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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Brussels Post, 1908-11-5, Page 2A'woe in Armor ptell Lease sone^ of you may remem- ber how little Elsieeves !mprls- aped in the immense cluck which etood In the neuway of grandpa's house. She had tllways supposed a big giant hood there, you know, and that It was ho who boomed forth solemnly tho half ileum MI the hours. And when sho saw the door ajar and no one within she felt tempted to hide there, just to sec how it fit Then the door swung to and she was 11014 fast inside. GranO- Pa had rescued her, so that really no harm was done; but ever afterward ac she passed along'that hall, by the old clock, she couldn't help shuddering - Months niter this adventure happ0nce she paid another visit to grandpa and grandma, accompanied by her father and mother. As was her custom, sho ran out to the barn as soon as site had greeted every eta nt the house, and there saw her friends among the ani- mals. noWhen she had olld pets had lbeen !slight- ed, and when she had said "cloud after- noon" even to the geese, she male her way batik to the house. Running up the steps, across the porch andthenthreaglt the great oaken deers, soon she found' tl�heeamostuaedaongShhad Timorously tho REMOVED THE CASQIIE stairs baring to the sitting room on the floor above when suddenly she heard a Hinny erealdng noise. Elsie quickly turned bet head. What a sight met her eyes! Right behind her stood a complete suit of armor, worn by one of Elsie's ancestors far back in the Middle Ages. And now 1t seemed that Ms suit of null woe turning Its headpiece toward her, while. It squeaked and creaked as though sn•iving to speak. Line ninment the little girl looked, spellbound; then she darted upstairs with a shriek. "•Grandpa! Grandpa! the armor has come to llfel" she cried. Of course, all the folk descended to the hall at once. And when father re- moved the,casette of the figure what do you think he found? Nothing but a little mouse, which Leaped to the floor and farted through the hall. This little mischief -maker, it seems, built his nest In the armor, and he it was who moved the head and made the mysterious squeaks. Cahp -Mer°chant gvi00R IIAJ8CSTY, there remallle not a coin In tiro treasury, \\'11at shall 00 do t0 defray the expenses of our huueeholeer "170 as you have done 10 the past," returned the caliph, ri'itll a soOwl; "tax the pe01,10," The grand etzler shook hie head doubtfully. "'they aro elreariy on lbs point of revolting horauso er their heavy taxes," said he, "nor do I think they will submit le a further 1019051- tlon." 1110.oWlty,1 mind emylshaving appointed 001u to loop after my affairs, do you come to 111e with your troubles? Have T THE smithy, in the glare of a bleaTng ferge, Paul wrestled With a troublesome 'problem. Where DID they go? Closely his oro would follow the comet flight of Pale golden sparks, created in myriads with each rhy'U1mlc descent of the ponderous hammer. Darting from the glowing metal like tiny stars, they would hang suspended in the air. All a -glittering and a -shimmering they would be, until a fairy breath would blow them out. Then gone would be sputter and shimmer and star. And little Paul would rub his eyes and won- der and wonder just !WHITHER they, had vanished. But Paul was not so much absorbed in this problem as to be indifferent to happening's out of doors. Suddenly h0 exclaimed: "Oh, father, there's n man coating down the road and lie has a gun and wears soldier clothes!" Shading hls eyes with his hand, the blacksmith gazed from the doorway along the ono, straggling thoroughfare of the village, An Instant later he bel- lowed; Pon my word, if it's not Remsen— young Dick Remsenl Well, well, Dlck; so you're home again!" The wayfarer was easily within range of the smiths powerful voce, and he shouted lustily in return, Right you are John!" Laving cordially shaken hands, the two engaged In animated conversation. It for that Lord and Dick troops private in the Continental Army, was home from .Boston on a short furlough. "Before long," commented John 11111. ott, we'll see a British fleet riding hero in the sound; mark my words." "Then they'll go as 414 the other fleet!" fiercely responded Dick, shoul- dering his musket with an eager move- ment. Turning to go, he observed little Paul. 