30
THE SUNDAY OREGONIAN, PORTLAND, JUNE" 3,' 1900."
Synopsis of Preceding Chapters.
(Copyright. 1000, by F. A. Cummlngs.)
Five years before the outbreak of the Civil
War, love of adventure, hatred of slavery and
the desire to help my friend. George Wesner,
led roe. Charles Bradley, a civil engineer, of
Attakapas County, Louisiana, to become an
agent of the underground railroad. Wesner
had been nursed through the smallpox by a
young slave, Lucy, belonging to the Coverlcy
plantation. He discovered facts -which proved
that Lucy -was white and of good family. A
secret love match followed, which progressed
well until Coverley proposed to sell Lucy to
his ron. and refused to sell her to anyone else.
"Wesner became desperate. I agreed to help
him steal Lucy, and went to New York to ar
range with the anti-slavery society for the
care of any slave we could bring North. We
arranged our end of the underground railway,
with my woodyard, several miles up the river,
as the main station and hiding-place. At home
we set up a general merchandise store to avoid
suspicion. "Wesner makes the first venture, and
starts North with 10 of Coverley's slaves. In
cluding Lucy. The venture is successful Wes
ner delivers the slaves to the agents In New
York, and places Lucy In school at Andover.
I take charge of the second raid. Disguised as
a peddler. I see and arrange with some of the
Raymond negroes for their escape. Dave, their
leader, gathers 73 slaves together, and after
great trouble and many narrow escapes ve ship
hem North by sea along with a cargo of cot
ton. Our total profits on the cargo are $0000.
In the following Spring we plan a third ven
ture, and the Lanman plantation Is our first
objective. We collect another lot at the ren
dezvous, and Wesner takes them north to Cairo
over the old route. Lucy is recognized by a
Southerner in Massachusetts.
CHAPTER XXL
Pierce was not the man to give up
easily. Back at Brighton he had a friend
who pastured horses, and If he had the
horse e could easily borrow the harness
and carriage. On his way toward Brigh
ton, as he afterward told me, he turned
the whole thing over in his mind and
decided that go he must, if not with a
horse then on foot, for he knew Coverly
and was determined to beat the old ras
cal. At Brighton he succeeded not only in
getting a horse, but he borrowed a har
ness and ?50 in money. "With this outlit
he started for Chester. The horse was
not very speedy, and it was late one Sat
urday evening, four days after he left
Brighton, when Pierce drove up to the
hotel in Chester.
After eating supper, he sauntered into
the barroom, and from there out on the
piazza, but found no one of whom he
could ask questions, and, in fact, did not
know what to ask, or whom to ask for.
As he was growing more cautious, he con
cluded to ask none, but wait and endeavor
to ascertain if Lucy was in the place.
He was told at Andover that she was to
spend the Summer at a Mr. Lewis', in
Chester, but did not know h!s Christian
name. This was a small place, however,
and he had no doubt he would be able
to And the man without asking. Tired
with his long journey, he went to bed and
to sleep. Next day (Sunday) he attended
church, not exactly from devotional mo
tives, but because he was pretty well as
sured that Lucy would be there. He pur
posely went early and waited on the steps
with the rest of the early attendants, for
the coming of the pastor. Pierce was a
stranger, and drew the attention- of the
congregation, as any stranger would In
a small place. He was accosted by a
gentleman, who inquired if he would stop
for the service, and receiving his affirma
tive answer, immediately introduced him
to Deacon Lewis. The last-nameJ gentle
man was the &exton and usher combined.
Now was Pierce's chance, and as he
was by nature quite a gossip, he im
proved it, and in less than live minutes
had the information that he (Lewis) took
Summer boarders, that he had three young
ladies from Andover, also four young gen
tlemen from Harvard, and should have
Jiad a fourth lady had she not received an
invitation from one of her classmates up
in Lee, and had gone there he guessed
it did not cost her anything for her board,
as "Waluridge's darter wanted her com
pany. Although the newsy deacon old
not know the young lady's name, he
knew the others, and gave them to Pierce,
which was as well.
Services commenced, but what the text
was, or how eloquent the discourse. Pierce
never knew. He stayed until the bene
diction; walked slowly out with the con
gregation, hurried to h!s hotel, ordered
his horse, ate his dinner, and, mounting
the wagon seat, drove at a. rapid gait to
ward Berkshire. Again it was evening,
and he drew near the Walbridge mansion.
On the broad Svone tj.ep sat the two
girls. In the fading light Pierce could
not recognize Lucy, but he knew her
voice, and th words of the hymn they
wore singing. The tears started to his
eyes, for he had once heard her sing the
same hymn In a little negro cabin In At
takapas the night before the lied to the
swamp. At the sound of wneels the voice
ceased. Pierce stopped his horse, alight
ed and walked slowly up the path toward
the door. Lucy recognized him and was
the iirst to speak.
"Mr. Pierce, is there trouble?"
"Yes; they are after you."
"I felt that It would be so." she replied,
and in a few words related her encounter
with Gerou.
Pierce then told her how he had ob
tained the information.
"Now, Lucy, I am here, and what is to
be done must be done quickly. It is Ave
days since Gerou sent that telegram, and
the marshal is liable to be here at any
time."
"Mr. Pierce. 1 must rely upon you. J
know I must leave here, but where shall
I go? Not to Boston, for did not the
authorities return Burns to his master?
There Is but one course that is to hide.
Hide from the sight of man but where?
O where? 'Foxes have holes and the
birds of the air have nests.' but what
place has the fugitive &!ave, and that
fugitive a woman?"
"Does Mr. Walbridge know who you
are?"
