Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1862-04-19

own amusement. Oh, William, if you
should be discovered! Why did you
venture in this desperate manner?
Il conld not get a pass, aud [ was
so anxious TO see you and, Mary that
resolved to risk ALL
"Quick, then, come up stairs, and let
us fix up hiding place at once, before
anything happens. Oh, William, | am
SO alarmed -
Both hastened to the third story.
and after considering several places,
decided that the loft, close under the
roof, might be the best place for con
cealment, as the trap-door leading to it
could be fastened underneath, which
would tend to blind the search while
the young man, if pressed, could cs-
cape to the root, and by means Of a
long rope, fastened to the chimney,
could lower himself either into the
the street or yard This would not in
sure his escape, but. it was the best
plan the two could think Of, AMI sew
ed tC render both less fearful of detec-
ton and the serious consequences
Having provided the rope; the mother
fastened to bring up large quantities of
food, which he soon began to devour
with ravenouS appetite, which show
ed he had told DO untruth when in the
character of a beggaT, he had declared
himself in a state bordering on starya-
ton.
While he was eating his mother piled
him with questions concerning the ar
my at Valley Forge, in which he had
a Lieutenant's commission, and which
he had left on furIough, ana the an
swers Of the young soldier depicted a
state Of destitution and suffering that
caused his hearer to weep for very
sympathy. Three thousand soldiers
were down Oh the sick list at one time,
aud without the common necessaries Of
lite, had perished by hundreds; while
Of those capable Of doing duty scarce
ly any had a blanket to cover him at
night, or food enough to keep soul and
body together. Pale, cmaciatcd, rag
ged and dirty, many with their bare
feet upon the frozen earth, they walked
shivering through the camp by day,
and crowded themselves together by
night to get what little warmth they
could from each others b0lies-the
most forlorn and Wretched set of be-
ings that eyer a nation called to arms.
"God help us !" calculated the moth
cr in a detected tone. Il suppose, at
ter all oar hardships, we shall be com
pcllcd to succum6 to our tyrannical
foes"
''Never!" cried the young officer,
''while there is a thousand men left in
our country to make q desperate stand.
We can oh.y be conquered by annihi-
iation and if it is Gods will that q
tyrant should rule over this broad con.
tinent, not a single true heart will live
to feel the oppression and disgrace.-
Ere that time, dear mother, [ shall be
beyond the reach of earthly monarchs!"
"God bless you, Williamm cried the
mother, enthusiastically grasping his
hand. "Your fathers spirit speaks in
You. lie died Oh the battle field with
those sentiments in his heart; and |
freely give you-my only son anl hope
to the glorious cause which his blood
and that of thousands Of others has
hallOWcQ"
For several days the intrepid young
officer remained beneath bis mothers
roof, supposing his presence to be
known only to themselves. But one
evening, at the end of his furlough,
when he was beginning to think about
preparing for his secret departure, an
officer and six men appeared at the
door and said he had orders to arrest
one William R1ggIes, supposed to be
somewhere in the dwelling.
"Why, that is my son." said the
widow in great trepidation
$50 much more likely that he should
be here, them" was the unfeeling re-
ply.
"And for what would you arrest him,
and what will be done with him if
found -
"We shall take him for spy, and if
found guilty he will be hung, of course,
as every cursed rebel should be. Here,
you, Bent and Walters, begin the
search; and you, Jones and Johnson,
remain where you are. Sharp, now,
al Of you Let the fellow be taken
alive, if possible-but, alive or dead =,
let him be taken. Now, good woman,
if he be in the house. Of which We are
strongly assured, let him appear, and
save yourself much trouble. Other
wise, the consequences be upon your
own head.''
s:If you think my son is in the house
search to your hearts content" return
ed the mother, externally calm, inter
nally suffering.
And forthwith the search began.
Meantime the young Lieutenant, who
had heard enough to comprehend his