Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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* I Sir Henri BUCC/ By . CYRUS TOW Author of "The Sou of Country,** "The < COPYRIGHT, 1 BOS, BY G. W I ine oici man drew himself up, lifted ? his trembling hands and prayed; lio prayed agaiu for the soul of the woman; lie prayed for the young mnn, that he might learn the truth; he prayed for the beautiful damsel who loved him; he prayed for the people, the hap less people, of the doomed town, the helpless women, the bereft mothers, the tortured men, the murdered children, add as he prayed he called dowu the curse of God upon those who had wrought such ruin, t "Slay them, O (lod! Strike and spare W not! Cut them ofT root and branch who have despoiled thy people Israel. They have taken the sword, nud may . they perish by It as was promised of old!" A gray, grim, gaunt figure, blood stained, pale, he stood there in that ghastly light, Invoking the judgment of Go 1 upon Morgan nud his men ere ho turned away nud was lost In the darkness of the mountain. CIIArTER XVII. clock on the wall was strlkI I I lug 11 as Ilornlgold forced his III prisoners Into the guardroom of I I the first fort that had been captured, which, as It was the larger of the two, Morgan had selected as his headquarters. Mercedes' soul had turned to stone at the sights and sounds which met her as she passed through the town, where the hellish revelry was now In full JjJnst. The things she wltnessed nud heard were enough to appall the stoutest heart that ever bent within the rudest brenst. Slle forgot her own tlninmr In l>er svtmniMiv fnr tlie Buffering inhabitants of the devoted town. Ghastly pale nnd Hick with horror, she tottered nud staggered as Hhe entered the room. As for the Seuora Agnplda, she had collapsed long since, nn?l for the Ins^ hundred yards of the Journey had becu dragged helplessly along4>y two of her captors, who threw her In a seuselcss heap on the stone ? (lagging of the great vaulted chamber^ The &gony and suffering, the torture and death, the shumo aud dishonor of his |?eopIe ntTceted Alvarado dlfferently. Ills soul tlamed within his breast / with pity far the one, rage for the other. He luste-.l and thirsted to break way and s i^g'.o hainlod rush upon the /,7jtnan wolvc* and tigers who were de"\ jjhttailing women, torturing men. muraerlng children, us If they had l>ecn 7 ' devils. The desire mastered him, and he writhed nnd struggled In his bonds, but unnvaillngly. It was a haggnrd, distracted pair. therefore, which was brought before the chief buccaneer. Morgan sat at the head of the guardroom on a platform, a table before liltn strewn with reckless prodigality with vessels of gold and silver stolen from altar and sldelioard Indifferently, some piled high with food, others brimming with a variety of liquors, from the rich old wines of Xeres to the fiery native rum. I/Ollonols, Teach and De Lussnn were also In the room. Teach was roaring out a song, that song of London town, with Its rollicking chorjis: "Though life now Is pleasant and sweet to the sense. We'll be damnably moldy a hundred years hence." The room was full of plunder of one sort and another, and the buccaneers were being served by frightened negro slaves, their footsteps quickened and their obedience enforced by the sight of a dead black in one corner whom Dc I.ussan had knifed a short time since because he had been slow in coming to ills call. The smell of spilled liquor, of burnt powder and of blood. Indescribable and sickening, hung In the close, hot air. Lamps and candles were flaring and spluttering In the room, but the greater illumination en me throtlgli the open chsements from the roaring fires of bnrnlng bouses out- ' side. The temptation to Join in the sack of the town had been too much for Hornlgold's remaining men; consequently he and those conveying Senortt Agaplda alone attended the prisoners. These last, after throwing tho duenna recklessly upon the floor, hurried out' after the rest, leaving the officers and women nlotie. gK "Silence!" r on red Morgan as bin eye ' fell upon the group entering the lower end of the great hall. "Pipe down, thou bellowing bull!" he shouted, throwing a silver cup that Cellini might chased at the head of the half drnnkcn Teach. "Who's there? Scuttle me, 'tis our spitfire and the gallant captain, with that worthy seaman, " Hornlgold! Advance, friends. Thoti art welcome to our cheer. Drive them forward, Hornlgold I" ho cried as he saw Mercedes and Alvarndo made no attempt to move. "Advance quickly," whispered Hornlgold to Alvarado; "to cross him now were death." Bclslng them with a great show of force, he shoved them down the hall to , , the foot of the platform, In front of the revelers. "I welcome thee to our court, fair lady, and you, brave sir. What say ye, gentles all? Rum /or the noble captain here and wine for the lady!" called out Morgan, bowing over the table In malicious mockery. "I drink with no murderer," said Al?