Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-02-27
wHPP1Ne THE WRONG WOMAN
A sketeh Of ChlEaIry Of Easl Tennessee.


= it Ineligible. When secession was first in
augurated in East Tennessee, many loyal men
who had been for months privately drilling
that they might fight, if need be, in defense
of the Union, were obliged to leave their
homes and take refuge in the mountains
Among these was a well-tO-do farmer named
Staekridge, a 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 lighter
doom.
Near to the Stackridge farm lived Widow
Sprowl, 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 in 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 70 call upon a neighbor 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 hOspitable "latch-string" and entered the
empty house -
t" Her first feeling was that of resentment.
NVhaf ~ had NJ Sfacl-ri1aro to 10 ..t,s
when she came to borrow? As she explored
the pantry and closets, however, and became
eOnyin eed that she was absolutely alone in
Well-provisiOned farmhouse, her countenance
lighted up with smile. .. -f..-
l can borry what 1 want jest exac'ly as
wei as if Mis- Stackridge war 1T hOme,' thought
the widow. Aud she proceeded to fill her
! basket. She helped herself to pan of meal,
borrowing the pan with it. IN fetch home
the pan, said she, when do the meal ex-
posing her craggy teeth with a grim smile.
If L don't before, I'm feared Mis- Stack
ridge III hat to wait fort a considerable spell
What's in this box ? Coffee May as well
take box and ALL Bring back the box when
do the coffee Wish could find some to-
backy sOmeHhars-wonder whar they keep
their tobackyr
Now the excellent creature did not indulge
III tUt5G AADtEllGS MAtlUub EOulE apprehension
that Mrs. Stackridge might return suddenly
and interrupt them. Perhaps she had not
followed Mr. Staekridge TO the mountains.
Perhaps she had only gone into the village to
buy shoes for her children, or to call on
neighbOr. If she should come back and
keteh me at it,-Why, then III tell her I'm
only Jest bOrryin', and see what she'll do
ABOUT it, The prop'ty of these yer burned
Union shriekers 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
alll-have some of the Jumps on plate any,
how
She had soon fihed her basket, and was re-
GREETING that she had not brought two, or
larger one, when handsome, new tin pail
hanging in the pantry, caught her eye. Been
wantin' Jest sich pail as that, this long
while y 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 its only Mis- Stackridge or one of
the niggers, III face it out! They won't das
TO make a fuss, for they're Union-shriekers,
and my sons capting in the Confederate
army ?
Trump, thump, thump loud knocking at
the door.
Ny, it's visitors Who can it be?' She
sat down her pail and basket. I'll act just
as if had right here, anyhowi'
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 p said they in a heavy leu
tonic accent. $50
sYe-ye-yess stammered the widow,
trying to hide the guilty basket and pail be-
hind her skirts. 'What do you want Of Mis-
Stackridge p =
One Of the strangers said to the ether, in
German, indicating the plumber, This is tire
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.
MS. SprOwl, although understanding no
word that was spoken, perceived, the bor-
rowed property formed the theme of their re-
marks. Have some she fastened to say.
with extreme politeness, as the Germans APP
preached the provisions.
Thank ye,' said they, finding some bread
and cold lneaH And theya ate with appetite,
p exchanging glances, and grunting with salts
faction. -r
", take all you want, SAD tue WIDOW.
You're welcome to anything there is in the
house, I'm sure adding within herself, {.
am so glad these soldiers have come Now
whatever is missing, viii be laid to them
You de lady of de house - said the for
eigners, munching. = '1-~
& Yes, help youfselves!' smiled the hospi-
table widow. -
You Mrs. Stackridge p they inquired,
more particularly. - s--l
Yes; take anything you like replied the
widow. -, .......,-l ga
Where your husband ?
Ny husband I my poor dear husbandl he
has been dead these = She checked her
self, remembering that the soldiers took her
for Mrs, Stackridge. If she undeceiyed them,
then they would know she had been stealing.
Dead The Germans shook their heads
aud smiled Mo- He was here last night
He was seen. You take desc tings to him up
in de mountain r s, ssh 6sef ?
Would you like some cheese said the
embarrassed widow. s - -. s4-.E
Tank ye. Dis is better as rations.' y.
- Mrs. Sprowl returned 20 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 athome,
and take whatever they could find.
Wait q said they. Each had knee on
the 1oor and one hand full of bread and
cheese. They looked up at her with broad,