f 'THE SCR ANTON TRIBUNE- TH lTHSD AY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1890. X The proud Tecumseli had culled Ills red brothers to arms. Tho voice of the prophet tho volet; of Kllskwutawa the lire that rushes through the land had shrieked denunciations, mid fore told the doom of tho Invader of the led man's territory, tho exterminator of the red mail's face. Everywhere throughout the cult region the dogH of war were loose, and two races llew savagely at one another's throats illainlets burned; villages, abandoned, fell In ruins; white men, horridly tor tured, suffered at the stake; red men fell In their thousands, shot, bayoneted, bludgeoned, until at last the fury of the unequal contest slackened, and th" Indians, broken and despairing, their trusted leaders slain or captive, laid clown their arms and swung sullenly from the Ian of their fathers. It was early In 1812 that (icnTal Floyd, with his little army of Georgians volunteers and 400 'friendly Indians, took up bis position on the heights above the swamps of the Chllllbee in Alabama. It was supposed that a largo force of Creeks was lurking In the vicinity, though the keenest eyes among the scouts had hitherto failed to discover the exact whereabouts of the cunning foe. Hut Floyd was too good a soldier and too experienced In Indian warfare to be deceived by appearances; and, notwithstanding the outward calm, made most careful preparation ngalnst surprise. Tickets were double d, patrols moved Incessantly to and fro: nnd, though wearied by his long inarch, a brief hour of sleep was all the watchful commander allowed him self to snatch. Far away on the outermost line of sentries Amos Duerden stood on guard. Btlll as a statue, he leaned ngalnst the trunk of a great tree and peered Into tho thick darkness that surrounded him, or strained his ears to catch the faintest sound that might break the oppressive stillness. Bravest where all were brave, strong of muscle and stout of heart, there was no one In bis army In whom Floyd reposed more confidence than In Amos Duordnn; none who might be tiusted so well to stand firm and do his duty, though death came to lilm In tjie doing. Therefore It was that he had been selected for this lone ly outpost, the most dangerous of all, where bis firmness and knowledge of the country would stand the white men in good stead against the craft of their dusky foes. Yet were the thoughts of Amos not altogether with the army. Twenty miles away to the northwest lay a little vil lage, never deslned to attain to the dignity of a town which bore the pic turesque Indian name Whispering Pines. Towards this Duerden's heart turned as he kept his watch: for there, waiting until the war should bo over, waiting in fear and trembling for her lover's safety, lived Agnes lirotherton, bis wife that was to be. No wonder Amos was anxious, for rumor had It that Whispering Pines was In the track of the Creek advance, and If that were so He put the thought from him as one too horrid to be entertained. Vway to his right a brook murmur ing mysteriously, rolled through the daekness; but, save for the slumbering sound, all was still. Ahead, behind, in front, all around was Inky black; hut above, through the dark boughs of the pines, the stars looked down upon the watcher, and ever and anon one fell, steaming like a signal-rocket athwart the sky. ' 'TIs monstrous dark bere,' thought Amos, straightening his tall form, and grasping his musket firmly at the sound of a twig snapping somewhere away to the left. "A man might bo slain here ere he knew he was at t.icked." Then, as silence reigned once more, "I trust all Is well with them at Whispering Pines. If Agnes and her mother had but followed my advice and moved north out of this accursed coun try, I should have no fear. As It Is " Again a twig snapped suddenly this tune at his very feet; and. almost be or he could recall his straggling thought, a dark form rose swiftly from the ground, and a hand was laid llght b upon his lips. "Steady!" breathed a voice In his fur, so low that he could scarcely catch the articulate words. ".Steady! "All's well! I'm Wvington. Who are you?" K 'oi-o Amos could reply the man went. hi, "The redskins are coming on: The redskins ale coming In force. They are not much more than ilvo miles away. They have swept through Whispering Pines and cleaned out tho village. Not a soul left, I'm told. Ag ' es lirotherton Is one of them. If you sc-f Duoi-don. tell him. I'm off to let tie general know. I think they'll at a'k about daybreak." He dropped to the ground, and glided away, while for an Instant Amos drew himself up against his tree, stiff with horror. There could be no mistake; Mark Itlvington was too careful a scout for that and he was an old friend "i Uuerden's too. Hence his anxiety t impart his fateful news to the first man he met. And the enemy was but live miles away, and coming on in force. Tho camp would be attacked. What of that? What was that to him? 