The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1864-11-18
THE REBEL OFFICER.

presented himself at the door OF one OF ti'a
most aristocratic residences Of the place,
and respectfully begged a bowl o! coffee
for SEX companion. The lady Of the
house hastened to prepare it, ana present.
ly he received at her hands large pitcher
Of the refreshing beverage.
lie pledged himself to return shortly
and the lady impelled by curiosity, re,
solved to discover whether be Was truth.
ful, or whether it was preteX; for re,
calling himself with luxury. She saw
him take it TO an officer whose pale co1a-
tenance and stopping figure she had notic-
ed, and who drank Of, cup after cnP, rs
though his thirst was unquenchabIc, unFh
the pitcher was drained. lmmedate!i
her visitor turned to bear back the bor-
rowed articles, and on reaching the door
he said:
MAY God bless you for your kindness
10 a suffering man. He is feeble and al
most exhaus;ed, and YOU cannot know
how much this comforted him."
He offered compensation, which vas
refused. lie fingered as if wishing an n
vitation to tarry, and immediately some
young ladies, whose curiosity TO see "a
splendid rebel officer" outweighed Their
fear, appeared on the Threshold, and
among them little girl Of three years.
At the sight Of her, the sad face of the
confederate frightened. nuj extending
hand, he said, " Sissy, left a little g'I at
home, just about your size, and she could
sing very s~estly. Can you sing Z"
Yes, sir"
"Mamma said you were rebel, and
had come here TO shoot us, and burn our
houses"
"Oh NO, my little dear, | couldn't think
Of shooting you," lie REPLIED with er'deEt
embarrassment. 81 will take care otyou,
instead"
"Win youl Then l will sing yeu my
nices. new song," aud regarding him as a
worthy friend, she placed her hand in his,
and, looking up into Lis face with childish
confidence, began to sing, with ilsrln9 ac-
cents
q The tniou forever, hurrah, boys, hnrrah
Down with the traitor, up with the ar
with as much assurance as though She
had known he admired the sentiment.
His face took on its former serious, a5-
stracted look and he seemed unconscious
that she had ceased, until Ole Of the "a
dies inquired if he would favor them with
singing. lie consented to join in that
grand old hymn which c$n never die, and
he reverentIy uncovered his head while
they sang,
"Be thou, O God, exalted high
and the fullness, and richness, and cXqul-
site melody of his tones can never be log-
gotten by iha. little company.
"He took leave of the PARTY, but as i
having forgotten himself, turned back, and
inquired " vii! one of you ladies oh5c3
me by exchanging postage stamp, for
wish to communicate with my sister IN
Washington, which | cannot do with my
etanps or currency.
A lady promptly assented, AID received
the curiosity, and on discovering traces OF
bis High Mightiness, JEFF. Davis, nerchea
it on the tip of her finger, and eyetog =
askance, inquired in the saucy splIlt OF
mischief which her beauty and grace guar
anteed her, " Will it bite: =
"No, its warranted not to bite he
said, smiling at the oddness OF her 4lea-
ton.
GLOW long are you rebels going 10
stay here ?" she continued.
"Are you in haste % have Us 60 T: We
shall protect you as carefully Is your own
army would do"
Perhaps so, bu. we don't need pro-
lection and lha, is not tie OBJECT OF yout
comm"
GIVE propose to make tour Of the
North, partly on business, and putty tor
pleasure"
"Well, but how long viii it Ike yru
10 accomplish Your p'ans!'
"Realy, could not say, rerAsDs *
weeks, perhaps all summer. losslly 10
may ike it SO well we may never -
back
"No," ste said, with 2 hurst q nas.'an-
ate impulse, q hope you never "j.t ~
back, but that your bones Hi.i s.rew iAo
way, and bleach IL the sun ali tha way
from here to the Potomac
"You are very bitter. | should h"vn
expected that from Yankee lady, hrs
hardly from YOU
Il am from the opposite extreme, from
Iowa, but | hate a rebel worse saan ;aa
Yankees DO You are reLe..ing against
the power Of God, and the k:odDeas II
man."
"Lady, you don, consider villa. ycp
say. Those are fearful words
"T know they are, bat | Will roH'at
that hope not one Of you will escape ~
carry the tidings Ion had no r'g,t -
come here, and destroy cur homes, a-,i
take away our friends and leave nothing
but desola,ion it your track, You may
not hope f,r the blessing If God upon
your undertaking"
lady" he answered, While q tea
sp,ang to his eye, i should hot be f,ari
here to-day, had no. your army foond liz
way to my hone, and desolalCd it.
have beautiful young wife, fair - t:o
beauty Of heaven, loving, and tso4eIIv
loved, bu: even her they did not sp,e,
bat well nigh broke her heart with fear
and SORROW. Then resolved 70 forfeit
my life, or avcnge the wrong. I deter.
mined that the homes of the North should
feel the power Of the invaders hand /
my single strength could accomplish il.
1t is easy for you, with your &bnoa#:ees
to ait and declain against Us, Who have
been nerved to the last point Of despers-
ton, By the wrongs Of yoar @iuie-, ann