IRKIIIY 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 UNIVERSITY OP 
 CALIFORNIA 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 A NOVEL 
 
 BY 
 
 GEORGE ERNEST MILLER 
 
 AUTHOR OF 
 
 THE GREAT SHEIK S CURSE IS ON THEE! 
 "CONRAD," "LUXILLA," ETC- 
 
 GEORGE ERNEST MILLER, PUBLISHER 
 
 311 SCOTT STREET 
 COVINGTON, SOUTH CINCINNATI, KENTUCKY 
 
LOAN STACK 
 
PS 
 
 Dedicated to the Men and Women 
 of This Land 
 
 Who Can Throw Away Prejudice 
 and the Slavery of 
 Their Surroundings. 
 
 136 
 
A good and honest reporter, who is sent out by a 
 newspaper, will bring in a report of happenings exactly 
 as they occurred, and in selecting his characters, mental 
 and physical occurrences of this book, the author has 
 endeavored to confine himself to those who have 
 actually come under his personal knowledge; in other 
 words, he has made a picture with his pen, as near as 
 one can, of what he has seen in real life. 
 
 This book is not written to attack any religion, but 
 to defend and uphold True Religion, which is dependent 
 upon Liberty of Thought and Action; it is written to 
 destroy Hypocrisy, on the Liquor Question, that has 
 crept into the religious societies of this land and the 
 world. 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 A Novel 
 
 Copyright by Author, 
 George Ernest Miller, 1915. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Colonel Berry and Major Ashcraft are very wealthy 
 men and own magnificent residences and grounds in 
 the outskirts of Batesville, a prosperous town of York- 
 sylvania. 
 
 Though they have a common fence line between their 
 places, they have very little to do with each other, for 
 The Colonel has made his money in the Distilling busi 
 ness and The Major has made his in manufacturing 
 shoes. 
 
 Colonel Berry makes no claims to religion and says 
 he is only a man of the world; but no one has ever 
 accused him of an unmanly act, and everybody says 
 he is a square man to deal with. 
 
 Major Ashcraft, on the other hand, is given to all 
 kinds of religious work, and stands high in the councils 
 of the saints in Batesville, and his reputation through 
 the State of Yorksylvania, and even beyond, for an 
 earnest worker in church affairs is great. 
 
 The Major is the most prominent lay member of 
 Rev. Peter Nostir s Fashionable Church and he, Rev. 
 Nostir and Deacon Going are vigorous in their denun 
 ciations of the local liquor traffic. Major Ashcraft 
 is in constant co-operation with the Prohibition forces 
 in their efforts to overthrow the saloons in Batesville 
 and vicinity, both in the way of personal effort and 
 by contributing liberally to Miss Lucy Hurryup, Presi 
 dent of the W. C. T. U., and others. 
 
6 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 Colonel Berry s son, Alvin, is a fine young man of 
 twenty-one. He is dark, passionate, impulsive, loving; 
 and his large, dark eyes, when excited, burn like coals 
 of fire. His mother, a quiet, domestic woman, smoothes 
 his dark hair back from his forehead, kisses him and 
 thinks Alvin is the handsomest boy in the world. Alvin 
 is indeed handsome and generous, but folks say he is 
 inclined to be wild. 
 
 Major Ashcraft has lost his wife about three years 
 before this; but he has a lovely daughter, Henrietta, 
 of seventeen, upon whom he bestows a great deal of 
 affection; but he is inclined to hold her very strictly 
 to what he considers her religious duties. 
 
 Henrietta has beautiful, wavy light hair, with high 
 brow, Grecian cut face and soft gray eyes. Her voice 
 takes the high soprano in all the notable church music 
 at Dr. Nostir s large church, and when she soars with 
 those bird-like notes, the people think it must be an 
 angel singing in the choir. 
 
 A dense grove of large trees and bushes skirts the 
 Major s premises and a* brook runs through it, which 
 passes under the fence into Colonel Berry s place and 
 through the grove, situated on the land of the latter. 
 
 When Henrietta was a little girl it gave her great 
 pleasure to steal into this grove, especially in summer, 
 and lie full length in the hammock that was stretched 
 between trees in the shade, or to swing, sitting or 
 standing up in the other swing, holding on to the two 
 ropes that hung from a huge bough above. Sometimes 
 she would look over to the brook and see a boy playing 
 in the water on the other side of the fence. It was 
 Alvin, and when he would see her he would climb the 
 fence, come to her and swing her. 
 
 The children played together often when no one 
 knew it; but all of The Major s family were so much 
 prejudiced against their Distiller neighbor that they 
 condemned Colonel Berry and his whole family when 
 ever their names were mentioned. 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 7 
 
 Henrietta s governess, Miss Askwitch, said to her 
 a number of times: "Henrietta, I would not contam 
 inate myself by going with such sinful people!" 
 
 One day The Major had as his guests Rev. Peter 
 Nostir and Deacon Going, and was showing them around 
 his extensive grounds. They came to the grove of 
 trees, near the brook, and there was Alvin swinging 
 Henrietta in the rope swing. The Major frowned as 
 the children looked at him, and said: "Be careful not 
 to swing too high, Henrietta!" and passed on with the 
 Parson and Deacon. 
 
 The Rev. Nostir remarked: "Your daughter is very 
 beautiful, Major, and that is a very handsome boy; 
 who is he?" The Major hesitated, and answered slowly: 
 "That is Colonel Berry s son." 
 
 "You do not mean to say that is the son of that arch 
 fiend, the Distiller, is it?" exclaimed Rev. Nostir. 
 
 "That is Colonel Berry s son," replied The Major. 
 
 "Poor fellow, poor fellow; then I am afraid he is 
 lost! The sins of the father are visited on the chil 
 dren!" said the Parson. "It is sad; it is sad!" chimed 
 in Deacon Going. The Major changed the subject. 
 
 That night Miss Askwitch told Henrietta, in her 
 bedroom, her father wanted to see her in the sitting 
 room. "Daughter, I do not say you shall not speak 
 to Alvin Berry; but my opinion is that your association 
 with him will do you no good, and it will please me 
 if you would avoid his company as much as possible," 
 said The Major. 
 
 "Yes, Papa, I will as much as I can," replied the 
 beautiful girl of twelve; and she did do so as much 
 as she could; but the grove, the swing and the brook 
 seemed to draw Henrietta and also Alvin, and they 
 often met there secretly after that, and Alvin often 
 kissed Henrietta; then he would jump across the fence 
 and hide behind some bushes as he heard Henrietta s 
 governess coming. 
 
8 
 
 Alvin s mother saw him a number of times across 
 the fence talking to Major Ashcraft s daughter, and 
 afterwards said to her son: 
 
 "Alvin, dear, I do not think any of the Ashcraffs 
 like us, and I would not force myself on their com 
 pany." 
 
 This governess, Miss Askwitch, had a nephew about 
 Alvin s age, whom she set to spy on Henrietta and 
 Alvin. His name was Albert Luxy, and he was a stout, 
 strong boy. 
 
 One day Alvin caught him spying behind a tree 
 when he and Henrietta were talking at the brook near 
 the fence. Alvin called out to him: "You low down, 
 spying sneak! I ll teach you how to attend to your 
 own business!" and then Alvin struck Albert, who 
 struck back, and they had a struggle. Henrietta tried 
 to part them, and then Miss Askwitch appeared on 
 the scene, exclaiming: "Good Lord, Albert! fighting 
 with the son of the Evil One! That Whiskey Distiller s 
 son! Here, sir, you get across that fence line, and 
 you, Henrietta, go to the house! I am going to report 
 you to your father for associating with the child of 
 the Devil!" 
 
 She took Henrietta s arm and led her off, who looked 
 back sadly at Alvin, and he called out: 
 
 "Good-bye, Henrietta!" 
 
 Albert followed his aunt and shook his fist at Alvin 
 as he retired, whose dark, flashing eyes followed them; 
 then holding his head high he went slowly to the fence 
 and climbed over to his father s premises. 
 
 That night in the elegant parlor Henrietta sat read 
 ing intently and Major Ashcraft and Miss Askwitch 
 enter and sit down. 
 
 "Henrietta, Miss Askwitch tells me that you will 
 still associate with Alvin Berry against my orders. Is 
 that so?" asked The Major. 
 
 "Yes, father, we did meet down at the brook," 
 answered Henrietta with tears in her eyes. 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 9 
 
 "Well, it makes no difference. The Berrys belong 
 to a crowd that are below your station. They are 
 whisky guzzlers and whisky sellers and I do not wish 
 you to associate with any of them. This I positively 
 prohibit!" exclaimed he. 
 
 Miss Askwitch gives a toss of satisfaction to her 
 head, and Henrietta, weeping, puts her handkerchief 
 to her eyes and leaves the room, and The Major reads 
 the paper. 
 
 In her bedroom Henrietta goes to a stand, where 
 there is the picture of a stately woman with loving 
 eyes. It is her dead mother. She seats herself by the 
 stand, puts her head down by the picture and weeps, 
 wishing that her mother were alive. 
 
 Alvin soon went off to the University of Yorksyl- 
 vania, where he staid for several years, and had just 
 graduated and returned at the age of twenty-one. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Snickuls is a fat man in the neighborhood of forty. 
 Everybody calls him a bum; but he is a good-humored 
 one, and so very polite that even when he is drunk, 
 which is very often, everybody likes him, even the 
 Prohibitionists. 
 
 He usually was not clean and well dressed, but 
 Snickuls always had a little money in his pocket, which 
 prevented him from being a charge on the community; 
 and though he was drunk a good deal, he was only 
 funny, did nobody any harm and never was down in the 
 street. The wise ones of Batesville said he must have 
 seen better days; but his past history was a mystery 
 to everybody, unless it was to one man. 
 
 Snickuls half-walked, half-staggered along the side 
 walk, until he came to a giant billboard, upon which 
 a man was putting a flaming advertisement, which read: 
 
10 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 Grand Prohibition Rally I! 
 At Temperance Hall 
 
 8 o clock Tonight 
 
 Under Auspices of W. G. T. U. 
 
 Addresses made by Mayor Homer, 
 
 Major Ashcraft, Rev. Peter Nostir, 
 
 Deacon Going and other Orators 
 
 The Evils of the Liquor Traffic Vividly Portrayed. 
 
 All Lovers of Law and Order Should Attend. 
 
 Come One! Come All! 
 
 Lucy Hurryup, President. 
 
 "What do you think of it, Snickuls?" asked the bill 
 board poster of Snickuls, as he balanced himself and 
 read the announcement with sleepy eyes, and exclaimed: 
 
 "Luce y y hie Hurry up hie. That re minds 
 me hie of two women hie who had a canary y 
 bird. 
 
 "One said hie it, it can not sing hie and it s 
 no male; and it lays hie hie no o eggs; so it s no 
 fe male." "Well, what hie is it?" asked the other. 
 
 "Guess hie it must be hie a suf hie ragette! 
 said first worn hie an." 
 
 The poster laughed heartily, as he took up his pail 
 and brush and went on up street, and Snickuls toddled 
 along toward the business part of the town. 
 
 In a little while he looked up and saw the sign of 
 Going & Co., Real Estate Agents. 
 
 "Going Go ing Gone," mumbled Snickuls, as he 
 stopped and looked around. At the side of the large 
 real estate office was a vacant lot, and some covered 
 wagons had been backed up there, one of which was 
 very close to the wall, by a window, in the shade. As 
 he was hot and tired he went to the wagon, climbed 
 up into it and laid down on its empty floor, soon falling 
 asleep. 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 11 
 
 Let us go back five years. Colonel Berry was the 
 most influential and powerful man in the town then, 
 financially, politically and every other way; in fact, he 
 was boss. 
 
 Some years before this The Colonel came to that 
 district, which then was only farm land, situated on 
 a beautiful little stream. 
 
 He put up a small distillery and his business grew 
 rapidly until his distillery and brewery employed about 
 one thousand men. The Colonel owned a good deal 
 of the land upon which the town was built and most 
 all the saloons. 
 
 Up to a few years back he could control the politics 
 of the town and county very easily; but some very 
 large shoe manufactories, with Major Ashcraft and his 
 friends at their head, had located in Batesville, who 
 employed a great many hands. 
 
 Though Colonel Berry welcomed the shoe men to 
 the town, when they proposed to locate there, as soon 
 as Major Ashcraft and his friends got a foothold, he 
 found that they and their workmen were mostly Pro 
 hibitionists, and they commenced to work against his 
 business in every way; especially in ftie politics of the 
 town. At the last town election Major Ashcraft had 
 succeeded in electing a Prohibition Mayor, in the person 
 of William Homer; but the town Council was still under 
 the control of Colonel Berry. 
 
 One cold December night, about five years before 
 this, Colonel Berry was walking along the main street 
 of Batesville with his long military stride. He pulls 
 his heavy coat about him, for it is very cold, and he 
 looks ahead. 
 
 The bright light from one of his saloons shines out 
 and he steps in for a few moments to get warm. As 
 he enters, the barkeeper behind the bar serving three 
 customers sees him and starts to come out to greet 
 The Colonel. 
 
12 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 "Do not trouble yourself, Jake; wait on your cus 
 tomers. I just stepped in a moment to get warm. I ll 
 warm my hands by the stove back there, and when 
 you get through with those men bring me a little brandy 
 over to that table," said Colonel Berry, as he went back 
 to the big stove. He warmed his hands and then took 
 a comfortable seat at a table near by. 
 
 In a few moments the saloon door opened rather 
 abruptly and a stout man stumbled in and fell against 
 the bar counter. He held to the counter and partially 
 sank to the floor, with his head thrown back and his 
 eyes rolling. 
 
 The Colonel saw this and that he had on a peculiar 
 gray coat, with brass buttons, a black pair of pants and 
 an old worn felt hat. 
 
 Jake, the barkeeper, called out to him: "Get right 
 out, now! I ve had enough of your kind today. Put 
 him out!" Two of the help in the saloon seized the 
 man. He raised himself and struggled in their grasp, 
 and with wild eyes shouted: 
 
 "Did you never hear the Rebel Yell? I ll give it!" 
 and he gave such a yell that seemed to shake the room 
 and house, and then collapsed in the arms of the help. 
 
 The Colonel jumped to his feet and sprang toward 
 them, exclaiming: "Yes, by God, I have heard the Rebel 
 Yell and it is dear to me!" 
 
 He pushed one of the help aside and put his arms 
 around the old Confederate coat, calling out to the 
 barkeeper: 
 
 "Here, Jake, give me a bed for this man! Have you 
 got a room?" 
 
 The barkeeper showed great surprise, but quickly 
 came to his employer s side and led the way to a room 
 at the rear of the saloon, followed by the help and 
 The Colonel, bearing the stranger, who was laid on 
 the bed. 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 1^ 
 
 The Colonel left one of the men to watch him and 
 came back into the saloon, saying earnestly to the 
 harkeeper : 
 
 "Jake, I want you to take the best of care of that 
 man! I am going by Dr. Biddle s office and I wilj 
 send him right away to see what is the matter with 
 him." 
 
 "Yes, sir," said Jake, and the Colonel went out into 
 the cold, leaving Jake staring and wondering why The 
 Colonel should treat a man like that so well. 
 
 In a few minutes Dr. Biddle came and examined 
 the ill man. He told Jake he was seriously ill from 
 cold, want and exposure, but that he would be all right 
 in a few days, in his opinion. The Colonel came td 
 see him the next day, but he was delirious. 
 
 On the third day the stranger seemed to come to 
 his senses, and Jake made the help wash him and put 
 some good clothes on him that The Colonel sent. 
 
 When the Colonel entered the door the stranger s 
 eyes glanced toward him, as he lay on his side with 
 his head on the pillow. The Colonel took a seat and 
 watched the man, whose eyes became more intently 
 riveted on him, and he raised himself on his elbow and 
 held his hand to his head. His eyes became brighter 
 and holding his hand out toward the Colonel, he 
 exclaimed: 
 
 "Colonel Berry! My Colonel! Thank God! Don t 
 you know me, Colonel?" 
 
 Colonel Berry sprang to the bed, sat on the side 
 of it and took the man s hand, asking: 
 
 "Who are you? Who are you?" 
 
 "Don t you know the Lieutenant who saved you 
 and prevented you from capture when your horse fell 
 on you at Chicamauga, Colonel?" 
 
 The Colonel put his arms around the man s neck 
 and shed tears. There they talked for hours. This i& 
 the story: 
 
14 CtiLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 Colonel Berry was one of the most brilliant Colonels 
 under the Southern Confederacy. In leading a charge 
 of his regiment at the Battle of Chicamauga, a bullet 
 struck his horse in the breast, which fell and pinioned 
 The Colonel on the ground. 
 
 In the same charge a young Lieutenant under his 
 command was struck by a glancing bullet on the metal 
 part of his cap, and fell, stunned, not far from The 
 Colonel, as the battle swept on. 
 
 The Colonel tried in vain to release himself from 
 under the dead horse and, while he is struggling, three 
 Northern soldiers approach and try to capture him. 
 The young Lieutenant, who was stunned by a bullet, 
 comes to and rises in the deep grass and looks around. 
 He sees the desperate fix his Colonel is in and rushes 
 to his aid, standing over him with revolver in hand. 
 
 The young man seems to be an expert shot; for 
 though the Northern soldiers fire at him, he kills two 
 of them and the other rushes on him with drawn sword. 
 The Lieutenant seizes The Colonel s sword lying on the 
 ground, and they have a fight over the struggling 
 Colonel, who frees himself and gets up. The Colonel 
 lielps the Lieutenant and the Northern soldier runs. 
 
 A riderless horse is seen near the two Confederates. 
 
 "Catch that horse, Colonel, quick! The army cannot 
 .spare you! Leave me!" cried the Lieutenant. 
 
 "All right, but you get up behind me!" exclaimed 
 the Colonel. 
 
 They catch the stray horse; the Colonel mounts, and 
 the Lieutenant tries to get up behind him; but some 
 sharpshooters, not far away in some bushes, fire at them 
 "and the Lieutenant falls. Thinking he is dead Colonel 
 "Berry puts spurs to the horse and soon joins his regi 
 ment; but ever afterwards he sorrows for the brave 
 "Lieutenant, who did not die, but was captured and car 
 ried to a Northern prison, where he staid until the 
 end of the war. 
 
COLONEL .BERRY S CHALLENGE 15 , 
 
 "I thank you, Colonel, for what you have done for 
 me and for your kind offer to help me in -every way," , 
 said the Lieutenant; "but, if I take advantage of it, you 
 must not tell my name, for two reasons. The first is, 
 because I am a pretty hard drinker, and in order to 
 let you know the second, I will have to tell you a little 
 story. About fifteen years ago I was in one of the large 
 towns of Kentuckio, walking along slowly. I saw a 
 pretty well dressed sort of a man, about thirty years 
 old, dodging behind some signs and watching a house 
 across the street. Getting into an old stable I watched 
 him. 
 
 Very soon a pretty girl came out of the house with 
 her wraps, as if she were going on a walk or visit, and 
 walked up street toward the end of the town. The man 
 followed her and I followed him. 
 
 I knew that he was one of the prominent young 
 men of the town, for I had seen him before. 
 
 There was only one road going in that direction 
 which led out of the town, and I reasoned that she 
 was going to walk out into the country on a visit. A 
 wagon was coming along and I asked the driver to 
 give me a ride a little ways into the country, which 
 he did. 
 
 We soon passed the young man who was following 
 the girl, and then the girl, who did not know she was 
 being followed. 
 
 After riding on the country road to where I thought . 
 was sufficiently far, 1 got out, thanked the teamster, 
 and went into the deep bushes that skirted both sides 
 of the road. My revolver was in my hip pocket and 
 I was prepared for any adventure, if there should be 
 any. 
 
 Presently I heard a light footfall and the girl came 
 by. She seemed tired and looked back, as if she were 
 afraid. Very soon the swell young fellow came walk 
 ing by rapidly, as if to catch up with the girl. She 
 stopped, as if to let him pass, but he tipped his hat 
 
16 
 
 and spoke to her. She tried to go forward or back, 
 but he would not leave her. At last he grabbed her 
 and the girl screamed. He put one hand over her 
 mouth, an arm around her waist, lifted her off the 
 ground and carried her struggling into the bushes at 
 side of road. 
 
 "I rushed to the place, parted the bushes and cried: 
 Here, stop that! What are you doing with that girl? 
 Dropping her, but still holding the girl by the wrist, 
 the fellow turned on me with fire in his eyes, exclaim 
 ing: 
 
 " None of your damn business ! Here you get away 
 from there ! and he drew a revolver and aimed it at me. 
 
 " Oh, two can play at that game! I replied, and 
 drew mine. He fired and I fired, and when the smoke 
 cleared away he was lying on the ground, and I found 
 I had a flesh wound through my left arm. 
 
 "The girl rushed to my side and begged me to save 
 her. I quieted her and then went to look at her assail 
 ant. He was dead. She helped me to dress my wound 
 and I escorted her back to the edge of the town, telling 
 her not to say anything about the matter until I could 
 get out of the country. 
 
 "Afterwards I saw that there was a large reward 
 offered for the apprehension of the murderer of the 
 young man. 
 
 "Well, you see, Colonel, as that reward is still offered 
 for the slayer of that young man, it would not be wise 
 for me to go by my right name, and I would ask you 
 to call me simply Snickuls ." 
 
 "All right," said the Colonel. 
 
 The next day Snickuls was in the saloon when a 
 messenger came to the barkeeper with a letter addressed 
 "Mr. Snickuls." 
 
 The barkeeper motions the messenger to the party 
 whom he is looking for. Snickuls opens the letter. 
 It contains a card, upon which was written: 
 "To All My Bartenders: 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 17 
 
 "Never refuse the bearer of this Snickuls a drink, 
 a meal or a bed. 
 
 "HENRY BERRY." 
 
 Snickuls read the card several times and tears came 
 into his eyes. He looked up at the waiting messenger 
 with beaming face and said: "Thank you." 
 
 And this is the same Snickuls that lay in the covered 
 wagon fast asleep. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 One day in Summer, about a year after what was 
 related in the last chapter, Snickuls was trudging along 
 the road on the outskirts of Batesville singing, when 
 he saw a boy, near eight years old, lying on the ground 
 at the side of the road crying. 
 
 He went over to the boy s side and touched him 
 gently on the back, inquiring: "What s the matter, 
 Buddy? Get up and tell me." 
 
 Snickuls had a pleasant voice and was an attractive 
 man most any time, especially when not drunk, which 
 happened to be the case today. 
 
 The boy sat up and replied, weeping the more, as 
 he held his hands over his eyes: 
 
 "My mother is dead!" 
 
 Snickuls sat down by him, took one hand, put his 
 arm around him, pulling his head over on his shoulder 
 and saying: "I am so sorry, so sorry! Where do you 
 live?" 
 
 "Over there in that little house," answered the boy, 
 looking up into Snickuls face. He talked to the little 
 fellow for a while and soothed him, and found out 
 the following facts: 
 
 The boy s mother was a widow, about thirty-five, 
 who had moved into the house one week before, and 
 had been taken ill with fainting spells and suddenly 
 died alone with her only child. 
 
 Snickuls took the ragged boy with him to town and 
 gave him a meal in a saloon. He then informed a 
 policeman and undertaker of the death of Tommy 
 
18 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 Dust s mother for that was his name and then went 
 with him to Colonel Berry s great office in The Dis 
 tillery. 
 
 The young clerk who came to the railing that sep 
 arated the public from the area, where a great many 
 clerks were working inside, knew Snickuls well, for the 
 latter had been a welcome visitor to Colonel Berry 
 many a time, and he now said: 
 
 "Wait a minute and I will see if The Colonel is in 
 his private office." 
 
 Snickuls was conducted to the Colonel s beautiful 
 private office. He had the ragged little boy by the hand 
 and, when the door was opened, Colonel Berry arose 
 from his cushioned chair and warmly grasped Snickuls 
 hand, saying: "So glad to see you, Snickuls! and who 
 is this with you? He would be a good-looking boy 
 if he had his face washed and a new suit of clothes on." 
 
 The Colonel made Snickuls sit down in one of his 
 elegant office chairs, who took Tommy Dust on his lap 
 and told the Colonel where he had found him and 
 about his mother s death. 
 
 Colonel Berry sat in deep thought for a few moments 
 and then took a seat at his writing desk, saying: "The 
 first thing I want you to do is to go with Tommy to a 
 clothing store and get him a nice suit of clothes and 
 also some shoes. As you go out present this order, 
 Snickuls, to the cashier s desk and he will give you 
 ten dollars. 
 
 "And I will write you a note to Frank Hinsdale, 
 proprietor of Hinsdale Hotel, asking him to give Tommy 
 a job as bellboy." 
 
 When The Colonel had finished writing the note, he 
 arose, handed it and the order to Snickuls and at the 
 same time slipped a five dollar bill into the hand of 
 his old friend, and then patted the boy on the head. 
 Snickuls grasped The Colonel s hand and left. 
 
 When Tommy Dust had his face washed and was 
 well dressed he was a bright, manly little fellow, and 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 19 
 
 so thought Frank Hinsdale, who conducted the best 
 hotel in the city. Tommy became a bellboy and very 
 soon one of the important characters of the place; but, 
 as time went on, Tommy Dust never forgot Snickuls 
 his friend in need. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 The day after Alvin Berry came from college he 
 asked his father if he could help him in any way that 
 day. 
 
 "Yes, son, you can help me," answered The Colonel. 
 "I am in a hurry for some hops I purchased from Mr. 
 Bolton. His place is about ten miles from here and I 
 wish you would take my buggy, drive over there and 
 tell him to send what I ordered right away. 
 
 "You might travel over the country many times and 
 would not have any occasion to use them, son, but I 
 think you had better take a brace of revolvers with 
 you, which I know you are well able to use. 
 
 "For many years, son, there was not a man in the 
 country who would do me or mine any harm; but you 
 know how this new element, led by Major Ashcraft s 
 crowd, Rev. Peter Nostir s church people and Miss 
 Hurryup, of the W. C. T. U., is showing such great 
 animosity to us. 
 
 "Always try to keep out of a quarrel or fight, son, 
 but if you are forced into it, fight to win every time!" 
 
 "I will do just as you say, father," said Alvin, stand 
 ing before him in the sitting room, as he strapped a belt 
 around his waist, holding two loaded six-shooters, 
 which he used to practice with every day at college. 
 
 Having delivered his message to Mr. Bolton in the 
 country, Alvin thought he would drive a different road 
 in going home; but he had not proceeded far before he 
 lost his points of the compass. The road seemed to 
 become fainter as it led through deep stretches of forest. 
 
20 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 Alvin was driving slowly, looking keenly around and 
 ahead, for he feared he was lost, when he suddenly 
 heard two angry men s voices near by, as if quarreling, 
 coming through the trees and bushes. 
 
 One voice exclaimed: "You shall not have her!" 
 "Damn you, I will have her!" shouted the other 
 voice. Then came a plantive woman s voice: "Oh, boys, 
 I cannot decide! Please stop pulling me! Oh, God, 
 have mercy on me!" 
 
 Alvin got out of the buggy and tied his horse quickly 
 to a tree, and he heard the quarrel continue. One man 
 said: "But, Ella, you have got to have me!" "No, Ella, 
 come with me!" said the other. 
 
 Alvin pushed the bushes cautiously aside and saw 
 two strong young men, each holding an arm of a very 
 pretty girl, and trying to pull her his way. As she 
 protested she seemed as if she would faint. He stepped 
 out from the bushes into the open ground near them, 
 where they could see him and said to the young men: 
 "What is the matter, gentlemen? Let me be your 
 umpire !" 
 
 They turned fiery eyes upon him, but saw that Alvin 
 Berry was a young man of commanding appearance 
 and of some parts. One of them replied: 
 
 "This girl promised to marry me and I am going 
 to have her!" "No, she promised to marry me and I 
 will have her!" exclaimed the other. 
 
 "But what does the girl say? Can you not leave 
 it to her?" asked Alvin. 
 
 "I do not know what I said!" exclaimed the girl, 
 crying. One of the men drew a revolver and said: 
 "Well, if you accept him I will kill him on the spot!" 
 and the other man replied, drawing his revolver: "And 
 if you accept him he will not live one second!" 
 
 "Stop!" commanded Alvin, "It seems to me you ought 
 to settle this matter peacefully some way." 
 
 "No, by G ! one of us has got to die right here!" 
 
 exclaimed one. 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 21 
 
 "Yes, right here!" replied the other, and they let go 
 the girl s arm. Alvin stepped between them and said: 
 
 "Now, men, if you are determined to fight this matter 
 out, do it fairly and do not take any advantage of each 
 other. Gome out here in the open ground and I will 
 step off twenty paces and you can fight it out I" They 
 left the girl and went with % Alvin a few yards in front 
 of her. 
 
 Alvin stood one man on a spot, with his right hand 
 and arm by his side, holding his revolver. He then 
 stepped off twenty paces from him and stood the other 
 man on a spot, with right hand and arm down by his 
 side, the right side of each man toward the other. 
 
 "Now, gentlemen, hold up your hands and swear 
 that neither one will raise his arm and fire until I 
 count three!" The men held up their left hands. 
 
 "Are you ready?" called out Alvin. 
 
 "Ready!" both men answered. 
 
 In a strong, steady tone Alvin called again: 
 
 "One two three!" and two shots rang out. 
 
 Both young men lay on the ground. The girl, clasp 
 ing her hands in terror, ran to one first and then the 
 other, followed by Alvin, who bent over them and list 
 ened for their heartbeats and felt their pulses. "Both 
 dead!" pronounced Alvin. 
 
 The girl became so hysterical that Alvin did not 
 know what to do; but he thought it would be best to 
 have her give vent to her emotion for a short time. 
 She wrung her hands and cried: "Oh, God! just to 
 think I was the cause of all this!" and kept saying it. 
 At last Alvin said: "It was not your doings at all. 
 Gome over to that little brook and sit down and I 
 will explain it to you." 
 
 With bent head and hands up to her face she allowed 
 Alvin to lead her to the brook, where he seated her 
 and sat by her side, saying: 
 
 "You did not love either one of them, did you?" 
 
22 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 "I thought I did!" sobbed the girl, "when each one 
 kept after me; but, when I came to marry, I could 
 not." 
 
 She told him that she lived with her aunt in Ten- 
 nesseana, where the two men lived also. They were 
 so aggressive in their attentions to her that she ran 
 away and took a stage to go to her uncle s farm; but 
 she saw first one and then the other of the young men 
 following the stage on horseback. 
 
 When the stage stopped the night before at an inn, 
 knowing that both men had come to the inn, she crept 
 out in the night, and thought if she could reach a neigh 
 boring town she could elude them; but she had not 
 gone very far before one of the young men overtook 
 her, then the other, both trying to persuade her to go 
 with him. 
 
 "Well, under the circumstances I do not think you 
 were at all to blame. We are all liable to be mistaken 
 in our feelings at times; but, finally, in choosing a 
 mate, what one s own heart tells him to do is right. 
 It is the supreme tribunal in the Government of Love. 
 
 "When your heart said no, you had a right to refuse 
 both of them." 
 
 "Do you think so?" said she, grasping his hand with 
 both of hers and looking into his face so trustingly. 
 
 "Yes, I do," answered Alvin. "Gome with me and 
 we will leave this place." 
 
 They went and got into the buggy and Alvin drove 
 through the woods, where there was no road, for a 
 long distance, so his buggy wheels would not show as 
 coming from the scene of the combat. 
 
 It was way in the night when Alvin reached Bates- 
 ville. The girl had said very little, but took hold of 
 his arm by his side as he drove, as if trusting him 
 and being very much afraid. 
 
 He saw her several times looking up into his face 
 and noticed how pretty she was again; but his mind 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 23 
 
 turned to another soft face, whom he had often seen 
 in bygone days at another brook. 
 
 The streets of Batesville were deserted, but as he 
 drove toward his father s large Distillery, he saw a man 
 skulking in the shadows of the great building. The 
 moon came out and fell on the face of a person he 
 knew, but had not seen for four years. "Albert Luxy!" 
 he said to himself, "I wonder what he is doing there 
 this time of night!" Alvin drove up in front of The 
 Distillery, for he could see the girl was very cold. 
 
 The night watchman saw him, knew him, came up 
 to the buggy and said: "What can I do for you, Mr. 
 Alvin?" 
 
 "This young lady is a friend of our family and I 
 have brought her from Bolton s. She is very cold. 
 Have you a fire in the office?" answered Alvin. 
 
 "Yes, sir; let me tie your horse! Now come with 
 me, both of you, and I will stir up the fire!" exclaimed 
 the watchman, as he led them up the great steps and 
 into the main office. 
 
 When they entered The Distillery building, Albert 
 Luxy came out of the shadows and hurried down the 
 street, until he came to a sign over the front of a build 
 ing, marked: "The Clarion," which was the Prohibi 
 tion organ, or newspaper, of Batesville. 
 
 Passing around to a side door he gave a low knock, 
 and as a door opens he disappears inside; but he does 
 not see Snickuls following him. The clock of the Town 
 Hall then struck two o clock. 
 
 Alvin did not like to rouse his father s family so 
 late, and he did not like to go to the hotel with the 
 girl, for fear of wagging, scandulous tongues; so they 
 concluded to sit in the office till morning, which 
 appeared very soon. As soon as it was seven o clock 
 Alvin gave the girl some money, told her where the 
 Hinsdale Hotel was and to go there, to get her break 
 fast and a room, where she could get some rest, for 
 she had been up all night. 
 
24 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 This was done in a private office, but the door was 
 open into the main office, where clerks were coming 
 and going. Alvin took a letterhead from a drawer, sat 
 at a desk and wrote: 
 
 BERRY & SON, 
 
 Distillers. 
 Mr. Frank Hinsdale: 
 
 This will introduce Miss Ella Rowe, who is looking 
 for employment. If you can assist her it would be 
 appreciated by, Yours truly, 
 
 BERRY & SON. 
 
 "After you have had a good sleep, give that to Mr. 
 or Mrs. Hinsdale, and I think you will get some suitable 
 employment in the hotel, such as waitress or chamber 
 maid. I have given you that name, for you do not want 
 to go by your own name on account of the occurrences 
 of last night. 
 
 "The officers of the law will be looking, no doubt, 
 to find any parties connected with the tragedy, whom, 
 if they should find, it would be unpleasant for us both; 
 so keep the whole matter secret." Ella Rowe took 
 the letter and with tears in her eyes left the office. 
 
 After having a good sleep at the Hinsdale Hotel 
 she found Mrs. Hinsdale in one of the halls and pre 
 sented her letter. Pleased at the looks of the girl, and 
 needing help, she gave Ella employment as chamber 
 maid. 
 
 Alvin Berry was very tired and sleepy and his nerves 
 rather upset, so he thought he would go home, get some 
 sleep and tell his father of the occurrences of the last 
 night. 
 
 A clerk came in and announced that his buggy had 
 been brought to the door by a groom. He closed his 
 desk, passed through the office, then down the great 
 stone steps to the street, where he found his buggy. 
 Just then Snickuls came up and handed him a paper, 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 25 
 
 with something in it marked. He whispered in his 
 ear quickly: "Albert Luxy," and then toddled along 
 humming a tune. 
 
 Alvin took the reins from the groom and drove 
 towards his father s great residence, which was about 
 one mile away. In a few moments he took from his 
 pocket "The Clarion," and read an item in the paper 
 that Snickuls had marked. It read: 
 
 "It is a pity that the young men of the town should 
 stay up so late at night, driving fast horses and accom 
 panied by women of doubtful reputation. One of the 
 prominent young men of that class, who has just 
 returned from college, was seen last night, racing down 
 the street, in the early morning, before day, accom 
 panied by a woman. 
 
 "They secretly went into one of the most prominent 
 buildings of the city; for what purpose, at that time of 
 night, is to be conjectured. As most all the troubles 
 of the world can be traced to the liquor traffic, it is to 
 be presumed that it is the same old story Whisky, 
 Carousal and Women." 
 
 Alvin crumpled the paper violently in his hand and 
 ground his teeth in rage, and his hand jerked the reins 
 so hard from shaking that the horse stopped. In a few 
 moments he was more composed, and said to himself 
 as he drove along: 
 
 "Yes, Snickuls, you are right; it is Albert Luxy s 
 doings. I thought he was up to some deviltry last 
 night when I saw him dodging in those shadows." 
 
 And then Alvin knew that Luxy would circulate, 
 by word of mouth, all the stories he could about him, 
 in an underhanded way. He wondered if Henrietta 
 would hear of these lying insinuations about him? Of 
 course she would, for was not Luxy s aunt a part of 
 Major Ashcraft s household? 
 
 As he drove up the driveway that passed through 
 beautiful lawns, flower beds and hedges, he saw his 
 father sitting on the broad porch, with anxious face, 
 
26 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 waiting for him. One of the gardeners took his horse 
 and buggy, and as he went up the front steps his father 
 grasped his hand and put his arms around him, asking: 
 "Where have you been so long, son?" 
 
 Alvin answered: "Do not ask me now, father, please. 
 I have a secret to tell only you. All I can say now is 
 that I got lost and am dreadful tired and hungry. 
 Mother will get me something to eat and I will get 
 some sleep. You go down-town, father, and I will see 
 you tonight." 
 
 Alvin went in to see his mother, embraced her, and 
 went to bed. 
 
 When Colonel Berry came home that night, after 
 supper Alvin took him out to a cool bench on the lawn 
 and told him about the duel and how he had helped 
 Ella Rowe, and also about the connection that Albert 
 Luxy and Snickuls had with the article in "The 
 Clarion," the Prohibitionist organ. 
 
 He then took the paper from his pocket and pointed 
 it out to The Colonel, who took it to a nearby electric 
 lamp and read it slowly, his hand clenching and his 
 form shaking as he read. The Colonel stepped quickly 
 back to his son, sitting on the bench, and exclaimed: 
 "Alvin, that is damnable, infamous and cowardly! But 
 let me think!" The Colonel walked up and down before 
 Alvin for some time before he said anything more, and 
 then, in a quieter tone, exclaimed: "Son, if I had been 
 in your place last night, I would have done just what 
 you did, as any courteous, chivalrous man would do. 
 In regard to The Clarion and the scandal mongers, we 
 cannot do anything with them at present, for, in attack 
 ing you, they have not mentioned any names in the 
 article, and if we take the matter up you will have to 
 explain your connection with Ella Rowe and the duel, 
 which will give more trouble and annoyance all around. 
 
 "My first feeling was to take a revolver and go and 
 clean out the whole crowd; but I guess it would be 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 27 
 
 wisdom to swallow our indignation and await the 
 future." 
 
 Alvin and his father sat on the bench and talked 
 a long time and then went in and went to bed. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Let us go back to Snickuls, fast asleep in the wagon. 
 He did not know how long he had slept, but was 
 awakened by the sound of voices coming from the 
 open window. Snickuls took out an old watch he had, 
 as he lay there, and saw it was quarter to three o clock. 
 He heard a woman s voice, saying: 
 
 "Now, Deacon Going, you know I was perfectly 
 satisfied with the house I had at eleven dollars per 
 month, which included water rent, as is usual, and you 
 told me you would give me one of your houses for 
 ten dollars, and it would not cost me any more; and 
 now you want me to pay the water rent, or they will 
 shut it off!" 
 
 "Well, I did tell you that; but ten dollars is too 
 little for the house and you will have to pay water 
 rent or get out!" exclaimed Deacon Going. 
 
 "It has cost me ten dollars to move into your house 
 and will cost me as much to move into another, and 
 I do not know where to get a house," said the woman, 
 crying. 
 
 "Well, either pay the water rent or get out!" 
 answered the Deacon. 
 
 "Nice Christian! is he not?" exclaimed Snickuls in 
 a whisper. 
 
 Soon another voice came from the window that 
 of a man: "Deacon Going, when I leased that rooming 
 house from you, you told me if my wife would keep 
 those rooms full we could make one hundred dollars 
 a month clear of all expenses. I told you I would not 
 take it unless you would guarantee it, and you said: 
 I will guarantee it, most positively ! 
 
 "Now, Deacon Going, we have kept the rooms full 
 for three months and we find we cannot make a cent 
 
28 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 over your rent and the expenses; we want to give up 
 the house and get our lease back!" 
 
 "You cannot give up the house and you will not 
 get your lease back! You have signed a lease for three 
 years and if you do not pay the rent I will attach 
 your furniture!" answered The Deacon. 
 
 "But, Deacon, you lay yourself liable to getting a 
 lease and obtaining money under false pretenses, it 
 seems to me; for you positively guaranteed that we 
 would clear one hundred dollars per month; and on 
 that consideration I signed the lease!" said the man. 
 
 "Well, Brickley, you know a real estate man has to 
 promise all sorts of things ha! ha! ha! but there is 
 nothing in the instrument to that effect, and you know 
 words are wind!" 
 
 "Shining light in the church!" muttered Snickuls 
 through his set teeth. 
 
 Mr. Brickley continued: "Have you no honor about 
 you? Did you not guarantee, positively, before I would 
 sign the lease, that we would clear one hundred dollars 
 a month above all expenses?" 
 
 "Yes, I did guarantee it, but you and I were alone 
 and there were no witnesses; so you see that does not 
 count, as my word is just as good as yours!" exclaimed 
 The Deacon. 
 
 At this Snickuls arose on his elbow and shook his 
 fist at the window. 
 
 Mr. Brickley spoke again: "I am going to court and 
 have you arrested for obtaining a lease and money 
 under false pretenses!" 
 
 "Now, Brickley, be calm! Be calm! The court 
 would only consider the terms of the written lease, 
 which is decidedly against you. If you were to swear 
 I guaranteed anything, I would swear just the opposite, 
 and my word is just as good as yours. You see, you 
 have no witness in your favor to my guarantee; and, 
 another thing, if you were to have me arrested, and 
 could not prove your case, I would make you pay 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 29 
 
 heavily, which would be quite profitable to me!" 
 answered The Deacon. 
 
 "The hell you would!" exclaimed Snickuls to him 
 self. 
 
 "Well, Deacon Going, I am going to see my lawyer," 
 came the voice of Brickley; to which the Deacon 
 answered: "Perfectly welcome! Perfectly welcome! I 
 have several; employ them the year around, and see 
 some of them every day!" then all was still. 
 
 Snickuls peeped through a small slit in the canvas 
 of the wagon and looked into the window. 
 
 The Deacon went to the door to his outside offices 
 and locked it carefully, and then opened a small closet 
 with a key, took out a large bottle, raised it to his lips 
 and took a long drink. Snickuls had good eyes and he 
 could see on the bottle: "Old Bourbon." 
 
 The Deacon put the bottle back, locked it up and 
 then went to his large iron safe; but before he opened 
 it he came to the window and looked out all around. 
 The big wagon seemed to be suspicious; but he could 
 see partly into it and there was nothing there. Snickuls 
 had made himself small and hugged close to the wall 
 of the wagon. 
 
 Seeing no one, the Deacon went to the safe, quickly 
 opened it and took out a box, from which he drew a 
 bundle of bonds. It was a little dark in the office, so 
 he came not far from the window and Snickuls saw 
 him count over twenty-one thousand dollar United 
 States 3 per cent bonds. He held them in his hands 
 with a broad smile and Snickuls heard him soliloquize: 
 "When I came here five years ago I had nothing." 
 
 The Deacon heard a knock coming from his outside 
 office and he hurriedly placed the bonds back into the 
 box and put it in the safe, and then went to the door 
 and unlocked it. 
 
 A clerk was at the door with a frail woman of about 
 forty, who, with a sad face, stepped in timidly and 
 sat down in a chair not far from The Deacon s desk, 
 
30 
 
 who closed the door, took a seat at his desk, twirled 
 his thumbs, and said: 
 
 "What can I do for you, Mrs. Sugsby? Have you 
 come to pay me the last of that ten per cent commission 
 I charged you for getting that loan? I believe you 
 have paid all except fifteen dollars out of the one hun 
 dred dollars commission, have you not? Oh, I think 
 your mortgage for one thousand dollars is about due 
 also, is it not?" The woman began to cry. 
 
 "What are you crying about, Mrs. Sugsby?" asked 
 The Deacon in a cold voice. 
 
 "You told me, when I borrowed that money two 
 years ago and mortgaged my house for one thousand 
 dollars, that it was somebody else s money, and he 
 would have to have eight per cent interest, and a man 
 told me the other day that the legal rate is only six 
 per cent; and you said that to pay you for the trouble 
 you would have to have a commission of ten per cent 
 besides. He says you are lending your own money 
 and it amounts to you getting eighteen per cent out 
 of me!" Here the woman began to cry so hard she 
 could not talk. 
 
 "Tut, tut, madam! The man is crazy. It is cus 
 tomary to charge interest and commission. When is 
 your mortgage due?" exclaimed The Deacon. 
 
 "You have no right to charge me eight per 
 cent by law Dea con Going!" sobbed Mrs. Sugsby. 
 
 "Then I would have to charge you more commis 
 sion," answered the Deacon. "When is your mortgage 
 due?" Mrs. Sugsby answered: 
 
 "I cannot pay the mortgage; it is due next week, on 
 Wednesday. Can you not extend it? If you do extend 
 it, I do not know how I can pay the interest on it!" 
 
 "No," replied The Deacon, "I cannot extend it, for 
 your house has depreciated greatly in value on account 
 of that flood that undermined it, and I do not believe 
 any one would lend you one thousand dollars on it 
 again, or much less. If you do not pay the mortgage 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 31 
 
 next week it will have to be foreclosed and sold out; 
 so you had better pay up promptly!" 
 
 The woman began to cry still harder, saying: "Oh, 
 Lord! Oh, Lord! What shall I do?" 
 
 "Well, Mrs. Sugsby, I have an engagement at this 
 moment, and will have to hurry up-town; so I will 
 have to lock my door," exclaimed The Deacon, as he 
 partly bowed and partly pushed Mrs. Sugsby out into 
 the outside office and then locked the door. The Deacon 
 now alone, Snickuls heard him mutter to himself: "If 
 she pays the mortgage I have made a fine thing out of 
 it, and if I have to foreclose, I will get a fine piece of 
 ground, which will be worth five thousand dollars in 
 three years." 
 
 Snickuls could stand it no longer, and watching when 
 The Deacon was looking the other way, he climbed 
 down quickly from the wagon and soon was out on 
 the main street. 
 
 Hurrying along, he soon saw Mrs. Sugsby, with 
 bowed head and staggering step, moving slowly along 
 ahead of him. He took out an old piece of paper from 
 his pocket, went up to the wall and wrote on it: 
 
 "Mrs. Sugsby, take this to Colonel Berry tomorrow 
 (Sunday) at his summer garden; give it to him, and I 
 think he will help you in money matters." 
 
 The note to Colonel Berry read: 
 
 "Colonel Berry, this is my friend. 
 
 "Yours truly, 
 
 "SNICKULS." 
 
 He then stepped quickly forward, touched her on 
 the arm, and handed her the paper, bowed and dodged 
 into a side alley. She stopped in a store entrance, care 
 fully opened the note and read it twice, and then her 
 face brightened. Folding it up carefully she put it 
 into her pocket and went toward her home quickly. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Snickuls was everywhere. He would be on Main 
 Street in the forenoon and in most any part of the 
 
32 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 county in the afternoon. He was popular with the 
 young men, women and children, for he was witty 
 and full of fun and everybody was glad to see him. 
 
 As he passed the Hinsdale Hotel he saw Tommy 
 Dust standing in the entrance, who smiled and said: 
 "Where are you going?" 
 
 Snickuls pressed his hand and answered: "Tonight 
 I am going to the Prohibition meeting. Want to tell 
 you something, at the usual place, Tommy. In a hurry 
 now," and he hustled on, leaving Tommy laughing at 
 Snickuls going to a Prohibition meeting. 
 
 Tommy walked back into the hotel, went behind 
 the desk and looked at the "Gall Book," for some guests, 
 who had come in the night, wanted to be called soon, 
 so they would not oversleep themselves. Mr. Hinsdale 
 had gone out and there was nobody there except 
 Tommy. This was frequently the case, for, strange 
 to say, though so young, he knew the business from 
 the top of the house to the furnace room. 
 
 Frank Hinsdale was a good hotel man and he had 
 built his hotel well. The office was large, and had easy 
 chairs scattered around for the numerous guests who 
 came and went. There were small and large dining 
 rooms and a fine bar, with rooms attached, where men 
 could have a nice little card game, provided the "moral 
 wave" was not at too high a tide. 
 
 Though never engaging in politics, Hinsdale was 
 very politic, adapting himself and his actions to his 
 surroundings, and he was "all things to all men." When 
 a preacher, prohibitionist or reformer came into his 
 hotel he could talk religion with such, and when a 
 saloonkeeper, horseracer or gambler made his appear 
 ance, Frank Hinsdale was equally at home with them. 
 
 Yet Frank was a shrewd, good-natured, kind man 
 at heart. About thirty-five years old, he was of medium 
 size and florid complexion, and had blue eyes; his wife 
 was dark. 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 33 
 
 Frank knew that the quickest way to put money in 
 his pocket which he had been very successful in 
 doing was to please the public and not betray the 
 weaknesses and confidences of his guests. He used to 
 tell Tommy Dust very emphatically: "Tommy, it makes 
 no difference what you see in the hotel, hold your 
 tongue about it; that is absolutely necessary in a hotel 
 man. If a man eats too much, drinks too much, swears 
 too much, or plays cards too much, or a woman flirts 
 too much, dips snuff, smokes in her room and takes 
 her toddy, never mention it. 
 
 "If you have eyes, Tommy, never see anything, and 
 if you have ears, never hear anything." 
 
 The same advice he gave to the porter and all his 
 help; but they came and went, whereas Tommy seemed 
 to stick and become a part of the hotel. He had become 
 very well trained and valuable to his employer. 
 
 Though acting as a bellboy, Tommy, when necessary, 
 would wait on table, would black a man s shoes, wait 
 on the bar, cook a short order meal, go upstairs and 
 make beds for Mrs. Hinsdale, collect bills, attend to 
 the fire stoves through the house and the furnace, and 
 do most anything. 
 
 One time, when Tommy was temporarily ill, Mr. 
 Hinsdale said to his wife: "Sarah, I do not know what 
 we would do without that boy!" 
 
 Tommy knew all the secrets of the politicians, who 
 came to the hotel; of the lawyers, the doctors, the garmV 
 lers, the preachers, the married women, the young 
 ladies and old maids. His sharp eyes and ears seemed 
 to fathom and get to the bottom of everything that went 
 on, and quite a little change was slipped secretly into 
 Tommy s hands by all kinds of people for little favors 
 done in the hotel. 
 
 Frank Hinsdale knew this, but appeared not to see 
 it. He was only too glad he had a boy who could do 
 those things and was discreet enough to hold his tongue. 
 
34 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 Though Tommy never talked about things that hap 
 pened in the hotel to anyone else, there was one person 
 to whom he gave all his confidences, and that was to his 
 friend Snickuls. On the second floor of the hotel was a 
 great parlor, with its soft carpets, piano, soft cushioned 
 chairs and mirrors; but there were several other large 
 rooms on the same floor, that Mr. Hinsdale had put into 
 the hotel for conferences of all kinds. They had large 
 tables and small tables, with writing material for men 
 to use, when they wanted to meet for any purposes. 
 
 Sometimes a party of ministers would use one of 
 these rooms; sometimes politicians; sometimes doctors, 
 or any other class of men or women. 
 
 Knowing how valuable secrets are sometimes, Hins 
 dale, when he planned the hotel, had a secret stairway 
 that ascended from a closet at the side of the hotel 
 office downstairs to a closet upstairs, that adjoined one 
 of these conference rooms, in which, concealed, one 
 could hear, and even see, by looking through a small 
 hole, everything that went on in the conference room 
 without the occupants having any idea that anyone 
 was near. 
 
 He planned that no one should know of the existence 
 of the secret stairway; but Tommy Dust had not been 
 there five years for nothing. 
 
 One night Tommy was acting as night clerk for the 
 regular night clerk was ill. About two o clock everyone 
 was fast asleep. Tommy, sitting behind the desk, near 
 the office closet, observed a peculiar kind of crack in 
 the wall of the closet. The more he examined it inside 
 the closet, the more he was convinced it was some kind 
 of keyhole; so he looks in the desk drawers of Mr. 
 Hinsdale and finds a big bunch of keys, and tries to 
 find one that will go in that crack. At last a very thin 
 one slips in and turns the lock; at which a very narrow 
 door opens and Tommy, almost frightened, exclaims to 
 himself: "Jerusalem! what is that? It is an iron stair 
 way!" He softly closed the small door, retreating, left 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 35 
 
 the closet, walked outside the desk and looked around, 
 and went to the front door to see if anyone was coming; 
 then he peeped into the barroom and saw that the 
 barkeeper was fast asleep in his chair. 
 
 "Now I will see what it is," said Tommy; so he 
 opened the small door in the closet with the thin key 
 and climbed the iron steps to the closet at the top of the 
 stairs, and looks through the hole into one of the con 
 ference rooms. 
 
 Mr. Hinsdale did not know, until years afterwards, 
 that Tommy knew anything about the secret place; 
 but Tommy had occasion to use it many times. 
 
 Unlike most boys, Tommy did not seem to want to 
 get off from work whenever he could, for the hotel was 
 his home, and when away he was like a fish out of 
 water. But there were about two hours in the day 
 after supper that Tommy considered his own, and at 
 that time he stepped out on the street. 
 
 Even at that time* if he saw that Mr. or Mrs. Hins 
 dale needed him badly, he would take hold and do 
 what was necessary without asking. 
 
 Tommy was the needle and Snickuls the magnet part 
 of the time, and the other part Snickuls was the needle 
 and Tommy the magnet. It was strange that people 
 of ages so far apart should be so fond of each other. 
 Snickuls was of a humorous, jolly disposition and when 
 drunk was absolutely funny; whereas Tommy, though 
 young, was of a sober, serious disposition. 
 
 When Colonel Berry first started in the brewery 
 business he had a building some five blocks from the 
 Hinsdale Hotel; but the brewery burned down, or most 
 down, and The Colonel built a much better one up on 
 the side of the hill near his great distillery. 
 
 The brick walls, iron columns and partially burned 
 timbers of the old brewery had fallen, in a mixed and 
 tangled mass, in all directions. 
 
 Looking around through the ruins about three years 
 before this, Snickuls had discovered that there was a 
 
36 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 .small portion of the building intact, and by crawling 
 under and between some interwoven timbers and por 
 tions of fallen walls he came to a door that opened 
 into one room, that was somewhat exposed to the sky, 
 which adjoined another entirely covered by debris. 
 From the first room he passed through a door into the 
 second, which was very dark. 
 
 This second room had been Colonel Berry s private 
 office and was very nicely furnished, except that the 
 heat and smoke of the fire had discolored the walls 
 somewhat and some of the furniture. 
 
 Snickuls told Tommy of his discovery and they 
 secretly fixed it up as their private club room, where 
 they met most every night and talked and read, told 
 stories, played cards and gave each other the informa 
 tion of the day. Tommy knew everything that went 
 on in the hotel and Snickuls everything on the street 
 and in the country around. Nobody knew of Snickuls 
 and Tommy s club house, for they were very careful, 
 when they entered the ruins, both of them, to do it 
 unobserved. 
 
 The night before Snickuls told Tommy he would 
 go to the Prohibition meeting he had just lit the light 
 in their club room, when he heard Tommy coming 
 through the timbers as he sat down in an easy chair 
 by a large table, on which he placed the lamp. 
 
 "What do you think, Snickuls?" said Tommy, "Major 
 Ashcraft, Deacon Going, Rev. Peter Nostir and a whole 
 gang of Prohibitionists had a secret meeting in Con 
 ference Room No. 1 today and I heard every word they 
 said!" 
 
 "Ha, ha, ha! Ho, ho, ho!" exclaimed Snickuls, laughr 
 ing, with his chair and head tipped back. He was a 
 little drunk tonight and Tommy remonstrated with him, 
 saying: 
 
 "Hush, Snickuls! not so loud. Somebody might hear 
 us!" Snickuls replied: 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 37 
 
 "Maj hie or Ashcraft hie reminds hie me of 
 a hie wet hen sit ting hie on rot hie on eggs !" 
 They both laugh. 
 
 "Now, Snickuls, let me talk. You are drunk and it 
 is my time to have the say. Let me tell you something; 
 they are going to try to close all the saloons at twelve 
 o clock at night. 
 
 "Tommy hie they will have hie May or 
 Homer but hie not the hie Aldermen hie and 
 Council hie Colonel Ber hie ry will control hie 
 them," answered Snickuls. "And they are going to try 
 to get Albert Luxy appointed secret detective to watch 
 the saloons when they get the law passed, Snickuls!" 
 said Tommy. 
 
 They talked for about on hour, when Tommy crept 
 out. Snickuls blew out the light, laid down on a lounge 
 and went to sleep. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 The Prohibition forces had marshaled their full 
 strength that night, and Temperance Hall was crowded 
 to overflowing. Seated on the platform, in center of 
 the front row of chairs, was Mayor Homer. On his 
 right sat Rev. Peter Nostir and on his left Major Ash- 
 craft, who had next to him Deacon Going, and a line 
 of business men filled up the chairs to the end of the 
 row. 
 
 At the other end of the platform sat Miss Lucy 
 Hurryup, dressed conspicuously, with a band passed 
 over her breast and shoulder, on which was printed 
 W. C. T. U. She was surrounded by a large number 
 of women similarly dressed. 
 
 With a majestic mien she stepped to the desk at the 
 front of the platform, rapped with a gavel, threw her 
 head back, her Roman nose into the air, and in a strong 
 voice said: 
 
 "Servants of the Lord! before beginning the battle 
 of the Most High, we will call on the Rev. Peter Nostir 
 to lead us in prayer," and she motioned for him to come 
 
38 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 forward as she swept into her chair. The Rev. Nostir 
 arose and came to the stand with pious attitude. He 
 was a thin man with sallow complexion. Looking up 
 to heaven he closed his eyes and said: "Our Heavenly 
 Father, send down the deluge of Thy grace, and may 
 it wash all the rum out of this town! May it lift from 
 their foundations all of the distilleries, breweries and 
 saloons of our city and land them in the sea of destruc 
 tion!" 
 
 "May those engaged in compounding, marketing rum, 
 whisky, ale, beer or any other vile drug be swept into 
 the ocean of perdition, like Pharoah s hosts; and when 
 Thou hast brought Thy children of Israel, through the 
 Sea of Righteousness, to the Holy Land of Prohibition, 
 we will join in Hosannas to Thee for the preservation 
 of our city!" 
 
 "Amen and Amen!" exclaimed Lucy Hurryup, rock 
 ing herself in her chair, while all the other women 
 echoed her words, and Deacon Going cried out: 
 A a men!" 
 
 "Tommy," said Snickuls, who was not drunk this 
 time, in the back of the hall: "If The Deacon would 
 put a few more A a s in his Amen, maybe he would 
 charge six per cent instead of eight per cent for his 
 money." 
 
 Lucy Hurryup stepped forward again and with jaw 
 firmly set, said: 
 
 "Children of Zion, you will now hear an Apostle of 
 Righteousness, our distinguished brother Prohibitionist, 
 Mayor Homer." The Mayor arose from his seat and 
 advanced amid great applause, and said: 
 
 "Fellow citizens, it does me great honor to appear 
 here tonight before such an intelligent, patriotic and 
 holy audience! (Applause.) 
 
 "Yes, I may say holy audience, for any assembly, 
 or set of men or women, engaged in a holy cause, like 
 these noble Christians, before me on this stand and in 
 this great room, must constitute a holy audience. 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 39 
 
 "We will fight and go forward to stamp out intem 
 perance in our town. I will ever lift my arm of author 
 ity, my administrative and judicial hand to stamp out 
 drunkenness and disorder, and co-operate with the 
 clergy, W. G. T. U. and all other holy citizens in their 
 virtuous efforts. (Great applause.) 
 
 "Thank you, fellow citizens, thank you!" 
 
 "Say, Snickuls," whispered Tommy, "I saw him give 
 a man five hundred dollars in Conference Room No. 1 
 to buy votes with just before he was elected!" 
 
 Lucy Hurryup, with her great blue eyes glaring at 
 the audience, again spoke: 
 
 "Yes, a right noble Mayor, elected in our midst by 
 the children of God, who came up to the help of the 
 Lord against the mighty those demons of hell, who are 
 degrading and filling our city with vice of all kinds and 
 drunkenness!" 
 
 Alvin Berry had slipped into the crowd at the back 
 part of the hall unobserved, and his lip curled with 
 contempt as he stood with folded arms and listened to 
 the last words of the woman orator: "What must we 
 think of those arch-fiends in our midst, who are destroy 
 ing the youth, the middle-aged and old men of our 
 community. Is there any punishment too great for 
 them? Like the Lord drove the heathen from the 
 Promised Land, we will with the sword of the Lord 
 and Gideon drive out the rumsellers of Batesville and 
 this county, and have a clean city for the children of 
 Israel to live in. But we must be up and doing; we 
 must fight mentally, morally and even physically. 
 
 "Any man who would sell whisky to my husband, 
 father, son or nephew " 
 
 "Tommy, when she gets a husband you let me know," 
 whispered Snickuls, as Lucy went on: "I would knock 
 him dow r n or shoot him on the spot, and if that would 
 not do, I would take a torch and burn his place down!" 
 
40 
 
 At these last words she brought her fist down on 
 the desk, and the audience cheered; some of the most 
 enthusiastic shouted: "You re right!" 
 
 Lucy Hurryup continued: 
 
 "I will now ask your attention to our good and 
 pious friend, Deacon Going, whom you all know is 
 ever zealous in good works and devoted to our cause 
 one of the salt of the earth, whose left hand never 
 knows what his right doeth!" 
 
 "Tommy, do you suppose when his left hand holds 
 a mortgage, his right hand knows it?" asked Snickuls. 
 Somehow there was no particular cheering when 
 Deacon Going came forward. He said: 
 
 "My Christian friends I I say Christian, for that 
 word embodies all the good and great things of the 
 world, and temperance and prohibition are, I claim, 
 two of the greatest Christian virtues. 
 
 "Any man who will drink, will swear; any man who 
 will swear, will steal, and any man who will steal, will 
 commit murder; so you see, everything that is bad is 
 encouraged and abetted by the rummakers and rum- 
 sellers of this city. 
 
 "My motto is: Onward, Christian Soldier! and all 
 I ask is to humbly carry the banner of Prohibition, 
 while I follow the lead of Miss Hurryup, and the beau 
 tiful Christian characters on this stand. I must close 
 now by saying: Come and join the army, all of you !" 
 
 Alvin Berry s eyes blazed and his teeth grit as he 
 shifted, restlessly, from one foot to the other and 
 listened. 
 
 "We will now have a song from one of Batesville s 
 most gifted daughters," said Miss Hurryup, as she Turned 
 and nodded to Major Ashcraft, who arose, removed his 
 chair and led his beautiful daughter, Henrietta, from 
 the rear to the side of the stand, with a piece of music 
 in her hand. 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 41 
 
 Alvin Berry s blood tingled through his veins from 
 head to foot as he exclaimed in an undertone: "Hen 
 rietta! is she not lovely?" 
 
 The whole audience cheered and cheered at the 
 sight of Miss Ashcraft. There was a piano in front of 
 the stage and Signor Patruchi, organist of Rev. Nostir s 
 church, took a seat at the instrument and played a short 
 prelude, when Henrietta began: "Jesus, lover of my 
 soul! Let me to Thy bosom fly!" to the air of "When 
 the Swallows Homeward Fly." 
 
 It seemed as if the audience was spellbound by the 
 sight of the beautiful woman and the charm of her 
 voice. Alvin stood with beaming eyes, like a statue, 
 while Tommy gripped Snickul s hand and Snickuls 
 returned the pressure, as they both bent forward in 
 admiration. 
 
 Long was the applause when Henrietta finished, and 
 her father led her out through the back of the stage. 
 
 "Children of the Covenant! We will now hear from 
 that noble champion of right and upholder of Prohibi 
 tion and enemy of the hosts of hell in the liquor traffic. 
 I present Major Ashcraft," said Lucy. The Major 
 stepped to the stand and said: 
 
 "I am not much of an orator, my friends, only a 
 practical business man. It is necessary for all men to 
 work in order to support themselves and their families. 
 
 "Now, if a man drinks, he cannot think and act; 
 that is, like he ought to." 
 
 "Snickuls, that is not so; because, when you are 
 drunk, you are smarter than when you are sober!" 
 whispered Tommy. 
 
 The Major continued: "My theory is that we should 
 not allow saloons any more than any other evil, and 
 that we should make laws, so that men would not be 
 permitted to destroy themselves mentally, morally and 
 physically!" (Great cheering.) 
 
 "If there were no whisky, beer nor any other intoxi 
 cating liquor made and sold, there would not be any 
 
42 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 drunkenness. We all must admit that drunkenness is 
 a bad thing, and if that is so, let us put an end to ill" 
 
 "Hear that, Snickuls!" whispered Tommy. 
 
 "The way to put an end to drunkennes in Batesville 
 is to compel the liquor manufacturers and saloons to 
 stop making it and selling it! 
 
 "The city is very much indebted to Miss Hurryup 
 and her earnest, able coadjutors of the W. G. T. U., the 
 Rev. Nostir, Deacon Going and others in their good 
 work, and one of the noblest champions of our cause 
 is the Honorable Mayor Homer, whom your Christian 
 votes elected to office. He is doing his best to suppress 
 the saloons and the liquor traffic; but he cannot do as 
 much as he would like, until we get control of the 
 Aldermen and Council of our city, whom, I am sorry 
 to say, are now under the thumb of the arch-enemy of 
 prohibition!" (Great applause.) 
 
 "I believe that my speech is the last, and, before we 
 adjourn, I would like to read you a telegram I have 
 just received from Mr. Brentwood, our Senator at Wash 
 ington, in regard to an appropriation of twenty-five 
 thousand dollars for our new postoffice in Batesville. 
 He says: 
 
 " Government receipts from taxes this year less 
 than last. One item to hear from; but pretty sure to 
 get postoffice. 
 
 SENATOR BRENTWOOD. " 
 
 Great cheering by the audience for Ashcraft and 
 Brentwood as Major Ashcraft took his seat. 
 
 Rev. Nostir then stepped forward, lifted his hand 
 and prayed, dismissing the meeting: 
 
 "0 Lord, wilt Thou rout the children of hell and 
 intemperance in this town? Wilt Thou pursue them 
 with a flaming sword, with fire and brimstone, and 
 may the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah fall upon 
 the sellers of rum! 
 
 "And we pray Thee, Lord, to let Thy choicest 
 blessings rest upon Thy Christian servants,, who have 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 43 
 
 come here tonight. Gird up their loins and strengthen 
 them in the great work of Prohibition I" "Amen," cried 
 the stage and the audience; but the loudest note of 
 them all was Deacon Going s "A a men!" 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Colonel Berry was sixty years old and held his own 
 very well for that age; but any vigorous frame some 
 times feels a let-down. He stepped up to the bar of 
 the Hinsdale Hotel and said: 
 
 "Tom, give me a little cognac; I am not feeling very 
 well today." The bartender respectfully placed a bottle 
 and glass of ice water before The Colonel, who took 
 his drink and started to pass into the hotel office, when 
 someone called to him: 
 
 "Hello, Colonel! That was a good one you gave the 
 Prohibitionists this morning in The Trumpet! Here it 
 is!" 
 
 Colonel Berry turned and shook hands with Mr. 
 Bolton, the hops grower. 
 
 "What is it? What is it?" cried several men, leav 
 ing their seats at tables, where they drank beer or 
 whisky, and crowding around Bolton to look over his 
 shoulder at the paper, who read aloud: 
 
 THE TRUMPET. 
 Colonel Berry Answers the Prohibitionists. 
 
