The Sopar Democrat (Choctaw County, Okla.), Vol. 5, No. 46, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 6, 1916 Page: 3 of 8
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THI SOPER DEMOCRAT
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A TALE OE CIVIL STRIFE
ip RANDALL PARRISH 'T
ILLUSTRATIONS CD RHODES
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SYNOPSIS
—11—
n-rsant Wyatt
ConfHmic nrirant Wyatt la s-nt
a a ay to Ma oatlva county on Ilia
Oraan Hrtar Ha meta a inounliinaar
nainait Jam Taylor At a hnuaa Itayttni
Hot ttprlnaa they mtw Major llnrwmxl
Wyatt la rant to bad Ila l—comt-a sus-
Stlfloiia and flnda that Taylor Itaa mur-
larad Harwood and aa'aad Wyatt
('hatiw'it to U 8 uniform and to a tla-
tat'hinant of Kedaral cavalry Identltlaa
bltnaaif IJautanant Itaymond Tlilpl
U H cavalry Captain hot Hilda Har-
wood's body The detachment la atn-
Ituahed Wyatt earBpea to tha Oreen
Briar country anti Koa to Httrwood'a
borne where he flnda Noreen Harwood
He tntroducee lilmaelf aa Lieutenant Ray-
mond I’araon Nlchola cornea to the
bouae and tella Noreen of her father'
death Wyatt forcea I'araon Nlcltola to
confess that he baa been aent In advance
rf Anae Cowan who proposes to marry
Noreen at once and so quiet title to the
land In dlapute between the Cowans and
Noreen'a dead father Arise Cowan and
bis sans arrive and And the preacher
pound in a closet Wyatt and Noreen
nave concealed themeelvea In the attic
The Cowan Katnr ranaacka the house but
falls to find the hidden couple Wyatt
tella Noreen who lie la They return to
the second lloor anti avit the next move
pf tha anna forcing the preacher to si-
lence enable to escape while the Kang
Hon the itrat floor and around the house
Wyatt proposes to marry Noreen and pro-
tect her from Cowan She accepts and
Wyatt forces the preacher to marry
5 hern Cowan’s gang Is driven off by
'ederal troops one of whose officers la
the real Lleutenunt Itaymond Wyatt Is
trapped though Noreen attempts to de-
fend him Wyatt la taken to Lewlaburg
for trial aa a spy
CHAPTER XV
I Choose Death
I knew the town well and few
changes bad occurred since last I
walked those streets hand In hand
with my father It had not grown any
larger and thus far the war had
wrought little damage The most of
life In the sleepy old town centered
about the Frost hotel a three-story
wooden structure where the officers
of the garrison lodged and the court-
house a dignified edifice of red brick
a block beyond where in other days
my father presided on the bench now
completely surrounded by a military
camp There were more Federal sol-
diers here than I had expected to see
but a remark exchanged between two
of my guard Informed me that most
of these bad arrived during the night
—a regiment of Ohio troops and a
battery of light artillery destined to
assist in a contemplated attack on
Covington
The bead of our little column halted
In front of the hotel but Whitlock
shouted a command to the sergeant
and we rode on past the guard closing
up tightly I kept my face straight
ahead determined to make no sign
but nevertheless I had a glimpse of
Noreen standing at her horse’s head
and for an instant I felt certain 'her
eyes were resting on me Then Ray-
mond spoke to her touching her
sleeve familiarly with his hand to at-
tract attention and she smiled up into
his face as if In answer to some witty
remark This was the last glimpse I
bad as we clattered on down the
street
At the courthouse steps the ser-
geant turned mo over to the officer of
the day and I was marched into the
basement The old jail had evidently
been burned for I could see the roof
had fallen in and the stone walls
were blackened with smoke but the
lower story of the courthouse was has-
tlle enough the windows barred tho
walls strong and thick The place In
which they thrust me had at one time
protected the county records was per-
haps nine feet square with one nar-
row window high np In the wall and
an iron door The floor and walla
were of stone and the celling beyond
reach A soldier threw In a box to be
utilized as a seat together with a
couple of blankets
“There Johnny" he said carelessly
“I guess you’ll stay here till you’re
wanted There’ll be some grub along
after awhile”
The iron door clanged behind him
and I heard the sharp click of a heavy
lock then regular steps passing back
and forth across the stone floor proof
that a sentinel had Deen posted There
seemed little need of one as I sat
down on the box and stared discon-
solately about The window afforded
ample light but no hope of escape
The shelves on which had once re-
posed the records of Green Briar
county were of Iron as a safeguard
against fire with a sheet of Iron at
their back concealing the wall be-
hind My heart gave a sudden leap
As a boy I bad played about this
