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HI HORSE-SHOE ROBINSON A TALE OF THE TORY ASCENDENCY BY JOHN P. KENNEDY “There is some iroods things.'’ said the sergeant, “in this world that’s good, and some that’s bad. But I have always found that good and bad is so mixed up and jumbled together, that you don’t often get much of one without a little of the other. A sod- ger’s a sodger. no matter what side he is on; and they are the naturalest people ii the world for fellow-feeling. One day a man is up. and the the laugh’s on his side; next day he is down, and then the laugh’s against him. So. as a sodger has more of these ups and downs than other foll:-4 there’s the reason his heart is ten derer towards a comrade than other people’s. Here’s your health, sir. This is a wicked world, and twistedj in a measure, upside down; and. it is well known that etil communications corrupts good manners; but gpdgers were made to set the world right again, on its legs, and to preserve good breeding and Christian charity. So there’s a sermon for you. you tinkers!” “Well done. mister preacher!'’ vociferated a prominent reveller- ‘‘if you will desert and enlist with us you shall be the chaplain of the troop. We want a good swearing, drinking, and tearing blade who cau hold a dis course over his liquor, and fence with the devil at long words. You’re the very man for it! Huzza for the blacksmith!” “Huzza for the blacksmith! ' shout ed several others in the apartment. Butler, during this scene, had stretched himself out at full length upon a bench, to gain some rest in his present exhausted and uncomfort able oondtion. and was now partak ing of the refreshments of a bowl of milk and some coarse bread, which one of the troopers had brought him. “What’t all this laughing and up roar about?” said Habershaw. enter ing the room with Curry, just at the moment of the acclamation in favor of the sergeant. “Is this a time for your cursed wide throats to be bray ing like asses! We have business to do. And you. sir.” said he. turning to Butler, "you must be taking up the room of a half dozen men on a bench with your lazy carcase! Up. sir; I allow no lolling and lying about to rascally whigs and rebels. You have cost me the death of a dog that is worth all your filthy whig kindn>l: and you have made away with two of the best men that ever slept in shoe leather. Sit up. sir. and thank your luck that vou havent’ your arms pinioned behind you. like a horse thief.” “Insolent coward,” said Butler, springing upon his feet; "hired ruf- fin! you shall in due time be made to pay for the outrage you have inflcict- ed upon me.” “Tie him up!” cried Habershaw: “tie him up! And now I call you all to bear witness that he has brought the sentence upon himself: it shall be done without waiting another mo ment. Harrv Gage. I give the matter over to you. Draw out four men. take them into the yard, and dispatch the prisoners off-hand! shoot the traitors on the spot, before we eat our breakfast! I was a fool that I didn’t settle this at daylight this morning—the rascally filth of the earth! Have no heart about it, men: but makt* sure work by a slmrt dis tance. This is no time for whining. When have the Whigs shown mercy to us!” “It shall be four against four, then!” cried out Shadrach Green, seconded bv Andrew Clopper; “and the first shot that is fired shall be into the bowels of Hugh Habershaw! Stand by me. hoys!” In a moment the parties were divid ed. and had snatched up their weap ons. and then stood looking angrily at each other as if daring each to commence the threatened affray. “Why. how now. devil’s imps!” shouted Habershaw. “Have you come to a mutiny? Have you joined the rebels. James Curry, look at this! By the bloody laws of war. I will re port every rascal who dares to lift his hand against me!” “The thing is past talking about” said the first speaker, cooly. “Hugh Habershaw. neither you nor James Currv shall command the peace if you dare to offer harm to the prison ers. Now. bully, report that as my saving. They are men fairly taken I*' war. and shall suffer no evil past what the law justifies. Give them up to the officer of the nearest oost— that’s what we ask—carry them to Innis’s camp if you choose: but whilst they are in our keeping there shall be no blood spilled without mixing some of your own with it. Hugh Hab ershaw.” “Arrest the mutineers!” cri^d Hab ershaw, trembling with rage. “Who are mv friends in this room? Det them stand by me. and then—blast me if I don't force obedience to my orders!” “You got off by the skin of your teeth last night.” said Green, “when you tried to take the life of Gideon Blake. For that you get your reckon ing this morning, captain and al 1 as you are.” “What in the devil would you have?” inquired Habershaw. stricken Into a more cautions tone of speech bv the decided bearing of the man opposed to him. “The safetv of the prisoners until they are delivered to the eoniimapder of a regular post: we have resolved upon that!” was the reply. “Curry!” said Habershaw. turning in some perplexity to the dragoon as if for advice. "Safety. Captain: wp had better have a parley here.” said Curry, who then added in a. whisper: “There’s been some damaed bobbery kicked up here by the blacksmith. This comes of giving that fellow the privilege of talking. “A word, men.” Interposed Horse Shoe, who during this interval had planted himself near Butler, aryl with him stood readv to act as the emer gency might require. “Let raie say a word. This James Curry jg mv man. Give me a broadsword and a pair of pistols, and I am allowed five minu- tr s' parole, to have a pass, here in the yard, with him—it shall im in sight of the whole squad—I pledge the word of a