'Have you no greeting for me, lad—no greeting for your old friend Diok?" Paul came forward shyly. Of course, he always had a welcome for Dick, but this wasn't the same Dick to whom he had been accustomed, ITIS Dick wore no uniform of buff and blue; nor was CO "CVP IMMENSE CHUNKS FROM A HAM" the Diek he remembered wont to emery a big, heavy musket, louring the men's conversation he had watched Dick with the wide-open eyes of astonishment, clutching a corner of his father's loather apron the while, This fear soon passed away, however, and so much did Paul learn from Pri- hetieenloiulged for the that ehe sh could carry a big, heavy gun and march away to fight. Several weeks passed, In the mean- time John Elliottenlistedin the army. Mrs. Elliott, Aunt Itarriet end Paul were left by themselves in the little house—and the village of Ilueschwleke was without a blacksmith. One peaceful summer's day, still la the year 1776. John Elliott's predic- tion was fulfilled. Into Long Is101,4 sound sailed a British fleet; therefrom swarmed an army of red -coated sol- diers. Lord Howe had come from Hali- fax. With him In the encampment on Staten Island were troops of 80,000 well-trained men. c Scarcely two months later there was borne to the ears of those who re- malned In Buesekwicke the sound 01 strenuous conflict. The rattle of mus- ketry could be distinguished clearly, together with tile persistent boom of cannon. Paul huddled close to his mother as she and Aunt I3arriet sat in pale -faced anxiety. At Met the firing ceased; silence again reigned over the hamlet. Wishing to escape from the stifling air of the closed vorable tya dto osteal away fto the red barn. High up In the hayloft he secreted his small person. Cer- tainly 110 redcoat could find him there! All at once the boy was startled to hear a fumbling at the door latch. The door swung open and a soldier In the Continental uniform staggered in. After a momentary indecision he desperately climbed to the hayloft, flinging himself down, exhausted, near ,the lad's hiding place. Paul's first Impulse was to bury himself deeper in the hay. Then, although his heart went thump, thump. thumpl he found courage to peer through the stay screening him into the woundedman's dust -begrimed face, "Private Dick!" he gasped, thrust- ing aside the hay. "Lieutenant Dick," corrected the man as he feebly smiled. Again there came a noise at the door. Lieutenant Dick motioned the boy to be silent. The next instant there entered four British troopers. Reasoning from the quantity of pro- visions carried, their foraging for food had not been unsuccessful. The troopers had jested for a while about them, buslilytloccupiedt,in} cut ting immense chunks from a ham with his ohtspknlf0, remarked: I believe about' 3000 0f the rebels got away. They've scampered toward the fort by 1110 ferry. Lord Howe's orderly says we're going to clean thein out tomorrow before daybreak least, so he heard the general say." Shortly afterward the soldiers In \'/hercIn cs is li 111 Dv/P.S. (jrs. LAC!ERC gazed anxiously l�777 across the table at the colonel, 1s'l:o nervously toyed with the food before hint. "Aren't you feeling well??" she asked, solicitously. "You look worried." "I beg your pardon," exclaimed the colonel, rousing h!mselt from lis reverie. "The fact is," Ito added, frankly,"I.aeo a bit worried. 'L-ntll lately everything has gone well with me may Project for the munnfaeturs of paper bilge front bagasse, the woody fiber of sugar cane, But now the darkies appear discontent- ed—both those in the flelds and the workers in 111e mill, Why, even old uncle Toby, who 1e usually as open and obeerful es the day, is moping and sullen. The hands seem to think they deserve higher wages, although for- merly they always were contented. I don't understand 11.e LOUIS EXPLAINS Louts and Marguerite listened to this oonvereatlon, of course, without saying a word. But when breakfast was over, and they weretrudging toward the stables to have their pontes saddled for the usual morning canter, Louis gave expression to the thoughts which troubled them both, "I knew something was the matter," be muttered. "And, do you know, I think We all on peccant of that nice - looking Barky girt they call 'Ifandsarme Slue,' who lame here to work about two Weeks ago. Tier people all believe she tan do all some Of Wonderful magic through her ',modes. charms. She has a great Influence among them --an influ- ence which I don't believe will make for any good, "Did I tell you of what happened to me last Week? 1 was paddling In the bayou toward Lake Ilontehartraln, It was about eight. miles from Pecan Grove, 11 you measure the distance 08 the grow Ales, when I crew up under an overhanging eypress to reel. a me - Mont. .All at Once there 0am0 to me the sound of VOlces, mingled In a kind of chant. That etarted ma investlgatdng, I paddled along as quietly as I med. et seems that Duly had some one on the vitejeli, for Just ne 1 was about to come In mow' of the group there was a, 01101100, tine 'when I eernmblod tip the bahit 1 Mead a great member of foot• prints, hot ne one was there, Yet I'm sure When 1 Wile in the groat 1 heard among the vetoes that of Handsome Sue," — 0 NOT that the monkey was an un- gracious host—no, Indeed,he was anything but that. When thetortoise arrive at hi 1 0 d house o the S s t7 t evening before, he had made the old fellow welcome, saying: "Come In, Mr. Tortoise, and I shall make you as comfortable as I can." And when the rabbit 00100 wearily to a halt before the monkey's door, and