 "A letter was received from our Representative in 
 Congress by Colonel Berry, of our city, which we pre 
 sent to our readers: 
 
 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. 
 " Dear Colonel: 
 
 " Your letter in relation to getting new Postoffice was 
 received. All appropriations for public buildings now 
 depend upon what is received from the whisky tax 
 reports on all other taxes having come in. The revenue 
 from whisky is somewhat shorter this year on account 
 of the new and stringent State laws made against the 
 production and consumption of liquor. I am doing all 
 
44 
 
 I can for Batesville, and would be glad to serve you 
 in any way I can. Believe me, as ever, 
 
 " Your friend, 
 
 " G. ASHMEAD. 
 
 "Attention is called to this letter, which has a direct 
 connection with the great Prohibition meeting last night, 
 conducted under the auspices of the W. G. T. U., Mayor 
 Homer, Major Ashcraft and others. 
 
 "In answer to their fierce denunciations of the dis 
 tillers and brewers calling them hosts of hell Colonel 
 Berry submits figures of his revenue taxes that he has 
 just paid the Government, which amount to $27,860.21 
 for the year, and he says that the amount of taxes that 
 he pays in this town and county just a little overpays 
 for the new Postoffice, that Major Ashcraft, Mayor 
 Homer, Deacon Going and others of the Prohibition 
 Party are urging on our Representative and Senator 
 from Yorksylvania to get. 
 
 "Colonel Berry says that if they do not care anything 
 for him and the past favors he has done the city, it 
 would seem as if their business sense, their self-interest, 
 would dictate that if they want a $25,000 Postoffice, 
 it is folly to kill the business and people who are fur 
 nishing the money to pay for the Postoffice desired. 
 
 "He also says he is using all his influence and efforts 
 at Washington to get for the city a new Postoffice, but 
 points to the fact, for the consideration of the W. C. 
 T. U., and particularly for the business men who were 
 on the stand last night, that if they destroy the distillery 
 and brewery business in the town, a large number of 
 men will be out of work and will have to go elsewhere 
 for employment. Then half the stores of the city will 
 have to close up and there will hardly be any need 
 for the old Postoffice, without considering a new one. 
 
 "The Colonel says he is not averse to a reasonable 
 amount of criticism; but when people, who are indebted 
 to him for favors, resort to such violent and bitter 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 45 
 
 denunciations of himself and business, he cannot, out of 
 self-respect, remain silent and permit it without protest. 
 
 "He refers to Mayor Homer, who came to the town 
 twenty years ago as a barefooted, ragged boy, without 
 a home, no food and clothes. Colonel Berry gave him 
 steady employment for years. 
 
 "Lucy Hurryup was a poor school teacher, with no 
 school, and could get none. Colonel Berry built a 
 schoolhouse, put her in it and filled it with scholars 
 for her. 
 
 "Twenty -five years ago there was no city here; it was 
 nothing but a succession of farms, owned by Colonel 
 Berry. He put up distilleries and breweries and started 
 the town. After a little while Major Ashcraft heard 
 that Batesville was a good place to start factories and 
 sought to buy land. He could get no good location, for 
 Colonel Berry owned most all the land. At last he went 
 to Colonel Berry and The Colonel gave him the land 
 to build his factories on. 
 
 "And the gratitude that these people show The 
 Colonel is to defame him and try to kill his business/ 
 
 "Damned if they shall do it!" exclaimed one man 
 to Bolton, as he finished reading the article, bringing 
 his fist down on the bar. 
 
 "We will hang the last one of them!" said another. 
 
 "Easy, boys, easy," said another; "it is only a ques 
 tion of votes. If Colonel Berry s sensible and liberal 
 policies are supported in the city against the narrow- 
 minded, rabid and bigoted policy of the W. C. T. U. 
 and the Prohibition Party, then he will win. I tell 
 you, boys, Major Ashcraft is bringing more employes 
 here every year and he is winning their votes for 
 prohibition. 
 
 "If you are against prohibition, get out, roll up your 
 sleeves and help carry the coming election, for it is 
 going to be a hard fight. Come, boys, let s have a 
 drink, and give three cheers for Colonel Berry !" 
 
46 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 The bartender served them, and their voices rang 
 out: "Berry! Berry! Berry! Hurray! Hurray!" 
 
 While Bolton was reading to the crowd Colonel 
 Berry pushed the swinging barroom door and went out 
 into the hotel lobby. He passed on toward the desk, 
 nodding to this one and that one, whom he knew stand 
 ing around, and put his hand on the head of Tommy 
 Dust as he went along. 
 
 Mrs. Hinsdale stood at the desk talking to her hus 
 band and had just turned to answer a question, asked 
 her by Ella Rowe, the new chambermaid, who, with 
 some sheets and pillow cases on her arm, had just come 
 down the stairs. 
 
 "How pretty that girl is!" The Colonel heard a young 
 man say to another in an undertone nearby, looking at 
 the chambermaid. 
 
 "How do you do, Colonel Berry?" said Mrs. Hins 
 dale, advancing a little and holding out her hand to 
 him as he came up to the desk. "You are looking well." 
 
 Colonel Berry shook hands with her, with her hus 
 band behind the desk, and spoke to the girl. He said: 
 "I am beginning to feel my age, Mrs. Hinsdale, a little." 
 After passing a few remarks he walked out of the hotel 
 to the street. 
 
 Opposite the Hinsdale Hotel was the City Hall, which 
 stood on the edge of a great open space, used, for all 
 kinds of open air public demonstrations. 
 
 It was a beautiful day and people of both sexes 
 thronged the streets and the stores were crowded, espe 
 cially those devoted to female attire. As The Colonel 
 passed along he saw a lovely form and face approach 
 ing, and said to himself: 
 
 "I believe that is Henrietta Ashcraft. Will she speak 
 to me?" 
 
 Henrietta s beautiful and expressive eyes saw The 
 Colonel, but she turned and went into a milliner store, 
 recollecting her father s command: "I prohibit you 
 from having anything to do with any of the Berry 
 
47 
 
 family!" Not surprised at her action, The Colonel s 
 head turned and he caught another sight. Across the 
 open space, or mall, came a body of soldiers marching 
 with admirable precision, and at their head, with sword 
 in hand, as captain, he saw his son Alvin, whose voice 
 rang out in clear tones: "Guide right!" 
 
 Colonel Berry s eagle eye had glanced over many 
 a battle field and his heart swelled with pride as he 
 saw the masterly manner in which Captain Berry 
 handled and maneuvered the Berry Zouaves. 
 
 The people came from every direction and crowded 
 up to see the drill; but The Colonel walked leisurely to 
 a point opposite, where he could see the maneuvers of 
 the company, which had come to rest. They looked 
 very fine in their blue coats, white vests and loose red 
 trousers. Captain Berry s voice sounded out: 
 
 "Order Arms!" "Present Arms!" "Right Shoulder 
 Arms!" 
 
 "He s a chip off the old block, Alvin is, is he not?" 
 said an old man, who touched The Colonel s arm. 
 Colonel Berry laughed and replied: 
 
 "Well, Alvin does very well. When I started the 
 Zouaves, five years ago, I had to drill them myself; but 
 now I leave it to younger hands. Alvin s military Col 
 lege has done him good." 
 
 The Berry Zouaves were started for a double pur 
 pose to amuse the people of the city and to advertise 
 The Colonel s business. Batesville had grown very fast 
 in the last few years and had a good many attractions; 
 but when the town was started there was very little 
 of interest going on to amuse the people, so he took 
 most of the young men he employed and formed them 
 into a military company. Some of these he would drill 
 at one time and some another, until they had become 
 very efficient. 
 
 In the hottest weather The Colonel would send these 
 Berry Zouaves away on vacation trips to drill in dif 
 ferent parts of Yorksylvania and other States, which 
 
48 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 gave his business a name and a good deal of distinction 
 to his Zouaves; until, whenever there would be a public 
 demonstration of any kind, particularly in a military 
 way, urgent letters would be received by Colonel Berry, 
 asking him the favor of sending the Berry Zouaves to 
 participate in the demonstrations; and he did send them 
 every year. 
 
 Henrietta Ashcraft looked out of the millinery store 
 and saw the soldiers, and her eyes shone with a peculiar 
 brilliancy when she heard the voice of their Captain 
 ring out across the mall. 
 
 Major Ashcraft stood in the crowd, near the City 
 Hall steps, and watched the military absent-mindedly. 
 He muttered to himself: 
 
 "Alvin Berry is surely every inch a soldier. It is 
 a good playing card with the Berrys to get popularity 
 and votes. I will get up a military company myself," 
 and he walked away. 
 
 It was not over a month before Major Ashcraft had 
 some of his men trying to imitate the Berry Zouaves. 
 He put Albert Luxy in as captain, who was aggressive 
 and determined enough, but somehow they did not 
 seem to have the knack of it. When Captain Berry led 
 his men off the mall back to the Barracks, Snickuls, 
 who was in the dispersing crowd, saw Mr. Brickley 
 walking just ahead of him, who had a very troubled 
 look on his face and walked across the street to a large 
 building, upon the door of which was chiseled in stone. 
 Temple Bar. 
 
 This building was filled with law offices and as Mr. 
 Brickley entered, Snickuls followed, until he saw him 
 go into an office marked: I. C. Wisdom, Attorney-at- 
 Law. 
 
 Snickuls walked right in after him and heard the 
 office boy tell Mr. Brickley to take a seat and Mr. Wis 
 dom would be in soon. Snickuls sat down by him and 
 they talked quite a while. Mr. Wisdom soon came in 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 49 
 
 and the three men talked very earnestly for a long 
 time. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Snickuls had been walking a long way in the country 
 and he was tired; so he sought a grassy place, sur 
 rounded by bushes, alongside of fhe road that runs 
 through the woods, and was soon asleep. He was awak 
 ened by the sound of buggy wheels which approached 
 and, peeping through the bushes, he saw Albert Luxy 
 drive up in a buggy, accompanied by Major Ashcraft. 
 They stopped in the shade of a great tree, very near 
 where Snickuls lay, took off their hats and began to 
 talk. Major Ashcraft said: "You see, Albert, if we want 
 to get a law passed to close the saloons at 12 o clock 
 at night, we cannot do it, even if we have The Mayor 
 on our side, unless Colonel Berry is willing, for he 
 controls the Aldermen and Council. Have you heard 
 what his attitude is in the matter?" Luxy answered: 
 
 "I heard he said he would be willing, for peace 
 sake, to close all the saloons at 12 o clock, if that would 
 satisfy the Prohibitionists; but he says it will not be 
 long before they will want something else." 
 
 "That is true," replied The Major, laughing. "Our 
 object is to annihilate the whole liquor traffic; but, you 
 know, we have to accomplish one thing at a time. I 
 believe that The Colonel will concede that if we do 
 not irritate him. The bill will be prepared tonight, and 
 if Colonel Berry does not oppose it, one of the steps 
 in our fight will be won." 
 
 Said Luxy: "While we are here, Major, I would 
 say that I have long been in love with Miss Henrietta. 
 Would you have any objections if I ask her hand in 
 marriage?" 
 
 The Major gave a slight start and hesitated in 
 answering: "Well, well, Albert! Henrietta is hardly 
 old enough yet to marry, and I do not think her mind 
 is on any such subject. Suppose you find out how she 
 
50 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 feels in the matter and let me know. Well, Albert, I 
 guess it is time to go home," and they drove on. 
 
 Snickuls did not get to the Snickuls and Tommy Club 
 until late that night, where he found Tommy playing a 
 game of solitaire on the large table. 
 
 "What made you so late?" asked Tommy, as he came 
 in. Snickuls laid down on the lounge and told Tommy 
 the conversation that passed between Major Ashcraft 
 and Albert Luxy. "By the way, Tommy, I heard just 
 before I came in that the midnight closing act has 
 passed and Mayor Homer has signed it. They had to 
 get the consent of Colonel Berry before it could pass. 
 He said that people could drink enough up to 12 o clock 
 and if it would make peace in the town, he would not 
 oppose the act." 
 
 "That is just like The Colonel," asid Tommy, "always 
 trying to do some good." 
 
 Said Snickuls: "Tommy, I have got a postage stamp 
 and envelope in my pocket. Pull out that table drawer 
 under you, get a piece of paper and pencil and write 
 me a letter, please; because I am so tired, and you 
 write a better hand than I do anyhow. I will drop it 
 in the Postoffice when you go out." 
 
 Tommy wrote the letter and Snickuls got up and 
 signed it. They put out the light then and went out 
 together, both stopping, as they reached the entrance 
 to the labyrinth of timbers, and tread softly, going in 
 different directions through the ruins. 
 
 As Alvin Berry, with his proud, aristocratic air 
 walked along Main Street next morning, toward the 
 office of Berry & Son, a newspaper boy came running, 
 shouting: 
 
 "Extra! buy the Clarion! Extra!" Alvin stopped 
 the boy and bought a paper. In large headlines he 
 read: 
 
 "Great Triumph for Prohibition and Righteousness! 
 The Forces of Alcohol Driven to the Wall! Mayor 
 Homer Signs the Midnight Closing Act!" Alvin s lip 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 51 
 
 curled and he muttered, as he walked along: "If I had 
 been father I would have never let the bill pass." 
 
 When he entered his private office and took a seat 
 at his desk, a young man clerk brought him the morning 
 mail, most of which were business letters and which 
 he soon disposed of. Among the personal letters he 
 saw one in a soiled envelope, which he opened and 
 carefully read, his face flushing as he did so. He sprang 
 from the chair, hastily closed the door and walked up 
 and down the floor, nervously exclaiming: 
 
 "Albert Luxy is trying to marry Henrietta!" He 
 then sat down, put his hand on the desk, rested his 
 head on it and closed his eyes. 
 
 At the dinner table Alvin s mother said to him: 
 "Son, what makes you so quiet tonight? Is there any 
 thing the matter, dear?" 
 
 "Nothing, mother, only I am a little tired," answered 
 Alvin. 
 
 "Son," said Colonel Berry, "I heard a great many 
 compliments bestowed on Captain Berry for the way 
 he handled his troops, and I must say myself, Captain 
 Berry, as an old officer, that your company is the best 
 drilled company I have ever seen." 
 
 "Oh, father, that is too much!" exclaimed Alvin, 
 laughing with pleasure. He seemed as lively as usual, 
 went up to his father, put his hand on his shoulder 
 and bent over and kissed his father s brow. Then he 
 kissed his mother on the cheek and went out on the 
 front porch, leaving them at the table. As he sat there 
 looking out over the lawn, at the great oaks, hedges 
 and flov. ers, a great sadness crept over him, and it 
 almost seemed to be akin to terror, as he clasped his 
 hands and exclaimed to himself: 
 
 "Albert Luxy is trying to marry Henrietta!" How 
 could he help it? He knew that her father was at 
 enmity to his father and all his family, and had pro 
 hibited her from having anything to do with the Berry 
 family. 
 
52 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 That affair with Ella Rowe, and which Luxy and 
 the Prohibition paper had distributed to his injury, had 
 been used by Luxy with his father s and his enemies 
 to further prejudice Henrietta against him. What 
 chance did* he have? 
 
 With these thoughts in his mind Alvin strolled down 
 the walk. His eyes glanced toward the dense grove 
 and brook in the distance, and returning pictures came 
 to view in his mind of the happy hours he had spent 
 in that spot; how he had climbed the fence and joined 
 a beautiful girl, who waited for him in the hammock. 
 Then he went off to college. 
 
 Before he knew it, Alvin found himself in the grove. 
 Yes, there is the brook, musically rippling alone over 
 the stones. He tread softly and there was the fence 
 he used to climb and what is it! Who is it? Can it 
 be Henrietta, sitting there in the swing, with her back 
 to him? No! not Henrietta, the girl, but Henrietta, the 
 magnificent, beautiful woman! But let us go back a 
 little. 
 
 Misses Askwitch, Lucy Hurryup and Mrs. Jane 
 Bowink sat in Major Ashcraft s parlor talking vocifer 
 ously. 
 
 Miss Hurryup, sitting up straight in her chair and 
 holding her head high, exclaimed: 
 
 "And just to think of what a victory we have just 
 had over those demons of hell the Berrys! Thank the 
 Lord! Thank the Lord!" 
 
 Henrietta sat near the window crocheting. 
 
 "Yes, it was fine," answered Miss Askwitch. "Albert 
 Luxy says that when he made the motion in the Council 
 for the midnight closing, the liquor forces broke and 
 came over to him in a body! Albert carried the day 
 and deserves great credit. Yes, it was a great victory!" 
 This she said looking at Henrietta, as if to make a 
 great impression on her, who raised her head from 
 her work and said timidly: 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 53 
 
 "I bought a Trumpet this morning and it says that 
 the Prohibition forces were absolutely blocked and 
 could not pass the bill without the consent of Colonel 
 Berry, and they had to send a committee to him in 
 order to get him to allow them to pass the bill." 
 
 Miss Askwitch looked daggers at Henrietta, who 
 dropped her head and went on crocheting, and 
 exclaimed: "Henrietta, what do you know about poli 
 tics, anyhow? That Trumpet is a liquor paper and 
 never was known to tell the truth NEVER!" 
 
 "Never!" chimed in Miss Hurryup. "It is a vile sheet! 
 Do you not think so, Mrs. Bowink?" 
 
 The lady addressed by Lucy sat comfortably back 
 in her chair, and half yawning replied: 
 
 "Oh, I do not know. I do not read politics much. 
 1 leave that to the men." 
 
 Jane Bowink was a widow, about 35, plump, good- 
 natured and good-looking. Her husband had died five 
 years before, leaving no children and a large fortune 
 to her. She had a beautiful home near the Ashcraft 
 residence, many servants and did not worry herself 
 about anything that went on in life. 
 
 Last night, just before she retired, she was troubled 
 with a little indigestion, stepped to the wall of her 
 bedroom and rang a bell, and when her servant entered, 
 she said: 
 
 "Mary, make me a little toddy, for my stomach 
 aches." Mary brought the toddy, which she took, went 
 to bed and was soon in a sound sleep. 
 
 It was whispered around the neighborhood that 
 Major Ashcraft was somewhat infatuated with this 
 widow and thought that if he could join her fortune 
 to his it would be a good thing. 
 
 "Those Berrys are a disgrace to any community," 
 continued Miss Askwitch, addressing her remarks to all 
 present. "Did any of you see that able article in The 
 Clarion about a young man driving out late in the night 
 with young women of questionable reputation? Well, 
 
54 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 do you know who that young man was?" Here she 
 bent forward in a tragic, confidential manner and said: 
 "It was Alvin Berry! for Albert says he saw him 
 with the woman." 
 
 At these words Henrietta almost dropped her work, 
 for an iron hand seemed to grip her heart. 
 
 "Yes, what you say is true. I have heard on good 
 authority that he spends his time in drinking, gambling 
 and carousing," chimed in Lucy. 
 
 "Who told you those things?" asked Jane Bowink, a 
 little critically of Lucy. 
 
 "Why let me see; it was Deacon Going and others. 
 No one could doubt the word of such a good man as 
 Deacon Going," answered Lucy. 
 
 "I do not know the gentleman," remarked Jane 
 Bowink, languidly. 
 
 At this point of the conversation Henrietta excused 
 herself and left the room, and the ladies were soon 
 interrupted by the arrival of Major Ashcraft, who had 
 come in for dinner. He bowed and shook hands with 
 the two visitors and was particularly gracious in his 
 attentions to the widow. "Where is Henrietta, Miss 
 Askwitch?" asked he. 
 
 "She was here a few minutes ago and just went out. 
 I do not think she has been very well since yesterday, 
 Major," answered the governess. "Well, you go out and 
 tell John, the coachman, to take the carriage down to 
 Dr. Biddle s office and ask him to come up to see Hen 
 rietta," said The Major. The governess went out and 
 as he seated himself, he remarked: 
 
 "That is a man whom I do not like, but he is the 
 best physician I ever saw." 
 
 "Why do you not like him?" asked Mrs. Bowink. 
 The Major answered: 
 
 "Oh, he is too independent. But I have tried every 
 doctor \vho has come to the county and they are no 
 good! They have fine offices, fine turnouts, fine man 
 ners and conversation; use big words and give medi- 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 55 
 
 cines with big names, but they do not cure, and are no 
 physicians. Dr. Biddle does!" 
 
 The fact was that there were two men in the com 
 munity, about his age, and with whom he had been 
 associated, who did not seem to recognize the import 
 ance of Major Ashcraft, and who would not turn on 
 their heels to get his good-will or opinion; and they 
 were Colonel Berry and Dr. Biddle. 
 
 People thought the doctor was peculiar, for, when 
 called to a patient, he would most always, standing or 
 sitting, never say a word for five minutes. His glance 
 would fall on the one who ushered him in, and every 
 particle of information or connection that the person 
 had with the patient would seem to be abstracted in 
 that glance. When every article in the room would be 
 subjected to the same glance, and last of all the patient, 
 by the side of whom he would sit for some time, watch 
 ing every movement. His eyes seemed to penetrate 
 body and soul of the patient, and oblivious to all the 
 world beside was the doctor for a time, and it seemed 
 as if the facts, bearings and all information and the 
 remedy came before him, made their bow and retired. 
 
 This was about all he did, and giving his directions 
 and remedy in short, commanding tones, which no one 
 dared to disobey, he would leave; but it would not be 
 very long before a very favorable result would be seen 
 in the patient. 
 
 At a recent convention of the Medical Association of 
 the State of Yorksylvania, the President of same, in 
 conversation with a well-known physician, remarked: 
 
 "Do you see Dr. Biddle over there? He seems to 
 have an unerring instinct in finding the location and 
 cause of most every disease. It is wonderful, and I 
 think he is undoubtedly the finest diagnostician in the 
 State of Yorksylvania! That really is the greatest 
 desideratum in a physician to know what the disease 
 is, where it is located and the cause. Any fool can 
 give medicine after that!" 
 
56 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 That was a good description of Dr. Biddle, and 
 Major Ashcraft was right when he said the doctor was 
 a good physician. 
 
 Dinner being announced by the butler, Major Ash- 
 craft conducted his guests to the dining room. Dr. 
 Biddle came while they were eating and The Major and 
 governess went to Henrietta s room with the doctor. 
 In a short time she came into the dining room with 
 them and the doctor sat down at the table with the 
 company and had a cup of tea, Henrietta declaring that 
 she felt as well as she ever did, and The Major said 
 to her: 
 
 "You must not get ill, daughter, because we are 
 going to have, next week, at our church, a great mis 
 sionary meeting. On my way home today I met Rev. 
 Doctor Nostir, and he said to me very earnestly: Tell 
 Miss Henrietta we want to make our music especially 
 attractive during the convention, and ask her to please 
 see Professor Patruchi and prepare a program of supe 
 rior excellence, as she knows how to do. 
 
 "Now, daughter, outside of our love and solicitude 
 for you, we hope you are not going to be ill and dis 
 appoint all of those people, who enjoy your singing so 
 much!" 
 
 Henrietta blushed as the most bewitching dimples 
 came into her cheeks, saying: 
 
 "Why, papa, there is nothing the matter with me! 
 I am going to look over my music this afternoon and 
 select some pieces; and I will send John to Signor 
 Patruchi to meet me tonight at the church and we will 
 try them on the great new organ." 
 
 "She will be all right," said Dr. Biddle. The party 
 arose from dining and went into the parlor, and Major 
 Ashcraft said: 
 
 "Please excuse me, Doctor, for a moment, until I 
 go to the other part of the house to give some orders, 
 and then I will come and we will ride down-town 
 together." Miss Askwitch and Henrietta went after 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 57 
 
 some music, leaving Miss Hurryup and Dr. Biddle in 
 the parlor alone. What was it about that man that 
 had such an impression on Lucy Hurryup? His pres 
 ence in the room seemed to be so large that her per 
 sonality, notwithstanding her assertiveness, dwindled 
 into dwarf-like proportions. 
 
 She assumed her most magnificent and haughty air; 
 but he was utterly unconscious of her presence appar 
 ently. At last she aroused her aggressiveness and said: 
 "Doctor, the Prohibition Party of the county and state 
 is very much offended because you did not accept its 
 invitation to occupy the stand with its members at 
 their meeting the other night! You and Judge Elmira 
 Sims are the only very prominent men in the city who 
 did not occupy the stage. I do not include such dis 
 reputable citizens as the Berrys, of course." 
 
 It was a moment before the doctor answered and 
 then he said: 
 
 "I have nothing to do with the reasoning nor the 
 action of Judge Sims; but my reasoning and judgment 
 tell me that you are wrong. As to Colonel Berry and 
 Captain Alvin Berry, I take issue with you. They are 
 not disreputable citizens, but courteous, elegant gen 
 tlemen, who attend strictly to their own business and 
 let other people alone. 
 
 "If a man will attend strictly to the business that 
 nature fits him for, and let everything and everybody 
 else alone, as a constituent part of it he must, neces 
 sarily, be of benefit to all the world. But if he goes 
 out of the field that nature fits him for, he creates 
 discord and is out of harmony with the universe. That 
 is the case with you, personally, and with most reform 
 ers. They try to improve on the laws of nature, which 
 are emphatically the laws of God. 
 
 "Your W. C. T. U. and Prohibition Party are trying 
 to infringe on man s natural rights; that is, to drink 
 what he pleases, when he pleases and how much he 
 pleases. Any law or statute that is passed, by whatever 
 
58 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 government, in violation of a natural right of man, 
 though such law or statute may stand for a short time, 
 it cannot be effective and permanent." 
 
 "If you are ready, I am, Doctor," said Major Ash- 
 craft, entering the parlor. The Doctor arose, bowed 
 to Miss Hurryup, and then went out to the carriage 
 that was waiting at the door, leaving the President of 
 the W. G. T. U. in the most defiant and aggressive mood. 
 
 As the carriage rolled along The Major said to Dr. 
 Biddle: "What is the matter with Henrietta, Doctor?" 
 
 The Doctor answered: "Nothing at all, Major, only 
 tendencies." 
 
 "Please explain, for I cannot understand what you 
 mean by tendencies," said The Major to The Doctor, 
 who continued: 
 
 "Ninety-nine doctors out of a hundred would declare 
 that there is nothing at all the matter with your daugh 
 ter, and they would be right; but I say there are ten 
 dencies. The Major remarked: "I do not understand." 
 
 "Well," said the doctor, "when a bird is sitting on 
 the limb of a tree, it has a tendency to fly; and so it 
 is with your daughter." 
 
 They stopped at the building where The Doctor s 
 office was and he got out, saying: "Better send for me 
 again in a month s time, Major, and I will be able, 
 maybe, to tell you more. She is all right now." 
 
 The Major drove away, but he could not for the life 
 of him fathom what The Doctor meant. 
 
 Henrietta came into the room, where Miss Hurryup 
 sat with Miss Askwitch, carrying a bundle of pieces of 
 music, and said: 
 
 "I am going to take this music down to the grove, 
 where it is cool, and choose the ones I want. Then 
 Signor Patruchi and I can try them on the organ tonight 
 at the church." Leaving Lucy and Miss Askwitch talk 
 ing she went out the door, as the latter s glance followed 
 her suspiciously. 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 59 
 
 Henrietta entered the grove and approached the 
 board swing, into which she sat down. She held the 
 music in her lap, but she had no thought of same; for 
 her mind had passed into a reverie of bygone days. 
 
 She saw herself reclining in the hammock over there 
 and a handsome boy swinging her. She saw herself 
 standing at the brook and the same boy looking up at 
 her with those deep, black eyes, as he handed her 
 pebbles; and she saw him picking flowers, under the 
 trees, and helping her make a wreath; and felt him 
 place it on her head, and tell her how pretty she looked. 
 Then the scene changed to a manly form on the mall 
 at the head of the Berry Zouaves. She heard a slight 
 sound and turned. A voice exclaimed: "Henrietta!" 
 
 She dropped her music and started to run. He 
 seized her hand, pulled it to his lips and kissed it. 
 She struggled to pull away crying: 
 
 "Oh, I must not! I must not, Alvin. Father pro 
 hibits me!" 
 
 "Henrietta!" a female voice called through the 
 bushes, as she ran that way, and Misses Askwitch and 
 Hurryup made their appearance, the former exclaiming: 
 "What! Henrietta? What are you running for? Oh, 
 I see, an intruder! How dare you, Alvin Berry, to 
 invade these premises, when you know that your pol 
 luted presence is prohibited by Major Ashcraft, the 
 owner, who considers you too low for his daughter to 
 associate with!" 
 
 Alvin stood there and stared with astonishment at 
 the two women, with their arms thrown around Hen 
 rietta, as if to protect her, who was trying to break 
 away from them. 
 
 "And is that the young man known as Alvin Berry?" 
 exclaimed Lucy, straightening herself up to her great 
 est height and assuming her most cynical and disdain 
 ful air, "the gambler, the seducer of women and drunk 
 ard? And dares he to enter these forbidden grounds 
 
60 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 and approach a girl who is too good to wipe her feet 
 on his disreputable and depraved body?" 
 
 "Let me go! Let me go!" cried Henrietta, struggling 
 to free herself from the grasp of the two women; but 
 they held her as if they wanted her to hear what they 
 said. Alvin s temper began to boil and he replied: 
 
 "You undoubtedly see before you Alvin Berry, your 
 next door neighbor, who, if you can call it an invasion 
 of Major Ashcraft s property, did so because he was 
 impelled by admiration of the beauty of his daughter, 
 to whom he wished to pay his respects as an old play 
 mate. 
 
 "I have never received any notification, nor my 
 father either, that our presence is not permitted by 
 him near his and our fence line. If Major Ashcraft 
 should happen to find himself on my father s premises 
 I know that he would receive the greatest courtesy, 
 notwithstanding he is an avowed enemy. 
 
 "As to your insults, I was going to say, ladies but 
 no true lady will grossly insult a man and use her sex 
 and skirts as a shield! If you were men I would make 
 you retract your insults or someone would bite the 
 dust!" 
 
 Alvin picked up from the ground Henrietta s music, 
 wiped the dirt off with his handkerchief, placed it in 
 the hammock, walked to the fence, vaulted over and 
 was lost to view, never looking back. Henrietta s eyes 
 followed him as far as she could see him, but she was 
 pulled away by Miss Askwitch, who exclaimed: "Mis 
 erable cur! Is he not insolent? Gome, Henrietta, let 
 us go! It is a good thing we came so soon, or some 
 thing dreadful might have happened to you!" 
 
 Miss Hurryup added: 
 
 "How could you expect any good from such a 
 depraved family. No good can come out of Galilee!" 
 and they went to the house, both of the elder women 
 concluding in their minds not to tell The Major about it. 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 61 
 
 Miss Hurryup had been thinking since she left the 
 grove. She saw a picture of a poor girl without parents, 
 who had landed from an emigrant wagon in Batesville 
 some years before. She wandered up and down the 
 small town, going into stores and houses, but nobody 
 would help her. Hungry and with tears in her eyes 
 she stood in the street and did not know what to do. 
 
 Should she go to the bad or starve? A tall, dark, 
 distinguished-looking man came along the street toward 
 her. His piercing eyes saw her tears and he stopped, 
 saying: 
 
 "What is the matter? Can I do anything for you?" 
 He took her to a restaurant and gave her a meal; then 
 to a woman whom he knew who was keeping boarders, 
 and told her to take care of the girl until he could get 
 her a position. He gave her living wages until a school- 
 house was built on his land, and then put her in it as 
 school teacher, and got his employes to send their chil 
 dren to her school. 
 
 And who was this girl? Lucy Hurryup. And who 
 was this man? The father of Alvin Berry. 
 
 Miss Askwitch knew, if she told Major Ashcraft, 
 there would be a row. The Major was no coward and 
 there would be a fight or duel. She did not care if 
 there was a fight, if she were sure her friends would 
 win; but, as Alvin Berry was reported to be the best 
 pistol shot in the State of Yorksylvania, the issue would 
 be doubtful on The Major s side, so she kept still. As 
 they went up the front steps of The Major s residence 
 Albert Luxy stood there, took off his hat and said: 
 
 "You are just in time to let me in. What is the 
 matter, you all look so hot and excited?" 
 
 "Nothing," answered Miss Askwitch, "only we ran 
 a little," and they all went into the parlor. 
 
 Albert had on a new suit of clothes, a new necktie 
 and new shoes and looked as nice as he could look. 
 Luxy had the air of a man, but not of a thoroughbred 
 gentleman. 
 
62 
 
 "How nice you look, Albert," said his aunt, Miss 
 Askwitch, smiling at him and at the same time casting 
 a side glance at Henrietta to see what effect it would 
 have on her, who sat without any expression, though 
 she looked at him indifferently. 
 
 They all had supper and then Henrietta said she 
 had to go down to the church to meet Signer Patruchi 
 and go over some music with him; so they all went 
 with her, Miss Askwitch arranging to throw Albert in 
 Henrietta s company both going and coming. 
 
 As Alvin Berry walked down-town after supper that 
 night he went just ahead of Henrietta s party and he 
 passed one of the saloons of Berry & Son. When oppo 
 site to the saloon he saw Signer Patruchi come out 
 and hurry down street toward the church and enter. 
 
 That evening, in Major Ashcraft s parlor, Henrietta 
 was left alone with Albert. She felt no particular 
 embarrassment, for he had been there off and on for 
 years. Her thoughts about him, if she ever did think 
 about him, were that he was a strong young man of 
 ordinary ability, who could be useful to her father in 
 duties not very far above a common laborer. 
 
 When Albert looked at her very strangely, drew 
 his chair up close to her and tried to take her hand, 
 she pushed her chair back. 
 
 "Don t be afraid of me, Henrietta; I would not hurt 
 you; I love you!" 
 
 She looked at him with surprise and with a very 
 dignified air said: 
 
 "I would prefer, Mr. Luxy, that hereafter you call 
 me Miss Henrietta. I am not prepared, as yet, to 
 receive love from any man. You are my father s friend 
 and guest and nephew of my governess, and I shall 
 always be glad to receive you as a guest; but please 
 do not mention so serious a matter to me as love!" 
 
 Albert said very little more that night and soon took 
 his leave, with a very determined, ugly look on his 
 face. As he passed out the front gate he muttered: 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 63 
 
 "I can charge Alvin Berry for that! I ll get even 
 with him. yet!" 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Snickuls was always welcome in every saloon in 
 the county, one reason of which was drunk or sober, 
 he always brought sunshine. 
 
 It was about 9 o clock at night and he had just 
 come from the Snickuls and Tommy Club. Rather 
 drunk, he stepped into Berry Saloon No. 1, where he 
 first made his appearance in Batesville. The room 
 was crowded, so he stepped up to the bar. Waiting 
 his turn, he said: 
 
 "Ja ake, send hie a lit tie hie Old Rye o 
 hie ver to hie that table I m tired. It s my last- 
 hie drink tonight hie Jake please," and he went 
 over to one of the seats and sat down at a table, where 
 two other men sat drinking beer. 
 
 When the whisky was set before Snickuls he took 
 some, settled back in his chair and watched the people 
 in the room. A Salvation Army girl came in quietly 
 and passed from table to table selling "War Cry s." 
 She sold her paper and got a nickle at most every table, 
 and sometimes several. The men treated her with the 
 greatest respect, and as she was going out Jake motioned 
 to her and handed her ten cents, telling her to keep 
 the papers. 
 
 Snickuls was almost asleep, when a bustle was heard 
 at the door and in marched about a dozen women wear 
 ing the insignia of the W. C. T. U. and headed by Lucy 
 Hurryup. They stopped and the women formed a 
 circle around her, who cried out: 
 
 "We have come in the name of the Lord to storm 
 the ramparts of Satan!" 
 
 "Amen!" chimed in the rest of the women, some 
 clasping their hands and looking up to heaven, and 
 others sinking on their knees to the saloon floor, wail 
 ing: "O Lord, save them!" 
 
64 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 Lucy continued: "We command you in His name to 
 desist from selling those poor lost souls in this room 
 that accursed stuff on that counter!" This she shouted 
 in her most tragic air, while the rest of the women 
 shouted: "Yes, O Lord!" 
 
 The barkeeper and the men present were astonished 
 a little at first, and then calmly looked at them with 
 great amusement. Jake soon interrupted them and said: 
 
 "Madam, I have my instructions from the proprietors 
 of this place, and their word is law here, which I will 
 read to you!" 
 
 "Your law is the law of the Devil, and our law is 
 the law of Almighty God, and we will obey that and 
 not the law of your infamous destroyers of souls!" 
 shouted Lucy. 
 
 "Well, keep quiet," continued Jake, holding in his 
 hand a paper and reading: 
 
 INSTRUCTIONS TO ALL OUR BARKEEPERS. 
 
 "It has come to our ears that the W. C. T. U. is 
 liable to give trouble in our saloons. 
 
 "Should any of their women make their appearance 
 at any time, treat them courteously, as long as they 
 conduct themselves inoffensively and do not disturb 
 the business nor the patrons of the saloons. 
 
 "We would not object to having them sing a hymn 
 and making a prayer; but we will not tolerate any 
 abusive language, nor will we permit a disturbance. 
 Should the women become abusive and turbulent, 
 politely and courteously ask them to leave; but, if they 
 will not, eject them. 
 
 "BERRY & SON." 
 
 "What does the Lord Almighty care for your 
 accursed proprietors, who are coining money out of 
 these poor lost souls, going down to perdition! He is 
 no respecter of persons and we, his servants, will not 
 respect your infamous proprietors laws!" continued 
 Lucy, and the other women wailed: "Amen!" 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 65 
 
 "Stop right there now," said Jake. "You heard 
 what the proprietors say on that point. What s the 
 reason yon do not come in here like the Salvation 
 Army people? They never give any trouble and are 
 always welcome. Most any saloon man would divide 
 his last cent with them!" 
 
 "This is a free country and I will say what I please, 
 and who are you and your infamous proprietors to 
 deny me freedom of speech in the work of the Lord? 
 In spite of them all and the hosts of Hell in the saloon 
 business, we will break up this traffic!" shouted Lucy. 
 
 "Put them out! Put them out!" shouted men from 
 different parts of the room. 
 
 Lucy went on: "I defy any of you to lay a hand 
 on a servant of the Lord here in His holy workl 
 Better, you poor sinners, in the back of the room, call 
 upon God Almighty to send down His thunderbolts to 
 destroy these sellers of liquor, that are rolling you down 
 the hill to hell!" 
 
 Jake came out from behind the bar and stood in 
 front of Miss Hurryup. He said: 
 
 "Madam, I ask you respectfully to leave this room, 
 and that immediately!" Lucy drew herself up to her 
 full height, all the other women crowding close to her. 
 She shrieked: 
 
 "I refuse! and where is the man in this country who 
 will dare to touch me in the discharge of iny holy 
 duty?" 
 
 She was a large woman, but was no match for 
 Jake, who could handle a powerful man. Jake stepped 
 up to her and before she knew it grabbed her right 
 wrist in his vise-like grip. She shrieked and kicked 
 and bit and struggled; but he put his arm around her 
 waist, lifted her off the floor, carried her kicking to the 
 door and put her out on the sidewalk, locking the door 
 in her face. 
 
 Jake came back to the bar sucking his hand, which 
 Lucy had bit, and said to the rest of the women, who 
 
00 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 were huddled like sheep in the middle of the room: 
 "Now, ladies, the balance of you can stay here a short 
 while if you will create no disturbance; but if you 
 want to go home, I will conduct you out by the back 
 way." One said: 
 
 "I would like to go home;" so he took them all to 
 the back entrance of the saloon and they made their 
 departure. 
 
 As he returned to the bar men were making remarks 
 like this: "Isn t she a case-?" "She s a regular tigressl" 
 "I wonder what the women of the country are coming 
 to?" 
 
 Snickuls, standing in front of the bar, spoke out to 
 Jake, back of it: 
 
 "Say, Jake hie when Miss Hurry up hie dies, 
 she is hie going right off to hell hie to convert 
 hie the Devil!" 
 
 The whole saloon roared with laughter and Snickuls 
 toddled out the back way. 
 
 Miss Hurryup got home that night dishevelled, morti 
 fied and alone and went immediately to her room. She 
 sat on her bed partially undressed. Lucy was a finely 
 developed woman, such as would attract many men, 
 and a number of people wondered why she had never 
 been married. Some of her closest female friends 
 thought perhaps she had a secret. 
 
 However, she felt very bad from her contest at the 
 saloon, excitement and mortification at being ejected; 
 besides both of her arms were black and blue. She 
 exclaimed to herself: 
 
 "What shall I do! I am worn out and yet I cannot 
 sleep!" She jumped up from the bed, went to the door, 
 locked it and listened; then she went to the window 
 and put the curtains carefully together and pulled the 
 shade down as far as it would go. Then she tiptoed 
 to a closet, opened it and took down a large bottle. 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 67 
 
 Listening again, Lucy took it to the light and exam 
 ined it, which read written in ink on the label in her 
 own handwriting: 
 
 "OLD RYE 
 To be used only as Medicine. 
 
 "Good for Snakebite, Heart Failure, Cramps, Diarr 
 hoea and Gold. 
 
 "Caution: Never take it unless you need it." 
 
 "Well," said Lucy, "I need it badly enough tonight!" 
 and went to the washstand and brought a glass, which 
 she filled one-quarter full out of the bottle. She then 
 drank it, went to bed and slept soundly. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 "Extra! Extra! All about the Assault and Battery 1 
 Buy The Clarion!" shouted the newsboys. 
 
 "Here boy! bring me a paper," said the Rev. Nostir, 
 stopping on the street. He read: 
 
 "BRUTAL ASSAULT ON PRESIDENT OF W. C. T/ U, 
 BY ONE OF BERRY S BARKEEPERS." 
 
 "He Throws Her From His Saloon Into the Street. 
 
 "Jake Dun, the barkeeper, is arrested and brought 
 before Mayor Homer, who fines him $100.00 and gives 
 him 60 days in jail. Colonel Berry goes bond and 
 brings the case before Judge Elmira Sims, who con 
 sents to try it tomorrow." 
 
 Three days after Rev. Nostir read The Trumpet, 
 which came out in large type, thus: 
 
 "JAKE DUN ACQUITTED OF ASSAULT AND BAT 
 TERY IN JUDGE SIMS COURT. 
 Lucy Hurryup Loses Her Suit." 
 
 It was dull at the Hinsdale Hotel and Frank Hinsdale 
 stood with his elbows on the desk. Tommy Dust sat 
 in one of the office chairs dangling his feet carelessly. 
 
 The door at the hotel entrance opened and two large 
 men came in with their valises, which Tommy took as 
 they went up to the desk to register. He watched them 
 closely as they wrote their names: ; 
 
68 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 Morris Walsh, Wiscago. 
 
 Hal. Vanski, Pittsvillecisco. 
 
 One of them took out his handkerchief to wipe the 
 dust from his collar and a card fell from his pocket, 
 which, unseen, Tommy picked up and put in his pocket. 
 
 "Take them up to Rooms 14 and 15, Tommy," said 
 Frank Hinsdale, giving Tommy the door keys to the 
 rooms. The two men started to go upstairs with 
 Tommy, when one of them turned and said: 
 
 "Mister, we are salesmen. We will take those rooms, 
 but we would like a place where we can spread out 
 some papers on a big table a kind of private place, 
 you know, where we will not be bothered; not a sample 
 room, but a private room to ourselves!" 
 
 "Yes, I understand," answered Frank Hinsdale, nod 
 ding his head knowingly. He turned and took down 
 another key and handed it to Tommy, saying: 
 
 /Take them to their bedrooms and then show them 
 Conference Room No. 1." 
 
 As Tommy led the men upstairs Frank said to him 
 self: "I know where I can find out what you chaps 
 are." 
 
 The bedrooms were all right, but the new arrivals 
 now wanted to see Conference Room No. 1, which 
 Tommy took them to and unlocked the door. 
 
 They stepped in, surveyed the large room with its 
 big tables and easy chairs. One walked to one end 
 of the room and looked critically around under tables 
 and at walls and the other man did same at other 
 end. 
 
 "Are there any bedrooms next to this room, sonny?" 
 asked one, pointing to the wall. 
 
 "No, sir," answered Tommy. 
 
 "Guess it will do, Hal. We will go get some supper 
 and after awhile go to work," said Walsh, and they 
 went out of the door, took the key and went to their 
 bedrooms. As Tommy went through the hall he pulled 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 69 
 
 the eard that he picked up from the floor downstairs 
 and read on it: 
 
 Morris Walsh, 
 Business Agent 
 
 United Brewers and Distillers Union No. 6. 
 He saw Ella Rowe coming with some clean towels 
 and he put the card into his pocket. She whispered 
 as she went by: 
 
 "Who are the new ones, Tommy?" 
 
 "That is what I am trying to find out," said Tommy. 
 "Let you know later," and Tommy went downstairs to 
 the desk. 
 
 "Well, Tommy, what do you make out of those men?" 
 asked Frank Hinsdale. 
 
 "They re well dressed and look like they have plenty 
 of good things to eat, Mr. Hinsdale; but somehow I 
 don t like their looks," answered Tommy. The pro 
 prietor gave a low laugh and said: 
 
 "Well, Tommy, keep your eyes open and mouth 
 shut; you know that s the rule in hotels." 
 
 Tommy threw his head back and gave one of his 
 quiet, characteristic smiles, went to a chair and sat 
 down. A messenger came in and handed Frank at 
 the desk an envelope. He opened it and read: 
 "Hall of I. O. O. F. 
 
 "Important committee meeting at 10 o clock. Busi 
 ness will take about three hours. You must come. 
 
 "HORACE DANBY, Clerk." 
 
 "Where s Joe Black, the night clerk, Tommy?" asked 
 Frank, holding the note in his hand. 
 
 "In at supper, sir," answered Tommy. 
 
 "Well," said Frank, "you and he will have to run 
 things tonight, for I will have to go to the lodge." 
 
 "All right, sir," said Tommy, and Frank Hinsdale 
 went out. Tommy went to the desk and very soon 
 Ella Rowe came downstairs with some keys of empty 
 rooms. He was very fond of Ella, because she was 
 so kind to him and so pretty. 
 
70 
 
 "See what I found in the hall upstairs, Tommy? I 
 think one of those two last ones dropped it," she said, 
 holding open a printed piece of paper, folded once, 
 which he took, put on the desk before him and read: 
 
 "United Brewers and Distillers workmen will hold a 
 secret meeting tonight at Brotherhood Hall. You are 
 requested to attend and you will hear something that 
 will be of great benefit to you. 
 
 "MORRIS WALSH, Business Agent, 
 
 "United Brewers and Distillers Workmen, No. 6." 
 
 "Give me that, Ella, please," said Tommy, and after 
 talking a moment, she went upstairs. The night clerk, 
 Joe Black, came out of the dining room and went behind 
 the desk where Tommy was. "Joe," said Tommy, "if 
 you will let me go out for one hour I will come back 
 and sleep until twelve o clock on the lounge out there, 
 and then I will take the desk for two hours and you can 
 sleep; then you can let me off and stay until morning." 
 
 "All right," said Joe, "go out and get some fresh 
 air for an hour." 
 
 Tommy was soon at the Snickuls and Tommy Club, 
 where he found Snickuls bending over a checkerboard 
 playing by himself. 
 
 "Tom my hie this club hie is getting on time 
 again come beat hie me a game." Tommy sat 
 down and played with him. 
 
 "Now, Tommy hie you must not hie keep me 
 out hie that King row!" but Snickuls got his check - 
 erman in. 
 
 Tommy then told Snickuls about the large men com 
 ing to the hotel and showed him the card and printed 
 piece of paper Ella Rowe gave him. 
 
 Snickuls read both of them very closely and said 
 nothing for a little while; then he leaned over the table 
 and remarked earnestly: 
 
 "Tommy hie there s going to be hie a big 
 strike in hie the town! Give me those pa hie 
 pers and I hie will do hie some good with them!" 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 71 
 
 Tommy gave them to him and said he had to go 
 back to the hotel. 
 
 "Watch those hie big fellows and hie let me 
 hie know, Tommy," said Snickuls, as Tommy went out, 
 and he continued playing checkers by himself. 
 
 The next morning when Colonel Berry opened a 
 soiled envelope in his private office, a card and printed 
 folder fell to the floor. He picked them up and read 
 a note attached to the card, thus: 
 
 "There are two big fellows at the Hinsdale Hotel 
 on this business. Came last night." 
 
 The Colonel stepped into Alvin s office, who sat at 
 his desk, placed his hand on his son s shoulder and 
 laid the papers on his desk, saying: "Read these over 
 carefully, son, and come to me in a little while," and 
 The Colonel went back to his own office. 
 
 Alvin soon joined his father and said earnestly: 
 "Father, that is serious. I will go out and get a detec 
 tive to go to their meetings." 
 
 Let us go back to Tommy, who is now sleeping on 
 the hotel office lounge. At twelve o clock Clerk Joe 
 Black shook him, waked him up and Tommy went 
 behind the desk and Joe laid down. He was soon in a 
 sound sleep. 
 
 "Now is the time!" whispered Tommy to himself, 
 when he heard Joe snoring and everything else was 
 still. He slipped into the office closet, finds the hidden 
 keyhole, opened the secret door and is soon at top of 
 iron steps. He looked through crack and saw Walsh 
 and Vanski writing on a table that was covered with 
 letters, circulars and envelopes. 
 
 "I m getting sleepy, Vanski. You ve written your 
 letter to headquarters and I ve finished mine. We ll 
 mail them in the morning. Now, what s the program?" 
 said Walsh. 
 
 "Well," answered Vanski, "we will commence tomor 
 row. You get those circulars into the hands of Berry s 
 men and I will get mine into the hands of Ashcraft s 
 
72 
 
 men. And as soon as we can get a meeting and organ 
 ized, we will put up a strike, unless the bosses pony 
 up pretty well." 
 
 "How much shall we strike them for?" asked Walsh. 
 
 "Not less than two thousand dollars apiece to stop 
 the strike. We will see how things work; maybe we 
 can get more," answered Vanski. 
 
 "All right, let s go to bed!" said Walsh, and they 
 put all their papers in valises and left the room, while 
 Tommy slipped quickly downstairs and was at his post 
 at office desk in a moment. 
 
 He took some paper and wrote out, as near as he 
 could recollect, what the men said, put it in an envelope 
 and stuck it in his pocket. At two o clock he woke 
 Joe Black, who took the desk. 
 
 Tommy said he wanted a little fresh air before lying 
 down again; so he stepped out to the street; but he 
 soon was at the Snickuls and Tommy Club, where he 
 finds Snickuls fast asleep. 
 
 "Wake up, Snickuls, here s something important for 
 you!" said Tommy. Snickuls took it to the light and 
 read very earnestly what Tommy gave him in the 
 envelope, and Tommy hurried back to the hotel, where 
 he slept on the lounge until morning. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Lucy Hurryup always had a remedy to give other 
 people for the head, the stomach, the heart, or any 
 part of the body of man or woman should it be ail 
 ing of her acquaintance; but, if she should feel bad, 
 which was very rare, she did not seem to have suffi 
 cient confidence in her remedies to take them herself. 
 
 Since losing her assault and battery suit against 
 Jake Dun and the Berrys she felt bad, or imagined she 
 felt bad. Not that her fire or enthusiasm for temper 
 ance and prohibition had cooled, or her ardor lessened, 
 but she thought she would go to see a doctor, and that 
 doctor would be Dr. Biddle, who kind of interested her, 
 for what reason she could not just yet tell. 
 
73 
 
 The Doctor was sitting in profound thought in his 
 office, his face toward the door. He was thinking about 
 an intricate case he had; for his patients and their ills 
 were always carried in his head, and he counted them 
 over in his mind like a devoted Roman Catholic would 
 the beads of her rosary every day. 
 
 He heard a knock on his door and, without looking 
 up, said: "Gome in!" 
 
 Lucy Hurryup, with head held high and a very 
 consequential air, as if to say: "This is the President 
 of the W. G. T. U.," flounced into the room. 
 
 She expected The Doctor to come forward, greet 
 her and obsequiously ask her to take a chair and what 
 he could do for her; but The Doctor did not move a 
 muscle. 
 
 What a strange feeling she seemed to have come 
 over her! Should she sit down, or what? She sat 
 down and said: 
 
 "Doc tor, I am not feeling well and do not 
 not know what part of my body hurts me!" 
 
 The doctor sat like a statue, but she felt his spirit 
 coming to examine her. It penetrated her clothing and 
 passed through every part of her body and being and 
 reached her heart. 
 
 "Oh, God! he is reading all its secrets! and now 
 my .brain!" 
 
 Her. limbs shook; she tremblingly arose with great 
 effort and exclaimed: 
 
 "Doc doc tor what what part of my body is 
 ailing?" 
 
 The Doctor looked up quietly at her and said: "There 
 is no part of your body ailing; you have as near perfect 
 a body as one could have; it is your mind that is ailing!" 
 
 She clasped her hands and trembled, for she could 
 feel his spirit searching her very inmost being and get 
 ting all .her secrets, though he was not looking at her. 
 With great fear her hand sought the door knob, which 
 she turned and rushed from the room. 
 
74 
 
 When Lucy ran out of the great office building and 
 reached the street, where the fresh air struck her fully, 
 her old self-coniidence and independence came back 
 to her, and in a few moments she wondered how she 
 had displayed so much weakness in The Doctor s office. 
 Did he know the main springs of her life the workings 
 of her heart and mind? She hoped not, but was not 
 
 sure. 
 
 ********* 
 
 Major Ashcraft walked up and down his office alone. 
 He heard a knock at the door, opened it and saw the 
 dimpled face and laughing eyes of his beautiful daugh 
 ter, Henrietta. 
 
 "Papa, what makes you look so serious and troubled 
 today?" she said sympathetically, as he closed the door. 
 
 "How I wish I had a son to help me, dear." answered 
 The Major. 
 
 "1 will have to be your son, papa; tell me what is 
 the matter!" exclaimed the lovely girl with earnest 
 look. 
 
 "Well, Henrietta, the sub-bosses and men in my 
 employ seem to be so sullen and act so differently in 
 
 the last few days and I cannot understand it." 
 
 i 
 
 Another knock is heard on the door, and when it is 
 opened Albert Luxy is admitted. 
 
 "Albert, do you know why the Superintendent and 
 men act so strangely in the last few days? I can see 
 a great change in them," said The Major. 
 
 Luxy sat down not far from the other two and 
 answered: 
 
 "I see a big stranger around talking to the men and 
 he is giving them a paper to read. That must be the 
 cause of it." 
 
 "Well, Albert, I wish you would get acquainted with 
 that man and ask him if he will not come to see me. 
 I want to have a talk with him." 
 
 Luxy arose at The Major s command and went out. 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 75 
 
 Henrietta kissed her father, cheered him up and 
 took her departure. The Major looked at her proudly 
 as she went down the office steps of the great factory 
 building and said to himself with a sigh: 
 
 "She is the image of her departed mother and just 
 as beautiful!" 
 
 It was not long before Albert came to his office door 
 again and brought with him the large man previously 
 spoken of, who seemed perfectly at home, when The 
 Major invited him in and gave him a chair. 
 
 Albert withdrew and The Major addressed the 
 stranger: 
 
 "Someone was telling me that you are a stranger 
 here, and, as I always like to meet strangers in the 
 town, I asked him to bring you to see me. My name 
 is Ashcraft; what is your name?" 
 
 The stranger pulled out a card, and with a very 
 important air handed it to The Major, who took it and 
 read: 
 
 Hal. Vanski, Business Agent, 
 National Shoe Workers Union No. 5. 
 
 The Major read it very thoughtfully several times; 
 his face became troubled and temples turned red. He 
 then turned to Vanski and exclaimed: 
 
 "What do you fellows want to come here for and 
 stir up trouble, in making a lot of men dissatisfied and 
 unhappy and do their employers a lot of harm? It 
 will cost many thousands of dollars all around! W r hy 
 can you do it?" 
 
 Vanski got up and said in an undertone: "Are we 
 alone?" "Perfectly so," answered The Major. Vanski 
 drew his chair up close and said to him in a very 
 low tone: 
 
 "It need not cost many thousands of dollars if you 
 will do the square thing." 
 
 "What do you mean?" asked The Major. 
 
76 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 "Draw me a check for $1,500, and I will guarantee 
 there will be no strike; otherwise there will be one in 
 three days in all your factories!" said Vanski. 
 
 The Major sprang up and with great anger brought 
 his fist down upon the table, exclaiming: 
 
 "No, sir! not one cent will you get!" 
 
 Vanski was up on his feet very quickly and had 
 hold of the door knob and, turning it, he said: 
 
 "You will be sorry!" and was gone. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 After dismissing his court Mayor Homer motioned 
 Albert Luxy, who was sitting in the courtroom, and 
 walked into his private office, off the courtroom, fol 
 lowed by Luxy. 
 
 They closed the door after them, and slipping up 
 to his desk, he picked up a policeman s shield, stood 
 in front of Luxy and pinned it to his vest, saying: 
 
 "I constitute and appoint you as one of my special 
 detectives; in other words, a plain clothes man. You 
 have the same powers as a uniformed policeman, only 
 your work is secret and theirs is open. You are to 
 keep your eye on all law-breakers; but I want you 
 to pay particular attention to the violators of the new 
 law, requiring saloons to close at 12 o clock at night. 
 Button up your vest and keep your shield out of sight 
 until you want to make an arrest." 
 
 The Mayor opened a drawer, took out a revolver 
 and handed it to Luxy, saying: 
 
 "Sometimes, as a last resort, you may need that." 
 Luxy put the revolver in his hip pocket, shook hands 
 
 with The Mayor and went out. 
 
 ********* 
 
 Major Ashcraft sat in his library with head bent 
 and in deep thought. He looked very much troubled, 
 for that day the foremen of the various departments 
 of his factories came to him and demanded ten per 
 cent increase in wages and a shortening of one hour 
 in the labor day. 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 77 
 
 He met them that day and sat at the head of a 
 table in his large audience room and a dozen foremen 
 stood around it in groups, talking vociferously and 
 angrily. 
 
 "But, boys, the business cannot afford to comply 
 with your demands!" said The Major. 
 
 One of the most aggressive and demonstrative fore 
 men brought his fist down on the table, and looking 
 defiantly at The Major, exclaimed: 
 
 "Major Ashcraft, we are just as much entitled to the 
 comforts of life as you are, and, by God, we are going 
 to have them!" 
 
 The Major set his teeth, arose, and replied: 
 
 "Boys, it would wreck the business and I cannot 
 grant it!" and he turned on his heels and left the room, 
 leaving an angry, gesticulating lot of men behind, who 
 shook their fists at his retreating form. 
 
 In his library,asThe Major s mind was filled with 
 these scenes, a soft footfall was heard behind him. 
 It was Henrietta. She came and sat on the arm of his 
 great easy chair, put one of her beautiful arms around 
 his shoulders, stroked his hair with her soft hand and 
 said: "What troubles you, Papa, dear?" 
 
 He told her about the threatening strike. She 
 carressed his head and kissed his brow, and he said: 
 
 "That comforts me so much, dearie. Go to the piano 
 and play Schubert s Serenade. That is what your 
 mother used to play me when I was troubled." 
 
 Henrietta went to the instrument and her soft fingers 
 ran over the keys, soon gliding into that masterpiece 
 of Schubert. Her touch seemed to go out into all nature 
 and abstract from the mountains, the valleys, the for 
 ests, the brooks and the rills, the scattered melodies 
 and concentrate them in those notes. When she had 
 finished her father was fast asleep. 
 
 Henrietta sat on the piano stool and saw the butler 
 coming in with a note, and shook her finger at him, in> 
 
78 
 
 caution, not to wake her tired father. The note was 
 addressed: 
 
 : Miss Henrietta Ashcraft, 
 
 Ashcraft Villa. 
 
 The butler retired and she opened it and read: 
 
 "Miss Henrietta, our Sunday School picnic will take 
 place up the river next Saturday. Be sure to bring all 
 your household and provide a generous lunch; for every 
 family is supposed to contribute in that way. 
 
 "Miss Askwitch is such a good provider, we know 
 everything will be nice. We would be pleased to see 
 The Major in your crowd, if he can possibly come. 
 Mrs. Bowink, Miss Hurryup and most all the members 
 of the W. C. T. U. promise to be there. 
 
 "We will be especially blessed by the presence of 
 Reverends Peaceboy, Verigood, Joylifter and Blissway, 
 some of the delegates to the great missionary gather 
 ing, to come off at our church next Sunday. 
 
 "I hope you and Signor Patruchi have your program 
 all ready. Please present my respects to your father 
 and Miss Askwitch, and hoping to see you all at the 
 picnic tomorrow, I am, "Your friend, 
 
 "PETER NOSTIR." 
 
 The next morning Henrietta, Miss Askwitch and a 
 maid got into the large family carriage at the door. 
 Behind the carriage came a wagon filled with baskets 
 of sandwiches, pies, cakes, bananas, jellies and such 
 6ther things as are eaten at picnics. 
 
 The coachman was ordered to drive by Mrs. 
 Bowink s, whose carriage was seen at her door, and 
 she had a wagon full of nice things there also. The 
 two carriage loads and wagon loads were driven to a 
 large grove up the river, where they were greeted by 
 Rev. Nostir, Deacon Going, Miss Lucy Hurryup, the 
 Four new ministers, many ladies and friends, and a 
 few men. 
 
 The young ladies, if they had beaux, very soon dis 
 appeared into the woods, and a good many of them 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 79 
 
 played with the children and sat around under the trees 
 and talked. 
 
 There are cliques in picnic gatherings, like in other 
 kinds of gatherings, and it is always noticeable how the 
 ministers always gravitate toward those ladies who are 
 able to do so and who are noted for having fat lunch 
 baskets. 
 
 Mrs. Bowink, sitting under a large oak near Miss 
 Askwitch, leaned over to her and said in a confidential 
 tone: 
 
 "I will not eat at a common table with those noisy 
 youngsters. Let us take our baskets and some blankets 
 and slip out into the woods and eat by ourselves. We 
 will invite Dr. Nostir, the four new ministers and 
 Deacon Going to go with us. Henrietta is having such 
 a good time playing with those children she will not 
 want to go." 
 
 Miss Askwitch nodded her head and Mrs. Bowink 
 beckoned to her coachman, not far away, who came, 
 and she whispered to him. 
 
 The coachman went to the outskirts of the grounds, 
 where the wagons were in charge of their drivers and 
 told two of them to drive their wagons, in a round 
 about way, to a beautiful, secluded spot, and to spread 
 some thick blankets on the grass under the trees, with 
 the lunch near at hand. 
 
 Very soon the coachman came back to Mrs. Bowink 
 and told her gently that her orders had been obeyed. 
 She and Miss Askwitch then moved their chairs a little 
 closer to the ministers, who were arguing doctrinal 
 points. 
 
 Said Rev. Peaceboy: 
 
 "But you know, Dr. Verigood, there are many thou 
 sands of Presbyterians who still believe in Predes 
 tination." 
 
 "Stop arguing predestination, gentlemen, and let us. 
 go and get some lunch!" exclaimed Mrs. Bowink. 
 
80 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 The ministers eyes brightened, for they knew of 
 Mrs. Bowink s wealth and how well she fed. The great 
 picnic dinner bell rang, and Rev. Nostir, rubbing his 
 hands, replied: 
 
 "Well, I guess the Superintendent of the Sunday 
 School can take care of the children, and we will 
 accept your kind invitation." 
 
 The five ministers and Deacon Going followed the 
 two women in a path through the woods, where they 
 found two servants waiting for them. 
 
 "How beautiful and nice and how thoughtful and 
 kind of these ladies!" exclaimed Rev. Joylifter, looking 
 over the ground and particularly at the well-stocked 
 wagons. 
 
 "Perfectly delightful!" replied Rev. Blissway. 
 
 "Everybody sit down on the blankets, please, and, 
 James, you and Bob, bring the baskets out of the 
 wagon!" ordered Mrs. Bowink. 
 
 The two men brought heavy baskets and the min 
 isters and Deacon Going sat down on the blankets with 
 the ladies. The baskets were opened and elegant table 
 cloths were spread in front of them, on which were 
 placed silver knives and forks for seven, and orna 
 mented napkins. Then the prettiest kind of gilt figured 
 plates and saucers came next and what was that? 
 silver goblets lined with gold! 
 
 The food was then brought. Such a feast there 
 was that might make any minister open his eyes! There 
 were sliced turkey, chicken, cold lamb and tongue, 
 sardines, bananas, oranges, apples, nuts, olives, pickles 
 and a lot of fat bottles, the necks of which protruded 
 from the baskets. 
 
 After the Rev. Peaceboy had asked a blessing, all 
 the ministers and Deacon Going smacked their lips and 
 commenced eating. 
 
 "How precious it is to His servants to think that 
 the Lord doth provide!" exclaimed Rev. Nostir with 
 his mouth half full of turkey. Deacon Going could 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 81 
 
 not forget that he was not at prayer meeting and 
 answered: 
 
 "A a men!" as he reached for the pickles. 
 
 "This nice chicken reminds me of the quail that the 
 Lord provided for the children of Israel in the desert," 
 said Rev. Joylifter, as he pulled out a wishbone from 
 his mouth. 
 
 "Break that wishbone with me!" cried Miss Askwitch, 
 as she turned soft glances on Joylifter, who was a 
 bachelor. 
 
 "Just think of what suffering Elijah must have gone 
 through when he was fed by the ravens, brethren!" 
 exclaimed Rev. Peaceboy, as he dug the last bit of 
 jelly out of a great jelly cup with his spoon. 
 
 "Yes, it must have been great torture," replied Rev. 
 Blissway, finishing up a whole pie. 
 
 After they had about cleaned up most everything in 
 sight, Mrs. Bowink exclaimed: 
 
 "Gentlemen, I always finish my meals with cham 
 pagne. James, bring us a basket here, and some 
 glasses!" 
 
 James brought the basket and Bob placed the glasses 
 at the elbows of the men at the table and Miss Ask 
 witch. He drew out the cork of a bottle and poured 
 the sparkling contents into the glasses; at which the 
 ministers looked guilty. 
 
 Mrs. Bowink remarked, holding her glass: "If any 
 of you gentlemen have scruples about the use of cham 
 pagne, of course do not take it!" 
 
 Each minister looked at his glass, took hold of it 
 and waited for the other to say something. Lifting his 
 glass, the Rev. Nostir said in a pious tone: "The Bible 
 says, Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish. 
 Now, we ministers, who, though we do not do much 
 physical work, are daily and hourly struggling for the 
 mastery of the soul and spirit in ourselves and others, 
 so much so that we are under heavy strain, both spir 
 itually and bodily, and a great deal of the time ready 
 
82 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 to perish, and fulfilling the word of God, brethren, 
 we can cheerfully drink this life-giving draught I" 
 
 "A a men!" said Deacon Going, as they all lifted 
 their glasses and drank. 
 
 "That was delicious, surely," said Rev. Peaceboy, "it 
 reminds me how Christ drank wine at the Marriage 
 Supper." 
 
 They all still held their glasses. "James, open 
 another bottle and bring those other kinds, too. Open 
 that Port and Sherry and Bourbon!" commanded Mrs. 
 Bowink. 
 
 James filled their glasses with champagne again 
 and when they had all emptied them the ministers 
 began to feel pretty good. Rev. Joylifter edged up to 
 Miss Askwitch and slyly took her hand, and Rev. Peace- 
 boy, another bachelor, pushed up close to the i idi 
 widow, Mrs. Bowink. 
 
 Rev. Joylifter began to sing a little love song to 
 Miss Askwitch and Rev. Peaceboy was trying to take 
 the rings off the widow s fingers, but could not. 
 
 Deacon Going motioned to James and whispered: 
 "Bring me a little of that old bourbon!" James poured 
 about half a goblet for .The Deacon and as much for 
 Rev. Verigood. 
 
 "That s the finest Bourbon I ever tasted!" exclaimed 
 The Deacon, as he and Rev. Verigood emptied their 
 goblets. 
 
 James had gone on around and filled practically full 
 all the goblets, and then he and Bob went behind a 
 tree and laughed so hard that they could hardly get 
 back to the company. 
 
 The ministers all drank their Bourbon, but the 
 women did not. Looking around, Mrs. Bowink saw 
 Rev. Nostir nodding, Deacon Going gapping very hard, 
 and Rev. Verigood lying down. 
 
 Rev. Blissway had gone off into the woods sick; 
 Rev. Joylifter was trying to kiss Miss Askwitch, and 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 83 
 
 Rev. Peaceboy was trying to put his arms around the 
 pretty widow herself. 
 
