Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1864-03-04
WHIPPING TEE WRONG WOMAN

We cut the suhjoincd game at cross pur
poses from Mr. Trowbridge's new novel O
"Cudjo's Cave" A brief preface will max,
ii ineligible. When secession was first in
angurated in East Tennessee, many loyal mel
who had been for months privately drilling
| that they might fight, if reed be, in defense
of the Union, were obliged to leave then
homes and take refuge in the mountains
Among these was a weii-to do farmer named
Stackridge, a man of some influence in the
community, and one whom the confederatcs
were especially anxious to arrest. By airoit
espionage they became convinced that he
held communication with his family, and the
more INSCRIPTIONS among them conceived the
chlyalrous idea of whipping Mrs. Stackridge
until she revealed the hiding place of her
loyal mate. Wherefore not !? None of them
would hesitate to whip a slave woman who
rebelled, and the wife Of an incorrigible "Un.
ion shreker" could hardly expect lighter
doom.
Near TO the Stackridge farm lived Widow
Sprowl, rabid secessionst, 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 commissioner 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 to call upon neighbor (not
Mrs. Sprowl and during her absence the cap
tain's mother, inteLt 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 hospitaUle latch 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 alone in
well proviSioncd farm house, her countenance
lighted up with smile
can borry what want Jest cxac'ly as
well asif Mis- Stackridge war at home tho't
the widow. And she proceeded to fill her
basket, She helped herself to a pan of meal,
borrowing the pan with it, I'll fetch home
the pan, said she, when DO the meal ex-
posing her craggy teeth with a grim smile.
If don't before, I'm feared Mis- Stack.
ridge III haf to wait fort 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 somewhars onder 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 Pm
only jest a borryin' and see what she'll do
about it. The prop'ty of these yer burned
Union shriekers is all gwine to be confiscated
and ! reckon ! may as well take my sheer
when can git it. Thars a paper O black
pepper, and III take it jest as It's Thar's a
jar OF lump BUTTER could tote jar and
all!-have some Of the Jumps on q plate any
how
She had soon filled her basket and was re-
gretting that she had not brought two, or a
larger one, when handsome, new tin pail,
hanging in the pantry, caught her eye. Been
wan,n' jest sich pail as that, this long
while And she proceeded to fiji that also
Just as she was putting the cover on, she was
very much startled by hearing footsteps at
the door,
%, dear me! What shall do? If i'll
should be Mr.. Stackridgcs But it can't be
him II it's only Mis- Stackridge or one OF
the niggers, al face it out ! They won't tas'
to make fuss, for they're Union shriekers,
and my sons capting in the Confederate
army =
Thump, thump, thump!-!oud knocking at
the door.
Ny, it's visitors Who can il be? She
sat down her pail and basket I'm act lest
As 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