Litchfield enquirer., 1862-02-13
THE HUNTED SOLDIER.
A SKETCH FOR THE PRESENT TIMES.
BY wJLpFELL CREWS.


 The summer twilight was slowly closing in upon the little village of Elmdale, situated in a retired locality in the eastern part of Virginia. A man apparently wrinkled and bent with age, attired in the tai tered garb of the common beg gar and leaning heavily upon a stout stick by which he supported his footsteps was making his way with much apparent difficulty, along one of the retired streets of the village. Unlike most mendicants, he seemed toshun observation as much as possible, and crept stealthily along, Keeping mostly in the shade of the buildings, frequently casting furtive glances about him, as II fearful of notice or pursuit. He looked to be it object for pity and commiseration, in his well-worn suit, and his long, white beard falling in tangled mass upon his breast, and many paused to speak with. and to bestow aims upon him, despite his seeming reluctance to being brought into notice.
 After traversing quite long distance without molestation, he was about to pass shop of some kind, about the doorway of which a group of five or six men were collected, when one of them hailed him with
 "Whither away so fast graybeard ?' The old man gave sudden start, as he heard the salutation, and then seemed to recollect him. self at once, for he said in tremulous tone: "Please, sir, give mo dime, just dime, to buy bread with p
 1 " Pshaw I've no money to throw away upon you Besides, I'd bet anything you have got more spare change about you, this moment, than myself"
 "Seems to me yon've got wonderfully fiery eyes for such an old fellow' said one of the l men, sarcastically.
 | The mendicant answered not word, but if his eyes looked fiery before, they now fairly blazed.
 :" Yes, and a strangely long beard v cried a third, {" 1 wonder if it sticks we'll ?' | And before the object of their sneers mistrus- l ted his design, the last speaker gave pull at tie gray, tangled mass which decked his chin and the whole came off into the man's hand The beard was false!
 For a few moments all seemed stupefed at the discovery. The pretended began was the first to recover himself Pulling his hat hastily over his eyes, he struck off down the street, with a speed truly surprising in one so advanced in life, as he had looked few minutes before. The group about the shop door did nothing, at first, bat gaze after his ,etreatng figure Then one of them said suddenly:
 It won't do to let that man escape until we know more of him. He is not what he seems !! I'd stake my life, itself, that is one of those bloody Northerners in disgniseH'
 Yes, yes! after him :! after him v cried the others in chorus, catching the idea, and strange y excited by it.
 All started rapidly in pursuit, but the object Of their suspicious was quite distance ahead of them, though still in sight He was q swift run ner-so also were some of those behnd--and the race was at first, doubtful one. For near y half a mile, lie kept about the same distance ahead of them. Then one or two seemed to gain a little upon him. He noticed this, and all at once turned sharp corner and passed into an other street. The front door to one of the dwellings near at hand stood inyitingly open.- Without the least hesitation, he entered it, and closed the door after him. He found himself to be in long hall to which there seemed to be several entrances. Turning the knob 10 the nearest of these, he stopped into what appeared to be private parlor At one of the windows sat lovely girl engaged in reading. At the the entrance of the fugitive, she started up with quick cry of surprise. At first the man looked even more aston shed than herself, then sudden ly dashng aside hat, false hair and eyebrows, he said
 70. it is you, Edith Thank God thank Godr'
 He sprang forward caught the young girl in his arms, and held her for moment strained tightly to his heart She returned the embrace, and then releasing herself said
 70, Harry, Harry, how came you here?"
 "1 could not stay away longer, Edith, hearing never word from you The suspense was kill. ing me! knew it was very hazardous to at tempt to see you, while the southernars held such hatred for our northern men. but thought should be exempt from all suspicion if came in this disguise But was wrong. fear am discovered
 Discovered ! o, heaven forbid-w
 Even now 1 am pursued. My life hangs on the verest thread It must have been the hand of Cod which led me directly here to you. l had resolved to prowl about the village and trust to chance in finding your residence"
 q am so glad to See you, Harry, yet sorry after all, that you have come here! cannot bear to think of your danger. o, you should be caught, and all for my sake, tool"
 The girl shuddered even at the thought.
 "Do not fear, Edith darling. But of one thing am glad-your removal to Virginia has not changed you. At heart you seem to be the same true patriot as eyer!'
 And ever shall remain thus, Harry. But my father-you forget hm!'
 "Ah has he become affected by this strange insanity which has seemed to seize all the peo- pie of the South ?'
 He was always southerner at heart. Our residence in New Jersey did not change him in the least. Now that we have again got back to Virginia, he seems to be ill his natural element. But as for me, left my heart and sympathies at the North"
 "I thank God for that But my visit this time will have to be short Mr. Clifton must know nothing of it."
 No, Harry, it certainly never would do for him to mstrust it. He"
 The girl stopped short, and turned deathly white. There was hurried trampling of feet without, and presently there came heavy knock upon the door. Harry started up, and resumed his disguise as quickly as possible.
 Edith he said, in calm voice, am sure, for some reason, they suspect my presence here, and have come to search for me. Let them in at once and if they look over the house, will manage by some means to elude them, if possl- ble Now don't look so white and scared. Be brave and calm for my sake, dearest
 Saying this he sprang through the opposite door way, and Edith, calling her fortitude to her aid, went to admit the men at the door, She found quite party assembled there. One of them stepped in front Of his companions and sad, respectfully:
 Your pardon, Miss, but did not beggar-an old man with gray hair aud beard-euter this house few moments since?'
 think not, sir; have seen no such person. said Edith quietly.
 But Miss, continued the man after some hesitation, the person of whom we are in search was only short distance ahead of us, on the next street All of a sudden ha turned into thus. We followed, but when ws reached ths corner, no cue was in sight. hunted aronnd TOT tune, but to no purpose, aud at last ioun1 8 boy who said be was certain such person us we described, entered this house moment pe' fore
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