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Twain, Mark, 1835-1910

"The 30,000 Dollar Bequest and Other Stories"

" "Fly, Elfonzo," said the voices
of his united band, "to the wounded heart of your beloved.
All enemies shall fall beneath thy sword. Fly through the clefts,
and the dim spark shall sleep in death." Elfonzo rushes forward
and strikes his shield against the door, which was barricaded,
to prevent any intercourse. His brave sons throng around him.
The people pour along the streets, both male and female, to prevent or
witness the melancholy scene.
"To arms, to arms!" cried Elfonzo; "here is a victory to be won,
a prize to be gained that is more to me that the whole world beside."
"It cannot be done tonight," said Mr. Valeer. "I bear the clang
of death; my strength and armor shall prevail. My Ambulinia shall
rest in this hall until the break of another day, and if we fall,
we fall together. If we die, we die clinging to our tattered rights,
and our blood alone shall tell the mournful tale of a murdered
daughter and a ruined father." Sure enough, he kept watch all night,
and was successful in defending his house and family. The bright
morning gleamed upon the hills, night vanished away, the Major
and his associates felt somewhat ashamed that they had not been as
fortunate as they expected to have been; however, they still leaned
upon their arms in dispersed groups; some were walking the streets,
others were talking in the Major's behalf. Many of the citizen
suspended business, as the town presented nothing but consternation.


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