University of South Carolina Libraries
HORSE-SHOE ROBINSON A TALE OF THE TORY ASCENDENCY BY JOHN P. KENNEDY CHAPTER XIV. ••mething Very Like a Dream. It v*s after midnight, and the in- ■Mtes of the woodman's cabin had teen some hours at rest, when Mary Wnsisrove’s sleep was disturbed by tftr&nce and unwonted alarms. She wwm dreaming of Authur Butler, and ■ crowd of pleasant visions flitted •bout her Pillow when, suddenly, eAouds darkened the world of her dream, and images of bloodshed cans ed her to shudder. Horrid shapes appeared to her. marching with idrolthy pace through her apartment, •ad a low and smothered footfall seemed to strike her ear like the •eking of a death-watch. The fright •wakened her. but when she came to BerseM all was still. Her chamber was at the opposite end of the cabin from that. where Butler and Robin- sen slept, and it was separated from As room occupied by Lynch only a thin Partition of hoards. The dtar * 1 V-ht through her window fell up on the floor, just touching, as it pass- sd. the chair over which Mary had hnnr her clothes, and lighting with a doubtful and spectral light the nrom tnent Points of the pile of garments, hi snch manner as to give it the sem blance of som ( . unearthly thing. Mary •nsrrov*- had the superstition corn- won to rustic education, and. as her dream had already fl'lod her mind wt f ' apprehensions sh< now trembi nd when bcr pve fell upon what s<“ m •d to her a visitant from another world Poi sonu> moments she ex serienc'd that most painful of all ontfcrlnge. the agony of young and •redetous minds when wrought upon irr their horror of sireotp s in the ■dght Gradua ly. however, the truth same to her aid. and she saw the dreaded gVist disrobed of his terrors, •nd changed into a familiar and harm- lep* re^litv Tint thi« night fear was scarcely dt-sinated before she again board what in hep sle n bad con jured nj* the train of disagreeable hca''w tlm noise of footstens in the groining room. In another instant dh* recognized the sound of voices •snver^ipg in a half whinner. “Mlcha"! ” said the first voice: ‘Thimn it man. wil’ you m ver awake? '■ousf fottrseif: it is time to be stir #ng ” “Wat!” exclaimed th ■ second voice, with * loud yawn whilst at the same •omeui the creaking of the bedstead •nd a snllcu sound upon the floor Showed that the simnker had risen from i,i s couch "Is it v rii? 1 have Inrdlv gone to bed before you are Boro to rouse me ur What o’clock fr it?” “It in neat'v one.” replied Wat Adair ‘ Arid let me tell you. you lave no ',im> to lo®e. flugh Haber- «4iaw 'g good ten miles off. and you ■unt be back by daylight.” '“You might have given me anoth- sv hmir. I think if it was onlv to consider ov^r the right way of set- ling about this thing Always look Before von 'nap. that's common •ense." “Yon werp always a heavy-tmaded #evi1 ” «nid yda'r: “and take as much •Purring as a snavlned horse What ▼on tr> do with considering? Isn’t all fixed? Jog. man. Jog. You have a beautiful starlight: and I had the crop ear put up in the stable last night, that no time might be lost: so un. and saddle, and away!” “Well, you needn’t be so d—d busy; don’t you see that I am get ting ready?” “Quiet. Mike; you talk too loud. Take your shoes in your hand, you can put them on when you get into the porch.” “There, give me my coat. Wat; and I think I should have no object ion to a drop before I set out It’s raw riding of a morning. Now tell me exactly what I am to say to Hugh Habej-Bhaw.” “Tell him.” replied Wat. “that we have got. Horse Shoe Robinson and Major Butler of the Continental army, as snug as a pair of foxes in a bag. and that I will let them run exactly as seven: and—” “Not to interrupt you. Wat.” said th« other, “let. me ask vou a question before vou go on. Suppose this shouldn’t be the man? Are vou sure of it? It wonild he a d—d unchristian ioh to give ovep any other human be ing to such a "«t of bloodhounds as Hugh Habersbaw and his gang.” “Shaw. Mike; yon are a fool! Who. in thp name of all the imps, con’d it be. but Major