The Placer herald., 1864-06-11
HOW l WAS NOT TAKEN PRISONER.

was, upon the day to which my story relates,
out with foraging party of my own men.
| am West VIrginian by birth, and was
consequently pretty much at home on the
ground over which we were travelling Our
column was advancing, and | rarely allowed
it to go out of sight. We did not do our
toragng on the rebel plan of seizing every.
thing on which we could lay our hands,
whether it belonged to friend or foe, and
approprlatng it by force Of arms; but went
out with a sizeabe roll Of greenbacks, and
paid asking prices for every bit Of provender
we brought back to camp.
Many times on these excursions | was
tempted TO renew some Of my friendships of
years gone by, and drop in upon the wayside
mansions rather guest than buver of
pigs and poultry; but | resisted the incIina-
ton, for the reason that it was hard to tell
where | might find friends, and where foss
who, though they might be only passive ones,
had Ii in their power to make my call very
unpleasant enc.
This day had been especially attentive to
my efrand, hardly allowing myself to look
up from my bargaining with some sable
aunty or uncle, when knew that pair of
VI S1Co "CiO lOohiu0 uOWH iOlI lue
piazza, or female ears were listening, curious.
ly, to catch any little matter connected with
the "dicker," that mi.ht be of interest
With this virtuous resolve strongly upon me,
| was slightly taken aback in the midst Of
my acquisition Of dozen ducks and few
score of eggs, the lawful perquisites Of a stout
wench, by a silvery voice that struck some
thing of memory calling "Captain!"
| raised my eyes, to see above me, on the
ba cony Mrs. Grant Wetherbee. once Miss
Kate Cornell, and once my acme, Of perlec
ton and Virginan beauty. Five years had
gone past since had submitted to have my
hear. torn into minute shreis by being pres
ent at the wedding where the beautiful Kate
was transformed into Mrs. Grant Wetherbee
and yet upon the first glance, that same
heart bounded with something like the old
love, bounded so forcibly, indeed, that it sent
me springng from my horse and up to the
verandah, without further notice.
1t is hardly necessary for me to tell ex,
actly how glad we were to meet. Isay 1--WE"
because | can speak confidently of myself,
and am sure, il can believe in eyes, quite
as confidently for my fair friend. Nothing
would now do but | must enter, and the
names Of the fair ones who would greet me
inside were rehealsed A more denying dis
position than mine would have yielded, when
heard the promise of finding in the parlor
two OF the most elegant women of Virginia,
firm friends of mine in the past.
believe that they were sincerely glad to
see NE, and | will not offer an apology for
Welding to the cordial invitation, pressed
upon me, that | should spend an hour or
two with them. and share, what soldier has
so seldom offered to him, bounleous and
refined tea table.
accepted--h how could | help it?-after
stepping out upon the verandah, and sending
my men two miles across the country, to a
mill, where they were to obtain some sacks
of corn, with orders, after that to join the
regiment, and report me absent until dark.
The tea was dispatched, and we returned to
the palIor, but my fair hostess would not
hear me speak of departure yet. | must
play one game of chess and drink some Of
that superb sherry was wont to praise five
years before, when it made part of her faith
ers cellar. Chess and sherry, with one Of
the most beautiful women south of Mason
and Dixon's line, was but man and |
Welded, though knew that our line had
passed on, and that should have a hard,
and perhaps risky, gaIIop to overtake them.
The chess had advanced but a little way,
and was conscious of spending one of the
happest hours Of my existence, when the
door of the room in which we sat was
thrown open, and five gentlemen, in the uni
form of officers in the Confederate service,
entered AS quick as lightning glanced
into the faces of the three ladies who were
my entertainers, and as quickly became
convinced they we're innocent. Fortunately
was enabled to preserve my presence OF
mind, when Mrs. Welherbee eaid
"Captain Foot, allow me to present CO..
onel Ashby"
rose quietly, and taking bis hand, re
piled: Il am happy to meet one Of whom |
have heard so much"
Then, with an Introduction to the officers
of the party we were seated. | cannot hep
admitting that there was a momenlary en-
barrassment with all the party, and for
minute nobody spoke. 1t required the tact
of women to rectify this: it was rectied in
stantIy, and the conversation flowed smooth
ly Our chess was dropped, but our sherry
was ulscuseeu, ho "eli do o'o'y O0P'o ouI ''"'
of the war This was a tabooed subject,
and not one word was uttered upon either
side that would have led the most careful
listener to believe that we were soldiers
warning against each other.
1t would be useless to deny that during
this time my mind was running on all things
besides those upon which was talking.
knew that | was Colonel Ashby's prisoner,
though there was jus: the shadow of doubt
whether he meant to enforce the forfeit.
could not help stealing anxious gances occa
sionally into Mrs. Kate's face, to see if |
could read there any indication Of her belief,
and, as often, saw an uncomfortable recog
milton Of her position, and the fear of my
suspicion.
| A. lost ho t;po conoa uhan 7 must hrino