 Jumping up she went to James and ordered: 
 
 "You and Bob take all those things and put them in 
 the wagon. Be quick! and then go and get the carriages 
 and bring them here!" 
 
 Before the things were taken away, Deacon Going 
 whispered to Bob: 
 
 "Bring me a little more of that Bourbon," which 
 Bob did. 
 
 The men soon brought the carriages and it was 
 with difficulty that they could get the ministers into 
 them, whom they drove right off with to the city; but 
 Mrs. Bowink and Miss Askwitch walked through the 
 woods to the picnic ground. Every few moments, on 
 the way, they turned to each other and gave a hearty 
 laugh. 
 
 Many people asked them if they knew where the 
 four ministers were and they said they did not know. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 "Father," said Alvin Berry, stepping into Colonel 
 Berry s office and closing the door after him securely, 
 "I find the whole city is pretty much in a state of 
 insurrection, and it is brought about by those two labor 
 leaders, Walsh, in working among our men, and Vanski, 
 in working among the Ashcraft factories. 
 
 "Of the twenty-five hundred men you employ, about 
 two thousand are naturally very loyal to you. The 
 older members say they would not strike under any 
 circumstances and give Colonel Berry trouble; for they 
 know he is their friend, and I think I can depend on 
 the military element. 
 
 "But there is a new lot of foreigners, who are giving 
 ready ear to Walsh. We could ignore these five hun 
 dred if it were not for the fact that all of the men 
 working for Major Ashcraft are dissatisfied and ready 
 to strike at any moment. They will more or less affect 
 our men and no telling what would be the result." 
 
84 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 Colonel Berry, who had been writing, turned and 
 looked at Alvin thoughtfully, as the latter talked from 
 his seat by the side of his father. The Colonel said: 
 "Son, we have contracts to deliver a great many barrels 
 of whisky in the next thirty to sixty days, and we 
 would lose a large amount of money if our hands do 
 not work and leave us. We would lose not less than 
 ten thousand dollars if a strike were to last thirty 
 days, and double that for sixty days!" 
 
 Alvin folded his arms and asked: 
 
 "What would you suggest and propose to do, Father?" 
 
 "Well," answered The Colonel, "the information we 
 first got is valuable to us now. That was to the effect 
 that each business agent expected to get at least one 
 thousand dollars to draw off and subdue the strike 
 among our men. 
 
 "Pay him five hundred dollars down, if he agrees 
 to it, and five hundred dollars one month from now, if 
 he goes away and things are working peacefully here 
 and like they were formerly. Get him to guarantee 
 a peaceful condition in our works for two years at 
 least. After that, or by that time, I will have things 
 in a better condition to meet a strike!" 
 
 Alvin talked a few moments longer and then went 
 out. 
 
 "Jake, what time do you think that fellow W T alsh 
 is likely to come in?" asked Alvin Berry of the bar 
 keeper at Berry Saloon No. 1. 
 
 "Well, Captain, he and several of your boss work 
 men have been coming in about nine o clock for several 
 nights," answered Jake Dun with his arms on the bar. 
 
 Alvin pulled out his watch and said: 
 
 "It is quarter to nine now and I want you to get 
 your best liquors ready, so I can treat those fellows 
 fine. Get a basket of champagne handy, too, Jake, 
 Do not spare anything! You know why!" 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 85 
 
 "Yes, sir, I understand," replied Jake, who hustled 
 around behind the bar, fixing things, and he called a 
 couple of men in the back room to help him. 
 
 In a short while the tramp of heavy feet was heard 
 and seven men entered, headed by the labor leader, 
 Walsh. 
 
 Alvin, who was standing near the bar, stepped for 
 ward and held out his hand to Walsh and exclaimed: 
 "Is this Mr. Walsh? My name is Berry! Step up, all 
 of you! It is my treat!" 
 
 Walsh hesitated, looked at him suspiciously, and 
 then took his hand. 
 
 "Come over to those tables and take seats. Jake, 
 bring a basket of champagne!" continued Alvin, motion 
 ing the labor leader and six of the sub-bosses of his 
 father s brewery to chairs at the tables. 
 
 They all went over there and sat down, Jake and 
 the other attendants placing glasses on tables and draw 
 ing corks. 
 
 Alvin entertained them with the finest liquors and 
 a good lunch, until they all got quite happy and jovial, 
 which lasted about two hours and, when they got up 
 to go, he shook hands with Walsh and said to him, in 
 a low tone: 
 
 "Can I see you privately in the near future?" 
 
 "I will call on you, at your office, in a few days," 
 whispered Walsh, and shaking hands with Alvin, they 
 all went out. 
 
 Mrs. Bowink in her magnificent turnout drove up 
 in front of the Ashcraft villa. The Major happened 
 to be looking out of his second-story window and saw 
 her. 
 
 How stylish he thought she looked with her liveried 
 coachman and footman; how pretty she was, and how 
 elegantly dressed! 
 
86 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 As she came up the walk he thought: "Well, I was 
 going down-town right after dinner, but I guess I will 
 wait awhile." 
 
 "Is Miss Henrietta or Miss Askwitch in?" asked Mrs. 
 Bowink of the butler at the door. The Major just 
 chanced to be near, stepped up and exclaimed: 
 
 "Why, Mrs. Bowink! So glad to see you! Gome in! 
 Henrietta and Miss Askwitch went down-town. They 
 will be back in a few moments. Henry, tell the maid 
 to come and take Mrs. Bowink s hat and things!" 
 
 "I just came in to ask Miss Henrietta about the 
 great Missionary meeting tomorrow at your church," 
 replied she, as The Major offered her the most com 
 fortable chair in the parlor. 
 
 Henrietta and Miss Askwitch were late in coming 
 and dinner was delayed; but The Major did not seem 
 to mind, for he was sitting pretty close to the widow. 
 
 The other ladies were at the milliner s and Miss 
 Askwitch could not seem to get her new dress just 
 right, which she expected to wear when she would 
 meet the Rev. Joylifter again at the great Missionary 
 meeting tomorrow. 
 
 "I will go on home, Miss Askwitch, so as not to 
 keep papa waiting at dinner, and I will send the car 
 riage back for you," said Henrietta, and she stepped 
 out to the street and entered the carriage. 
 
 Henrietta went up the steps to the front porch of 
 her father s residence very quietly, and seeing the door 
 slightly open, she pushed it and entered the heavily 
 carpeted hall, which gave no noise to her tread. To 
 the right of the hall was the parlor entrance, across 
 which hung a heavy curtain. Opening this a little 
 
 "Oh, Heavens!" exclaimed Henrietta, catching her 
 breath and holding up her hands, as she stepped back. 
 There was Papa, sitting on the lounge with Mrs. Bowink, 
 and he had his arm around her waist and was kissing 
 her! 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 87 
 
 Henrietta ran upstairs noiselessly to her room, and 
 in a few moments she heard Miss Askwitch come up 
 the front steps and enter the house with a great deal 
 
 of noise, as usual. 
 
 ********* 
 
 Alvin Berry thought he would walk down-town by 
 the church that night and maybe he could get a glimpse 
 of Henrietta, who he knew was going there that night 
 to rehearse for the musical program of the great Mis 
 sionary meeting that was to be held there the next day 
 Sunday. 
 
 As he walked through the darkness he said to him 
 self: "How I wish I could go there tomorrow, just to 
 hear Henrietta sing!" and he gave a deep sigh. 
 
 Would he ever be able to meet Henrietta again and 
 look into her lovely eyes? Her father had forbidden 
 her positively to have anything to do with any of the 
 Berry family. He recollected he had an engagement 
 to go on a drive over the mountains with some young 
 men and young ladies tomorrow. 
 
 "I wonder if I could not send her a bouquet in 
 some way?" thought he. 
 
 "Yes, now I have it! If I could only get hold of 
 that Signer Patruchi, the organist, and get him on my 
 side, I think I can accomplish it." 
 
 Alvin remembered that he saw the Signor come out 
 of Berry Saloon No. 6, across the street there, some time 
 before, and he went over and entered the saloon. 
 "Phil," said Alvin in a low tone, addressing the bar 
 keeper, "does Professor Patruchi ever come in here?" 
 
 "Yes, Captain, he comes in here about this time 
 every night; can I do anything for you, Captain Berry?" 
 answered Phil, keeping several customers at the bar 
 waiting to answer one of the proprietors. 
 
 "No, I just want to see him and I will wait a little 
 while," said Alvin, as he took a seat at a table near by. 
 
 Very soon in walked the Signor with his nervous 
 eccentric air. Alvin stepped up to the bar, where he 
 
88 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 stood, and held out his hand and said: "My name is 
 Berry; is this Signor Patruchi?" 
 
 "Si, Signor! Si, Signor! Zat iss my name and I haf 
 seen Signor Berree before; but now haf the plaisure 
 to meet him," exclaimed the professor, shaking Alvin s 
 hand with a jerk of the elbow. 
 
 "Come and sit with me and we will have some 
 Italian wine, right from your own country," said Alvin. 
 
 "Si, Signor, with mooch plaisure," answered the Ital 
 ian, his face beaming with smiles. Alvin motioned to 
 the barkeeper, who presently came and took his order 
 for a bottle of Italian wine. The Signor drank most 
 of it himself, and in conversation Alvin told him he 
 was a great admirer of Miss Ashcraft, and woul;l like 
 to ask a favor of him. If he, Alvin Berry, would send 
 a bouquet of violets and heartsease to him, Signor 
 Patruchi, in the morning (Sunday) would he be so 
 kind as to see that she would .get it before service? 
 
 "Si, Signor! Si, Signor! it would aflfort me mooch 
 plaisure to be of sairveese to Captain Berree!" said the 
 professor of music. 
 
 It was understood that the bouquet would be deliv 
 ered to the Signor at the church at ten o clock next 
 morning, and he shook hands with Alvin and went out. 
 
 Alvin went on down-town, where he visited a florist, 
 and he and Captain Berry spent a long time devising 
 and arranging the most beautiful bouquet that could 
 be made of violets and heartsease. 
 
 Taking a card, Alvin wrote on it: 
 
 To Miss Henrietta Ashcraft, 
 
 from her 
 
 Playmate of the Brook. 
 
 which the florist attached to the bouquet and then care 
 fully placed the stems in water, to keep it fresh for 
 the next day. 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 Major Ashcraft and Miss Askwitch paced the front 
 porch of his residence restlessly. He took out his watch 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 89 
 
 and stepping to the front door cried out: "Gome, Hen 
 rietta! it is time we are going to church! We will walk 
 along slowly!" and they descended the steps. 
 
 In a few moments Henrietta came tripping out, the 
 maid and butler looking out the door after her as she 
 hurried down the front walk. 
 
 "She certainly is beautiful!" said the butler. 
 
 "Yes," answered the maid. "Some women are beau 
 tiful only with fine clothes on, but Miss Henrietta is 
 beautiful both ways with them on and with them off." 
 
 Major Ashcraft s carriage was waiting at the gate 
 and as Henrietta got in after the other two, Miss Ask- 
 witch remarked: 
 
 "Such a fine day! We ought to have a tremendous 
 congregation!" 
 
 In a few moments they saw Mrs. Bowink s carriage, 
 who waved her hand at them, and as they reached the 
 more central parts of the town throngs of finely dressed 
 men and women passed up and down the sidewalks, a 
 great many going to church, and some not. 
 
 A group of well-dressed young men stood on one 
 corner and one of them said: 
 
 "Look, fellows, here comes Miss Ashcraft! Take a 
 look! If I had a girl as beautiful as she is I would 
 go crazy!" 
 
 "And sings like a bird!" exclaimed another. 
 
 A couple of blocks away, on another corner, a group 
 of rough men stood, and, as The Major s carriage whirled 
 by, one of them exclaimed: "There goes that damned 
 capitalist, Ashcraft, who makes his money by grinding 
 his workmen down!" 
 
 "Yes," said another, "but The Unions will fix him 
 soon!" and he doubled up his fist. 
 
 A little farther on Major Ashcraft s party saw some 
 thing like a procession, and there marched along the 
 sidewalk, two by two, with Lucy Hurryup at their 
 head, about one hundred women, bedecked with the 
 insignia of the W. C. T. U., who all waved their hands 
 
90 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 and handkerchiefs at Major Ashcraft, who was one of 
 their main coadjutors and with such a good bank 
 account as they passed. 
 
 "What is that large vehicle in front of us?" asked 
 The Major, as the coachman reined up a little bit to 
 get by. 
 
 "Why, that is a tally-ho, Papa! I wonder who they 
 are, and who is driving it?" answered Henrietta, bend 
 ing forward to look. 
 
 The top of the vehicle was covered with finely 
 dressed young ladies and young men and the inside 
 was filled also. They seemed to be having the best of 
 times and enjoying themselves greatly. 
 
 "Children of Satan! Breaking the Holy Sabbath 
 Day!" exclaimed Miss Askwitch. 
 
 "I wish I could see who is driving!" thought Hen 
 rietta, as they drove up to the side of the coach. Now 
 she could see "Oh!" It was Alvin Berry, driving so 
 steadily six beautiful horses with arched necks! And 
 who was it sat by his side, laughing and showing her 
 pretty teeth but May Creighorn, her school girl rival! 
 
 The carriage drove by so quickly that Captain Berry 
 did not see who was in it, for he had to pay strict 
 attention to his horses, and almost as much attention 
 to the bright girl by his side, who was full of wit, 
 humor and repartee. She was trying her best to fas 
 cinate the rich young Captain and she was good at that 
 kind of work. 
 
 As the carriage pushed forward the blood mounted 
 Henrietta s temples and suffused itself over her beautiful 
 face and passed down her shapely neck and throat. 
 She felt a strange feeling at her heart. 
 
 "You look so hot, Henrietta," said The Major. "Give 
 her a fan, Miss Askwitch." 
 
 "I do feel warm, Papa," answered she, taking the 
 fan from the governess. 
 
 The party soon drove up in front of the great, fash 
 ionable church and they got out and entered, Henrietta 
 
91 
 
 going to the choir, and The Major, with Miss Askwitch, 
 to his elegant pew. 
 
 After speaking to the different members of the choir, 
 Henrietta went into the room back of the great organ, 
 built for the comfort of the choir, and threw herself 
 down in a chair. 
 
 "May Creighorn! May Creighorn!" she exclaimed 
 to herself, and got up and paced the floor like a tigress. 
 Well, indeed, had Dr. Biddle uttered the word "Ten 
 dencies." 
 
 A knock was heard on the door and Henrietta opened 
 it. In stepped Signor Patruchi, all smiles, holding some 
 thing very carefully which was covered up. 
 
 "How iss ze charmante Miss Henriettar zis morn 
 ing? I haf a present for you. A boy brought ze bouquet 
 and left it for you. He gif me no name," said the 
 professor, bowing, and at the same time taking the 
 paper from the bouquet of violets and pansys. 
 
 "How beautiful! How beautiful!" exclaimed Hen 
 rietta, and she turned the card attached over and read: 
 To Miss Henrietta Ashcraft, 
 
 from her 
 Playmate of the Brook. 
 
 Signor Patruchi, seeing the color coming in her 
 cheeks, said: "I must go and see after ze music now. 
 You will come soon, if you pleese, for all ze pepool 
 vil vait for you. Come soon, pleese!" and he left the 
 room. 
 
 The more Henrietta looked at the bouquet, the more 
 subdued became her agitated spirits and a gentle calm 
 seemed to settle over her nature. It was not a large 
 bouquet, but was exquisitely fashioned and constructed. 
 
 She took the cord off, went to the glass and with a 
 great pin pinned it on her bosom, and then, bathing 
 her face with a towel at the washbowl, fixed her hair 
 and went out to join the choir, taking her seat by the 
 Signor, who had just mounted the organ bench. 
 
92 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 Just before this, when Henrietta was entering the 
 church, down the street aways, accompanied by Rev 
 erends Peaceboy, Joylifter, Blissway and Verigood, 
 came Dr. Peter Nostir and Deacon Going, who hurried 
 on toward the church. 
 
 They happened to look up and saw Alvin Berry 
 driving his tally-ho and six beautiful horses toward 
 them. 
 
 Rev. Nostir remarked to the other ministers: "There 
 is one of those Berrys, brethren! The Devil is mar 
 shaling his forces for the day!" 
 
 "Dreadful! Dreadful!" said Deacon Going. 
 
 "The wicked shall be cast into hell!" exclaimed 
 Rev. Peaceboy. 
 
 "How long, O Lord!" uttered Rev. Verigood. 
 
 "The name of the wicked shatt rot!" said Rev. Bliss- 
 way, and they all entered the basement of the church, 
 where, in Dr. Nostir s study and suite of rooms, they 
 prepared for the services to take place upstairs. 
 
 It was the custom for the minister to signal the 
 organist five minutes before he would enter the pulpit, 
 by means of pulling a bell, and then the organ would 
 begin to play the prelude to the service. Then he would 
 signal the organist again, which would mean that he 
 was about to enter the pulpit from a door at the rear. 
 
 The first signal had come, and soft, mysterious 
 sounds seemed to creep upon the audience from far 
 away. Signer Patruchi was a master at the organ and 
 the tones he brought forth filled Henrietta with inspira 
 tion. The second signal came and all the ministers 
 entered from the rear and took seats behind the pulpit, 
 the organ tones changing from pianissimo to crescendo 
 and forte, and Henrietta arose with a sheet of music 
 and stood at the railing of the choir, facing the pulpit. 
 
 "Isn t she a beauty?" whispered one of the girls 
 of the choir to another. "I wonder where she got that 
 wonderful bouquet? Isn t it exquisite?" 
 
93 
 
 "Why, I guess Albert Luxy gave it to her; he has 
 been trying to pay her attention some," said the other. 
 
 The accompaniment to Henrietta s offertory began, 
 and then the vast audience of two thousand heard a 
 voice fall upon their ears that sent thrill after thrill 
 through them. The music bore the following words: 
 
 "Consider the lilies of the field how they grow! 
 They toil not, neither do they spin." 
 And when, after wandering with its beautiful notes 
 through its arrangement, it closed with: 
 
 "And yet I say unto you, I say unto you, 
 That Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed 
 Like one of these, like one of these." 
 There was a stillness so sweet, that no one wanted to 
 move. 
 
 Major Ashcraft, sitting in his pew, listened, and his 
 head sank upon his breast in the supreme happiness of 
 the parent in the pride of his child. 
 
 In a few moments Rev. Nostir stepped to the pulpit 
 and said: "Let us pray I" 
 
 "Amen," said all the ministers, kneeling down on 
 the pulpit in different attitudes. 
 
 "A a men!" exclaimed Deacon Going, the loudest 
 and longest of them all. 
 
 Rev. Nostir continued: 
 
 "O Lord, we thank Thee for sending this vast audi 
 ence to hold up the hands of Thy servants those 
 disciples who are working in Thy vineyard, those min 
 isters who are commanded to go and preach Thy Gospel 
 to every creature. 
 
 "Wilt Thou put it into the hearts of these people 
 here in Thy house to contribute liberally to the cause 
 of missions, especially to the poor souls in the Aleutian 
 Islands. Those poor souls are sending out their Mace 
 donian cry and thousands of them sinking into hell; 
 because they have no one to preach the Gospel to 
 them! 
 
94 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 "Amen," chimed in the preachers and Deacon Going s 
 voice was heard above all the rest, groaning: "A a 
 men!" 
 
 Rev. Nostir continued: 
 
 "And we wish to ask Thy special condemnation, O 
 Lord, on the wickedness in this city; on those who 
 are the cause of drunkenness, the immorality, vice and 
 poverty; wilt Thou pour the vials of Thy wrath on 
 two of them, who are especially accountable and are 
 the enemies of Thy saints!" 
 
 "Amen!" "Amen!" "Amen!" came the voices from 
 the pews occupied by Lucy Hurryup and the W. C. T. 
 U. people. But the loudest of them all was Deacon 
 Going s "A a men." 
 
 Dr. Nostir preached a short sermon and then he 
 was followed by the other ministers, who made 
 addresses on different subjects. 
 
 Rev. Peaceboy wanted money for the heathen in 
 the Aleutian Islands; Rev. Verigood sought aid for the 
 savages in Alaska; Rev. Joylifter asked for contribu 
 tions to convert the Patagonians, and Rev. Blissway 
 begged the audience to give him money to save the 
 souls of the women in Thibet. He then offered a 
 prayer. 
 
 Major Ashcraft, being one of the Deacons, his pew 
 was close up to the pulpit, and Mrs. Bowink, not a 
 member of the church, was sitting with Miss Askwitch 
 in The Major s pew. 
 
 During the service Mrs. Bowink had noticed that 
 Miss Askwitch was making eyes at Rev. Joylifter, who 
 returned the gaze, and she, herself, had been guilty, 
 somewhat, in throwing glances at Rev. Peaceboy. 
 
 When Rev. Peaceboy was praying in the pulpit the 
 audience bowed their heads on the pews. Mrs. Bowink 
 happened to catch the eye of Miss Askwitch then, and 
 they both ducked their heads and laughed so hard 
 that the people nearby thought they were crying; but 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 95 
 
 they did not know that the two women were thinking 
 of the picnic. 
 
 When the two women sat up straight in the pew, 
 after the prayer, they wiped their eyes with their 
 handkerchiefs and the people thought: "What pious 
 women they are!" 
 
 "Will Brethren Ashcraft and Going now please take 
 up a collection!" asked Dr. Nostir, and the two men 
 started down the aisle with collection plates. 
 
 The organ began to play and Henrietta with her 
 music stood at the choir railing again. Signor Patruchi 
 had arranged that masterpiece of his countryman, 
 "Tosti s Good-Bye," to the words of the one hundred 
 and forty-third Psalrn, which fell from the lips of 
 Henrietta in the words: "Hear, O Lord!" 
 
 At first the audience listened in delightful attention; 
 then they were swayed with emotion, and then, as her 
 voice mounted heavenward in soul entreaty, the audi 
 ence was shaken. Tears rolled down the cheeks of the 
 young, the middle-aged and old. There was not a dry 
 eye in the church and some fairly sobbed. 
 
 It was some time before the church was composed 
 enough to proceed with the service, and afterwards a 
 good many of the truly religious, who were at that 
 great gathering, declared that the sermons, the prayers, 
 the Amens and everything else that transpired were 
 of little effect in comparison to Henrietta Ashcraft s 
 voice, in lifting them up and carrying them close to 
 the throne of God. 
 
 When Henrietta sat down by the organ the eyes 
 of all the choir gazed in admiration, and Signor Patruchi 
 whispered to her: "Magnificent! Magnificent! Bravo! 
 Bravo!" and he gently clapped his hands together. The 
 collection taken amounted to two thousand three hun 
 dred dollars, and the great Missionary meeting closed 
 with the Doxology. Signor Patruchi played "Stabat 
 Mater" as the congregation went out and everybody, 
 young and old, passing the choir box and organ strained 
 
96 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 his neck to get a glimpse of Miss Ashcraft, who had 
 had such a wonderful influence over the meeting. Soon 
 every inch of standing room in the choir was filled 
 with male admirers of Henrietta, mostly young men 
 whom she had met. 
 
 Signor Patruchi had gone into the room behind the 
 choir to lock up his music, and coming back, he saw 
 the throng surrounding Henrietta, and laughingly 
 exclaimed: "Veil, veil! vat is zis? Some more off a 
 congregation! Miss Henriettar alvays draws ze crowd!" 
 and he stepped out. As he went down the church steps 
 he said to himself: 
 
 "How I vish I ver twentee yers younger. She iss 
 veree beauteefool." 
 
 Major Ashcraft and the two ladies, who had been 
 talking to the ministers when they descended from the 
 pulpit, thought it was time to go home, inviting all the 
 ministers to a Sunday dinner. 
 
 Most of the congregation was gone, but Henrietta s 
 admirers still lingered around her. 
 
 The Major saw her among the group with laughing 
 eyes and dimpled, rosy cheeks, receiving the compli 
 ments and congratulations, and he wondered where 
 she got that beautiful bouquet at her bosom. As Hen 
 rietta was trying to get away a portion of her dress 
 hung over the steps of the choir box. Major Ashcraft 
 saw a feeble, well-dressed old man stop, look up at her 
 and then stoop over, gently take the edge of her dress 
 in his hand and kiss it, and then with tears in his eyes 
 pass on out the church. 
 
 The Major was the only one who saw this little 
 incident, and he was so much affected by this tribute 
 to his daughter that he had to turn away from the 
 others to conceal his emotion. 
 
 With the help of Mrs. Bowink s carriage all the 
 ministers were taken to Major Ashcraft s house to din 
 ner. The women tried to find out where Henrietta 
 got that beautiful bouquet, but she only said: 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 97 
 
 "Did I not have enough beaux today to get a bou 
 quet?" and they thought it was given to her after 
 services. She kept it for a long time in her room, until 
 it most fell to pieces, and then wrapped it in a large 
 envelope, put the card of the donor in with it and 
 locked it in one of her trunks. 
 
 That afternoon, after dinner, the ministers and 
 ladies took a stroll. Rev. Peaceboy got a chance to 
 propose to Mrs. Bowink, but she told him she was 
 engaged. The Rev. Joylifter was more fortunate, for 
 he was accepted by Miss Askwitch, the marriage to 
 take place in the future, whenever he could provide 
 a home. 
 
 A number of times prominent young men and middle r 
 aged men, from different parts of the county, called 
 on Major Ashcraft at his office and asked the favor of 
 an introduction to his daughter. The Major, knowing 
 them, or of them, would say: "Certainly, come home 
 with me to dinner," and they went. 
 
 On Saturday night The Major exclaimed to himself: 
 
 "That makes the seventh this week who wants to 
 marry Henrietta. Such is the power of beauty and 
 songl" and The Major laughed inwardly. 
 
 Several weeks later Miss Askwitch told Albert Luxy: 
 
 "There are a lot of swell men trying to marry 
 Henrietta. She treats them all politely and nicely, but 
 I do not think she listens to or cares for any of them!** 
 
 "I know the reason," said Luxy, and he turned up 
 his nose in disgust and left. When he was out on the 
 street he muttered: 
 
 "If I could only just get him into some disgrace^ 
 maybe she would turn against him and take me I" 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 It had been the custom of Colonel Berry for years, 
 on Sunday, to drive to his beautiful park the Berry 
 Park and sit in his favorite seat near the great 
 entrance gate. 
 
98 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 Everybody and there were thousands who came 
 into the park from the turnpike and then had to come 
 through that gate and pass not far from The Colonel, 
 who sat and read, smoked, drank his brandy and talked. 
 
 From his easy chair and in the dense shade of the 
 huge trees, the branches of which came low, The Colonel 
 could see, to his right, within a few yards, a beautiful 
 lake covered with rowboats, occupied by pleasure seeki- 
 ers, with swans and all kinds of water fowl gliding 
 over it. 
 
 To his left the great road from the turnpike wound 
 itself around through large trees, sending out small 
 roads to all parts of the park. All the roads were 
 macadamized. 
 
 There were great grassy lawns and small grassy 
 lawns; great flower beds and small ones; places for 
 children to play ball and all kinds of games, swings 
 and other amusements. 
 
 At every little distance, at the side of the winding 
 walks, there were benches to sit on, and at intervals 
 small houses, where all kinds of refreshments could 
 be bought at moderate prices. 
 
 In the distance through the trees could be seen a 
 large building with broad, covered porches surround 
 ing it, upon which were chairs and tables, where people 
 could talk, smoke and drink, with waiters in attend 
 ance. In winter these porches were enclosed by glass. 
 
 Inside the building was a restaurant, a great dancing 
 hall and stand for a band, and there was another large 
 hall also devoted to any kind of public meeting. There 
 were summer bath houses in the lake and winter bath 
 houses in the large building. There were dense forests 
 in the park, which was two miles square, several lakes, 
 grottoes in the hills, a menagerie and most everything 
 that a park could have to attract people. And all of 
 this was free to the public use, except the refreshments. 
 
 Years before Colonel Berry had found the land and 
 environments a huge swamp. He bought it, cleared 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 99 
 
 it off, cleaned it out and made a spot of beauty there 
 that was celebrated in all that part of the country. 
 
 As usual, Colonel Berry sat in his easy chair with 
 his brandy on the table by his side and a newspaper 
 in his lap. He was sleepy and nodded, when he heard 
 the rough voice of a gatekeeper cry out: 
 
 "Say, what do you want in here, anyhow? You 
 can t disturb the boss! He s asleep!" 
 
 The Colonel opened his eyes and saw a pale, crip 
 pled boy on crutches, with humped back, trying to 
 come toward him, and he had some newspapers in his 
 hand. 
 
 The Colonel motioned the gateman to let him come 
 and the boy hobbled up, took off his delapidated hat 
 and said in a weak voice: 
 
 "Bein as you re rich and I m broke, I thought maybe 
 you d buy a paper." 
 
 "Sit over there and rest yourself in that chair and 
 tell me where you live," replied The Colonel. 
 
 "I live anywhere folks will let me lie down and I 
 can get em to let me sleep," said the cripple, sitting 
 on the edge of the chair with difficulty. The Colonel 
 motioned to an attendant, who always was in a short 
 distance, to wait on him, and said: 
 
 "Take this boy and give him all he can eat and 
 drink, somewhere back there, and tell one of the wagon 
 men who is going to town to take him to Saloon No. 23. 
 
 "There is a bed in the room over the saloon. Get 
 the key to the room from the barkeeper and tell him 
 to let this boy occupy room. Tell him, also, if this 
 boy needs anything to eat at any time to give it to 
 him!" 
 
 The attendant took the boy s hand to help him, but 
 he turned and bowed low to The Colonel, saying with 
 tears in his eyes: 
 
 "I m not much good, Colonel, in this here world, 
 but some day I ll die, an I ll ask God to thank yer!" 
 and he went on with the attendant, while The Colonel 
 
100 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 held up his paper before his face and read it harder 
 than usual. 
 
 Remaining in this attitude for several minutes, he 
 heard a strong, modulated voice in front of him exclaim: 
 
 "Good morning, Colonel!" and putting his paper 
 down on his lap, Colonel Berry saw a Catholic priest 
 standing before him. He reached out his hand and 
 replied: "Why, Father McGill, I am so glad to see you! 
 Draw up a chair on the other side of the table. Will 
 you join me in some brandy, or will you have some 
 thing else?" 
 
 The priest took a seat at the table smilingly, as 
 another attendant, in park uniform, stepped to The 
 Colonel s side. 
 
 "Take Father McGilPs order," commanded The Col 
 onel. With a humorous twinkle in his eyes the priest 
 said: 
 
 "Brandy is good enough for me," at which they 
 both laughed heartily, and the attendant poured Father 
 McGill a glass of brandy. 
 
 After talking about the weather and various other 
 unimportant matters, the priest said: 
 
 "Colonel, my parish has been bending every effort 
 to build a hospital, of which you no doubt have heard, 
 and which you know is badly needed by the city and 
 county. We have raised enough to complete it lacking 
 three thousand dollars. Your generosity is very much 
 taxed, and we dislike to come to you; but we are at 
 our wits end and thought we would venture to ask if 
 you could help us a little." 
 
 The Colonel looked at the priest with his benignant 
 gaze, took a sip of brandy and said: 
 
 "We do need a hospital for our city and county 
 badly, Father. How much did you expect me to give 
 toward it?" 
 
 "Why, Colonel, anything you are pleased to give 
 would be thankfully received," answered the priest. 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 101 
 
 "How much are you short, Father?" asked The Colonel. 
 "Three thousand dollars," said the priest. 
 
 "Go to the gate house and bring me pen and ink!" 
 ordered The Colonel of the attendant, who soon brought 
 them to him. Pulling from his inside coat pocket a 
 check book, Colonel Berry wrote a check, which read 
 thus: 
 
 $3,000.00 FIRST NATIONAL BANK 
 
 Batesville, Yorksylvania. 
 
 Pay to the order of Father McGill, for Hospital, 
 
 three thousand and %oo : Dollars. 
 
 Henry Berry. 
 
 and tore it out and handed it to the priest, who took 
 the check, read it and sprang forward with sparkling 
 eyes. Seizing The Colonel s hand he exclaimed: 
 
 "Thank you, Colonel! Thank you! You are so 
 good!" Shouts of laughter rang out on the air at that 
 moment, as a tally-ho of six horses, driven by Alvin 
 Berry, pulled up in the road right near The Colonel 
 and priest. 
 
 Alvin arose in his seat and said, laughingly: 
 
 "Colonel Berry, we have come to present our com 
 pliments and ask you to treat us!" 
 
 The Colonel and priest arose also, and the former 
 gave a most courteous bow, replying: 
 
 "I give you, particularly the ladies, my most dis 
 tinguished salutations, and would say that my son 
 knows where all the good things are and you are all 
 perfectly welcome!" 
 
 "Thank you, Colonel!" said Alvin, as he drove away 
 into the Park toward the large refreshment house, and 
 all the merry party called out: "Thank you, Colonel!" 
 
 Father McGill was profuse in his thanks again and, 
 shaking hands with The Colonel, he went out the big 
 gate. When he was down the road aways he opened 
 the check and read it over again, saying: 
 
 "He is one of God s noblemen!" 
 
102 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 It was not long before Alvin came back with the 
 tally-ho and stopped again. 
 
 "We have stopped to thank you for your kind 
 refreshments and I now call upon this company to 
 give three cheers for Colonel Berry!" cried Alvin, stand 
 ing up, and the young men and girls gave three cheers. 
 They then drove off, waving their hats and handker 
 chiefs, to which The Colonel waved his hand, until they 
 had disappeared down the turnpike. 
 
 The Colonel had hardly settled himself in his chair 
 again before he saw a frail, middle-aged woman enter 
 the gate, look around and did not seem to know where 
 to go. She asked the gatekeeper where she could find 
 Colonel Berry and he pointed The Colonel out to her. 
 Timidly approaching him, she said: 
 
 "Is this Colonel Berry," and handed him a piece of 
 paper. He took it and read: 
 
 "Colonel Berry, this is my friend. 
 "Yours truly, 
 
 "SNICKULS." 
 
 "Sit down and tell me what I can do for you," said 
 The Colonel. She did so and told him all about her 
 dealings with Deacon Going; how he had loaned her 
 $1,000 on her house and lot, taking a mortgage for same 
 and charging 8 per cent interest and 10 per cent com 
 mission. 
 
 "And the mortgage is now due and I cannot pay 
 either principal or interest," said Mrs. Sugsby, com 
 mencing to cry. 
 
 "Do not cry," said The Colonel, "maybe I can help 
 you. Your land is so situated that, in my opinion, in 
 several years it will easily sell for $5,000. I will give 
 you a letter to my attorney, who will protect you in 
 every way." 
 
 He took a piece of paper and wrote: 
 "I. C. Wisdom, Attorney: 
 
 "Please pay off the mortgage of Mrs. Sugsby of $1,000, 
 held by Deacon Going, and whatever interest is due. 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 103 
 
 Make her out a new mortgage, in my favor, for three 
 years, for $1,000; but do not charge her any interest. 
 See that she is protected in every way and charge 
 expenses to me, and oblige 
 
 "Yours truly, 
 
 "HENRY BERRY." 
 
 "Now," said The Colonel, "if at the end of three 
 years you want to sell your land, you can do so and 
 pay me, or you can have the money longer, if you need 
 to, without interest. 
 
 He handed her the note to the lawyer, which she 
 read carefully, and then put her head down to the table 
 and wept bitterly for a moment. Looking up soon, she 
 wiped her eyes and said: 
 
 "Excuse me, Colonel, but you are so good it has 
 overcome me. I hope God will give me an opportunity 
 to repay you in some way. Thank you, Colonel!" and 
 with bowed head she walked out the gate with the 
 note in her hand. 
 
 As the woman passed out the park and disappeared, 
 a man with a wooden leg stepped up to the gatekeeper 
 and commenced talking. He was very much soiled, 
 had an old cap and very delapidated suit of blue on, 
 such as were worn by Union soldiers. 
 
 "Would there be any chances for an old Union 
 soldier to get anything ter eat round here, mister?" 
 
 The gatekeeper looked at him, as if greatly bored, 
 and answered: 
 
 "Got any money? Lots of restaurants in there!" 
 and he motioned toward the park. 
 
 "But I h ain t got no money! H ain t seen a cent 
 fur a week!" said the man. 
 
 "This is no orphan asylum. Better go where you 
 can get some money!" exclaimed the gatekeeper. 
 
 "I m just starvin ! Would yer help a poor Union 
 soldier ter get a meal, some way?" said the man. 
 
 "I can t help you. There s the boss over there- 
 Colonel Berry, who owns everything around here 
 
104 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 maybe he might do something for you," answered the 
 gatekeeper, as he twisted his thumb toward The Colonel 
 without looking in that direction. 
 
 "Kunnel Berry! Well, he s er Runnel an* he s boun 
 ter help a Union soldier, who fought under the same 
 flag an we both fought ter save ther Union," said the 
 man, and drawing his wooden leg after him, he walked 
 over to where Colonel Berry was reading. An attend 
 ant came up from a little distance, thinking that the 
 man might bother the Colonel. 
 
 "Good mornin , Kunnel!" exclaimed the wooden- 
 legged man, and he gave the military salute, which The 
 Colonel returned, as a strange gleam came into his eyes. 
 
 "I m most starved, Kunnel, an thought because I m 
 er Union soldier, like yerself, an I helped ter save 
 ther Union, like yerself, an lost er leg at Gettysburg, 
 yer would help me!" said the man in a confident man 
 ner. Another strange gleam a little stranger shot out 
 from The Colonel s eyes, which the wooden-legged man 
 thought arose from enthusiasm for his cause. 
 
 "Sit down and I will listen to you," said The Colonel, 
 almost coldly. The man did so and went on: 
 
 "I ve knocked aroun in all sorts er places, Kunnel, 
 sence the war, but I kin never forgit when General 
 Meade gave ther command on top of that hill. We 
 waved Old Glory an cut loose at them damned Rebels. 
 Why, Kunnel, we just mowed em down like rats!" 
 
 Colonel Berry s hands gripped his chair with an 
 iron grip; he half arose to his feet and his eyes blazed 
 like fire; but he slowly sank back again. 
 
 The man still continued: "Yes, Kunnel, we jest 
 swept ther life out er them; but some of them damned 
 Rebels, under Pickett, did get up ter ther top of ther 
 hill, and that s ther time I lost my leg; fur one of em 
 shot me in ther leg. But we killed most all them Rebel 
 rats, Kunnel, an I say it was er glorious victory!" 
 
 Here the old soldier got up, stood on his wooden 
 leg and waved his cap over his head, shouting: 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 105 
 
 "Yes, Runnel, it was er glorious vict ry and I now 
 give three cheers for Old Glory and ther Union!" 
 
 Colonel Berry s face was as pale as death; he sat 
 upright and rigid; his hands grasped the sides of hte 
 chair like a vise, and his eyes blazed fire; but he never 
 spoke a word, as the old soldier took his seat again 
 and continued: 
 
 "Was it not glorious, Runnel? What command was 
 yer in, Runnel?" 
 
 Colonel Berry s answer came very slowly, and it 
 was in deep, sepulchral tones: 
 
 "I was one of General Pickett s Colonels." 
 
 The man s jaw dropped and he sat speechless, as 
 with wild eyes he stared at that magnificent specimen 
 of a gentleman before him, whose glances looked him 
 through like a sieve. 
 
 Nothing was said for a few moments, but The Colonel 
 put his left hand on his right side and thought: 
 
 "Perhaps this is the man who shot me when we 
 charged up the hill." Then he spoke to the man and 
 asked: "Did you say you have no home and are hun 
 gry?" The old soldier squirmed in his chair and stam 
 mered: "Ye ess se ir; I m hun un gry an I 
 wan ant ter git ter ther Sold yers Home!" 
 
 Turning to the attendant near by, Colonel Berry 
 handed him a five-dollar bill and said: 
 
 "Take this man to the nearest park restaurant and 
 feed him; then go with him to the Mount Joy stage 
 line and pay his fare. From there he can take the 
 train to the Soldiers Home!" 
 
 The old soldier said nothing, but gave a military 
 salute, which The Colonel acknowledged, and he went 
 off with the attendant into the park; but the attendant 
 heard him say to himself a good many times: 
 
 "I wish I had not er been so hard on ther Rebels!" 
 
 "How do you do, Colonel!" said Judge Elmira Sims 
 as he came riding up on horseback. The Colonel arose 
 and hastened where the judge had reined up his horse, 
 
106 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 grasped his hand and replied: "Get off and have some 
 thing with me! You are not in a hurry." 
 
 "All right," said The Judge, as an attendant took his 
 horse, and he went and took a seat at the table with 
 The Colonel, who poured him out a glass of brandy. 
 The Judge drank the brandy and said: 
 
 "That is the real stuff, Colonel, good and pure. 
 What a pity that there is a tendency all over the coun 
 try and world to adulterate everything. It all comes 
 back on the adulterator in the end. For instance, in 
 the liquor business, if a manufacturer makes pure stuff 
 and sells it, like you do, he will get the praise of all 
 his customers; but, if he sells impure stuff, though 
 people may buy for a while, he will be found out, 
 sooner or later, and suffer in condemnation and loss." 
 
 "I always make it a principle, Judge," said The 
 Colonel, "only to sell such liquors as I would drink 
 myself, unless I inform my customers that the liquor 
 he is buying is not up to the best, and they can have 
 it, therefore, at a cheaper price. But the cheaper priced 
 liquor will not be adulterated; it will be cheaper, 
 because the natural products, out of which that class 
 of liquor is made, are faulty." 
 
 "You are to be highly commended, Colonel," said 
 The Judge, as he took another swallow of brandy, "and 
 if all the liquor manufacturers and dealers of the coun 
 try would do the same they would have less trouble. 
 How does the coming election look to you, Colonel?" 
 
 "Well, Judge, the Prohibitionists are exerting extra 
 ordinary efforts to gain power in the city and county, 
 and, if they do get the power, they will try to destroy 
 me and all my interests. 
 
 "I am trying to fieht fair and at the same time 
 protect myself. How it is coming out I do not know. 
 Major Ashcraft is a very wealthy man and is leagued 
 with the preachers, W. C. T. U. and a large body of 
 women to do me all the damage they can. If The 
 Major were not against me, I would not have any fear 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 107 
 
 of the others. As it is I am sorry he has such a radical 
 hatred of my business and consequent bitter enmity 
 to me. 
 
 "I observe that there are several Union Labor Lead 
 ers who have just made their appearance among his men 
 and mine, teaching them that we, as capitalists, are 
 grinding them down and not giving them what they 
 ought to get. What effect that will have on the coming 
 election in our city I do not know." 
 
 The Judge answered The Colonel: 
 
 "I had some experience with the labor leaders before 
 I came to this district, and it is my opinion that nine- 
 tenths of them care nothing at all for their followers, 
 or constituents, and are in the game for all they can 
 make out of it. 
 
 "Their claims about capital being arrayed against 
 labor, to stir up the naturally well-behaved laborers, 
 are all fallacious. 
 
 "Labor and capital are inanimate things or terms 
 dead things. They cannot be personified or made alive. 
 It is only a question of intellectuality, whether the 
 lower intellectuality, possessed by the laborers, or the 
 higher intellectuality, possessed by the capitalists, shall 
 control. 
 
 "History and every-day life prove, almost always, 
 that those persons having the higher intellectuality con 
 trol everything. If occasionally, like in the French Rev 
 olution, that class, which has the lower intellectuality, 
 controls for a period and society and politics are 
 invaded by beastiality and brutality, and are inverted 
 
 like a pyramid, upside down, resting on its sharp end 
 
 it is because that class, which possesses the higher 
 intellectuality, has been careless in its vigilance and 
 duties in society and politics. 
 
 "But as soon as the pyramid of society rights itself 
 and rests on its broad base again by the assumption 
 of power that naturally belongs to that class that has 
 the higher intellectuality then everything in the nation, 
 
108 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 state, city and the home turns to a period of prosperity 
 again." 
 
 "All you say is too true, too true, Judge, and so 
 finely described. I have never heard ftie matter so 
 clearly explained," replied The Colonel. 
 
 "Well, thank you for your hospitality, Colonel; I will 
 continue my ride through your beautiful park," and 
 The Judge arose, shook hands with The Colonel, 
 mounted his horse, which the attendant brought, and 
 rode off into the park. 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 When Alvin Berry and his gay party left the park 
 they went along the turnpike until they came to the 
 great road that led to Scalp Lock Mountains. The 
 reason they were called Scalp Lock Mountains was 
 because the top of the most prominent peak looked 
 like an Indian holding up a scalp lock. That name 
 is what the earliest settlers called them and they had 
 been called that ever since. 
 
 The ascent of ten miles was graded and at the top 
 of this most prominent peak was an inn or hotel, where- 
 people who wanted to have a nice drive, get the exhil 
 arating air and see the mountain scenery could stop a 
 short time or stay as long as wanted. 
 
 There was a fine view from the broad porches of 
 this hotel and a kind of park that surrounded the 
 building and that extended down the sides of the moun 
 tain in all directions, through forests and valleys and 
 canyons. Some very beautiful spots could be found, 
 which the romantic would particularly enjoy. 
 
 It was the purpose of the party to drive to the 
 hotel in the morning, get dinner and then the members 
 of it to wander through the park until four o clock and 
 then go home. 
 
 As the spirited horses went along at a lively pace 
 Alvin Berry felt that enjoyment and exhilaration that 
 the young have from action and excitement, and the 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 109 
 
 same feeling was evident in the girl by his side and 
 all the couples of the party. They sang songs, blew 
 their horns, laughed, joked and told stories. 
 
 May Creighorn, Alvin s companion by his side, 
 would sometimes ask him to let her drive, which he 
 would do for a short distance, watching her very 
 closely, for it is no easy matter to handle the reins 
 and drive six horses properly. 
 
 In sitting so close together and transferring the 
 reins from one to the other, their arms came in con 
 tact a good many times, which made the excitement 
 for Alvin more intense. He was beginning to feel an 
 influence by May Greighorn coming over him. She 
 was very pretty and bright and some thought bewitch 
 ing to men. 
 
 Every little while, during all this gaiety and enjoy 
 ment, Alvin would think of Henrietta and wonder if 
 she received his bouquet that morning. Then a cloud 
 would come over his heart and he would wish he had 
 never seen the tally-ho. 
 
 But Alvin s surroundings and the natural buoyancy 
 of youth and health asserted themselves and he became 
 the life of the party again. 
 
 They reached the inn at the top of Scalp Lock 
 Mountain and got down from the tally-ho. Their horses 
 were unhitched and taken to the stables by grooms 
 and they all went into dinner, each young man con 
 ducting his girl to a seat at the table. 
 
 All the party sat at a specially prepared large table 
 and all the girls were jealous of May Greighorn; 
 because she was bright and witty and had the hand 
 somest man in the party; and she knew that he was 
 handsome and was exerting her charms. 
 
 When the dinner was finished and the party was 
 all out on the broad porch of the inn, May Creighorn- 
 exclaimed: "Come, fellows and girls, and let us go 
 down the sides of the mountain among the trees and 
 rocks. There are some beautiful places down there P 
 
110 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 4 They all agreed and started down among the trees 
 and rocks, the different couples getting farther and 
 farther apart, until Alvin Berry and May Creighorn 
 found themselves alone by the side of a large rock in 
 the forest. They took a seat at its base and looked at 
 the scenery in the distance, which was very fine. 
 
 The weather was warm and she had taken off her 
 sack, and she would reach over his knees to get a stone 
 to throw it down the mountain and hear it crash among 
 the bushes far below, and, as she did so, those white, 
 plump, bare arms would rest on his knees for a moment. 
 
 Sometimes they would see who could get to a cer 
 tain place first and, in the struggle, her full form would 
 rest against his. Sometimes he would point her out 
 views in the distance and she would bend forward, 
 the wind would blow her light locks into his eyes and 
 among his raven hair, and her breath would be felt 
 on his cheek. 
 
 Sometimes, when he was looking down from above 
 her, he saw undulating fascinations of a breast of snow, 
 and sometimes, when she was standing on a rock higher 
 than he was, he saw shapely ankles and curves of 
 bewitching hose. 
 
 What wonder that Alvin was becoming more and 
 more excited! Oh, inscrutable law of nature, that 
 allows the weaker to usurp the control of the stronger! 
 They were trying to get through a dense growth of 
 bushes and it seemed as if they could neither go for 
 ward nor back. She was ahead, but very close to him, 
 and turned her head and languid, seductive eyes, which 
 had a peculiar brightness, and gazed into his eyes. It 
 was too much for Alvin and in a moment he had her 
 in his arms and their lips met in a long kiss. 
 
 Just then a female voice close by cried out above 
 them: 
 
 "Captain Berry, where are you? It is four o clock. 
 May Creighorn, are you down there? It is time to go 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 111 
 
 home!" and a young man and lady made their appear 
 ance and continued saying: 
 
 "We did not know whether you were down there 
 or not, but thought we would tell you it is getting late!" 
 
 Alvin drove the tally-ho home and May Creighorn 
 sat by his side, but some of the party thought they 
 were unusually quiet in comparison with what they 
 had been in the morning. 
 
 That night as Henrietta Ashcraft was preparing her 
 beautiful person for bed she heard the belated horns 
 of a tally-ho as it passed her father s residence. Placing 
 her hands to her temples and looking with wild eyes 
 she exclaimed: "Alvin! May Creighorn!" 
 
 She did not sleep much that night and tossed and 
 talked in her sleep, crying out: 
 
 "She shall not have him! He is my playmate of 
 the brook!" The next morning Major Ashcraft kissed 
 Henrietta good-bye and remarked: 
 
 "Dear, take care of yourself. You were on a good 
 deal of strain yesterday at the church and you show 
 it this morning, for you are not looking as well as 
 usual!" 
 
 He wondered if he should send for Dr. Biddle, and 
 did not know that it was the awakening of the tigress. 
 
 When The Major arrived at his office that morning 
 things did not look as usual. The office force were 
 talking low and in groups. He could not see any men 
 passing to and fro in different directions as usual, and 
 it soon turned out that a large part of his men had 
 quit work. 
 
 Some of his foremen had not gone on a strike and 
 he spent the forenoon in talking to them and writing 
 to distant points to see if he could get men to fill the 
 places of the strikers. 
 
 He sent word that he would not be home to dinner, 
 but that his carriage should call at six o clock in the 
 evening, as usual, to take him home. 
 
112 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 Major Ashcraft looked at his watch at six o clock, 
 and the carriage had not come. At seven he said to 
 himself: 
 
 "I will have to get home some way, if I have to 
 walk!" 
 
 . All the office force had been gone for an hour and 
 he stepped out, pulling the door after him, which 
 latched. As he walked down his office steps he saw 
 a man skulking in the shadows of the house, who, when 
 he saw The Major, went off in great haste. 
 
 "There is some deviltry going on I" uttered The 
 Major. "I guess I will go down to the Hinsdale Hotel 
 and Frank will send me home;" and he started down 
 the street. 
 
 He had not gone far when he saw a half dozen 
 men approaching him from the opposite side of the 
 street, as if to head him off, and he heard one say: 
 
 "There goes the damn capitalist, who will not give 
 his men enough to live on; let s get him!" 
 
 He could see that some of the men had sticks and 
 he was sure they meant him bodily harm. The Major 
 had won quite a number of prizes at college for his 
 swiftness of foot, and he was sure, even now, as old 
 as he was, he could run as fast as most men; so he 
 started to run, to see if he could reach the Hinsdale 
 Hotel and safety. 
 
 "We ll teach him a lesson! That s the dam risto- 
 erat!" shouted one of the six men as they took after him. 
 
 Though The Major distanced most of them, two 
 young men with sticks pressed forward at his heels, and 
 one of them, just as he was opposite Colonel Berry s old 
 burnt brewery, struck him on the head with his stick 
 and down The Major fell. But something happaned to 
 the two men. A shower of bricks came from the dark 
 ness of the old ruins, one of which struck the first 
 striker in the stomach and laid him out, and another 
 struck the second striker in the head, with the same 
 result. A stout man sprang out of the shadows, seized 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 113 
 
 The Major under the arms and dragged him into the 
 darkness of the ruins. 
 
 "Come quick, Tommy; I hear the other strikers com 
 ing! We ll take him into the Snickuls and Tommy 
 Club!" 
 
 The other four strikers came up and saw the two 
 young men lying stretched out on the ground, and one 
 exclaimed: 
 
 "How in hell did that happen, and where s Ashcraft? 
 I saw him go down! Look out, fellows! Somebody s 
 there who can throw bricks pretty hard! We ll take 
 these men away and lay for those who ever it is!" and 
 they carried the two prostrate young men up the street. 
 
 Snickuls and Tommy had Major Ashcraft laid out 
 on the lounge. He was unconscious and Snickuls felt 
 a great lump on the side of his head, where the striker 
 had struck him. 
 
 "Look in that table drawer, Tommy, and get that 
 bottle of whisky. Put some in a glass and I will pour 
 it down him. If he begins to come to I will put him 
 on his feet and get him home somehow. I will take 
 him a roundabout way, so those strickers will not see 
 us," said Snickuls, taking the whisky from Tommy and 
 gently pouring some of it into The Major s mouth, who 
 began to revive. "Go, Tommy, steal out and see if 
 you can see any of the strikers. Keep in the dark and 
 they will not be able to see you, Tommy!" 
 
 Tommy went and soon returned, saying: 
 
 "I see them way up to the end of Main Street. 
 There, he is waking up! Gome, Snickuls, if we go 
 out of the other end of the ruins they can t see us!" 
 
 The Major lifted himself partly up and Snickuls 
 helped him to his feet, put the bottle of whisky in his 
 own pocket and he and Tommy half carried and half 
 pushed the dazed Major through the ruins to the other 
 end, where Snickuls whispered: 
 
 "Watch your chance, Tommy, and run for the hotel, 
 and stay away from here for a week, or those strikers 
 
114 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 may catch us! I will get him home some way. Go,, 
 Tommy!" and Tommy disappeared into the darkness. 
 
 Though The Major was dazed by the blow on his 
 head, he could walk, and Snickuls, with his arm around 
 him, led him a roundabout way, trying to get him 
 home. Every few moments he would make The Major 
 take a little out of the bottle of whisky, which seemed 
 to strengthen him. 
 
 After avoiding the city as much as possible and going 
 a long distance in the country, Snickuls brought The 
 Major to the back of his extensive premises, gave him 
 the bottle of whisky, got him over a fence into his 
 own yard, and left him. 
 
 In a short time, sitting on the ground, The Major, 
 very weak, seemed to recognize things around him and 
 realized where he was. Staggering to his f?ct hi- took 
 a good swallow from the bottle and that gave him 
 strength enough to reach his residence, where he was 
 soon put to bed, remaining there a whole week. 
 
 Henrietta, mostly, watched by his bedside and nursed 
 him. "You know, Father, we sent the carriage after 
 you, as directed, at six o clock, but the strikers stopped 
 our coachman, made him drive to a stable and locked 
 him up in a room until morning, and then let him go," 
 said she the next day to him in bed. 
 
 "Who the man was that brought me home and where 
 he brought me from, I do not know. It seems to me 
 I heard a boy s or woman s voice a good deal and that 
 man gave me whisky; but it was absolutely necessary 
 in order to give me some strength," said The Major. 
 
 "Well," remarked Henrietta, "you must acknowledge 
 that whisky is good for some things. You say that it 
 was absolutely necessary, Father, to give you strength; 
 then is it not in the position or condition of all food, 
 which is given to us for our strength and sustenance? 
 Whisky is necessary, Father, and somebody has to make 
 it, and why do you say such hard things against those 
 who make it? 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 115 
 
 "Whoever made that whisky you took, Father, 
 undoubtedly saved your life." 
 
 The Major said nothing for a moment and then 
 quietly said: "That is true." 
 
 Henrietta went to the table, brought the whisky 
 bottle and held it up before her father and it read: 
 Old Rye Whisky, 
 
 Made by 
 
 Berry & Son, 
 
 Batesville, Yorksylvania. 
 
 The Major took the bottle from her hand and looked 
 at the label long and seriously; then handed it back to 
 Henrietta, turned his face to the wall and went to sleep. 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 A rap came at Alvin Berry s office door and he 
 opened it. A clerk handed him a card which read: 
 
 Morris Walsh, Business Agent, 
 United Brewers and Distillers Workmen No. 6. 
 
 "Tell him to come in," said Alvin, and soon Walsh 
 entered the office and was seated. 
 
 "Excuse me, just a moment," said Alvin, as he 
 stepped into Colonel Berry s office, who was seated at 
 his desk, and whispered in his ear. 
 
 "Give him a check on Wiscago for five hundred dol 
 lars and tell him you will send the balance, if he will 
 do what was proposed," answered The Colonel. 
 
 Alvin went back to Walsh, and they talked confi 
 dentially for some time. At last Alvin took a check 
 book from his drawer and wrote a check, as follows: 
 $500.00 Batesville, Yorksylvania, June 27, 1887. 
 
 WISCAGO NATIONAL BANK. 
 
 Pay to the order of Morris Walsh 
 
 Five Hundred Dollars 
 
 No. 1626. BERRY & SON. 
 
 Walsh took the check, read it slowly, folded it up 
 and put it into his pocket. In a few moments he arose 
 and said: 
 
116 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 "You will find that I am a square man, and there 
 will be no trouble whatever, or disturbance, as far as 
 you are concerned," and Walsh left. When he had 
 gone Alvin s lip curled and walking into his father s 
 office he said: 
 
 "Well, Father, I settled it with him; but is it not 
 a shame that the world has to be afflicted with such 
 people!" 
 
 The Colonel put down his pen, looked at Alvin affec 
 tionately, and answered: "There is a great deal of 
 trouble, Son, in this world;" then he laid back in his 
 chair and closed his eyes, while Alvin s hand rested on 
 his shoulder. 
 
 It was only a partial strike in Major Ashcraft s 
 works. Vanski had only done what he did to show 
 his power, and then told the men to remain away from 
 work and keep quiet, temporarily. His idea was that 
 The Major would accede to his terms soon and send 
 for him. If he did not hear from The Major in a couple 
 of weeks, then he would let loose the dogs of war in 
 earnest. 
 
 The city had been very quiet for several days and 
 the streets were in normal condition. Henrietta Ash- 
 craft ventured down-town to her milliners and met one 
 of her young lady friends, who asked: 
 
 "How is your father getting, Henrietta?" "Oh, he 
 is about well, now, but Dr. Diddle will not let him 
 come out yet," answered she. 
 
 "Henrietta," said the other girl, "I want to tell you 
 something I heard today. It was that May Creighorn is 
 engaged to marry Alvin Berry." 
 
 A short cry came from Henrietta, as she closed both 
 hands tightly and drew them up to her body; but she 
 fumbled in her dress and pretended as if something 
 sharp in her clothes had stuck her. 
 
 "You see," went on the girl, "Alvin had a Tally-ho 
 party last Sunday and May Creighorn sat by him all 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 117 
 
 the way to Scalp Lock Mountain, as he drove there and 
 back, and they were together all day in the mountains. 
 The girls say that is the time he proposed to her. Of 
 course I do not know if this is true; but I heard it. 
 Come to see me, Henrietta! There is someone waiting 
 for me at the door! Good-bye!" and the girl was gone. 
 
 Henrietta stood so long in a rigid position, uncon 
 scious to all around her, that the women in the store 
 looked at her and wondered. Then she came to herself 
 with a start and gasp and hurried from the store. 
 
 On her way home in the carriage she was exceed 
 ingly restless; but she reasoned: 
 
 "It cannot be wondered at that Alvin should pay 
 attention to some other girl. My father has forbidden 
 me to have anything to do with him and he knows it. 
 All my family and connections are trying to destroy 
 his father s and his business, and their reputation also; 
 and is it any wonder that he should turn from me to 
 some other girl? But to think that it should be to a 
 girl, who had stood in her way and tried to thwart 
 her all her life, from childhood; it was too much!" 
 
 She stamped her foot and exclaimed, with a deter 
 mined look: "May Creighorn shall not have him! She 
 shall not have him!" Did you hear the awakening of 
 the tigress? 
 
 The evenings were long and the light of day slow in 
 departing. After supper Henrietta left her father, Miss 
 Askwitch and Mrs. Jane Bowink on the front porch, 
 went down the front steps, over the beautiful lawn 
 to the front fence, where there was a long line of 
 flower-bearing bushes, skirting the inside of the fence to 
 such an extent as to hide entirely an inside view from 
 the street. 
 
 She was very restless, but she wanted to procure 
 some flowers to put in her beautiful hair. As she 
 stood there plucking some flowers she heard a rumbling 
 sound and, peeping through the thick hedge, whom 
 should she see, driving slowly by in his buggy, but 
 
118 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 Alvin Berry. He stopped and looked carefully toward 
 the porch and put his hand on his heart. Then he 
 looked up the street and down the street and appar 
 ently saw no one, for he put the two front fingers of 
 his right hand to his lips and threw a short kiss toward 
 her father s house. 
 
 It was a slight action and it was done quickly, but 
 it spoke volumes to Henrietta, and a thrill of happiness 
 went through! her being but what was that heavy 
 tramp coining? Suddenly May Greighorn rode up on 
 horseback to the side of Alvin s buggy and she 
 exclaimed, laughingly: 
 
 "I was taking my afternoon ride and saw you at 
 a distance and thought I would see if I could catch 
 you before you would get home. You certainly have a 
 beautiful and fast trotter in your buggy!" 
 
 A shadow, at first, flitted across Alvin s face and 
 then he held out his hand to her. How the blood 
 seemed to surge in the opposite direction in Henrietta s 
 veins! and how the fire seemed to shine out of her eyes 
 as she looked through the hedge at May Creighorn! 
 
 "Yes," said Alvin, "Henrietta is beautiful and a use 
 ful animal, and he stroked her horse s head, which 
 stood close up to his wheels. 
 
 "Henrietta! Henrietta!" exclaimed May Creighorn, 
 with a disdainful and reproachful look. "Why do you 
 give her that name?" 
 
 A quick smile passed over the face of the concealed 
 Henrietta, but passed away as quickly. Alvin answered: 
 
 "Some five or six years ago she was a colt and I 
 was that many years younger, also. Miss Henrietta 
 Ashcraft and I were quite intimate then and I named 
 my colt after her, and she has borne that name ever 
 since." 
 
 Another smile came over the concealed Henrietta s 
 face, and a frown came over May Greighorn s, who said: 
 
 "I thought you might name her after me! I want 
 to tell you something I heard today, which came from 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 119 
 
 good authority, and that is Major Ashcraft is determined 
 Henrietta shall marry that fellow, Albert Luxy, and they 
 are engaged. But that is neither here nor there, Cap 
 tain. Say, I want to take a long horseback ride tomor 
 row afternoon. Would you not go with me and be my 
 escort?" 
 
 Here the concealed Henrietta gripped her flowers 
 so violently that they were crushed and ruined. 
 
 "Well, I am highly complimented by you," said 
 Alvin, "but I have some important business to attend 
 to tomorrow afternoon. Could you not make it some 
 other time?" 
 
 "No, Captain, it is such fine weather now, and I 
 want you to take me to The Misty Abyss, that I have 
 heard so much of. They say it is such a beautiful spot, 
 at Scalp Lock Mountain, and I want to see it. Come, 
 Captain, put off your business until some other day; 
 please do!" exclaimed May, and she gave him such a 
 smiling, winning look that Alvin could not refuse, and 
 said: 
 
 "All right, I will meet you at your gate at three 
 o clock." 
 
 "Be sure to come now!" said she, smilingly, as she 
 turned her horse s head and rode down the street, 
 and Alvin, looking toward Major Ashcraft s porch, as 
 long as he could, drove slowly to Colonel Berry s great 
 premises next door. 
 
 When she was sure that Alvin was out of sight, 
 Henrietta stamped her foot and said to herself: 
 
 "Scalp Lock Mountain! I will be there, too!" 
 
 The next afternoon Henrietta told Manley, her groom, 
 to have her horse and his ready at the door at two- 
 thirty o clock, for she wanted to take a ride to the 
 mountains. 
 
 Manley was about fifty years old, a good rider and 
 had been a servant in the family since Henrietta was 
 a baby. She kept him waiting for awhile, so it would 
 be nearly three o clock before they started. After she 
 
120 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 and Manley had gotten out of the city into the great 
 macadam road that led up to Scalp Lock Mountain, sure 
 enough not far ahead of them they saw Alvin Berry 
 and May Greighorn riding abreast in close tete-a-tete. 
 
 Henrietta felt so jealous that it seemed she could 
 do most anything to May Greighorn. She felt like 
 riding forward and throwing her off her horse. 
 
 Henrietta had reason to believe that Alvin still cared 
 for her and that if his affection were wandering it was 
 caused by May Greighorn. 
 
 It was not long before the couple ahead disappeared, 
 as they went around a curve in the road that wound 
 around the mountain about half way up. 
 
 When Henrietta had reached three-quarters of the 
 way up, she told Manley to drive into a little grove, 
 hitch the horses, and they dismounted. 
 
 "Now, Manley," said Henrietta, "T want you to stay 
 right here until I return. You know that I used to 
 come here so much, when I was a little girl, that I 
 know every inch of the mountain and every rock and 
 path on it." 
 
 "But you are not going into the mountains alone, 
 Miss Henrietta? That would be dangerous and unwise I 
 and I do not think your father would approve of it!" 
 replied Manley. 
 
 "That is what I wish to do, Manley, and, if you 
 value my friendship, do as I tell you and say nothing!" 
 said Henrietta in an excited and commanding tone. 
 "Well, Miss Henrietta, if you will go alone, take one 
 of these revolvers to protect yourself with!" and he 
 went to his saddlebags, took out a loaded six-shooter 
 and handed it to her, which she put in her sack pocket 
 and left him standing near the horses. 
 
 Henrietta knew the very path that would take her to 
 the Misty Abyss, which was a famous place for lovers. 
 It was a great shelf or ledge of rock projecting from 
 the side of the mountain, from which a view of moun- 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 121 
 
 tains, valleys, a great river, forests and cities could be 
 seen in the distance. 
 
 There were seats on the ledge for visitors and trees 
 implanted in the mountain hung far over them, so as 
 to make a cool shade to those seated and standing below. 
 Only a few feet from where people sat was a perpen 
 dicular fall of two hundred feet, which went down to 
 the rocks and river beneath. 
 
 There was an iron railing at the edge of the preci 
 pice, or abyss, made by chiseling holes in the rock and 
 inserting bars of iron, to which was attached the rest 
 of the iron work that made up the railing. 
 
 On the right and left of this ledge a part of the 
 great cliff were two large rocks, from which two small 
 streams bounded into space and fell below, first appear 
 ing as streams, but spreading into mist as they reached 
 the distance beneath sometimes showing beautiful rain 
 bows all the way from the river up. Hence the name, 
 The Misty Abyss, and appropriately named it was. 
 There was a path leading to the ledge from the right 
 and another one, which was an exit, on the left of 
 where people sat, and there was one that led to the 
 trees and thick bushes that overhung the benches on 
 the ledge. 
 
 Few people who visited The Misty Abyss knew of 
 this last named path; but Henrietta did and she sought 
 it. In a short time she was seated quietly in those 
 thick bushes and trees, where she could see everyone 
 and hear everything that was said by people who occu 
 pied the benches on the ledge below. 
 
 Soon came a young married couple, who passed 
 their time with their arms around each other and in 
 kissing and caressing each other. Then came a young 
 man and lady and they were very decorous as they 
 sat there. Then came Alvin and May Creighorn. How 
 jealous Henrietta was of May, for she looked real pretty 
 and was very becomingly dressed! 
 
122 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 "How beautiful!" exclaimed May, as she went to 
 the edge of The Abyss, leaned against the railing and 
 looked down at rainbow after rainbow. She seemed 
 to have no fear at proximity to danger and, as she 
 leaned over the railing, Alvin had to pull her back. 
 
