The Devol Dispatch. (Devol, Okla.), Vol. 8, No. 12, Ed. 1 Friday, April 28, 1916 Page: 2 of 8
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I
1
THE DEVOL DISPATCH
QheKDMBT
A TALE Or CIVIL STRIFE t
RANDALL PARM 'T
msmrioNS t
U5imriON$
capyicjir
Acmcufit uco
SYNOPSIS
—li—
Confederate Sergeant Wyatt la aent
M a ipy to hla native county on the
Qreen Briar He meta a mountaineer
named Jem Taylor At a houee beyond
Hot Springe they meet Major Harwood
wyatt la sent to bed He becomes aus
picious and finds that Taylor has mur-
red Harwood and escaped Wyatt
changes to U 8 uniform and to a de-
tachment of Federal cavalry Identifies
ntmaelf as Lieutenant Raymond Third
L B cavalry Captain Fox finds Har-
wood s body The detachment Is am-
bushed Wyatt escapes to the Oreen
Briar country and goes to Harwood's
home where he finds Noreen Harwood
He Introduces himself as Lieutenant Ray-
inond Parson Nichols comes to the
house and tells Noreen of her father's
death Wyatt forces Parson Nichols to
confess that he has been sent In advance
Anse Cowan who proposes to marry
Noreen at once and so quiet title to the
land In dispute between the Cowans and
Jvoreen's dead father Anse Cowan and
nis gang arrive and find the preacher
pound In a closet Wyatt and Noreen
5ave concealed themselves In the attic
- ?!? Cowan gang ransacks the house but
Calls to find the hidden couple Wyatt
tells Noreen who he la They return to
the second floor and awt the next move
Rf the gang forcing the preacher to sl-
tnce Unable to escape while the gang
is on the first floor and around the house
wcatt proposes to marry Noreen and pro-
tect her from Cowan She aocepts and
Wyatt forces the preacher to marry
hem Cowan’s gang Is driven off by
Federal troops one of whose officers Is
the real Lieutenant Raymond Wyatt Is
trapped though Noreen attempts to de-
fend him Wyatt Is taken to Lewlsburg
Cor trial as a spy
CHAPTER XV
I Choote Death
I knew the town well and few
Changes had occurred since last I
hiked 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-
honse a dignified edifice of red brick
a block beyond where In other days
my father presided on the bench now
f completely surrounded 'by a military
cafnp 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 had 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 head 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
np 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 np Into
his face as if In answer to some witty
remark This was the last glimpse I
had as we clattered on down the
street
At the courthouse steps the ser-
geant turned me 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 bu-
ttle enough the windows barred tho
walla 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 up In the wall and
an Iron door The floor and walls
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 1 heard the sharp click of a heavy
lock then regular steps passing back
and forth across the stone floor proof
that a sentinel had oeen 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 Oreen Briar
county were of Iron as a safeguard
against lira with a sheet of Iron at
their back concealing the wall be-
hind My heart gave a sudden leap
As a boy I had played about this
building Invading every nook and cor-
ner I conld even recall when those
shelves were first Installed and I had
sat almost where I was sitting then
and watched the workmen bolt them
Into their present position It was be-
- tore my father bought the place out
4KD RHODES
oif the ridge and we were living only
a block down the street Those shelves
rested 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 1 recalled
standing upright in the fireplace on
the floor' above and looking np 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
hands 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 bat
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
was something caught In the Iron bars
of the window from where I eat 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 s 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
”1 would far rather meet you as I
did before” he said "but war gives
us no choice"
"I took my chances and hsveno
complaint” I answered heartily for I
liked the man presume there Is
no doubt as to my fate?”
T fear not but the matter is not In
my hands 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 Tour 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
yonr 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 hla 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 yon my Influence with Oeneral
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 as 1
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 say act of dishonor hut surely
some compromise Is possible I not
only ask you to consider the situation
from your own standpoint but also
from ours I accompanied Colonel
Pickney la the hope I might have
some Influence” He hesitated aa In-
stant as though doubtful of hla words
“Perhaps I should say my hoy that
another urged mo to come”
"Another?"
"Yes— a lady
My head swam my heart heating
Uka a triphammer -
"Do— do you menu Captain Fox
that aha actually asked you to urge
me to save myself by such aa act?"
