Nebraska advertiser., 1865-06-08


stole over her face. She was an only
child. Her father was old and in6rm-
her mothers time was occupied IN house
hold duties hers 10 attending the little
store that formed their whole support
When Annie lay down that night. il
was not to sleep; vague fear came over
her, and she lay thinking of her fathers
words. Annie had known enough of the
trials of poverty 10 make her cling to
the little they had. and she offered up
and earnest prayer that God would save
that to them. She had sunk into an
uneasy sleep towards morning, from
which she was awakened by strange
voices beneath the window. Springing
lightly out of bed. she gently opened
the shutters, and listened TO the speakers.
Demand FIVE hundred thousand dol
lars, and if they can't or won't pay it.
the town must be burned according to the
Generals orders. Let US be quick, it is
an ugly job. and The sooner it is over,
the better"
TGese were the words which fell on
Annie's ear. There was no mistaking
them. and in early dawn she could dis
unguish that the speakers wore the uni
form Of officers. With heavy heart,
she dressed herself, then quietly descend
ing to the store below, she tied all the
mon Y in the drawers into small bag,
and fastened il around her. Then noise
lessly she went about the house, filling
every vessel she could find with water,
and carried them into the store. The
work Tss P,st finished when her father
entered.
~Why, a2uie, child, what are you do
ing 2" he asked, veinly trying TO conceal
bis alarm,
Preparing for the rebels folher,' she
answered smiIingly. for no matter what
sad and anxious thoughts Annie Brown
might have, her father always saw a
smiling face. 1t twas long time before
Anne would tell what she had learned
but her fathers earnest questioning drew
II from her; and when the old man
Leurd the omIu0Us words hope anu
strength seemed TO leave him. His had
been weary life of struggling and dis.
appoiniment--Of little gain and many
losses and now, in the sunset of life,
when he had gathered few comforts
into his little home, be was TO lose all
Annie turned frem her work to comfor.
her father. Gently she led him into the
little back room, and tried to infuse some
of her own brave spirits into his, bul in
vain. Old age cannot look upon things
with youths hopeful eye. While An
ME talked, suddenly red lights glanced
IN at the window, and the atmosphere
grew thick with smoke. She left her
father, and hurlying to the door, a scene
burst upon her that beggars DESCRIPTION.
The whole town was blazing. ,As far a.
the eye could see, it was fre-fire eve.
rywhere. Through the dense smoke she
could Distinguish hundreds of figures run
ming wildly TO and fro. There were
wild shrleks. and chldren's screams of
| terror, mingled with the tramp of sold
iers and the cracking of the flames.
AS the bewildered girl stood looking
at the fearful scene, three soldiers came
and ordered ber 10 leave the house.
She fixed her dark eyes upon them. and
begged, for her fathers sake, that thei!
luile home might be saved They laugh
ed al her pleading, and at the tears that
were cruising down her cheeks. She
saw hat tears and words were in vain,
and as they threw in the burning torches
she sprang to her buckets of water, and
With courage that seemed superhuman,
exunguished torch after torch.
The rude soldiers looked in wonder
at The brave girl, and would have left
her in the house she had so nebly saved,
but for one more brutal than the rest
Drawing pistol from his breast, he ex.
] cla i,,od ,,,ifb n ~ ootb
"Put out another torch, woman, and
your life shall pay for your bolduess."
Annie neither saw nor needed the
pistol though i, was pointed at her, and
The fierce angry lace Of the soldier told
that be was in earnest
Another torch was thrown upon the
floor, another bucket of water exlinguish.
ed its red glare. There was a bright
fash, a loud, quick report. The soldier,
paused in their work TO see the brave
girl fall. But there she stood, her
cheeks flushed. her eyes glaring defancs
ready to exlinguish another torch.
Pour on the Camphene, boys, and le
! us burn the fiend."
The command was obeyed, and tn,
} white fame spread over the store III,
brave girl bad vainly tried to save.
aava tbia. ulaca soldieys - said