 "Do not get so close, Miss Greighorn, it is danger 
 ous!" he exclaimed. She replied: 
 
 "Oh, Captain Berry, do not be so childish!" They 
 knew the last couple of young people who came and 
 both Alvin and May commenced to talk to them; then 
 May would spring up from her seat and run to the rail 
 ing and Alvin would take hold of her arm and pull her 
 away, sometimes having to put his arms around her 
 and use his full strength to force her back. 
 
 "Just doing that to make him take hold of her!" 
 whispered the jealous Henrietta. Alvin was now seated 
 and May by his side, so close to him that she was all 
 but in his arms. 
 
 Henrietta instinctively felt around near her side for 
 a rock to throw at her, but her hand struck the hard 
 pistol in her sack pocket. She clutched it and drew 
 it out. How she would like to shoot May and wound 
 her in such a way that she would forever let Alvin 
 alone! 
 
 May at that moment sprang up and cried: 
 
 "Come, Captain, let us go! We have seen enough of 
 this but where are my gloves? I cannot go in the 
 sun without my gloves! I left them on the piano at 
 the hotel. Captain, please go and get them for me 
 and I will wait here!" 
 
 "All right," said Alvin, and he started for the hotel. 
 In a few moments, looking up from her seat, May saw 
 a large, beautiful blue flower, near the little stream 
 on the left that sprang over the rock into space, and 
 which grew out of some soil on the rock, almost above 
 the iron railing, and she exclaimed: 
 
 "What a lovely flower! How I would like to have 
 it to wear in my hair! Could you not get that flower 
 
123 
 
 for me?" She addressed the young man with his girl 
 acquaintance. 
 
 "Oh, Miss Creighorn!" said he, "that would be too 
 dangerous an undertaking! I am sorry, but I will have 
 to refuse." "Well, I am not afraid to get it," said May, 
 "I have often climbed worse places than that!" and 
 she stepped to the end of the iron railing, put one foot 
 on it, caught hold of some grass and roots that clung 
 to the rock, put her foot in a crevice and pulled her 
 self up to the flower and picked it, as she was in a 
 half lying position. The two women held their breath 
 in horror and the men sat paralyzed. 
 
 With the flower in one hand May began to climb 
 down the rock, when her foot slipped from a crevice, 
 the grass and roots to which she clung gave away, and 
 with a wild scream, May Creighorn turned over and 
 over and plunged into The Abyss below! 
 
 The two women, who had watched May, fell into 
 a faint, and the men rushed to the railing, but they 
 could see nothing of her, and Henrietta, dropping her 
 revolver, fled down the side of the mountain to where 
 Manley was, who helped her to mount and they rode 
 rapidly to Batesville. 
 
 Not a trace of May Creighorn was ever found. It 
 was supposed she was killed by striking the rocks on 
 the side of the precipice and fell into the river, which 
 carried her body away. 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 "Extra! Extra! Buy The Trumpet!" shouted a news 
 boy in front of the Hinsdale Hotel. 
 
 "What yer got!" exclaimed Tommy Dust, calling the 
 boy to the entrance door and buying a paper. "Je-ru- 
 sa-lem!" said Tommy, reading: 
 
124 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 INDICTED BY THE GRAND JURY. 
 
 Deacon John Going Indicted for Obtaining Money Under 
 False Pretenses. 
 
 Is Arrested. 
 
 Major Ashcraft Goes On His Bond. 
 
 "Buy a paper from me, Tommy" said another news 
 boy. 
 
 "All right," replied Tommy, handing him a nickel, 
 "let s see what your Clarion says about it," and he read: 
 
 "Deacon Going, one of our most pious and esteemed 
 fellow citizens, with his attorney, I. L. Appeal, visited 
 our office and stated that The Deacon had been indicted 
 and arrested. Deacon Going says he knows the mali 
 cious parties who are instigators of the charge and 
 that it is a case of blackmail on their part in producing 
 false evidence, which he will prove soon in court. 
 
 "It seems incomprehensible to us that a man of 
 Deacon Going s high standing and character should be 
 guilty of any kind of a crime, and we have no doubt 
 that he will be able in every respect to prove his inno 
 cence and overthrow the malicious parties who are 
 trying to do damage to such a good man. 
 
 "The public must know that there is a clique, engaged 
 in certain nefarious ways in this vicinity, that is against 
 all good movements and all good men." 
 
 "My, is not that strong!" exclaimed Tommy, but he 
 recollected Frank Hinsdale s instructions about what 
 is necessary in a hotel boy, held his tongue and took 
 the papers into the hotel. 
 
 "It is perfectly preposterous!" exclaimed Rev. Peter 
 Nostir, as he stood up and spoke to a party of women 
 at one of their church meetings. 
 
 "Yes, perfectly preposterous to bring such a grave 
 and false charge against one of God s Saints! Think 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 125 
 
 of the good that Deacon Going has done in this com 
 munity. A man that always is at church; always at 
 prayer meeting; always at the Temperance Meetings 
 and by his example leads people constantly in the 
 right path!" 
 
 "It is perfectly outrageous!" said Lucy Hurryup. 
 "Horrible!" said another, which was echoed by a dozen 
 women. 
 
 "But The Deacon says he will not only prove his 
 absolute innocence, but will make the guilty parties, 
 who are bringing such infamous charges against him, 
 pay heavy damages for libel before he gets through 
 with them!" continued Rev. Nostir. 
 
 "Good! Good!" exclaimed an aggressive looking 
 woman, which was repeated with emphasis by the 
 crowd. 
 
 "Of course, so long as we have an infamous Rum 
 clique in this county, how can we expect anything else 
 but swearing to such false lies, to bring about the 
 destruction of the purest men that are opposed to them!" 
 said Lucy Hurryup. 
 
 "That s so! There is no doubt about who is at the 
 bottom of it!" exclaimed the aggressive woman, "is it 
 not like all their works of The Devil?" 
 
 "Like all their works of The Devil?" chimed in the 
 rest of the women. 
 
 "But, sisters," went on Rev. Nostir, "in our hours 
 of trouble in this world we must uphold the hands of 
 The Saints; we must put our arms around our beloved 
 brother and uphold him against the false charges 
 brought against him, lift him over The Slough of 
 Despond and bring him into The Promised Land of 
 Innocence!" 
 
 All the sympathy and influence of the churches; 
 all the influences and sympathy of the W. G. T. U. 
 and their organ, The Clarion, were brought to the aid 
 of Deacon John Going. 
 
126 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 Judge Elmira Sims sat on the bench of The District 
 Court; the Clerk was at his desk; the Bailiffs were in 
 their positions; the prisoner, Deacon John Going, with 
 his attorney, I. L. Appeal, sat in the area inside the 
 railing; the Prosecuting Attorney and other lawyers, 
 stenographers and newspaper reporters were at the 
 large table inside the railing also. The twelve jurymen 
 were in their seats and The Court Room was crowded 
 by visitors to its utmost capacity, among whom promi 
 nently appeared the church people and women of the 
 W. C. T. U. 
 
 Lucy Hurryup and Rev. Nostir were strongly in 
 evidence. A voice rang out: 
 
 "The State of Yorksylvania against John Going 
 Obtaining Money Under False Pretenses!" 
 
 The Prosecuting Attorney placed Hiram Brickley on 
 the stand and asked him to state to the jury the cir 
 cumstances that occurred in relation to a lease given 
 by himself and wife to John Going for a Boarding 
 House; which Mr. Brickley did in a very clear and 
 earnest manner. The Prosecuting Attorney then read 
 a copy of the lease, handed to him, to the jury. 
 
 "Was there any trouble between you and Deacon 
 Going about signing the lease?" asked the Prosecuting 
 Attorney, and if there was tell us what it was." 
 
 "Yes, sir; I would not sign it at first," answered 
 Brickley, "because I did not believe myself and wife 
 could make $100.00 per month above expenses, if we 
 would keep the rooms full, which Deacon Going said 
 we could." 
 
 "And what induced you at last to sign the lease?" 
 asked the Prosecuting Attorney. 
 
 "Deacon Going said to me: If you will sign the 
 lease, I positively guarantee that you shall make $100.00 
 per month, clear, above all expenses, in the Boarding 
 House, if your wife will keep the rooms full, " answered 
 Mr. Brickley. 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 127 
 
 "Did you keep the rooms full, and what kind of 
 prices did you rent them for?" was asked of Mr. 
 Brickley. 
 
 "Yes, sir; the rooms were full always and we asked 
 the prevailing prices for room rent," was the answer. 
 
 "And how did you come out, Mr. Brickley?" said 
 the Prosecuting Attorney. 
 
 "After running the house three months, with every 
 room full, we found we could not make one cent, when 
 we paid Deacon Going his rent and ordinary expenses," 
 answered Brickley. 
 
 Then the Prosecuting Attorney turned the witness 
 over to defendant s Attorney; but, to his surprise, the 
 latter let Brickley leave the chair without questioning 
 him and called for John Going to take the witness chair. 
 
 The Court officials had allowed the Rev. Nostir and 
 Lucy Hurryup to come inside the railing and sit on the 
 bench with Deacon Going and, when he was called, 
 they gave him sympathetic smiles, as if to say: 
 
 "Now see how the good man will do the other side 
 up!" 
 
 Deacon Going took the witness chair with an air 
 of injured innocence and confidence and his attorney 
 began to question him: 
 
 "Tell the jury, Deacon Going, the occurrences that 
 led to Mr. Brickley signing the lease." 
 
 Deacon Going answered: 
 
 "Well, Mr. Brickley came to me at my office and 
 said: My wife and I would like to rent that Boarding 
 House. I said: You know what the rent is and you 
 and your wife will have to sign the lease. He got his 
 wife to sign it before a Notary Public and he brought 
 the lease to me and signed it." 
 
 His attorney then asked: "Were there any prom 
 ises, agreements, guarantees or stipulations made to or 
 with Mr. Brickley, outside the written instrument, 
 before he signed the lease?" 
 
128 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 "None whatever!" answered The Deacon with a con 
 fident and positive tone, and it was reflected in the faces 
 of Rev. Nostir, Lucy Hurryup and all The Deacon s 
 friends in The Court Room. 
 
 "Take the witness," said The Deacon s Attorney to 
 the Prosecuting Attorney, who looked Deacon Going 
 steadily in the eyes and exclaimed in a loud voice: 
 
 "Now, Deacon Going, you have put your hand on 
 God s word the Holy Bible and sworn before God 
 and man that you will tell the truth, the whole truth 
 and nothing but the truth! Now you know while you 
 sit there that when you said, None whatever, it is a 
 deliberate lie!" 
 
 The Deacon squirmed in his chair and his attorney 
 jumped up and said to The Judge, excitedly, "Oh, I 
 object, Your Honor!" 
 
 The jury bent forward in their seats with keen 
 interest and the whole Court Room was disturbed and 
 in a state of excitement, especially the W. C. T. U. 
 crowd, who showed great indignation in their faces 
 and protests in an undertone. 
 
 "Order in Court!" shouted the Bailiff, and everything 
 was quiet again. 
 
 It is not easy, under any circumstances, to discon 
 cert a Real Estate Agent, especially one of Deacon 
 Going s experience. He soon gained his self-composure 
 and confident he knew where he stood he thought the 
 Prosecuting Attorney was trying to browbeat him into 
 some expression that would be to his disadvantage, 
 and he concluded to stick to exactly what he said. 
 
 The Prosecuting Attorney continued: 
 
 "Now, Deacon Going, I ask you again, in the words 
 of your attorney: Were there any promises, agree 
 ments, guarantees or stipulations made to or with Mr. 
 Brickley, outside the written instrument, before he 
 signed the lease ?" 
 
 In a defiant and determined voice Deacon Going 
 answered: "None whatever 1" 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 129 
 
 "Bravo!" whispered Lucy Hurryup to Rev. Nostir, 
 to which he replied: "Praise The Lord!" 
 
 When Deacon Going left the witness chair his attor 
 ney chuckled to himself and began to formulate his 
 address to the Jury, for he thought that his case was 
 practically won. Suddenly he saw the Prosecuting 
 Attorney whisper to one of the Bailiffs, who called out 
 in a loud voice: 
 
 "Mr. Snickuls! Step forward!" 
 
 There was a great stir in the Court Room as Snickuls 
 pushed his way through the crowd and came up to 
 the witness stand to be sworn. It was a study to notice 
 the expressions on the faces of Deacon Going, his 
 attorney, Rev. Nostir and Lucy Hurryup. It seemed 
 as if they were perfectly non-plused and did not know 
 what to think. 
 
 In a few moments, however, their confident air 
 forsook them and a troubled expression came over the 
 face of The Deacon. Snickuls looked clean and had 
 the appearance of an honest, respectable citizen. That 
 was the private opinion of the Judge, as he analyzed 
 his face and form in the chair, and the jury all knew 
 him, though unbeknown to each other. 
 
 The Foreman of the Jury recollected that several 
 years before a man brought his son on his back from 
 the woods, a distance of several miles, the boy being 
 badly shot in the leg by a gun. It was Snickuls who 
 brought him. Another juryman remembered when his 
 wife was seriously ill and he had no one to send after 
 a doctor, Snickuls went. 
 
 The wife of one juryman could not get her scat 
 tered chickens into the yard; Snickuls got them in for 
 her. The little dog of one of the juryman s girls was 
 lost for a week; Snickuls found it and brought it back 
 to her, and there was not one of the twelve who did 
 not recollect some unpretentious kindness that that man 
 on the witness stand had done him in the last few 
 vears. 
 
130 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 Snickuls took his seat in the witness chair and 
 glanced over the Court Room. He caught the eye of 
 Tommy Dust in the crowd, who smiled at him with 
 that undemonstrative smile that meant so much, and 
 that Snickuls so highly appreciated. 
 
 The Prosecuting Attorney addressed himself to 
 Snickuls and said: 
 
 "Mr. Snickuls, on April 25th, last, about two o clock, 
 where were you?" 
 
 Snickuls answered in a quick, steady, intelligent 
 voice: "I was asleep and awoke in a covered wagon, 
 which was in an open lot, and it stood right near 
 Deacon Going s office window." 
 
 The Deacon s attorney gave The Deacon a surprised 
 and inquiring look; Lucy Hurryup and Rev. Nostir 
 exchanged glances of wonder and she bent over to 
 The Deacon and whispered: 
 
 "Impeach that man as a witness 1 He is a common, 
 everyday drunkard, and has been for years!" Attorney 
 Appeal drew close to them and heard what they said, 
 and addressed The Court: 
 
 "Your Honor, before going any further, we wish to 
 protest against accepting this man as a witness, for he 
 is a common drunkard and has been for years. There 
 is not a day in the year that he is not drunk and his 
 testimony on any subject is not worthy of consider 
 ation!" 
 
 The jurymen began to frown and squirm for some 
 unknown reason and The Judge said: 
 
 "He looks like an intelligent citizen, but I will listen 
 to argument on both sides. Make your reasons, Mr. 
 Appeal, more particular for throwing out his testi 
 mony !" 
 
 The Deacon s attorney went on: 
 
 "Well, Your Honor, you know the excessive use of 
 alcohol dulls the intellect, destroys the memory, makes 
 imbeciles, disturbs the mind and senses and ruins the 
 mental and physical constitution. 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 131 
 
 "Now when a man like this is placed on the witness 
 stand to tell something that happened in the past, if 
 he is in his normal condition, which is either in a 
 state of stupor or of disturbed imagination, how can he 
 recollect anything that transpired at a given time cor 
 rectly? And if he is in an abnormal condition, from a 
 superabundance of drink, certainly his mind is so 
 incapacitated that it could not recollect things correctly. 
 
 "This man, being a habitual excessive drunkard 
 daily, and we may say hourly, Your Honor, we pro 
 test against accepting any of his statements as evi 
 dence!" 
 
 The Prosecuting Attorney replied: 
 
 "Your Honor, this man Snickuls, though he drinks 
 a good deal, is noted as one of the greatest wits in this 
 region. It is a fact that Your Honor and any well edu 
 cated and posted man knows, that very many of the 
 greatest men who ever lived were a good deal of the 
 time under the influence of liquor. 
 
 "How many great battles have been won by hard 
 drinkers; how many great orations have been delivered; 
 how many great novels and poems composed, and how 
 many business plans made and carried out? 
 
 "I deny, Your Honor, that any exact rule or broad 
 statement can be laid down that liquor acts the same 
 on all men. Some it makes dull and some exceedingly 
 bright. I know a statesman, whose brilliancy and rep 
 utation as an orator is nation-wide, who never attempts 
 any great speech without taking a drink, and he takes 
 a good one!" Then The Judge and Jury smiled and 
 the W. C. T. U. people frowned. "This man in the 
 witness chair has lived in this community for years; 
 he has never done a wrong act; never been in a con 
 dition that he could not take care of himself; never 
 been a charge to the community and is noted for his 
 wit and bright sayings all over the county. 
 
132 
 
 "What constitutes good citizenship, what constitutes 
 rectitude, and what constitutes reliability, if this man 
 has it not? 
 
 "If you throw out the testimony of this man, Your 
 Honor, you would have to throw out the testimony if 
 on that stand today of thousands of the greatest men 
 that ever lived!" 
 
 The Prosecuting Attorney finished and in intense 
 silence the eyes of the whole room were fixed on The 
 Judge. 
 
 "The witness is accepted!" said The Judge emphat 
 ically. 
 
 The Prosecuting Attorney questioned Snickuls again: 
 
 "You say you were asleep in the wagon, near Deacon 
 Going s office window. What waked you up? Just 
 give us a statement of what happened." 
 
 Snickuls told The Court and Jury just what he 
 saw and heard while in the wagon. 
 
 "Now, Mr. Snickuls, listen carefully: Did you hear 
 Mr. Brickley say to Deacon Going: Have you no honor 
 .about you? Did you not guarantee, positively, before 
 I would sign the lease, that we would clear over $100 
 per month above all expenses? " 
 
 "Yes, sir; that is what I heard him ask," answered 
 Snickuls. 
 
 The Prosecuting Attorney went on: "What did 
 Deacon Going reply, Mr. Snickuls?" 
 . "He said," continued Snickuls: Yes, I did guaran 
 tee it, but you and I were alone, and there were no 
 witnesses; so you see that does not count, as my word 
 is just as good as yours! " 
 
 A pallor was creeping over the face of Deacon Going 
 and there was consternation in the ranks of his friends. 
 
 The Prosecuting. Attorney continued: 
 
 "Why are you so positive that Deacon Going made 
 the guarantee in those words?" 
 
 "Well," answered Snickuls, "I thought it was so 
 cruel in Deacon Going, to do that way, that I wrote 
 
COLONEL BERRY S; CHALLENGE 133 
 
 it down in this book before I left the wagon." The 
 book was a small memorandum book, written in with 
 a pencil. It was handed to The Judge and Jury, 
 to examine and they saw that it contained the exact 
 words of Deacon Going. 
 
 The Jury brought in a verdict against Deacon Going 
 of "Guilty," and the culmination of the suit was he 
 was given a suspended sentence of one month in jail, 
 and had to pay Mr. Brickley $100 profit per month for 
 the term of the lease. 
 
 CHAPTER XX. ; 
 
 "Father," said Alvin Berry, coming into Colonel 
 Berry s Library, at home, where the latter sat reading, 
 "I have sad news. Gabrielle Putney, the sister of my 
 college roommate, writes me that Ralph is dying of 
 Typhoid Fever and wants to see me!" 
 
 "That is too bad," answered The Colonel, looking 
 up from his papers very seriously. "You had better- 
 go right away. If you are a man s friend you will go 
 to him in time of trouble, and he will come to you 
 when you are in trouble, if he is your friend." 
 
 "You know, Father, the Berry Zouaves have an- 
 invitation and engagement to go to the Interstate 
 Encampment next week. Who is going to be Captain, if 
 I go to Ralph?" 
 
 "Never mind The Encampment, Son; go and look 
 after your friend and I will get someone. I know a 
 Captain Maynard, of The National Guard, who will go 
 with them, if I ask him." 
 
 "All right, Father," said Alvin, who kissed his 
 father s brow and left the room. 
 
 When Colonel Berry got down-town he drove up 
 in front of the Hinsdale Hotel and sent a boy in for 
 Tommy Dust, who came hurrying out. 
 
 "Tommy," said The Colonel, "how soon can you find* 
 Snickuls for me?" 
 
134 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 "In about half hour, I think," answered Tommy. 
 "Well, do so, please, Tommy, and tell him I would like 
 to see him as soon as possible," added The Colonel, 
 giving him a quarter, and he drove away to his office 
 in the big distillery. 
 
 It was not long before there came a knock at his 
 door and Snickuls was admitted. The Colonel grasped 
 his hand heartily and held it and then made him sit 
 down near him at his desk. They talked together for 
 some time and Snickuls left. 
 
 In about two hours an officer of the rank of Captain 
 presented himself at the outside office railing and 
 handed in his card for Colonel Berry. The most notice 
 able part of the officer was his heavy moustache. His 
 card was taken in to The Colonel, who read: 
 
 Captain Walter Maynard, 
 Yorksylvania National Guard. 
 
 In a short while Colonel Berry went out with 
 Captain Maynard and took him to The Armory, where 
 he was introduced to the \principle members of The 
 Berry Zouaves. The Colonel told the soldiers how 
 Captain Berry had to go to his dying friend and that 
 Captain Maynard would command them at The Encamp 
 ment. 
 
 That afternoon there was a drill on The Common 
 and it drew- a large crowd of citizens, as usual. One 
 young lady, of a party of young men and young ladies, 
 exclaimed as the soldiers marched here and there: 
 
 "Look at the new Captain! Is he not fine? I won 
 der who he is and where he came from?" 
 
 "They say his name is Captain Maynard," answered 
 a young man. 
 
 "He is surely fine, but not quite the equal of Captain 
 Berry," said another girl. 
 
 "How much he looks like somebody I know!" 
 exclaimed another girl. "And like I know!" answered 
 two or three; but none could :tell whom the new Captain 
 looked like. 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 135 
 
 Captain Maynard went to The Encampment with 
 The Berry Zouaves and when he came back there was 
 great praise of him by the men. They said he was a 
 strict disciplinarian, but they all liked him. It was 
 strange how quickly he disappeared when he got back. 
 
 Alvin Berry staid two weeks at his friend s bedside, 
 who, after everyone had given him up, had a turn for 
 the better and steadily improved. When Alvin left he 
 was able to be up. Gabrielle, his sister, said that Alvin s 
 cheering words were what saved his life. 
 
 "Paper?" cried a weak voice standing against the 
 wall of the building, "Paper, Miss?" 
 
 Henrietta Ashcraft, who was passing along Main 
 Street, saw a little hunchbacked crippls on crutches, 
 holding out a paper to her. He looked so pale and 
 weak that she stopped and spoke to him: 
 
 "You poor little fellow!" she exclaimed, "here is a 
 dime! Keep your paper! Do you sell many?" 
 
 The cripple answered: "No ma am. I could sell 
 lots of em, but ther other boys run faster than me 
 and get there first." 
 
 "Poor fellow," said Henrietta, "what is your name 
 and where do you live?" "Me name s Crutches; that s 
 what ther boys calls me. That s all ther name I got. 
 Colonel Berry let me sleep over Berry Saloon No. 23." 
 
 "Who is that other boy with you, Crutches?" 
 
 "That s me pardner," answered Crutches, "and when 
 he makes something we divides," said the cripple, as 
 he handed the other boy five cents. 
 
 "Well, I will give him ten cents, also, and then he 
 can divide with you," said Henrietta, giving the other 
 boy a dime, and she went on down the street, leaving 
 the little fellows smiling and looking gratefully after 
 her. 
 
 Since so prominent a member of The Prohibition 
 Party as Deacon Going had been so publicly disgraced 
 
136 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 by the suit against him for obtaining money under 
 False Pretenses, that party had not been quite so aggres 
 sive; but they were numerous persons, especially among 
 the women, who declared secretly, if not openly, that, 
 "Judge Sims had no business to take the testimony of 
 a low-down drunkard as evidence against so good a 
 man as Deacon Going!" 
 
 Lucy Hurryup said The Deacon was a persecuted 
 Saint and Rev. Nostir put his hands together piously 
 and exclaimed: "The Lord allows the wiles of The 
 Devil to overcome His children for awhile, but He at 
 last leads His sheep into pastures green!" 
 
 Deacon Going went to prayer meeting, church and 
 W. C. T. U. meetings as he always did, but, though his 
 A a mens were not quite so loud as they had been 
 for awhile, they were there all the same. 
 
 Mayor Homer, as one of the prominent members of 
 The Prohibition Party, had not let up in his efforts to 
 harrass the liquor dealers. He told the policemen to 
 keep on the alert for breakers of the law and set 
 private detectives to work also. 
 
 "Alvin," said Colonel Berry, stepping into his son s 
 office, "I do not know what to think of that barkeeper, 
 Briggs, at Saloon 23, for his reports and accounts are 
 always so tangled that I cannot make heads or tails out 
 of them. I do not like to discharge him, for I think 
 he is honest, but he just does not seem to have common 
 sense." 
 
 "All right, Father, I will go down there tonight and 
 see if I can straighten him out," answered Alvin. 
 
 One night, about half-past eleven o clock, Henrietta 
 Ashcraft was in her father s carriage, coming from a 
 musical entertainment held at the residence of a friend 
 just beyond the city limits. 
 
 The coachman was driving fast and almost ran over 
 a boy, sitting in the road crying and mourning. 
 
137 
 
 "Stop!" said Henrietta, "and let me see what is the 
 matter with that boy!" The coachman drove back to 
 the side of the boy who sat in the road and Henrietta 
 asked : 
 
 "What is the matter, little boy?" "I m sick, an me 
 pardner, Crutches, is dyin . He s most gone!" said 
 the boy. "Crutches! Crutches! That is the little crip 
 pled newspaper boy, is it not?" exclaimed Henrietta. 
 The boy answered with difficulty, putting both hands 
 on his stomach: 
 
 "Yes, ma am. Oh, I feel so sick, an Crutches is 
 dyin !" "Where did you say Crutches is?" asked Hen 
 rietta. 
 
 "Up a stairs on side of ther Saloon 23, over there, 
 all by himself, dyin , in a room," answered the boy. 
 
 "Tie the horses, John, to that tree and put the boy 
 in the carriage and then come with me!" commanded 
 Henrietta. 
 
 John tied the horses, put the boy in the bottom of 
 the carriage and he and Henrietta started for the 
 saloon, she telling the boy: 
 
 "I will send this man back in a few minutes to 
 take you to The Doctor, as soon as I see how Crutches 
 is. Keep right still now, until he comes back!" 
 
 Henrietta and John reached the saloon on top of 
 the hill and saw the stairs on the outside of the house. 
 They went up and entered a large room at the top of the 
 stairs. In it were three chairs, a table, a tin basin and 
 a good bed. The floor was bare. 
 
 On the bed lay the cripple with his street clothes 
 on. Henrietta put her hand on his head and whispered 
 to John: "He is just alive and that is all. Go back 
 to the carriage now. Drive to Dr. Biddle s as fast as 
 you can; tell him to take care of that other boy and 
 to come here as quickly as possible, or this boy will 
 be dead!" 
 
 John hurried out, and in a few moments the cripple 
 breathed his last, with Henrietta bending over him/ 
 
138 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 She was pretty sure that Crutches was dead; so she 
 took a chair at the other end of the room and waited. 
 As she sat there she saw that there was a large crack 
 in the floor near and she could hear men s voices below. 
 
 Getting down on her knees and putting her face close 
 to the floor she saw two men with a book, laid out on 
 the bar counter between them, figuring. "Why," she 
 said to herself, "that is Alvin Berry and I guess the 
 other man is the barkeeper." She heard Alvin say: 
 
 "The trouble with you, Briggs, is that you do not 
 
 put your figures down in a line, one under the other; 
 
 they are all zig zag and of course they will not add 
 up straight. 
 
 "Well, please excuse me, Gap n Berry; I ll try to 
 improve. I had very little schoolin ," replied Briggs. 
 
 "That is all right, now, Briggs," said Alvin, "and 
 I will run over your other account." 
 
 The barkeeper asked: "Can I go now, Cap n? It s 
 ten minutes to twelve o clock an most closin time. 
 My wife is quite sick and I ought to be at home." 
 
 Henrietta looked at her watch and it was ten min 
 utes to twelve and Alvin pulled out his watch and 
 remarked: "I have the same time as you, Briggs. Close 
 the front door and lock it and put down the blinds, and 
 I will figure out this account for awhile yet. Go to 
 Berry Saloon No. 1 in the morning and get your key 
 from Jake, where I will leave it on my way home. 
 Briggs locked up, handed Alvin the front door key and 
 went out the back door that opened into a hall that 
 was just off the street. 
 
 Henrietta got up from her knees, walked over and 
 looked at the cripple and thought: 
 
 "He certainly is dead. Ought I to stay here in this 
 room by myself? Some vicious and disreputable per 
 son might walk in on me. I guess I will close and 
 lock that door, until John comes." 
 
139 
 
 She closed the old door and turned the key with 
 difficulty in a very rusty lock. Then she went back 
 to the chair, near the crack in the floor, and sat down 
 and pulled out her watch and it was seven minutes to 
 twelve. A creepy feeling came over her as she thought 
 of being in a room of that kind with a dead body. 
 
 But she was not frightened, so long as Alvin was 
 there below, and she got down on her knees and looked 
 through the crack at him. 
 
 Alvin put the front door key into his pants pocket, 
 the written account into his inside coat pocket and 
 acted as if he was very tired. He was on the inside 
 of the bar, took a glass, put it on the counter, poured 
 it full of Sherry Wine, drank it and put the glass down. 
 
 All of a sudden she saw a man enter the back door 
 in a very determined manner, step up to the bar in 
 front of Alvin and exclaim: 
 
 "Alvin Berry, you are under arrest for breaking 
 The Midnight Closing Law!" Henrietta exclaimed to 
 herself: "Why, that is Albert!" and the scene below 
 made her heart beat fast. 
 
 "Under arrest, Hell! What do you mean, Luxy?" 
 asked Alvin, looking him steadily in the eye from 
 behind the counter. 
 
 "I mean that it is ten minutes after twelve o clock 
 and you are selling liquor, after midnight, against the 
 law. I saw a man just go out of here, and there are 
 your glasses on the counter!" exclaimed Luxy, throw 
 ing open his coat and showing his shield. "I am an 
 officer of the! law and I arrest you and command you 
 to come from behind that counter and go with me!" 
 
 Alvin looked at him coolly and said, pulling out his 
 watch and showing it: 
 
 "In the first place it is not twelve o clock; it is five 
 minutes to twelve." Henrietta looked at her watch and 
 it was five minutes to twelve. 
 
 "In the second place, Luxy, that was Briggs, the 
 barkeeper, who has just locked up and gone home. 
 
140 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 "In the third place, the bottle and glass on the 
 counter there were used by myself, for I am very tired. 
 
 "In the fourth place, you have no right to invade 
 these premises, when closed up, after or before twelve 
 o clock, without a warrant!" 
 
 Luxy straightened himself up to his full height, 
 tapped his shield with his left hand, held up his finger 
 and said in a loud voice: 
 
 "Did you hear what I said! Alvin Berry? You are 
 under arrest! Gome out of there!" 
 
 Henrietta rushed to the door to try to get out, so 
 she could go down there and save Alvin from arrest; 
 but she could not open the old door, and she rushed 
 back and looked and listened at the crack. 
 
 "Luxy," said Alvin, "you have been a bully ever 
 since you were a little boy, and you are trying to be 
 a bully now; but I am not afraid of your shield. You 
 have no authority, shield or no shield, on these prem 
 ises and, as owner, I order you to take yourself off!" 
 
 Luxy drew a revolver, went behind the bar, caught 
 Alvin by the wrist, pointed at his breast and exclaimed, 
 as he pulled him out into the room: 
 
 "Now I guess you will go with me!" 
 
 Henrietta shuddered. 
 
 Alvin had trained as an athlete for years. He was 
 not quite as heavily built as Luxy, but was confident, 
 with equal advantages, he could conquer him in a 
 tussle. But Luxy had a revolver and Alvin let him 
 pull him out from behind the counter and watched 
 his chance. 
 
 Acquainted with all . the tender parts of the body, 
 from his athletic sports at college, as quick as a flash 
 with his fist Alvin struck Luxy a powerful blow on 
 the muscle of the arm, that held the revolver, just 
 below the shoulder, which- paralyzed the arm momen 
 tarily and the weapon fell from Luxy s grasp to the 
 floor. : . . 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 141 
 
 Then the two men grappled and swayed backward 
 and forward, each seeking to get the advantage of the 
 other and to get the revolver. 
 
 Thoughts of what a great prize Henrietta and her 
 father s large fortune, depending on that struggle to 
 disgrace Alvin Berry passed through Luxy s mind, and 
 Alvin was thinking of the insults Luxy, mostly secretly, 
 had given him. He cherished particularly that article 
 which related to bringing Ella Rowe to Batesville in 
 the night, inspired by Luxy. 
 
 Little did either of the men realize that the object 
 of his affection was looking with beautiful and ter 
 rified eyes down upon them and watching their every 
 motion. 
 
 All of a sudden Alvin tripped and threw Luxy; but 
 the latter jumped up and seized him before he could 
 reach the revolver. 
 
 With joy Henrietta saw Alvin throw Luxy three 
 times, but Luxy was tough. 
 
 Alvin was losing strength and he knew he must 
 do something decisive soon. The long siege of nursing 
 his roommate, who had Typhoid Fever, had sapped his 
 vitality, which he had not fully recovered, and besides 
 he had been on his feet drilling The Berry Zouaves 
 all the afternoon and it had made him very tired. On 
 the other hand, Luxy, who did his work at night, had 
 slept all day, was not long out of bed and was fresh. 
 
 Summoning all his strength Alvin threw Luxy the 
 fourth time near where the revolver lay. The latter 
 showed the effects of the fall, but he rolled over, Alvin 
 on top of him, and grasped the revolver in his rieht 
 hand. 
 
 Henrietta saw Luxy on his back with Alvin on top 
 of him. Alvin seized Luxy s right wrist, of the hand 
 that held the revolver, with his left hand and tried to 
 hold Luxy s hand down, while Alvin s right hand 
 grasped Luxy s left wrist. 
 
142 
 
 The heads of the two men were pretty close 
 together, but Henrietta, being above them, could see 
 every motion. 
 
 Both men struggling with all their strength, Luxy 
 trying to shoot and Alvin trying to keep from being 
 shot, at last Luxy thought he had dead aim at Alvin s 
 chest and pulled the trigger of the revolver, but Alvin s 
 motion changed his aim, the revolver went off, shot 
 Luxy in the eye and he collapsed, holding the revolver 
 until Alvin arose to his feet and then it dropped from 
 Luxy s hand to the floor. 
 
 . Henrietta, horror stricken at the sight of the blood 
 pouring out of Luxy s eye, arose from the crack and 
 rushed to the door and shook it; but it would not come 
 open and she went back to the crack and looked again. 
 
 A policeman on his regular beat heard the shot 
 and came into the saloon at the back door. He saw 
 the situation with horror in his face, and said: 
 
 "Captain Berry, what does this mean?" and he 
 stooped over Albert Luxy and listened for his heart. 
 "He is dead! Captain, you will have to come with me 
 to police headquarters. You seem to be the only one 
 here. I don t care to hear anything about it. You can 
 tell it to The Judge, tomorrow, Captain. We will leave 
 everything as it is for The Coroner!" 
 
 Alvin said nothing, went and got his hat, took a 
 look at the dead man and went out with the policeman. 
 
 Henrietta ran to the door again and shook it hard, 
 but it would not come open. She screamed: 
 
 "Help! Help!" Nobody seemed to hear her. Clasp 
 ing her hands and with terrified look she thought: 
 
 "Where is John, and why does he not come? Is it 
 not horrible, to be here alone! with a dead body in 
 this room, a dead body below and Alvin arrested and 
 carried off and I cannot help him!" 
 
 Her head began to reel. She looked around the 
 room and saw a loose brick in the fireplace, which she 
 with difficulty worked out. Seizing it by one end she 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 143 
 
 smashed and smashed the old lock until it came off 
 and the door came open. 
 
 Wildly Henrietta dashed down the steps and ran 
 as fast as she could, anywhere to get rid of that hor 
 rible place. The night got darker. She thought she 
 was going towards home, but she was going in the 
 opposite direction, out into the country. 
 
 Ill in mind, heart and body Henrietta stumbled on 
 over roads, stones, ruts, bushes, hills and hollows, 
 through the darkness. At last she fell from exhaustion, 
 delirious. 
 
 Let us go back now and see why John, with the 
 carriage, did not come back to Henrietta. 
 
 With the crying newsboy in the bottom of the car 
 riage John drove rapidly off to find Dr. Biddle. As he 
 was passing the short turn of a corner two cats, fight 
 ing, fell off a board fence right under the feet of the 
 horses, which frightened them so that they ran away. 
 John was a good driver, but he could not hold the 
 terrified horses as they dashed onward at a furious 
 speed. A policeman saw them go by and ran after them. 
 
 The horses turned another corner, the wheel struck 
 an iron lamp post, the carriage was wrecked and its 
 occupants thrown against a stone wall. W 7 hen the offi 
 cer reached the wreck he found the boy dead and John 
 unconscious and dying. John died in a few minutes, 
 but he came to enough only to say to the officer, who 
 hell his head from the ground: 
 
 "Miss Hen ri etta!" 
 
 There was consternation in Major Ashcraft s family 
 as n^H^ight passed and Henrietta did not come home, 
 especially as John had been stopped not long before 
 and imprisoned until morning, at the time that Major 
 Ashcraft had been assaulted by the strikers. 
 
 The Major went to The Mayor s house and asked him 
 to furnish him with police protection to go and look 
 for Henrietta. Mayor Homer furnished him with six 
 armed mounted police and they started out. 
 
144 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 Tommy Dust was up late that night at The Hinsdale 
 Hotel. It was half-past twelve, the night clerk was at 
 the desk and he thought he would retire, when Rolf, 
 the regular policeman on that beat, stepped in and 
 went to the desk, saying: "There s been a dreadful 
 smash-up over in the West End of town! The horses 
 of Major Ashcraft ran away, smashed the carriage, killed 
 the driver and a boy with him and Major Ashcraft s 
 daughter is supposed to have been thrown out some 
 where; but they cannot find her and don t know 
 whether she s dead or alive!" 
 
 "Is that beautiful Miss Ashcraft killed?" asked 
 Tommy, with wild eyes. The officer answered: 
 
 "Nobody knows. They think she was in the car 
 riage, with the ones that were killed, and thrown out 
 somewhere." 
 
 Tommy felt so bad at the policeman s words that 
 he went out into the fresh air of the street and in a 
 few minutes he was at The Snickuls and Tommy Club, 
 where he found Snickuls lying on his back snoring. 
 He shook Snickuls and said: 
 
 "Snickuls! Snickuls! Wake up! I ve got something 
 important to tell you!" 
 
 Snickuls sat up quickly, looked dazed, at first, and 
 replied: "I m awake, Tommy, and listening." 
 
 Tommy put his hand on his shoulder, leaned for 
 ward and earnestly said: 
 
 "Snickuls, Major Ashcraft s carriage has just run 
 away, killed the driver and a boy and thrown Miss 
 Ashcraft out somewhere, but nobody could find her I" 
 
 Snickuls looked at Tommy seriously, jumped to his 
 feet, seized his hat, and exclaimed: 
 
 "Come, Tommy, you go to bed and Snickuls will 
 find her." Tommy went back into the hotel and Snick 
 uls dived into the intense darkness of the night. 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 Major Ashcraft with six mounted policemen and a 
 lot of friends had scoured the neighborhood of where 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 145 
 
 the carriage had been wrecked and looked into every 
 street, lane, open yard and every place where they 
 thought the wounded or dead body of his beautiful 
 daughter might be; but he could find nothing and with 
 headache and heartache he sat on horseback, amid the 
 party, at the West End of the town, wondering what 
 to do. 
 
 About half a mile from there, on a country road, 
 as the dawn began to creep into the sky, the figure of 
 a man could be dimly seen slowly moving along. Every 
 few moments he would stoop close to the ground and 
 look and feel with his fingers. 
 
 As the day approached the man moved a little faster 
 and, when it got light, he straightened up and said 
 to himself: 
 
 "It is a woman s footprint, sure!" 
 
 The form was Snickuls and he had been half the 
 night looking for Henrietta Ashcraft. The footprints 
 followed the main road for about a mile and then went 
 on to a side road, which was covered pretty much by 
 grass, and then the footprints were lost. 
 
 He followed this side road for a long distance, when 
 he saw something white on the ground ahead of him. 
 It was a small handkerchief, and Snickuls examined it 
 carefully and saw two letters embroidered in the cor 
 ner. They were: H. A. He put the handkerchief into 
 his pocket and pushed on. There was no more road, 
 only hills and hollows, bushes and woods. He examined 
 the hollows, where it was damp, and found impressions 
 on the dirt, which proved to be a woman s footprint. 
 
 On he went in the direction the footprints pointed, 
 but he lost them again. There was a deep woods in 
 front of him and the underbrush grew thicker and 
 denser every step. He pushed some high bushes aside 
 and what was that over there on the ground. Only 
 part of it could be seen. Forcing his way ahead he 
 came close to it and saw a woman s form, lying face 
 downward. It was Henrietta Ashcraft! 
 
146 
 
 Snickuls tenderly lifted her face from the ground 
 and placed her in a sitting position. She was alive, but 
 how very hot she seemed! Her head fell back against 
 him and she murmured and moaned and moaned and 
 murmured. 
 
 Snickuls found a tree near by, cleared all the brush 
 from under it, made a soft place, took off his coat and 
 made a pillow and carried Henrietta over to it and 
 laid her gently on the rude bed. 
 
 He listened and thought he heard running water, 
 and he did, for a brook was near. Going to it Snickuls 
 took out an old tin cup he always carried, washed it 
 out, filled it with water and brought it to where Hen 
 rietta lay; but she was unconscious and could not drink. 
 
 Wetting her lips he poured the water on her hand 
 kerchief and laid it on her forehead. "Would to God 
 I had somebody to help me!" said Snickuls to hi nself. 
 "It is miles to Batesville and she is dreadful ill! I ll 
 see if I can see a house, somewhere, on the other side 
 of those woods." 
 
 He left Henrietta lying there, crossed the brook, 
 and pushed through the woods, soon coming to an open 
 ing beyond the trees. 
 
 "Yes," he said to himself, "there is a zig zag rail 
 fence and I see a kind of shanty, way off yonder in 
 the clearing." 
 
 When he came up to the fence he saw an ol 1 wo an 
 hoeing some sickly-looking corn. He jumped the fence 
 and was soon by her side. She looked up, eyeJ him 
 suspiciously, and said: 
 
 "What er yer bein doin here, anyway?" 
 
 "There is a very ill young lady lying over thc>re in 
 those woods on the ground, and I would like to see 
 if I can get some help and a wagon to tak her to 
 Batesville," answered Snickuls. 
 
 "There s no help here, cept me. Dad an To ont 
 off early this mornin an won t be back tel to- norry. 
 I ain t owned a wagon fur many a year. Thai s ;> ole 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 147 
 
 cart over thar, but it s mighty rickety, an I wouldn t 
 let yer have that, unliss yer pay me purty well fur it; 
 becase it s all I got," said the old woman. 
 
 "Well, you will be well paid for it; because her 
 peopla are very wealthy," replied Snickuls. 
 
 She looked at him searchingly and asked: 
 
 "If I hitch up my ole hoss an take that gal to town, 
 whatcher goin ter give me?" 
 
 Snickuls did not have much in his pocket, but he 
 pulled out a dollar and handed it to her, saying: 
 
 "There is a dollar for you and you will get well 
 paid when you get to Batesville." 
 
 "A dollar s good money, but I wouldn t hitch up 
 an take any gal ter town between four an five miles 
 less I m well paid fur it!" said the old woman. 
 
 Snickuls followed her and they hurriedly put a half- 
 starved horse into a very dilapidated cart, with wheels 
 not the same size, and it screeched and wobbled when 
 the wheels turned. 
 
 "You get in," said Snickuls, "and I ll walk by the 
 horse s head! I m afraid that cart is not very strong!" 
 
 "No, Hain t very strong. Get up, Jerry" replied the 
 old woman, using a long switch on the horse. They 
 soon arrived at the rail fence, where there were some 
 bars and a kind of gate. 
 
 Snickuls let the bars down and the old woman drove 
 into the woods and to the side of the brook. They 
 had put some corn shucks into the bottom of the wagon 
 and made a kind of bed. He went back to Henrietta, 
 who still moved her beautiful head from side to side, 
 and murmured and moaned. 
 
 Snickuls picked her up carefully and carried her 
 with difliculty to the brook, where he put her gently 
 down for a moment. Then taking her up again with 
 a good hold he walked through the brook, out on the 
 bank and took her to the cart, where the old woman 
 helped him to lay her down on the improvised bed. 
 
148 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 "That s goin ter be a load fur Jerry an ther ole 
 cart. Are yer sure I m goin ter be well paid fur 
 this?" asked the old woman, before she would start 
 
 "Yes," answered Snickuls, "you ll be well paid for 
 it!" and he took hold of the horse s bridle and almost 
 pulled him along, while the old cart squeaked and 
 squeaked, and whenever one of the wheels went into 
 a rut it looked as if it would either turn over or fall 
 to pieces. The old woman wanted to drive, but Snickuls 
 said: 
 
 "You keep the flies off the lady, the sun out of her 
 face and wet her handkerchief and put it on her head 
 now and then, and I ll lead the horse." 
 
 Well it needed leading, for every few moments it 
 would stop and Snickuls would have to force it to go on. 
 
 "My Lord!" exclaimed the old woman, as she inuif- 
 ferently fanned Henrietta, "thar s boun ter be flies; 
 it looks like yer can t get rid uv em; an ther sun will 
 shine an won t hurt nobody. If ther sun would er 
 hurt anybody I d er bin dead thirty year ago, an* tain t 
 goin ter hurt this here gal." 
 
 They had laboriously reached the main road and the 
 horse stopped, when she spoke to Snickuls again, 
 saying: 
 
 "How much yer think I m goin ter git fur this job, 
 Mister? Nuff ter git me er new bonnet?" "Oh, yes, 
 much more," answered Snickuls. 
 
 " Nuff ter git er new dress?" she asked. "Yes, I 
 think so!" said Snickuls, annoyed, as he tried to force 
 the old horse to greater speed. 
 
 "I don t think I d let ther ole boss take ther gal, if 
 I can t get er new dress. Do yer think I ll get any 
 more?" 
 
 Snickuls felt like getting up there and throwing her 
 out of the cart; particularly as she was not paying any 
 attention to Henrietta, who moaned and murmured, but 
 he replied: 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 149 
 
 "Her father is rich and will do what is right with 
 you!" 
 
 The old woman continued, as Snickuls trudged along 
 on the road: 
 
 "I couldn t take ther gal ter town if he wouldn t 
 give me mo er than er dress. This is er kinder purty 
 gal, though, an I think she ll make a good gal fur Tom. 
 He wants er gal. How much yer think I ll git fur this 
 here job?" 
 
 Snickuls was so disgusted he did not know what 
 to do and went and looked at one of the wheels, which 
 looked as if it would soon come off. He thought they 
 must be about two miles from town now and he 
 switched up the old horse again. 
 
 "What s that in yer pocket stickin out?" asked the 
 bid woman of Snickuls, looking over the side of the 
 cart and oblivious of Henrietta entirely. Snickuls put 
 his hand to his pocket and pulled out a flask of whisky, 
 and answered: "That s a little whisky I always take 
 with me." 
 
 "Will yer give me er drink, Mister? I d be much 
 obleeged if yer will. Dad hides his whisky, but I finds 
 it all er same. He says nice women never er drink, 
 but I say women like whisky jest ther same as men, 
 but they s sly about it," said the old woman. 
 
 "Yes," exclaimed Snickuls, "if you will attend to 
 the lady more and help me to get her to town, I will 
 give you a drink," and he handed her the flask. The 
 flask was half full and before he knew it she emptied 
 the bottle with one breath. 
 
 He was indignant with her and, turning, urged the 
 horse on with renewed vigor, when, suddenly, he 
 stepped on an unseen rut in the road and turned his 
 ankle so badly that he fell to the ground and sat there, 
 while the horse stopped. 
 
 ; The old woman continued: 
 
150 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 "My Lord, Mister, that s good whisky ! Better whisky 
 than dad gits. He gets his n in er jug from er moon 
 shiner; but tain t as good as that!" 
 
 Snickuls held his ankle a moment, which pained 
 him greatly, and then got up and forced the horse to 
 go on again. He went on for another half mile, his 
 leg swelling and giving him agony. 
 
 "Wish to God some good team would come along, 
 so I could get her to town!" exclaimed he to himself. 
 Snickuls saw the dust rising from the road ahead of 
 them in the distance and reasons that there must be 
 teams there, and help near at hand. He stopped and 
 said to the old woman: 
 
 "Sit up in front there now and drive this horse to 
 town as quickly as you can. If you meet anyone tell 
 him that this is Major Ashcraft s daughter, who lives 
 in Batesville. 
 
 "Everybody knows Major Ashcraft and everybody 
 will help you. My leg is so swollen I cannot go any 
 farther. Drive on fast now to where that dust is and 
 they will help you! But you are not far from Bates 
 ville anyhow now." 
 
 Snickuls hobbled to the side of the cart and looked 
 at Henrietta, who still moved her beautiful head from 
 side to side and moaned. He fixed her head in a little 
 more comfortable position and then said to the old 
 woman in a commanding tone: 
 
 "Drive on quickly!" and she whipped up her horse 
 and moved down the road. 
 
 Snickuls sank down at the side of the road and 
 held his leg, which pained him greatly, and watched 
 the cart as it pushed forward. Suddenly he saw, a long 
 way off, some horsemen surrounding her cart, who 
 stopped a moment and then they all disappeared around 
 a turn in the road. 
 
 It was Major Ashcraft s party and he was accom 
 panied by Mayor Homer. The time was ten o clock in 
 the morning. Early that morning The Major had 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 151 
 
 offered one thousand dollars reward to anybody who 
 would find his daughter. Having looked thoroughly all 
 over the city, his party thought they would ride into 
 the country and see and hear what they could. 
 
 "Look, Mayor! there is an old woman in a cart, com 
 ing! How strangely she acts!" exclaimed The Major, 
 pointing to the approaching cart. 
 
 The old woman whipped her horse harder and 
 shouted: 
 
 "Say, all of yer men! I ve got yer Major Hashcraft s 
 gal in this here cart an* I want yer ter give me er 
 reward !" 
 
 The horsemen spurred their horses to the side of 
 the cart and there lay the beautiful Henrietta. 
 
 "Good old woman! Noble old woman!" cried The 
 Mayor. "You shall have the reward of one thousand 
 dollars offered, for finding her!" 
 
 The Major had jumped into the cart and taken his 
 daughter in his arms, kissing her over and over and 
 calling her pet names; but, as her head lay on his 
 shoulder, she only turned it from side to side and 
 moaned. 
 
 "One thousand dollars! Why, that ll build me er 
 fine house! That s jist fine! Where s the money?" 
 exclaimed the old woman. 
 
 "Yes," replied The Mayor, "as you found the lady, 
 you are entitled to the reward, and when we get to 
 town I will go to the bank and give you the money!" 
 
 "Of course I found ther gal! She was lyin on the 
 road an I picked her up and bringed her ter town!" 
 The horsemen stopped a good team and wagon 
 approaching and very soon the unconscious Henrietta 
 was at her own home in her own bed, with Dr. Biddle 
 bending over her. 
 
 W T hen The Mayor that afternoon paid the old woman 
 Qne thousand dollars, at the bank, she took it and said: 
 
 "That \vas er tough job ter bring that gal ter town 
 all by myself!" 
 
152 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 That night Tommy Dust went to The Snickuls and 
 Tommy Club and found Snickuls lying on the old 
 lounge on his back. One of his feet had the shoe cut 
 off, which was lying on the floor, and that foot was 
 bandaged up. This foot was on the lounge, greatly 
 swollen, and the other rested on the floor. 
 
 Snickuls was drunk, or mostly so, and, as he lay 
 there, Tommy with alarm questioned him, until he got 
 out of him the occurrences of the day. 
 
 "Now, Snickuls, it s all a lie about what they say 
 about that old woman saving Miss Henrietta. You are 
 the one who did it and nobody else! That s just like 
 you, Snickuls. Everybody imposes on you. You have 
 got to go and get that reward!" exclaimed Tommy, 
 excitedly. 
 
 "No Tom my! Claim a re ward for saving that 
 beau ti hie ful be ing? Re member Tom hie 
 y how she hie sang Je hie sus Lover hie of 
 my Soul? Hie So sweet! so sweet Tom my," and 
 Snickuls was asleep. : 
 
 Tommy bent over him and kissed the tired head and 
 tangled hair, and then looked down with pity on the 
 weary body and crippled foot. 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 When Alvin Berry was conducted to the nearest 
 Police Station, the Sergeant at the desk thought that 
 Captain Berry had just stepped in as a visit or on 
 some business and held out his hand to him, when 
 the couple reached the desk, saying: 
 
 "How do you do, Captain Berry. I am so glad to 
 see you!" 
 
 Alvin took his hand and replied: : 
 
 "I guess you make a mistake, Sergeant; the officer 
 has me under arrest and will explain." 
 
 " Yes," said the policeman at his side, "it is witlr 
 regret I have to enter a charge of murder against 
 Captain Alvin Berry." 
 
153 
 
 He told the circumstances of hearing the pistol shot, 
 entering the back of the saloon and finding Captain 
 Berry standing over the prostrate bleeding body of 
 Albert Luxy, with a pistol on the floor by his side and 
 evidence in the room of a fierce struggle; for tables 
 and chairs were overturned. 
 
 "Of course, Sergeant Ruggles, I give you this for 
 what it is worth. Captain Berry savs he will not say 
 anything only through his attorney," continued the 
 policeman. 
 
 The Sergeant at the desk looked very serious and 
 troubled and replied, looking respectfully at Alvin: "If 
 that is the case, Captain Berry, it will be my painful 
 duty to confine you for the night. You can see that 
 it is our duty, don t you, Captain?" 
 
 "That is all right," answered Alvin, "only give me 
 a piece of paper. I want to write a note to Colonel 
 Berry, my father." 
 
 He took a pen and wrote: 
 
 "Dear Father: They have got me in jail. Do not 
 worry, but get Attorney I. C. Wisdom and come to me 
 and I will tell you both all the circumstances. Break 
 the news to mother as gently as you can. 
 "Affectionately, 
 
 "ALVIN." 
 
 The Sergeant gave him an envelope and he sealed 
 the note up. 
 
 "Now, Phillips," said Alvin, handing the envelope 
 to the policeman,, "if you will give that to my father, 
 in the morning, I will thank you and may be able to 
 do you a favor some day." 
 
 "I certainly will do it, with great pleasure, Captain 
 Berry," exclaimed the policeman, and he went with 
 Alvin to his cell, where the latter was locked up. 
 
 On his way down-town the next morning, in his 
 carriage Colonel Berry rode. His coachman saw a 
 policeman at the corner ahead motion to him to stop. 
 He stepped up to the side of the carriage, took his 
 
154 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 helmet off respectfully and handed The Colonel an 
 envelope, which was the note Alvin wrote the night 
 before at Police Station. 
 
 The Colonel read the note with a start, turned pale 
 and half arose in the carriage, saying: 
 
 "Where is Captain Berry?" The policeman an 
 swered: "They transferred him to the large County Jail 
 in the night, Colonel. Is there anything I can do for 
 you, Colonel?" 
 
 "No, thank you!" answered The Colonel, and he 
 commanded the driver: 
 
 "Drive quickly to Attorney Wisdom s office and then 
 we will go to Alvin!" 
 
 The Colonel thanked the policeman again, who took 
 off his hat as they drove away. 
 
 Attorney Wisdom was on the way to his office in 
 Temple Block. The newsboys came rushing along the 
 street, crying: 
 
 "Paper! Paper! Buy The Clarion! All about The 
 Brutal Murder! Read about Miss Ashcraft Found! 
 Paper! Paper!" 
 
 The lawyer bought a paper and read: 
 
 BRUTAL MURDER. 
 
 Alvin Berry Shoots to Death Albert Luxy in Berry 
 Saloon, Number 23. 
 
 Policeman Joe Phillips heard a pistol shot on his 
 beat, near Saloon Number 23, at midnight last .night. 
 He entered the rear of the saloon and found Albert 
 Luxy on the floor dying from a wound in the head, 
 inflicted by Alvin Berry, who was standing over his 
 victim, apparently unconcerned. Mayor Homer says: 
 
 "I especially deputized Albert Luxy and appointed 
 him detective to run down violators of The Midnight 
 Closing Law, and no doubt he arrested young Berry 
 for breaking the law, who resisted arrest and killed 
 Luxy. Berry is reported to be the most expert pistol 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 155 
 
 shot in the State of Yorksylvania and he has used his 
 skill to a bad end. From all appearances it looks like 
 a brutal murder." 
 
 The next column of the paper was almost as start 
 ling: 
 
 FOUND AT LAST. 
 
 Miss Henrietta Ashcraft. 
 
 The mystery of the disappearance of Miss Henrietta 
 Ashcraft was somewhat dispelled by an old woman, 
 who drove into town with the insensible form of the 
 daughter of our esteemed townsman, Major Ashcraft. 
 
 The old woman says she was driving along the 
 road in her cart, about four miles out from the west 
 end of the city, and saw a woman lying in the road. 
 With great difficulty she got the unconscious form into 
 her cart and brought her to town. 
 
 The thanks of the city are extended to this brave 
 old woman for her arduous task, and she well deserved 
 the reward of one thousand dollars that Mayor Homer 
 paid her. 
 
 The mystery of how Miss Henrietta got there and 
 where she was found is unsolved. It is supposed that 
 she was thrown from her father s carriage on her 
 head, which affected her so that she wandered away 
 all night. We are sorry to learn that Miss Ashcraft is 
 now delirious at her father s home, under care of Dr. 
 Biddle. 
 
 As Attorney Wisdom stood reading he heard the 
 rumbling of a carriage, which drove up to the curb 
 by him and Colonel Berry called out to him: 
 
 "Gome, Wisdom, get into my carriage! I need you 
 at once on important business!" 
 
 The Attorney got in and read Alvin s note, handed 
 to him by The Colonel, as the latter commanded the 
 coachman: 
 
 "Drive to the County Jail!" 
 
156 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 When they arrived at the great wall gate of the 
 jail, several policemen at the entrance saluted them as 
 they got out of the carriage. 
 
 "What part of the building is Captain Alvin Berry 
 confined in?" asked The Colonel. 
 
 "Walk right in, Colonel! Come with me into the 
 office and they will give you full information there," 
 answered one of the big officers, taking them inside 
 and walking up the steps to the office. 
 
 In the jail office the Clerk and Head Jailor paid 
 the greatest deference to the two visitors, and they 
 were escorted along the great corridor until Cell No. 1 
 was reached, which was reserved for distinguished 
 prisoners. The cell door was opened and The Colonel 
 embraced Alvin, kissing him on the cheek. 
 
 Alvin had not slept any during the night and it was 
 not in nature to do so, though his body felt very tired. 
 He sat on the side of his cot and thought to himself: 
 
 "Well, I wonder how I am coming out of this? I 
 know I did not shoot him; but it looks as if I did. If 
 there had only been a witness to the struggle but 
 there was not!" He then laid down and tried to com 
 pose himself, but he could not sleep. Sitting on the 
 bed with his father s arm around him and Attorney 
 Wisdom seated in a chair just in front of him, Alvin 
 told them all the occurrences that took place the night 
 before at Saloon No. 23, where he went to straighten 
 out Bartender Briggs. 
 
 When he had finished Colonel Berry pulled his son s 
 raven head down to his shoulder and kissed it, saying: 
 
 "I believe every word you said, my son!" and Attor 
 ney Wisdom took his hand and exclaimed: "And I do, 
 too, Captain!" 
 
 We will leave them talking there and go to The 
 Berry Zouaves* Armory. Soldiers were standing in 
 groups around on the floor of the great building, talk 
 ing excitedly and running from one to the other. 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 157 
 
 "It is nothing but a Prohibition plot to disgrace our 
 Captain, and damned if we will stand it!" exclaimed 
 Second Lieutenant Ghapin. 
 
 "To Hell with em I" shouted Sergeant Ripples. 
 "We ll storm the jail!" cried another. 
 
 "That we will! Fall in line, men!" commanded 
 First Lieutenant Hopkins. 
 
 Each Berry Zouave rushed to his stack of arms, 
 seized his musket and stood in line, and then the voice 
 of Hopkins rang out again: 
 
 "Attention! Shoulder Arms Forward March!" 
 
 In a few moments The Berry Zouaves were seen 
 running in perfect step about two hundred of them 
 down the street, and before the big policemen at the 
 jail entrance had time to draw their revolvers, at least 
 fifty cocked muskets were leveled at them and bayonets 
 placed at their breasts. 
 
 Lieutenant Hopkins demanded their arms, which the 
 policemen delivered up. The officials on the inside, in 
 the building, had time to close the heavy jail doors 
 and would not open them. 
 
 The Chief of Police came driving toward the jail 
 and saw the long line of Berry Zouaves standing in 
 front of it, with arms at rest, and a group of the Zouave 
 officers and men had possession of the gate entrance. 
 He stopped his horse and looked. Just then one of 
 the disarmed policemen came running up to his buggy 
 and exclaimed: 
 
 "Chief, The Berry Zouaves have disarmed us and 
 they swear, if we do not deliver up their Captain, they 
 will blow up the jail!" 
 
 "Get in my buggy and we will go to the officer in 
 command and see what he says!" commanded The 
 Chief, at the same tying his handkerchief to his whip, 
 as he came toward a couple of sentinels, who stood in 
 the road and cocked their muskets as he approached. 
 
 "What do you want? Stop there!" cried one of 
 them. 
 
158 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 "Want to see officer in command; I am The Chief 
 of Police!" answered The Chief. The Zouave replied: 
 
 "Chief of Police be damned! Get out of your buggy 
 and deliver up your arms and we will talk to you; 
 but, if you try any of your smart tricks, we will fill 
 you full of lead!" The Chief of Police got out of his 
 buggy, took off his belt with pistols in it and handed 
 them to the soldiers. 
 
 "Now, will you either bring the man in command 
 or take me to him, please," said The Chief. 
 
 The soldier marched by his side until they reached 
 the entrance gate, where stood Lieutenant Hopkins and 
 some other officers. The soldier saluted, while The 
 Chief of Police addressed Hopkins: 
 
 "Lieutenant, it seems that you would have respect 
 for us and the laws, for we are only doing our duty!" 
 
 "Law or no law, if you do not deliver up our Captain 
 to us, inside of a half hour, we ll get a cannon and 
 blow this jail to Hell!" exclaimed Hopkins. 
 
 The Chief knew that Hopkins meant what he said, 
 and replied: 
 
 "Well, Lieutenant, you know that I am only a subor 
 dinate of Mayor Homer. Would you give me time until 
 I go and report to him what you say and I will return 
 in a short time?" 
 
 Hopkins gave his promise, if he would hurry back. 
 
 At that moment Mayor Homer was in his private 
 office, in The City Hall, talking to Lucy Hurryup and 
 Rev. Nostir. 
 
 "I have just come from talking to poor Miss Ask- 
 witch, who is so grief-stricken at the terrible murder 
 of her nephew by that brute, Alvin Berry. What a 
 noble fellow and champion of our cause Albert Luxy 
 was, and how horrible is it that that family of soul 
 and body assassins should be the cause of his death!" 
 exclaimed Lucy Hurryup, wiping her eyes. "The Lord 
 be merciful!" moaned Rev. Nostir. 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 159 
 
 "And as Executive of this city I will see that this 
 aristocratic murderer is given the full penalty of the 
 law, and that this family of Berrys are driven to the 
 wall and out of this community!" chimed in The Mayor, 
 bringing his fist down on his table with great vehem 
 ence. 
 
 A loud knock was heard at the door and The Chief 
 of Police entered hurriedly and came up to the group, 
 saying: 
 
 "The policemen at the jail gates have been disarmed 
 by The Berry Zouaves and they threaten to blow up 
 the jail in a half hour, if we do not release Captain 
 Berry! What shall I do, Mayor?" 
 
 Lucy Hurryup sprang to her feet and raised herself 
 to her full height, exclaiming: 
 
 "I would go down among the citizens, arouse the 
 town arid overwhelm those villains, who dare to defy 
 the law! I would go and see that this bold murderer, 
 Alvin Berry, is hung higher than Haman and his whole 
 family of Rum sots are driven from this region!" 
 
 The Mayor sat in his chair very pale, with eyes 
 blank, and The Chief looked at Lucy Hurryup with 
 contempt, saying: 
 
 "Madam, you do not know what you are talking 
 about. At least half the town is in sympathy with 
 Captain Berry, and, if you could raise an armed force, 
 The Berry Zouaves would go through them like a fire 
 through a dry field of straw. 
 
 "Another thing, madam, they are just in the mood 
 to hang you and some of the other Prohibitionists up, 
 if you go near them!" 
 
 "Cowards! Cowards! to attack a woman!" retorted 
 Lucy. The Chief replied: 
 
 "The question, madam, is, Are you not cowardly to 
 meddle with masculine matters and then, when dis 
 aster results from your meddling, fall back on your 
 being a woman to keep from getting hurt?" 
 
160 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 "Wha at woo would you sug gest?" stam 
 mered Mayor Homer. 
 
 "I suggest that you go, or let me go, to see Colonel 
 Berry," answered The Chief. 
 
 "Colonel Berry!" shouted Lucy, with great indigna 
 tion, stamping her foot, "the idea of going to see that 
 assassin of souls!" 
 
 "Yes," go to see Colonel Berry!" replied The Chief. 
 "This town is absolutely in his power, for those men 
 would burn this town or go through Hell Fire at his 
 nod!" 
 
 Lucy seemed somewhat abashed at these words and 
 turned her head away The Chief thought an unusually 
 long time. He continued: 
 
 "I have known Colonel Berry in this city for fifteen 
 years and, to my knowledge, he has never done any 
 thing against the law. The men who obey the law 
 are the greatest upholders of the law and I believe, if 
 we appeal to Colonel Berry and give his son a fair 
 trial, he will uphold the law. He is a perfect gentle 
 man at all times and, if you will allow me, I will go 
 and ask him to uphold the law by ordering The Berry 
 Zouaves away from the jail." 
 
 The three Prohibitionists sat silent for once, quiet 
 in their chairs, and Mayor Homer said: 
 
 "I guess that is the best thing to do, Chief." The 
 Chief continued: 
 
 "Another thing I would advise you to do, Mayor, 
 and that is to close the mouth of that newspaper The 
 Clarion for a few days, at least, or those Zouaves will 
 likely hang the Editor up and burn his building down!" 
 and then he went out. 
 
 The long line of Barry Zouaves stood, with muskets 
 at rest, in front of the jail, waiting any command that 
 their officers might give. The minor officers were in 
 their proper positions, near the line, and First Lieu 
 tenant Hopkins stood near the great jail gate, sword 
 in hand, with a squad of soldiers, who kept guard. 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 161 
 
 All of a sudden the tall form of Colonel Berry, 
 accompanied by Attorney Wisdom, was seen coming 
 out of the building to the gate. 
 
 Up went Hopkins sword in salute and his voice 
 rang out: 
 
 "Attention, Company! Salute your Colonel! Pre 
 sent Arms!" 
 
 The minor officers repeated the command and, as 
 one man, the Zouaves acted with precision, holding 
 muskets in front of them. The Colonel, though his 
 face showed much trouble, became erect, and returned 
 the salute and a gleam of pride shot out from his eyes 
 as he glanced along the lines of determined men. 
 
 Just then The Chief of Police rode up and a soldier 
 escorted him to The Colonel, and he asked The Colonel 
 if he might speak to him a moment. 
 
 "Speak right out here, Chief," replied The Colonel 
 kindly and with dignity. 
 
