Crawfordsville Weekly Journal, Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, 22 April 1898 — Page 7

By JEANNETTE H. WALWOETH.

[Copyright, 1897, by the Author.] With infinite) scorn in her clear, young voice she went on: "If you will walk up stairs, you will find a sick woman asleep in her room. She is a very careless young person. Doubtless you will find several pieces of looso jewelry on her dressing table. If you will walk out of that back door,

Withdrew with his sijitml Inland clump of crajit mynlc to ixirlcy. you will find a determined old woman, standing guard over a smokehouse that contains nearly two whole hogs. She is my mother. It' you go into the kitchen, you will find a faithful, loyal old slave, trying to extract acceptable eotVee out of unacceptable okra pods. If you"— "Gheewillikins, how she does clip it! Hold up on a fellow, can't you, young woman? You wouldn't mind giving me your name, would you, now?"

The sergeant had taken a pad of paper from one pocket and was fumbling in another for a pencil. The .silence was ominous. Mamie Colyer's tears were flowing freely, but with her arms clasped about Liza's waist she stood ready to share any sentence that might bo passed upon her friend. "Liza, Liza, you will be put in jail for contempt of court. Isn't that what they call it, or something. Please say something polite to him. Something conciliatory, dear, for all our sakes.

But Liza's face was absolutely uncompromising. The sergeant h.ul found what he was looking for at last. "Your name, please?"

The sergeant moistened the blunt, black point of his lead pencil with the blunt, red point of his tongue and held it over the paper pad in readiness. Liza's pretty head was flung backward in graceful defiance. "My name is Martin. Eliza Jane Martin." "Martin? Not tho daughter of Eben Martin, now, I guess?" "Yes." "And you live here?" "Yes." "Phew!"

Then something incomprehensible happened. Tho sergeant executed a prolonged whistle, a surprised sort of whistle, and withdrew with his squad behind a clump of crape myrtles to parley. The women on the gallery, motionless as graven images, watched them in breathless suspense. "If they take you prisoner, Liza, they will have to tako me, too," said Mamie in a throttled whisper. "Take her prisoner 1 I'd like 1o see tho best man among 'em as much as lay tho weight of his little finger on her," said Becky in battle voice-

She had found her office as guard of the smokehouse a sinecure. Evidently the "locusts of Egypt" were not anhungered. Things were decidedly more interesting in the front, tantalizing glimpses of which she could catch through the vista of the long hall, in consequence of which the group on the gallery had long since been increased by her generous bulk. She turned wistfully upon Liza. "Honcv, maybe he might have told us something about your pa and tho boys. .' Would you mind my askiu 'em, sorter polite, you know, when they step back?" "I shouldn't mind it in the least, mimmie. Hut see, they are not going to give you the chance."

The men Avert? mounting their horses. A short, sharp word of command from the sergeant and the. great white wings of the front gate swung open to give passage to the squad, winch galloped away from Sans bouci in the same clattering haste it had come.

Mrs. Martin gazed after them with puckered brows. "Well, 1 never! Is that all?" 'The vandals' have come and gone, niimmie," said Liza, laughing hi storically. "'Pile locusts of Egvut have nvnrmml and unswarmed, Mrs. Martin," saia Mamie, drawing a long breath audibly.

But Becky shook her head dolorously. "You girls can laugh and thank tho good Lawd that you are here to laugh, but we ain't done with 'em yet. We'll hear from them rogues again before long, you mark my words. I wisht to goodness I'd had my senses 'bout me enough to have asked 'em who tho major of the Fifth is."

Mrs. Strong sat wearily down on 0110 of tho gallery chairs, now that her trailing robes were no longer in demand over the ragged planks. Sho locked her hands and laid them upon her lap. It was only by tho rigid interlacing of her fingers that sho could control the agitation she was heartily ashamed of. "I am inclined to agree with your mother, Eliza. This is merely a preface. How extremely low toned their remarks were. I imagine that to be tho case with the entire Federal army. Thero was nothing polished about those men. am absurdly unstrung by their appearance. Mary, my dear, might I trouble you for a glass of water? IIow extremely agitating it all was. How long, oh, God, how long?"

A tear trembled upon each transparent lid.

CHAPTER XIX.