Butler! Weren’t-we expecting him along with Horse Shos. and just at this time?” “It looks libHv enough ” replied Lvnch. “So go on.” “Tell Hugh to be read. at the TV)f» w - (>0( ] Snrings. at the latest, by eight o'clock. I’ll give him a game * nlay that will sunpro bis joints for bim. And mind me Mike, warn the greasv cspta'n to have bis whole squad with him: for Horse Shoe Robinson, von know, is not to be handed by boys: it. will be a bullfight, or I'm mistaken.” “The major seems to hav« - wiek pa ev- too Wat.” said Lvnch “I shouldn’t like much to he in his w f ay, if b'' was angrv: these oonnerhe’Hj a*- always in a coil roadv to strike. I But Wat. bow if ihev don’t, ride by! the Dogwood Soring?” “lieave that to me: IT contrive to g<> ns far as the forks of the road with th m. And then, if thev don’t. | take the right hand fork, whv you may sav it’s for the want of mv not knowing how to tell a lie.” “Now Wat Adair. I don’t like to snoii snort hut may he. vou have never thought whether it would he WO'U.’i while just to take t’other side, and tell Horse Shoe the whol“ busi ness Couldn't, we. don’t you think, "et 3= much mnnev. and just as hon- eaf’v. h v hoisting color with Major Butler?” “But I hav" thought of that and it won’t do for two reasons. First, t^ese Fonflnonals are on the down hill and monev | s as scarce with them as honeriv with the redcoats: ’ cecond the Tories have {rof «o much the unner hand in the whole country that I should karo mv house burnt down and mv children thrown ivto tbp blazp of if in less than three da.vs if I wa= to let these fallows sMn through my flngej-y-” “^Vll f never knew ” «nid ’'tike Lynch, “any piece of villanv that hadn’t «ome good reasons to stand by it, and that’s what makes it "groeable to my conscience to take a hand.” “Why, you off scouring,” replied ' ,r at. “it is enough to make Old Scratch laugh, to hear you talk about conscience! There ain’t no such a thing going in these ^vs. So be off; I’.l look for you at daylight.” “I’ll ride. Wat as If the devil was on mv crunner: so good bye!" Thp cessation of the voices, the distant tramn of Lynch when ho had left thp cabin, and the cautious re treat of Wat Adair to his chamber, told to Mary that the affair was set tied, and the plan of treachery in full career towards its consumma tion. The dia’ogue that had just passed In the hearing of the maiden disclos ed a plot that deeply agitated and distress-^d her. What did It become her to do. was the first question that presented Itself to her refaction, as soon as she was sufficiently self- oossessed to turn her thoughts upon herself. Was it In her power to avert the impending disaster which threatened thp lives, perhaps, of those who had sought the hospitality of her kinsman? Perp’exed. f”*may- ed. and uncertain how to a< i. she had recourse to an expedient, natural to her education, and such as would ap-'aar most obvious to a feeble and guileless female: it was to tb > simp le and faith-inspired expedient of prayer. And now. in artless but sin cere language, having first risen up in her bed. and bent her hodv across her pillow, in th« attitude of suppli cation she fervently implored the sunnort of heaven in her nres^nt strait, and besought wisdom and strength to conceive and to do that whieh was needful for th n security of the individuals whose peace was threatened by this conspiracy. “I will arise” slm said as she finished Imr short and earnest, nray- ep. “with the first light of ttm dawn, and wait the coming of the strang les from their chamber, and I will then l)e the first, to tell them of the snaro that is nrenared for them.” With this resolve she endeavored to oomnose herse'f to rest, but sleep t'ed hep evelid . and h°r anxious thoughts dw-elt unon and oven mag nified the threat uied peri's. It might be too late. sh<> reflected, to wait for the dawn of day; Adair might b® before her at the door of the gne°ts. and hie constant presence might take from her all hone of being able to eommunicair the important sec ret to them: it was undoubtedly