 "Colonel," said The Chief, "The Mayor is sensible 
 of the devotion your troops have for their Captain and 
 thinks it is admirable. He says that he does not wish 
 to do Captain Berry the slightest harm and it is only 
 his desire to see the laws carried out. 
 
 "The Mayor, myself, the police officers and jailors 
 are put here by the people to preserve peace and carry 
 out the law, and we are now trying to perform our 
 duty to them, the State and the whole country. 
 
 "What is going to become of our city, Colonel, if 
 you, one of its most prominent men, and your followers 
 defy the law? All we ask, Colonel, is for you, or any 
 one, to give us a chance and we will see that Captain 
 Berry has a fair trial for what he is charged with and 
 will extend to him every courtesy. 
 
 "Now, Colonel, The Mayor, myself and all the offi 
 cials of the City Government extend our respects to 
 you, your officers and men and ask you to aid us in 
 simply carrying out the law, without any ill feeling 
 to Captain Berry, which is our sworn duty." 
 
162 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 The Colonel looked very grave and showed to his 
 followers, who scrutinized his face closely and eagerly 
 awaited his reply, that a mighty struggle was going on 
 in his heart. He recollected the petty annoyances, the 
 underhanded pieces of malice, the scandals, the innuen 
 does, the insults and aggressions of The Mayor and his 
 party that had been growing worse every year and 
 which, at the bottom, was the cause of Alvin s present 
 trouble, and he thought, quickly, that now would be 
 the time to show these people his power and to release 
 Alvin. 
 
 But then he knew what The Chief said was true, 
 namely: "What is going to become of our city, Colonel, 
 if you, one of its most prominent men, defy the law?" 
 
 He also knew that his victory with his Zouaves 
 could only be temporary; for the great State of York- 
 sylvania would not tolerate the interruption of the 
 trial of a man for murder, and sooner or later would 
 use the whole power of the State to put Alvin back 
 in jail and try him for the crime of which he was 
 accused. 
 
 In a few moments The Colonel, with an apparent 
 effort, spoke out in a deep voice: 
 
 "You are right; the law must be obeyed! We can 
 have no order, no peace, no prosperity and no happiness, 
 unless the law is obeyed! 
 
 "First Lieutenant Hopkins, next in command, you 
 have heard what The Chief has said and I think he 
 is right. Present the thanks of their Captain and of 
 myself their Colonel for their devotion, to the men 
 and say that I think their Captain will soon be acquitted 
 of the grave charge; but, if I should need their services, 
 I will soon call on them. Go to the men, First Lieu 
 tenant, explain the matter to them and give orders for 
 them to return to The Armory!" 
 
 The First Lieutenant saluted with his sword, marched 
 out in front of the line of Zouaves, communicated with 
 the minor officers, who communicated with the men. 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 163 
 
 In a few moments Lieutenant Hopkins called out: 
 
 "Right Shoulder, Arms! Right About Face! For 
 ward March!" and The Berry Zouaves were gone, leav 
 ing their Colonel, Attorney Wisdom and The Chief of 
 Police standing at The Great Gate of The County Jail. 
 
 Colonel Berry turned to The Chief and said: 
 
 "Chief, we leave you in command!" and he and 
 Attorney Wisdom walked away. 
 
 As they sat in the lawyer s office Colonel Berry said 
 anxiously: 
 
 "Of course, Wisdom, I have implicit belief and con 
 fidence in what my son tells, but it seems to me that 
 what took place is all against him. There is no witness 
 on our side and what evidence there is seems to be al> 
 in favor of the other side!" 
 
 The Attorney answered: 
 
 "That is true, Colonel, but do not worry; we will 
 study up something. Go home, now, and take a rest 
 and it will all come out all right." 
 
 At the top of The Hinsdale Hotel, in a small bed 
 room, a verp pretty girl sat at a table, writing. It was 
 Ella Rowe, the chambermaid. In front of her was 
 glass of water and arising out of it were two mag 
 nificent roses on one stem. 
 
 She finished her writing, read it over and exclaimed 
 with a deep sigh: "Oh, if I had such a man as that 
 I could worship him!" 
 
 Folding her letter she placed it in an envelope and 
 addressed it, took the roses and went downstairs. 
 
 In his cell at The County Jail Alvin Berry was pac 
 ing up and down the floor. The turnkey came to the 
 door and handed him a letter and two flowers on a 
 stem. Alvin took the flowers, with apparent pleasure, 
 and the letter and exclaimed: 
 
 "How pretty they are, and I am so thankful that 
 someone has remembered me!" 
 
 The letter was addressed: 
 
164 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 "Captain Alvin Berry, I am only a poor girl, but I 
 remember your kindness to me in time of trouble. It 
 would make me happy to be of any service to you, if 
 I could. 
 
 "Tell me is there anything I can do for you? I am 
 so sorry they have accused you of committing that 
 Crime and do not believe a word of it 
 
 "Excuse me, if I am too forward, but I would be 
 so glad if I could do something for you. 
 "Your friend, 
 
 "ELLA ROWE." 
 
 Alvin took a small cup, put some water in it from 
 a pitcher and sat the flowers on a chair near the head 
 of his cot. He then laid down, read the note over 
 again and said to himself: 
 
 "She is such a nice girl." 
 - As he lay there his thoughts turned to Henrietta: 
 
 "Where is she and what does she think of me now?" 
 
 He wondered if she believed all the stories and 
 calumnies that The Prohibitionists were always ready 
 to heap upon him. What did she think of the death of 
 Luxy and did she really love him? Did she really 
 believe that he brutally murdered Luxy? Oh, that he 
 only knew what Henrietta thought of him! 
 
 These are the thoughts that passed through his 
 brain; but he little knew, for no one had told him of 
 Henrietta s plight, that at that moment Henrietta lay 
 in her bed in delirium, with Dr. Riddle watching her 
 and a trained nurse close at hand. 
 
 The Doctor said to himself: 
 
 "She ought to come out of it soon. -Tendencies! 
 Tendencies! Too much love, too much passion in her 
 constitution!" 
 
 At the end of the week, one morning, the trained 
 nurse was looking at her asleep, when she opened her 
 eyes and said, weakly: 
 
 "Where am I?" 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 165 
 
 Henrietta was perfectly rational, but seemed dazed 
 and went to sleep again. , 
 
 There was great rejoicing by Major Ashcraft and 
 the whole family and connections; but Dr. Biddle said 
 she must remain perfectly quiet for some time and 
 not be talked to; so the family just peeped into the 
 
 room and went away, each of them. 
 
 ********* 
 
 Judge Elmira Sims was a peculiar man for a Judge. 
 He believed in holding Court all the time the year 
 round and having very little vacation. For instance, 
 Alvin Berry s trial was fixed for a very early date, like 
 every other case was that came before his Court. 
 
 The Judge always said: "There is no reason why 
 the legal business of the county should not be as 
 expeditious as any other business!" 
 
 Another one of his sayings was: 
 
 "There should be no obstacles of any kind placed 
 in the way of the most humble in the land in obtain 
 ing Justice of The Courts. 
 
 "It is my opinion that when a litigant loses his case 
 there should not be any costs of Court assessed against 
 him or them; it should be charged up to the State, 
 County or City, as expenses, the same as the salaries 
 of their Court officials are. In fact, there should not 
 be any costs of Court. 
 
 "There should not be any fee or costs staring a 
 citizen in the face, which act as a deterent or obstruc 
 tion in his action to obtain Justice. 
 
 "There should not only be a Public Prosecutor for 
 the State and County, but there should also be a 
 Tribune, or protector of any and every citizen that" 
 appeals to him, not only in Criminal Courts, but in all 
 Courts; so that all men may have a lawyer, without 
 cost, and so that any citizen can bring an action to 
 meet the ends of Justice, without cost to himself. 
 
166 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 "Access to the administration of Justice should be 
 absolutely unimpeded and be as free to all as air or 
 water. 
 
 "That does not mean that there should not be numer 
 ous outside attorneys-at-law, for a litigant can hire 
 whom he pleases to conduct his case; but the Tribune, 
 under government salary, would always be a recourse 
 for the poor man, to take his case free of cost, whether 
 in criminal or civil suits." 
 
 The Prosecuting Attorney had resigned and by the 
 hard work of The Prohibitionists, in his favor, I. L. 
 Appeal had been appointed in his place. 
 
 The Prohibitionists were very jubilant, because 
 Alvin Berry s case was in his hands, as Attorney for 
 The County, to be prosecuted. 
 
 In the office of Attorney Appeal, talking to him, sat 
 Lucy Hurryup, Deacon Going, Rev. Peter Nostir and 
 Miss Askwitch. 
 
 "The Lord is mighty in battle and casts down the 
 strong in high places, and I hope this child of iniquity, 
 Alvin Berry, will get the punishment he deserves for 
 his sins!" exclaimed Rev. Nostir. 
 
 "A a men," chimed in Deacon Going. 
 
 "And if he is convicted and executed, his infamous 
 father will leave the country, I am sure," remarked 
 Lucy Hurryup. 
 
 "A a men," chimed in Deacon Going. 
 
 Dressed in deep black, with a long veil, Miss Ask 
 witch began to cry, sobbing out: 
 
 "Al bert was one of the fin est young men that 
 ever lived and to think that he should be so foul 
 ly murdered by that wretch!" 
 
 "A a men," chimed in Deacon Going, wiping his 
 eyes. 
 
 "Of course," said Attorney Appeal, "I do not know 
 what game Lawyer Wisdom will spring on us; but it 
 looks to me that we have got our honorable friend, 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 167 
 
 Captain Berry, in a sure hole for conviction and he is 
 pretty apt to hang. 
 
 "Good!" almost shouted Lucy Hurryup and the 
 others exclaimed the same thing. 
 
 Attorney Appeal continued: 
 
 "They have no witnesses and everything is on our 
 side, and I do not see how he can escape. I have been 
 to see The Governor and" he told me that he wrote to 
 Colonel Berry that he would not tolerate any inter 
 ference with The Courts and if there were any, he 
 would send the whole National Guard of Yorksylvania 
 to uphold the law. So you see we have headed them 
 off, any way they turn." 
 
 "What day is set for the trial?" asked Rev. Nostir. 
 
 "Monday is the first day of the trial, but it will take 
 two or three days to select a jury. About Wednesday 
 the real trial will commence and I think we will have 
 him convicted about Saturday," answered Lawyer 
 Appeal. 
 
 "That will be glorious!" exclaimed Miss Askwitch, 
 and she actually smiled. 
 
 "Yes, glorious!" said Lucy, and Deacon Going 
 uttered: "A a men!" 
 
 In the same building, in another office, sat Lawyer 
 Wisdom, deep in thought. He muttered to himself: 
 
 "Everything is against The Captain and I dare not 
 tell his father so. If I only had a witness! Only had 
 a witness!" 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 Henrietta Ashcraft lay on her elegant and comfort 
 able bed and everybody thought she was asleep. Miss 
 Askwitch, Lucy Hurryup and Mrs. Jane Bowink were 
 talking low in the next room, but Henrietta could hear 
 every word that was said. 
 
 "Today is Thursday and is the most important day 
 of the trial. Yesterday Lawyer Appeal, for The State, 
 put Mayor Homer on the stand to prove that he sent 
 
168 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 Albert as an officer to arrest such men as that mur 
 derer, Alvin Berry, for breaking The Midnight Closing 
 Law," said Miss Askwitch. 
 
 Henrietta raised herself on her elbow and whis 
 pered to herself: 
 
 "They call Alvin a murderer!" 
 
 Miss Askwitch continued: 
 
 "Then Policeman Phillips testified that he entered 
 Saloon No. 23, after he heard a shot, and found that 
 wretch, Alvin Berry, standing over the dead body of 
 my poor Albert, a pistol on the floor and the room in 
 the greatest disorder!" 
 
 Henrietta arose on her elbow again and whispered: 
 
 "She calls Alvin a wretch!" 
 
 "Then that cowardly villain, Alvin Berry, was put 
 on the stand by Lawyer Wisdom to tell his story in 
 defense, which, of course, was all a pack of lies and 
 made up," said Miss Askwitch. 
 
 "What did Captain Berry say?" asked Mrs. Bowink. 
 
 "I heard it! Let me tell it!" exclaimed Lucy Hur- 
 ryup, interrupting, as she went on: 
 
 "The villain said that Albert Luxy entered his saloon 
 when it was closed, at five minutes before twelve 
 o clock, and he ordered him out of the place; that 
 Albert drew a revolver, took hold of him and in a 
 struggle the revolver dropped to the floor. He says 
 he threw Luxy to the ground four times and the last 
 time Albert got hold of the revolver and tried to shoot 
 him; but, in the struggle on the floor, missed him and 
 shot himself. 
 
 "Did you ever hear such a pack of infamous lies? 
 But never mind! Now, listen, Mrs. Bowink I You must 
 not tell, for we promised Lawyer Appeal we would 
 keep secret what he told us the other day. He said: 
 
 " I am sure of convicting Captain Berry of murder 
 and he will hang! " 
 
 Henrietta arose on her elbow again and exclaimed 
 to herself with wild eyes, almost getting out of bed: 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 169 
 
 "Convict Alvin of murder and he will hang!" 
 
 Lucy went on: 
 
 "He also said: Alvin Berry has no witness in his 
 favor and the evidence is all against him, and I am 
 sure I can convict him to be hung by Saturday! Is 
 not that glorious? Glorious!" and Lucy fairly laughed. 
 
 "Why, how can you be so unfeeling and cruel?" 
 exclaimed Mrs. Bowink, shuddering and holding her 
 hands to her eyes, "you talk about hanging Captain 
 Berry with as little compunction as you would a cat! 
 Have you no humanity?" 
 
 Lucy answered: 
 
 "I would hang the brute sooner than I would a dog 
 or cat!" 
 
 "So would I!" chimed in Miss Askwitch. "Tomorrow 
 morning will be the most important day and I guess 
 then our dear Captain Murderer Berry will get his 
 quietus!" 
 
 Henrietta arose in her bed again and exclaimed in 
 a whisper: "Alvin get his quietus!" and sank down 
 again. 
 
 The door bell downstairs at that moment rang and 
 Miss Askwitch went to see what it was. She soon 
 returned with a bundle and remarked to the other 
 women: 
 
 "It is only another mourning dress and veil, I 
 ordered yesterday. I really do not need it, but ordered 
 it anyhow. There s plenty of room in Henrietta s 
 closet, so I will just put it in there for the present." 
 
 Henrietta heard her coming and pretended to be 
 asleep. Miss Askwitch went softly to her closet, left 
 the bundle and returned to the other room, saying: 
 
 "We are going to the trial tomorrow morning, Mrs. 
 Bowink, will you go with us? Everybody is going 
 to be there to see that wretch convicted. The Doctor 
 says that Henrietta is well enough now to do without 
 a trained nurse and that her maid can look after her, 
 if she will only keep in bed." 
 
170 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 "I guess I will go," said Mrs. Bowink. 
 
 The Court Room was crowded to its utmost capacity, 
 Judge Elmira Sims was on the bench, the counsels for 
 the Prosecution and Defense were ready, the Jurymen 
 in their seats and Captain Alvin Berry, the prisoner, 
 sat with his Attorney, I. C. Wisdom, and his father, 
 Colonel Berry. 
 
 "If it please Your Honor, I will now cross-examine 
 the prisoner, Captain Alvin Berry, who will take the 
 stand!" exclaimed I. L. Appeal, Prosecuting Attorney. 
 
 Alvin Berry left the side of his father, who anx 
 iously looked after him, took the stand and calmly 
 looked at The Prosecuting Attorney, who began: 
 
 "Captain Berry, you said in your testimony, yes 
 terday, that you and the late Albert Luxy had a struggle 
 and, during that struggle, he shot and killed himself?" 
 
 "Yes, Sir, that is what I said," answered Alvin, 
 deliberately. 
 
 "Now, Captain, do you not know that thousands of 
 cold-blooded murderers have made that same plea in 
 the past to free themselves? How can you say there, 
 before God and man, that you did not shoot down 
 Albert Luxy?" exclaimed Lawyer Appeal in a brow 
 beating manner. 
 
 "Easily enough," answered Alvin, "because it is 
 true." 
 
 "I rest," said The Prosecuting Attorney, and he 
 turned to the large table in a confident manner and 
 commenced to arrange his papers with a view to address 
 the jury; while Alvin left the witness chair and returned 
 to the seat by his father. 
 
 At that moment a female figure, heavily dressed in 
 black, with a long veil, pushed herself forward inside 
 the railing and stood before The Judge, who looked 
 at her in astonishment. She held up her hand to him 
 and threw back her veil. 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 171 
 
 The Judge knew that beautiful face, for had he not 
 heard her spell-bound entrancing singing, and he said 
 considerately: "Speak, Miss Ashcraftl" and in a moment 
 the whole Court Room was in excitement, whispering: 
 Henrietta Ashcraft! Henrietta Ashcraft!" and then bent 
 forward to hear what she would say. Alvin felt like 
 rushing to her and putting his arms around her. 
 
 Henrietta timidly looked at Judge Sims and said: 
 
 "If you will allow me, I have some important infor 
 mation and would like to testify for the Defendant." 
 
 Instantly the whole Court Room was in excitement 
 again. A large number of Prohibitionists was filled 
 with consternation and the partisans of The Berrys 
 were filled with joy, to think that aid had come to 
 Alvin when so hard pressed. 
 
 Lucy Hurryup fairly hissed, as she turned to Miss 
 Askwitch and exclaimed: 
 
 "How dares she to come here, out of a sick bed and 
 go against her own father s side! She knows nothing 
 about the case, anyhow 1" 
 
 "And to think she has on my new mourning dress 1" 
 replied Miss Askwitch. 
 
 The Prosecuting Attorney looked at Henrietta with 
 vindictive, glaring eyes and Attorney Wisdom hastened 
 to her side. 
 
 "Do you say you wish to testify for the Defendant, 
 Miss Ashcraft?" asked Judge Elmira Sims with a smile. 
 
 "Yes, Sir; if you please," answered Henrietta. 
 
 "Mr. Wisdom, take your witness into one of the 
 adjoining rooms for a reasonable time and, in the mean 
 time, The Court will await your return." 
 
 Lawyer Wisdom conducted Henrietta to one of the 
 side rooms of The Court and consulted with her. 
 
 A sudden calm of rest and peace came into Alvin s 
 heart and soul, now, since he saw Henrietta; whereas 
 a few moments before his being seemed to be like a 
 tempest swept vessel, about to go down. 
 
172 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 Colonel Berry gripped his : son s hand with confi 
 dence and a new light came into his eye. Alvin glanced 
 around the Court Room and noticed the expressions in 
 -the faces of some of The Prohibitionists. 
 
 Lucy Hurryup reminded him of a Tigress about to 
 spring, but hesitated; Rev. Nostir looked like, "I would 
 like to do you all the damage I can, but will have to 
 -quote Scripture first, and The Prosecuting Attorney, 
 -as he moved around the Court room, seemed like a 
 snarling wolf, which expected to get a gunshot at any 
 moment. 
 
 In a few moments Lawyer Wisdom returned with 
 .Henrietta and said: 
 
 "Your Honor, I would like to put Miss Henrietta 
 Ashcraft on the stand as witness for the Defendant!" 
 ;and he escorted her to the witness chair. 
 
 Just then Major Ashcraft was seen to push himself 
 up to the railing and get as near to his daughter as 
 he could. There was an intense look of affection and 
 fear on his face, as he looked at her. 
 
 As Henrietta modestly took a seat, her classic face 
 and features, with the mourning dress headgear as a 
 .background, looked exceedingly beautiful to all the 
 Court, and the fact that she was a little pale, from her 
 illness, .made her more statuesque. 
 
 "Is she not lovely! Is she not an angel!" thought 
 Alvin, as his eyes devoured her. 
 
 Speaking very courteously to Henrietta, Lawyer Wis 
 dom asked: "Miss Ashcraft, how long have you lived 
 : here?" "Since I was born," answered Henrietta, a 
 little timidly, as she lifted her beautiful eyes and turned 
 them on her questioner. 
 
 "Do you know the Defendant, Captain Alvin Berry? 
 and, if you do, tell the Jury how long you have known 
 him," again questioned Lawyer Wisdom. 
 ; It seemed a little difficult for Henrietta to get her 
 answer out and Alvin thought her lips quivered a little 
 as she said: 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 173 
 
 "I have known ; him all my life, since childhood." 
 
 Lawyer Wisdom: "Where did you last see Captain 
 Berry?" 
 
 Henrietta Ashcraft: "In Berry Saloon, No. 23, on 
 the night Albert Luxy was killed." 
 
 A look of surprise and consternation came over the 
 faces of all The Prohibitionists, which was shared by 
 Major Ashcraft; but everything was so still it seemed 
 as if one might hear a pin dropped. 
 
 Lawyer Wisdom: "Where were you situated on that 
 night?" 
 
 Henrietta Ashcraft: "In a room over the saloon, 
 trying to nurse a lame boy by the name of Crutches/ 
 who died while I was there." 
 
 Everybody in the Court Room looked at each other 
 with wonder and The Judge could not keep his eyes 
 off from Henrietta s beautiful face as she spoke. The 
 faces of The Prohibitionists fell. In the most cour 
 teous and persuasive voice the attorney went on ques 
 tioning her. 
 
 Lawyer Wisdom: "Now, Miss Henrietta, will you 
 not please tell us how you happened to be there that 
 night and what you saw while there? 
 
 "Take your time and do not be afraid, for we are 
 all your friends." 
 
 Henrietta commenced a little timidly, but soon spoke 
 distinctly with her soft, musical voice, so that everyone 
 of the quiet and astonished listeners in the Court Room 
 could hear. Sometimes she looked at Lawyer Wisdom; 
 sometimes at the Judge, and sometimes at the Jury; but 
 not at Alvin. 
 
 She told how she was coming home from the party 
 in her carriage and how she heard the boy crying in 
 the road. Then how she and John, the coachman, had 
 gone to "Crutches " room; how she had sent him after 
 The Doctor (he and the boy to be killed on the way); 
 how she, through a crack in the floor, could see Alvin 
 
174 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 and Briggs below, working bn some accounts, and how 
 Briggs went home. 
 
 Then she told how Albert Luxy came in and tried 
 to arrest Alvin; the struggle that took place and death 
 of Luxy. 
 
 Lawyer Wisdom: "Did you see Captain Berry have 
 the revolver or a revolver in his hand that night?" 
 
 Henrietta answered slowly and with emphasis. 
 
 Henrietta Ashcraft: "Captain Berry never had any 
 revolver in his hand that night, for I saw the whole 
 struggle!" 
 
 A brightness came into the eyes of The Judge; the 
 Jury smiled as much as they dared and Colonel Berry 
 squeezed his son s arm tightly. 
 
 Turning to Lawyer Appeal, Lawyer Wisdom 
 exclaimed: 
 
 "Take the witness!" and the latter commenced to 
 question Henrietta. 
 
 Lawyer Appeal: "You say, Miss Ashcraft, that you 
 saw the whole struggle. How was it possible for you 
 to see all that through a small crack in the floor, when 
 the two men were wrestling and tumbling in every 
 direction?" 
 
 Henrietta Ashcraft: "It was not a small crack; it 
 was a large crack. I was right above them and my 
 eyes had command of the whole saloon!" 
 
 Lawyer Appeal: "Now, Miss Ashcraft, how could 
 you see, when Captain Berry had Albert Luxy down, 
 under him, during the last moments of the struggle 
 and their heads and bodies were so close together, 
 whether Captain Berry took the revolver away from 
 Luxy, shot him and dropped the revolver on the floor?" 
 
 Henrietta Ashcraft: "That could not be so, because 
 when Captain Berry got up and stood over Albert 
 Luxy s form, Albert still had the smoking revolver in 
 his grasp, which he held a few moments and then it 
 fell from his hand to the floor!" 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 175 
 
 The Prosecuting Attorney turned away crestfallen 
 and the witness was excused. The eyes of everybody 
 were fastened on the beautiful woman, who seemed 
 to sway in the chair, as she tried to rise, and suddenly 
 fell backwards in a faint. One of the Bailiffs, standing 
 near the witness chair, caught her in his arms and 
 there was great commotion in the Court Room. 
 
 Major Ashcraft rushed behind the railing and put 
 his arms around Henrietta and even The Judge arose 
 and came off the bench to assist. 
 
 Alvin rushed to her side, also, but one of the Bailiffs 
 took him back to his seat, as Dr. Biddle made his 
 appearance. The Doctor ordered her to be carried 
 downstairs, put in her carriage, taken home imme 
 diately and put to bed. 
 
 That afternoon the Jury brought in a verdict. The 
 foreman got up and said: 
 
 "Your Honor, we find the Defendant, Captain Alvin 
 Berry Not Guilty, and that the deceased, Albert Luxy, 
 came to his death from a pistol shot, inflicted by his 
 own hand." 
 
 Captain Alvin Berry was released and that night 
 The Berry Zouaves with the greatest enthusiasm car 
 ried him all over the town on their shoulders. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 It was late at night and Snickuls was returning from 
 one of his wandering tours through the country to 
 The Snickuls and Tommy Club. 
 
 Entering from the back, among the ruins, he was 
 cautions more than usually so for he heard low 
 voices in the darkness. Crouching down among the 
 burnt timbers and bricks he listened intently and heard 
 a voice say: 
 
 "We have done just what you said, Mr. Vanski." 
 
 "Well, I am glad of that; but I am not going to 
 wait any longer on this damned aristocrat Ashcraft 
 and we will now drive him to the wall. Tomorrow 
 
176 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 you put out the pickets around all his factories and, 
 if any of the new men he has brought here will not 
 keep out, slug them," said Vanski. 
 
 "All right, Mr. Vanski; but suppose the police come 
 down on us?" said the first man. 
 
 Vanski answered: "You must have enough men 
 within call to defy the police. You see we will have 
 at least one thousand men on strike and what can a 
 hundred or two police do to us? And if they do arrest 
 a few, I have already retained Lawyer Appeal to give 
 bond and defend them. 
 
 "I want you to pay particular attention to having 
 someone at each factory to march up and down before 
 the entrance with a sign. Put on the signs: 
 
 "This Factory is Unfair to Organized Labor! 
 "Strike Going On! Keep Out!" 
 
 "All right, Mr. Vanski, I understand," said first man. 
 
 Vanski continued: 
 
 "Now Ashcraft may try to stop you; but, if he does, 
 our Lawyer Appeal will protect you and I will go to 
 Court with him in your behalf. This scheme has 
 worked very well in other large cities and I think it 
 will here!" 
 
 "Yes," said the first man, "what does one man s 
 life count for when it stands in the way of organized 
 labor? Just think of the Nobility of Labor! 
 
 "The property of Ashcraft belongs to us anyhow. 
 Our labor made his fortune and his property and all 
 he did was to stand there and boss!" 
 
 "That s true," said Vanski, "and now we are going 
 to take what belongs to us away from him. 
 
 "Well, I am getting sleepy and must go to bed. Be 
 sure to do just what I told you, tomorrow, and there 
 will be Hell Fire to pay in a few days, unless Ashcraft 
 comes to our terms. Good night." 
 
 Snickuls heard the footsteps of the two men depart 
 in different directions and he hastened into The Snick 
 uls and Tommy Club, where, sitting at the large table 
 
177 
 
 he wrote a letter; then putting out the light he went 
 out quickly and in a few moments dropped it into a 
 letter box on the corner. Next morning Major Ashcraft 
 was just coming out of his front door, to go down 
 town, when the postman handed him a letter. He 
 opened it and read: 
 
 "Major Ashcraft, Vanski, the Labor Leader, has just 
 given orders to the strikers to drive you to the wall. 
 
 "He has gone so far as to tell them, if they have 
 to do it, to win, even to burn your factories down and 
 to kill you. Look out!" 
 
 The Major gave a start, as he finished the letter, 
 and stood in a rigid position for a moment, then went 
 into his Library and wrote a note. It read: 
 "Dear Mayor Homer: 
 
 "I have just received private word that the strikers 
 are about to resort to violent aggressive tactics against 
 my person and property. 
 
 "As I have to go down-town to look after my vast 
 interests and do not think it safe, without protection, 
 to do so, please send me a couple of detectives on 
 horseback to be my escort. 
 
 "If you will do so, it will oblige 
 "Your friend, 
 
 "MAJOR ASHCRAFT." 
 
 Calling a servant The Major sent him in haste down 
 to The City Hall. In about an hour two heavily built, 
 determined-looking "plain clothes" men rode a short 
 distance from The Major s carriage, as he left his gate 
 and went down-town, who stopped at Temple Court 
 and stepped into the law office of I. C. Wisdom. 
 
 The latter welcomed him as he entered and took 
 his hand. The Major said: "Mr. Wisdom, you have 
 never done any legal business for me, but I would 
 like to retain you to help me in my fight against the 
 strikers in my factories, whom I expect, in a few days, 
 to give me great trouble!" 
 
178 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 The Lawyer made The Major take a seat and said: 
 "I am glad to be of service to you, not only for your 
 own sake, Major, but especially as you are the father 
 of so magnificent a daughter, whom I had as a witness 
 last week." 
 
 The Major blushed with pride and replied: 
 
 "Oh, I thank you!" 
 
 "How is Miss Henrietta, now, Major?" asked the 
 lawyer. 
 
 The Major answered: "Why, she is almost as well 
 as she ever was. Much to our surprise, after her 
 fainting spell in Court, she seemed to improve very 
 rapidly." 
 
 Taking the letter out of his pocket The Major showed 
 Lawyer Wisdom what he had to expect soon from the 
 strikers. 
 
 "Come with me, Major," said the lawyer, rising, "and 
 we will go over to the Court House and see Judge 
 Elmira Sims and have a talk with him." 
 
 The Judge was alone in his offices and received the 
 two gentlemen very courteously and cordially. Lawyer 
 Wisdom showed him the warning letter received by 
 Major Ashcraft and called the attention of The Judge 
 to the fact that Major Ashcraft, not long since, had 
 been attacked and seriously hurt, personally, by the 
 strikers. 
 
 The Judge said: "Well, Mr. Wisdom, you know I 
 cannot do anything officially,- unless you present it to 
 me in a legal way. If you will bring me the papers, I 
 will look over them and grant you an injunction against 
 the strikers and all concerned with them, if they are 
 in order, which I have no doubt they will be." 
 
 "Thank you, Judge, I will make out the papers imme 
 diately," replied Lawyer Wisdom and he and Major 
 Ashcraft left The Judge s offices. 
 
 As they passed into the large Court Houss hall, the 
 lawyer s keen eye not only saw the two detectives 
 waiting for them, but several sinister-looking, coarse 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 179 
 
 men eyeing them closely. He spoke to The Major in 
 a low voice and said: 
 
 "Do not look around, Major, but keep a lookout, for 
 several of the strikers are following us now!" 
 
 The two gentlemen walked rapidly to The Mayor s 
 office, knocked at the door and were admitted by Mayor 
 Homer himself. They showed him the same letter that 
 they showed The Judge and Major Ashcraft said: 
 
 "Mayor, I would like for you to give me permission 
 to carry arms to protect myself," to which The Mayor 
 assented and, after requesting further police protection 
 for his property, lawyer and client departed and sep 
 arated. 
 
 As Lawyer Wisdom entered Temple Bar, he saw 
 just ahead of him one of the rough-looking men, whom 
 he told The Major was following them. He slowly 
 followed these men and saw them go into Lawyer 
 Appeal s office. 
 
 "I thought so; now for the injunction papers!" 
 exclaimed Lawyer Wisdom, who went to his own office 
 and started immediately to writing. 
 
 In a few moments Major Ashcraft entered and 
 exclaimed excitedly: 
 
 "They have men with signs, marching up and down 
 before the door of everyone of my factories!" "What 
 do the signs say?" asked the lawyer. 
 
 "This Factory is Unfair to Organized Labor! 
 
 "Strike Going On! Keep Out!" 
 answered The Major, and continued: 
 
 "Not only that, but they have men stationed on every 
 corner, near my factories, who buttonhole my new 
 employees and endeavor to get them to quit, a large 
 number of whom have quit already! Several men, 
 who are faithful to me, told me that when the strikers 
 heard them say they did not want to quit, they were 
 attacked, two of them knocked down and one badly 
 beaten!" 
 
 Lawyer Wisdom said: 
 
180 
 
 "I am glad you told me this, for I am making out 
 the Injunction Papers now, for The Judge to sign. If 
 you can bring me the man who was beaten up, I will 
 take him and show him to The Judge." 
 
 The Major went to the door, where the two detec 
 tives were waiting, called one in and whispered to him, 
 who went out hurriedly. In about half an hour he 
 returned with a workman, who had a bandage around 
 his head, which covered up one eye, one arm in a 
 sling and he limped badly. 
 
 "I am ready, now, and we will go to Judge Elmira 
 Sims, sitting In Chambers!" exclaimed Lawyer Wisdom, 
 and they followed him to the Court House and to 
 Judge Elmira Sims offices. 
 
 When they were admitted to Judge Sims presence, 
 there stood Lawyer Appeal before them and a man 
 with him, who proved to be Vanski. 
 
 "Lawyer Appeal handed The Judge some papers and 
 said: 
 
 "Your Honor, we desire an Injunction issued against 
 The Mayor and Police Department for infringing on 
 the Constitutional rights of workmen to assemble peace 
 fully on the corners of the streets and elsewhere and 
 converse with their fellow workmen, and also for 
 infringing on their right to carry printed signs on the 
 street, which The Constitution guarantees, under an 
 article in favor of Freedom of Speech and The Press." 
 
 The Judge looked up, saw Lawyer Wisdom and his 
 party approaching, and said: 
 
 "And, Mr. Wisdom, what have you to present?" 
 
 Lawyer Wisdom opened the roll in his hand and 
 answered: 
 
 "Your Honor, I am here to ask for an Injunction 
 against the Strikers Union, Mr. Vanski. their leader, 
 and the strikers, individually, and all concerned, 
 restraining them from acts of intimidation, disorderly 
 conduct, breaches of the peace and destruction of prop 
 erty at or near The Ashcraft Shoe Manufactories. 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 181 
 
 "Having heard the last part of Mr. Appeal s remarks, 
 who represents the strikers, and myself being the Coun 
 sel for The Mayor and Mr. Ashcraft, in this trouble, I 
 -propose to argue the matter out, now!" 
 
 The Judge replied: 
 
 "Proceed, gentlemen!" 
 
 Lawyer Appeal made quite a speech in favor of 
 liberty of action and of speech, under The Constitution, 
 to which Lawyer Wisdom answered thus: 
 
 "Liberty of action does not mean license of action. 
 Usually several men can talk together on street corners 
 and it will be harmless and legal; but if talking together 
 draws too big a crowd, occasions violence, disorderly 
 conduct, assault and battery and obstruction of traffic, 
 all of which the strikers are guilty of, then it is illegal! 
 
 "Your Honor, this man by my side, who has just 
 been knocked down and beaten by these strikers, or 
 pickets, on the corner, because he stated that he did 
 not want to strike, but wanted to work in one of The 
 Ashcraft Shoe Factories, is an example of how the 
 strikers are breaking the law, and I would also call 
 your attention, Your Honor, to Major Ashcraft, him 
 self, whom these same strikers attacked, knocked down 
 with sticks and attempted to take his life. As to carry 
 ing Signs, that is also a harmless and legal act, usually; 
 but when it is evidently done to injure a respectable 
 citizen; to cripple and injure a great industry; to cause 
 suffering and distress untold which it is one of the 
 means of doing then the carrying of Signs or Banners, 
 before the door of a factory is illegal, Your Honor!" 
 
 Vanski squirmed and Lawyer Appeal balanced him 
 self from one foot to the other, saying, as he opened 
 a law book: 
 
 "I wish to read Your Honor decisions made by cer 
 tain Judges, permitting picketing and carrying Signs 
 before buildings." 
 
 He read the decisions and Judge Elmira Sims 
 replied: 
 
182 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 "I do not agree with those decisions and they do 
 not go in this Court! 
 
 "The reprehensibility of an act depends upon the 
 intent of the actor, and the province of The Judge, the 
 jury and all of The Court is to find out the intent of 
 an act. 
 
 "For instance, in a murder trial, we have to con 
 sider the Constitutional right of a man to bear arms 
 and to shoot off a gun; but if, in shooting off that gun, 
 he kills another man, we have got to consider whether 
 the killing was intentional or unintentional. 
 
 "If it was done unintentionally the man is held 
 Not Guilty; but, if the act is done with malice and 
 intentionally, then the man is Guilty of Murder. So 
 it is with picketing and carrying Signs or Banners. 
 In the present case there is no question about the 
 malicious intent, and therefore the illegality of the 
 strikers proceedings, and I so decide. Mr. Appeal, I 
 deny your request for an Injunction, and, Mr. Wisdom, 
 I grant your Injunction." 
 
 The Judge handed to Lawyer Appeal his papers, 
 who, with Vanski, sullenly left the room, and, taking 
 a pen from his desk, signed Lawyer Wisdom s Injunc 
 tion and handed it to him. 
 ********* 
 
 The Chief of Police, Murray, came out of The 
 Mayor s private office very much excited. He had a 
 handkerchief to his cheek, which was covered with 
 blood. It came from a wound, just made by the strikers, 
 when he tried to clear the streets. 
 
 "It is no use, Mayor, for there is in the neighbor 
 hood of one thousand strikers and our police force is 
 not large enough to grapple with them! 
 
 "They are throwing stones, off from most every 
 building that we go by, on us. Two of my men are 
 dead and a dozen wounded. They have barricaded and 
 blockaded the streets and fortified the factories, and 
 many of them have firearms. A letter came to me, 
 
183 
 
 unsigned, saying that if we get too smart they will 
 burn down all The Ashcraft Factories and maybe the 
 rest of the town!" said The Chief. 
 
 "What shall we do?" asked Mayor Homer, turning 
 very pale. 
 
 "Come over to The Court House and we will see 
 Judge Elmira Sims!" answered The Chief. 
 
 They found The Judge, sitting on the bench in the 
 large Court Room, though The Court was not in ses 
 sion, Lawyer Wisdom and Major Ashcraft standing near 
 and The Sheriff of The County with several deputies 
 and Court Bailiffs a short distance away. 
 
 The Mayor walked up near to The Judge and said: 
 "Your Honor, The Chief of Police reports he cannot 
 maintain order in the city, for the strikers are too 
 strong. They have killed two policemen and wounded 
 twelve!" 
 
 All the men in the room gathered near and The 
 Chief told the turbulent state the town was in. The 
 Judge turned to The Sheriff and asked him, from the 
 bench: 
 
 "Can you grapple with the matter, Sheriff?" who 
 answered: 
 
 "Not if they are barricaded, fortified and bear arms, 
 Your Honor." 
 
 "I know who can grapple with and control the situ 
 ation, Your Honor!" exclaimed Lawyer Wisdom. 
 
 "Who is it and how can it be done?" asked The 
 Judge. 
 
 "Colonel Berry!" answered the lawyer, and the faces 
 of all present brightened up; but Major Ashcraft turned 
 away a moment and looked out the window. 
 
 The lawyer continued: "If The Sheriff will call on 
 Colonel Berry I think he will act, and order Captain 
 Berry and The Berry Zouaves to put down the strike!" 
 
 "That will be just the thing," said The Judge, "and 
 it will be perfectly legal. I will write a note to The 
 Colonel and The Chief of Police can take it." 
 
184 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 The Judge wrote a note and handed it to Lawyer 
 Wisdom, who passed it around to the other men and 
 it stopped in the hands of The Chief of Police. The 
 note read: 
 "Colonel Berry: 
 
 "Myself, The Mayor, Chief of Police, Lawyer Wis 
 dom, Major Ashcraft, The Sheriff and others are assem 
 bled at The Court House in conference on some very 
 important public business, and we would like to have 
 the pleasure of your company and valuable counsel. 
 Can you come? 
 
 Your friend, 
 
 "JUDGE ELMIRA SIMS." 
 
 The Chief went out and in about half an hour 
 returned accompanied by The Colonel. 
 
 As Colonel Berry approached the group his dis 
 tinguished bearing and presence seemed to overshadow 
 them all. The Judge left the bench and shook hands 
 with him and The Colonel bowed to all the rest in the 
 room and saluted with his hand. 
 
 After The Judge had resumed his seat, he said: 
 "Colonel Berry, we are in a great dilemma and as 
 officials we do not know what to do; because the 
 strikers at The Ashcraft Factories are resorting to vio 
 lence and defy the law. 
 
 "The Chief of Police reports that his force is too 
 weak to grapple with them and that they have killed 
 two of his men and wounded twelve others." 
 
 Colonel Berry s form straightened and flashes came 
 out of those deep eyes. The Judge continued: 
 
 "The city is actually in distress, Colonel, and we, 
 as officials of the law, know of no one here who can 
 help us, unless it is Colonel Berry." 
 
 The Colonel bent his head and body in a slight bow 
 and replied: 
 
 "My services are always for the benefit of my Coun 
 try, my State or my City, Judge! In what way can I 
 be of service to their officials?" 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 185 
 
 The Judge answered: 
 
 "You have an exceedingly well disciplined body of 
 men under you, Colonel Berry, and we would like, if 
 possible, to have you compel the strikers at The Ash- 
 craft Factories to refrain from violence, to disperse 
 and obey the laws. Can you do it for us, Colonel?" 
 
 Unassumingly throwing back his head and looking 
 at The Judge with his eagle eyes, The Colonel replied: 
 
 "If Judge Elmira Sims and The Sheriff request and 
 command me, I will obey their mandate!" 
 
 "Good!" said The Judge, and he came from the 
 bench and shook The Colonel s hand and all in the 
 room did the same; but Major Ashcraft seemed reluc 
 tant. 
 ********* 
 
 The Armory was crowded to its utmost and Colonel 
 Berry was there. He was dressed in full uniform and 
 looked every inch a commander. 
 
 Very soon the bugle sounded out the call to arms 
 and every man sprang to his place. Suddenly the 
 clarion tones of Captain Berry called out: 
 
 "Attention, Company!" and the Lieutenants repeated 
 the order. Then came: 
 
 "Fix Bayonets! Carry Arms! Present Arms! Right 
 Shoulder Arms! Forward, March!" 
 
 As The Berry Zouaves made their exit to the street, 
 a Battery of Artillery pulled up in front of them and 
 stopped. 
 
 The Ashcraft Factories were in another part of the 
 town and the streets, within a radius of four or five 
 blocks, were barricaded with planks, boxes, timbers, 
 carts and heavy rocks and stones, placed there by the 
 strikers, who congregated behind the stockades, listen 
 ing to speeches, made by their leaders, and they were 
 yelling: 
 
 "Down with the ristocrats! Down with the Trusts! 
 Down with the Money Kings!" 
 
186 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 Up on tops of the houses, for several blocks from 
 the barricades, men could be seen dodging behind chim 
 neys and lying down on the roof, trying to conceal 
 heavy stones, shotguns, rifles and other instruments of 
 destruction. 
 
 Vanski was behind the barricades, stirring up the 
 strikers and saying: 
 
 "Hold firm, men, and we will make the Aristocrat 
 robbers of our daily bread bite the dust!" Consulting 
 with The Colonel, Captain Berry gave orders that two 
 lines of soldier pickets, one on each side of the street, 
 were to proceed toward the danger zone slowly. 
 
 He then sent out ahead of the two lines six men 
 dressed as workmen, armed secretly with revolvers, 
 who were to look up at the tops of the houses, see 
 what houses had men on them and report the numbers 
 of the houses, which numbers were handed to the offi 
 cers of the two picket lines. 
 
 The two lines of pickets were picked as the best 
 and quickest shots among The Berry Zouaves. 
 
 The soldiers in plain clothes went forward and 
 soon returned toward the lines of soldier pickets, who 
 stopped and took the numbers of the houses. 
 
 Advancing cautiously, one line on each side of the 
 street, with guns cocked and ready, if a striker on a 
 house showed the least part of his body, he received 
 a volley from the other side of the street. Several 
 men tumbled from the roof, dead. 
 
 When the soldiers came to the doors of the houses 
 having strikers on top, they stopped. Eight of their 
 number broke down the door and with bayonets fixed 
 ascended to the roof, where they made a quick end 
 of those there who showed fight. 
 
 The soldiers in the street remained on guard and, 
 if a striker was seen from either side of the street, 
 he got a volley. One man was killed of four who were 
 found skulking in the first house, and the other three 
 were marched downstairs and handed over to the 
 
187 
 
 police, who handcuffed them, put them in a wagon 
 and sent them to the County Jail. 
 
 Some soldiers were left on the top of the first house 
 cleared of the strikers, whose duty was to shoot at 
 any striker seen on any of the adjoining buildings 
 within the block. 
 
 When it was reported to Captain Berry that the 
 first block had been taken in this way and the strikers 
 run off the tops of and out of the houses, he brought 
 up the balance of his troops The Artillery coming last. 
 
 All of the blocks were soon captured, until they 
 came to the one where the strongest barricade was 
 thrown up, behind which were hundreds of yelling, 
 cursing men, standing in all kinds of threatening atti 
 tudes, and defying anyone to attack them. 
 
 Their barricade was strong and the strikers were 
 armed with knives, clubs, cobblestones, muskets, shot 
 guns and revolvers. 
 
 At the beginning of the block where they were bar 
 ricaded, the strikers began to fire at the soldiers, one 
 of whom was wounded, and Captain Berry ordered 
 that one house on each side of the street was to be 
 captured, which The Zouaves did, and, firing from the 
 tops of those houses, and those below also, they soon 
 cleared the tops of the houses on that block of fighting 
 men concealed there. 
 
 Then The Captain ordered The Artillery to bring 
 up their cannon and place it in the middle of the street. 
 In a few moments the command was heard: "Fire!" 
 
 "Boom!" went the cannon and the splinters were 
 seen to fly in every direction at the great barricade, 
 and fhe muskets of The Zouaves, on the tops of the 
 houses, poured volleys in the direction of the strikers. 
 
 When the first musket balls of the military began 
 to whistle over the barricade, Vanski disappeared; but 
 large numbers of his ignorant followers were made 
 of sterner stuff and prepared for a stubborn resistance. 
 
188 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 However, when a real shell tore through the barricade 
 and killed five of them, they began to waver. 
 
 "Load!" rang out the command to the cannoneers, 
 and soon again: "Fire!" 
 
 "Boom!" went the cannon again and it made such 
 havoc of the barricade and those that were behind it 
 that in a few minutes the hundreds of strikers were 
 gone, leaving twenty dead. The Berry Zouaves charged 
 what was left of the barricade, but found no one there. 
 Sword in hand, Captain Berry, at their head, hurried 
 through the works of the great factories; but the 
 strikers had scattered in every direction. Several fires 
 were found started in the great buildings, but the sol 
 diers put them out. 
 
 As Colonel Berry rode through the ruins of the 
 barricade among his soldiers to where Captain Berry 
 was, they all saluted and shouted: 
 
 "Long live our Colonel and Captain!" 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 Miss Askwitch and Mrs. Bowink sat in Major Ash- 
 craft s comfortable sitting room chatting and reading. 
 
 Somehow or other the former did not like Mrs. 
 Bowink as much as she did formerly. She dropped in 
 a little too often to suit Miss Askwitch, and had an air 
 of superiority and authority which she did not like. 
 
 It was true, she thought, that Mrs. Bowink was a 
 very wealthy woman and everybody showed deference 
 to her and attention on that account; but the widow s 
 air to her was quite different from what it was for 
 merly, which she could not understand. 
 
 "Why, come in! I am so glad to see you!" exclaimed 
 Miss Askwitch, arising and shaking the hand of Lucy 
 Hurryup, who said: 
 
 "I have just dropped in a moment!" 
 
 Shaking the hand of Mrs. Bowink, who did not 
 take the trouble to move, the President of The W. C. 
 T. U. sat herself down. 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 189 
 
 "What paper is that you have brought in your 
 hand?" asked Mrs. Bowink of Lucy. 
 
 The rich widow had a sly sense of humor about 
 her and liked to use it sometimes. She had a happy- 
 go-easy way, generally, and took the world as it is and 
 not what it ought to be. But there was a good deal 
 of hidden fire and nerve about the plump lady, if one 
 observed closely. 
 
 To her question Lucy answered: 
 
 "Oh, that is The Trumpet. I tried to get The Clarion, 
 but could not find a newsboy who had one. * 
 
 "Let me see it, please," said Mrs. Bowink, with a 
 twinkle in her brown eyes, "I want to see the account 
 of the battle, in which Colonel Berry whipped the 
 strikers so badly." 
 
 "Whipped the strikers!" exclaimed Lucy, turning up 
 her nose as she handed the widow the paper, "anybody 
 could do that with the military!" 
 
 "Yes, if my poor Albert were alive, he could have 
 done it better than that!" uttered Miss Askwitch. 
 
 Mrs. Bowink chuckled inwardly and continued: 
 "Well, let us see what the paper says." She opened it 
 and read on the front page: 
 
 ABSOLUTE PEACE RESTORED. 
 
 Strike Ended. 
 
 "The City of Batesville has occasion to thank Colonel 
 and Captain Berry for ending the disastrous strike 
 in the great Ashcraft Factories, which threatened 
 to be protracted for an indefinite time and to destroy 
 the business of this whole region. It w r as a few 
 minutes over two hours and one-half, after the 
 bugle called to arms in The Armory, when Colonel 
 Berry had the strikers whipped and scattered in every 
 direction. 
 
190 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 Especial mention is due to Captain Alvin Berry for 
 the masterly way he handled his men, who moved and 
 acted with the precision and bravery of veterans. 
 
 "Major Ashcraft says he thinks the turbulent strik 
 ing element among his mills is completely cowed, now, 
 and he will resume business at once. 
 
 "We say again All thanks to Colonel Berry!" 
 
 Almost unobserved Henrietta Ashcraft entered the 
 room and stood listening to Mrs. Bowink read. 
 
 A brightness came into her eyes and a look of 
 pleasure on her face, as a deep blush overspread her 
 dimpled cheeks. 
 
 "Why, you could not expect anything but praise 
 for The Berrys to come from a Whisky paper!" 
 exclaimed Lucy, when the widow finished reading. 
 
 "Will you let me see it?" asked Henrietta of Mrs. 
 Bowink, who seemed to have finished with it, and she 
 handed it to Henrietta. 
 
 The latter continued: "I will take it upstairs to 
 my room and read it, if there is no objection, and then 
 I will not disturb your conversation," and she stepped 
 out of the room and went upstairs. Henrietta locked 
 her bedroom door, sat down by the window and read 
 and reread the article about the battle. Then she folded 
 up the paper, went to the center table, where her 
 mother s picture was, sat down, pressed the paper to 
 her bosom, put her beautiful head on the table by her 
 mother s picture and with a smile closed her eyes. 
 
 Downstairs the three women were conversing on 
 various topics, when the butler announced: 
 
 "Rev. Nostir and Deacon Going!" 
 
 Miss Askwitch and Lucy Hurryup hastily arose and 
 welcomed them; but the comfortable widow simply 
 bowed and remained seated in her easy chair. 
 
 When seated, Rev. Nostir said: 
 
 "Ladies, excuse me for interrupting your conver 
 sation, but our days of probation in this world are 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 191 
 
 short and full of trouble and the business of The Lord 
 is urgent." 
 
 "A a men!" exclaimed Deacon Going. 
 
 "What is going on now?" asked Lucy. 
 
 "Well, Sister Hurryup, it has pleased The Lord to 
 inspire us with a desire for the renewal of His grace 
 and the revival of our spirits, and, at a church meeting, 
 a resolution was passed to send our invitation and 
 urgent message to Evangelist Harry Noonday, to come 
 and hold a series of Revival Meetings at our church 
 for several weeks, to see if we cannot dislodge The 
 Devil from this stronghold of rum, licentiousness and 
 immorality," answered Rev. Nostir. 
 
 "A a men I" said Deacon Going. 
 
 The minister continued: 
 
 "We have seen Major Ashcraft and he says he will 
 contribute and lend all his influence to the Revival, and 
 we thought we would drop in and ask the ladies if 
 they will not come up to the help of The Lord, also?" 
 
 Lucy Hurryup exclaimed: "Certainly we will help 
 you against those Rum fiends and all other children of 
 disorder! I will call a special meeting of the W. C. T. 
 U. and we will work from now on to fill the church! 
 We will go out into the highways and hedges and com 
 pel them to come !" 
 
 "A a men!" put in Deacon Going. 
 
 "When is The Revival to commence?" asked Miss 
 Askwitch. 
 
 "The Lord willing whose mercy endureth forever 
 it will commence next Sunday. The Evangelist, who 
 has had thousands flock to the mercy-seat and throw 
 themselves on their faces before The Lord, in different 
 cities, has agreed to be here that day with his party. 
 
 "We have guarnteed him one thousand dollars for 
 the two weeks. You know, ladies, the laborer in the 
 Vineyard of The Lord is worthy of his hire. 
 
 "We would be thankful for any donations our good 
 friends, who belong to the brotherhood of faith, can 
 
192 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 contribute; but I think, after the meeting gets warmed 
 up and under way, the brethren and sisters will be 
 filled with such a holy fire and zeal that they will 
 come forward and throw their possessions into the 
 Treasury of The Lord!" "A a men!" said Deacon 
 Going, holding up his hands in a pious attitude. 
 
 The Rev. Nostir went on: "Can I see Miss Hen 
 rietta, Miss Askwitch? She is our greatest mainstay 
 in music and we would like to give our service of 
 song to The Lord and to such a holy man as Evangelist 
 Harry Noonday in as attractive a way as possible." 
 
 To the surprise of the other two women, in a firm, 
 commanding tone, Mrs. Bowink spoke up and said: 
 
 "I heard Dr. Biddle tell Major Ashcraft, yesterday, 
 that Henrietta should not sing any more in public for 
 a long time!" 
 
 Miss Askwitch and Lucy Hurryup looked at each 
 other and frowned, but there was something in Mrs. 
 Bowink s eye that told them they had better keep still. 
 The minister and Deacon looked at each other, also, 
 and seemed surprised and disappointed, and then the 
 former said: 
 
 "The Lord will take care of His Saints and we hope, 
 in His wise dispensation, He will spread healing in 
 His wings and she will be filled with the spirit of life 
 and truth to such an extent that crumbs of comfort 
 will drop from her voice for the feeding of the mul 
 titude and the salvation of dying souls!" 
 
 "A a men!" said Deacon Going. 
 
 The minister and Deacon then arose and shook 
 hands with Miss Askwitch and Lucy Hurryup, who 
 accompanied them to the front door; but they simply 
 bowed to Mrs. Jane Bowink, as they went out, who 
 remained in her comfortable seat and, placing her hand 
 over her mouth, yawned. 
 
 When the two men reached the street, Rev. Nostir 
 said to Deacon Going: 
 
193 
 
 "I am afraid Mrs. Bowink is a sheep without a 
 shepherd and does not belong to the fold of The Lord!" 
 
 At The Snickuls and Tommy Club Snickuls was 
 nodding over a game of solitaire, as he tried to match 
 a deuce on his stack of aces. He was pretty "full" and 
 could scarcely keep awake. 
 
 "Snickuls!" exclaimed Tommy, as he came hurriedly 
 in and stood opposite to him at the large table. 
 
 "Wha at hie Tommy?" answered Snickuls, and 
 he went on playing solitaire. 
 
 Tommy continued: 
 
 "Let me tell you, Snickuls! There s going to be a 
 Great Revival here. Rev. Peter Nostir and Deacon 
 Going have engaged of Mr. Hinsdale a whole floor for 
 the great Evangelist, Harry Noonday, and his helpers. 
 They are coming next Saturday and expect to hold 
 services every day for two weeks. 
 
 Snickuls put down his cards and looked at Tommy 
 with drowsy eyes a moment, and then remarked: 
 
 "Tom my hie tell them hie at the hot el 
 hie and the church to look out for hie pick 
 pockets!" 
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 
 The Hinsdale Hotel was alive with guests of a 
 religious, clerical and sombre appearance; but that was 
 nothing new for Frank Hinsdale; because he could put 
 on an air of sanctity, personally, as well as he could 
 that of holiness. 
 
 The Rev. Nostir, with Deacon Going, Lucy Hurryup, 
 several pastors of Batesville churches, Major Ashcraft 
 and some other business men came into the hotel, Sat 
 urday morning, with the great Evangelist, Harry Noon 
 day, and his party, which consisted of The Evangelist, 
 his Musical Director, Prof. Mockingale, and a quartet 
 of singers two male and two female. The Professor 
 was a great singer himself. 
 
194 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 The party was soon disposed of in the most com 
 fortable rooms of the hotel, on the second floor, and 
 Mrs. Hinsdale, Ella Rowe, other chambermaids and 
 Tommy had to hustle to wait on them. 
 
 Frank Hinsdale was a pretty good judge of men 
 and of women, also if a man can ever get into the 
 penetration of a woman s life, for his business required 
 a quick insight into character and motives. 
 
 But of the many characteristics Frank had, he pos 
 sessed one that was of good advantage to him, and that 
 was to be able to hold his tongue. He had, after the 
 excitement of registering his guests and assigning them 
 to their rooms, had time to scrutinize, from the desk, 
 a party of clericals, a little distance away in the large 
 hotel oflicc, the most striking in appearance of whom 
 was Evangelist Noonday. 
 
 Mr. Noonday had a fine body with shapely limbs 
 and was a little over the medium size. He had black 
 hair, gray eyes, an intelligent brow, good-looking nose 
 and iirm jaw; but there was something about his mouth 
 and lips that would be called voluptuous. 
 
 However, as he stood there talking to several min- 
 istCiS, with his great felt hat, white necktie and long 
 clerical frock coat, it struck Frank that he was a man 
 that would have considerable power over men, and 
 especially over women. He surely was a striking and 
 attractive looking man. 
 
 As Frank looked at the party, Ella Rowe came down 
 the stairs with a message from Mrs. Hinsdale, and he 
 saw The Evangelist s eyes following Ella s every motion 
 at the desk, t6 the stairs and until she had disappeared 
 up the stairs from view. What Frank s thoughts were 
 then nobody ever knew. 
 
 It was a busy day for the hotel and by night every 
 one of the force was pretty well tired out. It was 
 "Tommy, do this!" and "Tommy, do that!" but Tommy 
 Dust was a wiry little chap and seemed to have more 
 bottom than any of them. During the day he had 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 195 
 
 gotten a couple of other boys in to help him with his 
 duties and, about seven o clock in the evening had a 
 nap for three or four hours; so that he was prepared 
 to relieve the night clerk, if necessary, during the night. 
 
 The night clerk was always willing to shift the work 
 and responsibility on Tommy, if he could, and asked 
 him if he would take the desk for two or three hours 
 at twelve o clock and let him sleep awhile; to which 
 Tommy agreed. 
 
 Evangelist Noonday and all the ministers of the 
 city and county, who were to co-operate with him in 
 the two weeks Revival, were invited to a supper, given 
 by one of the wealthy members of Dr. Nostir s church 
 and, of course, they all accepted; but it had been pre 
 viously agreed that all the ministers should meet that 
 night suggested by the Evangelist to lay out a con 
 certed plan of action or campaign for the ministers. 
 
 Not being able to go to both in the early evening, 
 the ministers said they would meet at the hotel at 
 twelve o clock, and Frank Hinsdale gave them permis 
 sion to use Conference Room No. 1. 
 
 Sitting in the office Tommy heard Dr. Nostir make 
 the arrangements with Mr. Hinsdale for the meeting. 
 
 Tommy took the desk at twelve o clock that night 
 and the night clerk went and laid down, leaving him 
 behind the desk and everything still. 
 
 Very soon ten ministers, led by The Evangelist ana 
 Rev. Nostir, came trooping into the hotel and Tommy 
 took them up to Conference Room No. 1. They all 
 looked like they had been well fed and well prepared 
 for business, if there was any to do, especially as The 
 Evangelist had advised them to take a good nap in th& 
 afternoon, which all of them had done. 
 
 Tommy was soon back at the desk and in a few 
 minutes went to a place where he could see, unseen, 
 and hear every word the ministers said. 
 
196 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 They were seated, very comfortably, around a long 
 table, with The Evangelist at the head, who rapped on 
 the table and said: 
 
 "Come to order, Brethren 1 It gives me great pleas 
 ure to come among you, Brethren, and have the eyes 
 of such Christian sympathy beam on me. I was in 
 very much doubt whether I should come here or not; 
 but I laid the subject before The Lord in earnest sup 
 plication and He said go to Batesville." (He did not 
 tell them that Batesville had offered him one thousand 
 dollars for two weeks evangelization and the other 
 place only five hundred dollars.) 
 
 "Well, Brethren, I am here to carry out the work of 
 The Lord and we must put our hands, our hearts and 
 our souls together in holy zeal to carry it out. But I 
 believe in having common sense and business sense in 
 religion, just like in anything else. 
 
 "Now we want to get the people converted and have 
 great accessions to your churches, and how are you 
 going to do it?" 
 
 One of the other preachers spoke out emphatically: 
 
 "Yes, Lord, by the power of his might!" 
 
 "You know, Brethren," went on Harry Noonday, 
 "and I speak among ourselves, as ministers, we have 
 got to get the people stirred up, excited, filled up with 
 a holy religious frenzy! and when we get them to that 
 point, they will come and throw their souls, bodies and 
 possessions on the altar of God. 
 
 "The question is how to do that?" 
 
 "By prayer and supplication!" answered another 
 minister. 
 
 Harry Noonday went on: "But wait, Brother. I 
 have had a great deal of experience in evangelism and 
 there is a knack about doing everything, praise God, 
 and The Lord allows the use of worldly means and 
 ways in order to accomplish spiritual ends. 
 
 "By continued prayer, with humility of spirit, Breth 
 ren, before the mercy seat, I have found out, through 
 
197, 
 
 the wisdom of God, that there are two great factors or 
 levers to be used in this world to accomplish ends, and 
 they are The Hope of Reward and Fear of Punishment 
 
 "As a coadjutor in bringing the people to religion 
 and God s Church, there is nothing so powerful to be 
 used upon their minds, hearts and souls as The Fear 
 of Punishment. It is the key that unlocks the door 
 of the treasure house of all power of The Clergy. 
 Without that treasure house, we ministers would be 
 exceedingly poor, Brethren, and I say, humbly, if we 
 drop, as a weapon, the use in our ministry of The Fear 
 of Punishment, then our influence is forever gone. 
 
 "Take that fact as the basis of your preaching and 
 begin tomorrow with every member of your congre 
 gation. Make them alarmed about their souls I Tell 
 them men, women and children they have got to flee 
 from the wrath to come, or they will go right down 
 to Hell, which is yawning before them. 
 
 "The more you can frighten them the faster they 
 will come and the more you can exercise your power 
 over them. 
 
 "You must get every member of your church to 
 have prayers in the morning for their sins; prayer at 
 night for their sins and prayer (before they come to 
 our meetings for their sins. 
 
 "Get them to tell all their neighbors to pray for 
 their sins and induce the school children to tell their 
 playmates that they should pray for their sins and, 
 when they come to church, impress upon them the 
 horrors awaiting them for their sins! People are very 
 much, in their minds, like sheep, which will follow 
 the ones that run in a certain direction, even if it were 
 over a precipice, and if you get a portion of the people 
 terrified about their sins, they will all, who come, be 
 terrified and there will be conversions by the hundreds. 
 
 "Now, Brethren, when you get the people where 
 you want them, by the use of Fear of Punishment, bring 
 in The Hope of Reward as a clincher to bring them to 
 
198 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 God. Picture to them the beauties of Heaven and The 
 Mansions of The Blest!" 
 
 Tommy thought he heard a noise downstairs and 
 went back to the desk and, in a short time, most of 
 the ministers came downstairs and went home. 
 
 The next morning about eleven o clock Tommy met 
 Ella Rowe in the hall, upstairs. Just then The Evangel 
 ist came out of his room, Bible and Hymn Book in his 
 hand. It was Sunday and he passed them to meet Mr. 
 Mockingale and the rest of his party in the parlor, and 
 then to go and hold services in Dr. Nostir s Church. 
 
 "How do you like his looks, Ella?" whispered 
 Tommy. 
 
 "I do not know, Tommy, what to think of him; he 
 acts so strangely toward me." 
 
 Tommy went downstairs and saw Harry Noonday 
 again, in the office. A new minister had just come into 
 the hotel, who, seeing The Evangelist, grasped his hand 
 cordially and exclaimed: 
 
 "How do you do, Brother? I am so glad to see you! 
 How are your wife and children?" 
 
 The Evangelist answered: "Pretty well, I thank 
 you! I left my wife and children home, this time!" 
 Later in the day Tommy told Ella that Harry Noonday 
 had a wife and children. 
 
 Late in the afternoon Evangelist Noonday came to 
 the door of his room, called Ella, who was in the hall, 
 and asked her if she would not put some more cover 
 on his bed. 
 
 Ella went after the cover and when she came back 
 his door was open and he sat in a comfortable chair, 
 near the bed. She spread the extra cover over it and 
 tucked it, down at the foot, and when doing so passed 
 very close to The Evangelist, who reached out and 
 grasped her hand. 
 
 Ella jerked away and looked at him very sternly, 
 saying: 
 
 "How dare you, and being a married man at that!" 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 199 
 
 Before she could retreat he seized her hand again, 
 put his hand in his vest pocket, pulled it out, put 
 something into her hand and closed it up. Ella opened 
 her hand, and saw it was a five-dollar bill, threw it 
 
 into his face and left the room. 
 
 ********* 
 
 The Revival Meetings at Dr. Nostir s Church were 
 swelling in numbers every day. At first there were 
 few conversions, but, when the ministers got in their 
 work all over the county, it began to tell. The elo 
 quence of Evangelist Harry Noonday was heralded near 
 and far through the county, and he had services in the 
 morning, in the afternoon and at night. The other 
 local churches were all closed, but the members of all 
 the churches had prayers before breakfast; prayers 
 after breakfast; prayers before supper; prayers after 
 supper; prayers in different parts of Dr. Nostir s 
 Church, before the great service of The Evangelist 
 began and, as the ministers termed it, "The air is full 
 of holy frenzy !" 
 
 The merchants were talking about their sins; the 
 street car men were talking about their sins, and the 
 little children in the schoolrooms were writing on their 
 slates and copy books, and pushing them at each other, 
 with tearful eyes, to read: 
 
 "Flee from the wrath to come!" 
 
 (As if The Great Ruler of The Universe could not 
 take care of His children, without frightening them to 
 death.) 
 
 The Revival had gone on now for about a week 
 and Dr. Nostir s Church was so crowded that there 
 was not standing room, and people could not get into 
 the doors and stood in crowds outside in the street. 
 They came from every direction in the city and all 
 over the county; some on foot; some on horseback; 
 some in carriages, and some in wagons. 
 
200 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 There was nothing talked of in the home, on the 
 streets, in the business houses and in the churches but 
 Religion, Religion, Religion. 
 
 Even the young men and young women in making 
 appointments would say: "Yes, I will meet you at The 
 Revival!" During the course of every meeting those 
 who wished to be prayed for were invited up to The 
 Mourners Bench, and hundreds pushed themselves for 
 ward. 
 
 One morning Dr. Nostir took Harry Noonday into 
 his study in the basement of the church, locked the 
 door and, clasping his hand, exclaimed: 
 
 "Praise The Lord, Brother, you are doing a glorious 
 work! but could you not give a death blow to the 
 Rum power in this city, before you leave?" 
 
 The Evangelist put his hand to his brow, sat down 
 and said: 
 
 "Let me think. Yes, I have it! Yes, tell all the 
 ministers and announce in the press that tomorrow 
 night I will take as my subject: The Unpardonable 
 Sin! What is it? and I will work the manufacturing 
 of Liquors, the Selling of Liquors and the Use of 
 Liquors as one of The Unpardonable Sins/ into the 
 sermon !" 
 
 "Good!" exclaimed Rev. Nostir, and they went out, 
 arm in arm. 
 
 That night Tommy had to take the desk again at 
 twelve o clock. In a few moments Harry Noonday 
 came in with Mr. Mockingale, his Musical Director, 
 and asked at the desk if they might use Conference 
 Room No. 1, to do some writing for about one hour. 
 