< varado firmly, thrusting the negro who proffered htm a glass violently jg. _ ' ' 1 f Morgan, i iNEER NSEND BRADY, therners," "For Love Irip of Honor," Etc. . DILLINGHAM COMPANY aside with His shoulder, causing him to topple over, drenching himself with the liquor. Tin! Is It so?" laughed Morgan In a terrible manner, "llark'ee, my young cock, thou shnlt crave and beg und pray for another drink at iny hand presently?and get It not. But there is another cup tliou sliult drink?aye, and that to the dregs. Back, you! I would speak with the lady. Well, Donna Mercedes," he continued, "art still in that prldeful mood?" Silence. The girl stood greet, disdainfully looking him full in the face. "I shall break thee vet nrnml I wench," he shouted. "Conic hither! What, you move not? Hlack Dog! i Black Dog. I say!" The huge innroou lurelie<l from behind his master's chair, where he had lain half drunken. "Fetch tne that woman!" Mercedes was bound and could not at first release her hands, but as the , inaroou shambled toward her she sprang back, struggling. .'Alvarado, Alvarado!" she screamed. "Help me; save me!" Dike a maddened bull, though his hands were bound also, Alvarado threw himself upon the uegro. The force with which he struck him hurled him backward, and the two fell to the floor, the maroon beneath. His head struck a corner of the step with a force that would have killed a white man. In an instant, however, the negro was on his feet. lie whipped out his dagger nnd would have plunged it into the breast of the prostrate Spaniard had not Mercedes, lightly bound?for, being a woman, they thought It not necessary to be unusually severe In her lashings? wrenched free her hands and caught the half breed's upraised arm. "Mercy!" she screamed, while stmcr gllng to divert the blow, looking toward Morgan. "Hold your hand, Black Dog," answered that worthy. "Lenve the man and come hither. This 1s thy first appeal, Indy. You know my power at last, eh? Down on your knees nnd beg for his life!" Instantly Mercedes sank to her knees and stretched out her hands, a piteous, appealing, lovely figure. "Bpare hbn. spare him!" she cried. "What would you do for hlin?" "My life for his," she answered bravely. "Nay, Mercedes," interposed Alvnrado; "let lilui work his will on me." "There are worse places, thou seest, lady, than by my side," sneered Morgan. "By heaven, 'twas a pretty play, was It not, mhtes? I spare him, but remember 'tis for you. Harry Morgan's way. Now reward me. nither, I say!" "Captain Morgan," cried Ilornigold, suddenly interrupting him, "I l>ethlnk me you should Rend men to seize the piountaiu pass that lends to Caracas | at once, else we may have troops upon I us In the morning." j It was a bold diversion, nnd yet It succeeded. There could be no safe | feasting In La (Junyra with that open road. Morgan had overlooked It. hut the boatswain's words recalled It to him. For a moment he forgot the prisoners. Safety was a paramount con-' Bldcrntlon. "That's well said, Hornlgold," cried Morgan, who was not so drunk that he could not realize the practical value of Hornlgokl's suggestion and the great danger of disregarding his advice. "The pass must be seised at all hazard. With that in our possession we may bide our time. I thought to wait until tomorrow, hut you're right We've feasted and drunk enough for the night. Guards for the pass now. But bow to get them?" He rose to his feet as he spoke and came down the hall. **Tench aud I/Ollonols, follow me!" he cried. "Gather up fifty of the soberest men and lend them up the mountain road till you reach the pass, and then hold it till I come. Nay, no liesl1 tatlon," he roared. "Canst not see the necessity? Unless we are masters of that pass we are caught liko rats in a trap here in La Ouayra. Tomorrow or the next day we shall march up toward Caracas." Your share of the treasure shall be held safe. You shall have first consideratiou on the other side of the mountains. Nay, I will have It so!" He stamped hts- foot in furious rage. "We've all had too much drink already," he continued. "Now we must make things secure. Hornigold, tane coat-go or tula fort. I leave the 'Spare himl' prisoners with yon. Guard them well. Treat the lady well also. Do what you like with the other, only keep him alive. One of you send Brazlllano to me. He shall bare the other fort And you and I, M. de Lussan, will take account of the men here In the town nu4 bring them Into such order as we can." Although Teach and L'OUonots had no mind to leave the pleasures open to them in Ln Guayra, yet they were both men of Intelligence and coukl easily see the absolute necessity for the precaution suggested by Hornigakt and accepted by their captalu. If they held lite passage over the mountains ?and ilfty men could hold It against a thousand?no Spaniard could come at them. So the little group, leaving the two prisoners and Hornigold, sallied 1 nut ln?