The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1864-01-08
Seteqi TaIe.
THE REBEL OFFICER.

a superior officer of that army presented him.
self at the door of one of the most aristocratic
residences of the place, and respectfully begged
a bowl OF coffee for sick companion. The
lady of the house hastened to prepare it, and
presently he received at her hands large pitch
er of the refreshing beverage.
He pledged himself to return shortly, and The
lady, impclled by curiosity, resolved to discover
whether he was truthful, or whether it was q
pretext for RECALLING himself with luxury. She
saw him take it to an officer whose pale coun-
tenance and STOPPING figure she had noticed,
and who drank off cup af5er cup, as if his thirst
was unquenchable until the pitcher was drain
ed Immediately her visitor turned to bear back
the borrowed articles, and on reaching the door
he said "May God bless you for your kindness
to suffering man. He is feeble and almost ex-
hausted and you cannot know how much this
has comforted him." ii4-t
He offered compensation, which was refused.
He fingered as if wishing an invitation to tarry,
and Immediately some young ladies, whose cur
iosity to see ga splendid rebel officer" outweigh
ed their fear, appeared on the THRESHOLD and a.
mong them little girl of three years. AT the
sight of her, the sad face of the confederate
frightened, and extending hand, he said, ''Sis-
sy, [ left little girl at home, just about your
size, and she could sing very sweetly. Can
you sing?"
'sYes, SIR
''Wouldn't you like to sing me q song for my
little girls sakel" an st
'Mamma said you were rebel, and had come
here to shoot us, and burn our house."
80, no, my little dear, couldn't think OF
shooting you," he replied with evident embar-
rassment. II will take care Of you, instead. y
"Wil you? Then 1 will sing you my incest
new song" and regarding him as worthy friend
she placed her hand in his, and, looking up in
to his face with childish confidence, began to
sing, with lisping accents: 90 "
"The Union forever, hurrah. boys, hurrah!
Down with the traitor, up with the star"
with as much assurance as though she had
known he admired the sentiment. His face
took on its former serious, abstraeted look !. and
he seemed unconscious that she bad ceased un-
til one of the ladies inquired if he would favor
them with singing. He consented to join in
that grand old hymn which can never die, and
he reverently uncovered his head while they
sang,
/ abe thou, oh God exalted high,' e. 8.
land the fullness, and richness, and exquisite
melody of his tones can never be forgotten by
that little company.
He took leave of the party, but, as if hav-
ing forgotten himself turned back and inquired: ::
sWill one of you ladies oblige me by exchang-
ing postage stamp, for wish to communicate
with my sister in Washington, which l cannot
do with my stamps Or currency. n .. .ia
/ A lady promptly assented, and received the
curiosity, and on discovering traces of his High
Mightness, jeff. Davis perched it on the tip
of her finger and eyeing it askance inquired in
the saucy spirit of mischief which her beauty
and grace guaranteed her, ''Wili it bitc?"
''No it's warranted not to bte," he said,
smiling at the oddness of the question.
"How long areyou rebels going to stay here %
she continued.
care you in haste to have us go? We shall
protect you as carefully as your own army
would do'' .ili-f
perhaps so, but we don't need protection,
and that is not the object of your coming"
ave propose to make tour of the North,
partly ON business and partly on pleasure"
swell, but how long will it take you to ac-
complish your plans?" sh
"Really could not say, Perhaps six weeks,
perhaps. al .ssmmey Possi1 we may like it SO
! veflS Iaay never go fbaaeN - 8
= ssN6,'., she said, with burst of passionate
ihpulses Nj hope you will never get back, but
I Your bones will strew the way, and bleach in
/ the sun all the waAfrom here TO the Potomac" !"
''You are very bittcf! SHOULD have expected
that from Yankee ladyNbut hardly from you"
81 am from the opposio extreme, from
Iowa, but hate rebel worse THAN the Yam
KEGS do You are retelling against the power
of God and the kind ess of man."
''Lady you don't consider what you say
Those are fearful words"
81 know they are, but l VIII repeat that |
hope that pot one Of you viii escape to carry
the tidings. You had no right to come here,
and destroy our homes, and take away our
friends and leave nothing but desolaiion in your
track You may not hope for the blessing OF
God upon your undertaking. llaa Z
:. Lady" be answered while fear sprapg to
his eye, 81 would not be found here to-day,
had not your army found its way to my home,
and dcsolatedit had beautiful young wife,
ffaE &sthe beauty of heaven, loving, and ten
>derly slowed, but even her they did not spare,
but we'll nigh broke her heart with fear and
sseirow Then resolved to forfeit my life, or
fsvenge the wrong determined that the homes
df file North should feel the power of the in
! yader's hand, my single strength could accomp-
lish it. It is easy for yen with your abundance,
to sit and deciaim against US, who have been
nerved TO the last point Of desperation, by the
wrongs of your armies, and when we see our
dear ones reduced to the last extremity, what
shall we do but raise our hands, and strike in
their defence ] did not willingly enter into this
struggle, but having entered it, death alone shall
put limit to my efforts"
"Do you expect God will forgive you 2" %
J 81 trust l nave a father In heaven who has