"No."
"Tell him."
. "I dare not, for he is so heroically pa
triotic that he would return me to the
marshal and consider it his ' duty honor
ably performed."
"Don't believe it." Pierce replied. "Has
he a horse?"
"He has three good ones."
"Then," said Pierce. "1 am going to
trade horses with him, for mine Is about
played out. You have got to leave this
place, for the officers have your loca
tion down fine, and are not going around
by Boston, but will come by the Con
necticut Valley. The sooner we are on
the move the better. Introduce me to
Mr. Walbridge, and stay until I finish
with him." Without any formality he,
preceded by Lucy, entered the house and
was made acquainted with the farmer.
If not eloquent. Pierce was a forcible
talker, and in a few minutes he gave
Mr. Walbridge a view of the fugitive
slave law he had never read or beard of
before. After he had finished his story
he turned toward Lucy.
"Now. Mr. Walbridge. you know this
lady; che has been a member of your
household, eaten at your table, slept un
der your roof and sat in your pew at
church. Do you wish to return her to her
master? Do you wish to send her back
into slavery, to be lacerated by the lash,
to know that, through your instrumental
ity and under the mistaken motive of
obeying the laws of your country, you
condemn her to perpetual servitude?"
"No," yelled the old man. "never!"
"Then," said Pierce, dropping the he
roic, "swap horses with me. I will trade
back after I am through with yours.
Mine is an old horse, and-is just beat out.
We have got to run for it, Lucy and L"
"Take any horse I have take my best
yoke of oxen!" cried the old man, in his
excitement.
"Now don't get excited," said Pierce.
"Take this easy. Can you show me the
Toad?"
Mr. AValbrdge took a leaf from his
memorandum-book and made a little plan
of the road leading to the surrounding
towns, with, a neatness and extreme ac
curateness that surprised Pierce.
"Now," said the old man, "you had
better leave Just as soon as It is so dark
these peekin neighbors along the road
can't tell it's my horse, and drive slow
by every house for five miles, or some
of 'em will know her step and speak
of it the next day. They're an awful
curious people hereabout."
After It was fully dark the exchange
of horses was made and the couple start
ed, Lucy taking her handbag, contain
ing a few articles of clothing. Pierce's
idea was to convey her to Washington,
the nearest railroad station, and from
thence back to Andover, where, among
friends and in a populous community,
she would be less liable to arrest and
would be more easily protected, but Lucy,
well knowing that a warrant for her per
son, reinforced by a requisition from the
Governor of Louisiana, would be as po
tent in one place as In another, begged
for concealment until the danger was
past. Then she could return to Andover.
but not now. when Gerou might have a
detective watching her movements. Pierce
concluded to keep on the present road
to the station, then take another branch
road and make a detour up through
Franklin County and stop at some quiet
place as far .from the railroad as pos
sible. From thence, when the search was
over, she could come back to Andover.
It was now near midnight, and as they
drew near the station Pierce gave Lucy
instructions haw to proceed In case she
was captured, and also promised that ho
would follow and not lose track of her.
His previous knowledge of similar cases
Instructed him to be cautious, and he
also knew that they were liable to be
intercepted, as there were other routes
open to the kidnapers up through the
Connecticut Valley from the south, by
the Boston & Albany from the west, of
from Boston by the same road from the
east The train from the west was due
at Washington station about 12:30, and
it was Just midnight as they crossed the
track. The county road ran very near
the station, and as Pierce drove over the
rails he noticed. Imperfectly outlined in
the glimmering starlight, a wagon stand
ing near the station-house, the horse
fastened to the hitching-post and the
driver talking to the station agent, who
was waiting with his lantern, evidently
expecting- the train. There was a trunk
In the wagon. This meant a stop of ar
Instant, Washington being a flag sta
tion. The agent looked up as the team drove
by. saying. "Good evening."
Pierce replied and drove on as If well
acquainted and near home. He did not
fancy the appearance of the station agent,
and told Lucy so as soon as they were
out of hearing.
"I will tell you why," said he. "He
looked at us pretty steady, and knew
there were two In this buggy a man and
a woman and I am afraid he is paid to
remember It."
"Oh. Mr. Pierce, hurry!" cried Lucy.
"I don't likt it." replied Pierce, and
he was right. The station agent. Gil
man, had been paid by Gerou to watch
that particular crossing day and night
until after the Marshal should have
passed. A letter awaited the Marshal at
New York, telling him which route to
take and what station to get oft at.
Mere than this. Gilman had purposely
driven by Walbrldge's that very Sun
day, saw Lucy sitting by the open win
dow, and recognized her. He knew Wal
brldge's mare by her step as she crossed
the railroad that night.
The train was about 30 minutes late,
and as they slowed up a man leaped
from the forward passenger car. walked
swiftly by the smoker and spoke to the
station agent,
"Is your name Gilman?"
"Yes."
"Any news?"
"Yes; the parties crossed here less than
an hour ago, bound east."
"Passed on what train?"
"No train, but with a horse and wagon.
"Then we will get a team and follow
them."
"No," said Gilman, "they have Wal
brldge's mare and 10 miles' start; she
will go that distance foe every hour for
all night. We will go to Beckefs sta
tion; that's the next but one. There the
country road swings around near the
railroad. The west-bound train Is due
at the station next this at 4:14. We will
take a horse and wagon there and drive
this way. meet them and arrest you;
nigger, take her to the station, board
the train, and the work Is done. But if
Walbridge is with her he will fight. 1
will show you the road, but when we
hear their wheels I am off, for I must
not be known In connection with the af
fair. J. Walbridge will shoot,"
The Marshal felt a contempt for the
cowardice of the man. and inwardly re
solved If there was any lead flying that
the gentleman should share in the show
er, and as the conductor sang out "All
aboard!" stepped nimbly on the plat
form of the smoker, followed by Gilman.
