The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1863-11-05

ne OSner Uay meC 1rlenO WHO was
formerly one of the Red Devils. During
the conversation which ensued he asked
me whether / remembered Bill --,
who deserted the regiment at Fortress
Monroe
GA slenders dark-eyed young fellow,
was he not 2"
"The same," replied my friend. awe
became chuns from the first moment we
met at Fort Schuyler; and if you will give
me your attention a few moments you
shall hear how he came to desert the regi-
ment, and few other facts that will sur
prise you"
"By all MEANS said I, ''let me hear
the story"
DWELL" began my friend, cone day
we were sitting in the shadow of pine
tree near our encampment at Fortress
Monroe, when my chum commenced to
speak of a beautiful girl in the village of
Hampton, whom he was in the habit of
visiting occasionally.
'She is a beauty he exclaimed en-
Enthusiastically 'and Jack he added, lay
ing his hand upon my arm, you shall go
with me to see her."
AT first [ objected, pleading as an ex-
cuse the modesty and bashfulness always
experienced in the presence Of the fair
sex.
I" But she isn't fair said he fshe is a
quadroon.'
when do you think of goingY' 1
asked
Tonight
But we'll have to "run the guard" )"
"sThats nothing answered Bill ; we
can easily manage that
$50 at length | promised my chum
that I would accompany him to the village
of Hampton to see the beautiful qua0roon
"When night came, and we started
upon our nocturnal expedition, we had no
difficulty in passing our line of sentinels;
for by some means or other Bill had
succeeded in obtaining the couDtersign.
"This task accomplished, we now made
our way to the river beach, and after we
had walked short distance, my chum
passed near rock that jutted over the
water, and showed me small skiff moored
beneath its shadow. We were soon seated
In the skiff, which flew swiftly over the
waves before the vigorous strokes of our
paddles In few moments we reached
the place of our destination-a small,
dilapidated building which stood few
yards back from the spot where we landed
There was small archway beneath the
house, which evidently led into the cellar,
and it was to this quarter that the steps
of my chum were directed. Passin g
through the archway, we found ourselves
in total darkness but Bill shouted Come
on p and so [ followed although | STUN
bled several times against some empty casks,
and once came very nearly being precipi-
tated over barrel.
Its all right = shouted Bill. "Come
on ~
What the deuce tempted you to seek
an entrance this way?" inquired "There
is good stoop on the outside of the house,
for [ saw it.
Its the shortest route" answered my
chum. "Here we are-here are the cellar
steps," he continued. catching me by the
arm, pulling me towards him. "We were
soon at the top of the steps, when Bill
knocked at door in front of us. A mus
ical voice said Come in = and we entered
a small, neatly furnished room, in which
were seated an old negress and my friends
quadroon.
"The latter was indeed beautiful
creature, with long bright hair that de-
scendcd below her waist, and eyes as dark
and soft as summer midnight. She
seemed very glad to see us-Bill in par
ticular, around whose neck she threw her
arms, kissing him with all the warmth
and fervor of her Southern nature, while
he was not at all backward in returning
the compliment The old negress rose
and left the room and | was just coming
to the conclusion that it would be a good
plan for me to do the same, when the
uamistakable tramp of horses, boots
approaching at gallop saluted my ears
and drew me to the window. Looking
out into the night, 1 caught sight Of
number of grey uniformed horsemen
coming towards the house at pace which
must bring them to the door in few mo-
ments.
"The moon, which had hitherto been
obscured by clouds, was now shining
brightly, revealing every outline Of the
approaching figures. They were rebel
calalrymen.
" sBill,' 1 exclaimed, come here!
"There was no answer, and without
turning around | again called his name.
"Still there was no reply.
81 turned impatiently, and perceived
that both himself and the quadroon had
deserted the apartment