The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1862-04-11
The Hunted Soldier.

The Hunted Soldier.
The summer twilight was slowly
closing in upon the little village Of
Eimdale, situated 10 q retired locali.
ty, in the western part Of Virginia
A man apparently wrinkled and
bent win age. attired In the tattered
garb OF common beggar, and lean
ing heavily upon a stout stick by
which be supported bis footsteps,
was making his way with much ap
parantly difficulty, along one OF the
retired streets Of the village. Uu.
like most medicants, he seemed to
sbun observation as much as possi'
BILE, and creep steatbily along, keep.
ing mostly in the shadow Of the
.uildings, frequently casting furtive
chances about him, as il fearful OF
notice or pursuit. He looked to be
q fit object for pity and commisera.
ton, In his well worn suit, and his
long white beard falling in tangled
mass upon bis breast, and many
paused to speak with, and to bestow
aims upon him, despite his seeming
reluctance to being brought into no.
tice.
After travelling quite long dis.
tance without mOlestation, he was
about to pass chop Of some kind ,
about the doorway OF which group
Of five or six men were collected,
when one OF them hailed him with:
WHITTIER away so fast, grey
beardp"
The old, decrepit man started as
he heard the rough sslutation,
and then seeming to recollecs him.
self at once, he said in o tremulous
tone:
'Plesse, sir, give me q dime, just
a dipe 10 hyv bread wjtb?,, .
Pshaw, I've no money.to throw
away upon you. Besides, Id bet
anything yon have got more spare
change about you, at this moment,
than myself
'Seems.to me you've got wonderful
fiery eyes for such an old fellow,
said one of the men sarcastically.
The mendicant answered not 6
word, but if bis eyes looked fiery
before, they now fairly blazed.
Yes, and strangely long beard,
cried a third. Il wonder i, it sticks
well?'
And before the object OF theil
sneers mistrusted bis design, the las
speaker gave a pull at the gray, tan
gled mass which decked his chin
and the whole came off in his hand
The beard was false.
For few moments all seemed
fairly stupetied at the discovery
The pretended beggar was the frs
to recover himself. Pulling his ha
hastily over his eyes, he struck OF
down the street. with a speed truly
surprising in one 50 advanced in lite
as he had looked a few minutes be
fore. The group about the shol
door did nothing, at first, but gaz
after his retreating figure. TheI
one Of them said suddenly:
1T won't do to let that man es
cape until we know more of him =
lie ia not what he seema 3Id siak
my lite, itself, that he is one OF thos
bloody Northerners in disguise"
Yes, yes! after him! after him
cried the others IL chorus. catchin
the idea,snd strangely!excited by il
Al started rapidly in pursuit, br
the object OF their suspicion wa
quite a distance ahead of then
though still in sight. He was
swift ruuner-so also were some
those behind-anl the race WAS I
first a doubtful one. For nearly
half mile, he kept about the sam
distance ahead of them. Then on
or two seemed to gain little upo
him. He noticed this, aud all {
once he turned sharp corner, 90
passed into another street. I'll
front door to one of the dwelliu
stood inviting!y open. Witho'
the least hesitation he entered
and closed the door behind him.
He found himself to be in a lor
hall to which there seemed to
several entrances. Turning Il
knob 20 the nearest one OF these,
stepped into what seemed to be
private parlor. At one of the wi
dows eat q lovely girl engaged
reading. At the entrance Of Il
fugitive, she started up with qui
cry of surprise. At first the MI
looked even more astonished th'
herself, then suddenly dsshipg asi
his bat, false hair, and eyebrows,
'. said:
%, is it you, Edith! Thank &c
Thank God!'
He sprsDg forward, caught I
young girl in his arms, and hs
her for o moment strained tigh
to his heart. She returned hIs e
>, brace, and then releasing herself, 6
said:
o, Harry, Harry! How cal
you here?'
Il could not stay away longer, I
ith, hearing never word from y
!, The suspense Was killing me.
knew il was very hazardous