/x I-# >/ui IUIU IUV HiirruHi UlgDt. WUrt difficult thing for them to find a suffi"clent number of sober pirates, but by persuading, threatening and compeli ling they at last gathered a force of the least drunken knaves, with which they set forth on the road. The fires which had been wantonly kindled In different places by the bno? cancers were making such headway that Morgan Instantly si\w that especial efforts would be needed to prevent the complete destruction of the town, lie wanted La Guayra for his base Of' supplies for the present, nnd with mcndous energy, seconded by I>e Lussan and some of the soberer men, he routed out the buceaneers and set them to work. "You have saved ine for the moment." said Mercedes gratefully, turning to Ilornigold as he led her away from the hall. " 'Twos not for care of you," hissed out the old man malevolently, "but that I'd fain balk him In every desire he cherishes, even of possessing you." "Whatever It was, I nm thankful, senor. You have my prayers"?' "Prayers!" laughed the old sailor. "It hath beeu sixty years since I heard those canting Puritans, my mother and father, pray. I want no prayers. But come, I must put you In ward. There shpuld be strong rooms In this castle." He summoned a slave and found what he wanted. Mercedes and 8enora Agapida, who was fetched by other slaves, were locked In one room; Alvnrado wns thrust Into another. As soon ns he eouhl <lo so after making some provision for the comfort of the women Ilornlgold came down to him. "Senor," he said, "the hand Is drunk and helpless. One hundred resolute men could master them. Morgan means to march to Caracas tomorrow. He cannot get his men in shape to do II I ?ct you free ? so as long as the liquor flows In La Guayra. If I set you free what can you do?" "There is a way over the mountains," nnswered Alvnrado?"a secret way. It has been abandoned for fifty years, but I could follow It to Caracas." auu unci? mere, wimi men 7" "There, if the viceroy be not gone, and I do not believe ho has yet departed, are n thousand soldiers to retake the city." "And If they 1m? gone?" "I'll raise the citizens, the household guards, the savages and the slaves." "Can you do It?" "Free me and see," answered Alvarado with such resolution that he convinced the sailor. "The men of Caracas love the daughter of the viceroy. They are not Inexperienced In arms. I will lend them. The advantage of numl>ers will be with us. If you free me, I tnke It wo will have a friend within the walls. Success Is certain. We have too much to revenge," he added, his face flushing with rage at the thought of it all. "That's well," answered Hornigold. "If I free you, what reward shall I have?" "I will cover you with treasure." "And guarantee my life and liberty?" "They shall be held inviolate." "We captured the Porto Bello plate ship and were wrecked two days ago a league or so to the westward. We burled the treasure. Shall I have my share?" "All that thou canst take If the honor of the lady be preserved. I answer for the viceroy." "Will you swear It?" "Yes." "That suffices. You shall go!" cried ?I1 UU -t.l H ? uic mm uiin-i, mi inn uujvuiioim nmiHfted. "But as you lovo the woman lose no time. I'll l>e at the west gate under the rocks at 10 o'clock tomorrow night. You know It?" "Yes. Goon." "I'll open the gate for yon and leave the rest to you. You must be there with your force. Now, go." "I shall be there. But I cannot leave without Donna Mercedes." "And you can't go with her. Think! Could she make her way over the mountains?" "No, no, but"? "I'll watch over her with my life," urged the one eyed. "My share of the treasure depends upon her safety, you said." "But Morgan"? 'T hate him with a hatred greater than tlilne." "He Is thy captain." "He betrayed me, and I swore to tnke such vengeance as was never heard before, to make him suffer torments by my band." "You would betray him?" "It was for that I came with him, j for that I live. He craves and covets the Donna Mercedes, Qq shu}! i&t U?v? her. Trout me to Interpose at the last moment." "Is this true? Can I believe yon?" "Else why should I Jeopard my life by freeing you? I hate him, I tell you. Remember! The west gate! There are.not SOO men here. The best fifty have gone with Teach and L'Ollonols; the rest nro drunken and cowards. Here are weapons. Wrap yourself in this cloak and come. Say no word to any one on the way. As you love the girl, lose no time!" As he spoke the old man cut the bonds of Alvarado, belted upon him dagger and sword, thrust a charged pistol in his hand, covered his head with a steel cap and throw a long clonk . arouud him. The two then went forth Into the night. Avoiding the notice of others, they hastened along the deserted parapet?for there were none to keep watch or guard?until they came to one of the ladders by which the buccaneers had entered the town. Down It Alvarado, first swearing again on the cross ou his honor to respect his agreement with Hornlgold and again receiving the man's assurunce, dropped