 "Certainly!" said Tommy, and he gave them the 
 key; but they did not know that in about five minutes 
 he would be in a position to hear everything they said. 
 
 Tommy was on the secret stairway a little before 
 they got there, but he heard the key turn in Conference 
 Room No. 1 door and, peeping, saw Harry Noonday 
 enter, followed by Mockingale. 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 201 
 
 The former locked the door and tried it, then threw 
 himself in a comfortable chair at the table that came 
 close up to the wall where Tommy was hiding. The 
 Evangelist exclaimed: 
 
 "Mockingale, I am getting tired of this kind of life! 
 It is quite a bore to me. Just think how I, with a 
 little gab, and you, with a little music, have stirred 
 those poor devils up around here!" 
 
 Mockingale sat down, also, and answered: 
 
 "Well, there is lots of money in it, and that is what 
 everybody is after. What could you go into that would 
 pay us as well?" 
 
 Noonday answered: 
 
 "Yes, that is true; that is what we are after, but 
 it gets tiresome to go over the same tactics all over the 
 country; especially when you do not believe in what 
 you are preaching. Anyhow, I have put away one hun 
 dred thousand dollars in the last three years. 
 
 "But that is not enough. When I make five hundred 
 thousand dollars I will retire!" 
 
 Mockingale shrugged his shoulders and asked: 
 
 "What do we get here?" 
 
 Evangelist Noonday answered: "Well, old Nostir 
 agreed to give me one thousand dollars, above all 
 expenses, and one-half the plate money. Our share in 
 the plate money will be, so far, as much as one thou 
 sand; but just wait until I get that Unpardonable Sin* 
 dodge off on them, tomorrow, and they will throw 
 everything they have got into the plate, especially the 
 women; their money, their diamonds, their watches, 
 rings and bracelets, and if they could put their houses 
 and lots in the plate, they will do it! I expect a nice 
 haul. But I am tired of everything. Let us talk about 
 the girls!" 
 
 The two men took out some cigars and began to 
 smoke. Tommy listened to them for quite awhile and 
 then they left the room and went to bed; but when 
 
202 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 he got downstairs to the desk, he shook his head slowly 
 and said: 
 
 "I have heard lots of bad men talk in this hotel, 
 but have never heard anybody tell such nasty stories, 
 a>bout women, as these two men!" 
 
 CHAPTER XXVII. 
 
 The greatest Revival Meeting night had come and 
 Dr. Nostir and his coadjutors could not find room in his 
 large church for the people, who had flocked from all 
 directions to hear Evangelist Harry Noonday preach on 
 "The Unpardonable Sin," which had been advertised 
 by word of mouth of every minister and deacon exten 
 sively, and by newspapers in the city. Not only was 
 there not standing room in the church, but on the 
 outside in the street for a whole block, on either side, 
 the people stood, pushed and scrambled to see if they 
 could not get in. Some of the select few were given 
 seats near up to the front, close to the pulpit, among 
 whom were Judge Elmira Sims, Dr. Biddell and Miss 
 Askwitch. 
 
 The Judge had heard so much of The Evangelist 
 that he was curious to see him; Dr. Biddell went for 
 professional reasons, and Miss Askwitch for a number 
 of reasons, the principle one of which, though she did 
 not tell anybody, was to see and to be seen by Rev. 
 Joylifter, who, she heard, was to be one of the occu 
 pants of the pulpit. 
 
 Miss Askwitch tried her best to get Mrs. Bowink to 
 accompany her, but she would not and said irrev 
 erently: 
 
 "I do not care to be associated with all the people, 
 who have just escaped from the Lunatic Asylum!" 
 which shocked Miss Askwitch s sensibility greatly. 
 
 Henrietta said she would stay at home and asked 
 Mrs. Bowink if she would come and stay with her, 
 until Major Ashcraft would come home from the 
 meeting. 
 
 Miss Askwitch said to herself: 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 203 
 
 "Everything seems to go wrong with me since that 
 wretch killed Albert. Even Henrietta, whom I have 
 brought up from a little girl, seeks Mrs. Bowink s 
 society all the time, who is only a coarse, stupid 
 woman, without any religion." 
 
 Of course Major Ashcraft went and sat on the side 
 of the pulpit with Deacon Going and the other Deacons* 
 There were many chairs placed on the broad pulpit 
 platform, which were arranged to hold all the ministers 
 of the city and county and some others from a distance, 
 including Brothers Blissway, Verigood and Joylifter. 
 
 By the influence of her connection with Major Ash- 
 craft, Miss Askwitch got pretty close to the pulpit, 
 right back of The Mourners Bench. 
 
 Snickuls and Tommy Dust, somehow, in the crowd 
 had gotten into the center of the church, well up to 
 the front. Snickuls was pretty full this time, but he 
 never lost his head, even if his head was a little affected. 
 
 At eight o clock, promptly, through the small doors 
 back of the pulpit, in came all the ministers and took 
 seats, and the vast audience bent forward to see the 
 renowned Evangelist, Harry Noonday, who came in at 
 the last, accompanied by Dr. Nostir, who went right to 
 the pulpit, as The Evangelist took the most prominent 
 place among the ministers. 
 
 The meeting was opened by Dr. Nostir delivering 
 a short prayer, in which he asked God to bless that 
 vast assemblage and the work of The Evangelist, and 
 that his words might redound to the conversion of 
 souls and the confusion of the Rum power, which was 
 sending to perdition, in their midst, so many precious 
 souls. All the ministers along the platform chimed in: 
 
 "Yes, good Lord!" "Blessed be His Name!" 
 
 "Thy Kingdom come!" "Hallelujah!" 
 
 But the loudest note of them all came from The 
 Deacon s pew, and was Deacon Going s "A a men!" 
 . "Tom my," whispered Snickuls, "The Deacon s or 
 hie gun is in good hie tune to hie night." . 
 
204 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 ; During the prayer Miss Askwitch wondered, as she 
 knelt down in the pew, if the Rev. Joylifter saw her 
 new dress and if it fitted her graceful form, and th6 
 Rev. Joylifter wondered if she recognized his manly 
 voice, when he shouted: "Hallelujah!" 
 
 The pulpit was only a small one and, when The 
 Evangelist arose, everyone looked earnestly and had a 
 good view of him. 
 
 Judge Elmira Sims said to himself: 
 
 "He makes a good appearance, but, as a permanency, 
 I think he would make a better lawyer than Evangelist." 
 
 Dr. Biddell s silent soliloquy was: 
 
 "All right, except the mouth and back of the head.** 
 
 Harry Noonday asked Mr. Mockingale, who presided 
 at the organ, just below the pulpit, to have his company 
 sing a quartet, and two males and two females sang 
 beautifully: 
 
 "Will There Be Any Stars In My Grown?" 
 
 He then asked the great audience to rise and sing 
 the same piece with the quartet, which they did, in the 
 midst of which the ministers on the platform, The 
 Deacons on one side and , Lucy Hurryup s crowd of 
 women on the other side, began to shout and moan and 
 groan and weep; at which the main audience began 
 to get greatly affected. 
 
 "Brethren and Christian friends," said The Evangel 
 ist, "all day, today, before 1 coming to you, tonight, I 
 have been wrestling with God on the awfulness of the 
 subject and said over and over to myself: 
 
 "The Unpardonable Sin! What is it? Have I 
 committed it? Have my friends committed it? Have 
 my neighbors committed it? 
 
 "Sometimes, Brethren, we* have estrangements from 
 great friends and never did know what caused it, and 
 just think of the horrible thought that we have com 
 mitted that sin which God, Himself, cannot pardon 
 without knowing it, and we must go down the ages, 
 wailing and gnashing our teeth I" ! 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 2Q5 
 
 From the ministers and all over the audience room 
 came 
 
 "No, Lord!" "Have Mercy!" "I m Lost!" "Pity 
 me!" "Tell us how to keep from it!" : 
 
 The Evangelist went on: 
 
 "When Moses went into The Wilderness, God called 
 to him out of the burning bush and told him to take 
 his shoes off, for the ground was holy, and I feel like 
 Moses, that I am treading on holy ground, and that at 
 this very minute you may be treading on holy ground 
 with your shoes on, and offending God so that He wiH 
 never forgive you!" 
 
 The ministers began to mourn again and The 
 Deacons to groan and the women to weep and the 
 audience, stirred greatly, to shout: 
 
 "Please Lord!" "Forgive my Sins!" "Wash me 
 Clean!" "Help!" "Isn t there Any Hope?" "What 
 shall I do?" 
 
 The Evangelist went on: 
 
 "How cheering a thought it is to every child to 
 think that whatever offense he has committed, he can 
 go to his father or mother, who will pity and comfort 
 and forgive; and how dreadful a thought it must be 
 to think that we had committed something that they 
 never could and never would forgive; that all our 
 sources of pity in this world; all our source of com 
 fort and all our source of forgiveness were gone!" 
 
 "No! No!" groaned and shouted and moaned the 
 ministers, The Deacons and W. G. T. U. women, which 
 was taken up and repeated one hundred fold by the 
 audience. 
 
 The Evangelist went on: 
 
 "And then, my friends, think of our Heavenly Father, 
 that great and awful God, who holds The Universe in 
 His hands, saying to us: 
 
 " Depart! there is no hope; there is no pity; there 
 is no comfort; there is no forgiveness! You have com- 
 
206 COLONEL BERRY;S CHALLENGE 
 
 milled Ihe Unpardonable Sin ! Depart to everlasting 
 Torment, prepared for The Devil and his Angels! " 
 
 Here the ministers commenced, again, and the whole 
 assemblage began to be slirred to its depths, as if writh 
 ing in deep soul trouble. 
 
 The Evangelist continued, raising himself to his full 
 height and shouting his loudest: 
 
 "We think we have pain and suffering and anguish 
 from some bodily ailmenl, in this world, but think of 
 The Eternal Punishment! The Lake of Fire and Brim 
 stone! and The Torments of The Damned for unlold 
 millions and billions of years Forever and Forever!" 
 
 The ministers and audience seemed wild; they 
 moaned, the latler clung around each others necks; 
 they sobbed; they knelt and prayed and some rolled 
 on the floor in agony. 
 
 The Evangelist continued: 
 
 "My friends, many of you are on the verge of com 
 mitting The Unpardonable Sin, and some of you in 
 this house lonighl have already committed it no doubt. 
 The Unpardonable Sin to one may not be the Unpar 
 donable Sin to another; but there is one Sin that 1 
 am sure that, if persisted in, year in and year out, until 
 the heart is callous, The Lord will never forgive!" 
 
 Here the ministers began again and the audience 
 was in another spasm of agony. 
 
 Harry continued: 
 
 "I am sure that Almighty God will never forgive 
 those who continue, year in and year out, in manufac 
 turing against all the warning of His Saints and their 
 preaching, and selling that fluid of Hell Rum! Rum! 
 Rum !" 
 
 Then the ministers, and particularly Lucy Hurryup s 
 Crowd, were very demonstrative, but the loudest of 
 them all was Deacon Going s "A a men!" 
 
 Harry went on: 
 
 - "Yes, he who manufactures and sells that accursed 
 fluid is at the bottom of all the drinking, all the gamb- 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 207 
 
 ling, the stealing, robbing, licentiousness and whore 
 dom, ami God Almighty will command His Angels, with 
 flaming swords, to throw him into Hell! It is one of 
 The Unpardonable Sins ! 
 
 "For those who have committed this Sin there is 
 no hope, and I doubt not there are some in this audi 
 ence, tonipht; but, how are the ones, who have not 
 committed it, before the day of grace is passed, going 
 to escape? 
 
 "Come to Christ and God, before the door is closed 
 and you are shut out! Give your bodies as a living 
 sacrifice to Christ and remember that The Lord said: 
 
 " Go and sell all that thou hast and come and fol 
 low me! 
 
 "Mr. Mockingale, please sing: 
 
 " Come to Jesus! and those who wish to be prayed 
 for and put on The Lord s side and escape The Unpar 
 donable Sin, let them come forward to The Mourners 
 Bench!" 
 
 As the paid musicians sang this song, hundreds 
 flocked -ip to The Mourners Bench, apparently in great 
 agony, and it was seen that there was not room enough 
 for those who wanted to come. 
 
 When the music stopped The Evangelist called out: 
 
 "There is not room enough in front for those who 
 are seeking The Lord and I would ask all the audience 
 to be seated," which was done. 
 
 He then called out: 
 
 "Now, friends, all of you who want to be prayed 
 for and put yourself on The Lord s side, let them stand 
 up!" 
 
 About h?lf of those in the church stood up. The 
 Evangelist th~n turned and looked at Dr. Nostir, who 
 whispered among the ministers and they all left the 
 platform and went down in the audience to comfort 
 the mourners, and he toll the musicians to sing: 
 
 "Safe In the Arms of Jesus!" 
 
208 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 While they were singing this hymn, the ministers 
 and Deacons and W. G. T. U. women and other women 
 were let loose on the audience, and they went from 
 pew to pew, begging and weeping and mourning and 
 telling the people to "Come to Jesus!" 
 
 This lasted about fifteen minutes, during which time, 
 when the musicians were not singing some sad song, 
 Noonday was repeating clauses and sentences from The 
 Bible, such as: 
 
 "Give your bodies as a living Sacrifice!" 
 
 "Come and follow me I" 
 
 "It is as hard for a camel to go through the eye of 
 a needle as a rich man to enter The Kingdom of 
 Heaven!" 
 
 Very soon all the ministers, Deacons and sisters 
 returned to the front and Harry called out in a loud 
 voice: 
 
 "All who are on The Lord s side and wish to escape 
 that awful Sin, let them stand up!" 
 
 Snickuls was sitting with Tommy and wanted to 
 stand up, but Tommy pulled him down, whispering 
 to him: 
 
 "Snickuls, Snickuls, I would not do it! He s a hypo 
 crite!" and there were no ones in the great audience, 
 who did not stand up, except Judge Elmira Sims, Dr. 
 Biddell, Snickuls and Tommy. 
 
 After they were all seated again, The Evangelist 
 said: 
 
 "Now, friends, God Almighty requires a proof of 
 your good faith, and says: 
 
 "What profitcth a man, if he gain the whole world 
 and lose his own Soul? 
 
 "What are lands and houses and stocks and bonds 
 and money in comparison with the value of our Souls! 
 
 "If we are on The Lord s side, we will do all we 
 can to further God s work a part of which is taking 
 care of His poor. 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 209 
 
 "The Deacons will now take up a collection and 
 recollect, friends, that 
 
 " He who giveth to the poor lendeth to the Lord! 
 and 
 
 "The Lord loveth a cheerful giver! 5 " 
 
 The Deacons, with large baskets, passed through the 
 crowd. Men emptied their pockets of money, women 
 took off their watches, bracelets, breastpins and other 
 ornaments and threw them into the baskets, and some 
 put in I. O. U. written memoranda of large amounts, 
 to be paid at their offices; but, the next day, when the 
 excitement was over, quite a number refused to pay. 
 
 Judge Elmira Sims, Dr. Biddle and Tommy gave 
 nothing, and Snickuls ten cents. 
 
 After a prayer was offered by The Evangelist, the 
 musicians and the vast assembly arose and sang: 
 
 "Lord, Dismiss Us With Thy Blessing," and retired. 
 When all the other ministers had gone home, Harry 
 Noonday and Rev. Nostir stood in the latter s study 
 looking over the baskets that contained the collection. 
 The Evangelist s eyes bulged out, as he exclaimed: 
 
 "I think there must be somewhere near ten thousand 
 dollars in value!" 
 
 CHAPTER XXVIII. 
 
 Lawyer I. G. Wisdom was walking along Main Street 
 and he met Dr. Biddle. The two professional men were 
 very good friends and the lawyer said: 
 
 "Doctor, what do you think the secret of Harry 
 Noonday s power is? They say he has taken the county 
 and the churches are too small to hold his audiences!" 
 
 The Doctor answered: 
 
 "I heard him last night, and twice before and do 
 not think it is difficult to understand him. 
 
 "In the first place, he sets all the ministers in this 
 region to work, who advertise him and bring him the 
 crowds and, when he is preaching, their emotional 
 actions in mourning and groaning, and sighing and 
 
210 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 weeping cause a corresponding sympathetic wave in 
 the audience. 
 
 "It is somewhat like this if one man in the audi 
 ence of a theater applauds, by clapping, generally he 
 will start the whole theater doing the same thing. 
 
 "When Noonday and the otther ministers get the 
 audience into a highly emotional state, the next thing 
 is to get them into a depressed and desperate state. It 
 is only a move in the game of psychology, and I will 
 tell you how it is done. 
 
 "When I was a young physician, in The South, there 
 would be great epidemics of Yellow Fever sweep over 
 that section of the country and there would be so many 
 people ill, in the towns, that the authorities would not 
 allow the church bells to be rung on Sunday or any 
 other time. 
 
 "Why? Because the sound of the bells was in a 
 minor key, which always makes people sad, depressed, 
 restless and more apt to die when they are ill. 
 
 "You will notice that all the Revival songs are in 
 a minor key, which, if played among a lot of animals, 
 would make a dog howl, and it has the same effect on 
 people. 
 
 "I will venture to say, that if you will play any 
 selection of music, that will make a dog howl, and 
 then afterwards perform it before any Christian audi 
 ence in the world if they do not know the name of 
 it, they will say it is religious music. 
 
 "Noonday s next move in Psychology is to use The 
 Instrument of Fear, to drive the audience to action, 
 which, when coupled with the sympathetic influence of 
 a lot of ministers and women, explains the reason for 
 his many visitors to The Mourners Bench, numerous 
 conversions and great contributions." 
 
 "You do not think there is anything supernatural 
 or miraculous about it, then, Doctor?" asked the lawyer. 
 
 "Not at all!" answered The Doctor, "it is only a 
 matter of Psychology. He studies those things and 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 211 
 
 applies the forces of Nature to accomplish his ends, 
 just like the mariner uses the winds on his sails to 
 drive his vessel to port, or the miller uses the flowing 
 water to turn his waterwheel 1" 
 
 Lawyer Wisdom continued: 
 
 "Do you think he is doing any good?" 
 
 The Doctor answered: 
 
 "Well, Wisdom, I do not think any earnest, con 
 scientious person can try to do good, without accom 
 plishing some good. As to this man s motives, I will 
 not express an opinion now, though I have my ideas; 
 but I will say this, that I believe that if Harry Noon 
 day, the ministers and other coadjutors in this Revival 
 would devote the same time, energy and money in the 
 normal channels of religion that there would be far 
 more good done. A minister, preacher or priest in his 
 everyday work will accomplish a more permanent 
 benefit to society. 
 
 "The permanent utility of anything is doubtful that 
 is done in a hurry, and those conversions are surely 
 done in a hurry." 
 
 "Do you think that some of these conversions will 
 be lasting?" asked the lawyer. 
 
 - Dr. Biddle paused and looked him earnestly in the 
 eye a moment, and said: 
 
 "Very few. Character, like a diamond, takes a Icng 
 time in its formation; and if it is formed by unnatural 
 or abnormal methods, it is not genuine; it is spurious. 
 
 "Another way to look at it is this: If, from any 
 unusual cause in life, we go to great extremes whether 
 eating, drinking, business, society cr Religion, when 
 that cause is removed we are almost sure to drop back 
 to the normal state and wonder why we were ever so 
 foolish as to go out of our accustomed rule; not only 
 that, but people will despise whatever caused that great 
 extreme to which they went. 
 
 "For instance, some of my patients tell me they ate 
 too much of a certain article of food, many years ago, 
 
212 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 and they have despised the sight of it ever since. So 
 it is when people indulge in too much Religion or 
 Revivals you might call them religious frenzies when 
 they come to themselves they will despise the minister, 
 churches and all connected with the Revival!" 
 
 "I think that is true!" exclaimed Lawyer Wisdom. 
 
 ********* 
 
 It was the day after The Greatest Revival Day and 
 Evangelist Harry Noonday came out of Prof. Mockin- 
 gale s room, about two o clock in the afternoon, and 
 tread softly and catlike along the finely carpeted hall 
 of the hotel. He had to turn an angle to get to his 
 room, and far down the hall he saw Ella Rowe, going 
 from room to room distributing clean towels. 
 
 Ella s back was to the approaching Evangelist, so 
 he continued his catlike tread, until he passed her in 
 a room. She did not see him, as he turned the angle 
 and passed on toward his room, which was in the other 
 wing of the building. 
 
 Proceeding down this hall, Noonday saw Tommy, 
 sitting at the end of it reading a paper, near a window, 
 with his face the other way. Tommy s chair was near 
 a large clothes closet, which contained quantities of 
 clean bed clothes, sheets, pillow cases and towels, and 
 the door to the closet was open. 
 
 The Evangelist stopped a moment and looked up 
 and down the hall, both ways a moment, and whispered 
 to himself: 
 
 "Now is my chance!" and then softly went into his 
 room, that was several doors from where Tommy sat 
 
 In a few moments Ella Rowe came walking hur 
 riedly to the clothes closet and tossed into Tommys 
 lap the bunch of keys that she opened all the room 
 doors with, saying: 
 
 "Keep my keys, Tommy dear, until I go upstairs! 
 I have not finished in the rooms on this floor and I will 
 be down in a moment to get some more towels!" 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 213 
 
 "All right!" said Tommy, putting the keys into his 
 pocket, as Ella went off down the hall, and he went 
 on reading his interesting story. 
 
 In a short time Ella returned and got some more 
 towels. As she went back behind the angle again, The 
 Evangelist s door opened and he put his head out. He 
 saw Tommy sitting in the same position, came out 
 and softly approached him. 
 
 "Oh!" exclaimed Tommy; but that was all he said, 
 for a powerful hand was over his mouth and he was 
 lifted from his seat, without seeing who attacked him, 
 and borne into the clothes closet. In another moment 
 Tommy was gagged, a sheet tied over his head, his 
 hands tied behind him and shut in the closet. He 
 heard the key of the door turn in the lock and heard 
 it taken out on the other side. 
 
 Tommy could -not call out, because he lay on the 
 floor, face downward, with a napkin stuffed in his 
 mouth; and, if he did call out, the closet was so full 
 of clothes it was doubtful that the sound could get out. 
 He could think though and had his suspicions, from the 
 size of the hands that held him so tightly, who it was 
 that did it. He was a resourceful boy and said: 
 
 "If I could only get my hands loose!" 
 
 In the meantime Ella Rowe came down the hall 
 distributing towels all the doors to the rooms being 
 open. Her arms full of towels, she entered The 
 Evangelist s room and walked toward the washstand, 
 when a large form stepped from behind the door and 
 seized her. 
 
 Ella turned and started to scream, but a towel was 
 held over her mouth and forced into it. Seeing who 
 it was she struggled violently and kicked, but he held 
 her in a viselike grip, pushed her to the door and locked 
 it; then he lifted her, struggling, from the floor, car 
 ried her to the bed and pressed her down upon it. 
 
214 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 Tommy, in the closet, by working hard, succeeded 
 in getting his hands loose, but the pillow-slip was tight 
 over his head, which he cut off with his pocket knife. 
 
 Recollecting Ella s keys, Tommy took them out of 
 his pocket and, knowing that chambermaids keys can 
 open most any door, he tried them on the closet door; 
 the bolt quickly turned and let him out. 
 
 Tommy ran quickly and softly to The Evangelist s 
 door and saw that it was closed; but the next room 
 was open, which he entered. There was an iron bed 
 with a high back in there and it was just below a tran 
 som. He took off his shoes quickly, got on the bed- 
 climbed the head of the bedstead and looked through 
 the transom. 
 
 What did he see? There was The Evangelist s large 
 form, getting up off the bed, and Ella Rowe lay there 
 with her eyes closed and her mouth wide open, like 
 she was dead! 
 
 Tommy jumped down and ran as fast as he could 
 to Mrs. Hinsdale s room, in another wing of the building. 
 
 "What is the matter, Tommy, you look so excited?" 
 asked Mrs. Hinsdale, and she at last got enough out 
 of him to make her seize Tommy s hand, and they 
 rushed out together. When Tommy jumped down from 
 the bedstead in the next room, The Evangelist heard 
 a slight noise, went to the door and listened carefully. 
 Hearing nothing more, he opened it and looked out. 
 There was no one in sight and he returned to the bed, 
 picked Ella up in his arms, went into the hall, entered 
 a room four doors away and laid her on the floor, 
 taking the cloth out of her mouth. 
 
 In a moment he was back in his own room and 
 smoothed out the bed and all evidences of a struggle. 
 He then took his hat and Bible and walked rapidly 
 toward Prof. Mockingale s room. As he turned the 
 angle into the next hall, Mrs. Hinsdale and Tommy, 
 coming, got a glimpse of him in the distance and they 
 hurried toward his room. 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 215 
 
 When they reached The Evangelist s room, Tommy 
 exclaimed: 
 
 "Ella is gone!" and he went into the hall again and 
 looked into other rooms, Mrs. Hinsdale fearfully fol 
 lowing him. All of a sudden he saw her on the floor 
 of Room No. 9, rushes to her, kneels down and puts 
 his arm under her neck and kisses her, exclaiming: 
 
 "Poor Ella! Poor Ella!" 
 
 Mrs. Hinsdale followed Tommy s example, only she 
 put her arm around Ella s shoulders, laid her cheek 
 against hers and tried to lift her up, crying: 
 
 "Ella! Ella! Wake up, dear! Wake up!" 
 
 Without opening her eyes Ella exclaimed, throwing 
 her arms about: "Oh, God, have mercy, you have ruined 
 me!" 
 
 Mrs. Hinsdale, sobbing, with the aid of Tommy lifted 
 her up and got her on the bed and closed the door. 
 She turned to Tommy and said: 
 
 "Run, Tommy, and tell Mr. Hinsdale to come to 
 Room 9 as soon as he can. Do not tell anybody else, 
 Tommy, and tell him to come quickly. You then run 
 over to Dr. Biddle s office and ask him to come to Room 
 9, as quickly as possible, but do not tell him anything 
 else. Run, Tommy! Be quick!" and Tommy was gone. 
 
 In a few moments Dr. Biddle came and revived 
 Ella and she was gotten upstairs to her room so quietly 
 by Frank Hinsdale that no one in the hotel noticed 
 that anything unusual had happened. 
 
 Frank called Tommy into a room and, looking 
 severely at him, said: 
 
 "Now, Tommy, you know mum s the word in a hotel 
 and you must not say a word to anybody about this!" 
 
 "But what s going to become of Ella?" exclaimed 
 Tommy, with tears in his eyes, walking nervously up 
 and down. "Somebody ought to kill that man!" 
 
 ".Oh, I ll attend to that, Tommy, and see that Ella 
 is all right, too, Tommy; only you just keep quiet, like 
 
216 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 a good boy, and say nothing to anybody!" replied 
 Frank. 
 
 Tommy looked at him suspiciously, and asked: 
 
 "Are you going to have him arrested and punished? 
 If not, I will not keep quiet!" 
 
 "Oh, yes, Tommy, I will see to all that, and Ella 
 shall have proper attention, also!" 
 
 Tommy went out of the room very sullenly and 
 went downstairs, walked to the front door and looked 
 out. He saw Snickuls walking along, about half a block 
 away, and, stepping out on the sidewalk, put his fingers 
 to his mouth and gave a peculiar whistle. 
 
 Snickuls stopped, gradually, and cautiously looked 
 in Tommy s direction, crossed the street, stopped again 
 a moment and then slowly came toward the hotel. 
 
 When he came up to Tommy the latter said to him 
 earnestly, in a low voice: 
 
 "Snickuls, I have something very, very important to 
 tell you. Go to The Snickuls and Tommy Club and I 
 will be there soon! Wait for me!" 
 
 Snickuls gave him a quick, searching look and 
 walked away, saying: 
 
 "All right, Tommy," and Tommy re-entered the hotel. 
 
 Dr. Biddle had been some time with Ella in her 
 room at the top of the hotel and, as he came out of her 
 door, he muttered to himself: 
 
 "Just as I thought, when I saw his mouth and the 
 back of his head!" 
 
 A few paces away he met Frank Hihsdale, coming 
 to him, who asked in a low voice: 
 
 "Well, Doctor, what do you think?" 
 
 The Doctor whispered in his ear: "There is no 
 doubt that it is a case of assault!" and the two men 
 went downstairs. 
 
 In their bedroom Mrs. Hinsdale was weeping, as 
 she talked to her husband. 
 
 "I have learned to love El la like my own 
 daugh ter and you are not going to take her away 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 217 
 
 and throw her out into the world in such a way! 
 to go to destruction !" 
 
 "You keep quiet, now!" said Frank, "or we will have 
 the biggest kind of a scandal in this hotel and lose 
 thousands of dollars! Have you got no sense? What 
 is the girl to us, any more than any other girl that 
 comes along? How do you know what she was up 
 to before she came here? 
 
 "Even if she were a perfect Saint, I am not going 
 to let her be the means of ruining my hotel! I am 
 going to take her out of this hotel, tonight before the 
 scandal gets out, carry her in a buggy over to Jones- 
 burgh, put her on the stage, give her some money and 
 tell her to go where she came from!" 
 
 Mrs. Hinsdale spoke up again, indignantly: 
 
 "Frank, that is dreadfully cruel! The girl has no 
 home and you are not going to throw her out into the 
 world, to go down to destruction!" 
 
 Frank Hinsdale replied: 
 
 "That is her own lookout and she will have to find 
 a home. I have my interests and your interests to 
 look out for, and I will not stand any opposition from 
 you in this matter! It is going to be done as I say 
 and, if you oppose me in any way, I will go to a lawyer 
 and make arrangements for severing all my relations 
 with you!" Mrs. Hinsdale threw herself on the bed, 
 buried her face in a pillow and wept, and Frank left 
 the room but he did not know that Tommy heard every 
 word they said, as he lay on the floor in the attic 
 over their room. 
 
 Snickuls was making some memoranda in his book, 
 at the big table in The Snickuls and Tommy Club, when 
 Tommy entered and sat down opposite to him, 
 exhausted. 
 
 Tommy began and told Snickuls how he was seized 
 in the hall and put in the closet, and how he got out. 
 As he told it and looked at Snickuls, the latter s form 
 seemed to grow. 
 
218 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 Then Tommy described how he got up on the bed 
 stead, looked through the transom and what he saw. 
 
 Tommy was frightened at Snickuls his form seemed 
 to grow so big, and Snickuls bounded from his chair, 
 as if to rush out, but Tommy grasped him around the 
 neck and hung to him, exclaiming: 
 
 "Snickuls! Snickuls! Is it you or somebody else? 
 You look so strange and so big!" 
 
 Snickuls sank into a chair and said: "Yes, Tommy, 
 dear; I m Snickuls. Go ahead and tell me all!" 
 
 Tommy told him all that had happened that day at 
 the hotel, even the conversation that passed between 
 Frank Hinsdale and his wife, which he heard while 
 in the attic, when Frank stated he intended to take 
 Ella Rowe that night over to Jonesburgh and send her 
 away. 
 
 "Tommy," said Snickuls, "go back to the hotel, keep 
 your eyes open and meet me here in two hours, and I 
 will go and tell Colonel Berry!" 
 
 Frank Hinsdale was very diplomatic and politic, 
 but, whenever he made up his mind to do anything, 
 everybody around had to bend to his will, and he did it. 
 
 That night at one o clock a carriage drove up to 
 the Ladies Entrance of the hotel and Frank came out, 
 holding the arm of a veiled woman. 
 
 There were two men on the carriage seat and one 
 of them got down and opened the carriage door for 
 the woman to get in and, as Frank was about to follow 
 her, he whispered to the driver: 
 
 "I told your boss to give you some revolvers, because 
 we have a long drive through the country; have you 
 got them?" 
 
 "Yes, Sir; both of us!" answered the man and in 
 a few moments he got up on the carriage seat to drive 
 away. 
 
 As he turned his horses around in the street, he saw 
 a man on horseback, about a half block off, ride away. 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 219 
 
 Frank Hinsdale sat beside Ella Rowe in the closed 
 carriage, which was being driven very rapidly. She 
 had her veil thrown back and was weeping. He said: 
 
 "Now, Ella, it is the best thing to do for you and 
 all concerned! I will give you fifty dollars, pay your 
 fare on the stage and you can go where you please!" 
 
 "Where shall I go, Mr. Hinsdale?" asked she, with 
 difficulty. 
 
 "Why, find some other hotel and get another job!" 
 exclaimed Frank, as the carriage came to a sudden 
 stop, with a jerk. 
 
 As the driver on the carriage seat rapidly approached 
 a crossroad in a wild country, they ran into four men 
 on horseback, with cocked revolvers aimed at them. 
 The leader in a strong voice commanded: 
 
 "Throw up your hands and get down from that 
 seat, both of you!" 
 
 They obeyed quickly and, as the moon came out 
 brightly and shone on the face of the leader, they 
 replied: 
 
 "All right, Captain Berry!" 
 
 One of the horsemen took their guns. Just then a 
 buggy drove up, with a single occupant, and went to 
 the side of the carriage, out of which Frank Hinsdale 
 stepped, with drawn revolver and fire in his eye; but 
 it was no use, for two revolvers were thrust close to 
 his face, before he got out of the carriage. 
 
 The man in the buggy spoke in a deliberate and 
 determined voice, and said: 
 
 "Frank Hinsdale, deliver up that revolver and tell 
 Miss Ella Rowe to come out and get into my buggy!" 
 
 Frank recognized the voice and he could see the 
 man in the buggy now. He lowered his revolver to 
 his side and exclaimed angrily: 
 
 "What right have you, Colonel Berry, to interfere 
 with any of my business? I am trying to protect my 
 hotel from a scandal!" 
 
220 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 Colonel Berry s form straightened up and he an 
 swered sternly: 
 
 "I will always make it my business, under any cir 
 cumstances, to protect a woman in distress! As to your 
 hotel, Frank Hinsdale, you had better go back there 
 and keep perfectly quiet, or, maybe, the people will 
 burn it down over your head!" 
 
 At this moment Alvin Berry stepped to Frank Hins- 
 dale s side, took the revolver from his hand, pushed 
 him away from the carriage door, looked in and spoke: 
 
 "Miss Ella, come out, please!" 
 
 Ella Rowe took Alvin s proffered hand of assistance 
 and her hand trembled violently, as she put her hand 
 in his. She was soon seated in Colonel Berry s buggy, 
 while Frank Hinsdale stood doggedly by the two 
 coachmen and three horsemen looking on. 
 
 "Now, Frank Hinsdale," said Colonel Berry, "we 
 will leave you. Better drive back quickly to your hotel, 
 before it gets daylight, and keep perfectly quiet about 
 the whole matter. As far as this adventure is con 
 cerned, nobody will hear anything from us! Good 
 night!" 
 
 Colonel Berry s buggy drove away, followed by the 
 
 horsemen. 
 
 * ******** 
 
 Judge Elmira Sims had a fit of indigestion and he 
 had tossed about in his bed most all night, trying to 
 sleep; but the indigestion got the better of him and he 
 got up and sat on the side of the bed. 
 
 Just then he heard a buggy drive up to his door and 
 he looked out the window. A tall man got out of the 
 buggy and helped a veiled lady out. There was a man 
 on horseback near by, also. 
 
 The moon was bright and shone on the man and 
 his companion as they approached The Judge s front 
 door, who said to himself: 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 221 
 
 "Can that be Colonel Berry? It looks like him! 
 Something very important must have happened to bring 
 him out and here this time of night!" 
 
 In a moment the bell rang, The Judge slipped on 
 his dressing gown and went to the door, and when he 
 saw it was The Colonel, invited him in cordially, who 
 was followed by Ella Rowe. 
 
 The three talked together for about an hour, when, 
 after changing his clothes, The Judge went out with 
 
 them into the night. 
 
 ********* 
 
 Tommy Dust was up very early next morning and 
 stood at the door of the hotel. He saw four great 
 policemen approach, one of whom he recognized as 
 The Chief of Police, who motioned to the others. 
 
 The Chief came up to the front door and the others 
 went to different entrances and stood there, as he 
 addressed Tommy, whom he knew, in a low voice, 
 saying: 
 
 "Tommy, can you show me Evangelist Harry Noon 
 day s room?" 
 
 Tommy knew at once what he wanted and gladly 
 answered: 
 
 "Yes, it s number 5. Come with me and I ll knock 
 and tell him there s a telegram for him, and he ll open 
 the door!" Mr. Hinsdale was not up yet and Tommy 
 took The Chief to the next story and then to number 5. 
 Knocking hard on the door, he called out loudly: 
 
 "Telegram for Rev. Harry Noonday!" 
 
 "All right!" answered a strong voice, "wait a 
 minute!" 
 
 Tommy winked at The Chief, who stood close to 
 the door, and, when it was opened, he pushed himself 
 in, taking out a paper and saying: 
 
 "I have a warrant for your arrest, Mr. Noonday, 
 and you will please dress and come along with me!" 
 
 Evangelist Noonday turned pale, but recovered him 
 self and exclaimed, with an indignant air: 
 
222 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 "Arrest for me? That must be some mistake!" 
 
 The Chief answered: 
 
 "That is what the warrant says." 
 
 "Well, you have got the wrong man! There must 
 be some other man by that name!" said Harry Noonday. 
 
 "The Chief: "You are Harry Noonday, Evangelist, 
 are you not?" 
 
 Harry Noonday: "Yes." 
 
 The Chief: "Well, you are the man; dress yourself 
 and come along!" 
 
 Noonday: "Why, that is perfectly preposterous! 
 What? I under arrest? What for?" 
 
 The Chief: "The charge is Assault on a woman, 
 named Ella Rowe." 
 
 Noonday: "I never saw or heard of such a woman! 
 What? A minister of the Gospel and a man of my 
 standing can be arrested on such a charge, by some 
 low-down woman? That is an outrage!" 
 
 The Chief: "Oh, that is not so very uncommon! 
 I have arrested quite a number of preachers on the 
 same charge during the twenty years I have been an 
 officer. 
 
 "But if you have any argument, you will have to 
 argue with The Judge; so put on your things and go 
 with me!" 
 
 Noonday: "I will not go from this room! You have 
 got the wrong man!" 
 
 The Chief: "Well, you are a pretty strong looking 
 man; but I can take you all the same! The only trouble 
 is I would have to injure you in some way, and pos 
 sibly might have to shoot you. Alive or dead, though, 
 you have got to go! 
 
 "Tommy, go down and tell those officers, around the 
 hotel, to come up here!" 
 
 Tommy went and in a few minutes three great 
 policemen entered the room and Tommy stood in the 
 door. 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 223 
 
 The Chief: "Now, Mr. Noonday, here are four of 
 us and I guess we can easily take you! I do not want 
 to injure you; but if you do not dress immediately and 
 come right along, we will handcuff you and carry you 
 out, just like you are! Will you go?" 
 
 The Evangelist looked at the officers, sullenly, and 
 grumbled out: 
 
 Noonday: "Well, I guess I will have to go; but, as 
 soon as I get an attorney, somebody will pay for this 
 outrage!" 
 
 The Chief: "That is all right, Mr. Noonday; you can 
 fight that out with The Judge. We are officers of the 
 law and it is our duty to arrest you." 
 
 He here turned to the other officers and said: 
 
 "Men, I do not want to humiliate this man any more 
 than necessary. Go down to the street and keep a 
 reason-able distance from us. I do not think he is going 
 to give me any more trouble; will you, Mr. Noonday?" 
 The Evangelist answered sullenly: 
 
 Noonday: "I will go with you," and the three offi 
 cers and Tommy went downstairs, 
 
 In about fifteen minutes The Chief of Police came 
 out of the Main Entrance of The Hinsdale Hotel, accom 
 panied by a man in an ordinary business suit. 
 
 It was Evangelist Harry Noonday, who was ashamed 
 to wear his clerical hat, white necktie and long coat. 
 Nobody recognized him, as he walked along to Judge 
 Elmira Sims office, who sent him to jail, for attention 
 of the Grand Jury, which was then in session. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIX. 
 
 Lucy Hurryup had called a special meeting of The 
 W. C. T. U., to be held at nine o clock, sharp. At that 
 meeting it was her plan to inaugurate an extraordinary 
 aggressive movement against the Liquor Trade in the 
 city and county, before the approaching election for 
 Mayor and other city officials. 
 
 She was to lay her plans before the principle female 
 (and male) members of The Union. There were some 
 
224 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 male members of The Union, such as the ministers of 
 the city and county, Mayor Homer, Major Ashcraft 
 (with a barrel of money) and Deacon Going. 
 
 Before the time of the meeting, in front of the great 
 hall door, quite a number of the women members were 
 talking in groups about The Revival and the number 
 of new members the success of the great religious 
 upheaval had added to the Prohibition ranks. Lucy 
 approached, talking demonstratively to Rev. Peter 
 Nostir, and they were both greeted by the different 
 groups cordially. 
 
 Their conversations were interrupted in a few 
 moments by newsboys, who came running along the 
 street, crying: 
 
 "Extra! Extra! Buy The Clarion! Stupendous 
 Outrage!" 
 
 Rev. Nostir and several others took a paper each 
 and read: 
 
 STUPENDOUS OUTRAGE! 
 
 Evangelist Harry Noonday Arrested and In Jail! 
 Plot Supposed to be Hatched by Liquor Interests. 
 
 "One of the most colossal outrages that the com 
 munity has ever seen was perpetrated this morning! 
 Police officers entered The Hinsdale Hotel, about sun 
 rise, dragged Evangelist Harry Noonday out of bed and 
 landed him in jail. They claim they held a warrant, 
 issued out of Judge Elmira Sims Court, on the affidavit 
 of a servant girl, charging assault by Evangelist Harry 
 Noonday. 
 
 "We do not wish to reflect on Judge Elmira Sims in 
 the slightest, as to authority, dignity, right and integ 
 rity; but it does seem outrageous that a common servant 
 girl can be put up to swearing to such things, as will 
 land one of the most upright, zealous and pious servants 
 of The Lord in jail. 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 225 
 
 "The evidences of holiness; the evidences of con 
 secration and the evidences of the welfare for the 
 erring, displayed by Evangelist Harry Noonday, not 
 considering the wonderful amount of good he has done 
 in saving souls in the last few weeks, cry out against 
 and disprove the declaration of this girl! 
 
 "But there are people and interests in this city that 
 are ever ready to lay traps and pitfalls for the right 
 eous, and the people have learned to know who they 
 are; and if the people do not take some pretty strong 
 action against them now, they will in the next election, 
 which is very near! 
 
 "How long, Lord?" 
 
 Those who read the papers seemed thunderstruck 
 and dazed for a moment, and the papers were grabbed 
 and passed around and the newsboy sold everyone he 
 had. Then the storm came and the women went per 
 fectly wild. 
 
 Lucy flew from group to group, crying: 
 
 "To arms! Rouse the city! Enter every house and 
 
 proclaim the outrage! We must release the Servant of 
 
 God!" 
 
 Some of the women went screaming; some had the 
 hysterics, and some, who did not know what to do, 
 just jumped up and down. 
 
 Rev. Peter Nostir was the most affected of all, and 
 reasonably so. He initiated the movement that brought 
 The Evangelist to the city and was his most prominent 
 upholder while he was carrying on The Revival meet 
 ings, and they were held at his church. 
 
 If the charges against Harry Noonday were true or 
 
 not true they came as a staggering blow to all of Rev. 
 Nostir s efforts at his church in the last few weeks, and 
 he could see the disaster it would produce to all con 
 cerned. He sank down on his knees and felt a burden 
 on him that only a higher power could remove; and 
 lifting up his voice, in the most sincere words, he cried 
 in the voice of The Psalmist: 
 
226 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 "O Lord, my God, in Thee do I put my Trust! Save 
 me from all those that persecute me, and deliver me!" 
 
 But the ma i who knelt by his side, in a pious atti 
 tude, had a diTerent feeling or no feeling at all and 
 Deacon Going s "A a men!" was the loudest of them 
 all. 
 
 The news spread like wildfire through the city and 
 the arrest of The Evangelist was indignantly condemned 
 in most every house, which was increased by the vio 
 lence of The W. C. T. U. members. 
 
 Mrs. Bowink and Henrietta Ashcraft were at The 
 Post Office, whore they bought an extra and read the 
 news about the arrest. Neither said anything for some 
 time; but, after they had gotten into the carriage and 
 were driven away, Mrs. Bowink leaned over and said: 
 
 "Henrietta, I have seen a great deal of society, and 
 I am of the opinion that ministers are just as fond of 
 women as any other class of men." 
 
 There was quite an ugly feeling developed in the 
 city against the authorities and the wildest accounts 
 circulated through the county among the country peo 
 ple, whose ministers told them that the Liquor men 
 had entered the church, dragged The Evangelist out of 
 the pulpit and thrown him into jail, without trial; and 
 they armed themselves and came to town in bunches 
 with their ministers, prepared to liberate The Evangel 
 ist by force. 
 
 Judge Elmira Sims had foreseen the feeling that the 
 arrest would create, and had whispered in Colonel 
 Berry s ear to have Captain Berry drill his troops on 
 The Mall that day; for he thought that the sight of 
 The Berry Zouaves would have a very salutary effect 
 on the people; and it did, for, when the belligerent city 
 men, country men, W. C. T. U. women and all those 
 who had any intentions toward violence in delivering 
 The Evangelist from jail glanced over at The Mall and 
 saw Captain Berry drilling two hundred perfect sol- 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 227 
 
 diers, they recollected how he subdued the strikers, 
 and when they heard the command: 
 
 "Fix Bayonets!" they thought how dreadful it would 
 be to have those bayonets coming after them and the 
 courage all oozed out of them, and they thought they 
 would let the law take its course. 
 
 Yet there was considerable feeling among the people, 
 especially The Prohibitionists and, on account of the 
 thrashing Colonel Berry and Captain Berry had given 
 the strikers, large numbers of that class of people sym 
 pathized with and joined The Prohibition Party. 
 
 The Grand Jury indicted Harry Noonday and Judge 
 Elmira Sims said he would try the case next week. 
 
 Confined in the same cell that Captain Berry had 
 occupied, Harry Noonday sent for I. L. Appeal, to act 
 as his attorney, who had recently resigned the position 
 of Prosecuting Attorney, and I. C. Wisdom had been 
 appointed in his place. 
 
 "I understand that the Rowe girl has disappeared; 
 but The Prosecuting Attorney, Mr. Wisdom, says she 
 will surely be here at your trial. Do you think she 
 would accept a money consideration? or could she 
 be induced to leave The State by some means?" asked 
 Lawyer Appeal of his client, Harry Noonday, in his cell. 
 
 Harry Noonday: "I hardly think so; but do not 
 know. I would give twenty-five thousand dollars, if 
 necessary, to get rid of her!" 
 
 Lawyer Appeal: "Well, you sign this check for 
 $5,000 now, and I will see what I can do if I can find 
 her. If she cannot be bought off, maybe she can be 
 kidnaped." 
 
 At a small table the lawyer wrote out a check and 
 Noonday signed it, and then the lawyer continued: 
 
 "Of course there is no one can hear us. I know 
 of several tough characters, who would do most any 
 thing for a little money; but it is a delicate matter and 
 will have to be handled very carefully. Is there any 
 one else whom you fear?" 
 
228 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 Noonday: "Yes, there is that boy at the hotel -> 
 Tommy. I am afraid he is going to swear against me, 
 fend I would like to get him out of the way, if I could. 
 He could be kidnaped very easily, I think." 
 Lawyer Appeal got up from his seat to leave and 
 said: 
 
 Lawyer Appeal: "Well, the first thing is to get at 
 Ella Rowe, and I will report right away," and he left 
 the cell. 
 
 On the morning that Ella Rowe made her affidavit 
 before Judge Elmira Sims, Colonel Berry took her early 
 to his home, where Mrs. Berry was very sympathetic 
 and kind to her. 
 
 : . That night, about one o clock, a buggy, accompanied 
 by a man on horseback, drove carefully into the great 
 feerry Brewery yard or enclosure. A large man stepped 
 out from the shadows of the huge walls and took hold 
 of the horse s bridle, exclaiming: 
 
 "I am here, Colonel Berry!" 
 
 The Colonel got out of the buggy and helped a 
 veiled woman to alight. It was Ella Rowe and the 
 horseman was Alvin Berry, who got off his horse, 
 handed the bridle to the watchman and followed his 
 father and Ella Rowe up some steps and then into a 
 small office in the building, which was well filled up 
 to show off samples of beers. 
 
 A stout elderly man arose from a chair, where he 
 sat half asleep, and when he saw The Colonel and 
 klvin, gave a military salute. 
 
 "We wish to descend, Caleb!" said The Colonel. 
 
 Caleb fumbled in his pocket, pulled out a very thin, 
 flat key and stepped up to a huge cask that protruded 
 from the wall, which was ostensibly placed there for 
 an ornament or an advertisement for Beer, and he put 
 the key into the side of the cask and turned it. A kind 
 bf oval door opened ontwards. 
 
 The Colonel stepped into the cask and was followed 
 by Ella Rowe and Alvin and the door closed behind 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 229 
 
 them. Down, down they went on winding stone steps, 
 flight after flight, passing floor after floor, until a door 
 obstructed their progress. 
 
 Colonel Berry pulled a bell and the door was oponed 
 by a fat woman of genial face, who made a low bow 
 to The Colonel and Alvin. Turning to Ella ColoneJ 
 Berry said: 
 
 "Miss Ella, you can take off your veil now, for you 
 are among friends. This is Mrs. Jonquil. She and her 
 daughter will take care of you until the day of the 
 trial!" 
 
 Ella threw back her veil and looked at Mrs. Jonquil 
 with pathetic eyes, who exclaimed: 
 
 "What a pretty face!" and, stepping up to Ella, took 
 her hand and led her from the hall into a nicely fur 
 nished parlor, where The Colonel, Alvin and Ella sat 
 down. In a few minutes a nice looking girl of sixteen 
 entered, bearing a tray, on which were cups of choco* 
 late. 
 
 Lawyer Appeal was in his office writing and a knock 
 came on the door. He opened it and admitted a thin, 
 wiry looking man of medium size, who took a chair 
 as if very tired. 5 
 
 "A half dozen men of our Detective Agency have 
 looked The County over and we cannot find where 
 Ella Rowe is! The only clue that we have is that she 
 was at Colonel Berry s home on the morning of the 
 day when The Evangelist was arrested!" said The 
 Detective. 
 
 Lawyer Appeal replied in a confidential tone: 
 
 "Well, keep up the search and you will be well paid 
 for it. She is out in the country, somewhere, I guess! 
 I want you to go right away and attend to that other 
 matter, also!" , 
 
 The visitor arose and said: 
 
 "All right, Sir!" and went out. 
 
230 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 Snickuls sat in Berry Saloon No. 19, in the outskirts 
 of the city, at a table way back in the rear. He said 
 to himself: "That is the fifth glass of beer and I guess 
 I will go," 
 
 As he said that he saw Joe Ganzel and one of his 
 pals enter at the saloon door way out in front. 
 
 Every table in the saloon was taken, but there were 
 two seats vacant at Snickuls table and he knew that 
 the two men were headed for those two seats. 
 
 Joe was the bad man, or terror, of the county* 
 Though he had been in innumerable fights, robberies 
 and drunks, Joe was out of jail most of the time and 
 seemed to get money from somewhere, occasionally. 
 
 Snickuls knew Joe from afar, for he had a scar on 
 his forehead, made by a hatchet from the hands of an 
 infuriated woman; a bullet hole in his cheek, received 
 while burglarizing a house, and his nose was broken 
 from a fight with a policeman. 
 
 But, physically, Joe was not afraid to do anything 
 bad, if he made up his mind, and he was the accepted 
 leader of a gang of toughs in The County. 
 
 As Joe and his companion approached, Snickuls 
 could see that they were pretty full of Liquor and he 
 pretended that he was fast asleep, when they took seats 
 at his table. 
 
 "What yer goin ter hev this time Joe? Yer ve 
 drunk er whole quart er whisky already ter night!" 
 asked Joe s companion. 
 
 Joe answered: 
 
 Joe: "Whisky s good er nuf fer me. Git some 
 more an plenty uv it!" 
 
 Joe s Companion "Where d yer git so much cash? 
 Yer seem ter be flush ter day!" 
 
 Joe: "Ther De tective said I cud hev all I want-^ 
 if I d do one thing fur him! He wud give me 
 $1,000 if I d do it." 
 
 Here Snickuls ears pricked up, but he pretended to 
 be sound asleep. 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE . 231 
 
 Joe s Companion: "Gee! that s lots er money! 
 Want any help? Wat yer got ter do?" 
 
 Joe: "I ll hev to heve some help an I ll give 
 yer two fifty ef yer ll help me!" 
 
 Joe s Companion: "Wat s up?" 
 
 Joe: "Ther Detect ive wants me ter kidnap that 
 boy at Hinsdale Hotel!" 
 
 Joe spoke in a low, confidential tone. Snickuls 
 snored, but he heard every word, though he almost 
 jumped from his chair at Joe s last words. 
 
 Joe s Companion: "Wat s his name?" 
 
 Joe: "Tommy that s all I know. Ef I kid nap 
 him an keep him away from Batesville fur two 
 months somewhere in hiding I ll git $1,000 ! 
 
 "I see him on ther streets at night er good 
 many times. We ll git er wagon grab him an drive 
 off with him somewhere!" 
 
 The conversation ceased, for the waiter came with 
 Joe s order of whisky and placed it on the table. The 
 two men drank two glasses of whisky each, arose with 
 
 difficulty and staggered out of the saloon. 
 
 ********* 
 
 In her subterranean bedroom Ella Rowe sat, list 
 ening to Mrs. Jonquil read a book, when the bell to the 
 stairs door rang. Mrs. Jonquil hastened and opened 
 it and Alvin Berry entered, followed by Snickuls and 
 Tommy. 
 
 When Tommy saw Ella he ran to her and kissed her 
 and she put her arms around him and caressed him. 
 In a few moments Alvin Berry said: 
 
 "Now, Tommy, Snickuls and I will go and leave you 
 with Mrs. Jonquil and Ella for a week. You know 
 why." Tommy answered: "All right!" and the two 
 men departed. 
 ********* 
 
 Frank Hinsdale declared that he never had anything 
 happen that disarranged his hotel so much as the dis 
 appearance of Tommy. Nevertheless he thought it best 
 
232 . COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 to say nothing about it, for he had a sort of suspicion 
 that he was in good hands and that the Ella Rowe case 
 had something to do with it. 
 
 One thing that struck in Frank s mind forcibly was 
 that several times some vicious looking boys came into 
 the hotel; such boys as Tommy never associated with, 
 and they inquired where he was. Frank followed one 
 of these boys several blocks one day and saw him stop 
 in an alley and enter into conversation with two dis 
 reputable looking men which set him to thinking very 
 deeply, and the more he thought the tighter his lips 
 were held. 
 
 The day for the trial of the Great Evangelist had 
 come. People flocked to the Court House from twenty- 
 five miles around, and so dense was the crowd that a 
 large force of police had to push them back, as they 
 pushed and crowded toward the Court House for sev 
 eral blocks around. 
 
 But none of them could get into The Court House, 
 because Judge Elmira Sims declared that he would not 
 admit the Public into the Court Room, on account of 
 the delicacy of the Assault case. 
 
 Outside of the Court officials, lawyers and jury, only 
 a very few citizens would be admitted. 
 
 By a secret request of The Judge, The Berry Zou 
 aves had a drill on The Mall that morning, ostensibly 
 for the reason that they were going soon to a neigh 
 boring State to take part in a competitive drill, for a 
 prize; but really for the reason that The Judge and 
 Sheriff feared there would be an attempt to rescue The 
 Evangelist and they could call on the military at a 
 moment s notice to help enforce the law. 
 
 At ten o clock a large number of heavy policemen, 
 with the prisoner, Evangelist Harry Noonday, in their 
 midst, pushed their way through the crowd and 
 approached the Court House with drawn sticks. 
 
 Some of the rougher element in the crowd shouted: 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 233 
 
 "Down with ther damn cops!" and "Hurrah for 
 Harry Noonday!" but, though very sullen in their looks, 
 the better element said nothing. 
 
 Harry was very pale, looked thin and was dressed 
 in his full clerical garb, in order to get all the sym 
 pathy from the ministers and church party that he 
 could. 
 
 As the days had gone by and his lawyer could not 
 find Ella Rowe, and then Tommy had disappeared 
 mysteriously, also, he began to have a very shaky feel 
 ing come over him, and thought to himself that even 
 one hundred thousand dollars in Government Bonds 
 could not protect him. 
 
 When he was taken into the Court Room and was 
 seated by the Bailiffs on the prisoners bench there 
 was no sympathetic crowd to admire and bow down 
 to his clericalism; there were only empty benches. But 
 over there, seated by The Prosecuting Attorney, I. G. 
 Wisdom, sat a woman heavily veiled, and by her side 
 Tommy Dust. He knew the woman was Ella Rowe, and 
 when Lawyer Wisdom whispered to her, she lifted her 
 veil and looked down modestly. 
 
 The heart of The Evangelist sank within him, as 
 he thought of the crowds all over the country he had 
 so often lifted up to the highest pitch of religious excite 
 ment and swayed their minds like the leaves in the 
 wind! But what good did it do him now, for in a short 
 while, under the gentle and tactful questions of The 
 Prosecuting Attorney, Ella Rowe told her story of 
 humiliation and The Judge and Jury, looking on that 
 sad and pretty face, believed her. 
 
 Then Tommy, on the stand, told how he was locked 
 in the closet and what he saw, when he got out, through 
 the transom. 
 
 Frank Hinsdale, Mrs. Hinsdale and Dr. Biddle were 
 called as witnesses for The State. 
 
 The only witness the Defense had was Prof. Mock- 
 ingale, who declared positively that Harry Noonday 
 
234 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 was in his room with him, when the Assault was 
 claimed to have taken place. 
 
 The Professor s declaration was offset, in rebuttal, 
 by The Prosecuting Attorney in a statement from Mrs. 
 Hinsdale and Tommy, saying that they saw The Evan 
 gelist hastily leaving his own room a moment before 
 he claimed to be in Prof. Mockingale s room. 
 
 The trial lasted a very short time and the Jury, 
 after having been out only one-half hour, brought in 
 a verdict of "Guilty!" 
 
 The next day Judge Elmira Sims sentenced Harry 
 Noonday to ten years in The Penitentiary. 
 
 CHAPTER XXX. 
 
 It was midnight and, as the moon stole through the 
 trees of Colonel Berry s beautiful premises, a carriage 
 drove up carefully before his door, accompanied by 
 four horsemen heavily armed. 
 
 In a few minutes three figures came down the walk 
 from his residence and arrived at the side of the car 
 riage. It was Colonel Berry, Alvin Berry and Ella 
 Rowe the last of whom was weeping. The Colonel 
 opened the carriage door for her and she held out her 
 hand to him and his son, who grasped it warmly. She 
 said: 
 
 "God bless you and pros per you, Colonel, and 
 you Captain Berry!" and then she got into the carriage. 
 
 "All right!" said The Colonel to the coachman and 
 mounted men and they drove away. 
 
 Two days later the party came up to a great Stock 
 Farm; over the entrance was painted in large letters: 
 Berry Stock Farm and Dairy. 
 
 Into the premises the carriage and horsemen went. 
 As far as they could see lay before them fine meadows, 
 occupied by horses and cattle. 
 
 "Where is the house of Mr. Brisbane, the overseer, 
 please?" asked the leader of the horsemen of a man 
 in overalls approaching. The latter pointed to a large, 
 fine house in the distance, to which they went. 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 235 
 
 Mr. Brisbane very politely helped the occupant of 
 the carriage out and escorted her into the parlor and, 
 when seated, she handed him a note, which read: 
 "Dear Mr. Brisbane: 
 
 "You have several times spoken to me about getting 
 you a Matron for The Dairy. I hereby introduce to 
 you Mrs. Muriel Campbell, who has not long since lost 
 her husband by having some barrels of whisky fall 
 on him in my Distillery. 
 
 "Please make her Matron of The Dairy, with a good 
 salary, and show her the utmost courtesy. 
 
 "Yours truly, 
 
 "HENRY BERRY." 
 
 Mr. Brisbane treated Ella Rowe so kindly and 
 showed her so much courtesy that she became Mr*. 
 Brisbane inside of a year and, as time flitted away, 
 many children came to their happy home. 
 
 Frank Hinsdale really embraced Tommy Dust, when 
 he came back to the hotel, and said that it seemed like 
 a new place since his arrival, and there was a regular 
 jollification at The Snickuls and Tommy Club that night. 
 
 The Church and Prohibition Party in Batesville and 
 vicinity received a dreadful blow when Harry Noonday 
 was convicted as so-called religion did get all over 
 the country and true religion, which is the result of 
 deliberate reason and judgment, not of excitement, had 
 to bear the burden and suffer for it. 
 
 Most everyone who went up to The Mourners Bench 
 at The Revival and exhibited Religious Phrensy in any 
 way during Noonday s preaching said in his heart: 
 
 "What a fool I was to be so carried away by that 
 man!" and those who had so recklessly thrown their 
 personal property and money into the contribution box 
 were sorry for it; and some of the husbands of the 
 women who had put their diamonds, rings, watches and 
 other valuables into the plates and baskets threatened 
 
236 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 to sue Dr. Nostir and his church for obtaining money 
 under false pretenses. 
 
 Dr. Nostir s conscience rather leaned that way, also. 
 When they began to make it hot for him, he called a 
 meeting of The Deacons and asked them if, under the 
 circumstances, they ought not to return all those 
 watches, diamonds, rings and other valuables donated 
 at the Revival meetings, that Harry Noonday had not 
 carried off as his share, amounting to about $5,000 in 
 value, to their owners. 
 
 Major Ashcraft and others said they certainly would 
 return the property; but Deacon Going privately whis 
 pered into Rev. Nostir s ear: 
 
 "Turn them over to me and I will keep them for 
 you. You just tell the ones who are making a fuss 
 that The Evangelist carried them away!" 
 
 Rev. Peter Nostir was a good man, at heart, though 
 he had many faults, and he caused a meeting to be 
 held at his church, at which he invited the people, who 
 had contributed articles, to come up to the table, below 
 the pulpit, identify their property and take it. 
 
 Somehow or other Dr. Nostir never thought as much 
 of Deacon Going after that as he did before; but all 
 the same at the meetings of the Saints, in public or 
 private, when prayer and supplications were made, 
 Deacon Going s "A a men!" was the loudest of them 
 all. 
 
 "Snickuls, tomorrow is Election Day and you just 
 ought to see the carriages those women have got hired, 
 to take people to the polls to get them to vote!" said 
 Tommy to Snickuls at The Snickuls and Tommy Club. 
 
 Snickuls was pretty full that night and replied to 
 Tommy: 
 
 "Yes Tom my hie and most hie of their hus 
 bands will be at hie home wash ing dishes!" 
 
 The two parties in the City of Batesville were work 
 ing with all their strength to carry the coming election; 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 237 
 
 The Prohibitionists to gain more power, so they would 
 not only have The Mayor on their side, but also The 
 Aldermen and Common Council. 
 
 The Liquor Party, led by Colonel Berry, felt as if 
 they were fighting for their existence, for they had 
 money, prejudice, intolerance and numbers against 
 them. As it then stood Colonel Berry and his party 
 had a little of the advantage, for they could, by joint 
 action of Aldermen and Council, controlled by Liquor 
 men, pass an ordinance over The Mayor s veto; but 
 this election might change things all around. 
 
 As far as religion was concerned, from the recent 
 conviction of The Evangelist, the ministers in The 
 County and The Church Party suffered very severely, 
 for not only did all the new converts backslide, but a 
 great many of the old church members dropped away 
 from the cHurches. Yet, nevertheless, there was a 
 vindictive feeling among those people, such as is felt 
 by all people who have been duped, against somebody 
 and, of course, the somebody will always be the inno 
 cent party. 
 
 Lucy Hurryup and all of her followers of The W. 
 C. T. U. and all the ministers laid their disgrace to the 
 machinations of "Those Devils, the Berrys," -aided by 
 "The Infamous Rum Power," but they said: "The Lord 
 will take care of His Saints in Zion!" Strange to say 
 most of those people who had been duped by So-Called 
 Religion were prepared again to be duped by the same 
 leaders, only under the guise of Temperance. They 
 never stopped to think that rabid people of prejudice 
 and intolerance can never be temperate in anything. 
 
 Strange to say, also, though Major Ashcraft was so 
 prominent among The Prohibitionists and had had a 
 large element of the labor men, who had struck, against 
 him, large numbers of them went over to The Prohibi 
 tionists, because they hated The Berry Zouaves and 
 their commanders so, for thrashing them so badly dur 
 ing the strike. 
 
238 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 Knowing what he had to contend with, Colonel 
 Berry sent out, before The Election, to his saloons and 
 all coadjutors the following words: 
 
 "This year we will not only have our regular ene 
 mies to contend with in The Election, but a large force 
 of the men who were in the strike will be against us, 
 because The Berry Zouaves made them obey the law. 
 Every man of our party should do his utmost to get 
 out every vote possible, to help carry The Election I" 
 and being well organized his coadjutors worked hard 
 and very effectively; among them Snickuls, who swung 
 many a vote. Tommy, too, swung a good many votes 
 in a quiet way, to The Berry Party, for Tommy was 
 very popular with those who knew him, and his 
 acquaintances were legion. 
 
 Major Ashcraft was strong among a certain class of 
 business men and induced a great many to vote for 
 Prohibition; but what made him most powerful with 
 that party was his contributions of money, which went 
 toward many purposes and for which Lucy Hurryup 
 did not give too accurate an accounting; but she was 
 ably assisted by Deacon Going and Rev. Nostir and, of 
 course, every cent went into legitimate channels. 
 
 Henrietta Ashcraft, in her mind at least, took a more 
 than usual interest in this election, for had she not 
 heard Lucy Hurryup say, a few days before it came off, 
 in her father s parlor, when visiting Miss Askwitch: 
 
 "We have got those rascals father and son The 
 Berrys, on the run. We will have the votes this year 
 and will shut up their business and drive them out of 
 town, surely!" 
 
 Henrietta and Mrs. Bowink were in the hall and 
 heard this remark. The latter whispered to Henrietta: 
 
 "Do not be too sure, Lucy, for Colonel Berry and 
 Captain Alvin Berry are very plucky and resourceful 
 men!" 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 239 
 
 Somehow, though her own father was doing his best 
 for The Prohibitionists, Henrietta felt grateful to Mrs. 
 Bowink for that remark. 
 
 The ministers were doing their best to bring out 
 votes for Prohibition and Lucy Hurryup and her women 
 coadjutors were visiting every house in every block 
 in the city in carriages, soliciting votes and taking 
 people to the poles who could not walk. 
 
 Well, the poles closed at five o clock and Colonel 
 Berry, Alvin Berry and The President of The Board of 
 Aldermen were on one side, to count the votes, and 
 Mayor Homer, Major Ashcraft and Rev. Nostir on the 
 other side. They counted all night, contending over 
 every vote, for it was very close, and several times 
 Mayor Homer and Alvin Berry most came to blows. 
 
 At last, near morning, they came to the conclusion 
 that the two tickets were on a tie unless three votes, 
 evidently cast for Colonel Berry s Party, on account 
 of being written very badly, were thrown out; but, if 
 those three ballots were accepted and counted, it would 
 give The Berry Party the Election for Mayor and the 
 Majority of the whole ticket. 
 
 Mayor Homer said they would not count those three 
 votes, for they could not be read and were illegal, and 
 Alvin Berry said they should be counted. Major Ash- 
 craft and Colonel Berry said very little, at first, but 
 listened to the controversy. At last, The Major pro 
 posed that they all adjourn, leave the ballots in charge 
 of The Chief of Police, go home> get a good rest and 
 come back that evening; to which Colonel Berry gave 
 his assent and they all went home and went to bed. 
 
 Both Parties, that evening, could not come to any 
 agreement; so they all went before Judge Elmira Sims, 
 at the Court House, followed by a large crowd, who 
 were anxious to hear the result of the Election. 
 