Following upon a clouded sunset had

come 0110 of those sudden changes in the weather common to that climate and season, and night set in in such chilly fashion that Seth cast about his threadbare wardrobe in an impatient and hopeless search for something that might servo as a substitute for a topcoat.

He "was bound to see that thing out if he had to set the night through in his shirt sleeves on that windy gallery.

The Scriptural apportionment of seven women to one man came very near of achievement at Sans Souci in those days, and Seth felt a sense of responsibility tor their physical wcirare that was not confined to the careful herding of their diminishing flocks or the raising of acceptable food crops.

That "a lot of impudent Yankee cusses" should have visited Sans Souci and let their "rough tongues" loose'011 the madam and sissy was an indignity that stirred him to hot but impotent wrath.

He had so expressed himself with ineffectual remorse when the story of the morning had been told him, variously and excitedly. "I don't know as I could a-done anything il' I'd b'en here, but seems like there oughter b'en a man bout to a-saved you all some." "We ain't through with 'em yet, sonny. You'll have a chaneo at 'em," said his mother, with pathetic pride in the courage of the Martins. "It wouldn't surprise me one particle if them sassy rogues was to come back tonight and stick a torch to us all while We was asleep.

It was this frightful prophecy that set Seth to hunting up a topcoat, which, of course, he did not find.

He relinquished the search with a patient sigh and compromised 011 a moth eaten comforter, which he was cheerfully convinced would secure him against the added pangs of soro throat

They were an uncxacting lot, those hemmed in rebels, men and women, and had learned the great lesson of doing without thoroughly well. And a man who has learned to do without such superfluities as (Stair and coffee and sugar and shoes and iiats is not apt to grow captious over the absence of a topcoat. "If it worn't for the women folks, 1 could stand it better, durn'd if I couldn't. I'd enjoy mortifyin the flesh in some, fashion, seem I'm shut off from doiu any of the fightin, but mammy's old and tho madam's delicate, and dog-on me if it don't make me snortin mad to have them pestered."

Thus Seth to himself, pacing slowly and softly up and down tho vine curtained gallery, a lonely, bewildered sentinel, not knowing in the least what the moments might bring forth, accepting duty tor his password and ready to follow his commander, conscience, into the very jaws of death.

Two huge tubbed oleanders flanked the front steps 011 either side. The soft, slow patter of the rain upon their thick leaves made him nervous. It lessened his chances of hearing approaching footsteps and tended to further confuse his bewildered senses.

At one moment the pattering sound ed like the faroff clatter of innumerable hoofs, then again it fell with the sharp distinctness of clinking spurs 011 nearby heels, while over the shadowy groups of the dark shrubs the night wind swept its ieoliau harp with restless fingers.

When unstinted physical labor has filled tho day, sleep makes imperative demands on a man, let him bo never so nervously excited otherwise, and Seth had to keep 111 constant, motion to ward off drowsiness. He would never forgive himself if those predicted torch bearers should accomplish their wicked eudwhile lie slept. "D—n 'em, they may shoot me fur it, but I'll got in one or two licks fust.

His footfall was noiseless, nothing between him and the damp gallery floor but the stout woolen socks knitted by his mother's dexterous lingers.

Tho wooden sabots he had laboriously achieved for outdoor we ..r were toe painfully audible for such a delicate mission as that night was devoted to This sentinel duty had not been discussed wiih the women. They had all retired early after that nerve trying day, and ho hoped they were all sicop ing off' the recollection of its trials Seth was affectionately minded to spare them every unnecessary pang, and if they knew he was "footing it" out thero in tho chill darkness some of them would "fret over it."

There was 110 suggestion of the hero in Seth Martin's personality at the best Hemes do not slouch through the obscure byways of the world on shambling feet and with down dropped head. Pride of record lifts their heads above tho carta worm's trail. ]Jut Seth na. no record to bo proud of.

Destiny had assigned him this position as keeper of the homo. It had not been his choice, lie should never be able to quite forget what I10 suffered when all of the "men folks" had turned their faces from Sans Souci, leaving him and old Dolbear "to keep things together.''

How much easier to have gone info tho light! With all his might he had been "keeping things together." Dolbear was liis only counselor. It would never do to fret the women with such wearisome details. For them always the ready ingenuity, the patient smile, the encouraging note, struck from liis own despairing soul with such determined elasticity as to carry comfort in spite of its ialse ring.