hastily to the ground. There was no ono to look, and he ? * * uunuvu reciupssiy across too uarroAV trip <Sf sand to the shadow of the cliffs, along which he ran until he came opposite 'the place of Ills mother's death. The white water was rolling and crashing on the beach and the body Avas gone. With a hasty petition for the. repose of her soul, he ran on until he reached the turn of the road. Unlike the priest, however, he did not pursue the mountain road, but after going a short distance ho left the way and plunged to the right through the trees directly up the side of the hill. His face was cut and slashed by Morgan's dnggcr; his soul had been . racked nnd torn l>y the scenes he had gone through; the plight of Mercedes stirred him to the very depths; his heurt yearned over the slaughtered garrison, the ruined town, but with a strength superhuman he plunged at the hill In spite of the forest, groping about in the darkness with frautlc energy uutll he fouud the traces of a slender, rocky puth which led over the mountains. OHAPTElt XV11I. mriM day after the sack of the town had been a busy one for the buccaneers. First of all, Morgan had striven, and with some success, to restore some sort of ? order within the wails. By tho aid of his officers and some of the soberest men he had confiscated all of the liquor that he could coiue at and had stored It under a strong guard in the west fort, which he selected as his head <(uuiiv-i>i. me Ruveriwr h [laincc on the hill above was a more fitting and .luxurious residence, and It hail been promptly seized, the few defenders having tied In the morning, but lor the present Morgan deemed It best to remain In the city and In close touch with hfcsr taeu. The Spanish .wldlery had been cut down to a ninu the night before, and the majority of the hapless citizens hail been killed, wounded or tortured. The unfortunates who were yet alive were driven Into the church of San Lorenzo, where they were kept without food, water or attention. The gates of the town and forts were Closed, and some slight attempt was made to Institute a patrol of the walls, although the guard that was kept was negligent to the point of contempt. As no onemy was apprehended, Morgan did not rigorously Insist upon strict watch. Many of the buccnneers were still sodden with liquor and could be of no service until they were sobered. They were dragged to the barracks, drenched with water anil left to re- j coyer as best they could. Fortune favored them, too, iu that late In the afternoon a handsome frigate, bringing dispatches from Cartagena, ran In and anchored in the roadstead. Her officers at once came ashore nnv f li a( ?* MAot\A/>tn *** iv | hi j iiiru 10 iv iuu LViiiuu* dante of the port and forward their papers to the viceroy. Before they suspected anything they were seized and ruthlessly murdered. To take possession of the frigate thereafter was a work of no special difficulty, Tho crow were disposed of as their officers had been, and tho buccaneers rejoiced greatly at the good luck that had brought them so flue a ship. On the next morning Morgan Intended to march toward Caracas, whence, after plundering that town and exacting a huge ransom for the lives of those lie spared, he would lead his band back to Ln Ouayrn, embark on the frigate and then l?ear away for the Isthmus. During the day Hornlgold, whose wound Incapacitated hlni from active movement, remained in command of the fort, with special Instructions to look after Mercedes. By Morgan's orders she and her companion were removed to the best room ln the fort and luxuriously provided for. lie had not discovered tlio escape of Alvarado, partly because he took no manner of Interest In that young man and only kept lilm alive to Influence the girl and partly because Hornlgold had assured lilm that the prisoner was taking his confinement very hnrdly, that ho was mad with anger, In a raging fever of disappointment and anxiety and was constantly begging to see tho captain. The boatswain cunningly suggested that It would be Just as well to let Alvarado remain in solitude without food or water until the next day, by which time, the boatswain argued, he would be reduced to n proper condition of humility and servitude. Morgan found this advice good. It was quite In consonance with bis desires and his practices. lie would have killed Alvarado out of hand had he not considered him the most favorable card with which to play the game be was waging with Mercedes for her consent to marry him. So far as he was capable of a genuine Affection Ut toyed tho proud Spai^ f maiden. He would fain persuade her willingly to come to his anus rather than enforco her consent or overcome J her scruples by brute ntrcu.ith. There would be something of n triumph In winning her, and this vain, blood staincd old brute fancied that he had sufll clent attractiveness for the opposite sex to render hlin Invincible If ho set about his wooing In the right way. > Here again