There was a man with the Marshal, but
he did not Introduce him to Gilman. His
name was Shaughnessy. He was a po
liceman from New York City, whom
Gregg had deputized and hired to accom
pany him.
An hour later they left the train at
Beckct's station. Gilman consumed per
haps another half hour in getting his
team, and they were on the road, driv
ing at a rapid rate west, upon the same
road on which Pierce and Lucy were
driving east. They had no expectation
of meeting an enemy, but thought they
would bo pursued from the rear. Hear
ing the approach of wheels. Pierce
reined his horse beside the road, to leave
room for the other carriage. To his
intense surprise, the driver drew square
across the road, sprang from the wagon,
and. seizing the horee by the biu. cov
ered Pierce with his revolver, calling upon
him to surrender.
Pierce was no fool. He dropped the
reins, speaking a few words to Lucy,
telling her to remember all he had said
and not despair. Shaughncsey held the
relra. Gregg, finding that Pierce sub
m'tted. lowered his pistol, "began fumb
ling In his pocket, brought out his war
rant, and. by the light of Gllman's Ian-
item, commenced to read It, first threat
ening to bore a hole through Pierce should
he resist,
"What sort of a warrant have you
lodged against me?" asked Pierce. "Go
In to arrest me because I am driving
on a road after dark?"
"Nothing against you. But I have
against your companion."
Pierce eyed Gilman as the light shone
upon his face. "Say, Mr. Marshal, what
have you there?"
"WeU," replied Gregg, "he is one ot
your genuine Yankees, who has sold
that girl for money. Do you want him?
I am done with him."
"No," Pierce replied, "I have seen him
before. It is the station agent at Wash
ington. He is paid for his part, but I
can remember him without pay."
Gregg now approached Lucy arid asked
her a few questions.
"Are you the girl, known as Lucy, the
property of Eben Coverly, Parish St,
Mary's, Louisiana?"
"It is useless to deny it, sir," she" re
plied. "1 em from the Parish St, Mary's.
Louisiana, but I am not and never will
I be the property of any man."
"That's too deep a question for me to
decide," replied Gregg, "but here, listen
while I read this warrant. Can you read?"
he asked.
"Yes," she replied.
"Then you read It"; and he handed her
HiU Wm m? f ? tflHH (BPv-MiHBPnPi NM tf
WESTXER DASHED
the paper, holding the lantern so the light
shone full upon it
Here is what she read:
Parish St Mary6, Lou'slana, June 23,
1856. In consideration of 51500. the receipt
of which I hereby acknowledge, I have
this day sold to Richard Coverly one
mulatto girl, known as Lucy. Said girl
Is 18 years of age, nearly white, no marks,
and I am lawfully possessed of the above
girl. EBEN COVERLY.
Witness, James Wilson, Justice of Peace.
"Are you tho girl described by this
bill?" asked Gregg.
Yes," she replied, "I am the girl."
The scene was over, and Lucy was tho
property of Richard Coverly. It wafl
about 3 o'clock In the morning, and there
was a faint glow of daylight along the
narrow road as they started toward Beck
et'e station. Pierce was silent Lucy's
grief saddened even his light heart, and
he was also thinking of her rescue. Gregg
gave him permission to remain with Lucy,
and fell lnwlth his own team behind him,
first Informing Pierce that It would be
folly for him to attempt an escape.
"I know that Mr. Marshal." said he.
"I would have tried long ago were It
not for the lady's entreaties, and phouia
have shot you at first but for the fact
that a Maesachusetto Jury would call It
murder, and the Sheriff might run me
down for it I have looked Into the muz
zle of a pistol before this night When
I threw up my hands my own shooting
iron covered you from under my coat
sleeve. My Judgment overruled my In
clinations. Three to one are big odd, and
I was fearful that the lady m'ght be In
jured in the melee that would follow
so don't think that I am a coward."
"No. I think you are a pretty level-,
headed man. and I'll swear you are a
cool one (and I believe will make trouble
for ous yet)" thla to the policeman In an
undertone.
Thev drove along at a moderate pace.
and were soon at the station and awaiting
the western-bound train. Pierce aked
the Marshal if he intended to handcuff
Lucy.
"No, not until we get beyond Cincinna
ti." he replied.
"Then." reasoned Pierce, "you take the
steamer at Cairo for once I will hold my
tongue, think. Instead of talk, and will
swallow all you say."
He turned and addressed Lucy in Acad
ian, saying he would keep near her, and.
If no other way offered, he would ehooi
the Marshal before he would allow her to
go back to "hell" again, or set foot on a
Mississippi steamer.
Lucy had dropped her veil over her
fare, and save an occasional shiver as she
choked back the rising sobs, no one would
have noticed that the party were not le
gitimate travelers. As they reached the
station, Gregg turned to Lucy.
"Not yet," said PUrce. "I haven't
made up my mind what to do. I may take
a notion to shoot you before I let the
girl go."
Gregg smiled and turned away, keeping
his eye, meanwhile, on Pierce, who stood
beside Lucy, at one moment determined
to make an outcry, arid at another dis
couraging It fearing that he might be
arrested and not allowed upon the train
If he interfered. He concluded to remain
quiet
Gregg bought three tickets for Albany.
Pierce bought his for the same place.
Gregg noticed this, and, turning to Pierce
said: "If you meddle with me it will cost
you your life."