sodger to deliver my self back again to the guard, dead or alive, without offering to take any chance to make off in the meantime. Come, James Curry, your word to the back of that, and then buckle on your sword, man. I heard your whisper.” “Soldiers.” said Curry, stetiping in to the circle which the party had now formed round the room, “let me put in a word as a peace-maker. Captain Habershaw won't be unn ansonable. I will vouch for him that he jvill ful fil your wish regarding the convey ing of the prisoners to a regular oost. Conn?, come, let us have no brawl ing! For shame! put down your guns. There may he reason in what you ask, although it isn’t so much against the fashion ■of the times to shoot a Whig either. But anything for the sake of quiet amongst good fel lows. Be considerate, noble '••aoiain. and do as the babies wish. A^for Horse Shoe's brag—he is an ol(J sol dier. and so am I: that’s enouh. We ar^ not so green as to put a broad sword and a brace of pistols into the hands of a bullying prisoner. No. no. Horse Shoe! trv another tricl^ old boy! Ha. ha, lads! you are a set of fine hashing chaps, and this is only one of your madcap bits of spunk that boils up with your liquor. Takie an other cup on it. my merry fellows, and all will be as pleasant as the mu sic of a fife. Come, valiant Captain of the Tiger, join us. And as for the prisoner—why let them come in for snacks with us. So there’s an end of the business. All is as mild as new milk again.” “Well, well, K(et your breakfast.” said Habershaw gruffly. “Blast you! I have spoiled you by good treatment, you ungrateful, carnivorous dogs! But. as Peppercorn says, there’s an end of it! So go to your feeding and wh<‘n that’s done we will push for Biackstock's.” The morning meal was soon des*- patched, and the party reassembltHi in thi<- room where the late disturbance had taken place. The good-nature of Robinson continued to gain unon those who had first taken up his cause and even brought him into a more lenient consideration with the others. Amongst the former I have already noted Andrew Clopper. a rough and insubordinate member of the gang, who. vexed by some old grudge agaiust the fat captain, had efficiently sus tained Green in the late act of muti ny. and who now. struck with Horse Shoe's bold demeaor towards Curry, began to evince manifest signs of a growing regard for the worthy ser geant. With this man Horn* Shoe contrived to hold a short and secret interview that resulted In the quiet transfer of a piece of gold into the freebooter’s hand, which was received with a significant nod of assent to whatever proposition accomoanjUsI it. When the order of “boot and saddle” was giv‘n bv Habershaw. the several members of the troop repaired f o their horses, where a short time was spent in making ready for the march: after which the whoL squad returned to the porch and occupied the few mo ments of delay in that loud and l>oist- erous carousal which is apt to mark the conduct of such an ill-organized body in the interval immediately pre ceding the commencement of a day’s ride. This was a moment of intense interest to the sergeant, who kept his eves staedily fix°d upon the move ments of Clopper. as that individual lingered behind his comrades jn the equipment of his horse. This solici tude did not. however, arepst his seeming mirth, as he joined in the rude jests of the company and added some sallies of his own. "Give me that cup,” he said at length., to one of the mien, as he pointed to a gourd on a table: “be fore we start I have a notion to try the strength of a little cold water, just by way of physic, after all the liquor we have been drinking.” and. having the implement in his hand, hie walked deliberately to the draw-well, where he dipped up a draught from the the bucket that stood on its brink. As he put the water to his lips and turned his back upon the company, he was enabled to take a suryev of the horses that were attached to the rack near him: then, suddenly throwing the gourd from him. he sprang towards bis own trusty steed, leaped into his saddle at one bound, and sped, like an arrow from a bow, upon the highway. This exploit was so promptly achieved that no one was aware of the sergeant’s purpose un til he was some twenty paces upon his journey. As soon as the alarm of his flight was spread, somk- three or four rifles were fired after him in rapid sucession. during which he was seen ducking his head and moving it from side to side with a view, to baf fle the aim of the marksmen. The confusion of the moment in which the volley was given rendered, it ineffect ual. and the sergeant was already past the first danger of his escape. "To horse and follow!” resounded from all sides. ’•lxK)k to the other prisoner!" roared out Habershaw; “if he raises his head blow out his brains! Follow, boys, follow!” "Two or three of you come with me.” cried Curry, ami a couple of files hastened with the dragoon to their horses. Upon arriving at the rack it was discovered that the bri dles of the greater part of the troop were tied in hard knots in such a manner as to connect each two gr three horses together. A short delay took place whilst the horsemen were disentangling their reins, and Cum', being the first to extricate his steed, mounted and set off in rapid pursuit. He was imme diately followed by two others. At the end of half an hour.the two privates returned and reported that they had been unable to obtain a view of the sergeant or even of Cur ry. Shortly afterwards the dragoon himself was descried retracing hi» steps at a moderate trot towards the house. His plight told a tale upon him of discomfiture. One side of his face was bleeding with a recent bruise, his dress disarranged and