her surest course to take advantage of the stillness of the night, whilst the honseho’d were wrapt in sl^en and annrise the etramrorw of their danger. But then, how was she to malro her way to them apartment, and arouse them, at this hour from their slumb ers? To what suspicions might the attempt expose her. even form Ar tbpr But'er himself? And. more narticuiar’y. what would Jim Ram- oav think- of it. if the storv should be afterwards told to her disadvant age? This ’ast w'as an interrogatory which Mary Mnsgrove was often f ound putting to h«rse1f in winding un a self communion. On the pre- c ont occasion this anneal to the 'minion of John Ramsey had the op- ~o«it/> effect from that wfliich might ’•'tvo linen evnnnt'd from it tt ^uer Schnapps Tobacco is Hade ENTIRELY from Floe Cored • Tobacco Gown in the Piedmont Country. The Imitation Brands Have Schnapps Quality Only On the Outside Of the Plug Hundreds oi imitation brands are on sale that look like Schnapps to bacco. The outside of the imitation plugs of tobacco is flue cured the same as Schnapps, but the inside is filled with cheap, flimsy, heavily sweetened air cured tobacco. One chew of Schnapps will satisfy tobacco hunger longer than two chews of such to bacco. The color, size and shape of the tags, plugs and packages of certain imitation brands of tobacco have been made so much like Schnapps that they have often been icceptcd by buyers under the belief that they were getting Schnapps. Sufficient proof has been secured to establish the fact that certain >rands are infringements and in vio lation of the trade mark laws, yet the rade will continue to be imposed upon by these infringers until the suit already entered and now pending to protect Schnapps is decided. A gr^at many of these imitations are claimed to be “just as good ” ag Schnapps, but there is only one gen uine Schnapps. Be sure the letters on the tag, and stamped on the plug under the tag spell sAd-H-N-A-P-P-S and then you have it—the most wholesome tobacco produced, with just enough sweetening to preserve the mild, juicy, stimulating quality of the leaf tobacco. Expert tests prove that this flue cured tobacco, grow* in the famous Piedmont region, re quires and takes less sweetening tha* any other and has a wholesome, stimulating, satisfying effect o» chewers. If the tobacco you are chewing don’t satisfy you more than the mere habit of expectorating, stop fooling yourself and chew Schnapps tobacco. Schnapps is like the tobacco chewers formerly bought costing from 75c. to $1.00 per pound; Schnapps is sold at 50c. per pound, in 5c. cuts, strictly 10c. and 15c. plugs. R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, Winston-Salem, M 0, rr>-v l!"h*« ♦o her mi nd and V>pr t^OM "lift; info another "tl A ’iron rrV» | tha’ re rolution ^ r*r» ajd wt-i’nk Lor r>ro Vf>»- was in w Imitation is the r Sinceresf Flattery ,, The unprecedented popularity of Royster’s rARMERS' BONE fertilizer has induced some of our competitors to advertise Fish Guano, claiming theirs to be “just as good.” FARMERS* BONE is the original Fish Guano, and, to prevent being imposed upon, buyers Should be sure that our trade-mark is on every bag. This is the only guarantee that you are getting the genuine Farmers’ Bone Mado with Fish F. S. ROYSTER GUANO CO. Norfolk, Va. Columbia, S.O. Tar boro, N.C. Macon, Ca. For Sale by Carroll & Byers. Cures Biliousness, Sick Headache, Sour Stom ach, Torpid Liver and Chronic Constipation. Pleasant to talla Cleanses the system thoroughly and clears sallow complexions of laxative Fruit Syrup Par Sale By CaarokM On* Co. For Bale Bv ChorokM On* Cm. Par tala By Cbarokaa Drva Ca. I tended t invoke. What would John Ramsav think—ho. tho friend of liberty, and of Washington, the com- i patriot of Butler and Robinson, now toilinrr with thorn in the same c* ise! What, would lie think, if sh > his own Mary (and the maiden rested a moment on this phrase), did not do 1 evervthins: in her power to save these soldiers of independence from the blow which treachery "-as now aimine at them “John would have ffood riprht to he angrv with me." she hr athed out in a voice that even startled herself, “if I did not give them full warning of what I have heard. This I am sure of. he wi’l believe my story whatever others- may say.” Innocence and purity of mind are both sword and shield in this world, and no less inspire confidence to de fy the malice and uncharitableness of enemies than they s'.