 The Judge listened to the facts of the matter and 
 said to Colonel Berry, as the leader of his party, and 
 Major Ashcraft, as leader of the other: 
 
240 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 "Gentlemen, this is only a conversation between citi 
 zens. Do you wish to make a law caso out of it? If 
 you do, it will have to be put in legal shape, for I can 
 do nothing as it is now." 
 
 Colonel Berry, who had been thinking of the matter 
 several hours, arose from his chair and in a dignified 
 and pleasant voice spoke: 
 
 "Your Honor and Gentlemen: The troubles, from the 
 two contending Parties in our City, have been going on 
 for a long time and I would like to see all points of 
 contention settled amicably. 
 
 "If we go down to the root of all our troubles in 
 the elections and management of our City affairs, it 
 will be found that it is simply a question whether my 
 party, friends, coadjutors and myself shall manufacture 
 and sell Liquor in this community or not. 
 
 "We claim, as citizens of the land, the right to carry 
 on our business, so long as we obey the laws, which we 
 have done to the best of our ability, and, so far as we 
 know, in every particular. 
 
 "As the Party opposed to us, known as The Pro 
 hibition Party, starts out in a declaration that they 
 intend to destroy our business and run all of us out of 
 the community, when we are breaking no law, then 
 we must fight, and fight hard, for our existence! 
 
 "The immediate cause of our visit to you, Your 
 Honor, is that we find that there is a tie vote cast in 
 this Election, unless my party surrenders its claims 
 to three votes partially illegible. 
 
 "Now, Your Honor and gentlemen, if we surrender 
 our claim to those three partially illegible votes, it will 
 still make a tie and the matter will be still far from a 
 settlement. 
 
 "Without surrendering any of our rights, I have a 
 proposition or Challenge to make to The Prohibition 
 Party that will settle this Liquor Question in this City 
 for all time. To Major Ashcraft, Mayor Homer and 
 Rev. Peter Nostir, as representatives of The Prohibition 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 241 
 
 Party, I, as representative of The Liquor Party, will 
 make this proposition and say: That we will give you 
 the full control of The City of Batesville, as far as The 
 Liquor Traffic is concerned, and will close up all of 
 our saloons in the City for one month; and, then you 
 will allow me, the next month, to run a continuous 
 stream of Liquor from my Distillery, at the head of 
 Main Street, in a large trough, through the town, with 
 receptacles for drinking, dippers and glasses on every 
 block attached. 
 
 "The object of this is to prove to you all, gentlemen, 
 though it will be a great expense to me, that you will 
 have more drinking and drunkenness under your sys 
 tem of Prohibition, than if Liquor were absolutely free 
 and without restriction of any kind. 
 
 "I make you this Challenge, gentlemen, and there 
 will be no expense to you to demonstrate the point, 
 for the expense will all come out of me, and if, at the 
 end of a month s trial of your system, you do not have 
 as much drinking and as many drunks as we do, during 
 the month that I run a stream of Liquor through the 
 town, absolutely free to all citizens, then we will turn 
 The City Government entirely over to your Party or 
 ticket. But if, at the end of one month s trial of run 
 ning a continuous stream of Liquor through the town, 
 we have less drinking and drunkenness than you did, 
 under absolute Prohibition, then we are to have The 
 City Government complete. 
 
 "I make you this Challenge! Will you accept it, 
 gentlemen?" 
 
 "Why, certainly!" exclaimed Rev. Peter Nostir, look 
 ing at his coadjutors and laughing and laughing heartily. 
 
 "Certainly!" joined in Mayor Homer, and then Major 
 Ashcraft said, more deliberately: 
 
 "Certainly!" and he laughed, too. 
 
 The Prohibitionists in the Court Room, and there 
 were many, laughed heartily and those of the other 
 party had to smile at the strangeness of the proposal. 
 
242 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 Judge Elmira Sims gazed at Colonel Berry with wide 
 open eyes and then said: 
 
 "Please state your proposition again, Colonel, so that 
 we can all understand it perfectly. I will have The 
 Court Stenographer take it down, write it off and, if 
 accepted, both parties can sign it." 
 
 The Court Stenographer took his pencil and book 
 and sat at the table below The Judge s bench, and 
 Colonel Berry arose to speak again, saying: 
 
 "As representative of The Liquor Party, I propose 
 to turn The City of Batesville over to. The Prohibition 
 Party to run The City, as far as The Liquor Business is 
 concerned, for one month, beginning this September 
 first three days hence in whatever manner they see 
 fit, and we will close up all of our saloons. 
 
 "Then The Prohibition Party, beginning October 
 first, is to turn The City over to The Liquor Party to 
 run, so far as The Liquor Business is concerned, for 
 one month, in whatever manner they see fit. If, after 
 comparing the consumption of Liquor and drunkenness 
 of the two months, there is less during The Prohibition 
 month, then we will surrender this Election to The 
 Prohibitionists. 
 
 "But if, after comparing the consumption of Liquor 
 and drunkenness of the two months, there is less during 
 the Free Liquor month, then The Prohibitionists are 
 to surrender the Election to us. 
 
 "During the month that The Liquor Men have con 
 trol, I will run a stream of Whisky continually, in a 
 clean iron trough, through Main Street, accessible to 
 any citizen to drink, free of cost, and I, Henry Berry, 
 representative of The Liquor Party, challenge The Pro 
 hibition Party to this honorable combat!" 
 
 "Good! Good!" exclaimed everybody in the room, 
 particularly The Prohibitionists; but Deacon Going 
 thought, for the moment, that he was in church, and 
 his "A a men!" was the loudest of them all. 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 243 
 
 In a few moments The Stenographer handed The 
 Judge, nicely copied, what Colonel Berry had proposed, 
 and Judge Elmira Sims exclaimed: 
 
 "I hold in my hand 
 
 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE. 
 
 "If The Prohibitionists accept it, let their repre 
 sentatives step forward and sign it with The Colonel 
 and his coadjutors I" 
 
 The paper was placed on the table below The Judge 
 and Colonel Berry, Alvin Berry and The President of 
 the Board of Aldermen signed it. Then Major Ashcraft, 
 Mayor Homer and Rev. Peter Nostir affixed their sig 
 natures to the document. 
 
 The Judge declared the meeting adjourned and the 
 people flocked out of the Court Room, The Prohibition 
 ists jubilant. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXI. 
 
 Snickuls was lying down on the couch in The Snick- 
 uls and Tommy Club, when Tommy came running in, 
 exclaiming: 
 
 "Snickuls! Snickuls! Get up; I want to tell you 
 something funny!" 
 
 Then Tommy commenced to laugh so heartily that 
 he bent over, which was unusual for Tommy, to be so 
 demonstrative. 
 
 "What is it, Tommy?" said Snickuls, getting up and 
 laughing, too, out of sympathy. 
 
 "Mr. Hinsdale," answered Tommy, "has just had 
 three great wagon loads of jugs unloaded and put down 
 in the second story cellar, and guess how they are 
 labeled?" 
 
 Here Tommy commenced to laugh again. 
 
 "How can I tell, Tommy?" said Snickuls. Tommy 
 continued: 
 
 "Why, it is all marked 
 
 Chinese Molasses, 
 and it is nothing but Whisky!" 
 
 Here Snickuls laughed and Tommy laughed. 
 
244 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 "Ho! Ho! Ho!" exclaimed the former, "that is a 
 good joke! But how do you know it is whisky, 
 Tommy?" 
 
 "Because I opened a jug and smelt it," said Tommy, 
 and he continued: 
 
 "And he had a whole wagon load of quart bottles, 
 too, labeled Chinese Molasses." 
 ********* 
 
 Snickuls was about the City a good deal the next 
 day and passed several grocery stores. As he had no 
 particular business, Snickuls was a close observer of 
 things and noticed that there were several barrels being 
 unloaded at different grocery stores, on the end and 
 on the sides of which he saw a large yellow label, 
 which read: 
 
 Chinese Molasses. 
 
 Standing close to the door of another grocery, he 
 saw the proprietor come out with a man who had a 
 satchel and whom Snickuls took for a drummer. 
 
 "All right!" exclaimed the groceryman, winking at 
 the drummer, "send me a barrel of Chinese Molasses, 
 tomorrow or next day, sure!" 
 
 It was the 29th day of August and The Prohibition 
 ists were, according to agreement with The Liquor 
 Party, to run the City of Batesville for the month of 
 September. Everything was to be completely "dry" 
 and there was to be no Liquor sold nor drunk in the 
 City. Colonel Berry, head of the great Distillery firm 
 of Berry & Son, in accordance with his agreement made 
 with The Prohibitionists, issued a circular to his thirty 
 saloons, reading as follows: 
 
 OFFICE OF BERRY & SON. 
 
 Distillers. 
 
 "According to an agreement made with The Prohi 
 bition Party, we will close all of our saloons in the 
 City of Batesville for one month, from September 1st; 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 245 
 
 but the bartenders and employees will get their wages 
 just the same. 
 
 "We insist that no Liquor shall be sold in any way, 
 shape or form from our places, during the month of 
 September, and that the bartenders lock up the saloons 
 and bring us the keys on the afternoon of August 31st, 
 at five o clock. 
 
 "BERRY & SON." 
 
 On the above date the notice was sent through the 
 mail to each bartender of Berry & Son s thirty saloons 
 and, when the young man who mailed them, dropped 
 them into the main Post Office that afternoon, he went 
 across the street to the finest drug store in the city 
 Epply & Go. where a young fellow friend was 
 employed, to get a glass of soda and cream, for it was 
 warm. His friend was changing the Soda Fountain 
 somewhat. 
 
 "What you doing?" asked the first mentioned young 
 man. 
 
 "Oh, just fixing up for a new drink, that s just come 
 out. It s called Chinese Molasses. Not quite ready with 
 the blamed fountain, yet! Gome in in a couple of days 
 and you can get some; it s good!" 
 
 Tommy was passing along the hall of the second 
 story of The Hinsdale Hotel, when a young la ly called 
 him to the door of one of the rooms and said: 
 
 "Tommy, please go to the drug store across the 
 street and get me some of that perfumed soap!" 
 
 She put a quarter into Tommy s hand and he went. 
 He stood in the drug store and waited for the clerk to 
 come from the Prescription Counter and, while doing 
 so, a red sign with white letters was prominently dis 
 played in the store, which read: 
 
 "Try Chinese Molasses. 
 The New Drink. 
 It is Delicious!" 
 
246 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 Tommy looked thoughtful, got his soap and went 
 out. 
 
 Mrs. Jane Bowink, the wealthiest woman in Bates- 
 ville, drove up to the elegant confectionery and bakery 
 of Pannier & Co. with her beautiful span of horses and 
 carriage. The footman helped her to alight and, hold 
 ing her head high, she went into the Bakery Depart 
 ment to look at some cakes. When she had bought 
 some choice kinds she saw, on a large counter, a cir 
 cular, or handbill, that read: 
 
 Chinese Molasses Bread 
 
 Is Delicious! 
 
 Try It! 
 
 Mrs. Bowink asked of the young man clerk: 
 "Let me see a loaf of that Chinese Molasses Bread. 
 How much do they cost?" 
 
 The clerk looked at her rather strangely and said: 
 "They are very high, Madam, and cost thirty cents 
 a loaf; but they are very delicious! We have to import 
 them and are all out at present; but will have a large 
 lot in by the first of September. Can we send out to 
 your home, then, one-half dozen loaves?" 
 
 Now Mrs. Bowink was very fond of having nice 
 things and, as she was able to pay for most anything 
 she wanted, she replied quickly: 
 
 "Yes, send me one-half dozen loaves!" and went out. 
 
 ********* 
 
 Ned Pierce was a Detective, generally employed by 
 The Liquor Interests for many purposes; to find out 
 what the plans and proceedings of The Prohibitionists 
 were and to make himself generally useful in that line. 
 
 He was not doing anything on the first of September 
 and his wife sent him to the butcher shop to get her 
 a Bologna Sausage, of which she was very fond. The 
 butcher got Ned the sausage and, being an old friend 
 and knowing he was allied with the Liquor men, asked 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 247 
 
 with a humorous look: "And did you ever eat any 
 Chinese Molasses Sausage?" 
 
 "No," answered Ned, "is it good? What does it 
 look like?" 
 
 The butcher said: 
 
 "I ll show you, Ned, if you ll swear you will not 
 get me into trouble. Come back into the other room!" 
 
 "All right, I ll promise," said Ned, and he went with 
 the butcher, who took down a huge sausage from a 
 hook and cut the end off. 
 
 He then pulled from the middle of the sausage a 
 long, narrow bottle, wiped it off with a cloth, winked 
 at Ned and handed it to him. 
 
 Ned s eyes brightened and glistened, as he held it 
 up to the light, took the cork out, smelled it and then 
 took a good drink from the bottle. 
 
 "My! That s fine! That s a good one! Who got 
 that up?" asked Ned. 
 
 The butcher answered, laughing: 
 
 "Oh, a drummer delivers them to us!" 
 
 "Well," said Ned, "I know Colonel Berry would not 
 sanction this; but he has nothing to do with it. These 
 sausages will come in fine this Prohibition month and 
 I will put the boys in town on to it, and you will get 
 a big trade. Let me have one of those Chinese Molasses 
 Sausages!" and Ned, paying him for it, went out 
 laughing. 
 
 Miss Askwitch met Mrs. Bowink in the large Depart 
 ment Store of Neurich & Co. "Though the two women 
 had not thought much of each other, recently, they had 
 to be thrown together a good deal and thought it was 
 best to swallow their dislikes, apparently, anyhow. So 
 they went around the store together, looking at the 
 many articles to be seen, that interest women, and 
 commenting upon them. 
 
 "Why, it is lunch time! Let us go into The Res 
 taurant and get some lunch," exclaimed Mrs. Bowink, 
 looking at her watch. 
 
248 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 There was a very nice restaurant in the store and 
 Miss Askwitch followed Mrs. Bowink to a table. The 
 room was filled with mostly ladies; but there were 
 some gentlemen. 
 
 Mrs. Bowink ordered an elaborate lunch and, in 
 looking over the Bill of Fare, she noticed printed in 
 large type near the bottom: 
 
 Try Chinese Molasses. 
 It is a Fine Drink! 
 
 The widow s eyes twinkled, for she recollected what 
 happened at her home the afternoon before. 
 
 In her bedroom, reading, she was interrupted by 
 her housekeeper, Jennie, who said: 
 
 "Mrs. Bowink, there is a boy downstairs with six 
 loaves of bread, marked Chinese Molasses Bread. Is 
 it all right?" 
 
 "Yes, Jennie, receive it and tell him I will send a 
 check," answered the widow, "and, Jennie, bring that 
 bread to me!" 
 
 When Jennie brought the bundle, Mrs. Bowink went 
 with her to the kitchen and called for a knife, which 
 Jennie procured, as the cook was out. 
 
 "That cuts and looks just like any other bread 
 but what is that?" exclaimed the widow, as the knife 
 struck on something hard and revealed the neck of a 
 bottle. She pulled a pint bottle out of the loaf and she 
 and Jennie looked at each other. Then they began to 
 laugh and laugh and laugh. 
 
 "Get a glass, Jennie, and let us see what it is!" 
 exclaimed Mrs. Bowink, and she poured some of the 
 liquid from the bottle, put a little water with it and 
 tasted it. 
 
 "That is good Whisky, Jennie! I was wondering 
 where I was going to get my toddy, during this Pro 
 hibition month; but now I know. Do not tell anybody, 
 Jennie!" Jennie poured some out into a glass and drank 
 some, also. 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 249 
 
 This is what Mrs. Bowink saw in her mind s eye, as 
 she noticed the large print at bottom of Bill of Fare, 
 reading: 
 
 Try Chinese Molasses. 
 
 They had about finished their lunch when the widow 
 thought she would play a little joke with Miss Ask- 
 witch; and why should she not? Did she not recollect 
 with what relish Miss Askwitch took the Champagne 
 and other liquor at the Sunday School Picnic, where 
 they entertained so many ministers? So she slyly 
 observed: 
 
 "Let us try some of that Chinese Molasses." 
 
 The waitress came and Mrs. Bowink asked: 
 
 "What is that Chinese Molasses like? We would 
 like to try some of it." 
 
 The waitress answered: "It looks like tea and is 
 hot and sweet. Very nice, indeed! Shall I bring you 
 two cups?" 
 
 "Yes, we will try it," said the widow, and the girl 
 brought two cups and sat them down before the ladies. 
 
 Mrs. Bowink pretended that she had a little coughing 
 spell and pulled out her handkerchief to wipe her 
 mouth, which she did very deliberately; but she 
 watched Miss Askwitch closely, as she took her spoon 
 and tasted the warm Chinese Molasses in the teacup. 
 When she had sipped one teaspoonful she hesitated; 
 then took another and another; then she lifted her cup 
 and drank half of it, saying: 
 
 "That is very nice; what does it taste like?" and 
 she drank the balance of the cup. 
 
 Mrs. Bowink, coughing again, answered: 
 
 "I will try it, as soon as I get over this coughing 
 spell; but, if you like it, bet ter keep me company 
 and have another cup." 
 
 She motioned to the waitress, who brought Miss 
 Askwitch another cup. The widow sipped hers, but 
 Miss Askwitch drank her second cup right down, in 
 two efforts. 
 
250 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 "I do not know what it tastes like, but it is good," 
 said Mrs. Bowink, innocently. 
 
 "Yes, very good!" replied Miss Askwitch. 
 
 The room was warm and, as the widow sipped from 
 her cup, she watched her companion closely and 
 laughed inwardly, for her eyes grew large and looked 
 kind of vacant. 
 
 Mrs. Bowink called the waitress, paid her and hur 
 ried Miss Askwitch out to the sidewalk and fresh air, 
 and she had to take hold of her arm to steady her, as 
 the widow led her to her carriage and helped her in. 
 Mrs. Bowink whispered to her coachman: 
 
 "Drive quickly to Major Ashcraft s home!" On the 
 way Miss Askwitch went to sleep in the carriage and, 
 when they arrived at The Major s home, the servants 
 took her out of the carriage and put her to bed. 
 
 Mrs. Bowink said she met her in the Department 
 Store and she looked sick; so she brought her home; 
 but the servants, who carried her upstairs and smelt 
 
 something, whispered to each other: "Whisky!" 
 
 ********* 
 
 Policeman Ruttles was walking along the street, 
 slowly, when he saw ahead of him two well-dressed 
 men, one about thirty and the other fifty, stop on the 
 corner in front of Berry Saloon No. 5 and look up and 
 down. They went to the door and tried to get in; but 
 they failed, and stood there, until the officer came up. 
 
 "What is the matter with the saloons?" asked the 
 young man of Ruttles. 
 
 "All closed up! Everything dry in this town, now! 
 Orders from The Mayor to arrest anyone selling whisky, 
 beer or any kind of Liquor!" exclaimed the policeman, 
 stopping, twirling his club and assuming a severe air. 
 
 "Well, I ll be damned!" exclaimed the young man, 
 looking at the other in disgust, who turned away and 
 walked to the corner where the officer stood. "Of 
 course you have to enforce the law, officer," said the 
 elder man, "but we have traveled all over the country 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 251 
 
 in the last year and we have never seen a dry town 
 that s worth a damn for business!" 
 
 Ruttles shrugged his shoulders, twirled his club and 
 went on, to finish his beat, but he saw a man standing 
 on the diagonal corner, whom he eyed suspiciously, 
 as he walked away. Half way down the block the 
 policeman looked serious, shook his head and muttered 
 to himself: 
 
 "The man is right and this town will not be worth 
 a damn, before long!" 
 
 As the two strangers, who could not get a drink, 
 stood there, they saw two women, walking separately, 
 with tin pails coming from one direction and a little 
 girl from the other. They all went to the side entrance 
 of the saloon and tried to get in, but could not. 
 
 "What s matter with saloon?" asked a little fat 
 woman, coming up to the men on the corner; while 
 the thin woman and girl followed with inquiring looks. 
 The young man, lighting a cigar, jerked his thumb 
 toward Ruttles in the distance and said: 
 
 "Policeman says all saloons are closed and town is 
 dry. " The fat woman assumed a belligerent attitude 
 and exclaimed: 
 
 "What? We can t have no more beer? Do they 
 think we can drink dirty water!" 
 
 "Nein! Nein!" said the other woman who was 
 German very excitedly, "Ich bin so sorry! M in man 
 he vill schwear hart; he must haf plenty beer!" 
 
 The little girl commenced to cry and sobbed out: 
 
 "Mama says we have got very little bread to eat 
 today and must make up on beer and now we 
 won t get no beer!" 
 
 "Poor little thing!" said the elder man, going to the 
 girl and putting his hand encouragingly on her head. 
 He put his other hand into his vest pocket, took out 
 a quarter and slipped it into her hand, saying: 
 
 "There! There! Go home now and get you all some 
 bread!" 
 
252 . COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 The little girl opened her hand and saw the quarter, 
 looked up at the stranger and smiled and went off down 
 the street, while the two women stood there talking 
 vociferously. 
 
 Just then the man who had stood on the diagonal 
 corner came across the street to where the little group 
 was standing, and stood listening. The two strangers 
 caught his eye and he gave a slight motion of his hand 
 to them, as if to follow him, and then he walked very 
 slowly away. 
 
 The two men had not been through the world for 
 nothing and they, deliberately, followed him in an 
 unconcerned manner. After walking several blocks the 
 man stopped and waited for them to come up, and he 
 then said to them: 
 
 "Gome with me and you can get whatever you want!" 
 
 The three walked together, in another direction, for 
 three blocks and he entered the gate of a nice premises 
 with a pretty frame house, nice lawn, flowers, trees 
 and swings. It looked very home-like. 
 
 They were conducted around to the side entrance 
 to the house, where they went up some steps, and 
 entered a parlor and became seated. The parlor con 
 tained a piano, couple of easy chairs, sofa and fireplace. 
 Opposite them was a papered wall, with two nice look 
 ing pictures on it. 
 
 Immediately, after they were seated, another man 
 put his head into the door and said, in a low voice: 
 
 "Go ahead; coast is all clear!" 
 
 Hearing this, the man who had conducted them there 
 brought a small ornamented table from another room, 
 with different kinds of glasses on it, and sat it in the 
 middle of the room. He then reached up, took the 
 two pictures from the wall and put them on the piano. 
 
 Taking a thin key from his pocket, he went to the 
 right hand extreme end of the wall, inserted the key into 
 a small crack and it looked like the whole wall slid 
 back to the left, revealing long shelves, extending across 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 253 
 
 the room and way up to the ceiling, filled with bottles 
 of all kinds of liquor. When this was done, the man, 
 smiling and making a low bow, said, 
 
 "Gentlemen, what will you have?" 
 
 The two men staid there for an hour, drinking, and 
 carried away with them a bottle of whisky, each, in 
 his pocket. As they paid their bill and started to go, 
 the entertainer slid back the sliding door, put back the 
 pictures and took out the table and glasses, and the 
 room looked again just like a private parlor. 
 
 The two men could control themselves, but they 
 reached the street in a stupid condition. After they 
 were well under way, the elder exclaimed: 
 
 "Ralph, I have drunk more today hie than in 
 six months before. If that sa hie loon had been 
 open we would not have hie taken but one 
 drink!" 
 
 The two women with empty tin pails, who stood 
 at Berry Saloon No. 5, after calling Mayor Homer and 
 The City Government all the hard names they could 
 think of, for cutting off the Beer Supply, walked away 
 together toward their homes. 
 
 In a few moments they saw a milk wagon coming. 
 The driver stopped at different doors and delivered 
 milk. As he came out of a basement, he met the two 
 women, scolding, and said: 
 
 "What s ther matter?" 
 
 The fat woman replied: "Aw, we can t get no more 
 beer! That s the Devil of a Mayor!" 
 
 "Yaw! Yaw! he iss nicht gude!" said the German 
 woman. 
 
 The milkman reached over, took their pails and 
 exclaimed: "Sh-h-h!" motioning his head in the direc 
 tion of milk wagon. The women followed with wide 
 open eyes. 
 
 At the wagon he placed the two pails under the 
 faucet of one of his large cans, turned the handle and 
 they were soon full. When he took them out and 
 
254 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 handed them to the women they were full of foaming 
 beer. 
 
 "Gude! Gude!" said the German woman, handing 
 him a nickel, and the other woman, doing the same, 
 exclaimed, laughing: 
 
 "Well, I declare!" 
 
 The milkman got into his wagon and said: "Keep 
 yer mouths shut, or ther cops will get us all I You 
 know where to get it, now." 
 
 "Yaw! Yaw!" said the German woman, laughing, 
 and he drove on. 
 
 The milkman had only driven a short ways when 
 he saw his old schoolmate and classmate, Policeman 
 Ruttles, approaching on the sidewalk and he stopped 
 and called out: 
 
 "Hello, Rut! How yer feelin ?" 
 
 The policeman left the sidewalk, went over to the 
 wagon, shook hands and said: 
 
 "Say, Jerry, can you give me some of that you gave 
 me the other day? I m dreadful dry." 
 
 "Sure, all yer want!" exclaimed Jerry, and he drew 
 a glass from under the seat, turned the faucet and 
 handed a glass of beer to the policeman. Before the 
 milkman drove away Ruttles drank three glasses and, 
 when he resumed his beat, he exclaimed: 
 
 "My, that was good! If this keeps up, I don t know 
 what this damn town s coming to!" 
 
 CHAPTER XXXII. 
 
 Lucy Hurryup and Rev. Peter Nostir had determined 
 to call a meeting of the particularly faithful members 
 of The W. C. T. U., and it was to be held in the small 
 Lecture Room of Rev. Nostir s Church, which could be 
 made secluded and secret. Lucy, herself, was to stand 
 at the door, and no one was to be admitted to the meet 
 ing the faithfulness of whom she doubted in the least. 
 
 Before going to the meeting at the church she 
 thought she would drop in at The Ashcrafts and stir 
 The Major, Miss Askwitch and Miss Henrietta up to a 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 255 
 
 little more enthusiasm. Somehow or other, though The 
 Major had done no particular thing to make her think 
 so, he did not seem to have the enthusiasm that he did 
 for The Prohibition Cause. What influence it was that 
 caused this she did not know. 
 
 Miss Askwitch, also, who had been a very aggressive 
 and zealous Prohibitionist, was not at their last meet 
 ing. So she thought she would go to The Ashcrafts 
 and stir them up. 
 
 When she got there, which was just before dinner 
 a very convenient time to come there sat Dr. Nostir, 
 with Miss Askwitch and Henrietta, in the sitting room. 
 
 "I thought I would come in and get you all to come 
 to our Ratification Meeting this afternoon; but I see 
 that Dr. Nostir is here and he no doubt has told you 
 about it!" said Lucy, as Miss Askwitch placed a chair 
 for her. Just then the doorbell rang and Mrs. Bowink s 
 pleasant voice was heard. 
 
 Miss Askwitch leaned over to Lucy and said in a 
 low voice: 
 
 "I wish "hat woman would stay away from here! 
 She is a perfect nuisance and I just hate her!" 
 
 Henrietta arose, excused herself, went out into the 
 hall and greeted and kissed Mrs. Bowink, whom she 
 brought into the sitting room. The widow bowed to 
 the three Prohibitionists and took a seat near Henrietta. 
 Major Ashcraft came in just then and the butler 
 announced dinner. 
 
 During the meal it seemed as if The Major could 
 not be too attentive to the widow, who looked very 
 pretty that day, much to the disgust of Miss Askwitch, 
 who could not look Mrs. Bowink in the eye; but, when 
 the latter s head was turned the other way, she looked 
 daggers at her. 
 
 Major Ashcraft loved Mrs. Bowink, but, as he looked 
 at his daughter that day, he was truly proud of her 
 and said to himself that, though he had traveled a great 
 deal in his life, he had never seen such a classically 
 
256 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 beautiful woman as Henrietta, who sat next to the 
 widow at the table. The more Henrietta bloomed into 
 womanhood, the more her features and form seemed 
 to be perfect. 
 
 At the end of the dinner and, as the coffee was being 
 served, Rev. Nostir stood and said: 
 
 "My host, and good friends, we Prohibitionists never 
 drink, and cannot drink to the success of anything in 
 strong drink; but we can use that God-given beverage 
 coffee for the same purpose. I have not the slightest 
 doubt of our success in our contest with The Liquor 
 forces this month; but I will ask you all to drink in 
 
 coffee with me to the success of our cause, which is 
 
 Universal Prohibition!" 
 
 "Good!" cried Lucy and some of the others. She 
 touched her cup to The Major s; Miss Askwitch to Rev. 
 Nostir s and Henrietta and Mrs. Bowink reluctantly 
 went through with the motions, the widow saying in 
 her mind: 
 
 "You old hypocrite! How much of my Champagne 
 did you drink at The Sunday School Picnic?" 
 
 Major Ashcraft retired to the sitting room with Rev. 
 Nostir, Lucy Hurryup and Miss Askwitch; but Mrs. 
 Bowink lingered in the dining room, looking at some 
 imported China that The Major had just bought, and 
 which Henrietta was showing her. 
 
 The dining room was just opposite the sitting room 
 and one could see from one to the other, across the 
 hall, and hear what was said. Major Ashcnift got up 
 to go down to his business and Rev. Nostir said he 
 would go down-town, also. 
 
 The minister, addressing the others, standing, said: 
 
 "We want a good attendance at our Ratification this 
 afternoon and, Miss Askwitch, we expect all the shining 
 lights of Prohibition, like yourself, to be there!" 
 
 Mrs. Bowink, who heard the last remark, suddenly 
 ducked her head and laughed and laughed in her hand 
 kerchief. Henrietta said: 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 257 
 
 "Please tell me what it is, dear! Please!" 
 Mrs. Bowink composed herself and replied: 
 "Pardon me, Henrietta, I just could not control 
 myself, dear. I cannot tell you what it is, now, but 
 I will some day!" 
 
 She was just thinking how fond of Chinese Molasses 
 Miss Askwitch was and, at the same time, was a "shining 
 light of Prohibition." Henrietta and she then went into 
 the sitting room where the other women were, the men 
 having gone. 
 
 Very soon Miss Askwitch and Lucy got up and said 
 they were going to the meeting and left the room; but 
 neither of them asked Henrietta or Mrs. Bowink to go 
 with them. 
 
 At the meeting, where Lucy stood guard, Rev. Nostir 
 and Deacon Going came early. They passed the door, 
 went up to the stand and took their seats on the plat 
 form. After some women, came Major Ashcraft and 
 some other gentlemen; then the women came in droves; 
 so much so that Lucy had to hold them back, in order 
 to identify them in her mind. 
 
 There was a particularly large number of them came 
 up to the entering door, at once, where Lucy stood, 
 most of whom she recognized at a glance; but there 
 was an old woman in the bunch, the face of whom 
 she could not easily see. When stopped, the old lady 
 said in cracked voice: 
 
 "I m Sister Jericho, of Dr. Nostir s Church. Two 
 of my sons died drunkards and Pm going to drive The 
 Devil, Rum, out of this town, praise The Lord!" 
 
 "Enter, Sister! Enter!" said Lucy, assisting the old 
 lady through the door. There were about fifty women 
 and a dozen men at the meeting. 
 
 Lucy stepped to the stand on the platform and 
 opened the meeting in the following words: 
 
 "Fellow Prohibitionists, we have great reason to 
 rejoice here, tonight, that we can Ratify the agreement 
 that will overthrow the Rum forces of Hell in this town 
 
258 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 for all time; but, before we enter further into the 
 objects of our meeting, we will ask Brother Nostir to 
 lead us in prayer." 
 
 Rev. Nostir stepped to the stand, folded his hands, 
 closed his eyes, and said: 
 
 "We thank Thee, O Lord, that we have so many 
 pious hearts in this community, who are saturated with 
 the grace of Thy love, sufficient to grapple with that 
 monster, Rum! 
 
 "Overflowing with zeal in our cause and being cer 
 tain of victory this month over the Liquor forces, we 
 want to Ratify the agreement that Thy blessed inter 
 ference has placed in our hands to destroy Apollyon. 
 
 "We thank Thee for blinding the eyes of the Cap 
 tains of the Rum Trade and putting it into their hearts 
 to rush to their destruction by. making such an agree 
 ment, that will deliver this City up to Thy children 
 to govern, under the holy banner of Prohibition and 
 Temperance. We thank Thee, O Lord, that the time 
 is coming and is now here, when there will be no more 
 Liquor made, no more Liquor sold and no more Liquor 
 drunk; and we do Ratify and rejoice in Thy name that 
 Thou hast sent us such an agreement, that will over 
 whelm and destroy the powers of Perdition this month 
 and drive them to outer darkness, where there will be 
 wailing and gnashing of teeth!" 
 
 "That s right! Give is to em Brother! I lost two 
 sons by Whisky! Throw em out!" called out the old 
 woman in cracked voice, and another one shouted: 
 
 "We ll never let up on them!" and another: 
 
 "So let it be, Lord!" and another: 
 
 "Throw the Devils into Hell, Brother!" but the loud 
 est of them all was Deacon Going s "A a men!" 
 
 Then Lucy called upon the lady organist to play: 
 
 "Hold the Fort, for I am Coming!" which they all 
 sang vehemently and, after several other addresses in 
 the same tenor, and many jubilations and congratula 
 tions, the meeting adjourned. 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 259 
 
 The old lady who had been welcomed so cordially 
 and who had been, at first, stopped by Lucy at the 
 door, went toddling down the street for quite a dis 
 tance, turned into several other streets, went up some 
 stone steps and entered a house. In a few minutes 
 she was in a well-furnished bedroom, straightened her 
 self up, took off the bonnet and cloak and the manly 
 form of Ned Pierce The Liquor Men s Detective 
 
 stood there. 
 
 ********* 
 
 Mayor Homer looked puzzled, as he sat in his private 
 office at the City Hall, with his elbow on the table and 
 his head resting on his hand. The first week had passed 
 of the month during which The Prohibitionists were 
 to have full control of the city. 
 
 Every saloon had been closed and the police were 
 ordered to arrest anyone of whom the slightest sus 
 picion of selling liquor was held. 
 
 Yet, notwithstanding, there had been more drunks 
 arrested and brought into his Court, in the last week, 
 than in any previous corresponding week of his admin 
 istration. 
 
 He had ordered The Clerk of The Court to look up 
 the corresponding week of the last year and compare 
 it with this, and he reported that there had been more 
 than twice as many people arrested for being drunk 
 and down than the year before. 
 
 The police reported they found drunks everywhere. 
 Before the saloons were closed they found the drunks, 
 if any, not far from the saloons; but now they found 
 them in the streets; in the alleys; in grocery stores; in 
 and around drug stores, butcher shops and everywhere. 
 As he was puzzling over it, Lucy Hurryup, Rev. Nostir 
 and Deacon Going, after knocking, entered. 
 
 The Mayor seated them and Lucy, in her most exu 
 berant mood, exclaimed: 
 
 "You ought to have been at our Ratification Meeting, 
 yesterday afternoon! We had a glorious time!" 
 
260 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 "Yes," said Rev. Nostir, "The Lord filled the meeting 
 for us, so that our hearts were uplifted in thanks and 
 congratulations for blinding the eyes of the Liquor 
 Leaders, to rush to their own destruction!" 
 
 Deacon Going added: "For which we praise The 
 Lord!" 
 
 The Mayor looked so serious that Lucy asked: 
 
 "Are you feeling well, Mayor?" 
 
 Mayor Homer answered, evasively: 
 
 "There seems to be a great many drunken people 
 brought into my Court during the last week." 
 
 "Oh!" exclaimed Lucy, "they are all drinking up the 
 last whisky they have got. When that is all gone, you 
 will see that there will be no more drunks. 
 
 "Another thing I want to tell you, is that Hal. Cleve, 
 our Prohibition Detective, reported to Dr. Nostir and 
 me that a good many of the policemen, themselves, 
 drink on the sly. 
 
 "Now, you must put a stop to that, for the police 
 men set a bad example to the whole town, and maybe 
 they help a good many others to get liquor!" 
 
 "That is true, Mayor!" added Rev. Nostir. " Exam 
 ple is better than precept/ and if the authorities are 
 sinners in the sight of God, they set a bad example to 
 the people!" 
 
 A a men!" said Deacon Going. 
 
 The Mayor looked down and replied: 
 
 "I hate to interfere with my police force; they work 
 like clock work and The Chief is a fine man and 
 oflicer!" 
 
 Lucy straightened herself up, threw back her head 
 and exclaimed: 
 
 "Rut it is your duty to our cause. Mayor Homer, to 
 The Lord and to the People to discharge those drunkard 
 policemen and put some others in their places!" 
 
 "Yes, that is right!" added Rev. Nostir, and Deacon 
 Going said: "A a men!" 
 Lucy went on: 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 261 
 
 "Suppose, at the end of this month, the Liquor Forces 
 surrender the Government of The City into our hands, 
 which there is no doubt of, how can we run The City, 
 as a Prohibition community, if the policemen all drink? 
 You must discharge them!" 
 
 "Yes, that surely ought to be done, Mayor, if we 
 want God to bless us!" added Rev. Nostir, and Deacon 
 Going exclaimed: "A a men!" 
 
 "Well," said The Mayor, restlessly, "I will call in 
 The Chief of Police, during the day, and have a talk 
 with him to that end." 
 
 When Lucy and the other Prohibitionists were gone, 
 The Mayor tapped a bell on his table and a page came 
 in from the Court Room. 
 
 "Find The Chief of Police and tell him The Mayor 
 would like to see him, early!" commanded The Mayor, 
 and the page bowed and retired. 
 
 Mayor Homer was cross, when the serious and manly 
 face of the strong Chief of Police Murray made his 
 appearance. The Chief was seated in front of him, 
 and he said: 
 
 "Chief, I am told that many of the Police Force 
 drink whisky. Is that so?" 
 
 "Yes, Your Honor, some of them do," answered The 
 Chief. 
 
 The Mayor sat up straight in his chair and in an 
 authoritative manner exclaimed: 
 
 "Well, that has got to be stopped!" 
 
 The Chief looked at The Mayor, calmly, for a 
 moment and remarked, slowly: 
 
 "The Police Force, Your Honor, is in very fine 
 shape, now, but, if you issue such an order as that, 
 some of our best officers will resign and you cannot 
 fill their places!" 
 
 "Do you mean to tell me," exclaimed The Mayor, 
 leaning forward and bringing his fist down on the desk, 
 "that you cannot fill the place of a lot of drunken 
 policemen with sober men?" 
 
262 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 The Chief looked The Mayor unflinchingly in the 
 eye and replied: 
 
 "With all due respect, I want to correct you, Your 
 Honor. In the first place they are not drunken police 
 men, for a man can drink all his life and not be 
 drunken, and in the second place, I say you cannot fill 
 the places, easily, of such officers. A policeman is 
 like a soldier and you cannot make one in a day. 
 
 "The policeman has to be a little of everything a 
 merchant, politician, lawyer, doctor and even, some 
 times, a priest. 
 
 "Look what Henry Vickers did, two weeks ago, when 
 that man was blown up with gunpowder. Nobody 
 could find the priest, for he was away, and Vickers 
 baptized the man and read The Prayer Book to him 
 until he died. 
 
 "It takes a long time to make a successful police 
 man and, when they are good ones, the public does 
 not appreciate them and looks upon them as a coarse, 
 gruff and cruel lot of men, looking around for someone 
 to club. 
 
 "I tell you that the average policeman, though he 
 is thrown constantly with bad characters, cruel scenes 
 and violent work, has as kind and tender a heart as 
 the members of any other class of people. 
 
 "Look at Bill Blue, when that large ice wagon ran 
 over and killed that little girl in his district I He was 
 telling me about it and he cried like a child. He said 
 the little girl, whenever he passed her mother s gate 
 on his beat every day, would come out and bring him 
 a flower or some candy, and he would take her up in 
 his strong arms and she would lisp out baby talk to 
 him. 
 
 "Sometimes, on cold days, her mother would let her 
 take her policeman* out a cup of hot coffee. I tell 
 you, Mayor, it made me cry, too, to see the largest 
 man on the force take on so; and yet the Public thinks 
 
CELENEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 263 
 
 policemen have no hearts. And both of those men 
 take their drinks. 
 
 "I want to call your attention, particularly, Your 
 Honor, to Jimmy Maloney and, though I am his superior 
 quite a number of times in rank, I will take off my 
 hat to him any time out of respect. 
 
 "Jimmy has the Fifth District to look after, and it 
 has the toughest and most desperate element of people 
 in this region living there. Jimmy is a drinking man, 
 but he keeps order in his district and has it under 
 perfect control; something that no other policeman 
 ever did that was sent into that district. 
 
 "All the force recollects the battle that Jimmy had 
 with Joe Ganzel, the desperado, when he first took that 
 district. Joe had a revolver and a knife and Jimmy 
 only his club. Jimmy got shot twice and cut once, but 
 he whipped his man and landed him in jail. 
 
 "The women and men, who saw the battle, say that 
 it lasted one-half hour. That is when Joe got his nose 
 broken, and I think Joe and his pals are not afraid of 
 any man on earth, but Jimmy Maloney; for they know 
 he will get them, if he has to go into a rat hole after 
 them. 
 
 "There is not an officer on The Police Force who 
 would take Jimmy s District for double his wages, and 
 now you want to get rid of him, because he takes a 
 few drinks a day, and put in his place some pious, 
 cowardly fool, whom the toughs will run out of the 
 District inside of a week!" 
 
 "Understand me, Chief, I do not want to get rid of 
 these officers, but they must quit drinking; for that is 
 the policy of my administration!" said The Mayor. 
 
 The Chief looked at him, sorrowfully, and exclaimed: 
 
 "Then we will lose them, for I am sure they will 
 resign!" 
 
 "Suppose we send for Jimmy Maloney, Chief, and 
 see if we cannot get him to quit drinking," added The 
 Mayor. 
 
264 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 "Well, you will have to take all the responsibility 
 and do all the talking, Your Honor. I say it with 
 respect, but it is against my judgment. If I have dis 
 pleased you, I will hand in my resignation right now, 
 Your Honor!" exclaimed The Chief. The Mayor replied, 
 apologetically: 
 
 "Oh, no; you are perfectly satisfactory! We were 
 talking about Jimmy Maloney. Send for him or go 
 and bring him here!" 
 
 The Chief stepped to the table, wrote a note, enclosed 
 it in an envelope and The Mayor tapped the bell. When 
 a page appeared The Chief said: 
 
 "Deliver that to Policeman Maloney, District No. 5!" 
 
 Jimmy Maloney was walking along a block in his 
 district, both sides of the street being lined with frame 
 houses, not of the best. He was of medium size, but 
 very heavily built, and as he stepped along with springy 
 step, his club in right hand, he looked as if every 
 muscle were disciplined and under perfect control. 
 
 Jimmy had red hair, a kind of square head and 
 jaw, small nose inclined to turn up and dark blue 
 eyes, that were always roving. His mouth was aggres 
 sive and determined, but not bad looking. 
 
 He saw a crowd of boys running hastily across the 
 street, on the next block, and was wondering what 
 they were doing, when suddenly a Court House page 
 approached and handed him a note. 
 
 "What in ther Divvil is that?" exclaimed Jimmy, as 
 the page walked away. He opened the envelope and 
 read: 
 
 MAYOR S OFFICE. 
 City Hall. 
 
 "Dear Jimmy: 
 
 "The Mayor wishes to see you at City Hall. Can 
 you come at once? I will be there. 
 
 "THE CHIEF." 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 265 
 
 He read the note twice, put it inside his great coat 
 and muttered to himself, as he walked back toward 
 The City Hall: 
 
 "Divvil a bit! It manes aither Oim ter be promoted 
 or discharged! Aither one suits me, fur Oim toiredl" 
 
 When Jimmy was admitted to The Mayor s presence 
 in his private office by the page, he entered fearlessly, 
 though respectfully, like a soldier, stepped up in front 
 of The Chief and saluted; then before The Mayor and 
 saluted, exclaiming: 
 
 "Chafe and Yer Honor, Oim here fur yer orders I" 
 
 As The Mayor looked at Jimmy s rigid, virile, soldier 
 like attitude, he could say nothing for a moment. At 
 last he said in a very dignified tone: 
 
 "Officer Maloney, I am told that you and a number 
 of officers on the force are addicted to the habit of 
 drinking whisky. Is that so?" 
 
 "Yis, Yer Honor; Oi takes me thrinks siveral toimes 
 a day and makes no sacret uv it!" answered Jimmy, 
 resoectfully. 
 
 "Well, that is a bad example you are setting to all 
 of your district and the whole City! This is a Pro 
 hibition Administration and you must stop it, imme 
 diately, or I will have to put someone else in your 
 place!" said The Mayor, sternly. 
 
 Jimmy looked sorry and replied: 
 
 "Yer Honor, that is aisy ter say shstop thrinking ! 
 But whin ther childer and ther bys get ter breakin 
 ther winders; whin ther thrunks are all down in all 
 ther straits and alleys; whin ther gangs are shootin 
 and cuttin aich ither s throats, and whin ther wimmin 
 are pullin aich ither s hair and schraming loike ther 
 Divvil, it gets on me noives and Oi must hev a thrink 
 or go crazy!" 
 
 "I cannot help it, officer," said The Mayor, "I have 
 established that rule and cannot vary from it in your 
 case!" said The Mayor, firmly. 
 
266 
 
 Raising his hand to his head in salute, Jimmy 
 replied: 
 
 "Well, yer Honor, that wud make me loike er dead 
 man. Take me shield and gun fur oim goin back tur 
 me little farm in ther counthree!" 
 
 He took off his shield and club and placed them on 
 the table before The Mayor and then unstrapping his 
 gun from under his coat, did the same with that. Jimmy 
 Maloney saluted The Mayor, The Chief, and then 
 exclaiming: "Good-by, Chafe!" he left the room. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXIII. 
 
 The mail carrier stepped up to the fine residence of 
 Miss Lucy Hurryup and handed to the pretty housegirl, 
 who came to the door, some letters. When he was 
 gone she closed the front door and looked over the 
 letters. One was for Miss Lucy and the other for 
 herself. 
 
 The maid knew the writing on her letter and pressed 
 it to her bosom, thinking: 
 
 "I will wait until I deliver Miss Lucy s letter to 
 her, in the parlor, before I open mine." 
 
 It was an elegant parlor in which Lucy sat, and 
 credit must be given her for furnishing and decorating 
 it so beautifully; in fact, everything in her large house 
 was nice. 
 
 One might ask how it was that Lucy came into 
 possession of such a nice piece of property, and how 
 she kept it up and paid all the incidental expenses. 
 
 Some years back Lucy was a schoolteacher, who 
 are proverbially without much means. But, being 
 smart, she joined one society after another, until one 
 day she struck the W. C. T. U. and became prominent 
 in it. So aggressive and plausible was Lucy that she 
 was elected President of the Branch where she was 
 located, which had, as members, several philanthropic, 
 wealthy old men. So impressed was one of these old 
 men with Lucy s ability, energy and philanthropy that 
 he left her, in his will, one hundred thousand dollars 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 267 
 
 to be devoted toward the cause of Temperance, as her 
 judgment might dictate. The will stated that she need 
 give no bond and could do with the money as she 
 thought best for the cause. 
 
 It was not long after Lucy came into posses 
 sion of the money before she, with Deacon Going s 
 assistance, bought herself a fine residence in Batesville, 
 that cost twenty-five thousand dollars, reasoning to 
 the effect and stating that if she wanted to advance the 
 cause of Temperance, she must have a home to live in. 
 
 Of course the other seventy-five thousand dollars 
 she had in bank, in her own name; but, so long as col 
 lections from society meetings, church meetings and 
 gifts from charitable old men and women could be 
 gotten so easily, to save those poor drunkards, why 
 touch that money in bank? It would be better to let 
 it draw interest and compound itself. A little more 
 could be put with it from gifts and collections, now 
 and then, and there was plenty of time to think about 
 that money. 
 
 However Lucy sat back in her rocking chair and 
 felt pretty comfortable, as Nita entered and handed 
 Her a letter, which Lucy glanced at, exclaiming: 
 
 "From my sister, Mrs. Senator Brentwood!" 
 
 Nita left the room and Lucy tore open the letter 
 and read: 
 
 Belgrave Hotel, 
 
 Washington, D. G. 
 "Dear Sister: 
 
 "I have concluded to accept your invitation, extended 
 so often, and to come and pay you a visit for a few 
 weeks. Expect me the first of next week. 
 "Your affectionate sister, 
 
 "RACHEL H. BRENTWOOD." 
 
 It would have been better, Lucy thought, if her 
 sister had made up her mind to come at a less exciting 
 time, say after that month had passed and the City 
 
268 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 Government more entirely in the hands of The Pro 
 hibitionists; that is permanently. 
 
 A frown came over her strong face, as she laid 
 her head back on the ornamental pillow at the top of 
 the rocking chair, and she recollected that it was the 
 third week of The Prohibition Month and Hal Cleve, 
 who had visited her yesterday, reported that drunks 
 and drunken men and women were increasing in num 
 bers every day. He had been to The Mayor s Court, 
 Police Headquarters, Jail and all the principle public 
 places, and he found that drunken men was greatly on 
 the increase. 
 
 Lucy told Cleve she knew that there was some secret 
 conspiracy, between The Berry s and the policemen, 
 to increase Whiskey sales; but the Detective replied 
 that it could not be so, for he and his helps had kept 
 constant watch on The Distilleries and they had seen 
 nothing at all out of the way done by them, and the 
 police seemed to be doing their full duty. When Nita 
 left the parlor, she went into the dining room, opened 
 her letter, took out a pressed pansy and stepped to a 
 large window and read the letter. This is what it said: 
 
 "Dearest, if you can come down to the postoffice, 
 when you get off to-night, I will be there, and it will 
 please, as ever 
 
 "Your lover, 
 
 "NED PIERCE." 
 
 Ned had been paying attention to Nita, before he 
 quit the Photograph business. The reason he quit that 
 business was that he could make more money doing 
 Detective work; but he found out that the knowledge 
 he had acquired in photography had often served him 
 well in Detective work, especially in the use of the 
 camera and developing pictures from the negatives. 
 
 Nita kissed the flower, kissed the letter, folded it 
 carefully and put it in her bosom. She then went 
 about her housework. 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 269 
 
 Suddenly the doorbell rang and she went to the door. 
 There was a large well dressed young woman there, 
 who said in a curious kind of voice: 
 
 "Does The Honorable Lucy Hurryup live here?" 
 
 When informed that she did the young woman 
 stepped into the hall and asked if she could see her. 
 Hearing the commotion going on in the hall, Lucy 
 opened the parlor door and invited the young woman 
 to come into the parlor, and closed the door. 
 
 When they were seated the young woman looked 
 around suspiciously several times and then took a letter 
 from out of her pocket, tore it open, took out a card, and 
 handed it to Lucy, which she took and read on it: 
 
 "HAL VANSKI, Business Agent, 
 National Shoe Workers Union, No. 5." 
 Lucy shrank back, when she read it, but in a moment 
 gained her composure and held out her hand, smiling, 
 which he took and pressed it. Vanski stood there, 
 talking in a low-toned conversation, for about two 
 hours. 
 
 It was late in the afternoon and Lucy had passed a 
 strenuous day of it in various ways, and now she was 
 feeling the effects of it, in being very tired; in having 
 a headache and very bad cold. She went up to her 
 bedroom and lay on the bed, but it did no good, for 
 she snuffed and snuffed with cold in her head. 
 
 Sitting in her large, comfortable bedroom chair, she 
 said to herself: 
 
 "What shall I do? I would not go to see Dr. Biddle 
 for anything and I know as much, myself, as the other 
 doctors. If I only had some of that Medicine left! but 
 it is all gone!" 
 
 She stepped to her closet, opened the door and took 
 down a bottle from the shelf. Getting the cork out, 
 she looked into the bottle; then got a glass from the 
 washstand and tried to pour something out from the 
 bottle, but there was none left. 
 
270 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 Sitting down in the chair again, Lucy snuffled and 
 blew her nose and blew her nose and snuffled, and 
 then throwing her head back and closing her eyes, 
 exclaimed: 
 
 "Oh! I dare not trust anybody to get it for me, and 
 every place is shut tight; and I dare not get it myself 
 and do not know where to go, anyhow. Let me think! 
 
 "Maybe some of the bellboys at The Hinsdale Hotel 
 might be able to get me a little, just for Medicinal 
 Purposes. I will pay him well and he will say nothing 1" 
 
 With a resolute air Lucy put on her bonnet, went 
 down stairs, told Nita she would be back soon to supper 
 and in a moment was in the street. 
 
 As she walked on, she saw a large, foreign-looking 
 man, with long, partially gray beard, walking abreast 
 of her on the other side of the street. He paid no 
 particular attention to her and had a sheet of paper 
 in his hand that looked like music, which he was 
 scrutinizing closely thru his large glasses, and she con 
 cluded he was a music teacher. 
 
 In a little while Lucy came to the Ladies Entrance 
 of The Hinsdale Hotel and went up stairs to the Parlor, 
 where she walked softly up and down across the soft 
 carpet for quite a while, before she concluded what 
 to do. 
 
 All of a sudden Lucy saw a boy move slowly past 
 the parlor door. It was Tommy Dust and she hailed 
 him, saying: 
 
 "I want to ask a favor of you and, if you will do it 
 and say nothing, I will pay you well. I want you to 
 get me a bottle of Whiskey, for Medicinal Purposes!" 
 
 This she said in a low, confidential voice, to which 
 Tommy replied: 
 
 "The Prohibitionists and The Mayor have shut up 
 our Bar and every saloon in town and how am I going 
 to get any?" 
 
 Tommy knew Lucy, but she did not know him. 
 She answered him: [ 
 
.COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 271 
 
 "You boys know most everything. Do you not know 
 a place where you can get some? I am ill and need 
 some I" 
 
 "Well," said Tommy, "all I can say is, if you will 
 put two dollars under that piano cover, over there, 
 and come back here in a half hour, somebody will put 
 a bottle of Whiskey, wrapped up, behind that sofa in 
 the corner, which you can get," and Tommy stepped 
 out into the hall. 
 
 There was nobody in the Parlor, now, so Lucy 
 opened her purse, looked carefully around, stepped up 
 to the piano, lifted the cover and hastily put two 
 silver dollars under it; then walked out and down 
 stairs. Tommy stole after her and watched her go out 
 the door of Ladies Entrance, at foot of the stairs. 
 
 Lucy came back to the Parlor, promptly, when the 
 half-hour was out, looked behind the sofa and there 
 was the package, which she took and, in a few minutes, 
 was quickly walking towards home with it in her arms; 
 but she did not see the music teacher, as he walked 
 behind her. 
 
 After eating her supper, which had been awaiting 
 her, Lucy left the Dining Room for the Parlor to get 
 something she wanted to take upstairs with her and 
 said: 
 
 "Nita do not stay out late, for the cook has gone 
 to spend the night with her daughter, and I do not 
 like to stay alone in the house much. You can sleep 
 in the room next to mine, to-night, for I am not feeling 
 very well and may call you! You have a latch key and 
 can let yourself io. I am going to bed!" 
 
 "All right! Miss Lucy!" answered Nita from the 
 kitchen and Lucy went up stairs. In a few moments 
 Nita put out the light and hastily went out the front 
 door. 
 
 When Lucy heard the front door close after Nita 
 she went down stairs to the kitchen, lit a light and 
 filled a pitcher with hot water from the kettle. Coming 
 
272 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 thru the Dining Room she put some lumps of white 
 sugar in a large cup, put out the lights, went up to 
 her bedroom, put the sugar and hot water on her center- 
 table, where the package was, and locked the door. 
 
 Lucy then disrobed and put on her night dress and 
 went and sat down at her center table, when she opened 
 the package and took out a quart bottle of Whisky. 
 
 Pouring some hot water into a glass and putting 
 some sugar lumps in with a teaspoon, Lucy filled the 
 glass full of Whiskey and drank it a little at a time, 
 until it was all gone. 
 
 "I feel that it has done my cold good, already!" 
 she exclaimed, getting up and walking to the mirror. 
 "I not only feel better but I look bet ter and I 
 guess I will take a little more!" 
 
 She went and sat down at the center table again, 
 but her hand was not so steady, as she got the Whiskey, 
 sugar and water, which she mixed, as before, and, 
 drank. Her eyes began to blur and her head began to 
 feel confused. 
 
 What did she leave those shoes in the middle of the 
 floor for? She would put them under the bed. 
 
 Rising and reaching for the shoes, Lucy pitched 
 forward and turned one of the large chairs over on 
 its side, falling over herself on her face. 
 
 Wildly scrambling to get up, she caught hold of 
 the bedcover, staggered backward and pulled it with 
 her to the floor. She then succeeded in getting up and 
 sitting down in the chair at the center table and con 
 cluded she would take one more glass and get into bed. 
 
 In attempting to pour the hot water into glass, this 
 time, she spilt a good deal of it, and so with the sugar 
 and Whiskey. She got it all in though, stirred it, drank 
 it down, with difficulty, and got up with the intention of 
 going to bed; but her head swimming she swayed from 
 side to side, until she caught hold of the table, in falling, 
 and over went table, Whiskey, hot water and glass. 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 273 
 
 The glass and Whiskey bottle lay on their sides, 
 but the pitcher was smashed into many pieces; while 
 Lucy Hurryup was stretched out, totally unconscious, 
 on her back with her face upwards. 
 
 About ten o clock Nita softly came to the front door 
 of the house with a man, who had something under 
 his arm. He kept close to her, while she opened the 
 door with her latch key and stepped into the house 
 after her, she leading him in the darkness. 
 
 She whispered: 
 
 "Stay at the foot of the stairs, Ned, dear, until I 
 go up and see how the land lies. Take off your shoes, 
 so there will be no noise!" 
 
 Nita went softly up stairs in the dark, entered the 
 back room and tried the door, opening into Lucy 
 Hurryup s, but it was locked. 
 
 She listened, could hear no sound, took off her 
 shoes, slipped carefully down stairs and came back, 
 leading Ned Pierce, until they came into her room. 
 
 Nita put Ned into a closet, with the door not quite 
 closed, lit a light, turned it down low and listened. 
 There was no sound. She turned the doorknob quite 
 a number of times, so as to wake Miss Lucy, if she 
 were going to wake. She could see that there was a 
 light on Lucy s mantlepiece, but that was all she could 
 see. 
 
 Ned came out of the closet then, took some keys 
 out of his pocket and soon opened the door. What a 
 sight there was met their eyes, as Lucy lay there on 
 the floor! 
 
 Nita would have screamed, if Ned had not clapped 
 his hand over her mouth. He pushed her back from 
 going to Lucy, took his camera and photographed 
 Lucy in the condition she was and the whole room, 
 from several different positions. 
 
 They left Lucy there, just as she was, and as Nita 
 locked the door, Ned Pierce said to his sweetheart in a 
 low voice: 
 
274 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 "I would not take a thousand dollars for that pic 
 ture, dear!" 
 
 After kissing Nita several times, she let the Detective 
 out the front door and went up stairs to bed. They 
 were married the next Sunday. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXIV. 
 
 Tom Fray was a fat, genial kind of man, with good 
 common sense and ordinary ability. For many years 
 he had been an admirer of and worker for Colonel 
 Berry and the latter had had him nominated for Mayor 
 at this election; but, on account of the vote being so 
 near a tie, and the peculiar agreement made between 
 Colonel Berry and The Prohibitionists, some expressed 
 doubt that The Liquor Forces would win, and that 
 Tom would go in as Mayor. 
 
 As Tom walked along the street, slowly, he read the 
 latest issue of The Trumpet with a smile, which had 
 printed in large headlines: 
 
 SAY CONDITION OF CITY HORRIBLE! 
 
 Drunks on Every Block District Number Five 
 In Anarchy! 
 
 "In response to numerous complaints, in the shape 
 of letters to this paper, calling attention to the ever 
 increasing drunkenness in our city and other disorders, 
 our reporter interviewed Mayor Homer and Chief of 
 Police Murray on the subject. 
 
 "After close questioning, The Mayor, though he was 
 inclined to be somewhat evasive, at last admitted that 
 there is a great d:al more drunkenness now than there 
 ever was before in this city. When asked what was 
 the cause of it, The Mayor was still more evasive and 
 would only say that he had kept a watch on every 
 saloon, and that no liquor was sold from that source. 
 Where the people got the Liquor he could not tell. 
 
 "The Chief of Police was more outspoken and said 
 that he never was in favor of Prohibition, though he 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 275 
 
 never drinks himself. When asked about the anarchy 
 that exists in District Number 5, The Chief answered 
 thus: 
 
 "Several weeks ago The Mayor told me, as he was 
 a Prohibition Mayor, he would have no officer on The 
 Police Force who drinks. I protested and told him, if 
 he enforced that rule, we would lose some of our best 
 officers. 
 
 "Jimmy Maloney is the only officer who has been 
 able to keep District Number 5 in order, for many 
 years, and he takes several drinks a day. When The 
 Mayor called Jimmy up and told him he would have 
 to quit drinking, Jimmy turned in his shield and left 
 town. What has been the result? Fights, robberies 
 and housebreaking; assaults on women, extreme drunk 
 enness, murders, wife-beating, husband-stabbing, riots 
 and disorder of every kind. 
 
 "Mayor Homer named a man for Jimmy s place, 
 whom I put in District Number 5. The first night on 
 the beat he was rotten-egged by half-grown boys so 
 badly that he had to get a new uniform. The next 
 day a trap was laid for him and he fell into a deep 
 sewer and sprained his leg and, when going home, 
 several of Joe Ganzel s gang jumped out of an alley, 
 knocked him senseless, stamped on him, stripped all 
 of his uniform off, carried it and his gun away and 
 left him in the alley almost naked. 
 
 "I have had to keep since then three officers in that 
 District all the time, at the expense of the city, and 
 none of them will stay long. But what can I do in the 
 matter, for The Mayor says he is going to carry out 
 his Prohibition Policy and, as he is my superior, I 
 have to obey. If Mayor Homer does not like what I 
 have told you, he can have my resignation at any 
 moment!" 
 
 Tom Fray folded up the paper, put it in his pocket 
 and, as he went up the Post Office steps, fairly laughed 
 outright. 
 
276 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 As Mayor Homer was about to enter the Post Office 
 he met Major Ashcraft coming out. The Mayor shook 
 hands and said: 
 
 "What do you think of that article in The Trumpet, 
 that came out this morning, Major?" 
 
 The Major looked at him a moment, kind of smiled 
 and answered: 
 
 "Guess they have you, or us, in a kind of bad fix, 
 have they not, Mayor?" 
 
 The Mayor replied: 
 
 "Oh, that is a Liquor paper, you know, and we 
 Prohibitionists must expect to be attacked by it!" 
 
 "Yes, I know," said The Major, "but I have always 
 found that The Trumpet is very fair in all its state 
 ments." 
 
 "How do you think we are coming out in our con 
 test, this month, with the Liquor Crowd, Major?" asked 
 The Mayor. 
 
 Major Ashcraft shook his head, slowly, and said: 
 
 "It looks bad, between you and me, Mayor." 
 
 "Oh, wait until Colonel Berry puts up his Whisky 
 Trough, next month, and then you will see drunkenness 
 that is drunkenness!" exclaimed The Mayor. 
 
 "Well, you only have to wait three days and then 
 we will see," said The Major. 
 
 As Major Ashcraft went along the street toward his 
 office, he passed Judge Elmira Sims and Lawyer I. C. 
 Wisdom, in conversation; both of whom bowed to him. 
 
 "Why do you think The Prohibitionists are going 
 to lose, Judge?" asked The Lawyer. 
 
 The Judge slowly replied: 
 
 "Because, Wisdom, it is a principle in lower animal 
 life and higher animal life to want most what is most 
 difficult to obtain; in fact, we may say it is a principle 
 in Nature and human nature. 
 
 "The Cat does not care for the dead mouse, nor 
 the Tiger for the slain deer; they must have something 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 277 
 
 that they must pursue and overcome; that is difficult 
 to obtain. 
 
 "The half-grown boy would rather steal fruit and 
 climb dangerous fences in the night, to rob a neighbor s 
 field of watermelons than to walk into his father s 
 back yard and pick them. 
 
 "The father, who secludes his daughters, finds out, 
 to his sorrow, that the young men will drop more 
 desirable girls and take the greatest trouble and pains 
 to elope with the secluded ones. 
 
 "And so it is with Liquor. The Prohibitionists, in 
 trying to prevent the drinking of liquor, are making 
 it more difficult to obtain, which fact whetens the 
 appetite for it and gives the acquisition of it more 
 relish; in other words, The Prohibitionists are helping 
 one of Nature s laws, like the man who assists the Law 
 of Gravitation by loosening the stone at the top of the 
 mountain and setting it in motion, to see it go bounding 
 and bounding, with greater and greater speed, until 
 it sweeps everything before it in the valley below. 
 
 "And, per contra, the reason why Colonel Berry 
 will win in his Challenge is, that however desirable 
 a thing is in this life, if you make it very easy to 
 obtain in other words, make it common nobody 
 wants it. 
 
 "For instance, gold is very hard to get, and there 
 fore it is the precious metal. But if anyone could pick 
 up gold, like stones, on the hillside or in the road, 
 nobody would want it in a little while. 
 
 "So it is with Liquor, and I think Colonel Berry s 
 Challenge will win. The Prohibitionists claim that it 
 is the presence of Liquor in a community that makes 
 so many drunkards and they would prohibit the manu 
 facture of it entirely. Colonel Berry will prove, by 
 running a superabundance of it through the town, that 
 it is not the presence of Liquor in a community that 
 makes drunkards, but the depravity of man in going 
 
278 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 to excess in some way or other, which cannot be con 
 trolled by Legislation! 
 
 "What The Prohibitionists are attempting to do by 
 means of Government is to deprive the individual of 
 free will. The question is, if they destroy the Sov 
 ereignty of the individual will, do they not destroy the 
 Sovereignty of the collective will The Body Politic?" 
 
 Lucy Hurryup s sister, Mrs. Senator Brentwood, had 
 come to visit her. Mrs. Brentwood was an entirely 
 different woman from Lucy, being of medium height. 
 She had large expressive eyes and was of a quiet, 
 gentle disposition; was middle-aged, graceful, lady-like 
 and attractive. 
 
 Though she greatly admired her big sister for her 
 ability, Mrs. Brentwood did not approve of Lucy s 
 extreme views in many things, and would say to her: 
 
 "Lucy, Lucy! do not be so extreme in everything!" 
 
 "Well, Rachel, what difference does it make, if I 
 am extreme, if I -am right?" would answer Lucy, and 
 so they would converse. 
 
 The day after Mrs. Brentwood came Lucy ordered 
 her carriage to take her out and show her the town. 
 As they passed the beautiful premises of Colonel Berry 
 and Major Ashcraft, which were next to each other, 
 Luck remarked: 
 
 "That one is the residence of Distiller Berry and 
 he and his son are regular Devils from Hell!" 
 
 "Why, Lucy!" replied her sister, "are you not 
 ashamed to talk that way about people?" 
 
 Lucy answered: 
 
 "No, I am not, for their whisky has sent more people 
 there than you can count, possibly! That next place 
 is owned by a nice man, Major Ashcraft, who is a 
 good Prohibitionist and contributes liberally to our 
 cause." 
 
 They drove down on Main Street and Lucy said: 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 279 
 
 "I will show you the enormous Distillery and 
 Brewery of those Devils but what is that those men 
 are putting in the street? Oh, yes, I remember; tomor 
 row is the first of the month and the Liquor Demons 
 are to run the town their way for a month. What 
 those men are doing is putting up a trough for The 
 Berrys to run whisky through." 
 
 "What are they doing that for?" asked Mrs. Brent- 
 wood. "That would seem very expensive and odd." 
 
 Lucy laughed and replied: 
 
 "Well, the old fool made a challenge to The Pro 
 hibitionists that there would be less drunkenness, if 
 he would run the Whisky through the town for one 
 month, than there would be under a Prohibition Gov 
 ernment for one month. Ha! Ha! Ha! What an old 
 fool! Does he not know that all the bums and drunk 
 ards of the city will live under and sleep near that 
 trough, if the police will let them! Such nonsense!" 
 