building Invading every nook and cor-
ner 1 could even recall when those
shelves-were first Installed and I bad
sat almost where I waa sitting then
and watched the workmen bolt them
Into their present position It wos be-
fore my father bought the place out
on the ridge and we were living only
a block down the street Those shelves
rented against the big chimney and
there was an opening leading Into It
across which they had nailed a tin
protector before they fastened the
iron to the wall
If I could once get In behind that
Iron plate the way out would not be
such a hard or difficult one to travel
The chimney was large I recalled
standing upright In the fireplace on
the floor above and looking up to
where I could perceive the light of the
sky It was constructed of Irregular
bits of stone which would afford lodg-
ment for the feet and grip for the
bands In climbing — no easy job of
course but not Impossible for one
reckless enough to make the attempt
But how could I hope to pry loose
that protecting sheet of Iron? Where
could I discover a tool to give me the
necessary leverage to dislodge those
bolts? Could one of those supports
be unscrewed or twisted off? If so
It might prove strong enough for the
purpose I stepped hastily across and
tested two of them with my hands but
found both these firm and Immovable
I dare not exercise much force In fear
the noise might be overheard and
besides it was time the jailer brought
me In some food So I went back to
my seat on the box and waited my
eyes on the Iron and my mind eagerly
working on some plan which seemed
feasible I had a half dozen keys In
my pocket and a broken cartridge
shell In my belt — nothing else avail-
able The searchers had stripped me
clean A careful survey of the floor
revealed only a twisted nail but there
waa something caught In the Iron bars
of the window from where I sat it
looked like the half of a broken horse-
shoe I got up to see but quickly sat
down again — there was someone at
the door
It opened and a soldier stood aside
while two men entered One was Fox
the other a heavy-set gray mustached
officer in the uniform of a colonel of
Infantry The captain greeted me
gravely and extended his hand
"I would far rather meet you as I
did before” he said “but war gives
us no choice”
’I took my chances and have no
complaint” I answered heartily for I
liked the man “I presume there Is
no doubt as to my fate?”
"I fear not but the matter Is not In
my bands for which I am grateful
This Is Colonel Pickney In com-
mand" I bowed and our eyes met The face
confronting me was strong and reso-
lute its expression that of regret
“A very young man Captain Fox”
he said to his companion “which fact
adds to the unpleasantness of such
duty Your name Is Wyatt?”
“Yes sir”
“You claim connection with the Con-
federate service — an officer?”
“A sergeant of artillery sir”
He cleared his throat impressively
“You have the appearance of an
Intelligent man Sergeant Wyatt and
must realize the seriousness of your
position I am sure I need not dwell
upon the fate which befalls a spy
when captured by the enemy In
your case there seems to be no de-
fense possible — you wear Federal uni-
form were within our lines and pa-
pers have been found on you of a
most Incriminating character It Is
my understanding you make no de-
nial" “None whatever sir It would be
useless”
There Is always a way In which
mercy can be extended” he went on
earnestly “Doubtless you possess In-
formation which would be of the ut-
most value to us I shall gladly use
my Influence on your behalf if the
circumstances warrant”
I glanced aside at Fox and caught
the look of appeal In bis face then
back Into the expectant eyes of the
colonel
“You have authority to make me
this proposition?” I asked quietly
“I am in command of this camp and
pledge you my Influence with General
Ramsay”
I stood motionless a moment en-
deavoring to straighten the matter out
In my mind When I spoke It was as
briefly as possible
“I can only thank you Colonel
Pickney and respectfully decline I
will not answer your questions sir”
Fox gripped my arm and aa I
glanced at him I was surprised to
see a mist of tears In his eyes
“Wyatt” he exclaimed making no
pretense at calmness “do not be hasty
In your decision I would not counsel
you to any act of dishonor but surely
some compromise la possible I not
only ask you to consider the situation
from your own standpoint but also
from ours I accompanied Colonel
Pickney In tbs hope I might have
some Influence” He hesitated an In
stant as though doubtful of his words
“Perhaps I should say my boy that
another urged me to come”
"Another?"
“Yes — a lady”
My bead swam my heart beating
like a triphammer
“Do— do you mean Captain Fox
that she actually asked you to urge
me to save myself by such an act?'
