Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1865-05-03
TWICE AT BAH

L was midnight in East Tennessee, not
the night of nature, but the middle of that
dark and deteStable night during which
that prosecuted region was crushed under
the Davis despotism. 1t was political mid
night in East Tennessee 1t was nearly
twilight. when a young man and young
girl sat at the open window of a fine man
sion near pleasant little village-a village
now almost swept out Of existence by the
Siroccobreath of war.
The girl was Mary Basham, an orphan,
who, with her brother Richard, had inherit
ed the splendid property of her parents,
consisting mostly OF land and slaves. The
greater part of the slaves had been left tC
her brother; but the land belonged TO them
in common. and she also owned sum in
Louisville bank shares. Her brother had
taken up arms to protect his property, as be
said, and he probably thought and was
then Captain of Confederate guerrillas.
Mary Basham was considered a great catch,
and it was certainly strange, if not Imrrop-
err in Mrs. 4Grundy's eyes, that she should
love that fair-haired young man who sat by
her side at the open window, for Ernest tel
der had no riches, except a fair share of
talent, and true, honest heart. He was
only music teacher, anda German at that.
Consequently he was worse than Il ankee,
and a marriage with him would be as bad
mis-aiance as Mary Basham could make
Y on are foolish, Ernest, said the girl.
as she plucked flower from the vine and
pulled it to pieces. What is the Union to
you, that you are so anxious to make your
self martyr for its sake? Besides, what
can you do for the Union by hiding out in
the woods and mountains, and being hunted
down at last, and hung or shot, CT impris-
ed? So far, although you have been sub
iact to aInoyances, you have escaped harm
and now, if you will simply submit to the
new order of things, all viii be well, and
you will not be troubled.
The Union is everything to me, Mary
Basham, said the young man, for it shell
tered me and its flag protected me when
came to this country an exile and under
the Union have enjoyed the fruit of my
labor, and have been happy and contented.
1t would be worse than lrgratltude TO de-
sert it now, because | happen to be among
its enemies.
''Then you viii leave me, said the girl,
as she tore flower passionately-
Il must, Mary, unless you can be con-
WINGED that it is polite as well as right to
seek peace and safety on Union ground
But that is not to be expected, and do
not wonder at you, being slave-owner.
80, bother the slaves broke in the i'm
petuous girl. They are more trouble than
they are worth, and always were. Dick
Basham is welcome to all cf them if he
wants them, except Hessy and little Jim.
[ always felt as if / belong to them more
than they belong to me, and the feeling is
irksome But as for those guerilla bands
like that of Brother Dick 5, they are a dis
grace to the country, and ought not to be
permitted Dick has said he meant to bring
his gang of ruffians here some night, and
give them supper-ls II l would stay IN
the house where these wretches are holding
their drunken orgiesi [ dared him do 1T.
Humph! he talks so much about the blood
of the Bashams-iet him try to commitsuch
an outrage on common decency and he will
find that there is as much blood OF the Ba-
shams in my veins as in his L Will let
master officer know that | am not TO be
frightened by him. .
The conversation was interrupted by a
rough looking man, dressed in brown home
spun, badly tattered, and carrying long ri
fe upon his shoulder, who came hurriedly
over the lawn toward the house. Hardly
stopning to knock he entered the front door
and pushed into the room where Mary Ba
sham and Ernest Fielder were talking.
beg pardon, Miss, said he, pulling
slouched hat from an unkempt head, and
resting the but of his rifle upon the carpet
sorry to come so sudden like, but | havn' t
time for perliteuess. Mr.. Fielder, the. guer-
rillas has been huntin for you in the VII
lace, and they ken trot. Sothere ain NO
time for tradin' horses, eff you want to git
of. . at sag
1T has come sooner than expected,
Mary said Ernest, as he started up. Il
must bid you farewell now, and perhaps for
ever. If can reach the Federal lines safe |
" / will try to get word to you,
''No use talkin', about the Federal lines
now, Mr.. Fielder said the rough looking
man, for here's the guerrillas. sd |
As he spoke, about twenty, horsemen