-engthe” the arm to do what is right. Mary, ther* fore, resolved to forego all : m"indeni7 scruples and braveytoper- ' form her duty, come what might; and having settled upon this con clusion she impatiently awaited the moment when she might venture forth upon her office of humanity. T this situation it was not long be fore sho heard the distant footfall of a horse’s gallon a’ong the road, in- dloatine to her the denp”* of Ml eh'’- 1 Lynch upon his traitorous em- bas«v. The time seemed to he propitious, so Mary arose and dressed herself. Then tripping stealthily to the door that open d upon the perch she un did the holt. A loud and pro’onged croak, from the wooden hinges, caused hr-r to shake from h°ad to foot. She listened for a moment, and. finding that no one stirred step, ---'d forth with the timid and falter in" step whirh would no less have marked the intent of the burglar, than as now it did. th frightened nrotion of a guardian spirit bent un on an errand of good. Midway along ’he noroh she had to pass the win dow of Adair’s apartment; first, the low growl, and then the sudden bark of th'i watch dog saluted her ear. and made her blood run cold. The naidon’s hand, however, soothed him into silence: hut the nols^ had attracted the notice of Wat Adair, who grumh’od out a short curse from within which was distinctly audlb’e to Marv. She hastily tl'd to the fur ther end of the noroh. and there stood cowering close against the wall, almost as mute and motion- 1 ss as a statue, scarce daring to breathe and noised as in the act f o run with her weight resting on one foot, tho other rais'd from the floor. I-> tiiis i*osition she remained during a lop" interval of fear, until, at length convinced that all was quiet, she again ventured forward. The wi- ’o v of the travellers’ chamber i looked out from the gahlo end of the dwel lng. and she was now immo- diate’v before it. One of the b°ds of the zoom she knew was placed hosid > thi« window, and was occu pied by either Butler or Robinson. Tremblingly and mistrustfully, she "ave a feebl tap with her hand against the sash. There was no ans wer: the se<*p within was the sleep of Bred men and was not to be broken by the light play of ’a maid en’s fing*rs. She now picked up a pebble from the ground, and with it again essayed to wake the sleepers. This. too. was unsuccessful. In ut- ier hopelessness of accomplishing her mirnose by other means, she ven tured noon raising the sash; and havin" done so. she thrust her head partially Into the room as she he d un the window frame with on® hand. | erving out with an almost choked voloo “Mr. Butler! Mr. Butler! For mercy awake!” There was no other response but the deep breathing of the sLep sub dued Inma.en “Oh! what shal’ I do?” she ex- c’almed. as her heart great with a violent motion “I might as we’l call to the d -ad. Mr. Galbraith Rob- inron! Ah me I cannot rouse them without alarming the who’e house! Major Butler,” she continued, laying a particular stress upon this desig nation of his rank. “Oh’ good sir, awake!" “What, do you want” muttered But ler in a smothered and sleep stifled voice, as ho turned himself heavily or his pi low. like one moved by a dream. “Oh. heaven, sir. make no noise! I am ashamed to tell you who I a n.” said the terrified girl, “but I come for your good—I have somethin" to tell you." “Away, away!” cried Butler. r.p°ak- ing in his s eep. "1 will not he dis turhed: I do not fear you. Begone!” “Oh, sir. hear me,” entreated the maiden, “the people in this house know you. and they are contriving evil against you." “It makes no difference." muttered the onlv half-awakened soldier. “I will ride whore it suits me. if the Tories were as thick as the leaves of the trees.” “There are people gathering to do you harm tomorrow," continued Mary, not suspecting the unconscious ness of the person to whom she ad dressed herself, “and I only came with a word of warning to vou. I>o not ride bv the Dogwood Soring to morrow, nor take the right hand road at the first forks: there are wicked men upon that road. Have ’•our eye,” she whispered. “ mop rov uncle Walter. Ride fast and far. be fore you stop: and pray sir as vou think fairly of me—Mary Mnsgrove. sir.