“No Wyatt not that She request
ed me to accompany Colonel Pickney
and do all I could on your behalf”
I drew a long breath of relief my
mind clearing my resolve strength
ened She did care then! God knew
I was glad and she had not urged
me to an act of dishonor And I kDew
I understood — she wished me to real
lze that she waa not Indifferent to my
fate that her Interest was not dead
and she bad sent the message to me
by the only man she could trust to
rightly deliver It My heart light
ened and my lips smiled
“I thank you for your message Cap-
tain Fox” I said sincerely clasping
his hand "Tell her bow glad it made
me But It cannot change my decl
slon I will answer no questions”
“This is your final reply sergeant?’
the colonel’s voice had hardened his
eyes had lost their friendliness “Good
day sir”
The door opened to the rap of his
knuckles and the two men passed
out neither one glancing back at me
The sentry asked a question and I
heard Pickney answer:
“Yes set the food within but let
no one communicate with the prisoner
except on my written order I will
have another sentry posted above"
A soldier entered bearing a camp
ration and a pannikin of water and
placed these oq the box He said
nothing and the colonel stood beside
the door watching until I was left
alone I put the food on the floor un-
touched and sat down on the box I
wanted to live I was young ambi-
tious and — I loved that girl I real-
ized this truth clearly and It became
the one ceaseless Incentive to effort
Her face arose before me and I felt
that her message was meant for my
encouragement She wanted me to
live wished me to know that she was
So I Went Back to My Seat on the
Box
not Indifferent trusted me to accom-
plish all that a man could And I
must act now if at all
I ate the food not from any sense
of hunger but because I needed It to
keep up my strength I was alone
un watched there was no place where
an eye could peer In on my move-
ments I dragged the box over to
the window stood on It and managed
to dislodge the bit of Iron entangled in
the grating It proved to bo part of
a discarded horseshoe flung there
carelessly by some farrier and con-
tained three thin-headed nails With
difficulty 1 loosened one of these and
fitted the sharp edge Into a screwhead
of a shelf bracket The nail afforded
little purchase and I -tried three 'of
the screws before finding one loose
enough to turn By this time my fin-
gers were numb and bleeding yet the
final success set my heart throbbing
with exultation
The removal of the screw which by
chance was the lower one enabled me
to Insert the remnant of horseshoe
beneath the bracket Iron Slowly
fearful of creating alarm the impro-
vised lever wrenched the bracket
free until I was enabled to get firm
grip on It with my hands With foot
braced and every muscle strained I
worked that bit of Iron back and forth
tearing It free until I knew that an-
other wrench would separate It en-
tirely from Its fastenings Then 1
forced it back Into place again
pressed down the loosened screws
carefully gathered together the slight
dubrts Uttering the floor and cast It
Into a dark corner The bracket
seemed as solid as evar Now 1 must
wait for night
CHAPTER XVI
Under Death Santane
It was dreary waiting for every on
ueual eound reaching me brought with
It a throb of fear That my fate was
already practically settled I knew but
how long the delay might be remained
a problem Fox I felt convinced
would use whatever Influence be poe-
eessed to delay action and there wae
a faint hope In my mind also that No-
reen might even make a plea to higher
authorities In my behalf I dare not
believe sbe would but the vague
dream of auch a thing recurred again
and again to my mind
To learn all I could I dragged the
box to a position below the window
and standing on It managed to gain
a narrow glimpse without the vista
revealing a flap of dirty tent cloth
and part of an army wagon backed up
against the building leaving barely
enough space for the guard to pace
back and forth the length of his beat
I could see bis blue-clad legs with the
white stripe cross and recross in
front of me I tested the strength of
the iron grating with my hands but
the bars were firmly imbedded and
Immovable
The sun must have been well down
In Oe west when Fox returned I
bad been expecting him trusting to
his friendly interest and with a fleet-
ing hope that Noreen might commis-
sion him to bring me some further
message Yet the moment I looked
into his face' shadowed by the fading
light I realized that he brought no
encouraging news My heart sank
but I kept a smile on my Ups
“I expected to be out of here be-
fore now” I said meaningly "yet I
judge from your expression there Is
no reprieve”
“And no hope of one Wyatt” be an-
swered regretfully "The evidence
against you Is too strong The delay
In convening a court his been caused
by the scarcity of officers in camp
Our forage trains are just beginning
to return but It Is now so late that
Colonel Pickney has decided to bold
you prisoner until morning I waited
until the order was issued before com-
ing here The court-martial Is set for
eight o’clock”
“I am thankful for even that delay
There Is I presume no doubt as to
the result?”
“None so far as I can learn You
are a soldier Wyatt and may as well
face the truth I have urged mercy
on Colonel Pickney until he finally
ordered me to drop the subject He
is a strict disciplinarian a bit of a
martinet Indeed and Inclined to take
the advice of a regular army officer
In such matters rather than rely on
volunteers Has Raymond any spe-
cial reason to dislike you?”