"Fools threaten." replied Pierce. "I
have an uncle in Albany, and am going
to visit him."
At Albany there was a choice of two
routes to the South; one via New York
& Erie railroad to Chicago, thence by
the Grand Trunk line, Illinois Cen
tral to Cairo, and oy steamer to New
Orleans another by the New York &
Albany railroad to New York, thence to
Cincinnati or through to Cairo.
At this time Southern Ohio was a very
unhealthy place for the kidnaper, and
the Underground railroad had scouts
in plenty around Cincinnati. Gregg had
told Pierce that he would not put Irons
on Lucy until after reaching Cincin
nati, so he must have Intended to take
I that route. Pierce learned that there
were four hours to wait at Albany be
fore the train left for New York, but
that close connections were made with
the Chicago express.
Pierce was off the train before It had
fairly stopped. The marshal closely fol
lowed by the policeman, escorted Lucy
to the ladles' waiting room, and then
went to the ticket office, leaving Lucy
In charge of the latter. Pierce watched
and listened: "Three tickets to Cairo
via Chicago & Illinois Central." It was
the marshal's voice.
Thank God. I will be there 16 hours
before you,' said Pierce, as he walked
back to the waiting room and ex
changed a few words with Lucy In Aca
dian." "You go by the way of "Chlcgo; I will
be at Cairo with help before you get there
I know the ground. Don't despair keep
up your strength for you will need It
ail. It's only another trip over the old
road and we will see our friends once
more,"
"Train ready." called the conductor.
The last bell struck and Lucy was hur
ried on board. Pierce, with moist eyes,
watched them pull out of the depot
then hurried to the office of the Western
Union telegraph office, where he sent
a long message to Glllott at Cairo, ex
plaining the situation and that he was
on his way. This he signed "No. 5,"
his roll number when on the railroad,
and added "answer to Perclval Jones,
train between New York and Cincinnati."
The dispatch was In cipher, known
only to a few of the U. G. R, B, cabal
around Cairo. This done, he went to
the restaurant and ordered his dinner,
not having tasted food since the day he
fore. At 5 P. M. he took the train for New
York, and was whirled out of the depot
on the then famous New York & Albany
railroad broad gauge and fast
CHAPTER XXIL
"When Pierce's message was delivered
to Glllott, Wesner was at Cairo, on his
j return from a trip to New York. He
! was stopping at the hotel, was hot dis
! gulsed and had no communication wltb
' Glllott. although the latter knew o his
I arrival, as he always kept run of the
i hotel guests. There were a couple of
j men there whose acquaintance Wesner
i wished to make, as he mistrusted they
were negro-hunters, and it was verj
ACROSS THE PLATFORSI WITH LUCY XX HIS ARMS.
good policy to learn their business.
Neither of them knew him, and he soon
ascertained they were simply watching
and was amused when he heard them
boast they could stop every runaway ne
gro that came by the way of Cairo.
The day Glllott had received Pierce's
diypatch Wesner had intended to leave
but there was no boat going down that
he wished to take. The , next morning
the hotel clerk handed him a letter
with the local postmark .upon it The
direction was in an unknown hand, and
he put it in his pocket and sauntered
down the street "When a short dis
tance from the house he took the letter
from his pocket and opened it It was
ehort, but he comprehended its purport
There was no signature attached. The
handwriting was Gl)lott's.
Tonight, without fail.',
Wesner chewed the letter to a pulp
and scattered it along the road.
That night found, him at Glllotfs.
where Pierce's telegram was handed him.
One moment sufficed tor acquaint him
with Its contents, another and he had
formed his plan.
'They must be stopped before they
I reach here, the town Is full of roughs.
x Know tnat marsnai, ms name is uregg.
He is a gentleman, but a fighter, and will
not be frightened. If they are allowed
to reach here Lucy Is lost"
Wesner then telegraphed to Pierce: "Go
to Charleston,. 111., and await my com
ing. I have help enough here."
This he sent as directed. Pierce re
ceived It at Cincinnati, .and, following
directions, arrived at, Charleston in a
fever of anxiety, and' awaited develop
ments. No time could Wesner lose. He must
strike Cromwell's place. 50 miles from
Cairo, before morning light There were
friends there, and a half dozen of the
boys could be found eager for the ad
venture, and of the reckless disposition
that laughs at danger.
One hour from the fIme of entering Gil
lott's house he and Wesner were in the
saddle and riding toward Cromwell's 50
miles away. Over the wild prairie, through
the dark night they rushed. The lights
of the prairie villages shone but a moment
ahead, were passed, twinkled In their rear
and disappeared In the receding night.
Three hundred miles to the north lay the
rails of the Illinois Central Railroad. Over
them, straight as a, bird flies, speeding at
the rate of 20 miles n hour, rushed the
train. On this train, helpless, shackled
and a prisoner, was the woman Wesner
loved. There was one cnance for the res
cue, and that was at Cromwell's station.
Falling that, she must again be returned to
her master and slavery.
"For God's sake, ride on," he cried to
Glllott; "we are but walking our horses."
Glllott looked at his watch. "Keep cool,
Wesner; It is only 12UO 10 miles an hour.
We must halt and let our horses rest;
mine will be down, and that won't do. Our
pace is tremendous."
Wesner threw himself from his horse,
followed by Glllott Both stretched them
selves at full length upon the grass, and
for 30 minutes their horses rested and
cropped the fresh green blades.
Wesner whispered to his horse: "Now,
my beauty, eight miles an hour. It la all
I ask." At that rate we will reach Crom
well's at 4 o'clock. Go!" and again through
the darkness. One hour nine miles. Well
done. How her flanks heave! and her
quick breathing warns Wesner that sho
is falling.
