wavering needle Of my compass
and then:
If what you say is true I think you
are right" said.
II don't agree with you" said young
Latour. "The PATRONS have clear
title to this land. II the tenants don't
want to pay the rents theyJ ought to
get out and make way for Others"
"Look here. young man. my name Is
Josiah Curtis" said the stranger. II
live in the first house on the right
hand side o. the road. You may tell
the Judge that I won't pay rent no
more-not as long as I live-and !
won't git ont, either"
"Mr. Latour. you and Purvis may 70
on slowly-I'll overtake you soon," /
said.
They went on and left me alone with
Curtis. He was getting excited ana
wished to allay his fears.
Don't let him try to serve no writs
or there'll be hell to,pay in this val
ley" said Curtis.
aIn that case I shall not try TO serve
the writs. I don't want to stir up the
nelghborhood. but want to know the
facts. shall try TO see other tenants
: and report what they ny. It may lead
to . settlement
We went on together to the top Of
the hin near which we had been stand.
ing. Far ahead saw . cloud OF dust
but no signs Of Latour and Purvis.
They must have spurred their horses
into . run. The fear came to me that
Latour would try to serve the writs In
spite Of me. They were in his pocket.
What fool I had been not to call for
them. Ny companion saw the look OF
concern in my face.
II don't like that young feller," said
Curtis. "He's In fer trouble"
He ran toward his house, which was
only few rods beyond US. while
started on In pursuit of the two men
at top speed. Before my horse had
taken . dozen jumps heard Q horn
blowing behind me and its echo In the
hills. Within half moment dozen
horns were sounding In the valleys
around me. What a contrast to the
quiet In which we had been riding was
this pandemonium which had broken
loose In the countryside. A little ahead
I could see men running out OF the
fields. My horse had begun to lather.
for the sun was hot. My companions
were far ahead. I could not see the
dust Of their heels now. I gave up try
ing to catch them and checked the
speed Of my horse and went on at Q
walk. The horns were still sounding.
Some Of them seemed to be miles
away. About twenty rods ahead saw
three riders In strange costumes come
out Of a dooryard and take the road
at wild gallop In pursuit OF Latour
end Purvis. They had not discovered
me. kept as calm as could In the
midst Of this excitement
passed the house from which the
three riders had just turned into the
road. A number of women and an old
man and three or four children stood
on the porch. They looked at me In
silence as was passing and then be-
gan to hiss and jeer. It gave me
feeling I have never known since that
day. logged along over the brow OF
the hill when, at q white, frame house,
I saw the center toward which all the
men of the countryside We're coming.
Suddenly heard the hoof-beats OF
horse behind me. l stopped, and
looking over my shoulder saw a rider
approaching me In the costume OF an
Indian chief. A red mask covered his
face. A crest Of eagle feathers circled
the edge of his cap. Without word
he rode on at my side. knew not
then that he was the man Josiah Cur
tis-nor could at any time have
sworn that 1t was he.
A crowd had assembled around the
house ahead. could see string OF
horsemen coming toward It from the
other side. / wondered what was go
Ing to happen to me. What shouting
and jeering in the crowded dooryard J
could see the smoke Of fire. We
reached the gate. Men In Indian masks
and costumes gathered around us.
"Order! Sh-sh-sh," was the loud COM
mand of the man beside me In whom I
recognized--or thought that did-the
voice of Josiah Curtis. "What has
happenedr
"One o. them tried to serve a writ
an we have tarred an feathered him."
Just then I heard the voice Of Pur-
Wis shouting back in the crowd this
impassioned plea: -
"Bart, for Gods sake. come here.
turned to Curtis and said:
'sIf the gentleman tried to serve the
writ he acted without orders and de-
serves what he has got. The other fell
low Is simply a hired man who came
along to take care of the horses. He
couldn't tell the difference between .
writ and hole In the ground"
"Men, you have gone far enough"
said Curtis. "This man Is all right.
Bring the other men here and put 'em
on their horses an I'll escort 'em out
o. the town."
They brought Latour on rail
amidst roars of laughter. What heai.