'Agnes! Agnes was in the hands of tho brutal redskins. Jtlvlngtoti had heard that, and yet had done nothing to save her. In the bitterness of his grief and dismay Amos cursed tho friend who, not recognizing him In the dark, bad Imparted the grewsome news. As these wild thoughts coursed through his brain, yet another sound. luso to htm, startled him. No rustling branch nor snapping twig this time, but a dull, smashing sound, a low moan, and silence. Then a sudden rush, a swish, a sharp thud as the keen blade of a tomahawk was burled in the trunk of a tree an Inch from his face, and Amos found himself hugged agntnst the brawny chest of a greasy savage, whose hot breath panted against his cheek, and who strove mightily to bring him to the grourid. Ills musket dropped to the ground at tho shock: but with n twist Amos freed his left arm und drovo his knlfo deep into tho throat of bis assailant who sank with a gurgling sob to the ground. "One!" muttered Amos urlmly, and waited for the next. Hut none came, and presently bo became aware that, whatever his purpose, tho Indian had been alone. Then It Hashed upon him "Uivlngton! The redskin was after him. The spy had been spied upon. Hark, where is he?" Cautiously let moved In tho direction of tho tlrst ominous sound, Not far; for ero he had gone a dnzon paces his foot struck ucuinut something soft und A DESERTER. Reginald llorscley, In Clinmbcrs' Journal. yielding. He stooped down, groping and his hand touched the body of a man. He felt for the face and drew back Me hand wet with something warm. And then he knew. His friend. Hark Itlv ington, bold and trusty scout, lay dead beside him, slain by ono more crafty than himself. One moment Amos spared to lament his lost comrade, and then he sprang In his feet, remembering the dead man's last message. Women piisoiH rs had been carried off. Agnes was In the Creek rump. Kveii now she might be lle thrust the thought from him and sped with swift, silent steps In the di rection Indicated by poor Itlvington ns the position of the foe. Suddenly he stoppel. What was this he was about to do? He was a soldier, and behind him lay his post, one spot of all others which the Creeks would choose for their point of attuck.'should they make it at dawn. That the attack was contemplated he knew. Ho alono of all men, now that (Uivlngton was gone, possessed the fateful knowledge. Flovd. though he had not neglected precautions, was $ecuro in the belief that tho Indians were far away. Only through Itlvington could the mistake have been corrected, and now Uivlng ton was dead the secret was In the pos session of Amos and none other. The lives of some two thousand men were' In his keeping. Floyd trusted him: his comrades slept at ease, relying upon his skill and caution; and now he was about to betray his trust, to sacitllee them for an end of his own. Hehind him lay his duty-hls duty, wheicln till now he had never failed. Hefore him lay his hopes, shadowy, un defined, forlorn; for that he could reach the Creek camp ere death, or worse, had overtaken his Agnes was almost beyond the bounds of possibility. ISut, slightly probable though It was, there was yet the bare possibility: and, oh, Cod! to picture her there nlonu, weeping, despairing, praying, wnltlng for the help that he alone could bring; for he alone knew of her desperate po sition. He thanked (Sod that she knew not that be knew. He cursed himself that he should hesitate for one mo ment between his duty nnd his love. He execrated the general, who hell him bound to his post by every tie of honor. He questioned of himself with bitter emphasis what concern of his where the lives, of tho 2.000 men behind him, men of whom nine out of ten were unknown to him, when the one life, dearer to him than those of thousands of millions of others, dearer to him than all the world, was at stake. Why should he hesitate? He was bound by no stringent military rule. He was but a volunteer, who had Joined more for the sport of the thing than for aught else. He, nt least, had no quar rel, save that of race, with the perse cuted Indian. Not until now. And now Nemlses. following with swift foot had overtaken him, and Nature was to aveng her slaughtered children. Why should he stay? Were there not other points at which tho Creeks might make their attack? Were there not other scouts besides poor Uivlng ton, who might have borne the news to Floyd, who might even now bo alert and preparing? Were there no other sentries who could and would give the alarm ns well as he? Slight not, after all, Uivlngton have been mistaken as to the threatened advance,? It was nat uial that, on seeing the Creeks In force, he should suppose them about to move to battle. Hut what less like ly? Their successes had not been so conspicuous as to hold out much in ducement to them to attack a strong position. Most llkelv they were but a marauding party moving on. Moving on! Moving away! And bearing Agnes with them. The thought unmanned him, and he sank to the ground, cov ering his face with his hands. The brook lnbbled on to Join somo mighty river, the lireezo that followed the adveht of midnight began to stir among the trees; hero and there the noUs of a night-bird broke the stillneas sharp ly, the stars looked down upon him In their calm, pitiless .fashion, and still Amos sat there, r.tltlier returning to his post nor moving forward to the succor of bis love sat there, li.ert, helpless, un nerved, struggling weakly between tho calling voices of love and duty. Hut tho balance was all on tho. bide of love; and, at .it, as nut of the dulk- ness, came a suggestion. Me sprang to his feet once more, tightened the bull of bis tunic, mid, castbg his duty to the winds. hastened with swift though stialtbv feet 111 the direction of tliu Cretk encampment. For u beam of llsht had Illumined the darkness of desolation Ibut sat upon hU soul, and In spirit he asked himself, "Why not do both' The Indians will not attack before dawn In any case, for the illlllrulticH in their way ate too great. Kong ero that 1 can reach their camp, perhaps save Agnes., and be back In am ple time to give the alarm. 