Nothing heroic in all that. Nothing even remotely suggestive of heroism in tho tall, stooping form, tho peering, an ions blue (-yes, the work worn aspect of tho man who waited and watched through tho rain drenched twilight of the night that, darkened into the blackness of a midnight fraught with unfriendly possibilities. Waited and watched, pacing cautiously to and fro, backward and forward, with muffled tread, until—no—yes—

Unmistakably the clicking sound of an iron latch lifted and dropped. Unmistakably measured heavy footfalls,

not stealthy, like his own, simply deliberate, and Seth, standing still behind the green curtains of tho madeira vines, saw three men advancing up the jasmine bordered walk.

A formidable array it looked to the ill clad, shoeless, unarmed watcher on the veranda, their belted jackets weighted with formidable holsters, their visorcd caps gleaming dully from out tho gloom.

Tho squad halted abruptly at tho foot. of. tho steps to reconnoiter tho barred and darkened front of tho governor's mansion. "They must go to roost with the chickens in these diggin's," said the loader of the little band. What o'clockwas it when we left town, corp?" "Nigh 011 to 'leven," tho corporal answered with a yawn, "and we've been a good hour 011 tlio road.'' "Right- you are. Such cussed bad roads I never seen. My orders was to fetch tho feller without botherin the ladies, but how in the devil are we to manage it?" "Old Blaokio said he was in the turnip patch this morning." "It's likely we'll find him there now. Hoein turnips is such fascinatin work a chap never hits up on it onco I10 gets at it.''

Tho feebleness of the suggestion and the infinito scorn of its rejection produced a ripple of subdued laughter. With a display of finesse, scarcely to be expected of him Seth advanced boldly under cover of this amicable diversion.

Heroically resolved that if it rested with him tho women inside should not be "pestered, he descended tho short flight of stairs in his unshod noisclessness, looming darkly before the gaze of tho squad with unheralded abruptness. "Maybe I'm the feller you are lookin for, gents," I10 said in his slow, gentle drawl. "Maybe you aro if your name happens to be Seth D. Martin." "That's my name." "Then maybe you wouldn't mind ridin out to Sessumsport with us tonight. "Tonight?" "Just so. "Are you aetin under orders to fetch me?" "That's just 'bout the size of it.

What can anybody want of me? 1 ain't never even heard a bullet whistle, I'm sorry to say. I'm too pitifully insignificant to be wuth arrcstin. "Our major thinks different, it seems." "Major who'.-" "Major of the Fifth. He's in command out yonder at the river, and it's him as sent for you. Come, now, where's your nag? Never mind about, your dress coat, we'll cxcuse that."

And the squad laughed delightedly at the wit of tlicir leader. Seth answered them with slow gentleness: "I reckon you'll have to excuse more'11 a dress coat, gents. I believe I'd rutlier go just as I am than to hustle 'bout inside and wake tho ladies up. I suppose now," he added, stooping to persuasion, "if I gave you the word of a gentleman that if 1 was wanted out to Sessumsport I would come of my own accord early in the morning it wouldn't induce you to let me stay here till day breaks?" "Not. by a jugful. Our major is a martinet. When ho gives an order, we obey it, we don't question it. Our orders are to fetch one Seth D. Martin to his headquarters, out in the courthouse at Sessumsport, and if you are inclined to go peaceably it will bo better for you and the women folks—for everybody concerned. If your beast is turned out. you'll have to double up with one of the boys." "I would like to leave a note, then, for my mother." "Perhaps it would be best to go quietly, he argued mentally. Indeed there was 110 room for choice in the matter. "I won't keep yon waitin long. I'll just step into the library and scratch off a line." "You won't try to skip.?" "Skip?" "Vamoose the ranch?" "You nu si-u dodge you?" "That's about the size of it. "Seth Martin ain't got much to bo proud of, gentlemen," said Seth, lifting his stooping form with an angry gesture, "but he ain't never yet caught himself try in to dodge anything or am* man." "Good for Seth Martin. All the same, Corporal Grcc-nleaf, step insid.with Fresh whilo he writes that note to his ma.

There was something in the liltht. scoffing voice that stung Seth into silence. He turned awav from the men and walked quickly toward the librarv, closely lollowed by Corporal CiTeeukr.f

On tho library table ho knew ho would find one of the soft, tallowy candles liis mother and tho madam were so inordinately proud of, stuck in 0110 of the tall silver candlesticks that had belonged to generations of Strongs. It always stood ready lor night, emergencies.

Seth lighted it, and with a sense of desecration resting heavily upon him seated himself at the governor's writing tablo to write a comforting note to his mother.

Corporal Greenleaf took possession of tho big leather armchair that was rarely ever occupied, now that: the governor was gone, and, laying his heavy cap across his knees, gave himself up to contemplation of the splendid appointments of tho room.

Seth's pen scratching rapidly syro*.* the sheet of pa pes'* was the only

audible

sound. "It ain't a' easy letter to write," ho said, lifting his head to smilo apologetically at the corporal. "You see, I don't want to scare them anymore than can bo helped. I've told her I've been 'rested, but I can't just cxaetly tell her what the major of tho Fifth wants of me. Do you happen to know now?"

Tlio simple earnestness of this rustic won upon his more sophistocatcd guard strangely. Corporal Greenleaf uncrossed and recrossed his military legs with deliberation, toyed meditatively with tho rowel of his liugo spurs and answered confusedly: "Blessed if I do. I reck­

on, however, it's safe to tell her that you're in 110 danger of being roasted alive or passed through tho sausage grinder not fat 'nough on your bones for that" "Thank yon," said Seth, courteously smiling a taint acceptance of tho corporal's bread personalities before resuming tho laborious undertaking of writing his mother tho first letter he had ever indited:

Di'AH Oi.d MA Don't you go anl ot scared now when I don't, turnup about broaleftist time. Tlio Yankees out. at Sessumsport want urn for something o' rnther, nnd I'm under a'ri'.-it. I would Have wolco you lip to tell you all This by word or mouth, but I thought you needed all tlio sleep you could git after yestyday's scaro. I don't see as anybody's got mueli ag'inst mo. I wisht they had more, but I reckon they'll turn me looso when they find out what .small siinc they've bagged. The teller that's watchin mo while I'm writin this don't, seem to think thar's anything very tur rifying ahead of me, so you mustn't bo 01111grtrin up anything dreadful. If I ain't back hon'16 "I1" juva'so 11 -11 "DoTbear to "be sho' ami hoe out the rest of llieni turnips. 1 had laid off to do it myself fust thing this niornin, but these gents is so pre.-sin 111 their invitation I'm 'bleeped to with 'em. f- S.—Tho above is a joke. With love to sis. \our attached son, S. 1. SIA IN

Pallid, breathless, terrified, with this note fluttering in her trembling hand, Mrs. Martin burst into the room occupied jointly by Liza and Mamie Coiy* r, who were both startled into intense, wide awakeness by her wailing cry. "Liza, 0I1, Liza, wake up, honey, and give me some comfort. My heart's like to break.''

Liza, barefoot, rosy from slumber, bright eyed and disheveled, was by betside in a second. "What is it, mimmie? Tho smokehouse?" "Smokehouse! Oh, my Lord, no! It's your brother, your brother Seth. The onlies' one I had left" "Seth!" "He's done took, honey. They've 'rested him. Tho Yankees is got him out at Sessumsport this vo'y minute, and how do I know what they're doiu to liim? And, oh, my Lawd, I just bet anything it was them red stripes down the side of his poor legs. He said them stripes made liini look like a major general, and I reckon them fools thought he was. Poor boy And him never having a chaneo to shoot anything but beef cattle."

Sho wiped her fast flowing tears on tho cuff of her gown sleeve and sighed resignedly

You needn't say a word, Liza. It was them red stripes. But when women has to cut their men folk's breeches out'n old shawls it ain't always easy to tell where the stripes is goin to hit. Oh, my Lawd! Now, girls, you know it ain't," and they mingled their tears together while casting about for words of comfort.

At the same moment out at Sessumsport Seth was being ushered into tho presence of tho man who had ordered his arrest-.

The whole business was bewildering in the extreme tho startling summons, breaking up the solemn silence of his sentinel watch tho long, trying ride, with nothing more flexible to steady himself by than the leather strap about Corporal Greenleaf's ample waist line the unfamiliar aspect of Sessumsport, seen by the gray light of dawn, besprinkled with the white tents of an encamped brigade tho old courthouse, transformed into military headquarters, with the huge national flag fluttering limply in the rain dampened air the room in Widow Morgan's cottage into which he was ushered by his guard, with much show of respect for its solitary occupant. That occupant, rigidly erect in front of a table strewn with maps and papers, turned toward the door and rose as Corporal Greenleaf saluted and informed him that his orders had been carried out to the letter. "And vhere's your man, major," waving his hand toward Seth with an air of not considering the game worth the candle, "You can go, corporal, and put a guard bet ore the door. 1 am not to be interrupted."

Then Major Martin of tho Fifth made a step toward tho trembling, bewildered prisoner standing alone, where ho and Corporal (.Jreeiileaf had stood together a moment before. The Federal officer extended his hand. The rebel prisoner did not notice it. "Brother both, we meet again, strangely."

Tlio sound of the old familiar voice, rich, mellow, unchanged, completed Seth's down!all.

He covered his pallid face with his work hardened Lands. Ilis tall, gaunt form quivered with the shock of recognition. "Strong! Strong Martin! (h. mv God, boy, that. 1 should live to seo yon wearing that uniform!"

And tears trickled down his weather stained cheeks.

CI IA PTE II XX.

The sound of a strong man sobbing is peculiarly trying to nerves not absolutely adamantine. There is a sense of incongruity in it apporacliing the ludicrous .lust near enough to destroy the sympathy which should spring readilj at any manifestation of grief.

Major Martin of the Filth found it so 011 tin.-, occasion and tat twisting the fcunburned tips of his long military mustache 1:1 savage impatience which found final vent in irritable speech. "If it was not for the vivid recollection of numberless occasions when you have borne patiently with my cubbishuess and ill temper, Seth Martin, I could find it in my heart to kick yon out of that (ioor. But as I sent for you on much more important business than to a.-k you how you liko my blue uniform I would bo obliged to you if you would slop blubbering long enough to listen to me. I want to talk to you as one sensible man might talk to another, not as Federal to Confederate nor a.s brother to brother, simply u? man to man, yon understand?"

Seth slowly removed the battered hat into which ho had been shedding his copious tears. Weeping had not enhanced his good looks.

"I can't sco fur the life of 1110 what you did send fur mo any which away for. I should 'a' thought you'd ruther not. I ain't 110 soldier. That privilego was denied me. I ain't killed nary Y'an-1 kee. .That privilego was denied me too. But, talkin 'bout your clothes, it ain't the blue uniform as hurts my eves and my heart so bad, Strong Martin it's what tho blue uniform stands for."

Tho major was selecting a cigar from his case. He was deliberate in all his movements. His selection made, lie extended it to Seth with an inconsequent remark: You used to be a great smoker. I can recommend that weed. "Durned if you can, so far as I'm concerned.''

Seth folded his arms virtuously across tho bosom of his worn blue cheek shirt and glared resentfully, whilo Strong composedly bit off tho end of the cigar and lighted it for his own consumption. Presently, through his clinched white teeth that held his cigar immovable: "So it is what tho uniform stands for. What does it. stand for, buddy Seth? Really, now, it would be much more sociable if you would smoke too. Won't you change your mind?" "Much obleeged to you."

Seth stiffened his backbone into a still more* rigid angle of resentment beforo resuming vehemently: "What does that uniform stand for? To us it stands for iujestice, cruelty and oppression, and, 0I1, my Lawd A'mighty," with a despairing outward sweep of his long, lcr.n arms, "it stands fur all the pure cussedtiess that tho dictionary is got words fur and Seth Martin ain't. "That is something to bo thankful for, for wo have graver things to discuss this morning than uniforms, either blue or gray. After all, there's not much choice between tho men who aro insido of them. But tho blue stands for success and the gray for failure. For the first timo in his lifo Strong Martin is 011 the winning side."

Seth's protuberant blue eyes grew yet more prominent, as ho clasped his hands about the elevated kneecap just then doing duty as a hat rack for his brimless palmetto. He repeated Strong's words dreamily: "The blue, stands for succoss and the gray for failure? I don't seem to ketch on, Strong." "No? Nothing moro natural. You have been hermetically sealed out yonder at Sans Souci, and you don't know yet how badly yon aro whipped. I'vo come to tell you. Practically tho war is over, brother Seth. Tho mutterings you hear are from a spent storm. I may bo left hero to keop things- quiet, or I may be ordered away by 9 o'clock in tho morning. I wanted to arrange for the safety and comfort of our mother and sister, and tho rest of them, in case some one less interested in them personally should bo left in command at this point" "I don't know as you can do anything for 'em. I don't know as they'll lot you, in fact. Ma and Liza are tolerable bristly, you know. "Tell me about them."

Tho soldier in blue and gold lace galore sat down closo by tlio rustic in homospuu and tatters and laid a caressing baud upon his shoulder. Tho pain of a mighty yearning took sudden and full possession of him. All outward and visible signs of hostility between these two counted for nothing at that supreme moment. Tho smoke of battle that had rolled in a dense, obscuring cloud between Strong .Martin and his past life lifted to grant him a clear backward glance at tho rough, unpainted overseer's house in the Sans Souci quarters, where his father and mother had reigned in smiling content with their lot, humble and obscure as it was. A loving vision of himself and Seth, contending in all boyish sports in the grassiestquarter lot, came to him helpfully— Seth, always gentle and generous in tho contest he, turbulent and ambitious Charlie, amiably iit_-.iti 1, and Liza, pretty, arrogant, spoiled, the household idol. After all, tho essential elements of a home had been then?, but he had not recognized it. "Tell 1110 about them, he said again, with a softening in his voice, "and that other one. Miss Colyer, the professors' daughter. Is she with my mother and sister yet?"

Where else should siio be? Who is there to look out for her, poor little one? Her old father, the. onlies' friend she had in the world, only the

Lord knows whether lie is livin or

good

dead.

She rather know him dead than iind Inni inside a uniform like yourn. "Hold your tongue, Seth Martin. You are a sentimental tool."

The officer's brows contracted ominously. Ho abruptly vacated the chair I be iiad drawn up to Seth's side and walked over to one of the front windows, v, here lie stood leaning heavily against tho easement, staring moodily out over the early morning stir the encampment. It was in.possible to stem the current of Selli biting scorn. es, she would, Miss Mamie would.

Iler and .sissy are tile bravest soldiers I know of. Uhey are just wrapped in the cause, Strong Martin, and this man that, ain't Ii'on trim fn tlio urav will baf to hang his head before them two spunky girls. They're grit to the backbone. You may find shirks and cowards among the men—that's nu?—and you may find traitors—false, black hearted traitors among the men, monsters that's ready to lift their hands ag'inst tho very mother that suckled 'em— that's you—but the southern woman rings true every time, sir. She does, by jimminy."

Through the long, silent hours of (ho night just gone Strong Martin had been schooling himself for this interview. He knew how great a shock was awaiting his brother, and lie knew how contracted was the bus through which his own depart tire from tho traditions of his lamily would be observed. Seth's crude violence fell upon benumbed sensibilities.

He scarcely beard what Seth was saying. He knew it was abusive, but what of that? lie turned away from the window and faced the excited man, who had

remained seated from the beginning of' this unpleasant, interview. Tho sound of his brother's high pit.-bed. querulous voieo was exasperating to his tired nerves. He raised his hand authoritatively. "Hold up, Seth. What you art's saying: does not amount, to a row of pins. You are a Confederate simply from force of circumstances and surroundings. I au:v a Federal from identically this same reasons. This accursed war is practically over, and you arts on tho losing sido Tomorrow, at the hour of noon—today, rather, for the night: is already gone—if you hear 12 slow guns from tho direction of the gunboat lying oil Deersneck, you may know that Robert E. Leo liassurrendered and that tho war is over. That is the signal agreed upon in easo tho rumor of surrendi is continued. That being the case, brother Seth, von and 1 have other work than quarreling betore us. You are on the losing side, Seth, and I on the winning, but wn must stand shoulder to shoulder in tho work of reconstructing a homo for our loved ones. Thero is 110 one left, to cart/ for mother and Li/.a but you and me."

Seth removed bis palmetto bat tronv tho human peg that was trembling violently beneath Us slight weight and searched its unlined crown lor a handkerchief. His thin, sharp chin was quivering with excitement. I lis pale, bluc eyes shot llames of wrath into tho grave, patient face of his brother. "My knowledge of tho country and. its resources recommended me in high quarters. You would not care to hear tho story of my promotion. That, has nothiug to do with tho stern facts staring us in tho face today. 1 am here. I. am hero in a position to befriend all at Sans Souci, and it was because I wanted to consult, with yon first as to tlio best method of doing this wit bout, bringing down upon myself a deluge of that', sentimental abuse that is lavished so liberally upon the invading ariuy that J. sent for you first You owe it, to your friends to be rational. 1 maybe ordered, away from hero 011 a moment's notice. Tell me how I can best help them all."

Seth looked at him through narrowing lids. •••. "Help who? Help those women outi yonder at Sans Srfuci?" "Y7cs. What, do they need?"

Seth laughed mirthlessly. "Need? Well I reckon they jus* about need everything women l'oks in used to bavin. The madam, she is got iv brand new dress—a mighty lino one. Sho bellied spin the yarn for it herself, and sissy wove it on the hand loom. Liza's got to bo a firs' class weaver. Mammy's wearin pett icoats made out of old bedtickin, but sho declares they are prime good. Sissy goes clompin 'round in a pair of things called 'shoes' that I cobbled up fur her out of an alligator hide. They ain't daucin pumps jus' exac'ly, but they beat no shoes all holler. Mother's wearin a pair of slippers. I figured out ot a pair of wornout saddlebag flaps. You seo, wo don't go in for the fashions very heavy these days." "But food? Every outside sourco of supply is closed against you. How do you mauago to keep in tho necessaries of life?"

TO UK, CONTI N III",I).

l''o 111111 a .Mailpoticli*

Decatur, Ind., April 18. While working in an excavation near Hale's old, warehouse, Frederick Sellemeyer found a mailpoueh which had been thrown under the building. It contained much mail matter and was turned over to the authorities, who will investigate. As. 110 liiailpouches were ever missing from this city, it is thought, to have been, stolen 111 some oilier place and brought here, or possibly hidden there bv train, robbers.

Disastrous Hie ut. Tipton.

Tipton, Ind., April IS.—One of tho? most disastrous tires 111 the history of Tipton was that of Saturday night, entailing a loss of nearly ?:i(),0U0. The froighthotise of the Lake. Erie and Western, full of merchandise, and eight, ears:' loaded with merchandise were totally' destroyed.

Ihrrr Mimirr 'bitr^'n,

Huntington, Ind., April 18. Tli-3 grand jury has returned indictments against Tom (.'row and Noah llerzog*? tor the killing of Martin Jordan 111 a, fight, a lew weeks airo. The iudionnentsi I charge murder 111 the second degree, voluntary manslaughter and involun-t-arv manslaughter.

'I rm»ps \V»I hdra wu.

J' imlvfui'f, Kyt, April is. (lovornor Bradley has ordered all the state troops-. withdrawn from guarding the toligatcs. I but, says the withdrawal was not theresult ot any orders from Washington, directing him to have the Kentucky troops mobilized at once.

Aiimn-y IliiriKiil.

Covington, Ind,, April 18.—Firebroko* our. 111 tiie armory and destroyed all tha knapsacks and haversacks of Company-. It 01 the Indiana infantry. Preparations were being maoe tor a o.rice, aiui it is tiionght that Die tire caiurht :rotn a. cigaiette that was thrown a. ay carelessly,

A11 rin )t «mI 1 ti ti r.

Spencer, Ind., April 18.—Tho jury iit the case of Frederick Babus brought in a verdict of attempted manslaughter. The case grew out of an assault on, Thomas Kohiiison by William Abernatliv, a partner of Babbs. Auernathy is in prison.

Tax !•'•»rr*Ms.

Rochester, Ind., April 18.—An mjuuc-' tion suit has been tiled against Fleener Jfc Carnahan, the tax ferrets, who liavo been 111 this county looking up sequestered taxes. Tlio board of commissioners is made a party to the suit.

To Have Moiicrn Oprralious** Albany, Ind., April IS.—The contract has been let for a $-10,0111) oporahouse for this place. It will be a 3-story brick structure, with .1 seating capacity of 800 and will be modern in every particular.

Titic little folks love Dr. Wood's Norway Hine Syrup Pleasant to take perfectly harmlest: positive cure for |cou:jhs, colds, bronchitis, asthma.