Flornlgold, upon whom, In the absence of Teach, ho depended ^ more and more and In whom he con- . tided as of old, advised him. "I know women," said that worthy, ( "and all you want Is to give her time. ( Walt until she knows what's happened to the rest of them and sees only you have power to protect her, and she will ] com? to lieel right enough. Besides, | you haven't given her half a chance. , Ittic's only seen you weapon In hand, i bhe doesn't know what a man you are, captnlu. Sink me. If I'd your looks, In- i stead of this old, scarred, one eyed i face, there'd be no man I'd give way to | and no woman I'd not win! She'll be so anxious to talk to you in the morning that you can make her do anything. Then If you can starve that Spanish dog and break his spirit so that she'll see him crawling at your feet she'll sicken of him and turn to a man.'' "Scuttle me," laughed Morgan, "I i didn't know you knew so much about the sex. Well, I'll stay away from her j till the morning. I shall be busy any- \ way trying to straighten out these | uiiiuKtMi sois, ami (io you put the , screws on that captain nnil leave the i lady alone, but see that she lacks nothing." , "Aye, nj-e; trust me for them both." , Ilornigold found means during the day?und It was a matter of no little difficulty to elude the guards he himself had placed there?to Inform Mercedes of the escape of Alvarado and to advise her that he expected the return of that young man with the troops of i the viceroy at 10 o'clock that night. He I didn't know you knew so much " bade her be of good cheer; that he did not think it likely that Morgan would think of calling upon her or of sending for her until morning, when It would be too late. lie promised that he would watch over her and do what he could to protect her; that he would never leave the fort except for a few moments before 10 that night, when he went to admit Alvarado. What was better earnest of his purpose was that he furnished her with a keen dagger, small enough to conceal In the bosom or tier dress, and advised her If worst came to worst, and there was 110 other way, to use it. lie impressed on her that on no account was she to allow Morgan to get the slightest Inkling of his commnnieation to her, for if the | chief buccaneer found this out llornigold's life would not be worth a moment's thought and Alvarado would be balked in bis plans of rescue. Mercedes most thankfully received the weapon and promised to respect the contldence. As far as creature comforts were concerned, the two women fared well. Indeed, they were sumptuously, lavishly, prodigally provided for. Senora Agupidn was still In a state of complete prostration. She lay helpless on a couch in the apartment, and ministering to her distracted the poor girl's mind, yet such a day as Mercedes do Lara parsed she prayed she might never again experience. The town was filled with the shouts and cries of the buccaneers wandering to and fro, singing drunken choruses, now and again routing out hidden fugitives from places of fancied security and torturing them with ready Ingenuity whenever tliey wero taken. The confusion was Increased and the noise diversified by the shrieks and groans of these miserable wretches. Sometimes the voices that came through the high windows were those of women, and the sound of their screams made the heart of the brave girl sink like lead In her breast. For the rest, she did not understand Homlgold's position. She did not know whether to believe him or not, but of one thing was she certain?whereas she had been defenseless, now she hud a weapon, and she could use It If nee cifanry . ? iril 1UUI U1 QUUU HUU was mistress nt lenst of her own fate. As evening drew on, everything having been attended to, Morgan began to tiro of his Isolation, and time hung heavy 011 his hands. lie was weary of the women whom he had hitherto consorted with. The other officers, between whom nnd himself there was no sort of friendship, were busy with their own nefarious wickednesses In the different parts of the fort or town, and he snt a long time alone In the guardroom drinking, Blnck Dog, us usual, pouring at his side. The liquor Inflamed his Imagination, and he craved companionship. Summoning Horn Igold nt last, he bndo him bring Donna Mercedes before him. The old man attempted to expostulate, bnt Morgan's mood had changed, and he brooked no hesitation In obeying any order given by him. There was nothing for the boatswnln to do but to comply. Once more Mercedes, therefore, found herself In the guardroom of the fort In the presence of the man she loathed and feared above all others In creation. She glanced nt the clock, a recent Importation from Spain, hanging upon the wall, as she catered nnd saw Hint It i -r was half after 0. Ten was the hour Hornlgold hud appointed to meet Alrarndo ut the Rate. She hoped that be would be early rather than late, and, If ahe conld withstand the buccaneer by persuasion, secmluR compliance or by