1 can say that 1 found cause to advance, and the news 1 bring will be my excuse for leav ing my post. After all. I am not leaving It; I am but extending It. It Is better for every one that I should go forward." He clutched at the thought with the desperation of a mini drowning in a sea of Indecision: and, stopping no more to argue with himself, went on as rapidly us the darkness would allow. Well for him that he know the coun try. There were landmarks visible to him. deep night though it was, that few white men besides himself could have recognized. There was the brook upon the right; tho great bald imountntn, amidst whose crags be had so often hunted, upon bis left; the very stnrs, of whose names be was ignorant, were ns signal-lamps to guide him on his way. And so ho pushed on nnd on, througn tho inlrv swamp, In and out of the deep pine woods, over the brook, across tho sinuous river by fords known to few. until he came to the edge of a fitngo of forest, beyond which he could see a multitude of twinkling lights. And by these he knew I hat his encmleb and ho Minuld soon be face to face. He had Judged aright, It seemed. No movement was visible In tho hostile camp, and It was evident to him that, It an attack were contempluted, somo hours must clapso ero it could bo made. Hut, so far. all was quiet; and slowly, cautiously, as ono who takes ids Ufa In his bands, he crawled on, keeping n wary eye for sentinel or picket as he went. Hut be saw no one, heard nothing, tin! as hu moved along a great wonder tilled htm. For tho Hits wrro burning low and none eamo to tend them. What vvns the meaning of this utter silence, this lack of life? iio Indians were not uttd to be so earth us us to sleep unguarded. It wan not their wont to court surprise. And tlmi ha kiiov.'-irinenihered cer tain strange, weird t emails in tho forest, to which In bis fieuzled excitement ho had paid no heed; remembered, and In that bitter uiouitiit recognized their meaning. While ho was absorbed in hlsi own sud thoughts the Creeks had broken camp, und oYm now had taken up tllclr Position In front of Floyd. His faco sank between his hands ns ho crouched there, and a wave of great shame overwhelmed him. So It was for this result be had turned his back upon his tmst; II vvns for this that he had persistently refused to hear the clear olied call of duty: It was for tilts that he had sacrificed his honor lost bis right for nil tlm? to hold up his head In the sight of brave and honest men. He had betrayed bis trust but to llnd his journey Idle after all. lie nislied himself w It'll bitter upbraiding. Kor him to bo so taken in! Was it llkelv that ii war party, Intent upon battle, would burden themselves with prisoners? He ought to have known better. WhNticiinif Pines was no doubt In ashes: Agnes, too siirelv, dead. And lie, by Ibis vain pumilt, bad lost not only Iter that was already ac complishedbut all that hermlter might make his Hie sweet as well. lie ilfing hltnHclf face douiiw.ird upon tho dmm ground, not striving to rtny the harsh dry solw that shook his body. He was a strong man Indispnlr , and, so, weaker than the weakest woman. Ho could not get back, he knew, though It might be the Indians would not attack before dawn, and dawn vvns yet far dis tant. Hut even so, how could be break through tin cordon of red men, even now siiriouiidlng tho ilt voted Floyd? That was Impossible. To make a long ciiciilt was 'equally Impossible In point of time. Mb: all was lost Agnes, bin honor, his comrades, his general. He alone would remain to tell the slorv of that shameful night. Shond lie? No. never. At least he could die, even ns those he had brought to their d-ath. The thought comforted him somewhat and ho rose to his feet. Ills decision was Instant, bis action prompt. Ith a rapid movement ho drew from his pocket a pi -co of cord, tied one end round his foot, and attached' the other to tho trigger of his musket. Then ho put the muzzle In his mouth. Kor an Instant he stood, eyes closed, breath coming and going rapidly, for evfii to a bravo man death comes not whollv without terror. "Agn'.s!" ho sighed. A itrong shudder shook him, nnd he dashed the muzzle from his face, and Hung the musket to the ground. "My Ood!" he exclaimed, hilt wrath felly, half fiarfolly, "wh.it was I about to do? If I must die. lit me meet death as a man, not as a coward, it '8 not yet too late. It cannot be. It shall Dot be. I will go back. I will break thro.igh the Creek lines somehow. 