Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-02-25
WHIPPING THE WRONG WOMAN
A Sketch of ChiYalry of East Tennessee.

We cut the subjoined game at cross purpo-
ses from Mr.. Trowbridge's new novel of
{" Cudjo's Cave" A brief preface will make
it Ineligible. When secession was first in
augurated in East Tennessee, many loyal men
who had been for months privately drilling
that they might fght, if need be, in defense
of the Union, were obliged to leave their
homes and take refuge in the mount u.s.
Among these was a Well-to-dO farmer named
Stackridgc, man of some influence in the
community, and one whom the confederates
were especially anxious to arrest By adroit
espionage they became convinced that he
held communication with his family, and the
more INSCRIPTIONS among them conceived the
chivalrous idea of whipping Mrs. Stackridge
until she revealed the hiding place of her
loyal mate Wherefore not? None of them
would hesitate to whip slave woman who
rebelled, and the wife of an incorrigible Gun
ion shrieker" could hardly expect a lighter
doom.
Near to the Stackridge farm lived Widow
Sprcwl, a rabid secessionist, whose only son
had been OutlaWed for some act of violence
under the old government, but was welcomed
to the service Of the new, and hOnored with
a commission in the confederate army He
was in command III the vicinity, and sent two
Germans of his company, who might be re-
lied on for rigid adherence to military orders,
to pay Mrs. Stackridge the humane visit to
which we have referred. Now it happened
that the good woman was absent from home
having gone out to call upon a neiChbor mot
Mrs. SprowD and during her absence the cap
tain's mother, intent upon borrowing provis-
ions from one who, under the circumstances,
would hardly refuse to lend, knocked twice
at the door, and, meeting no response pulled
the hospltable Ga tch-string" and entered the
empty house :
Her first feeling was that of resentment.
What right had Mrs. Stackridge to be absent
when she came to borrow? As she explored
the pantry and closets, however, and became
convinced that she was absolutely all ne in a
-provisioned farmhouse, her corntenance
lighted up wi l a smile.
[ can borry what | want Jest exacIv as
well as if Mis- Stackridge war at home, thought
the widow. And she proceeded to fill her
basket. She helped herself to a pan of meal,
borrowing the pan with it, 'pn fetch home
the pam said she, when do the meal ex-
posing her craggy teeth with a grim smile
If | don't before, Pm feared Mis- Stack
ridge II hat to wait fort a considerable spell !
What's in this box? Coffee? Nav as well
take box and Oh. Bring back the box when
| do the coffee. Wish | could find some to-
backy somewhars-wonder whar they keep
their tobacky!
Now the excellent creature did not indulge
in these liberties without some apprehension
that Mrs. Stackridge might return suddenly
and interrupt them. Perhaps she had not
followed Mr. Stackridge to the mountains
Perhaps she had only gone into the village to
buy shoes for her children, or to call on a
neighbor. If she should come back and
ketch me at it,-why, then I'll tell her I'm
only jest borryin', and see what she'll do
about it! The prop'ty of these yer burned
Union shriekcrs is all gwine to be confscated
and | reckon | may as well take my sheer
when can git it. Thar's paper o. black
pepper, and I'll take it jest as tits. Thar's a
jar of lump butter,-wish | could tote Jar and
all have some OF the Jumps on plate any
how
She had soon filled her basket, and was re-
GREETING that she had not brought two, or a
larger one, when handsome, new tin pail,
hanging in the pantry, caught her eve. Been
wantin' Jest sich pail as that, this long
while p And she proceeded to fill that also.
just as she was putting the cover on, she was
very much startled by hearing footsteps at
the door,
o, dear me What shall | do ? If it
should be Mr.. Stackridge? But it can't be
him? If it's only Mis- Stackridge or one of
the niggers, I'll face it out They won't das'
to make fuss, for they're Union-shrekers,
and my sons a capting in the Confederate
army ?
Thump, ,nump, thump loud knocking at
the door.
N.Y. it's visitors! Who can it be?' She
at down her pail and basket. TN act Just
IS if had right here, anyhow!'
She was hesitating when the string was
pulled, and two strangers, stout, square-built,
with foreign-looking faces, carrying muskets,
and dressed in confederate uniform, entered.
Mrs. Stackridge 2 said they in a heavy leu
tonic accent.
'Ye--ye-yes- stammered the widow,
trying to hide the guilty basket and pail be-
hind her skirts. What do you want of Mis-
Stackridge?'
One of the strangers said to the other, in
German, indicating the plumber, This is the
woman. She is getting provisions ready to
send to her husband in the mountains.
Let US see what there is good to eat said
the other
Mrs. Sprowl although understanding no
word that was spoken, perceived the Dor
rowed property formed the theme of their re-
marks. Have some,' she fastened to say,
with extreme politeness, as the Germans ap-
preached the provisions.
Thank ye,' said they finding some bread
and cold meat! And they ate with appetite,
exchanging chances, and grunting with salts
faction.
80, take all you want said the widow.
cure welcome TO anything there is in the
house, Pm sure adding within herself, Il
am so glad these soldiers have come, Now
whatever is missing, will be laid to them
You de lady of de house = said the for
eigners, muuching
Yes, help yourselves = smiled the hospi-
table widow.
You Mrs. stackridge? - they inquired,
more particularly
Yes; take anything you like replied the
widow
Where your husband?'
My husband my poor dear husband, he
has been dead these = She checked her
self, remembering that the soldiers took her
for Mrs. Stackridge. If she undeceived them,
then they would know she had been stealing.
Dead? The Germans shook their heads
and smiled. No! He was here last night
He was seen. You take desc tings to him up
in de mountain.
Would you like some cheese?' said the
embarrassed widow.
tank We. Dis is better as rations'
Mrs. Sprowl returned to the pantry, in or
der to replace the provisions she had so gen
erously given away, and prepared to depart
with the basket and pail inviting the guests
repeatedly to,make themselves quite at home,
and take whatever they could find.
wait = said they. Each had knee on
the floor, and one hand full of bread and
cheese. They looked up at her with broad