"Slowor, go slqwer-, cried Glllott
"everything depends on the horses."
Two hours 17 miles. Eight miles more.
Their horse3 stagger as with quick heav
ing flanks they rush on. Four miles
will they make the distance? Far away
to the north is the swift-moving train,
away to the right, but a mile distant. Is
the Illinois Central Railroad, its outline
still hidden by the waning night
The stretch of woodland, whose friendly
gloom promises concealment is dimly vis
ible in the coming dawn.
One mile more the woods are reached
but three miles are left , The shades of
the dense wood cover them from all un
friendly eyes. Two miles more the fences
ot Cromwell's clearing are on their right
and left,- and the rays of the rising sun
had not shimmered en the neighboring
prairie when they rode Into the yard,
Cromwell heard the sound of the hoofs
always on the alert, he was up and ready,
and in & few minutes both horses wer
safely hidden and all traces of their riders
had vanished. Six hours before train timo
In which to rest and prepare for acUcn.
Enough and to spare. Cromwell's was
but three miles from the station.
This station was a little wooden building
and platform, beside the railroad track.
The engine stopped here for wood and
water, making a delay of about 15 min
utes. This was enough for Wesner per
haps too much.
The friendly trees extended from Crom.
well's to the station, an oasis of forest in
a desert of green. Their branches af
forded concealment and shelter, and the
soft turf gave no echo from the hoof beats
of the horses.
The enrfneers, when laying out the line
or' railroad, impressed with the beauty of
this wooded belt, avoided cutting 1c Crom
well, wandering from the sterile bills of
Maine, was there before the railroad. Com
ing from a country of forest unlike most
Eastern men, he eschewed the prairie and
remembered his native woods this little
I spot pleased his fancy. The woods ot
Maine were mere bushes beside these gi
gantic oaks and hickories, that "were old
when Columbus landed at San Salvador.
The old man Cromwell was of a rough
exterior, but his heart was tender, and
at this time of life the glamor of romance
had not worn' off.
"Here." said he to his young wife, "we
will make our home; nere we will raise
our children, and here we will be buried."
The land was then the property of the
United States. Cromwell purchased it and
built his house amid the forest trees. He
was an original abolitionist and practiced
what he preached. Contact with the
world had taught him to be cautious; a
large family of boys had strengthened his
hands as old age grew upon him, and at
60 years of age he had the appearance of
a man of. 40, Strength, muscle and agility
were his. and, backed by his five sons,
Cromwell was a formidable opponent for
tho kidnaper to meddle with. He was,
of course, suspected of being connected
with the U. G. R. R., but as the whole
I family had as many disguises as a bur
glar, and were apt In their use, the few
persons who did suspect them let them
' alone. Indeed, that section of the coun-
TT
try was somewhat under their Influence;
these were the persons upon whom Wesner
relied for assistance.
CHAPTER XXIII.
Gregg, preceded by Lucy and the police-
man, entered the car at Albany. He saw
Pierce watching him, but made no re
mark. He was too shrewd a man and too
capable an officer to be easily caught nap
ping, and he anticipated that Pierce would
make an attempt at a rescue. Where that
attempt was to be made he could make no
reasonable conjecture, but he argued:
"Men of his stamp wait for opportunity,
and If I give him the opportunity he will
suroly make the attempt My endeavor
shall be not to give that opportunity. Once
I am at Cairo I shall feel safe, as there
are always enough low-down men there
to help one. I am sorry for the girl,
though. She is all nerve, and equal to
anything a lady, if she is- a nigger. 1
would buy her myself, if Dick would sell
her. I'll ask her and see how she would
like the change. If sho objects, I wouldn't
Invest a red in her." ?
With this determination Mr. Gregg sat
down In the seat with Lucy and began the
conversation.
"Miss Lucy, this is a very disagreeable
! business to me, but you know, you see,
lost for words. Lucy raised her eyes to
his face with a quiet reserve that con
fused him the more.
"What Is disagreeable, Mr. Marshall?"
"Gregg, Gregg is my name. Miss Lucy,
call me Gregg."
"Mr. Gregg, what is disagreeable?"
"Oh, this catching folks like you and
carrying them back to their masters. I
don't care for ordinary niggers, but you
are too white for a nigger."
"Black people have souls, Mr. Gregg,
as well as white."
"Granted, but facts are facts and some
are hard facts, too. Of what use Is it to
a nigger to have a soul and be a slave on
a plantation? There Is where my the
ology Is way off. Miss Lucy way off. I
have heard lots of sermons on that subject
but the preacher always comes out of the
I same hole he went In. and on the same
i side of the fence. The next Sunday I
j would go and see or hear some other man
go in ana come out tne same identical
hole. Lord Miss Lucy, by and by they
take the hole with them and leave mo
nothing, not even the hole to look at
and here I am. United States marshal
(deputy, I mean), chasing niggers all over
Uncle Sam's farm and running them back
to their masters at so much a head, ex
penses paid. Now, would you rather be
long to me than to Dick Coverly?"
"Does that mean you would steal me
for yourself, Mr. Gregg? '
"Oh. no, no, no, no, not that If you
would like me better, and Dick's price Is
not too high, J. will buy you."
"Listen. Mr. Gregg," she replied. "I am
not neither shall I ever be, Dick Coverly's
property. God will never permit that
monstrous wrong."
There are lots of monstrous wrongs
done without his permission," said Gregg,
interrupting.