1 may redeem my honor In part: if not, ihen let death come how lie will, but not by my own har.d." The darkness of the night had deep em d. tliourh It wanted but nn hour to dawn, and ibe Creel; forces, crouching In th" dense pine woods before Kloyu's po sition, waited for tho tlrst lifting of tho shadows to hurl themselves upon their unsuspecting foe Above, Floyd's men, tired after their long march, slept sound ly. Ignorant of the proximity of .h'ir bloodtlihsty enemies, imronscioiw that Hie sentries along Hie outer Ihv h-id till been slain all save one, and that one a desc'tor from his post, a traitor to his trust. In grim silence nnd sanguine of success, the three Creeks, then faces palntcn hideously for war. awaited their oppor tunity. A faint breeze, herald of the morn, had ailsen, rustling gently among the plnc-iioedUs. Save for this and tho occasional u-riuit of a beg roolln.j I ere nnd there among the mast. Ji.l.v lb" low, half-held brcithlng of the led men btoko the stillness. The tlrst faint tiembllng streaks of pink wovcied lip Into the sky, the white mists rurled upward from river and swamp. Just perceptible in the gloom, nnd the hog wandered on, grunting nnd rooting, too inreless or too stupid to avoid the red mm all around It. More tbah onco it collided In the darkness with the legs of some watchful warrior, to dart away with with a squeal, follovvid by the curses of the brave, who dared not move for fear of exposing his position. And so, turning hltlnr and thither in its seaich for food, the liens t blundered on to where Haiti Kuglo and his fellow-chief, Whistling II;iv.k. stood beside a tree nnd discoursed their plans for the coming attack. Terri fied, apparently, the hog stood still for n. moment, and then, with a snort of dis gust, swung round nnd waddled olf In iU ungainly fashion. Its back turned, how ever, Its teiror teemed to be overcome, and once iigaln It halted and began to grub for roots, rovhif, leisurely from ono trfe to another. The two chiefs gazed Idly nt the animal for a moment, and then Whlsllln-j Hawk drew an arrow from his quiver and fitted It to his bowstring. "Not so, my brother." Interposed Haiti Kaglo, laying a detaining hand upon the other's wrist. "Shoot not, lest If you only wound the brute, it run off toward the camp of Hie pale-taces, and betray us by your arrow. do and warn our young men upon the left that the time Is at hand. I vylll tell those upon the right." "Wiuigll!" was all the reply Whistling Hawk vouchsaftd, and the red chiefs moved away. Hut as they dlsappeaied. the hog sat v.p on his haunches, Its forepaws dangling oddly, while from underneath the coal so hide a hand Mole forth. Then the mask was cautiously ralstd. dung batik from the faco It conccajiil, and out from tho greasy skin crawled a. man, who cist himself Hat upon his face, and lay still. Hut the Indians were behind him now und his friends In front, undi though bo moved slowly, yet In no long lime lie reached a sentry, who he passed with a whispered word, and hurried to tho gen eral's tent. "Duertlon!" oiled Floyd, sptlnglng to his feet, as the young man burst In upm him with little ceremony. "What uro you doing here? Why have you left your post?" "Why have you left your post?" Tho sharp and sudden question recalled a hideous memory to Ducrdon's mind, an I for an Instant ho struggled vainly to speak. Recovering himself, he brlcilv tletalltd to the general the presence of tho foo In large numbers, and how he hail contrived to get through their lines. Kloyd wasted no further time in ques tions after this, but dashed from Ids te it, order after order tumbling trom Ills lips. Ills dispositions made, he returned onco moro to Amos. "I have news lor you, Ducrdon," he said, "good news, too. It seems thnt the Creeks made a tlesteiit upon Whispering Pines and burned It; but the settlers bad got word of their approach In some way, anil deserted tho place. A party of them arrived about an. hour ago with women and children. 1 have sent the latter, along with tho old men, to one of our communicating posts hi the real'. All who could light I have detained here," he finished grim ly. Amos caught back his breath sharply. Truly, bis punishment was beginning. "Agnes?" ho muttered. "Well and safe," answered Kloyd, cheerily. "You can Join her, or sho yon, after this lltllo affair Is over, tor we shall win, of course. It is a -" A shot! Another and another. Then a spattering volley, and the wild, terrific Indian war-whoop, as the Creeks sprang from their cover, shot down the remain ing gentiles, and churned up to within a few puces of tho artillery of Thomas, posted to lecelvo them. "There they are, said Kloyd, coolly. "Amos, come with me." In the gloom of the plno woods, the bnttlo raged furiously, men fighting rather by tho sense of sound thun by sight, constious of tho approach of a foe only whun they came Into grips, And In tho heat of tho combat Amos saw his gtneral homo to ground by u stalwuit savage. Tho red-ekln hud lost his mus ket tit the affray; but, na ho knelt with nil his weight upon Floyd's chest, strovo mightily to i each his smlplng-knifo with one hand, while with the other ho stran gled his fallen adversary. With a bound Amos wus upon the savage, toro him from his hold, and then burled his bay onet hi the broad red dust. Then ho turned to assist the general to rise, "Thank you, Amos." said Kloyd, gasp ing for breath. "If you hail not como Just when you did you would have been left without a lender. I inn your debtor for this," He iiisheil away, and. ns the nun rose, nllowing lit in to survey the whole Held of operations, ordered his light wing and tlm cavalry to i barge simultaneously. The effect vvns Immediate. Face to ftwo with those long lines of glittering steel, the Cieeks lost heart and lied through iho swniips, leaving behind them n trail of dead and wounded. The bnttlo was won. thought the white men had not como off scatheless. An hour later while the hungry soldiers were breaking their fatt Amos lluerdon stalked gloomily Into Ills commaniler's tent. "I have come to make a confca slon, general," he began without preface. "1 have come to ask that 1 may bo placet! under arrest." "Is the n.au gone out of bis wits?" crletl Kloyd, consldi rably astonished. 