 "But, Lucy," said Mrs. Brentwood, "I heard a lady 
 say, today, that there had been more drunkenness under 
 the month s Government of The Prohibitionists than 
 ever before." 
 
 "Oh, but that is done by some manipulation or trick 
 ery of those Berrys and the Liquor Crowd. Wait until 
 they get through with that trough business, and see 
 how badly they will show up. We will fix them yet!" 
 answered Lucy. 
 
 At the same time that Lucy Hurryup was driving 
 out in her fine carriage and showing her sister the 
 city, a man with a bundle in his hand was admitted 
 by a clerk to Colonel Berry s private office in his great 
 Distillery. 
 
 "Take a seat, Mr. Pierce," said The Colonel. "What 
 report have you for me, today?" 
 
 "I have in this bundle," said the Detective, lowering 
 his voice, "an electrotype, produced from a photograph 
 I made the other night of the drunken woman. All 
 you have to do, Colonel, when you get ready, is to 
 
280 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 hand that to a newspaper and they will print the whole 
 scene from the electrotype, just as it occurred." 
 
 The Colonel opened the package, looked at the elec 
 trotype and the picture printed from it, put his hand 
 to his forehead and over his eyes a moment, turned to 
 his desk, wrote a check and handed it to the Detective, 
 who seemed very much pleased, got up, thanked and 
 shook hands with The Colonel and was soon in the 
 street. He then opened the check, carefully, again 
 and read: 
 
 BERRY NATIONAL BANK. 
 
 Batesville, Sept. 30, 18. 
 
 Pay to the order of Ned Pierce 
 
 One Thousand Dollars. 
 
 HENRY BERRY. 
 
 Since the article came out in The Trumpet, about 
 the disorders in District No. 5, of the city, and the 
 removal by The Mayor, of Jimmy Maloney as police 
 officer of that District, there had been such a howl 
 that The Mayor had to send for Jimmy and put him 
 back. 
 
 Joe Ganzel and his gang were pretty quiet on the 
 last night of September, for Jimmy had been seen by 
 some of them on his accustomed rounds. 
 
 Joe had never given up, in his mind, that he would 
 get even with Jimmy Maloney yet. He claimed to his 
 desperate followers that in his long fight with Jimmy, 
 if he had not gotten that blow on the nose with Jimmy s 
 club, he would have killed Jimmy, and no doubt he 
 would. And though Joe yielded obedience to Jimmy 
 and was afraid of him in a way, it was a sullen obedi 
 ence. 
 
 That night the gang came into the large room, where 
 they assembled, by ones and twos, until there were 
 twenty-one of them sitting in chairs, on tables, sitting 
 on the floor and lying on the floor. Some were smoking 
 pipes; some cigarettes, and some the leavings of cigars 
 that they had picked up; while many of them had 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 281 
 
 bottles of Whisky in their pockets, slyly slipped them 
 out and took a drink. 
 
 This large room was in the interior of a hill at 
 the edge of the town, which had been tunneled and 
 retunneled, until it was a beehive for the disreputable. 
 There were large and small rooms and halls all through 
 it. 
 
 The authorities had often wanted to destroy this 
 nest, but Jimmy Maloney said not, for, if he wanted 
 to find a disreputable, hardened man or woman, all 
 he had to do was to look through Joe Ganzel s hill. 
 
 Joe sat in his chair half asleep, opened his eyes, 
 suddenly, and saw a man on the floor slyly take a 
 drink from a bottle. He bawled out: "Say, Slim Sloat, 
 I thought this here town is dry, an I saw yer take 
 er drink!" 
 
 All the gang immediately took an attitude of atten 
 tion and Slim Sloat, sitting on the floor, replied: 
 
 "Ye es, but this here aint no Whisky; it s only 
 Chinese Molasses !" 
 
 "Haw! Haw! Haw!" shouted Joe, and all the gang 
 threw up their hats and yelled with laughter. 
 
 Joe continued: 
 
 "Well, Slim, yer ll git all ther Chinese Molasses yer 
 want, fur nuthin, tomorrow, fur Gunnel Berry s goin 
 ter run ther trough uv it through Main Street and yer 
 all kin go an help yerself." 
 
 "That s good!" "Fine!" "Good boy!" "Hurray!" 
 "I ll drink er jug!" "Damn it, I ll drink er whole bar 
 rel!" came from all over the room. 
 
 "Who s goin ter pay fur all that, Joe? Guess it ll 
 cost Ther Gunnel some money an somebody s got ter 
 pay fur it!" asked a sour-faced, villainous gangster, sit 
 ting on the floor a short way off, as he spoke with a 
 butt of a cigar in his teeth. 
 
 Joe sprang to his feet, shook his fist at the man 
 and exclaimed: 
 
282 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 "None uv yer damn business, Slink! Don t yer say 
 nuthin against Gunnel Berry! Judge Sims wuz goin 
 ter send me ter ther Pen and Ther Gunnel asked him 
 ter give me one more chance, an I m here yit!" 
 
 "All right!" said Slink, "I didn t know that! Three 
 cheers fur Ther Gunnel!" and all the gang cheered and 
 whooped, throwing up their hats, jumping up and down, 
 stamping and rolling on the floor. 
 
 During the confusion a large, determined; tough- 
 looking woman came into the room through one of the 
 innumerable low entrances at the side of the room, 
 made her way to Slim Sloat, sitting on the floor, caught 
 him by the hair and arm and dragged him out, exclaim 
 ing: 
 
 "I told yer twas dinner time before n I think yer ll 
 
 come now!" 
 
 ********* 
 
 As Major Ashcraft entered the front door of his 
 residence, and the servant retired, Henrietta came trip 
 ping toward him and exclaimed in that musical voice, 
 as she put her arms around his neck: 
 
 "What makes my dear Papa look so serious and 
 tired, tonight?" 
 
 He kissed her, took her hand, parted the heavy hall 
 curtains and entered the parlor with her. They were 
 alone and as she looked at him with those beautiful, 
 earnest eyes, he said: 
 
 "Dear. I do not know what makes my men so sullen. 
 They have made no demands on me in any way and 
 created no disturbance, and yet they are sullen!" 
 
 "Never mind, Papa dear!" said she, putting her arm 
 in his. "Come into the Sitting Room and see the ladies 
 and forget all about it. Mrs. Bowink is there and Miss 
 Hurryup has brought her sister, Mrs. Senator Brent- 
 wood, to see us." 
 
 The Major brightened up as soon as Mrs. Bowink 
 was mentioned, and, as soon as he had brushed up 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 283 
 
 a little in his bedroom, he came to the Sitting Room 
 where the ladies were. 
 
 Before he retired that night, Henrietta asked her 
 father what he thought of Mrs. Brentwood. 
 
 "She appears to me and acts like an elegant lady, 
 daughter, and I like her," answered The Major. 
 
 On the first day that Colonel Berry s trough was 
 in operation there was a great crowd gathered along 
 it from the enormous Distillery, at the top of Main 
 Street, to the end of the City, where the trough ended 
 and its flowing contents emptied into barrels. Colonel 
 Berry had had a pipe extended from his Distillery out 
 over the street, from which ran a stream of Liquor, 
 day and night, into a trough, which ran the whole 
 length of the city. 
 
 At three places on a block there were receptacles, 
 or deep places, made in the trough and cups were hung 
 there on the trough, so that anyone who wanted to 
 drink might dip into the receptacle and take what he 
 would want. 
 
 A great many policemen had been placed at these 
 receptacles to keep order and mounted officers and offi 
 cers on foot went up and down the trough to assist 
 any drunken people that there might be. 
 
 Hundreds drank all along the line, to be succeeded 
 by others who pushed their way through the crowd. 
 Some drank until they could not drink any more and 
 fell over in a stupor; some drank, staggered a little 
 ways and fell down, and some drank, went a long ways 
 and lay down; and some took a drink and went away, i 
 not to be seen again. 
 
 Lucy Hurryup, in her carriage, rode along the line 
 with her sister, Mrs. Brentwood, and it seemed as if 
 she saw somebody drunk at every step; for it took a 
 large force of policemen to arrest them and take them 
 off. She fairly clapped her hands and, turning to her 
 sister, exclaimed: 
 
284 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 "I told you so! I told you so! We will beat them 
 yet! I knew we would!" 
 
 Joe Ganzel s gang was there all along the line, in 
 full evidence. The gangster who said he would drink 
 a jug of whisky came pretty near it, and the one who 
 said he would drink a barrel came as near to it as 
 he could, for he was dead drunk and had to be carried 
 away. 
 
 Tommy Dust, who had made a tour of examination, 
 himself, that day, made a report to Snickuls at The 
 Snickuls and Tommy Club and said: 
 
 "Snickuls, they drank the biggest lot of Whisky you 
 ever saw!" 
 
 Snickuls was pretty full, himself, that night, and 
 replied: 
 
 "Tom my hie a man s a hie fool to try to 
 
 hie drink a whole Dis hie tillery at one time!" 
 
 ********* 
 
 Judge Sims was a keen observer of what was going 
 on in the town and, as he came down Main Street the 
 next day, he met Chief of Police Murray, who saluted 
 him. 
 
 "Chief," said The Judge, "how is the drinking com 
 ing on? You must have had a lively time, yesterday." 
 
 "Yes, Judge, it was dreadful, yesterday; but there 
 are not near so many today!" answered The Chief. 
 The Judge laughed and walked along, grinning all the 
 
 way to The Court House. 
 
 ********* 
 
 One week of trial of the running Colonel Berry s 
 trough through the town was gone. The Trumpet came 
 out in the following article: 
 
 ONE WEEK OF THE WHISKY TROUGH 
 TRIAL GONE. 
 
 "Great hopes were raised in the minds and hearts 
 of The Prohibitionists, at the sight of the numerous 
 Whisky drinkers and drunken people on the first day 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 285 
 
 of this month, occasioned by Colonel Berry s Whisky 
 Trough being run through Main Street. 
 
 "The Prohibitionists rejoiced greatly, because they 
 thought the evidence on the first of the month was 
 sufficient to prove that Colonel Berry s Challenge would 
 do him no good, for there would be more drunken 
 people during the month of his trough trial than there 
 was during the month of extreme Prohibition. 
 
 "The Prohibitionists are now not so sure of their 
 victory and some of them regret that they rejoiced so 
 soon, for there are not one-quarter of the people around 
 the Whisky Trough now that there were a week ago, 
 and the proportion of drunken people is a great deal 
 less than a quarter. 
 
 "Miss Lucy Hurryup, President of The W. C. T. U., 
 expressed doubt to The Chief of Police, in presence of 
 our reporter, as to his assertion that there are not 
 one-quarter as many drunks, now, as on the first day 
 of the trough trial. The Chief answered her and said: 
 
 " Miss Hurryup, it is a matter of Public Record, 
 and we have the names of the parties arrested, at The 
 Court House. I have gone over them and know what 
 I am talking about. If you doubt my word, go there 
 and see for yourself! " 
 
 "It has already been proven, from The Prohibition 
 Policy of Mayor Homer, during the last month, that if 
 that month is compared with any previous month in 
 the history of our City, when the Saloons were open, 
 it will show that there was twice as much drunkenness 
 in The Prohibition Month as in any month in the his 
 tory of the City, when the Saloons were open. 
 
 "That proves logically and conclusively that a City 
 Administration under Prohibition, as compared with 
 a City Administration, which permits open Saloons, is 
 a failure. In other words there is less drunkenness 
 when there are open Saloons. 
 
 "Having proven that to be so, Colonel Berry proposes 
 to prove that, drunkenness cannot be laid to The Dis- 
 
286 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 tiller or Manufacturer of Liquor, for he is running a 
 constant stream of Liquor from his Distillery thru the 
 town, free to all; and he says he will show, thereby, 
 that there will be less drunkenness than there was dur 
 ing the same time that Prohibition was enforced in 
 the City. 
 
 "Colonel Berry also says that it is not the presence 
 of Liquor in a community that makes drunkenness, but 
 it is a perverse desire of a certain proportion of every 
 community to go to unreasonable extremes in some 
 thing. Should this desire be bent on consuming Liquor, 
 if all the Distilleries in the world were out of existence, 
 these people would make it and get it for themselves 
 and friends! 
 
 "They would make Liquor in their kitchens; they 
 would make it in their cellars; in their back yards; 
 in caves and in the mountains; in fact, they would 
 make it anywhere, and all The Judges, Legislatures, 
 Armies and Navies of the world cannot prevent it, be 
 cause, when attempted, the very lawmaker, law exec 
 utives and law-interpretors are the very lawbreakers. 
 It has always been so and always will be so. How 
 many thousand years does the average Prohibitionist 
 
 require to have anything proven to him?" 
 
 * * ******* * * 
 
 Mayor Homer was gloomy and his head drooped 
 as he walked home in the night. He had just passed 
 Main Street and looked up and down the Berry trough, 
 as far as he could see. 
 
 It was the Third week of the Trough Trial and as 
 far as he could see there were only three people at 
 the trough, drinking, and they walked quietly away. 
 
 The police, standing all along the trough, saluted 
 The Mayor as he passed and he asked one of them in 
 a low voice: 
 
 "Phil, how is the drinking today?" 
 
 "Very little, Your Honor; it gets less and less every 
 day. Most everybody now claims the smell makes 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 287 
 
 them sick and they wish The Mayor would take the 
 trough away," answered the officer. 
 
 As Mayor Homer walked away, he muttered to him 
 self: 
 
 "I am afraid that Colonel Berry s Challenge has 
 
 won and Tom Fray will take my place next month!" 
 
 * * ******* * * 
 
 The Berry Zouaves Armory was a very large build 
 ing, had a large folding door entrance and broad stone 
 steps that led up to the door. Inside the door was a 
 long hall that extended across the front part of the 
 building, back of which, reached by passing thru a 
 number of doors, was the Main Drill Hall. All around 
 the sides of this hall were cases containing racks, in 
 which the muskets were put when they were not in 
 use, and passing thru several doors were small rooms, 
 devoted to the use of officers, and for the convenience 
 of the men. 
 
 The building was in the charge of two men by the 
 names of Janup and Drury. The former kept watch 
 during the day and the other at night. They were 
 both strong middle-aged men, attached to Colonel Berry 
 and the interests of The Berry Zouaves. 
 
 As Janup was cleaning the floor of the large Drill 
 Hall one morning, a stranger entered, looked around 
 and began to talk to him. He complimented the build 
 ing and said he was just looking at the City. He asked 
 what were those cases for on the side and how could 
 the soldiers get into them, and got Janup to show him 
 some of the guns and how the cases were opened and 
 closed. 
 
 He then remarked very innocently: 
 
 "Where do they get their ammunition?" "Down 
 stairs in the Ammunition Room," said Janup. 
 
 "Could I see how you keep it?" aksed the man. 
 
 "Oh, no; we never let anybody go down there! 
 I keep the key in my pocket and Drury has his; so 
 nobody can get in there but us; unless he has an order 
 
288 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 from Colonel or Captain Berry. After talking a few 
 minutes and asking some other questions, the man 
 left and went along the street, slowly, looking at every 
 thing like a stranger, but when he got several blocks 
 away from The Armory, he started off at a brisk pace 
 and soon came to the house and door of The President 
 of the W. C. T. U., where he entered. 
 
 * **** w w 
 
 Chief of Police Murray stood on Main Street giving 
 some directions to an officer, when he looked up and 
 saw Tom Fray coming toward him, who extended his 
 hand and said: 
 
 "Well, Chief, how is everything?" 
 
 The Chief shook his hand heartily, and exclaimed: 
 
 "All right! and I guess you will be Mayor, tomor 
 row, Tom! Everybody is damning that trough and is 
 saying it makes the whole town smell! I have not seen 
 anybody near there for a week, except two or three 
 strangers, passing thru the town." 
 
 The next morning, "Colonel Berry s Challenge" hav 
 ing been carried out, according to agreement between 
 The Prohibitionists and Liquor Party, the leaders of 
 both sides met in Judge Elmira Sims Courtroom, with 
 The Judge sitting on the bench. 
 
 The Judge rapped for order and there was stillness 
 in the assemblage, which was very large, and the 
 people had come to hear about which party would win. 
 At one end of the large table, just below The Judge s 
 bench, sat Colonel Berry, Alvin Berry and President of 
 Aldermen, representing The Liquor Party, and at the 
 other end sat Major Ashcraft, Rev. Peter Noster and 
 Mayor Homer, representing The Prohibitionists. 
 
 When all was quiet Judge Elmira Sims, holding a 
 paper in his hand, arose and exclaimed: 
 
 "Gentlemen, according to this report, obtained from 
 The Court Records, and according to the agreement 
 made between The Prohibition Party, whose represen 
 tatives are below me, and The Liquor Party, whose 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 289 
 
 representatives are also below, I hereby declare that 
 Colonel Berry s Challenge has won by a large ma 
 jority." 
 
 "Mr. Tom Fray, candidate for Mayor of Successful 
 Party and other candidates will therefore step for 
 ward and take the oath of office!" 
 
 CHAPTER XXXV. 
 
 Lucy Hurryup would not go to The Courthouse to 
 hear that "Colonel Berry s Challenge" had won and 
 that The Prohibitionists had been overwhelmingly de 
 feated. 
 
 During a visit she made with her sister, Mrs. Senator 
 Brentwood, to see Miss Askwitch, she exclaimed: "The 
 Liquor Party won by trickery and fraud, for they 
 could not have won in any other way! Those Berrys 
 will do anything; buy up policemen, lawyers, Court 
 officials, politicians and Judges. They think they have 
 got us beat; but just wait awhile and we will show 
 them!" 
 
 "Why, Lucy," said Mrs. Brentwood, "I have heard 
 some very good accounts of those Berrys, since I have 
 been here." 
 
 "Only from Liquor sources!" retorted Lucy. 
 
 "No, not from Liquor sources!" replied Mrs. Brent 
 wood. 
 
 There was a knock at Colonel Berry s private office 
 door and he admitted a clerk, accompanied by a mes 
 senger boy, who bore a note. The clerk retired and 
 the messenger waited, standing, for an answer to the 
 note, which read: 
 
 The Trumpet 
 "Dear Colonel: 
 
 "If you will send that electrotype of the drunken 
 woman, I have a fine place to put it, which will make 
 things very lively. 
 
 "Yours respectfully, 
 
 "J. BLACK, Editor." 
 
290 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 The boy wondered what made Colonel Berry keep 
 him so long, for he seemed to read the note over and 
 over a dozen times, stared at it and it, at last, fell from 
 his hand to the floor. 
 
 The Colonel turned to the boy and said: 
 
 "Tell Mr. Black that I will see him in person!" and 
 the boy went away. 
 
 Why did Colonel Berry sit rigid so long in his 
 chair, when he kept the boy waiting, and why did he 
 not give him the electrotype? It was because he fell 
 into a revery and saw a vision of the past. 
 
 Some years before he was in his office and a tall 
 young woman entered. She closed the door, as he 
 arose to meet her, and with drooping head she came 
 up in front of him and tremblingly said: 
 
 "Colonel, how can I ever thank you for all you have 
 done for me!" 
 
 She suddenly took his hand and kissed it and before 
 he knew it, had her arms around his neck, clinging to 
 him and saying: 
 
 "Oh, Colonel, I love you!" 
 
 * * ******* * * 
 
 Tom Fray took his seat as Mayor in place of William 
 Homer, who retired a very crestfallen man, and every 
 thing, politically, assumed its old normal condition, all 
 the saloons being open as formerly. The Liquor men 
 were happy, of course, but they did not make them 
 selves obnoxious or disagreeable to The Prohibitionists. 
 Colonel Berry sent word to the bartenders of all his 
 saloons, saying: 
 
 "Do not encourage, in any of my saloons, expres 
 sions that will offend The Prohibitionists. Never crow 
 
 over an enemy that is down!" which was strictly obeyed. 
 
 * * ******* * * 
 
 "My Dear Wife," said Colonel Berry, as he finished 
 his lunch, at home in his dining room, "Alvin and I 
 may be late, to-night, before we get home. He will 
 have some important work on our books, at The Brew- 
 
291 
 
 ery Office, and I will have -the same at The Distillery 
 to attend to," and so saying he and Alvin drove down 
 town together. Alvin got out at The Brewery and his 
 father drove on to The Distillery Office. 
 
 At the great Ashcraft Shoe Manufactories, when the 
 time came for stopping work that day, a keen observer 
 would have noticed that the men, as they came out of 
 the factories, did not go home in droves as usual, but 
 seemed to scatter in groups of two or three and disap 
 pear very quickly. 
 * * ******* * * 
 
 "Does Mr. Drury live here?" asked a man dressed 
 in overalls, of a woman that .came to the door of a 
 small house, not far from The Armory. 
 
 "Yes," said the woman, "I am his wife! What do 
 you want with him? He works at night, over at The 
 Armory and is now getting his sleep; because he will 
 have to go to work at six o clock." 
 
 "Well," continued the man, "I ve got a fine horse for 
 sale, cheap, down at the stable, four blocks from here, 
 I heard he wants to buy a good horse, and I ve got the 
 article to sell. Can I see him?" 
 
 The woman replied: ; 
 
 "I know he wants a good horse very much, but I 
 hate to wake him. He will be up by four o clock! Can 
 you come then?" 
 
 "Tell him to be here, sure, at four o clock and I 
 will be back at that time," exclaimed the man, and off 
 he went; but he returned promptly at that time. 
 
 Drury came out and went with him down the street 
 to the stable, which they entered, the man leading, 
 who winked at some other men, standing just inside 
 the stable door. 
 
 "Come back here with me and I ll show him to 
 you!" exclaimed the man, and Drury followed. 
 
 In a moment Drury was seized from behind, thrown 
 to the ground, gagged and bound, while five men stood 
 over him. 
 
292 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 "Take him back there and pitch him in the hay!" 
 said the leader, "and be sure he does not escape!" 
 ; It was half-past four o clock and Janup was tired 
 of working around The Armory and he sat down a few 
 moments to rest. As he sat there two well-dressed 
 men entered and asked him if he could tell them any 
 thing about the history of the City. They sat down 
 with him and asked many questions, and one said: 
 
 "Have a cigar," which Janup accepted and smoked 
 with them. 
 
 Presently Janup s head began to feel bad and heavy 
 and he could not hold it up, and though he attempted 
 to rise, he could not, and tumbled over on the floor 
 apparently lifeless. 
 
 "We ve got him, now!" said one of the men, as he 
 knelt down and went through Janup s pockets, pulling 
 out a large bunch of keys. "Tie him and pull him 
 into one of these rooms!" 
 
 The other man took a rope out of his pocket, tied 
 Janup s hands tightly behind his back; then tied his 
 feet firmly together; then he made a gag with a large 
 handkerchief and put it into his mouth and tied it 
 around his head. 
 
 The two men dragged Janup into one of the small 
 rooms and locked the door on the outside, withdrawing 
 the key. They then went to the large front door and 
 tried the keys of the bunch, obtained from Janup, in 
 the lock, a large one of which fitted and turned the 
 bolt. 
 
 Pulling the door after them they locked it and 
 quickly descended the stone steps and hastened away, 
 each taking a different direction. There was nothing 
 special going on at The Armory that night; but most 
 #ny time the different members of The Berry Zouaves 
 might call into the building for a number of purposes; 
 and so it was at six o clock, when three young men 
 mounted the stone steps and found The Armory locked. 
 One of the young men exclaimed: 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 293 
 
 "What can that mean? I never knew The Armory 
 to be closed before!" 
 
 "Oh, maybe The Janitor has gone off for a few 
 minutes!" said another. "We will come back in an 
 
 hour!" and they went away. 
 
 * * ******* * 
 
 "Papa, let me go down-town and help you, tonight 
 You know you have no son and I will have to help 
 you in place of one," said Henrietta Ashcraft to her 
 father, putting her lovely head on his shoulder, as he 
 sat at the supper table, at which also sat Miss Askwitch 
 and Mrs. Bowink. 
 
 "No, Darling; you stay here with Mrs. Bowink and 
 Miss Askwitch; they need your company," answered 
 The Major. 
 
 "Oh, let me go along, too!" exclaimed Mrs. Bowink. 
 
 "Do you both want to go?" asked The Major. Both 
 the ladies renewed their request, to which he answered: 
 
 "If Mayor Fray had not sent me four mounted 
 Detectives, who are now on the outside waiting for 
 me, and six policemen to guard my office, I would not 
 let you go; but, if you insist, I guess we will try it." 
 
 The ladies put on their wraps and in a few minutes 
 were in The Major s comfortable carriage; with two 
 men on the driver s seat and one behind, as they rolled; 
 away. 
 
 "It seems to me I never saw so many women out 
 in my life!" said Henrietta, "and they all seem to be 
 going in the same direction. What does it mean, Papa?" 
 
 "I do not know, Darling; maybe it is some of their 
 society meetings," answered The Major. 
 
 "But their societies do not meet anywhere, along 
 these dark side streets," said Henrietta. 
 
 "It is strange," remarked Mrs. Bowink. 
 
 * * * * *.* * * * * * 
 
 Within five blocks of The Distillery and Brewery 
 of Berry & Son there were three policemen walking 
 on their beats that night. As each one passed some- 
 
294 COLONEL DERBY S CHALLENGE 
 
 dark, lonely spot some m an came up and addressed 
 him and, while the officer was talking, several powerful 
 men sprang upon him, bore him to the ground, gagged 
 and bound him. 
 
 Alvin Berry sat in his office at The Brewery very 
 intently writing. Every one of the clerks was gone; 
 but there were always some men in various parts of 
 the great building, who acted as firemen, engineers and 
 watchmen. 
 
 Wishing to get a letter from another part of the 
 office, Alvin arose, got the letter and was about to return 
 to his desk, when he looked out the window at the 
 beautiful full moon rising. Just as he started to move 
 away from the window, he saw the figure of a man 
 in the shadow of the wall, outside, creeping along 
 toward the window. Alvin hid behind the curtain and 
 watched him. 
 
 In a few moments the man raised up, came to the 1 
 window and looked in, and the light of the moon struck 
 him full in the face, revealing what Alvin thought was 
 one of the most villainous countenances he had ever 
 seen. : 
 
 In another moment the face and form were gone. 
 Alvin stepped to a chest of drawers near his desk, 
 pulled one of them out and took from it a brace of six- 
 shooters, put on a belt and stuck the revolvers into it. 
 He then filled his pockets full of cartridges, stepped 
 to the inside passage of The Brewery and called The 
 Janitor, who came quickly, and Alvin said to him: 
 
 "Go tell the head night watchman that I looked out 
 my office window, just now, and saw a villainous- 
 looking fellow prowling around. 
 
 "All right! Captain," exclaimed The Janitor, who 
 went outdoors to find the watchman; but he had not 
 gone far before he was thrown to the ground, bound 
 and gagged. 
 
 Alvin went on writing and we will leave him there 
 for the present. 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 295 
 
 Lucy Hurryup and her sister had an early supper 
 that night and, after they had finished, Lucy said: 
 
 "Come, Rachel, put on your wraps and we will go 
 and have a ride. It is such a beautiful moonlight 
 night, I think it will be charming!" 
 
 "Why, no, Lucy! I do not think it is safe for ladies 
 to go out riding at night," answered Mrs. Brentwood. 
 
 "Oh, yes; it is quite safe, for I have three men 
 two coachman and a footman who are heavily armed, 
 and I have a revolver in my pocket myself," replied 
 Lucy. 
 
 Mrs. Brentwood continued: 
 
 "I do not like to go out at night; but, if you think 
 it is safe, I will go with you." 
 
 Lucy s carriage drove up to the door and she and 
 Mrs. Brentwood came out to the sidewalk to get in. 
 Her sister got in, but Lucy took one of the coachmen 
 aside and put three five dollar bills into his hand, in 
 a low voice saying: 
 
 "One of these for each of you!" 
 
 ********** 
 
 Joe Ganzel was tired and he was lying down on a 
 table full length, with his right arm over his face and 
 eyes. There was nobody in the room except himself. 
 He heard someone enter the room and footsteps 
 approach quickly. Looking up he said: 
 
 "What s ther matter, Slim Sloat?" 
 
 Sloat stooped over and whispered in his ear and 
 Joe precipitately sat up on the side of the table, exclaim 
 ing: 
 
 "Ther Hell yer say! At what time?" 
 
 Sloat answered: 
 
 "Eight o clock!" 
 
 Joe gave him a terrible grip of the arm and with 
 fierce eyes commanded him: 
 
 "Be damn quick! Bring all ther gang here, yer kin 
 find!" and Sloat disappeared through one of the small 
 entrances of the room. 
 
296 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 In a very short time excited men came into the 
 room, one at a time and in small groups, going up to 
 Joe and receiving their orders, until the room was full. 
 Each one bore a club or some other kind of offensive 
 weapon, which he concealed about him the best he 
 could. 
 
 Joe, standing up straight at the side of the table, 
 raised his arm and clinched fist and exclaimed to them 
 all: "Now, dam yer, go where I tell yer and do jest 
 what I tell yer, and when I give ther yell, f oiler me!" 
 
 When his last word had fallen the gangsters scat 
 tered in a twinkle and were soon out in the darkness, 
 leaving Joe alone. He pulled the table a little distance 
 aside, lifted up a plank and took out of a hole a couple 
 of brass knuckles, a long knife and a revolver, all of 
 which he disposed about his person; then he put out 
 the lamp on a box and slipped out of the room. 
 
 Lucy Hurryup s coachman drove into a very dark 
 street, for there were nothing but warehouses with 
 very high brick walls on both sides of the street, which 
 obscured the moonlight and threw deep shadows all 
 around. 
 
 Mrs. Brentwood turned to her sister and said: 
 
 "Lucy, where are you going? This is such a dark, 
 disagreeable street!" 
 
 "Wait!" said Lucy in a commanding tone, looking 
 ahead as if expecting something, and Mrs. Brentwood, 
 though she felt ill at ease, thought that Lucy would 
 have her own way, anyhow, and she settled herself 
 back in her seat. 
 
 In a few moments more the carriage stopped, and 
 one of the coachmen put his hand to his mouth and 
 gave a low whistle. Suddenly a gate opened in the 
 side of the wall, a man came out and stepped up to 
 the side of the carriage, saying in a low voice: "Is 
 that you, Miss Hurryup?" 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 297 
 
 "Yes, Mr. Vanskil" exclaimed Lucy, bending forward 
 and shaking hands. "Is everything ready?" 
 
 "Everything! We have four hundred men here and 
 thirty women. How are they at your end?" said 
 Vanski. 
 
 "We have three hundred and fifty men and forty 
 women, and we had better start, had we not?" replied 
 Lucy. 
 
 "Yes; you go right back and start them from your 
 end and I will give the order here, immediately," said 
 Vanski, and he withdrew and entered the gate. 
 
 Lucy Hurryup s coachman turned the carriage 
 around and drove back the way they came. Her sister 
 whispered in her ear: 
 
 "Lucy, what are you up to? I am sure that some 
 thing is going on wrong! Please take me home!" 
 
 Lucy grasped her arm and exclaimed: 
 
 "No! Keep still and see the Glory of The Lord!" 
 
 Willie Way was a bad little boy, for his mother told 
 him to be home at six o clock. It was now eight and 
 he was still running the street. But he was making 
 his way home for there was The Armory, and it was 
 not far from where his mother lived. 
 
 Willie had often been into The Armory and talked 
 to the two kind-hearted Janitors and knew them well. 
 There was quite a number of men now standing before 
 The Armory, each showing a desire to get in, and Willie 
 stood there a moment, child-like, and heard them talk. 
 As the men were talking, Lieutenant Hopkins came up 
 and said: 
 
 "What s the matter, boys? Why are you not inside?" 
 
 One of the men answered: 
 
 "I have been here several times in the last hour 
 and can t get in. Where s The Janitor, I wonder?" 
 
 "Well, that is strange!" replied The Lieutenant. "I 
 never knew of such a thing to happen before! Some 
 thing must be wrong! Ed, you go over to Janup s house, 
 
298 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 see where he is and get the key, and you, Bill, go down 
 to Drury s house and do the same!" 
 
 The two men started off in different directions and, 
 just as they were gone, another man came running up, 
 followed by several others, and exclaimed: 
 
 "Say, Lieutenant, there s the biggest lot of men you 
 ever saw, and some women, collecting over there near 
 Colonel Berry s Distillery! Do you know what it 
 means?" 
 
 "Something wrong! Something wrong!" said The 
 Lieutenant. "We must get these doors open!" 
 
 Willie heard all of this, but he saw a switch, in his 
 mother s hands, awaiting him also; so he hurried on. 
 "Kitty! Kitty! what a beautiful Kitty!" said Willie, as 
 a truly beautiful cat ran along the sidewalk in front 
 of Willie. 
 
 The more he tried to catch the cat, the more elusive 
 it was, until it ran around on the side of a stable and 
 climbed a fence. Willie was a daring little brat and 
 climbed after it; but it jumped into a small open win 
 dow, just big enough for a cat to get into, above the 
 fence, and disappeared. 
 
 Standing up on the fence, Willie could just reach 
 the window; so taking a firm hold on the sill, he lifted 
 himself up and looked in; and what did he see? There 
 lay a man, below the window, on some straw, with a 
 cloth around his head and mouth and his hands and 
 feet were both tied with a rope. The man moved 
 and Willie said to himself: 
 
 "Why, that s Mr. Drury! I know him!" and Willie 
 let hims If down and jumped to the ground. He went 
 on to reason thus: 
 
 "I wonder what he s doing there! I ll go and tell 
 those men at The Armory where he is!" and Willie 
 ran back to The Armory. 
 
 The two messengers, who had been sent after The 
 Janitors, had just returned and reported to The Lieu 
 tenant that the wives of The Janitors had not seen 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 299 
 
 them for several hours and did not know where they 
 were. By this time there were about fifty Zouaves 
 collected in front of The Armory, listening to the mes 
 sengers, when Willie came up and heard what they said. 
 
 "I know where Mr. i)rury is! He s tied with a 
 towel in his mouth and his hands and feet tied, too, 
 down in a stable. I saw him through a window, just 
 nowl" said Willie to the men. 
 
 "Where? Where?" exclaimed a dozen voices. 
 
 "Gome with me and I ll show you!" said Willie. 
 
 "Men," said The Lieutenant, "there is some foul 
 play in this matter and we have got to get into this 
 Armory right away! Come with me, about twenty of 
 you, and the balance guard The Armory. We must 
 have enough along to meet emergencies 1" 
 
 About twenty men followed him and he followed 
 Willie. As they approached the stable they saw several 
 men look out and disappear suddenly, leaving no one 
 in the stable but Drury, who was released in a few 
 moments and, after telling his story, hastened to open 
 
 The Armory. 
 
 ********* 
 
 As Alvin Berry went on writing the thought struck 
 him that it was unusually still about The Brewery. 
 Seeing that villainous face at the window, combined 
 with the stillness, made an uncanny, creepy feeling 
 come over him and he arose from his desk, stepped to 
 the inside hall and listened. Not a sound was to be 
 heard! 
 
 Generally The Janitors were stirring about the lower 
 part of The Brewery at that time; also other men, but 
 he could hear nothing. 
 
 Alvin said to himself: t 
 
 "There is some deviltry going on, I know!" 
 
 Drawing one of his revolvers he stepped out and 
 
 went through the back of the great building. Finding 
 
 several doors open to the outside court and street, he 
 
300 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 closed and locked them and then went back to the 
 office, saying to himself: 
 
 "If there is some deviltry being put up against me, 
 it must be against father, too, and I will go over to 
 The Distillery and see if he is all right and then come 
 back here." 
 
 So he opened the front door of the office, locked it 
 after him and started down the stone steps to the street, 
 
 which was very wide there. 
 
 ********* 
 
 Major Ashcraft, Henrietta and Mrs. Bowink sat in 
 bis office and were thinking it was time to go home. 
 One of The Detectives came in suddenly, took The 
 Major into another room and said in a low voice: 
 
 "Major, there are hundreds of men prowling around 
 the streets, and some women with them. What they 
 are up to we cannot make out just yet; but I do not 
 think it safe for you to go home in your carriage and 
 not safe for you to stay here, for they may attack you 
 in either case. 
 
 "The best way would be for you to put on some 
 overalls and for the ladies to change their dresses for 
 some cheap ones that the washerwomen have left in 
 the building, and then all of you slip out and go home. 
 
 "As there are a lot of women in the crowd, you 
 and your ladies will not be noticed. We four Detec 
 tives will follow closely after you, to protect you. Let 
 the coachman stay in the office yard, all night, with 
 the horses." 
 
 Major Ashcraft saw that the reasoning of The Detec 
 tive was very sensible and they went out to acquaint 
 the ladies with their plans. 
 
 Henrietta and Mrs. Bowink felt nervous, of course, 
 but thought it was the best thing to be done; and so, 
 going into another part of the building, they slipped 
 on some other dresses that made them look like girls, 
 such as work for their living. Major Ashcraft had 
 already put on some overalls and changed his hat and 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 301 
 
 looked like a workman, if anybody did not look very 
 closely at his face. 
 
 Slipping out of a back door they entered the street 
 from a side entrance, and were soon walking in the 
 direction of their home, when a great crowd met them, 
 as they came to a corner and, before they knew it, 
 they were swept along with it towards Berry & Son s 
 great Brewery. Henrietta and Mrs. Bowink clung 
 tightly to The Major s arms, but they were pushed and 
 jolted a good deal. 
 
 The crowd seemed determined in their looks, but 
 were then pretty quiet. Leaning close to two women 
 Henrietta heard one of them exclaim to the other: 
 
 "Thank God, we are most there! and we will put 
 an end to this drinking business in this town forever!** 
 
 Henrietta whispered into her father s ear, as they 
 approached the mammoth building: 
 
 "Papa, they are going to do something to The Brew 
 ery!" 
 
 The Major whispered in the ladies ears, as the 
 crowd surged and jammed: 
 
 "If we should get separated, do not be afraid; but 
 hurry down to The Hinsdale Hotel and stay all night P 
 
 Just then, as the crowd of men and women saw 
 The Brewery, they rent the air with yells and screams 
 and plunged ahead toward the great building. So vio 
 lent was their motion that Henrietta was torn from 
 her father s side and swept forward nearer the front 
 of the crowd of men and women. 
 
 Recollecting what her father said, seeing other 
 women near her, Henrietta thought it was best to drift 
 with the rest, until she could get a chance to escape. 
 The moon made everything almost as light as day and, 
 as she looked ahead, she saw a man coming down The 
 Brewery steps and she said to herself: 
 
 "That looks like Alvin! I wonder what this crowd 
 is going to do?" 
 
302 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 Alvin had walked quite a little distance down the 
 sidewalk, before he saw the crowd coming toward him. 
 Then he knew they were bent on mischief. 
 
 Stepping to the middle of the street Alvin drew 
 both revolvers and shot one in the air, as he cried out 
 in a commanding voice: 
 
 "Stop! Halt! or I will shoot the first man who 
 advances!" 
 
 How strange it is that a man of commanding pres 
 ence and determined air can in many instances cower 
 a large crowd, and it was the case in this instance, 
 momentarily, especially as many of them knew that 
 Alvin was a dead shot; and the crowd stopped, at 
 motion of a tall man near the front. 
 
 "Explain yourselves, why you have come here to 
 this Brewery in the night, with this threatening crowd! 
 Who is your leader? Let him step forward!" exclaimed 
 Alvin. 
 
 The tall man stepped forward, it seemed reluct 
 antly, to face Alvin, and said; 
 
 "Captain Berry, we have come here, tonight, to burn 
 this infamous Brewery down!" 
 
 "Yes!" cried one woman, "and we will do it!" 
 
 "God has put it into our hearts to do!" cried another. 
 
 "We have got The Devil in our hands at last, Mr. 
 Vanski! Do not let him escape!" exclaimed another, 
 and one man yelled: 
 
 "Down with ther damned Ristocrat!" 
 
 All the crowd shouted: "Down with him!" 
 
 Henrietta was wedged so tightly that she could 
 hardly breathe, but she could see and hear Alvin. 
 
 Vanski motioned for them to keep quiet and went 
 on: 
 
 "There is no use for you, Captain Berry, to try to 
 bluff several hundred men! If you will give up and 
 surrender your arms to me, we will spare you and not 
 harm you; but we are going, to burn that Brewery down 
 tonight, sure! So stand out of the way!" 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 303 
 
 "That s the way to talk it, Mr. Vanski!" 
 
 "The Lord will slay the evil-doers!" 
 
 "His days shall be as grass!" screamed the women, 
 and the men yelled: 
 
 "Kill him!" "Hang him!" "Set fire to. his Brewery 
 and pitch him in!" 
 
 Henrietta trembled and clasped her hands. She 
 tried to push up to the front where she would be near 
 Alvin, but she could not move. How her heart went 
 out in admiration for that solitary figure, who calmly 
 stood there, with a revolver in each hand, and domi 
 nating that great crowd! 
 
 Alvin spoke and said: 
 
 "Mr. Vanski, you and this crowd are breaking the 
 law, disturbing the peace, threatening my life and prop 
 erty. In the name of the law I command you to desist 
 and disperse! Every man has a right to defend his 
 life and property and I shall do it on this spot to my 
 utmost!" 
 
 At that moment a large rock, thrown by someone 
 in the crowd, passed close to Advin s head and a pistol 
 shot whizzed by him and the crowd yelled: 
 
 "Kill him!" "Shoot him!". "Hang him!" and Vanski 
 waved his hand for them to advance, but he got back 
 himself in the first line. 
 
 The crowd, that extended across the street from 
 sidewalk to sidewalk, began to push forward on the 
 sides, shouting and threatening. 
 
 Alvin s right hand was down by his side, and he 
 waited no longer; but just turned his wrist, a shot rang 
 out and Vanski leaped into the air with a bullet in 
 his head dead! 
 
 This stopped the crowd for a moment, but the ones 
 behind pushed the others forward toward Alvin, and 
 they threw rocks, clubs and some of them shot at him. 
 
 Turning his head, Alvin saw that some of his ene 
 mies had gone around the block and were coming up 
 behind him, and he backed toward The Brewery, threat- 
 
304 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 ening the crowd with his pistols, but he found that 
 they had cut him off from the office. Right near him 
 was the entrance for teams to the great inner court 
 of The Brewery, where shipments were made and 
 where there were thousands of empty and full kegs 
 of beer. 
 
 Into the entrance Alvin backed, hoping to get into 
 the building through one of the side doors of the inner 
 court; but he recollected that he had locked them, 
 before he came out of the office, inside. He saw now 
 that he had to fight for his life, for they were shooting 
 at him and hurling everything they could get hold of, 
 pushing him farther and farther into the court and, 
 some of his enemies having gotten in there, they were 
 shooting at him from behind stacks of kegs, also. 
 
 The women did not come up in front, but they 
 pushed the men forward. Alvin never shot at a woman, 
 but almost every time he did shoot he got his man. 
 
 The crowd having spread out, Henrietta escaped 
 and ran to The Brewery, but she could not get to Alvin. 
 Nobody noticed her, for there were women running in 
 every direction all around. She ran up the steps of 
 the office and tried to get in, but could not, and then 
 ran way around to the side of The Brewery, looking 
 for a place to enter. 
 
 At last she espied a small door, unnoticed by most 
 people. Trying it, she found it unlocked, and she 
 entered, climbed some steps to a little hall, from which 
 a door opened to a very large room, partly filled with 
 barrels. She could hear the shouts of the crowd and 
 pistol shots, outside, going continually. At the dis 
 charge of a small volley of shots by his enemies, Alvin 
 felt a sharp sting in his right side and he was hard 
 pressed. He backed up some steps with an iron rail 
 ing, which ended in a small porch with a very large 
 door back of it and a large window with iron bars at 
 the side of the door. Henrietta was in the large room, 
 to which this window belonged, and in looking through 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 305 
 
 it saw Alvin, fighting for his life, with the crowd below 
 coming from every direction. She also saw the women 
 of the crowd bringing torches and kindling and trying 
 to set the barrels and kegs in the yard afire. 
 
 Alvin found that he was getting weak, his coat had 
 blood on it and his cartridges were most gone. 
 
 "Oh, if I could only open that door and let Alvin 
 in!" exclaimed Henrietta, trying to push up a long 
 wooden beam that bolted it; but it was stuck. Looking 
 around she found a large wooden maul, used in ham 
 mering barrels, and with all her strength she struck 
 the beam with an upward stroke and it became loose, 
 so it would come out. 
 
 She could hear Alvin s body strike the door, as he 
 stood back against it, fighting for his life, and lifting 
 the wooden bolt out quickly, one wing of the door 
 flew open and Alvin fell precipitately at her feet, 
 exhausted! She pulled him back, slammed the door 
 and put the bolt hastily in place, just as the leaders of 
 the crowd dashed up the steps and threw themselves 
 against the door; but it was secure and would not open. 
 Henrietta seized the maul and pounded the bolt farther 
 down and then sprang to Alvin s side, who lay on the 
 floor. He opened his eyes and saw a woman standing 
 over him. The light, which fell from a dim lamp on 
 the side of the wall into a very large room, was not 
 sufficient for him to discern who she was. Raising him 
 self up and sitting on the floor Alvin said: 
 
 "Madam, I do not know who you are; but you have 
 saved my life and I feel grateful! but look! they have 
 set all the kegs and barrels afire and the whole building 
 will go! I must go up to the big tank on the roof and 
 turn the water on them and the fire!" 
 
 Alvin sprang up and pointed to the window, where 
 the light entered in fits and starts, and they could hear 
 the yells of men and women as the flames began to 
 crackle. He staggered to the little hall door, turned 
 toward her and exclaimed: 
 
306 
 
 "I feel weak; can you come and help me?" 
 
 From the hall Henrietta followed him and they 
 climbed and climbed stone steps and iron winding steps, 
 through a dim light, until they came to the flat roof, 
 where there was a tall, big, round wooden water tank, 
 as large as a small house. From the top of this tank 
 extended a long arm or lever, a chain dangling there 
 from, which fell close enough to the roof for one to 
 grasp, and at the side of the tank was a coil of huge 
 hose, one end of which was screwed on to the tank. 
 
 Smoke was rolling up from below and came over 
 the side of the roof, and Alvin knew he had to be 
 quick. He pulled the huge hose along toward the edge 
 of the roof, where the smoke was coming up, put the 
 nozzle end of it over the edge and pointed it where 
 the water would fall on and hit the blazing barrels. 
 
 "Please pull that chain down, Madam, and tie it to 
 that post!" exclaimed Alvin, "while I hold this hose I" 
 
 Henrietta pulled the chain down, reached for a rope 
 around a post at her side and tied the chain, and then 
 went to the side of the flat roof, over where Alvin was, 
 and looked down. 
 
 The flames were coming up from great numbers of 
 barrels and the smoke in large clouds was rolling in 
 every direction, while the crowd, made up of hundreds 
 of men, and some women, ran around the fire, throwing 
 in every kind of combustible and shouting and scream 
 ing. 
 
 The water came out of the hose with a mighty rush 
 and was first directed by Alvin on the densest part 
 of the crowd below. Scores were knocked to the earth 
 by the force of the large stream of water falling upon 
 them; many were injured, and consternation and panic 
 seized them. 
 
 He then directed the hose toward the flames that 
 were beginning to lick the mammoth Brewery Building 
 itself. The hiTe volume of water falling on the fire 
 soon quenched it. 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 307 
 
 In a few minutes Alvin heard a yell, which he. 
 well knew, for it came from The Berry Zouaves and 
 Henrietta and Alvin could see them charging with bayo^ 
 nets what was left of the crowd, which fled in every 
 direction before Captain Berry s men. 
 
 Just then Henrietta saw Alvin, through the dim 
 light, raise himself with difficulty, from bending over 
 the edge of the roof, and put his hand on his side. 
 He seemed to sway. She sprang to his side and said: 
 
 "Alvin!" 
 
 The moon came out brightly and fell upon her face 
 and Alvin bent toward her, reached for her, seized her 
 hand, kissed it, and muttered, as he toppled over on 
 the roof: 
 
 "Hen ri etta!" 
 
 She put her hand and arm under him and tried to 
 raised him up and kissed and kissed him. Alvin s face 
 was very pale and his hand felt wet! She exclaimed: 
 
 "What is that? Blood! and all over Alvin s side! 
 He is wounded and must have a doctor! I must have 
 help! I will go to The Zouaves!" 
 
 Henrietta was down on her knees with her arms 
 around Alvin s neck. She kissed him again, laid him 
 down gently on the roof and flew down the steps. At 
 the foot, in the hall, she met Mrs. Jonquil. The Berry 
 Zouaves were trying to get into the building at several 
 doors and Mrs. Jonquil and Henrietta unlocked the 
 doors. 
 
 As the soldiers came crowding in, Lieutenant Hop 
 kins exclaimed in an excited tone: 
 
 "Where s our Captain?" 
 
 Henrietta answered: 
 
 "Up at the top of The Brewery, wounded, and he 
 will die, if some of you do not go quickly and get a 
 doctor!" 
 
 The Lieutenant ordered some of the men to run 
 quickly for Dr. Biddle and he, with a dozen soldiers, 
 ran up to the roof and brought Alvin tenderly down 
 
308 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 and laid him on a couch in his office, where Henrietta 
 and Mrs. Jonquil nursed him, until The Doctor came, 
 who said he had fainted from fatigue and loss of blood, 
 but was not dangerously wounded and would soon 
 recover. 
 
 CHAPTER XXXVI. 
 
 Lucy Hurryup s coachman, in the midst of a large 
 crowd of men and women, drove along. They all 
 moved very quietly and Lucy sat upright in the car 
 riage looking intently ahead. Her sister, Mrs. Brent- 
 wood, with hands clasped, sat in the seat with Lucy, 
 beside her, all drawn up to a pitch of excitement, not 
 knowing what was going to happen next. 
 
 One of the coachmen turned around from the 
 driver s seat, bent down a little and said in a low 
 voice: 
 
 "We are just two blocks away from the big Distillery 
 now, Miss Hurryup." 
 
 "That is good!" exclaimed Lucy, arising to her feet. 
 "Come, Rachel, we are going to get out and attend to 
 The Lord s business, confided to our hands 1" 
 
 Mrs. Brentwood drew back and said: "Oh, no, Lucy! 
 Let me stay in the carriage! I do not want to get out!" 
 
 The footman opened the door and Lucy partly lifted 
 and partly pulled her sister out of the carriage to the 
 middle of the street below, at the side of the carriage, 
 and she said to the coachman: 
 
 "Keep along near us, but not too near!" 
 
 Lucy then took hold of her sister s arm and they 
 joined the ranks of the women, who merged with the 
 men, and all marched toward the great Distillery. 
 
 Colonel Berry was tired, for he had figured and 
 written for several hours in the main office of The 
 Distillery. The head Janitor came into the office and 
 said : 
 
 "Colonel, is there anything I can do for you?" 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 309 
 
 "No," said The Colonel, "only have my buggy 
 brought around to the front door! I am tired. When 
 I get Alvin, we will go home and get a good sleep." 
 
 The head Janitor went out through the back of The 
 Distillery to order the buggy; but when he got into 
 the outside court, where the buggy generally stood, 
 he could not find the hostler or the buggy, either, for 
 there was nothing in sight but tiers of whisky barrels, 
 ready for shipment. He thought he saw someone 
 skulking behind a barrel; but on second thought con 
 cluded it was only a shadow. 
 
 Lucy and her crowd of men and women, unlike 
 The Brewery Crowd, made no noise, until they came 
 into the little park of flower beds that extended across 
 the front of The Distillery. Then Lucy, leaving her 
 sister with other women, went to the front of the 
 crowd, held up her hands and shouted: 
 
 "Halt! Servants of The Lord, get ready and do 
 your duty!" 
 
 Immediately several hundred men and women took 
 bundles of paper and other inflammable material, made 
 torches and started for the whisky barrels in the inner 
 court of The Distillery, to set them afire. 
 
 They were about to place the lighted combustibles 
 under the barrels, when a band of yelling men, led by 
 Joe Ganzel, sprang among them, struck down, shot and 
 stabbed the intruders with such fury that most of them 
 turned and fled out of the inner courts; but some of 
 them stood their ground and battled with the gang. 
 
 Lucy Hurryup ran along the line of retreating men 
 and women and screamed: 
 
 "Stop! Cowards! You are sent to do The Lord s 
 will!" 
 
 Lucy s hair came down, as she flew to the end of 
 the crowd in the park. With her hair flying behind 
 her and rushing from point to point like a tigress, she 
 shouted: 
 
310 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 "See how few men there are against you! Come 
 back!" 
 
 The crowd turned back toward the inner court and 
 the men, by force of numbers, drove Joe Ganzel s gang 
 completely off, who left quite a number of dead on the 
 ground. 
 
 Colonel Berry came down The Distillery steps with 
 revolver in hand and stood looking at the fighting, 
 when Lucy spied him. She sprang from group to 
 group of her followers, pointed to Colonel Berry and 
 screamed: 
 
 "There is The Arch Fiend! There is The Child of 
 The Devil! Kill him! Burn down this Cesspool of 
 Hell! The Lord commands you to destroy him!" and, 
 like one of The Furies, she seized a torch from the 
 hesitating hand of a man, waved it on high and 
 motioned them to follow. 
 
 The Colonel stood out in front of The Distillery and, 
 by the bright moonlight, saw it all and how all the 
 crowd followed Lucy as they threateningly approached 
 him. Being on a little higher ground than they, he 
 saw something else, also, and it was all of a sudden, 
 The Berry Zouaves, who, with fixed bayonets, burst 
 upon the crowd like a whirlwind on one side and The 
 Police Force, with Chief Murray at their head, on the 
 other side. 
 
 In an instant, scattering in every direction, Lucy s 
 followers fled away from The Distillery, leaving Mrs. 
 Brentwood standing alone. 
 
 All this Colonel Berry saw; but he did not see a 
 man slip up and place a bomb not over ten feet behind 
 him and rush away. The bomb sizzled and sizzled 
 and Colonel Berry did not know how close he was 
 to eternity! 
 
 Suddenly another man sprang towards the bomb, 
 seized it in his hands and fled away from The Colonel. 
 It was Snickuls, and he tried to throw the bomb way 
 off, but just as it left his hands it exploded, knocking 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 311 
 
 Colonel Berry and Mrs. Brentwood down! There was 
 no one else near. 
 
 When they picked themselves up they looked and 
 saw a man lying on the ground not far away, and both 
 ran to him. It was Snickuls! 
 
 "Poor man!" exclaimed Mrs. Brentwood, as she got 
 down on her knees, lifted Snickuls head and wiped 
 some blood off his ear. 
 
 The Colonel was down on his knees, also, and taking 
 Snickuls hand he bent over him and exclaimed in 
 anguish: 
 
 "Lieutenant! Lieutenant! Wake up! Wake up! 
 For God s sake do not leave us!" 
 
 Snickuls body twitched a little and his lips moved 
 and said: 
 
 "Thank God, I ve saved my Colonel!" but his eyes 
 remained closed. 
 
 The Colonel kissed his hand over and over and the 
 tears rolled down his cheeks, and Mrs. Brentwood took 
 Snickuls head on her lap and wiped his brow with 
 her handkerchief. 
 
 Snickuls opened his eyes and looked up at the gentle 
 face over him. A gleam of consciousness seemed to 
 come over him, as he looked at her. He exclaimed: 
 
 "Please do not say anything about the matter, 
 until I can get out the country!" and then closed his 
 eyes and lapsed back into unconsciousness. 
 
 Mrs. Brentwood suddenly bent over and seized The 
 Colonel s arm, crying: 
 
 "Colonel! Colonel! Can you not do something for 
 him? That is the man who saved my honor!" 
 
 The Colonel groaned aloud. Raising a little on his 
 elbow, Snickuls shouted: 
 
 "Fix Bayonets! Give The Rebel Yell! then give 
 them Hell! Charge!" and then he sank back and closed 
 his eyes again. 
 
 In a few moments, without moving, Snickuls mur 
 mured: 
 
312 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 "Meet me at The Snickuls and Tommy Club, 
 tonight Tom my," and Snickuls was dead. 
 
 Just then Dr. Biddle and Chief of Police Murray 
 came up and looked down on them. Mrs. Brentwood 
 sobbed aloud and Colonel Berry s strong frame shook, 
 as he wept like a child. 
 
 The Rev. Joylifter had been writing to Miss Ask- 
 witch for some time, professing his undying love in 
 every letter. One morning she received a letter, 
 requesting her to meet him at The Hinsdale Hotel, and 
 stated that they would go and get married. 
 
 Miss Askwitch quietly put on her things, took her 
 satchel and slipped out of Major Ashcraft s house unob 
 served. Sure enough, when she reached The Ladies 
 Parlor of The Hinsdale Hotel, there sat Rev. Joylifter, 
 waiting for her. They drove to a town, some ten miles 
 away, and were married. 
 
 Miss Askwitch never came back to Major Ashcraft 
 again, but simply sent for her trunk, which she had 
 packed before she left, and followed her husband to 
 a distant part of the country. 
 ********* 
 
 It was most sundown and, as the last rays peeped 
 over the distant mountains, they fell upon a small figure 
 of a boy, who lay prostrate on a new grave of the 
 Cemetery, with his face in his hands, weeping. The 
 boy was Tommy Dust and it was the grave of Snickuls, 
 in the private lot of The Berry Family. 
 ********* 
 
 Dr. Biddle was about to enter his office door one 
 morning, when a newsboy, who was accustomed to 
 bring him a paper, handed him the morning issue of 
 The Trumpet. 
 
 He entered his office, closed the door, seated himself 
 and read. On the first page, in large type, was printed: 
 FOUND DROWNED IN THE RIVER! 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 313 
 
 "The mystery of the sudden disappearance of Miss 
 Lucy Hurryup, late President of The W. C. T. U., of this 
 city, several weeks ago, has been solved. 
 
 "As the keeper of The Ferry, at Grayville, on The 
 Tennesippi River, was preparing to take his first boat 
 across the river, early Sunday morning, he spied a 
 dark object floating down the river, near the shore. 
 Galling another man on the bank, they got into a small 
 boat and rowed to the object, which they found was 
 the dead body of a woman, in a dark dress and with 
 face upturned. 
 
 "They took the body to the shore and The County 
 Coroner was at once notified, who summoned a jury. 
 One of the jury, who had often seen Miss Hurryup 
 and knew of her disappearance, expressed the belief 
 that it was the missing woman, though her face was 
 much changed. 
 
 "Mrs. Senator Brentwood, hearing of the finding of 
 the body, immediately proceeded to the river and iden 
 tified the drowned woman, from rings on her finger, 
 her clothing and birth marks, as her sister, The Presi- 
 went of The W. C. T. U. The body was taken care 
 of by Undertaker Hyslop, of Grayville, who will ship 
 it to Wellsburg, the residence of Senator Brentwood, 
 for burial. The verdict of the jury was that it was a 
 case of suicide." 
 
 Dr. Biddle dropped the paper on the floor and, star 
 ing into space a moment, he nodded his head several 
 times and muttered: 
 
 "Just as I thought! She loved Colonel Berry so 
 intently, that when he would not reciprocate and be 
 unfaithful to his wife, it all turned to hate! Is it not 
 the greatest problem of society- to give the women 
 
 something to love, and satisfy their love?" 
 
 ****** 
 
 A beautiful woman stepped out of a large store on 
 Main Street, her face suffused with becoming blushes. 
 It was Henrietta Ashcraft. She had just met Captain 
 
314 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 Alvin Berry in the store and he had whispered in her 
 ear how lovely he thought she was. 
 
 A little way down the street Henrietta met Mrs. 
 Senator Brentwood and held out her hand to her, 
 saying: 
 
 "I am so glad to see you! When did you get here?" 
 
 Mrs. Brentwood answered: 
 
 "I got here last night and am staying at The Hins- 
 dale Hotel. My poor sister s property needed attention 
 and The Senator and I came down to attend to it. 
 Gome to see me, at the hotel!" 
 
 The next day was Sunday and that afternoon a 
 carriage drove up to the hotel door to take The Sen 
 ator and Mrs. Brentwood out to ride. On the carriage 
 seat in front of them was an exquisite wreath of 
 flowers. They drove through the great Cemetery Gate 
 and asked the gatekeeper which way was the lot of 
 The Berry Family. 
 
 The carriage stopped, when it had been driven a 
 short way, and its occupants got out, Mrs. Brentwood, 
 carrying the wreath. They passed through narrow 
 streets of the dead, until they saw a large monument 
 a short distance away. 
 
 At the top of the monument was the figure of a 
 dead horse and an officer trying to extricate himself 
 from under it, while another officer was standing over 
 him and defending the prostrate one from the attacks 
 of several enemies. Mrs. Brentwood said to The Sen 
 ator: 
 
 "His assumed name was Snickuls, but his real name 
 is on the tomb. The Senator looked up and read on the 
 monument: 
 
 Dedicated 
 
 To The Memory of 
 
 Lieutenant Charles Melton, C. S. A. 
 
 A Brave Soldier, A Good Citizen 
 
 And 
 A True Friend. 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 315 
 
 Stepping up several stone steps, one of which had 
 chiseled on it in large letters: 
 BERRY 
 
 Senator and Mrs. Brentwood stood on the grassy plot 
 in front of the monument. 
 
 Wreath in hand she approached and, when close 
 to it, saw two figures in devotion, whom she recog 
 nized. Colonel Berry, with arms crossed over his 
 breast and bended head, and Tommy Dust, with 
 upturned face, eyes closed and hands clasped, knelt 
 there and prayed. The man of sixty and the boy of 
 fifteen had a common bond of sorrow and Mrs. Brent- 
 wood, wiping her eyes, placed the wreath on the tomb 
 and knelt a moment in prayer, while her husband, 
 with bended head, stood in silence. 
 
 In a few moments she arose and The Brentwoods 
 departed, leaving The Colonel and Tommy still on their 
 knees. As they drove back into the city they saw a 
 new monument on the small park opposite the Postoffice 
 and The Senator spoke to the driver, saying: 
 
 "Stop, I want to see what new monument that is!" 
 
 They got out and walked to the foot of it, and saw 
 up on top of the monument the figure of a man lifting 
 a woman, who lay in his arms, and placing her in a 
 wagon, and an old woman, seated in the driver s seat, 
 was looking around at him. Chiseled in the stone of 
 the monument they read: 
 
 In Memory of 
 Snickuls 
 
 From 
 Henrietta Ashcraft. 
 
 When they returned to The Hinsdale Hotel, they 
 heard the following facts about The Snickuls Monu 
 ment: 
 
 After the death of Snickuls, Tommy Dust never 
 tired of telling the virtues and deeds of his departed 
 friend, and one of the deeds was saving the life of 
 
316 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 Henrietta Ashcraft, when she wandered away in 
 delirium. 
 
 The Mayor and Major Ashcraft, hearing of these 
 stories, asked Tommy to come to Major Ashcraft s house 
 and relate the circumstances, as everyone in the city 
 had been under the impression that it was the old 
 countrywoman who had rescued the beautiful Hen 
 rietta and brought her to the city; for which she 
 obtained one thousand dollars. 
 
 Mayor Fray, Major Ashcraft and Judge Elmira Sims 
 came to The Hinsdale Hotel in a carriage and took 
 Tommy to The Major s residence, where, in the parlor 
 and in the presence of Mrs. Bowink and Henrietta, 
 Tommy told the story of how Snickuls had rescued 
 Henrietta, as he heard it from Snickuls own mouth, 
 in The Snickuls and Tommy Club. 
 
 Henrietta and Mrs. Bowink wept, as Tommy told 
 the story, and there were tears in the eyes of the men. 
 Tommy took them through the old ruins to The Snick 
 uls and Tommy Club and showed them the old couch, 
 where Snickuls lay with his sprained ankle, when he 
 told Tommy about rescuing her. 
 
 The Mayor put some detectives on the case, found 
 the old woman and arrested her, when she confirmed 
 everything Tommy said. Major Ashcraft said to the 
 authorities to let her go, and so they did; but Hen 
 rietta, determined to show her gratitude in some way, 
 with the consent of the authorities, erected "The 
 Snickuls Monument" opposite the Postoffice, at her own 
 expense. 
 
 There were no more meetings at the old Snickuls 
 and Tommy Club, but Colonel Berry and Major Ash 
 craft erected a new "Snickuls and Tommy Club," on 
 the same spot, in the shape of a magnificent Public 
 Building, devoted to the entertainment, amusement and 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 317 
 
 culture of all who came. Though young, Tommy Dust 
 was made President and remained so for many years. 
 
 Judge Elmira Sims finished his supper, put on his 
 dressing gown, walked into his Library, seated himself 
 in his easy chair, picked up the Evening Edition of 
 The Trumpet and commenced to read. 
 
 "Hello! what s this?" he said, and read: 
 
 A NOTABLE EVENT. 
 
 "All of Society in The City of Batesville, the sur 
 rounding towns and the County is in a flutter over the 
 coming marriage, next Wednesday, at Dr. Peter Nostir s 
 Church, of Miss Henrietta Ashcraft, the beautiful and 
 accomplished daughter of our esteemed citizen, Major 
 Ashcraft, to Captain Alvin Berry, son of our distin 
 guished citizen, Colonel Berry. 
 
 . "Considering the prominence, wealth and culture 
 and the high standing of the coming bride and groom, 
 it certainly will be a notable event!" 
 
 "Well!" said The Judge, talking to himself with 
 emphasis, "he ought to be happy to get such a beau 
 tiful woman, and she ought to be happy to get such 
 a magnificent specimen of a man!" 
 
 It was a warm night, the moon shone brightly and 
 Colonel Berry went out on the lawn to his favorite 
 seat to smoke. The magnificent trees cast their shad 
 ows on the walks and hedges around and it was a 
 pleasant scene to view. 
 
 In a few moments Major Ashcraft stepped up and 
 joined him and they sat in separate chairs, close to 
 each other, and smoked and talked. 
 
318 COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 
 
 "Nice night, Colonel Berry! Nice night, Major 
 Ashcraft!" exclaimed Henrietta, laughing, in her 
 musical, happy voice, as she came up, hanging on the 
 arm of Alvin Berry, and stood near her father. 
 
 "Fine!" said The Colonel, as a ring of smoke went 
 up over his head. 
 
 "Yes, indeed!" said The Major, as he took the dis 
 engaged hand of his daughter and kissed it. Colonel 
 Berry reached out, also, took his son s hand and kissed 
 it. 
 
 "We are going to take a walk." said Alvin, and he 
 and Henrietta disappeared among the deep shadows 
 of the trees. 
 
 "Good looking couple, Colonel!" exclaimed Major 
 Ashcraft. 
 
 Colonel Berry replied: 
 
 "Yes, the best looking couple I have ever seen; if 
 they are our children!" and the gentlemen laughed 
 heartily and went on smoking. 
 
 As they talked, a light footfall was heard and Mrs. 
 Bowink made her appearance. She put her hand on 
 Major Ashcraft s shoulders and said: 
 
 "Come, Major, it is most bedtime and we must go 
 home!" 
 
 Major Ashcraft took her hand and replied: 
 
 "Colonel, this lady was Mrs. Bowink, until six 
 months ago, when she became Mrs. Major Ashcraft!" 
 
 Colonel Berry got up and made a low bow, shook 
 hands with Mrs. Major Ashcraft and they all went into 
 the house together. 
 
COLONEL BERRY S CHALLENGE 319 
 
 Alvin and Henrietta went strolling happily through 
 the trees. They came to the fence he used to climb, 
 in order to reach Henrietta. It was down, now, and 
 there was no bar between The Berry and Ashcraft 
 property, for the heirs were to be united as one the 
 next week. 
 
 Alvin helped Henrietta across the brook and they 
 went and sat in the same old hammock they used to 
 sit in. He had his arms around her waist and she 
 had her arms around his neck. Putting her beautiful 
 head on his shoulder, she looked up into his dark eyes 
 and said: 
 
 "Nobody shall have my Playmate of the Brook!" 
 
 As the moon shone through the trees and fell upon 
 the raven locks and golden tresses, close together, the 
 brook answered back: 
 
 "Nobody!" 
 
 THE END. 
 
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