his back covered with dust. The side of hi- I’orse also bore the same taint of the soil. He rode up to Habershaw—who was already upon tho road at the head of the remaining members of the squad, having Butler in charge— and informed him that he had pursu ed the sergeant at full speed until he came in sight of him, when the fugi tive had slackened his gait as if on euroose to allow himself to *>e over taken “But, the devil grin jthe fellow!” he add'd, “he has a broad-side like a man-of-war! In mv hurry I left niy sword behind me. end. when I came up with him. I laid i%v hand upon his bridle; but. bv some sudden sleight which he has taught his horse, he contrived, somehow or rther. to un set me—horse and all—down a bank on the road-side. And. when I !av on the ground sprawling, do vou think the jolly runagate didn’t rein up apd Schnapps Tobacco is Made ENTIRELY from Fhie Cored Tobacco Grown in the Piedmont Country. The Imitation Brands Have Schnapps Quality Only On the Outside Of the Plug Hundreds of 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, heav ;1 y 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 cf tobacco have been made so much like Schnapps that they have often been accepted by buyers under the belief that they were getting Schnapps. Sufficient proof has been secured to establish the fact that certain brands are infringements and in vio lation of the trade mark laws, yet the trade will continue to be imposed upon by these infringers until the suit already entered and now pending to protect Schnapps is decided. A great many of these imitations are claimed to be “just as good” asy 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 S-C-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, grown in the famous Piedmont region, re quires and takes less sweetening than any other and has a wholesome, stimulating, satisfying effect on 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, N. C. AM) Cures Coughs, Colds, Croup, La Grippe, Asthma, Throat and Lung Troubles. Prevents Pneumonia and Consumption f*r Sal* by Charokaa Drug Co. Far Salt by Charokaa Drug Ca. THE ORIGINAL LAXATIVE HONEY and TAR in the YELLOW PACKAOB Far Sale by Charokea Drug Co. "*ve me a broad lauKh. and ask me if he could be of any sarvice to me? He then bade me koo.1 bye. saying he had an engagement that prevented him from favoring me any longer with his company. Gad! it was so Qivillv done that all I could sav was. luck go with you Mr. Horse Shoe; and, sinpe we are to part company so soon, may the de vil pad your saddle for yon! I’ll do him the justice to sav that he’s a better horseman than I took him for. I can hardly begrudge a man his liberty who can win it as cleverly as lie has done.” “Well, there’s no more to lie said about it.” remarked Habershaw. “He is only game for another day. He is like a bear’s cub; which is as much as to signify that be has a hard time before him. He would have only given us trouble; so let him go. Now. boys, away for Biackstock’s; I will en gage I keep the fox that’s left safely One entire block on Depot and Logan streets, with two 6 room cottages and a 7-room house on same. See me quick if you want a bargain in the block. This property must be sold. One city farm, containing 13 acres with good house on same. One lot just off Depot street, icoxi20, very de sirable location. One lot on Fredrick and Logan streets, 180x200. a beauty. One farm 8)4 miles out with be^t im provements, containing 200 acres. One farm, containing 140 acres, 4^ miles out. Sumter Littlejohn house, six rooms, corner Sumter and Johnson streets. : : FOR RENT—Two^city farms. SAM L. FORT, Real Estate and Insurance. Are You Administrator enough.” With these words the troop pro ceeded upon their march. (CONTINUED NEXT FRIDAY.) Cures B|Ood, Skin Diseases. Cancer. Greatest Blood Purifie r Free. If your blood is impure, thin, dis eased, hot or full humors. If you have blood polsor, cancer, carbun cles. eating sores, scrofula, eczema, itching, risings and bumps, scabby, pimply skin, bone pains, catarrh, rheumatism, or any blood or skin disease, take Botanic Blood Balm (B. B. B.) Soon all sores heal, aches and pains stop and the blood is made pure and rich. Druggists or by ex press $1 per large bottle. Sample free by writing Blood Balm Co.. At lanta. Ga. B. B. B. Is especially ad vised for chronic, deep-seated cases, as it cuers after all else falls. Sold In Gaffney, S. C., by Cherokee Drug Co. April 5, 1907, 1 year. —See J. W. Abbott for lowest! prices on coffins, caskets and robes.! Full stock all sizes. [ and have the settlement of an estate? If so.’request of the Judge of Probate that your advertisementlbe placed in :: :: • i •j It haslthe largest circulation of any paper in the Fifth South Carolina Congressional District. IT WILL BE ONEY SAVED TO YOU To visit our store during May and the coming months. We will have many good things to show you and at money saving prices. Look us over when in need of anything in the Dry Goods line. Get your hosiery here. Our splendid Misses Stockings at 10c. Misses Whitleather Stockings at 12 1 -2c, wear twice as long as the ordinary cheap Stocking. Better Stockings at 15c, 20c and 25c. Our Ladies’ 25c Gauze Lisle is a beauty. Ladies and Misses Oxfords at very at tractive prices. We have some lots in broken sizes, nice clean goods at bargain prices. There is no better goods to be had anywhere than we give you for the prices. Come or send your boy to us for his Suit or odd Knee Pants. Better line of Youths’ and Men’s Clothing than ever. Panama Hats, $5.00, $6.50 and $8.00. Visit us often, it will do us both good. We are now breaking dirt for our new store. Something must be doing. ........ w. WILKINS c o P A N Y . *