'What alls you, Amos? Has the fight proved too much for your stomach? Here, drink a cup of this." Ho handed somo wine. " 'Twill bring back the color to your tiieeks." Amos drained the cup. "General," ho began unsteadily, "this Is my fault. There Is not a man of ours lying dead there In the plno woods and swamps who does not owe his death to me." In a few simple words he told tho general tho story of his temptation and bis fall. "Had I not left my post," ho concluded, "the warning would have reached you In time, your dlspofltlon would luivo been made, nnd the enemy beaten back without the loss of a num. 1 am a de serter, cciicinl, und 1 deserve a deser ter's fate." At this Kloyd looked up quickly. Ills face was grave, for he was a soldier" lust of all, and knew the gravity of tliu fault of which Amos accused himself. Hut he was also a man, anil the trouble In tho young fellow's face as ho stood there confessing what, but for that confession, must for ever have remained untllscov ert'd. touched hbn, and bo answered, not unkindly: "My lad, your offense Is a grave one. I could not tell you aught else. Hut you have striven to atone as few othcia would have done, to my thinking; and. besides, vou were, after all, In time to give the nlarm and to prevent a com plete surprise, the attack would have been made, I have little doubt, and those who are slain would havo been slain. It you hold It otherwise, then your pun ishment Is great enough. I have no wish to make It heavier. Go; I will for get that you have made this report to me. The story shall never pass my lips. I know you, and I nm sure you will never give way again." "No. that Is very true, general," an swered Amos In so strange a mnniur that the general glanced dubiously ut him. "You are too generous, general," he went on, his face white and set, his lips trembling, his voice husky. "You may forgive me. but 1 cannot forgive myself. Had I done my duty and trust ed In God for the rest, nil would havo been well. As It Is, I feel llko a mur derer; I know I am a deserter. Give me over to tlm fate that I have earned. I demand a court-martial." Floyd sprung to his feet. "What!" be cried. "You demand a court-martial? You nsl; that I, your general, whose llfo you have saved, should send you to a shameful death, which you by no means deserve. Hy heaven! 1 will not do It. Go away nnd sleep, my poor fellow. When you are rested and refreshed you will see things in a different light." Hut Amos stood his ground llrmly and shook his head with a melancholy smile. "No, general," he said; "it must not be. I shall never see things In any other light. Death 1 deserve, and death I am ready to meet, and It is llttlng that death should come to mo at the hands of those I havo betrayed. Listen to me, general, ' he went on in a low. Intense voice; "it you refuse to allow me to expiate my sin, I swear to you I will go Into the woods and take my own life, as I so nearly did last night. I will not live to hear men say, :There goes a coward.' " "Hut, mailman, who will know?" cried Floyd, at his wit's end to know how to dtnl with tho brave, but wrong-headed Amos. "I shall know, general," said Amos. 'I see how it Is; you leave me no resource." He bowed und turned to leave the tent. "Stop!" ro.ued Kloyd, stepping In front of him and thrusting him back. "Or derly!" The orderly entered the tent. "General?" "Send mo a corporal nnd a lle of men." Presently they appealed, "Here." said Floyd roughly, "arrest this man und keep him under close guard until I send for him. See to It that he does not es cape." Amos cast a glanco at the general, as muth us to say, "You might have spared mo that," and followed tho corporal's guard. An hour later be was back again, with a soldier on cither side of hltn, while In front sat Floyd and his senior otllcers to try his case. "Gentlemen," begun the general, "this business need not detain us long. The prisoner, Amos Duerden, was on guard at the farthest outpost, when for reasons purely personal, he chose to desert, leav ing tho approach open to the enemy. Prisoner, you are charged with deserting your post In time of war. Do you plead guilty or not guilty?" "Guilty!" nnsvvered Amos firmly, though a hot flush of shiime spread over his face as he felt rather than saw tho start of surprise of the soldiers at his side. The officers at tho table said no word. Most of them knew that Amos hail brought news of the Intended attack, some of them that ho had saved Kloyd s life. Hut they were all silent. Not one of them asked a question, or urged anything In extenuation of the prisoner's crime. "Guilty!" echoed, Kloyd. "You hear, gentlemen, he pleads guilty. Prisoner, have you anything to say hi your own behalf?" "Nothing," answered Amos, and stool In gloomy abstraction while Kloyd and his otllcers conferred together in low tones. At last the conversation ceased, nnd the general looked across nt Amos. "Pris oner," he