"Only that I Impersonated him ii
this masquerade”
“Bah! that was mere chance the
selection of his name from the army
list The fellow Is naturally vindic-
tive enough but surely could not har-
bor personal dislike over so small a
matter” He paused hesitatingly as
though doubtful of the propriety' of
pressing an Inquiry “I trust you will
pardon me Wyatt but I have won-
dered if there was not some trouble
existing between you relative to the
friendship of Miss Harwood”
"That would appear Impossible” I
replied somewhat surprised "for my
being with her was entirely acciden-
tal" "Yes so she insists but I know
Raymond is deeply interested In the
girl Someone told me he actually
proposed to her at West Point and
sought this detail In hope of meeting
her again The occurrence which
aroused my suspicion that he felt a
personal grudge against you was this
— I know he promised her to use his
influence to have you sent to Charles-
ton for trial but instead he urged
Colonel Pickney to exercise his own
authority I chanced to be in the next
room and overheard I have not seen
the young lady since”
My mind worked rapidly That
Raymond was treacherous was prob-
ably true Noreen had treated him
with marked coldness There could
be no great degree of Intimacy between
them or sbe would have chosen him
In this emergency rather than Captain
Fox But she had revealed to neither
officer the fact of our marriage it
was not so much as suspected
(TO BE CONTINUED)
Kitchener’s Good Humor
Lord Kitchener is so much regard-
ed as a man without a smile writes
a correspondent that an anecdote
illustrating his human quality may be
to the point One of my officers has
a rich father who wrote directly to
“K of K” offering to settle £250
apiece on each of his two sons if the
war minister would give them com-
missions “Settle the money on your
daughters instead" came the reply
“If your sons are any good 1 shall be
glad to take them for nothing” Sound
common sense this as well as humor
touched with Irony — Loudon Cbron
lcla
Back ache? Stomach sen
sitivef A little cough? No
strength? Tire easily? All
after effects of this dread mal-
ady Yes they are catarrhaL
Grip is a catarrhal disease
You can never be well as long
as catarrh remains in your sy §
tem weakening your whole
body with stagnant blood and
unhealthy secretions
You Need
PERUNA
It’s the one tonic for the after
effects of grip because it is a
catarrhal treatment of proved
excellence Take it to clear
away all the effects of grip to
tone the digestion clear up the
inflammed membranes regulate the
bowels and set you on the highway
to complete recovery
Perhaps one or more of your
friends have found it valuable
Thousands of people in every state
have end have told us of lL Many
thousands more have been helped
at critical times by this reliable
family medicine
Priparil aba la bib Ians far raw awanbeaw
Tbe Feme Ceanpaar CabebaaOUa
A Hero’s Nightmare
Wounded Soldier (to man in next
cot) — Charlie I Just ’ad a most ’orri-
ble dream I dreamt I 'eard the whis-
tle to charge and I was a “conscien-
tious objector!’’
SAGE TEA DARKENS
HAIR TO Ally SHADE
Don’t stay Gray! Here’s an
Old-time Recipe that Any-
body Can Apply
The use of Sage and Sulphur for re-
storing faded gray hair to its natural
color dates hack to grandmother's
time She used It to keep her hair
beautifully dark glossy and attractive
Whenever her hair took on that dull
faded or streaked appearance this
simple mixture was appliedwith won-
derful effect
But brewing at home Is mussy and
out-of-date Nowadays by asking at
any drug store for a 60 cent bottle of
"Wyeth’s Sage and Sulphur Com-
pound” you will get this famous old
preparation improved by the addition
of other ingredients which can be de-
pended upon to restore natural color
and beauty to the hair
A well-known downtown druggist
says it darkens the hair so naturally
and evenly that nobody can tell It has
been applied Tou -simply dampen a
sponge or soft brush with it and draw
this through your hair taking one
strand at a time By morning the gray
hair disappears and after another ap-
plication or two it becomes beautifully
dark and glossy
Wyeth’s Sage and Sulphur Com-
pound Is a delightful toilet requisite
for those who desire a more youthful
appearance It is not intended for the
cure mitigation or prevention of dis-
ease — Adv
A man may he a good story teller
but his wife seldom swallows his
yarns
Stop That Ache !
Don’t worry about a bad back
Get rid of 1L Probably your kid-
neys are out of order Resume sen-
sible habits and help the kldneya
Then kidney backache will go
also the dizzy spells lameness stiff-
ness tired feelings nervousness
rheumatic pains and bladder trou-
bles Use Doan s Kidney Pills
Thousands recommend them
A Texas Case
Mrs H H Bui-
ger SCO E Craw-
ford 8t Denison
Tex says: “I suf-
fared Intensely
from pains In my
back and I couldn’t
move without sharp
twinges darting
through me My
kidneys were dls-
ordered I had
rheumatic pains
and ray feet and
ankles were swol-
len at times so that I couldn’t stand
Doan’s Kidney Pills gave me Instant
relief and one box and a half com-
pletely cured me
Get Does' at Any Stare 80c a Bes
DOAN'S kpidlnlist
FOSTER-MILBURK CO BUFFALO N T
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Crossett, R. E. The Sopar Democrat (Choctaw County, Okla.), Vol. 5, No. 46, Ed. 1 Thursday, April 6, 1916, newspaper, April 6, 1916; (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc1716389/m1/3/?q=led+zeppelin: accessed June 13, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.