- th" daughter of Allen Mnsgrove, ’ho miller -oh. do not tel! mv name. If yon knew Jbhn Ramsay, sir. I am certain you would believe me.” The watchdog bad grow’rxt once or t A- ; eo during the period while Mary snoke. and at this moment the door of the principal room of the cabin was heard to move slightly ajar, and the voice of \dair. in a whisper, reached the girl’ s ear. “Hist. Michael! In the devil’s name what brought, you hack? Why do you loiter, when time is so pre cious?” A long, heavy, and inariculate ex clamation. such as belongs to dis turbed sleep, escaped from Butler. “Father of heaven. 1 shal 1 t the window fail with fright!” inwardly ejaculated Mary, as she still occu pied her uneasy station “Hush, it is the voice of my uncle.” There was a painful pause. A heavy rush of wind agitated the trees, and sweeping a ong the porch caused some horse gear that was sus pended against the wall to vibrate with a 'rustling noise: the sound pierced Mary’s ear like the ace nts of a ghost, and her strength had well night, failed her from faint-hearted pc? 8. “I thought it was Michael.” said Adair, speaking to some one within. “but it. is only the ratt ing of harataa and the droaming of Drummer. Theaa dogs have a trick of wh'ning and growlin" in their sleep according t» a way of their own. They say a doc sometimes s 1 es a spirit at nlgBL But man or devil it’s all one to all Drummer! Sleep quiet, you aapar- flnous. and have done wiUi roar snoring!” HT4B With these words, the door waa again closed and Mary, for the *a- mont. was re cased from sulferiac. “Remember.” she uttered in IB* most fear stricken tone, as sha low ered tbe sash. “Be sure to tatoa the left hand road at the first fork!” “In God’s name, what is it? When* are you?" was the exclamation hea*4 bv Mary as the window was closiag. She did not halt for further partar or explanation, but now hastily stala hack, like a frightened bird towanda its thick-et. Panting and breathleaa. she regained her chamber, and wttBf the utmost expedition betook hersalf a^ain to bed. where, gratified by tBa consciousness of having done a goa4 ^ action, and fully trusting that Bar caution would not b> disregard#*, she gradual!? dismissed her anxietr. and. before the hour of dawning, kto* fallen into a gent'o though not al together unperturbed slumber. (CONTINFED NEXT FRIDAY.) Panama Canal—Erie Canal. Machinery is digging the Pan&aka Ganal a thousand times quicker tbmm the shovel dug the Erie. Machinery produces the L. & M. Paint at 50 times )e i -s cost for labor, thi'u if made by hand The L. X- M. giv<*s ’he best job la the world, beruus I. X Zinc hard ens 1. A M White Lead and make# L. A M. Paint wear like iron for 10 to in years. ft onlv r quires 4 gallons of thla cole 1 rated ’mint and ? gallons of !id- seed Oil at CO cts per gilion, to i»aiak a moderate sized hous". H art' defect evi t>- in L. A- M. Paint, will repaint house for nothing. Sold by Smith Hardware Co.. Galf- n'W. —The Gaffney Drug Go. is puskbag seeds Just now. Everyltody know they ar- headquarters for anytbla* wanted in the wav of medicines. —NotJung cuts like a Carbo-Ma*- netie. —Chufas and Peanut seed at Oaf- nov Drug Co. —One 25 cents box of Grip Tablets win end that co d in the head. ?<• cure, no pay. Gaffney Drug Co. N ''■N. Dor" fcJl ni^ht lor neureklc ^ Sh Iviruirvervt kills the pain quiets the nerves aind induces sleep At 6.11 deaJers. Price 25c 50c &H0& Dr EfcH S.SIodJv, Bostoi\,M6SS.U.S.A. » !