begged the favor of a glass of 10.er, the monkey straightway palled tum m1O the house and declared that he would lodge there for the rest of the nlg,et. So, too, the kangaroo was forms to b0CmU0 the guest of the kind Mr. Mon- IcOy. his mouth, though making no sound, and beckoning with his hand. With the clogs held in leash, they traveled with little difficulty toward the open apace among the trees, where the negroes were holding their voodoo meet- ing. There was no fear of being de - Meted now, for the darkies were so hilarious that they could not have heard a cannon above the uproar. Peering through the :wrest Of bashes, the eyes of the two grew big and round, Upon a largo box in the middle of a clearing stood "Handsome Sue,' garbed in clothes and scarfs of brilliant calors it which red predominated. Roundand round the box she writhed in a meeultar sort of dance, w11l!e about her 1n a great circle danced negro men and women will% queer, jerky, convulsive re ve- ments. TEE NEGROES FLEE Then, with a sign of warning to Mar- guerite, Louis released the dogs. Right' into the center of the mooting ground ---'r.^-- �i dashed the two huge animals. One at0o, and with cries of alarm and ter - tor, every negro was !n glRight. So sud- "PEI;RDD THROUGH THL UNDLRBRUSIP" den was the disappearance that Mar - Marguerite nodded her head thought- fully, as sho replied, "Yee, there's something strange about that girt. I wish we knew more about her I have it!" cried Louis,"Tetley, Of course. is a holiday, being All Sainte' Day. 0t'e ten to one. Sue fs holding a meeting out there 111 the bayou, Sup- pose we take the two hounds, anti pole -down the stream 1n the little soo0. Wo might be able to break up their jab - berme and de a good turn for .father, Because If they believe he knows what's going on I'll Wager they Went bo So anxious to hold their council again to plan mischief. Aro yeti game?" 311e sister recklessly whispered "Yea',And 50011 the two were stealthily mak- ing their way toward the boat 101141ng. Louts secured the two bloodhounds telthe1,1 being obeorved by any of the etablemen, They quicklyeast off flat painter, In a element te turns of the bayou hid them from 8IOW, - A long voyage it was to their desti- nation. After winding for a full hour through the torttmus byways of the Loulsiano, bayou, they came to the le- i goon, of Over this they and 1sulgar 110 and sweet 101111008; then again into tho bayou, traveling silently along the g110my watery paths, dialed by Wok.. IY growing pine and eypreas,. Turtles and snakes 001114 splash o1 deed Sturnpe 01 t0040 at the beat's ui Beneath them catfish, drum, crappie, buffalo -fish and blank bees disported themsolvoe, But the arlvintnrors were hot to be tempted today, They were after greater prey. Aren't the almost there?" whispered Mar lterite, when for flours they had 11004117 progressed away from Pecan Calve, in the direction of the lake. Almost," tersely' responded Louis. Then he raised els hand, "Did you hear that?" he asked in a IOw voice. Marguerite nodded. From afar oft there came the sound or a quaver111g, ehoeus, rising and falling In mournful cadences. Afterward there mac a mins lite of quiet, then came a a 1000seem of quick, savage yells that tell confusedly o0 the ear. p Ing the punt fth oughotlhiestangled brutal. 511110 Marguerite set shout quieting the grounds, who had hemline exceedIngl.V rcetless. At )est they rounded the bank Louis had described that morning. No one head witnessed their epp1seoach. £o11 stay !n the boat With the doge, White I reeohnetter," said the boy. Carefully drawing himself up the Mai - eery embankment, he sidled from one tree to anether, 3Vloanwhlle, his sister Wlljied with growing fmpatieneo. It 80901114 a fail !tour had elapsed When the tad re- , ."'Bring the doge,' ho articulated with turned gu0rlte and Louts could hardly believe their eyes. They recalled the dogs, who Were about to pursue some 01 the ne- gtmes. So excited Were tiro boy and girl that they Weed hardly accomplish the jour- ney back Miele meekly enough. And when they burst In upon their father, the oelonel, you can imagine hove in- terested he was In their story. "You shouldn't have done it," he said, When the talo of theh' escapade Was tonctuded, "Nevertheless, I'm glad, in- deed. to learn of these doings among my hands, I believe I can now go about remedying my troubles In the proper way.' As a result of the children's discovery ' "11,ndsom0 Sue" wee dlechargod on the morroet, She it was, h0 001.1h1, wlto had Incited the dakles to melte such enrea- sonablo demands. There was pgeneral murmur 0f protest and a0n1Owhat of defiance when Sue Was told to depart, A few of the hands loft with her but the rest, now removed from the inlet.