Lucy continued: "Oh, Mr. Gregg, I will
confess I would rather be under your
ownership than Richard Coverly's; but do
not Invest your money in me. I am an
uncertain piece of property, and shall ve
hemently dispute any man's right to buy
or sell me. Why do you talk to me so?
What right have you? Look at the wom
en In this car am I less intelligent than
they less a woman? Have I less feel
ing? Would you dare to address the
humblest or the most Ignorant of them as
you do me? Sir, I could alarm this car.
I could have you execrated and scorned
should I give an outcry and show the peo
ple the terrible iniquity going on In their
midst Do you wish to know why I do
not? Because it would profit me nothing;
you are an officer of the United States
I am not recognized as -an Individual I
am property you couls and would hold
me; I should injure you without benefit to
myself, and I think you are a good man,
with mistaken notions or duty. What if
I were your sister or daughter?"
Gregg fastened his eyes upon her ex
cited countenance.
"I should be proud of you," he whis
pered, "and shoot the man who wronged
you. I feel that you are not yet in
Louisiana, and although I wish I had
never undertaken this Job, it is too late
to retreat so I will fight hefore I allow
you to be taken from me. I shall do my
duty, but you shall suffer no harm, while
in my custody.".
At Buffalo the train stopped 15 minutes
for lunch. Gregg escorted Lucy to a res
taurant table and politely helped her to
what she desired. No allusion was made
to the situation again. Gregg's glance at
every stranger who paused to look at
them, and a general uneasy expression ot
countenance showed quite plainly that he
did not feel secure. Pierce's disappear
ance was In itself suspicious, for he rea
soned to himself that he would not leave
the girL Whenever he spoke to Lucy
there was that respect in his address that
did not really belong to his position. At
lunch he scanned tbe f ace of the waiting
crowd, dreading to see that of Pierce.
There was no doubt but his present ex
pedition was the result of circumstances,
and was not to his liking. Yet his ideas
of strict duty were such, that when the
attempt to rescue came, he would die in
his tracks before he would leave his
prisoner. With. Gregg official duty was
paramount
The lonp stretch f pralrio through
which we were passing had no beauties
to Lucy, and Interested her but little. The
horrible fate in store for her should Pierce
fail, had a crushing weight upon her
mind and banished all other thoughts. The
ghosts of former days passed before her
eyes and the black curse, whose wierd
and ghastly fom. had of late seemed so
distant now appeared to stretch forth its
hand and gather her in among the skele
tons and desolations that llko a dark pall
hung over the banks of the Teche. The
thought seemed a presence that she could
feel as reality. Her breath came with
difficulty, her pulse was faint and Blow.
Chicago at last Alter a few hours
stop the train pulled out of the great city,
stretched its smoky length across the
boundless prairie toward the Mississippi.
It was growing dark; Gregg came to
Lucy's seat with his handkerchief in his
hand.
"Please sit over in the other end," said
he. She obeyed. He stooped down and
she felt her ankles clasped with nrm nana.
The rattle of a chain and she was shackled
to the seat in front
"Precaution only," said he; "your dress
skirt will cover the ornaments. No ono
will know. I am not going to lose you
by any carelessness or soft-hearted folly;
I have too much at stake for that" In
stead of being frightened, the girl was
pleased. He scents danger, she thought
Welcome anything welcome death I am
prepared. The roar and rush of the train
drowned the slight noise, and not one of
the passengers knew that In that car was
a woman chained and xnanacled.
CHAPTER XXTV.
At 9 o'clock Cromwell called Wesner
and Glllott. "Up, boys, up! Let us fix
and be oft. Bob will cut the telegraph
wire five minutes before train time. Our
watches are on railroad time, so there can
be no mistake."
Wesner was on his fciet In an instant
Glllott was also up but it was arranged
that he should remain at the house. Four
men were all that wero required, beside
Bob Cromwell, who waa to cut the tele
graph wire. This was an operation easily
performed. The wire was simply cut witn
a pair of plyers, a few feet of tow string
being substituted, and the thing was done.
Bob knew how, for he had been there be
fore. From Cromwell's there started a
fine pair of horses attached to a spring
wagon. There was a barrel and some
boxes on the wagon. The occupants drovti
northeast until they reached the main
road, and then turned toward the station.
This wagon was driven by a stalwart ne
gro, another occupied the seat beside him.
About an hour later two horsemen rods
out of the gate, the one a big-whiskered,
red-headed fellow of about 6 feet 2 or 3
Inches; the other was our friend Wesner,
thoroughly made up as a Hoosier cattle
driver. His best friend would not have
known him. His pistol was handy. The
old man Cromwell planned the rescue, and
it was he with Wesner. "Now, George."
said he. "the boys (Hiram and William
Cromwell) will get there first with tne
barrel and boxes. They are gotten up so
the devil won't know them. The horses
are stained and the wagon was colored
over last nTght. Those barrels are directed
to some firm in Orleans, freight paid to
Cairo. Do you see, my toy? They will
bother the station agent You enter the
first car. Have your pistol ready. I will
follow. The girl won't know you. You
will know her. Tell her to break for the
platform. I will take care of the marshal
and policeman. If they shoot wing "em.
It's a quick marshal who gets the drop on
you."
The start was well timed, and as Wes
ner and Cromwell reached the station tho
train was in sight The wagon was backed
up to the platform, unloaded and the boys
were haggling with the station agent
about the freight
"Wesner," said Cromwell, "don't hitch
your horse; get off and leave him; he will
know what to do."
Both men were on the platform. The
train slowed up. Wesner recognized
Lucy's face at the window, the fourth
seat from the door.
"My God," he whispered, "there she
is!"
