The Night Riders

ever a large and m

ourse and barter. Usually busied in the field or about the farm, he sees little

ring hills-even from further outlying villages and adjacent counties. Some come on business, some on pleasure bent,

standing, and enjoy making new ones; they exchange political opinions, disseminate local news, trade, swap, buy or sell; the women come to town, exchange co

e settled by a court day encounter, wherein the all-too-ready knife or pistol helps to play the tragic part; but

th, who walk sedately in the paths of sobriety and peace, whose lives are as quiet and gentle as the folk who once

even the more careful husbandmen felt as if they might safely indulge in a holiday without disquieting thoughts of

, for the recent toll-gate raids, and the rumored threats against gates still

er scale of rates, while the more conservative looked with apprehension on the spirit of lawlessness that seemed sudde

de the question of free roads at the next election, and the slow-moving machinery of legislation give by purchas

and this antagonistic spirit had intensified and spread, slowly leavening the disquiet, until it had become dangerously like a

e listener. A few non-partisans who had been overbold in their denunciation of the raiders' methods of acquiring free roads, had received anony

d to the apprehension and capture of any of the raiders, while numerous rumors were afloat concerning them. It was hinted that Maggie

The infection was rapidly spreading, and it seemed that the fiat had gone forth doo

evious night, but on meeting him now, in the broad light of day, an indifferent nod on the on

ok place between him and his uncle when they met by chance s

fidential informant held converse with during the day; but this one was here and there, with a

this occasion, for he did not wish to be importuned to give any one a seat in his buggy on the way back, and there was no prospect of having the pretty toll-gat

a slow walk, for, on looking back, he saw in the waning light a horseman approaching from the town, and judgi

sked he, as th

l be out again tonigh

ime will they

idnight-perhaps

ate will th

d his companion, no

ike gate?" excla

ed at the last mom

uld want to take a hand in that,"

long. He's taken the oath to obey the orders that are given him, an' now he'll have to do it, whether it ple

o do, isn't it?" demand

orget to have it on hand, an' in small bills, too. A man don't feel like riskin'

turn out all right, though, and the young man is safely jailed, I shan't mind giving you the extr