said, "you have been charged with desertion of vour post In time of war. A graver charge cannot be brought against a soldier. That you voluutarll) surrendered yourself Is to your credit; but It can avail vou nothing, for the braver and better disciplined the soldier the more serious such a dereliction of duty. There remains nothing for me but to proitounco tho senee of tho court, slneo you havo pleaded guilty. Onco more, havV you anything to say?" And oncu moro Amos 'answered, "Noth ing." "Then." said .Klojd. in a low, grave voice, "the sentence of tho court s that j oil bo taken back to the guard-lent and lu ono hour from now you bo removed thence.' to n place to be determined upon nnd tbero shot. The court Is dissolved." Not a word moro wnB said. Tho guartl removed Iho prisoner, who, amid , ihe wondering glances of his coniraths. walked with Arm step to the guard-tout, where iho flap was lowered und lit was left to bis own medltullons. The hour passed nil too imirkly; but ere It struck there was a sound of plngllng spur and siabb.utl, nnd Kloyd strode Into the prisoner's pr since. Amos stooil up und saluted. "Duerden," t'tgon tho general. "I think you havo behaved llko a madman. Hut you left mo no option. I tin not wish to make your loud of trouble heavier than It Is already, but 1 wish to tell you that nlready your story Is known throughout the camp, and not ono of your comrades has a word to say In your blame. You havo forced mo to condemn you; you are acquitted by them." Still Amos was silent, und Floyd went i on, not without emotion, "You imvcd my life, Amos, nnd I would fain be of service to you now. Is tbero nothing you will allow me to do?" "General," wns the answer, "let mo faro my comrades' llio with my eyes un bound, nnd do you sic to it thnt Agnes knows that I atoned for my fault and died ns a btnve man should die." "! will," premised Kloyd. Ills voire was gruff and unsteady, nntl bis keen eyes wero moist as bo left the tent. Ten minutes later Amos Duertlon stood In front of tho firing-party told off to do him to death. His regiment, drawn up, looked on. and all the superior olllcers wero prestnt. Amos stood with his handkerchief In his hnnd which he vvns to drop as a sig nal for the volley which he was to cut his thread of life so suddenly. lie glanced at his comrades, and some of the rough fellows were weeping. He looked nt the sky, the woods, the tlver, for the Inst time, anil drew In a long breath of the sweet, fresh morning air. "Kor the Inst time," he thought dully. "Kor tliu last time," and braced himself for the coming shock. Suddenly, far nvvny, his eye caught sight of ft party of hot semen advancing at a gnllop. There was a Mutter of skirts somewhere In tho midst of them, nnd Amos, forgetting to give the signal. Hxed his eyes upon the cavalcade and held them there, fascinated. Nearer and neuter they came, until at last he could distinguish the familiar figures of men he knew. tint nmong them, horrible to drenm of, was his love, his Agnes, coming to see him die. A strange scream, autre llko that of an ani mal In pain than any human sound, burst from him. If he lost Ids nervo now ho would bo disgraced for ever. And It was going. Ho had wot looked for trial such as this. It was going going fast. Ho raised his hand above Ills head ami dashed tho handkerchief to the ground. "Fire!" Krom tho dark mouths of the leveled muskets tongues of Homo streamed vi ciously toward him. Tho rolling echoes of the volley died away, and Amos Duer den stood erect and unharmed. Dazed and bewildered, ho stared lu front of him, hearing, as a man In a dream, tho sound of those galloping hoofs. Then mechanically he raised his hand once more, and went through the action of dashing the handkerchief in tho ground. Hut Floyd, who had been watching him keenly, left his place nnd hastened to him. "Amos Duerden," ho said In a vtilco so loud that every man nsspmblctf there could bear each word that fell from his lips. "Amos Duerden, give me your hand." He stood, holding tho hand of the condemned man and went on: "You are a brave 'man and no coward, Amos Duerden. A coward would have hidden his fault, knowing that It could never bo discovered. Only a brave man I had wellnlgh said a hero could havo come forwartl, ns you did, to his own condem nation. Amos Duerden, there Is not a man nmong your eomrudes who docs not honor you today." A deafening cheer rent the nlr. You forced me ' to this courso to defend you from yourself. You have faced the death ou longed for, faced It as a brave man should. Its bitterness Is past for you. Your sin Is atoned for, and you oro free. Hy my ortler the muskets wero charged with powder alone." At that, Amos Duerden, brave, strong man as ho was, rocked from side to side llko a wind-shaken sapling, reeled nnd ft II, even ns a dead man, at his general's feet. When ho came to himself the noise of his comrades' cheering was still In bis ears; but his head was In Agnes' lap, and she was bending over him with tears of Joy streaming down her face. STORIES OF THE DAY. How Senator Mason Had Fun with the Ofllce-Seekers. Senator Mason, apparently In a great hurry, bustled Into the oflleo of Secre tary of tho Interior Hllss a few days ago. The secretary was out for a few moments, but Congressman Landls, the smooth-faced, boyish-looking mem ber from the Ninth Indiana