"Keep cool, keep cool, don't hurry,"
cried Cromwell. They must stop here 10
or 15 minutes. I know the conductor; ne
won't hold this train an Instant for all
the niggers south of Mason and Dixon's
line wait!"
Meantime the boys had unloaded the
barrels and taken receipts In the name
of some person 30 miles away.
"Time is up Now!" cried the old man
Cromwell; "Go!"
Wesner sprang to the open door and en
tered the car. "Lucy," he shouted. She
recognized his voice and tried to arise,
but the shackles prevented her; she sank
back. "Run. run to the platform," Wes
ner -repeated.
"I cannot" she replied, "I am chained
to the seat"
Revolvers were out, women shrieked,
men shouted, "Train robbers," and con
fusion reigned, no one seeming to realize
the trouble. Gregg did. His revolver
came from Its belt, and calling to Shaugh
nessy to assist him, he sprang toward
Wesner. Too late before he could raise
his hand a ball from Wesner's weapon
shattered the stock, and passing through
his arm 1'uried Itself In the side of the
car. Gregg dropped back, but not heed
ing the wound, was on his feet in an in
stant and again In the aisle. The old man
Cromwell met him with a blow that
would have felled an ox, and he sank in a
heap on the floor of the car. Shaughnessy
at this moment failed Gregg, although he
made a half-hearted attempt to arrest
Wesner.
"Sit down or you are a dead man," cried
George. "I want this girl, and d n you,
I will shoot any man In this car that at
tempts to prevent it."
One wrench at the seat in .front of Lucy
and Wesner tore it from its fastenings.
Another instant she was in his arms, with
the broken castings of the foot rest dang
ling from her anklas, and. In full view of
tho passengers, Wesner dashed across the
platform to the cart, closely followed by
the old man Cromwell, who paused Just
long enough on the way to knock down a
big hoosier who thought to stop him. He
brought Gregg's revolver with him, re
marking that he felt safer with it in hl3
possession than if he had left it with tbe
marshal.
"Train ready all aboard!" It was the
conductor's voice. The locomotive gave a
few spasmodic coughs, one by one the cart
started and slowly crawled out of the sta
tion. v
Gregg and Shaughnessy lay where Crom
well left them.
Lucy was hurried into the cart and
whirled northward at the rate of 10 miles
an hour, while the old man Cromwell
knelt at her feet and filed away at the
shackles.
(To be continued.)
And ThcB Only.
"When can you be certain that restau
rant eggs are fresh?"
"When the waiter lays them on your
I plate." Moonshine.
THE PALATIAL
HEG0NI1 BUILD!
Set a darlc office la tbe featlalav
feQlHtely flreprooij electrio llt
rtelan water; perfect caatt
tloa aad taoroHsa vcaMatloa. Els
vatom nut day aad aigat.
ALDRICH. S. w.. General Contractor.... ..
ANDERSON. OTJSTAV. Attorney-at-Law...6l
ASSOCIATED PKES3; E. L. Powell, Mgr!
AUSTEN, F. C, Manager for Oregon and
Vash!r.gton BankeraT Ufa Association, of
Des Moines, la...........
BANKERS' LIFE ASSOCIATION. OF DES
MOINES. IA.;F. C Austen. iIanager..B
BEATS. EDWARD A.. Forecast Official TJ.
S. weather Bureau
BENJAMIN. R. W., Dentist- SI I
BINSWANGER, DR. O. S.. Fhy. A Sttr.410-ul
BROOKE, DR. J. M., Fhys. & Bur 7O8-T0
BROWN. MTRA, M. D 313-31J
BRUERB. DR. O. E.. Physician 412-413-411
BUSTEED, RICHARD, Agent Wilson & Mc-
C&Ilay Tobacco Co. ..
CAUKIN, G. E.. District Agent Traveler
Insurance Co. ..... Til
CARDWELL. DR. J. R
CARROLL. W. T.. Special Agent Mutual
Reserve Fund lAte Ass'n ,
COLUMBIA TELEPHONE COMPANY.
6O4-e0S-e06-607-313-6U-6l1
CORNELIUS, a W.. PhysL and Surgeon 2
COVER. F. a. Cashier Equitable Life.
COLLTER. P. F.. Publisher: S. P. McGttir
Manager ...... 415-Ui
DAT. J. O. & L N. - SI!
DAVIS. NAPOLEON. President Columbia, ,
Telephone Co. ............ .........
DICKSON. DR. J. F.. Physician T13-T1
DRAKE. DR. H. B.. Physician ..512-313-31
DWIER, JOE. F.. Tobaccos ..... .
EDITORIAL ROOMS Eighth flocj
EQUITABLE LIFEASSUBANCE SOCIETT:
L. Samuel. Manager: F. C Cover. Cashler.J
EVENING TELEGRAIT 325 Alder suetl
FENTON, J. D.. Physician and Surgeon.30S-31J
FENTON. DR. HICKS C Eye and Ear 311
FENTON. MATTHEW F.. Dentist .
FIDELITY MUTUAL LTFE ASSOCIATION:
E. C Stark. Manager 60
GALVANI. W. H.. Engineer and Draughts
man
GAVIN. A, President Oregon Camera Club.
