Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1861-12-26
II.

CHAPTER H.
Kate, you must be careful how you talk
here" said Lieutenant Marks, entering his
wife'S sitting room few hours afterward.-
Kate sat on low seat, most eXquiStely at
tired. A white lace dress over an under robe
of pale blue. The hair confirmed now by a
silver net, took on few CLEANS of the sun. and
glittered whenever she moved it. A soft flush
touched her cheeks, and she seemed nte 1t up
on the volume she was reading, the young
wife looked up slowly from her book.
Will you repeat what you said 2" she
remarked cOolly.
g tell You, you must be careful how you
talk in this house." he exclaimed more excited
y than before.
o, certainly" she replied in calm unmov
ed tone
PerditiOn take you apathy" he exclaimed
What in and he used a terrible oath) are
you reading all this time ?"
g | am reading the Bible now" she re-
piled
He'll and furies ! l don't want you to read
the Bible
Not want NE read the Bible 2" she asked,
glancug up in 10 unfegned surprise.
No. not as you read it-a devIiSh abo.
Iition humbug | know you Kate Mark
With all your hypOcracy, you can't fool me -
You'G take our children and go North to-
morrw, among those Internal Yankees you left,
if yOu could get away"
:" Do you think so p
" Do | think so ? Sit there now and en-
rage me with your cold, cursed Northern TEN.
perament-do think so | know so. But
let me tell you if worse comes to worse, I'd
whip my wife into submission as soon as /
would my niggers"
" You are brave man Lieutenant Marks
No language can describe the cool irony of her
words. TIE man to whom they were uttered
grew still darker with suppressed passion.
" And a soldier |" she added, with marked
emphasis.
He strobe toward her, clenchng his hands
till they were purple She sprang from her
seat, tor one moment changing into flame
she almost shrieked
" Anc q traitor now touch me if you
dare"
He fell back awed by her manner, but fu-
riouS with the hot rage tuggng at his bosom
Fool that | was !" he muttered, to
think to crush out the inborne baSeness of the
Yankees Take care Kate-there are other
ways, and III subdue that proud spirit of
yours if | loose my soul for it,"
He turned to leave the room, but at that
moment childish voice was heard along the
passage. The tone was sweet as music but
the cry kindIed the fire in the heart of the
stceESionist to iercer heat.
Hoorah .Or the stars and stripes !"
Who taught that 10 the child Z" he shout
ed with a Gerce glance
The mother looked troubled, almost fright
ened, as again reSounded through the hall the
rich clear tones
Hooah for the stars and stripes y
Another moment aud glorious vision ap-
peared. A boy of some FIVE summers exceed
ingly beautiful, his light curls vailing the
rounded throat and dimpled shoulders, and in
bis hand small American flag, which he
waved with the exuItaut shout, Hoorah for
the stripes and stars" almost in his fathers
face.
"Give me that, sir p exclaimed the Lieu
tenant
The boy put on bis metel by the quick, in
dgnant voice, laughing rouguishy, but held
the flag behind him.
tell you to give me that cursed flag Z"
cried the man, his face more and more stern,
his eyes more glowing.
No, no, Willie want it." replied the child.
It's Willies flag. Hoorah for the stripes
and stare y and he sprang to his mothers
side.
Don't you dare to say that again" caid
the Lieutenant.
Yes will" cried the child defnantly.
90. Willie, say not is naughty, Willie"
pleaded his mother The boy looked up half
subdued by her fearful eyes, but he at the
same time caught sight of small laSn which
his father produced. Immediately he stralg ght-
ened himself up, the Southern blood grew hot
in his little veins.
80. you will, will you ?" exclaimed the
Lieutenant catching at the flag and rend,
ing it in thosaDd pieces, you WILL Will
you ?"
Yes / will |" cried the boy unsbrink-
ingly.
90, husband, don't whip him.
I'll beat every drop of Yankee blood out