district, occupied a chair near the Secretary's desk. The room was full of oltlco seekers sitting about eyeing everybody who came In, and waiting for the Se rctary to make his appearance. Sena tor Mason Is a great practical Joker, anil so Is Mr. Landls. As soon as the senator saw Landls sitting In the olllce he stepped forward, removed his silk hat nnd greeted him effusively. "I houe you are well this morning, Mr. Secretary?" said the Senator, with a sly wink. "Very well, thank you. Senator Ma son." "I called, Mr. Secretary, to see If you bad any Indian agencies left," said the Senator. "I am very sorry. Senator Mason, but they are all gone." "Well, how about those men I re commended?" "They have all been appointed, Sena tor." At the statement that the Indian agencies were all filled about a dozen of tho oHlce-seekers turned deathly pale, but Senator Mason and Mr. lin dls went merrily on with the farce. "I believe you have a number of Inspectors of Indian tribes?" Inquired Mason. "Oh, yep. Senator, we have two of them yet that are not filled," "Very well. I have the names of two men I wnnt appointed If the places are not spoken for." "All right, Senator; you know that you can always get anything you de sire from this department." At this remark fully a dozen more men who were watching on the "anx ious bench" looked at each other In abject horror, but Senator Mason glid ed merrily on down the list. Whenever It happened that there was anv office that bad not been tilled. Mr. Mason re quested It. and tho supposed secretary piomptly granted the request. Finally, after Senator Mnson had completely puralyzed the wnltlnir olllce-seokers, he shook Mr. I.andls' hand cordially nnd prepared to go. The supposed nec ivtary called after hlin. with a spirit of prodigality that fairly knocked the ofllee--seckers cold: "Hemember, senator, that whenever I can do anything for you or your trlend?, don't hesitate to call on mo." Then Congressman I.andls quietly excused himself for a moment and slip ped away' before Secretary Hllss ar rived. Eornker's Gentle Rebuke. Senator Fnraker strolled across to the desk of Senator Ilanna Jus't after the bill had been reported. "I say, Muik." said ho as the chair man of the llepubllean Natlonul com mittee and Junior senator from Ohio looked up, "you told mo your prlnel I al object In wanting to como to the I'ennle was to see that we got a good tat If? bill. Now, don't you think our beer and wool Industries havo been hit pretty hard?" Henator Ilanna took the question as a good joke, hut after awhile he be gan to wonder If his colleague didn't .mean to Infer that he hadn't accom plished so very much after all. How nn Ohio Man Caught the Bass. There aro a great many fishermen nnd relators of fish htorles In Colum bus, most of whom make their head quarters nt the court house. Hero Is tho latest story told there, according to the Columbus Dispatch: Every llshcrmun knows tho habits of JONAS LONG'S SONS. Some of the Newest Copy right $1.50 Books We Offer Today at - - A price unparallelled in the history of Bookdom. chance of a lifetime at these best of all books. Not over fifty of a kind so come early today. The titles: Choir Invisible By Jamos Lane Allen. The rianxman By Hall Cair Adventures of Francois By r. S. Weir Mitchell. Sorrows of Satan By Marie Corelli. Honorable Peter Sterling By Paul Ford. Beulah By Mrs. Augusta Evans. Prisoner of Zenda--By Anthony Hope. Soldiers of Fortune By Richard Harding Davis. ' The Forest Lovers By Maurice Hewlitt. A Lady of Quality By Frances H. Burnett. Elegantly bound in cloth some of them very handsomely illustrated. Pretending competition will have a cold chill when they read this price. In other stores $i.io. Jonas Long s Sons the black bass how the female hovers In the riffles below her bed where the eggs containing tho future jumper aro hidden, and how she will carry care fully to one side all drift and debris, and deposit it where the current will not wash It over the nest. Well, a farmer fishermnn out on Hlg Darby knew where there was an abnormally developed bass of gront avoirdupois. In vain he tried to coax that bass to swallow a fat minnow to which was attached a hook as big as a cotton bale grapple. Tho wily bass refused to swallow the lure, but each time as the minnow drifted over her bed sho would rush out, grab it gingerly by the tall and carry It away. Tho farmer was In despair, but finally an Idea struck him thnt was like a searchlight In Us brilliancy. He got a big double jawed steel trap, set It right on the nest, and after all the excitement evinced by the bass at this unwonted disturbance In her nursery had sub sided, he once moro dangled the poor minnow over the nest and between tho Jaws of the trap. Mrs. Hass made her rush, hit the trap pan slap bang, and was caught. With a whoop like the whistle of a harbor tug the granger splashed Into the Darby and bore his almost decapitated prize to dry land. He had conquered, but had used "oth er lure than hook and line." Only a Woman for a Starter. A brawny Swede visited the Chicago city hall the other day to procure a marriage license, nnd a couple 'if clerks to whom he Innocently stated his wishes directed him to the department where dog licenses are Issued. Ho approached the license window dllhdrntly, gave his name and nddns and nsked what the document would cost. "It will