214-313-216-211
GEART. DR. EDWARD P.. Physician and
Surgeon 212-211
GIEST, A. J.. Physician and Surgeon.. .700-Tll
GODDARD, E. C & CO.. Footwear
Ground floor. 129 Sixth st
GOLDMAN. WILLIAM. Manager Manhattan
Life Insurance Co. of New York 209-211
GRANT. FRANK S.. Attorney-at-Law Oil
HAMMAM BATHS. King & Compton. Props.30
HAMMOND. A. B 311
HEIDINGER. GEO. A. & CO.. Pianos and
Organs 131 Sixth stre
HOLLISTER. DR. O. C Phys. & Sur..504-
IDLEMAN. C. M.. Attorney-at-Law.. 41C-17-1I
JOHNSON. W. a ..315-316-Sli
KADY. MARK T.. Supervisor of Agents
Mutual Reserve Fund Life Ass'n 604-6
LAMONT. JOHN. Vice-President and Gen
eral Manager Columbia Telephone Co.
LITTLEFIELD. H. R.. Phys. and Surgeon.. 20
MACRUM. W. S., Sec Oregon Camera Club.21
MACKAY. DR. A. E.. Phra. and Surg. .711-71
MAXWELL. DR. W. E.. Phys. & Surg. .701-2-McCOY.
NEWTON, Attorney-at-Law ... 71
McFADEN. MISS IDA E.. Stenographer....
McGINN. HENRY E.. Attorney-at-Law.311-3'J
McKELL, T. J.. Manufacturers' Representa
tive ....
METT, HENRY 211
MILLER. DR. HERBERT C Dentist and
Oral Surgeon 60S-6
MOSSMAN. DR. E. P.. Dentist 312-313-31 1
MANHATTAN LIFE INSURANCE CO.. of
New York; W. Goldman. Manager.... 209-211
MUTUAL RESERVE FUND LIFE ASS'N;
MarkT. Kady, Supervisor of Agents.. 604-
McELROY. DR. J. G.. Phys. & Sur.701-702-70
McFARLAND. E. B., Secretary Columbia
Telephone Co.
McGUIRE. S. P.. Manager P. F. Collier.
Publisher 415-411
McKIM. MAURICE. Attorney-at-Law
MILLER & ROWE. Real Estate. Timber
and Farming Lands a Specialty
MUTUAL LIFE INCURANCE CO.. o2 New
York; Win. S. Pond. State Mgr.. 404-40
NICHOLAS. HORACE B.. Attorney-at-Law.71
NILES. M. L.. Cashier Manhattan Life In
surance Co., ol New York
OREGON INFIRMARY OF OSTEOPATHY;
Dr. L. B Smith. Osteopath...... 40S
OREGON CAMERA CLUB 214-213-216-21
POND. WM. S.. State Manager Mutual Llf
Ins. Co. of New York 404-
PORTLAND PRESS CLUB
PORTLAND EYE AN DEAR INFIRMARY.
Ground floor. 133 Sixth str
PORTLAND MINING & TRUST CO.; J. H.
Marshall. Manager 51
QUIMBY. L. P. W.. Game and Forestry
Warden 716-7
ROSENDALE. O. M.. Metallurgist and Min
ing Engineer 213-51
REED Sc MALCOLM. Opticians. 133 Slxst stre
REED. F. C. Fish Commissioner 4C
RYAN. J. B.. Attorney-at-Law ....45
SAMUEL. L., Manager Equitable Life 3q
SHERWOOD. J. W.. Deputy Supreme Com
mander. K. O. T. M. .- :
SMITH. Dr. L. B.. Osteopath 408-
SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
STARK. E. C. Executive Special. Fidelity
Mutual Life Association of Phila,. Pa.
STUART. DELL. Attorney-at-Law.. .. 017-81
STOLTE. DR. CHAS. E-. Dentist 704-7
SURGEON OF THE S. P. RY. AND N. P.
TERMINAL CO. 7C
STROWBRIDGE. THOS. H.. Executive Spe
cial Agent Mutual Life, of New York.
SUPERINTENDENTS OFFICE
TUCKER. DR. GEO. F.. Dentist 610-61
U. S. WEATHER BUREAU 007-905-009-83
U. S. LIGHTHOUSE ENGINEERS, 13TH
DIST.. Captain W. C Langfltt, Corps of
Engineers. U. S. A. - 8fl
U. S ENGINEER OFFICE. RIVER AND
HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS. Captain W.
C Langfltt. Corps of Engineers. U. S. A. .Si
WATERMAN. C H.. casnier Jiutual Lira
of, New York
" retary Native Daughters 716-71
WHITE. MISS L. E.. Assistant secretary
Oregon Camera Club 21
WILSON. DR. EDWARD N.. Phys. & Sur.304
WILSON. DR. GEO. F.. Phys. & Surg. .704-7
WILSON. DR. HOLT C. Phye. & Surg.507-5
WILSON & McCALLAY TOBACCO CO.;
Richard Busteed. Agent 602-C
WOOD. DR. W. L.. Physician..... .412-413-4 1
WILLAMETTE VALLEY TELEPH. CO...GJ
A few xaore elegrant offices may
bad by applylas to Portland Trad
Company of Oregon, 100 Third t.,
to tne rent cleric In the building.
MCW No Cure
UIL11 N
o Pay
TWP vnnPPV ATPT.TAVfrR X nnoltll
way to perfect manhood. The VACULj
TREATMENT jukiss you witnoui meuicinefr
all nervous or diseases or the generative t
gans, such as lost manhood, exhaustive dralr
varicocele, impoiency. eiu -ja-h juc nmcjy :
xtnrori to Twrfect health and strength. Wr
for circulars. Correspondence confidents
THE HEALTH APPLIANCE CO.. rooms 47-1
Sale .ueposil ouuuiue, acuiue, nn-Tii.
fUj
iffiii
IHSIL
3S Bj ej fig, si'wgiy QTlnTs
SBMt 1 JI)iB