Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 287, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 November 1919 — Page 2

The Devil’s Own

A Romance of the Black Hawk War 1 Copyright by A. C. McClurg * Co.

“IS YER REALLY AWAKE AGIN, .HONEY?”

Synopsis —Tn IKE lieutenant Knox of the regular army Is on duty at Fort Armstror.tr, Rock Island. 111., in territory threatehed hy disaffected Indian*. The~rominami.'int sends him*"with dispatches to St., Ix»uis. He takes passage on the steamer Warrior and makes the acquaintance or judge Beaucaire, rich planter, and of .loe Kirby (the Devil’s Own), notorious gambler. Knox learns Judge Beaucaire has a'daughter, Klolse, and a granddaughter, Rene, offspring Of a son tt-hmn the judge has disowned. Rene's mother la ft nearess.and she Snd her daughter, never having been freed, are slaves uflder the law. although the girls have been brought up as sisters. Kirby induces the Judge to stake his plantation and.negro servants on a poker hand unfairly dealt by Joe Carver Kirby’s partner. The* two hands contain five aces,' and Kirby accuses the iudge of cheating. Beaucaire. Infuriated, arises to attack Kirby. and dropa dead. In the confusion Kirby and Carver are enabled to steal away. Knox plans to induce Kirby to give up his stolen winnings.

CHAPTER IV—Continued. Unarmed, never once dreaming of attack, I advanced alone along the dark, narrow atrip of deck, leading toward the ladder which mounted to the wheel house. There were no lights, and I was practically compelled to feel my way hy keeping one hand upon the rati. I had reached the foot the ladder, my fingers blindly-seeking the Iron rungs In the gloom, when a figure, ▼ague, suddenly emerged from some denser shadow and confronted me. Indeed the earliest realization I had of any other presence was a sharp presanre against hay breast, and a low ■voice breathing a menacing threat in iny ear. “I advise you not to mpve, you young fool. This is a cocked pistol tickling your rlbs. Where were you going?” The black night veiled his face, hut language and voice. In spite of its low grumble, told me the speaker was Xlrby. The very coldness of his tone served to send a chill through me. “To have a word with Throckmorton,” I answered, angered at ray own fear, and rendered reckless by that burst of passion. “What do you mean by your threat? Haven’t you robbed enough men already with cards without resorting to a gun?”. - “This is not robbery,” and I knew by the sharpness of his reply my words |tad stung, “and it might be well for you to keep a civil tongue in your head. I overheard what you said to those men in the cabin. So you are going to take care of me, are you?" There was a touch of steel In the low voice. “Now listen, you brainless meddler. Joe Kirby knows exactly what be Is doing when he plays any game. 1 had nothing to do with Beaucnlre’s death, but those stakes are mine. I bold them, and I will kill any man who dares to Interfere with me.” “You mean you refuse to return any of this property?” “Every cent, every nigger, every •ere —that’s my business. BenucaTfe •was no child; he knew what he was betting, and he lost.” “That may be true, Kirby. I am cot defending his action, but surely this is no reason, now that he is dead, why you should not show some degree of mercy to others totally Innocent of

"I Advise You Not to Move, You Young Fool."

any wrong. The man left two daughters, both young girls, who will now be homeless and penniless.” He laughed, and the sound of that laugh was more cruel than the accompanying words. „.“Two daughters!" he sneered. “According to my information that strains the relationship a trifle, friend Knox — iat least jthe late judge never took the |tronble to acknowledge the fact. PerEt me to correct your statement. I ppen to know more about Beau J ire’s private affairs than you do. He (leaves one daughter only. I have (never met the young lady, but I underStand from excellent authority that he possesses independent means through the death some years ago of her mother. I shall therefore not worry about her loss—and, indeed, she Deed meet' with none, for if she only prove equal to all I have heard I may yet be induced to make her a proposition.” “A proposition?” “To remain on the plantation as Its mistress —plainly, an offer of marriage, If yon please. Not such a bad idea, Isitr I stood speechless, held motionless inly by the pressing mnzzle of his pis)hoi, the cold-blooded villain* of the

