The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1865-05-03

legs until he considered himself safe in the
woods, in search of his comrades for pro-
teciion.
:. Dars old massa Murray coming
now" said one Of the colored boys, lit
tie intimidated as the old man was re-
turning from the depot.
"Nell be pleased to make his acquain-
tance," said Smith, "and do him the hon
or of taking dinner with him to-day"
Just about this time the old man rode
up when our friends joined him.
Good morning sir"
elbow do you do gentlemen" was his
mild reply.
owe have had no dinner today. and
would be gratilied to dine with 'yon, if
you have no ohiecti"ns to Green Backs.
''Well, to tell the truth, | haven't got
scarcely anything TO eat, or you should
have it and welcome But where are
you from, and where are you going ?"
1--WE are from Charleston, just came
up on the cars to look about the country
little
"But what is your business out here p
asked the old man, anxiUusly and a little
alarmed.
Smith and Turner glanced at each
other, but made no reply
"Do you belong to the army ?" he
continued, showing signs of uneasness.
"Yes," replied Smith, that is--we use
10, nut 'lu not now
''FricnlIy -n"posc ,"
"Oh yes You need give yourself no
uncaslnrs> for we don wish 10 harm you
in the least"
(which army did you belong to ?"
said Murray seeming to become little
more easy than at fi~st
"Why to the Federals of course said
Smith laughinglv, 'you don't think we
would belong to any other do you!'
81 didn't know" said the old man in
low tone, looking somewhat surprised
and little disappointed, II didn't know
when you spoke of coming from Charles
ton, bat mat you had belonged to our ar
my"
"Wc have resided in Charleston only
short time, are Union men, and could not
think of taking up arms for those who
are attempting to destroy the best govrn-
ment on earth"
BY this time they hal reached the old
mans gate, where he dismounied, hitched
his horse, and invited the two Yankees
to walk in. Our friends accepted the
invitation, and seated themselves with as
much composure as though they had been
at home.
"Wcll, gentlemen, you are strangers
to me; | know nothing about you nor
your business, but my advice to is, that
you don't venture too far out into the
woods"
"Why so ,"
"Well," said the old man, in low
tone, with his head dropped and eyes
half closed, insinuatngly You mi ght
fall INTO the hands of some of our
men, who have been cut of from
their command, and there's no telling
what you might suffer. Being strangers
you know, they would be very apt to
treat you rs enemies"
''l5ut,' said Turner, 81 suppose there's
no danger Of their coming about here 2
"Don't he too sure about that, for they
come prowling about here quite olten.-
There were no less than eighteen of them
here yesterday, mounted on good horses
and well armed. Their intentions were
to destroy the train of cars and take all
hands prisoners. But it so happened
that the cars didn't come up here that
day, or there would have been dreadful
work"
Smith and Turner looked at each other
but said not word.
The old man continued, snow | don't
wish TO nlimidate you in the least But
| advise you Ms friends; to get back as
soon as possible. have suffered a great
deal myself, and don't wish to see others
suffer, SO if you wish to keep on the safe
side, take my advice and keep away from
this part OF the country"
"And furthermore have nothing TO do
with the treacherrus niggers, for you
cant place any dependence in what any
of them may tell you. They may pre-
tend to be your best friends, and 90
straight off, belray you, and get you into
difficulty"
Turner gave his companion look, as
much as 10 say, ''let us 60"
But Smith coolly reminded the old
man that they had not eaten their din
ners yet.
asWelI I ,v;Il ordar tLa oooL A., no,