force for a abort apace, ull would be well, for alio never doubted that her lover would come for her. Even If be bad to come single handed and alone to tight for her, ahe knew he would be there. Therefore, with every nerve strained almost to the breaking point to ward off his advances and to dolay any action he might contemplate, she faced the buccaneer. lie was dressed with barbaric magnificence In the riches and plunder be bad appropriated, and he had adorned his person with a profusion of stlrer and gold and stolen gems. He had boen Rented at the table while served by the maroon; but, as she entered, with unusual complaisance he nroae and bowed to her with something of the graco of n (CUVIUIIIHU. "Mndnui," be said, endeavoring to make soft uiul agreeable bis barsh voice, "I trust you hnve been well treated since In my charge." lie bad been drinking lieavlly, she saw, but as be spoke her fair she would answer him accordingly. On his part be bad determined to try the gentler arts of persuasion, and, though his face still bore the welts made by her riding whip the night before, he strove to forget It and piny the gentleman. She answered his question calmly without exhibiting resentment or annoyance. "We linvo been comfortably lodged and provided with food and drink In sufficiency, senor." "And what more would you have, Dounn Mercedes?" "Liberty, sir!" "That shall be yougr. Saving only my will when you are married to me. you shall l>e as free as air?a free sailor and his free wife, lady. But will you not sit down?" In compliance with his request, she seated herself on a chair which hap pono<l to bo near where she stood. She noted with relief that the table was between them. "Nay, not there," said the captain instantly. "Ilere, madam; here at my side." "Not yet, Senor Capitan. It were not fit that a prisoner should occupy no high a seat of honor. Wait until"? "Until you are Lady Morgan?" ho cried, his face darning. She burled her face in her hands at his suggestion, for she fenrod her horror in the thought would show too p'.nlnly there, and then, because she dare not lose sight of him, she constrained herself to look at him once more. Iler cheeks were burning with shame, her eyes dashing with indignation, though'she forced her lips Into the seinblanco of a smile. "That surprises you, does it?" continued the man, with boasting condescension. "You did not think I designed so to honor you after last night, madam? Scuttle me, those"?pointing to ills face?"are fierce love taps, but I like you none the less for your spirit, madam. 'Fore (lod, it runs M-lth your beauty. You are silent," he continued, staring at her with red eyed, drunken suspicion. "You do not answer." "My lord," cried Mercedes, "I know uot what to say!" "Say 'Harry Morjfnn, I love you, and I oui yours.' " "There Is another present, senor." "Where? Another? Who has dared"? roared the buccaneer, glaring about him. "Thy servant, the negro." "Oh," he laughed, "he Is nothing. Black Dog we call him. lie Is my p slave, my shadow, my protection. Ho Is always by." An Idea had swiftly flashed Into the young girl's mind. If she could get rid of the nlave she could denl more easily with the master. She was tall, strong, and Morgan, It appeared, was not In full possession of his faculties or his strength from the liquor he had Imbibed. "Still," she urged, "I do not like to be wooed In the presence of another, even though he be a slave. 'Tls not a Spanish maiden's way, sir." "Your will now, lady," said the buccaneer, with a hideous attempt at gallantry, "Is my law. Afterward?'twill be another matter. Out, Carlb, but be within call. Now, madam, we are alone. Speak you the English tongue?" The conversation hod been carried on In Snnnlnh hor??fr?fr?ro "Indifferently, senor." "Well, I'll tench It you. The lesson mny as well begin now. Sny after me. 'Horry'?I permit that, though I nm n belted knight of England, made so by his merry majesty King Charles, God rest him. Drink to the repose of the king!" he cried, shoving a cup across the table toward her. Resisting a powerful temptation to throw It at him and divining that the stimulant might be of assistance to her in the trying crisis in which she found herself, the girl lifted the cup to her lips, bowed to him and swallowed a portion of the contents. [to bb coirrnrtncD.] * ' "j War History. An old darky was watching the G. A. R. parado ono Memorial day, and was vociferously cheering th? band. I BUDDOse vou were thronrh ?h? civil war, uncle?" Bald ? bystander., "Ever* step of It, suh!" "At the surrender too?" "Ever' step of It, sub!" "What did General I-ee say to General Grant?" "Never an id nuttln', suh; de? chopped off his hald an' wont on!" The Wily Barber. "Ah, yes," mused Mr. Oldboy, "when I was a young fellow and went to the hairdresser's to pet my hair cut he used to flatter me by asking If I wanted a shave. Now when I go to the hairdresser's to get a shave he flatters me by asking If 1 want my hair cut"