Argosy All-Story Weekly, July 7, 1928 — page 142: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

282 various elevations that commanded the sweep of the town. No guards challenged the enemy, as on that other day in December: The town appeared tranquil. Merchants opened their shops, and workmen passed through the streets on their way to their tasks. In the invaders’ first glimpse of the doomed city, they experienced a subtle sense of defeat. No force was there to offer battle to those who came pre- pared for battle. The warriors in their disappointment were moved to conceal their embarrassment with _ ribald gayety. Bands played on the heights, and the soldiers sang songs and passed the flowing bowl about to cheer lagging spirits. As a preliminary to more formal action, they seized and plun- dered the residence of General Robin- son on Mount Oread, then declared it the headquarters of the army. During this early bustle and confu- sion, a bewildered young man rode into town alone, unchallenged and unno- ticed. He had ridden hard all night, and his horse was lathered and leg- weary. Permitting the horse to walk, he ex- plored the still quiet streets, looking For a familiar face, but to find one he presently visited the hotel and asked for Hubert Dawson. The two men embraced like brothers reunited after long separation, then hurried to the roof of the building to view the martial array on the heights. “Tell me what it means, Hubert!” cried Reuel. “I’ve been traveling; I’ve been in New England, closing up certain affairs of mine there. On my way West I heard some rumors of the new war, the threatened invasion, and I came as fast as boats and horses would bring me. But what is all this? ‘A celebration—a dress parade!” “T don’t understand it rightly my- self,” Hubert confessed. “ They tell me that it’s the new policy of non-re- sistance. General Robinson ordered ARGOSY-ALLSTORY WEEKLY, it. There’s to be nothing but submis- sion; no fighting, no hitting back. It’s too much for my thick head, but the wise fellers say that we must show Washington what’s what by letting the bushwhackers have their way until an- archy has sealed its own doom.” “IT came all the way—lI’ve ridden hard to get here, to be with you in the last stand,” Reuel informed him. “Perhaps Robinson and his friends are right, but I can’t believe that these border ruffians will be softened by an offering of olive branches.” ‘“There’s more to it than I can get around,” said Hubert. ‘‘ It seems like we've been slandered in New England. Some say we’re as bad as the proslav- ery fellers, and all the folks in Kansas are fighting to kill each other off. Rob- inson and Pomeroy say we’ll quit fight- ing, and let °em see how sweet and lov- in’ all the neighbors will be when they come over from Missouri.” “Where is Hetty?” Reuel asked ab- ruptly. “Out to the farm with Mrs. Rob- erts. Luther took a farm this spring. Hetty’s getting well, now. She had a relapse that day when her old man raised such ructions, but she’s better now.” “What did you do with Eustace?” “I guess it comes nearer to what he did with me,” said Hubert sheepishly. ““T staked that crazy coot to go out the Oregon trail. I had a little money, and I didn’t want the women folks to suffer on the way. They said they’d send for Hetty when she was well. They—they forgave ’er, they said. ‘““T certainly do hope no harm comes to them women,” he added thoughtful- ly, “ but they do say the Injuns have been acting mean on the Western trails this spring. They went out with a big train, though, so I reckon it ’ll be all right. Most comfortin’ thought is, that Eustace prob’ly never will earn enough money to get back this way. I don’t mind not getting my money back.” Gomichbooks (CO)