Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1864-02-24
WHIPPING THE WRONG WOMAN
A Sketch of ChisaIry of East Tennessee.

that they might fight, if need be, in defense
of the Union, wore obliged TO leave their
homes and take refuge =. the mountains
Among these a Well-tO-dO farmer named
Stackridgc, a man OF some influence IN the
community, and one whom the cOHtederates
were especially anxious to arrest IL 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. Stacbridge
until she revealed the hiding place of her
loyal mate. Wherefore not None of them
would hesitate to whip slave woman who
rebeled, and the wife Of an incorrigible Tn
ion shrieker" could hardly expect a lighter
doom.
Near to the Stackridge farm lived Widow
Sprowl a 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
i commission IN the confederate army. He
was in command IN the vicinity, ana 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
rhaEing gone out to call upon neighbOr (nOt
Mrs. SpcowD and during her absence the cap
tains mother, intent upon borrowing proyis-
ions from one who, under the circumstances
would hardly refuse to lend, knocked twice
at the door, and meeting no response, pulled
the hospitable "la tch-string' and entered the
empty house -
. Her first feeling was that Of resentment
W hat right had VI rs. StaCkrIdgc 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-proyisioned farmhouse her counteuauce
lighted up with Il smile.
| can borry what ] want lest exactly as
well as if Mis- Stackridge wara home thought
the widow. And she proceeded to i'll her
basket. She helped herself 10 a pan OF meal
borrowing the pan with it. III fetch home
the pun said she, when | do the meal ex-
posing her eraggy teeth with "a grim smile
If don't before, I'm feared Mis- Stack
ridge II hat to wait fort "a considerable spell
What's III 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-wonder whar they keei,
their tobaeky!
Now the excellent creature did rot 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
neighbo.. II she should come back and
ketch me at it,-why, then III tell her I'm
only jest a borryin, and see what she'll do
about III The prop'ty Of these yer burned
| MON shriekers Is all gwinc to be cOniscated
and | reckon | may as well take my sheer
when can git it, Thar's o paper o black
pepper, and I'll take it jest as lis. Thar's a
Jar OF lump hutter,-wish | could tote jar and
all have some of the humps on "a plate any
how
She had soon filled her basket, and vas re-
GREETING that she had not brought two. or a
larger one, when handsome, new tin pail,
hanging in the pantry, caught her eve. Been
wantin' Jest sich a pail as that this long
while ? And she proceeded to fill that also.
just a. she was putting the cover on, she was
very much startled by hearing footsteps at
the doSr
o, dear me What Shall 10. If il
should be Mr.. Stackridgc. But it can't be
him If it's only Mis- Staekridge or one OF
the uggers, III face it out They won't das'
to make fuss for they're Uniou-shriekers
and my sons a capting in the Confederate
army
Thump, thrunp, thulnp loud knocking at
the door.
Ny, it's visitors Who can it be :. She
sat down her pail and basket. III act lust
a if had right here, anyhow.
She was hesitatIng when the string was
pulled, and two strangers stout, square-buiIt.
with toreign-looldng faces, carrying muskets,
and dressed in confederate uniform. entered
Mrs. Stackridge = said they in a heavy leu
tonic accent
'Ye-ye-yes-' stammered the widow.
trying 10 hide the guilty basket and pail be
hind her skirts. What do YOU want of Mis-
Stackridge ?
One of tie strangers said To the other. IN
German, indicating the plumber, This Is the
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
NJ. Snropr1 aI+I,,,,.rl ,r,,7,... a.. IL
word that was spoken, perceived the Dor
rowed property formed the theme of their re
marks. Have some she fastened to say.
with extreme pohteueSS, rs the Germans APP /
preached the provisions.
Thank We said they, finding some bread
and cold meats And theyate with appetite
exchanging chances, and gruntinE with salts
faction.
o, take all you want, said tire widow.
You're welcome 10 anything there Is in the
house, I'm sure adding within herself I
am 50 glad these soldiers have come Now
whatever IS missing, viii be laid 70 them
You de lady Of de house = said Il for /
Yes; help yourselves . smiled the hospi- !
table widow
You Mrs, Staekridge they inquired, /
more particularly
Yes; take anything you like, replied the /
widow.
Where your husband
My husband! my poor dear husband! he /
has been dead these = She checked her /
self remembering that the soldiers took her 4
for Mrs. Stackridge. II she uudeceived them. 1
then they would know she had been stealing. |
Dead The Germans shook their heads |
and smiled. No! He was here last night.
He was seen. You take desc tinss TO him UP /
in de mountain
Would you like some cheese said the
embarrassed widow.
Tank We. Dis IS better as rations
Mrs. Sprowl returned TO 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 toimake themselves quite at home,
and take whatever they could find.
Wait : said they Each had a knee on
the floor, and one nand full of bread and