“No Wyatt not that Sho 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 waa glad and she had not urged
me to an act of dishonor And I know
I understood— she wished me to real-
ize that she was not Indifferent to my
fate that her Interest was not dead
and she had sent the message to me
by the only man she could trust to
rightly 'deliver It My heart light-
ened and my Ups smiled
"I thank yon for your message Cap-
tain Fox" I said sincerelj' clasping
his hand "Tell her bow glad it made
ms Bat It cannot change my deci-
sion I will answer no questions"
"This Is your final reply sergeant?"
the colonel’s voice had hardened his
eyes had lost thslr friendliness "Good
day sir" '
The door opened to tbs rap of hla
knuckles' and the two men passed
out neither one glancing back at mo
The ‘sentry asked a question and 1
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 on the box He eald
nothing and the colonel stood beside
the door watching until I waa left
alone I put the food on the floor un-
touched and sat down onAhe box I
wanted to live I was young ambi-
tious and— I loved that girt I real-
ized this truth clearly and It becama
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 8eat 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
an watched there waa 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 be part of
a discarded horseshoe flung there
carelessly by some farrier and con-
tained three thin-beaded nails With
difficulty I 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 horseahoe
beneath the bracket Iron Slowly
fearful of creating alarm the Impro-
vised lever wrenched the bracket
free until 1 waa enabled to get firm
grip on It with my bands With foot
braced and every muscle strained I
worked that bit of Iron back and fqrth
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 tho loosened screws
carefully gathered together tho slight
r Jt ‘
dibits Uttering tho floor and east It
Into a dark corner Tho- bracket
ooomod os solid oa oven Now I mast
watt tor sight
CHAPTBA XVL
mm
Under Death lento nee
It was dreary waiting tor every
usual sound reaching me brought with
it a throb of fear That my fate waa
already practically settled I knew but
how long tho delay mlghfbe maalaed
a problem Jox I felt oonrinood
would uso whatever Influence he pos-
sessed to delay action and tharo waa
a faint heps la my mind also that Ne
roen might even make a plea to hlghar
authorities In my behalf I dare not
believe she would but the vague
dream of such a thing recurred agate
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
agalnat the building leaving barely
enough space for the guard to pace
beck end forth the length of hla beat
I could aee hla 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 bare were firmly imbedded and
immovable
The enn must have been well down
in tee west when Fox returned 1
bad been expecting him trusting to
his friendly Interest and with a fleet
tng 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 realised that he brought no
encouraging news My heart sank
but I kept a smile on my Ups
"I expected to be out of hers be-
fore now" I said meaningly “yet I
Judge from your expression there is
no reprieve"
"And no hope of one Wyatt" he an-
swered regretfully “The evidence
against you Is too strong The delay
In convening a court has been caused
by the scarcity of office ra In camp
Our forage trains are Just beginning
to return but It is now so late that
Colonel Pickney has decided to hold
yon prisoner until morning I waited
until the order was issued before com-
ing here The court-martial la sat for
eight o’clock"
“I am thankful for oven that delay
There Is I presume no doubt as to
the result?"
“None so far aa I can learn You
are a sojdler 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
la 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 In
this masquerade"
"Bah! that waa mere chance the
selection of his name from the army
list The fellow Is naturally vindic-
tive enough but eurely 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 ot 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 aent to Charles-
ton for $rlal but Instead he urged
Colonel Pickney to exercise hla own
authority 1 chanced to be in the next
room and overheard - I hare 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 she would h&vo chosen him
In this emergency rather than Captain
Fox But eho had revealed to neither
officer the fact ot our marriage it
was not so much as suspected
(TO BB 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 hla human quality may he
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 bis two sons If the
war minister would give them com-
missions “Settle the money on your
d&ugbtera Instead” came the reply
"If your eona are any good I shall be
glad to take them for nothing" Sound
common senie this as well os humor
touched with Irony— London Cbron
Ids
Mix
One
in
Minute
Water
with)
Cold
Rcy to Appjy
imedUt
x Alabaitine it the moit
effective economical and
simple will decoration on the ’ ’
market It has demonstrated
its superiority in thirty-five-
yean use
r
Think of it! No boiling water no
glue added It’s one of the easiest -
obe in the world to prepare and '
apply Alabastine and the resulting - r
surface if ordinary care is taken is
solid itreaklesi end mat-like
TU Mas Bimmlifml WaM 7b
-
And when yon consider that you
obtain the most beautiful mellow
nature colors vie soft buffs delicate
greens and exquisite blues or any
iisdt you wish by combining shades
of Alabastine then you'll knnu why
Alabastine is one of the most popular
wall decorations with millions of - '
Painters and Householders Decora- -tors
and Womenfolk who take a pride
in their homes the wide world over
The Alabastine Co -MCmMUM
CnMSulAm'
B m Si li an aa4 did a M ek rtrii af -
UMmimW- AUMm to oU kraodlnalMa
luSmi Inkn aa 4 aiat Mora mrrwUn II jmui
Transgressors should be made to pay
a road tax
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sample each by mall with Book
Address postcard Cutlcura' Dept I
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Theory is the pioneer of practice
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Hannifin, D. L. The Devol Dispatch. (Devol, Okla.), Vol. 8, No. 12, Ed. 1 Friday, April 28, 1916, newspaper, April 28, 1916; (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc1763814/m1/2/: accessed July 16, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.