- onceof the voodoo (1110889, soon became the capable workers they Ware for- merly, and all discontent saemed to vanish. Marguerite and 1.0010 often reeallett "Handsome Sue," and Wondered whether sho became the queen of another body 01 voodoo Worshipers, lvfat'geerito wee Just a teeny, Weeny hit afraid that pera haps the "queen.. might (Met :mine horrible Spell upon therm, as was ill- Meted by her old muse,. Rut T.oultt ,e :witted at the Idea and declared 110 Wes 'x. ready to meet any mullet 01 vaudoWt, d and 01. MY LIMO, tOO, high humor tramped from the barn. "Going to attack the fort tonight! I must warn out' mon! I've simply got to do 111"' Melt, with an effort, raised himself to his elbow; then he collapsed. Confound this reg!" ho moaned, hie features working with anger and pain. For a minute he 1019 quiet, his eyes closed. Suddenly he looked up at Paul. lied," saki he, "four father told me he would turn Dobbin into the woods. Is the horse still there?" "Yes, father took Jupltor away with him," replied Paul, "but Dobbin is la the woods." Perhaps the British haven't found him," Dietz murmured, reflectively. Looking straight iota Paul's eyes, 11e bald: Lad, I taught you to ride, Are you willing to catch old Dobbin, and ride to the ferry with the message I will and for ourrenoutry? Jo this—for Inc, Paul drew himself up to his full height, and clenched his sturdy little lists tightly-, 'Yes, Lieutenant Dick," he whispered steadily, although his lip quivered the least bit. Dick hastily wrote upon a piece of Paper. When aniseed, he read aloud: a 'Colonel Hall; "Am lying wounded at Rccacllwicke. Fort should be abandoned immediately. British attach tomorrow morning. LIEUT. RICHARD REMSEN." As though in afterthought, the lieu- tenant scribbled another little note, Both pieces of paper he rolled into tiny pellets. Ile !landed them to Paul, saying: Take this first piece of paper and give it to the soldiers at the fort— that is, if you ran, Should British men stop you, destroy cite paper (swallow It, If you have to), tell 1110110 you have Just come from the fort, but have lost your way, and show them this other pellet, Now, lad, you'd best be off. May God bless yea!" (TO I3P, CONTINUED.) SDW.S TIIE GOODS" You not sufficient brains to plan? Leave me. I shall think of a way out of the dtlnculty." And when the caliph had smoked sev- enteen nargliilelis—tvhleh, as you know, are a sort of water pipe—he 141 upon a school e. The !next day 1t was announced throughout Bagdad that the caliph him- self was about tosell merchandise upon the main street. Of course, the whole population of the elle flocked to where the caliph sat under Ins tent, erected on the sidewalk and surrounded with bales of costly fab- rics. Tee eallph had but to fix his own prices—you may be sure that he made them high enough — and the people bought and bought until 11e had dis- posed of all hls waves. Nor wee it long before the caliph made such vast sums 111 the way of profit that his treasury was again tilled, wherot1pon he promptly retired from muslnees," The very nest thing he did rifler resuming his throne was to order the grand vizier put to death, because of Ills lack of cleverness. So, you see, the caliph couldn't have been a very good man, evert thoughhe had much brains. But it was for the very reason that the monkey indignantly refused Pay- ment that the three wayfarers wished to return his kindness in some fitting way. Had he not something to do— eeorlt 01 some sort—with which they might aid film? No, said the monkey at time and then he bethought himself that it was high time his wheat were sown. Did the tor- toise, the rabbit and the kangaroo wish to help him? It would not take so very long. Of course the three would help. And they straightway slung the bags of grain about their shoulders. Over the field they went, sowing the grain Indus- ra triously. So hard ltd they work that by 110011 the task was flnished. There- upon the monkey Y invited ire t o din - nee i-ne1after which he speeded them upon their tvny, The monkey had almost forgotten about his three guests when the shoots of the young wheat began to appear above the ground. Out to his 1de14 trudged the monkey to examine its growth. Rut when there- h0 stared aghast. Ilow dict it happen that the wbeat grew in such peculiar fashion? Then the solution of the problem pre- sented Itself to hhn. The tortoise, In sowing, made such slow progress that the grains wore Elfin dropped very close together—so close that when they grew un thee -would make It difficult for the monkey to pass through the waving tops. And the rab- bit ran so swiftly tlmt the wheat was distributed over a vast tract of ground, only a grain or two appearin„ In any ono place. While the k..garco deposlt- ec1 a handful of wheat at each hop, so that the wheat grew up in widely sep- arated clumps. And the monkey found that the tor- toise, tiro rabbit and the kangaroo had unintentionally to k0ofleveiy Inc tther�eabouts laughing stnn.loieaegnn this field or grain, is d all manner et fun at the monkey, eireseez hi s ra"..r,:sxc,e 'rineer.:5" /y,r1 • ..74;47,9 ejartOterfle- ,.Tfrauyr fyc a7Cri° eMl77 isle\ 0