man striking me dumb. This then had prohuhiv been his real nuntose from the start. He had .followed Beaucaire deliberately with this final end in view —of mining him. and thus compelling Ills daughter to yield herself. “And you actually mean * that you propose now to force Judge Beaucaire’s daughter to marry you?” “Well, hardly that, although I shall use whatever means I possess, 1 intend to win her If I can, fair means, or foul.” . I drew a deep breath, comprehending now the full iniquity of his plot, and bracing myself to fight It. “And what about the other girl, Kirby? for there Is another girl.” «“Yes,” rather indifferently, “there is another.” “Of conrse you know who she Is?” “Certainly—a nigger, a white nlgger; the supposed illegitimate daughter of Adelbert Heaucalre, and a slavewoman. There is no reason why I should fret about her, Is there? She is my property already by law.” He laughed again, the same ugly sneering laugh- of triumph. "That was why I was so particular about the wording of that bill of sale —I would rather have her than the whole bunch of field hands.” "You believe then the girl has never been freed —either she, or her mother?” “Believe? I know. I tell you I never play any game with my eyes shut." “And you actually Intend to —tb hold her as a slave?” “Well, I’ll look her over first before I decide —she Would be worth a pot full of money down the river.” The contemptuous, utterly indifferent manner In which he voiced his villainous purpose, would have crazed any man. To*me this utterance was, the last straw, breaking down every restraint, and leaving me hot, and furious with anger. I forgot the muzzle of the pistol pressed against my side, and the menacing threat in Kirby’s low voice. The face of the man was indistinct, a mere outline, hut the swift impulse to strike at it was irresistible, and I let him have the blow —a straight-arm jab to the jaw. My clinched knuckles crunched against the tlesh, and he reeled back, kept from falling only by the support of the deckhouse. There was no report of a weapon, no outcry, yet, before I could strike again, I was suddenly gripped from behind by a pair of arms, which closed about my throat like a vise, throttling the Instantly’itffd sttofitheipH’Ssness. I struggled madly to break free, straining with all the art of a wrestler, exerting every ounce 4>f strength, but the grasp which held'me was unyielding, robbing me of breath, and defeating every effort to call, for help. Kirby, dazed yet by my sudden blow, grew eager to take a hand in the affray, struck me a cowardly blow ip the face, and swung his undischarged pistol to a level with my eyes. "D you!” he ejaculated, and for the first;, time his. voice really exhibited temper. “I’d kill you with this, hut for the n„oise. No. by God! there is a safer way than that to settle with you. Have you got the skunk. Carver?” “Yon ran • hes t have. Joe. I kin choke the life out o’ him —shall I?” “No i let up> a bit—just enough so he Tan answer me first. I \funt to find out what all this means. Now look here, Knox, what is all this to you? Why are you butting in on my game? Was Beaucaire a friend of yours ?’ “I can hardly claim that," I admitted- “We never met until I came aboard this steamer. All I am interested in Is justice to others.” “To others? Oh, I suppose you mean those girls—you know tfiein then?” “I have never even seen them,” I said. “I see; a self-app6lnted squire of dames; actuated merely by a romantic desire to serve beauty In distress. Extremely Interesting, my dear boy. But, see here, Knox,” and his tone changed to seriousness. “Let the romance go, and talk sense a minute. You are not going to get very far fighting me alone. You haven’t even got the law with you. Even if I cheated Beaucaire, which I do not for a moment admit, is no proof. The money is mine, and so Is the land and the niggets. You can be ugly, of course, but you cannot overturn the facts. Now, you acknowledge that what has occurred is personally nothing to you; Beaucaire was no special friend, and you don’t even know the two girls—all right then, Prop the whole master. I hold no grudge on account of your striking me, and am «*eu willing to share BJ> With you to avoid trouble,* l^

THE EVENING REPUBLICAN, RENSSELAER, IND.

By RANDALL PARRISH

Author of “CohtrabaaA” “She* of the Iriah Brigade." "When Wflderoeae Wa* Kina.” etc. ILLUSTRATIONS BY IRWIN MYERS

“ “And If I refuse?” » “Then, of course, we shall be compelled to shut your mouth for you. Self-preservation first law. 1 * * *1 looked ifi>ouk-at*4hem-~bo4-h, scarcely able to dtstintmish rlearly even their outlines ip the dense gloom. The seriousness of the situation, coupled with my helplessness! and inability t<> achieve the object proposed, was very evident. It might, under the circum-' stances, have been the part of wisdom for”nle to have sought some means of compromise, but I was young, and hot, fiery blood swept through my veins. Tiie jvords of "Kirby stung me with •their breath of insult—‘.his sneering, Insolent offer to pay me to remain still. "You must rank me as one of your own kind.” I burst forth, “Now you listen to a plain word fsom me. If that was intended as an offer, I refuse it. You, and your confederate, have coolly robbed Beaucaire, and propose to get away with the spoils. Perhaps you will, but that end will not he accomplished through any assistance of mine. At first I only felt a slight interest In the affair, hut from now on I am going to fight yon fellows with every weapon I possess.” Kirby chuckled, apparently greatly nninspd. »—— “Quite glad, I am sure, Tor the declaration of war. Fighting has always agreed with ine. Might I ask the nature of those weapons?” —“That remains for you to discover,” I ejaculated sharply, exasperated by j Ills evident contempt. “Carver, take your dirty hands off of me.” J In spite of the *fact of their the ready pistol pressing against my ribs, the grip of Carver’s fingers at my throat, I did not anlicipafe any actual assault. That either would really dare injure me seemed preposterous. Indeed my Impression was, that Kirby felt such indifference toward my attempt to block his plan, that he would permit me to pass- without opposition —certainly without the slightest resort to violence. The action of the two was so swift, so concerted, as though at some secret signal, that, almost before I realized their purpose, they held me helplessly struggling, and had forced me hack against the low rail. Here I endeavored to break away, to shout an alarm, but was already too late. Carver’s hands closed remorselessly on my throat, and, when I managed to strike out madly with one free fist, the butt of Kirby’s pistol descended on my head, so lacerating my scalp the dripping blood blinded iny eyes. The blow partially stunned me, and I half fell, clutching at the rail, yet dimly conscious that tlie two straining men were uplifting my useless body, Carver swearing viciously as he helped to thrust me outward over the wooden bar. The next instant I fell, the sneer.ing cackle of Kirby’s laugh of triumph echoing in my ears until drowned in the splash as I struck the black water below. I Came back to the surface dazed and weakened, yet sufficiently cob* scions to make an intelligent struggle for life. Tim, over-hang qf thejrapidly’. “passing Tioat still concealed me from the observation of those above on the deck, and the advantage of permitting them to believe that the blow on my head had resulted in drowning, together with the knowledge that I must swiftly get beyond the stroke of that deadly wheel, flashed through my brain. It was like a tonic, reviving every energy. Waiting,only to inhale one deep breath of air; I plunged back once more into the depths, and swam strongly under water. The effort proved successful, for when I again ventured to emerge, gasping and exhausted, the little Warrior had swept past, and become merely a shapeless outline, barely visible above the sur-, face of the river. Slowly treading water, my lips held barely above the surface, I drew in deep draughts of cool night air, my mind becoming more active as hope returned. The blow I had received was a savage one, and pained dully, but the cold water in which I had been immersed had caused the bleeding to cease, and likewise revived all my faculties. The very fact that no effort was made to stop was sufficient proof that Throckmorton in the wheelhouse remained unconscious, of what had occurred on the deck below. My fate might never be discovered, or suspected. I was alone, submerged in the great river, the stars overhead alone piercing the night shadows. A log swept by me, white bursts of spray illuminating its sides, and I grappled it gratefully, my fingers finding grip on the sodden bark. Using this for partial support, and ceasing to battle so desperately against the down-sweep of the current, I managed finally to work my way into an eddy, struggling onward until my feet at last touched bottom at the end of a low, out-crop-ping point of sand. This proved to be a mere spit, but I waded ashore, water streaming from my clothing, conscious now of such complete exhaustion that I sank instantly outstretched upon the sand, gasping painfully for breath, every muscle and nerve throbbing. The night was intensely still, black, impenetrable. It seemed as though no human being could inhabit that deso-

fate regtpnr i lifted my head to listen for the slightest sound of life, and strained my eyes to detect the distant glimmer of a light In any direction. Nothing rewarded the effort. Yet surely here on this .west bank of the Mississippi I could not be far removed from-those of my race, for I knew that all along this river shore were cultivated plantations and little frontier* towns Irregularly served by passing steamboats. The night air increased in chilliness as the hours approached dawn, and I shivered in my wet clothes, although this only served to arouse me into immedfafe action. -Realising mote than ever as I again attempted to move my weakness and exhaustion from the struggle, I succeeded in gaining my feet, and stumbled forward along the narrow spit Of sand, Until 1 attained a hank of firm earth, up which I crept painfully, emerging at last upon a fair|y level spot, softly carpeted with grass, and surrounded by a grove of forest trees. The shadows here were dense, but my feet encountered a denression in the soil, which I soon identified as a rather well-defined path leading inland. Assured that this must point the way to some door, as it was evidently no wild animal trail, I felt my way forward cautiously, eager tp attain shelter, and the comfort of a fire. I came suddenly to a patch of cultivated land, bisected by a small stream, the path I was following leading along its bank. Holding to this for guidance,

“Is Yer Really Awake Agin, Honey?”

within less than a hundred yards I came to the house I was seeking, a small, log structure, overshadowed by a gigantic oak, and standing isolated and alone. Believing the place to be occupied by a slave, or possibly some white squatter, I advanced directly, to the door, and called loudly to whoever might be within. There was no response, and, believing” the occupant asleep, I rapped sharply. Still no voice answered, although I felt convinced of some movement inside, leading me to believe that the sleeper had slipped from his bed and was approaching the door. Again I rapped, this time with greater impatience over the delay, but not the slightest sound Tewarded the effort. Shivering there in my wet clothes, the stubborn obduracy of the fellow awakened my anger. i “Open ift), there,” I called commandingly, “or else I’ll break down your door.” ' In The darkness I had been unobservant of a narrow slide in the upper panel, but had scarcely uttered these words of threat when the flare of a ■discharge almost in my very face fairaware of a burning sensation in one shoulder. The next Instant I lay outstretched on the ground, and It seemed to me that life was fast ebbing from my body. Twice I endeavored vainly to rise, but at the second attempt my brain reeled dizzily and I sank back unconscious.

CHAPTER V. Picking Up the Threads. I turned my head slightly on the hard shuck pillow and gazed curiously about. When my eyes had first opened all I could perceive was the section of log wall against which I rested, hut, now, after painfully turning over, the entire interior of %he~ single-room cabin was revealed. It was humble enough in all Its appointments, the w'alls quite bare, the few chairs fashioned from half-barrels, a packing box for a table, and the narrow bed on which I lay constructed from' saplings lashed together, covered with a coarse ticking, packed with straw. I surveyed the entire circuit of the room wonderingly, a vague memory of what had lately occurred returning slowly to mind. To all appearances l was there alone, although close beside me stood a low stool, supporting a tin partially filled with water. As I moved I became conscious of a dull pain in my left shoulder, which I also discovered to be tightly bandaged. I presume it was not long, yet my thoughts were so busy if seemed as if I must have been lying there undisturbed for some time, before the door opened quietly and I became aware of another occupant of the room. Paying no attention to me, he crossed to the fireplace, stirred the few smoldering embers into flame, placing upon these some bits of dried wood, and then idly watched as they caught fire. The newcomer, was *a grayhaired bat still vigorous, evidently a powerful fellow judging .from his breadth of shoulder, and possessing a face denoting considerable intelligence. Finally lie straightened up and faced me, his eyes widening with Interest aa he caught mine fastened