cost you l n year for every dojr you keep." replied the clerk. "Dog." echoed tho Swede. "Why certainly," continued the cleric, "don't you want a dog license?" "Hul, no." cried the would-be bene dict. "Ay knint affonrd to buy a ting dees yar. Ay vant to get only a voo mnn now." A Rainbow Wedding. A couple from Dillonvale took a day of last week, went to Martin's Ferry and wero mnirled, says the Wheeling Intelligencer. They were accompanied by one best young man and two little gills, and after the wedding the party hart their pictures taken. The bride was a brunette of about twenty, and wore red shoe", a brown skin, pink waist, straw bat, trimmed with dowers, anil she also wore a long white veil, on the streets and elsewhere, as Is characteristic of the Italians. Huns. Slavs Hohemlans, Austiians and peo ple nf several other foreign language"" at Dillonvale. The groom v ore ,i seven-dollar Llaek suit, blled shirt, eel lulold collar, white necktie, ,i ninety cent hat and a pair nf Dillonvale shots. The best oung man did not look nearly o pretty as the nevviv mar lied man, ami the two girls wore vvhlt trimmed with turquoise blue, yellow, lobster green, old rose and Long Hun red. nnd the party locked very .stunning and picturesque. They took In Mar tin's ferry and walked to Aottmvllle. n to peanuts, sweet cakes and cheap candy, nnd drank river water and soua water, nnd rested 1." luliuiiox .n ilia Wheeling nnd I.nke Kile depot b'-foro returning to Dillonvale. A Poem of Punctuation. Voting Jenkins was a printer man. A likely youth, but rash; He thought he might to shine In life, And tried to cut a He loved his master's daughter; sho Adored him, so he thought; Hut oh! the ways of womankind: ills love it came to 0. He wrote a note, lu which ho let Ills doting fancy free; She cried, "Oh, what u rlhk to run! TIs quite '. " Now lu tho note he cried, "If you Don't to my oleadlns hark, I'll die! I'll dle!"-but she did not His ! She put tho note straight In the fire, Tho flamo but flovviy stole on; She broke another coal In two, Am) put a ; And m the note wns burned and sho Itetlrcd to bed, qtdte weury; Meanwhile poor Jenkins waited for Tho auuwer to his '.' It never came. His mind gavo way, And fairly went to rackets; Ouo tope end ho (ltd around his neck, Tho other loimtl somo I For once, although teetotal, he Allowed hlin.eir a drop; And, qulto cut up, he, when cut down, Hud como to a . . Anon, JONAS LONG'S GOVft-. vlyQl SPECIAL SALE This Week of Now is Iho timo to get a bargain at theso prices. You cannot ob tain them in tho future. Call and sue thorn. Fine Diamond Kings nt J3.00, worlh worth worth worth S10..W. Solid Gold Hand ltlncs at U.2o, $.1.50. Solid Gold Hand Itlngs nt J1.00, 52.22. Filled Cuff Huttons. EOc, Gold $i.:'j. Cuff Huttons, previous prices $1.00, now 37c. Gent's Solid Silver Watch, Klgln move ment, J.1..V). Ladles' Sterling Silver Watches, worth $j..r,0, now $.1.7j. Gents Nickel Watches, S. w prlco $;!.uil, now 1.7.r. Hogers Hros'. Spoons, wnrrantcd, COc. Hogers Hros'. Hotter Knives. Suga" 1KU'- irlcA aye- Spoons, Pickle Forks, 37c, previous pried 7,'C. Ladles' Solid Gold Watch, Klgln moV ment, S14.sn. 1-adles' Gold Filled Watches at $i'..r.0, worth $15.oii. We also have about three hundred La dles' Solid Silver nings, worth 30c. and 7."e,, will close them at lie. each. Special sale now going on at Davldow Hros. Attend as we are offering goods at one-fourth their original value. Kxtrn Heavy .Solid Silver Thimbles a, 19c. Davidow Bros 227 Lackawanna Ava. TAKE TIMC BY THE FORELOCK.' Car load just arrived. All styles, and prices the lowest. Workmanship guaranteed ev :i on THE CHEAPER GRADES. Keep us in mind and you won't re grot giving us your patronage you will get goods as represented giving you' our easy terms of payment or very lowest prices for cash. Immense stock of Household Goods Stoves, Carpets. Iron Beds. etc. PIva largo floors full to the celling a. Th03. Kelly's Stom, HriftifM',,, HOT AFTER, TAMMANY TIGER. ZItll's and McLaughlin's Forces United Against Croker's. New York, Sept. 0. War of formid able proportions has been declared on Tammany hall by the allied up-state forces of ex-Senator David II. Hill and those of Hugh McLaughlin und his Kings county organization. Frank Campbell, chairman of tin Democratic state committee, will In a few days open a permanent state head quitters at the Hoffman House. He will lie In chargo and the management of the state organization ami the cam paign for assemblvmen this fall will be controlled by Hill nnd McLaughlin. Last year Tammany and the Kings county organization were united and ns a result Hichurd Croker controlled tho stnto convention and managed the campaign that ended In tho defeat of his candldato for governor. Frank Campbell, who Is n friend nnd follower of Hill, was a spectator at Demotrnuo stato headquarters during the cam paign last fall. He was not consulted by Croker nnd had no part In the ton duct of the canvass. Tho Hill-McLaughlin combination will control tho stato committee and the Tammany lenders will not be con sulted In the management of the cam paign for members of the ussembly and for dolegates to tho stale convention that will elect dolegates-nt-larKO to the next national convention of tho patty. icy s in (mots , .jwiBiMia . ... ti ju . -t -.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers