Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1865-01-05

JUST dS us. IHOio q J1A VI A"h bAtt-
ter wish could tote jar and ah-have
some of the Jumps anyhow
She had soon filed her basket, and
was regretting that she had not brought
two, or larger one, when handsome.
new tin pail, hanging in the pantry,
caught her eye.
bin wantin jest sech a pail this
long while" And she proceeded to fill
that also just as she was putting the
cover on she was startled at hearing foot
steps at the door.
20, dear me What shall [ do If
it should be Mr. Stackrldge But it
can't be him. If it's only Miss Stack
ridge or one of the niggers, I'll face it
out. They won't das to make a fuss,
for they're Union shriekers, and my sons
capting in the Confederate army
Thump-thump- -thump-loud knock
ing at the door.
My. it's visitors. Who can It -
She sat down her pail and basket. 'I'll
act just as if had a right here, any
how
She was hesitating when the string
was pulled, and two strangers, stout,
square built, with foreign looking faces,
carrying muskets, and dressed in Con
federate uniform, entered.
Mrs. Stackridge?' said they, in a
heavy, Teutonic accent.
''Ye-ye-yes, stammered the wild
ow, trying to hide the guilty basket and
pail behind her skirts. 'What do you
want Of Miss Stackridge p
One of the strangers said to the other,
in German, indicating the plonder,
This is the woman. She is getting pro
visions ready to send to her husband in
the mountains"
"Let US see what there is good to
eat" said the other.
Mrs Sprowl, although understanding
no word that was spoken, perceived the
borrowed property formed the theme Of
their remarks
Have some p She fastened to say,
as the Germans approached the provisi-
ons.
@ThanEee," said they, finding some
cold bread and meat And they ate
with an appetite, exchanging glauces and
gruating satisfaction.
20, take all you want, said the wild
ow, you're welcome to anything there
is in the house, I'm sure = adding :
I'm so glad these sojcrs have come. =
Now whatever is missing will be laid to
them"
.You de lady of de house p said the
foreigners, munching.
"Yes-hclp Yourselves" smiled the
hospitable widow.
..You Mrs. StaclSridge,' asked they
more particularly.
"Yes-take anything you like, )" re-
Piled the widow
Nv here's your husband =
"1Iy husband, my poor, dear hus-
band, he's been dead these" She
checked herself, remembering the sol
diers took her for Mrs Stackridge. II
she uudcceiged them they would know
she had been stealing
Dead = The Germans shook their
heads and smiled. "No. He was hear
last night. He was seen. You take
desc tings up to him in de mountain. .
Would you like some cheese?' said
the embarrassed widow.
"Thankee. Dis ish better ash ra-
tions."
Mrs. Sprowl returned to the pantry
in order to replace the provisions she
had SO generously given away, and pre-
pared to depart with the basket and
pail, inviting the guests repeatedly t.
make themselves at home and take what
ever they could find.
"Wait - said they Each had knee
Oh The floor, and one hand full of bread
and cheese. They looked up at her With
broad, complacent, unctuous faces, smil
ing, yet resolute. And one, with his
unoccupied hand, laid hold ofthe handle
of the basket. while the other detained
the pail "You viii tell US where i,
your husband, said they.
90, dear me don't know. I'm f;
poor lone woman, and where my husband
is | can't consaive, I'm sure
"You will tell us where is your hus
band, repeated they; and one Of th'
men, getting upon his feet, stood befor,
her at the door.
He's on the mountain somewhars-l
don't know whar, and | don't keer,
cried the widow, excited. There wa
something in the stolid. determined look,
Of the brothers she did not like. He,
a bad man, Mr.. Stackridge is. I'm
secessionist, myself You are welcom,
to anything in the house-only let m,
60 now
"You will not go, said the soldier a
the door, still you tell US. We com
for dat
On entering they had placed thei
muskets in the corner. The speake
took them and handed one to his com
rade. And now the widow observed tha
! out Of the muzzle Of each protruded tn