upon him, his thick lips instantly parting in a good-natured grim “De good Lord be praised!” he ejaculated, in undisguised delight. “Is yer really awake agin, honey? De doctab say he done thought ye’d cum round by terday sure, sah.” “The doctor?” I questioned in surprise, my voice sounding strange ahd far away. “Have I been here long?” i “Gain’ on ’bout ten days, sah. Yer was powerful bad hurt an’ out o' yer head, I reckon.” “What was it that happened? Did someone shoot me?” * The negro scratched his head,' shufTlfngTflsTSare feet uneasily on the dirt floor. “Yas, sah, Mr. Knox,” he admitted with reluctance. “I’s sure powerful sorry, sah, but I was de boy whut plugged yer. Yer see, sah, it donej happened dis-a-way,” and his black face registered genuine distress. “Thar’s a mean gango’ white folks ’round yere thet’s took it inter their heads ter lick every free nigger, an’ when yer done come up ter my door in de middle ob de night, a-cussin’, an’ a-threatenin’ fer ter break in, I just nafarlly didn’t wanter be licked, an’ —an’ so I blazed away. I’s powerful sorry ’bout it now, sah.” “No doubt it was more .my 4ault than yours. You are a free negro, ttftm?" “Yas, sah. I done belong onct ter Colonul Silas Carlton, sah, but afore he died, just because I done saved his boy frum drowmin’ in de ribber. de ol’ qolonul he set me free, an’ give me a patch o’ lan’ ter raise cprn on.” “What is your name?” “Pete, sar. Free Pete is whut mostly de white folks call me.” He laughed, white teeth showing and the whites of his eyes. “Yer see thar am a. powerful lot o’ Petes round ’bout yere, sah.” I drew a deep breatn, conscious of as I endeavored" to changeposition. "All right, Pete ; now I want to understand things clearly. Youshotme, supposing. I was making an assault on you. Your bullet lodged in my shoulder. What happened then?” “Well, after a while, sah, thar wan’t 'no mor’ noise, an’ I reckoned I’d either done hit yer er else ye’d run away. An’ thar ye wus, sah, a-lyin’ on yer back like ye wus dead. Just so soon as I saw ye I know’d as how ye never was no nigger-hunter but a stranger in dese yere parts. So I dragged ye inside de cabin, an’ washed up yer hurts. But ye never got no bettah, so I got skeered, an’ went hoofin’ it down fer de doctah at Beaucaire Landin’, sah, an’ when he cum back along wid me he dug the bullet outer yer shoulder, an’ left some truck fer me ter giv’ yer. He’s done been yere three times, sah.” “From Beaucaire Landing—is that a town?” - ,

“A sorter town, sah; ’bout sous miles down ribber.” The mentioning of this 'familiar word brought back instantly to my darkened understanding all those main events leading up to my presence in this neighborhood. Complete memory returned, every separate incident sweeping through my brain — Kirby, Carver, the fateful game of cards in the cabin of the Warrior, the sudden death of the judge, the mob anger I sought to curb, the struggle on deck, my being thrown overboard, and the danger threatening the two innocent daughters of Beaucaire. And I had actually been lying in this negro hut, burning up w 7 ith fever, helplessly delirious, for ten days. What had already occurred in that space of time? What villainy had hftfin. COn--cocted and carried out?” “Now see here, Pete,” I began earnestly. “How did you learn what my name was?” “De doctah he foun’ dat out, sah. He done lobked through yer pockets, sah, an’ he took two papers whut he foun’ dar away wid him. He done toP me as how yer wus an offercer in de array—a leftenant er sumthin’ —an’ thet dem papers ought fer ter he siav ter de gov’ner at onct. De las’ tim» he wus yere he tol’ me thet he wint down ter St. Louee* hisself, an’ done gif bof dem papers ter Gov’ner Clark. So yer don’t need worry none ’bout dem no mor\” I sank, back onto the harjJ pillow, greatly relieved by, this—infera&atlOßr The burden of official duty had., been taken from me. I was now oh furlough and free to act as I pleased: “Have you picked up any news lately from Beaucaire plantation?” “I heerd dey done brought de body ob de ol’ jedge home, sah —he died mighty sudden sumwhar up de ribber. Tbet’s ’bout“all I know.” “When was this?”

Knox to the rescue of the Beaucaire women. (TO BE CONTINUED.)

First Maine Post Office.

In 1775 the first post offices lb Maine were established at Kennebunk, Falmouth and Bath. The mails were carried by carriers o*. foot or on horseback and the average week’s mail did not amount to five letters at each office. The rates were high, 6%r 12%, 18%, 25 and 87% cents, according to ■ the distance the letter had to be carried, and double the rate when the letter was on more than one sheet of paper. ' .*=

Paws Here for Reflection.

Said the facetious feller, “The mala difference between valuable city prop* erty and valuable dogs is that the r. c. p. is sold by tie front foot, while the do£ is Jest charged lor all mex,*

IN DAYS TO COME

By DORA MOLLAN.

Mary Flarity’s thoughts were on the substance Of‘the note rather than its form when she wrote the date, April 22, 1930. It did occur to her that it was not strictly necessary to date a note to one’s own father informing him of one’s intended elopement when one purposes to depart from the ancestral roof-tree that very day, and* the enlightening communication was bound to be found soon after. But it was time was precious. Her-_plane~ wa» -waiting. The head nfechanician of the Flarity hangar had finished overhauling It not an hour ago, assuring Mary that, with her driving, he would back it to outfly any machine her father owned. Mary had answered, “Keep mum on that score to dad, Oscar,” at tjie same time' slipping him a trifling tip of fifty. For Mary was under no delusions as to what her father’s attitude might be toward this step she was about to take. His-wealtlr great, his social position unquestioned. He had always been kind to her and she loved him. It was ohly a matter of loving Adrion Longfellow more—much more. So well she was entirely willing to give up all the luxury to which she had been born, to live in poverty and social ostracism with the man of her choice. o With a sigh at the unpreventable perversities of life, Mary walked out of the Flarity mansion, stepped into her plane and flew straight for the college town where Adrion, unfortunate inheritor his father’s temperament, and nothing else, drew hismeager salary; Adrion was waiting at the appointed spot. It was his unlikeness to the young men of her own set that had attracted Mary in the first place. They were big and strong; Adrion was undersized. They talked to her oniy of sport, social matters and money; how much they earned in how few hours a day. Adrion could talk well on a hundred subjects: books and flowers, music and the great outdoors. But this man chosen from outside her own world by Mary to be her husband possessed a fine sense of humor. He felt it his duty to Inquire for the last time whether she fully realized what she was giving up for his sake. “My dear,” he questioned, “have you thought that we won’t be able to keep this?” placing his hand on the delicate wings of the artificial bird which bore them .so swiftly aloft. “My salary couldn’t stand the hangar fee, to say nothing of the upkeep. I did hope we might have one of the four-hour servants, but alas,” Adrion paused to sigh, “I read only this morning that they are striking for more pay and fewer working hours.” - Just at that moment Mary turned into a much traveled air-lane and carefully guided her plane in and out among the traffic. “Don’t worry, Adrion ; my grandmother did her own housework when she was first mar’ ried; and what one woman has done, another can. The only thing that bothers me now is that something may happen to delay us and give father a way. She’s doipg two hundred miles an hour now and I’ll keep her there till we, get out of the crowd; after that the sky is the limit.” Mr. Flarity arrived home that evening during an interval between the departure of the fourth, relay of servf, when the latter had been on duty a!n hour that one of the maids brought Mary’s note to him. She had discovered it while preparing Mary’s room for the night. What he read sent Mr. Flarity-'flying literally. He took nis fastest plane and even had the forethought to carry along two bags of gold with whith to bribe the air-traffic cops or pay fines, as the need might be. Mary’s plane was distinctive, it bore her private emblem. Its course was not hard to trace, but the gold bag was nearly depleted when Mr. Flarity alighted in front of a roadside inn somewhere in the northern Alaska. “No,” the clerk informed him, "there is nobody by the -nnme ofl; 'Flarity registered here. Yes; there Ts a Mr. Longfellow —and a Mrs. Mary was not one bit surprised when her father was announced, and “remarked to the husband of her choice that they had best have him up’ and get It over with. “I know just what he will say, Adrion dear, and I know he won’t rest till he does say it. Let’s be kind to him and give him his chance now.” Mr. Flarity’s face was purple with anger added to high living. “How dare you —you—shrimp!’’ he bellowed, as soon as he faced the guilty pair. “You little whippersnapper son of a common ordinary college president, and nothing but an humble professor yourself, to, entice my daughter—the daughter of a master plumber, before him? You who toil five hours a day for your bread and butter, and she could have married a carpenter with the social standing and unlimited means of his kind! It’s my money you are after, you swine! But you get none of it either of you, after bringing this disgrace upon my family name!” Adrion was mute; he had no cause to plead. Mary, though, decided that her forbearance had lasted long enough. “Father,” she internipted, “I’ve married a man of humble station and obscure birth. He tolls long hours, it Is true*, for his petty recompense. But he’lfspend his evenings at home—toe belongs to no union!” (Copyright, 1919, McCluro Newspaper Sjrn. r