American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1866-06-27
md our number may be about five thous.

| VIII DO. ana now you are sure that tht
man who came here TO buy his supper il
the one you are after 7"
eve are sure of it, for although We
have never seen the mans face, we'd
know him by the double. .barreled rife, as
nobody else in the yankee army carries q
weapon of that kind"
Gay, ay, it's the right one then, said
the hag. "After he had finished and
paid me for his meal, he says to me
aFriend should like to put up here for
the night if you have no objections. =
But as l did not like the idea of accom-
modating Yankee any more than |
could help, | told him there was no room
for him, as | expected visitors before
many hours. "Well, them" says he,
''can't you tell me Of place where can
pass the night little comfortable? !? You
see, {" he added, looking toward his dou-
BILE barreled rife II don't like to camp
out as it looks like rain, and this piece
might get hurt by it." I know of no
place, l answered, short of four miles
from here in an old barn which is tight
enough, l think, to keep off the rain.
"Four miles is pretty long distance" "
said he, "and l have been tramping about
considerable to-day, l don't feel mutch
like carrying this heavy load so far, poin-
ting at his knapsack as he spoke. "Will
you be kind enough to let it remain till
morning ?" "Well, yes" said I, hesita-
ting little, and throwing glance at
the well filed pocket book in his hand.
He understood the look and gave me a
green back dollar. All right said l, and
he then departed, saying he would call
for his luggage in the morning, after he
should wake from his sleep in the barn. I"
"Now, them" continued the woman
(which will you do-go after him at
once, or wait n ambush for him till morn
ing !"
The two soldiers drew back few pa
ces and held short consultation. after
which they advanced to the side of the
woman.
awe will go uow," said the one who
had spoken first; "that is if you can de-
scribe TO us the exact position of the
barn"
II don't think that | could describe
it so you could find it in the dark, but
as am willing to do everything in my
power for the confederacy, | will go with
you and show you the place."
"That is right" answered the rebel,
"and we will see that you are rewarded
for your zeal"
'I don't want any reward for helping
my countrymen," repeated the hag. 81
am always ready to help along the cause.
With these words she disappeared into
another room, but came forth in a few
moments, with gray blanket thrown
over her shoulders.
'I took this out of the Yank's haver-
sack" said she with short, dry laugh !;
"Don't you think it becomes me 2"
"Aye, aye, my good woman, very much;
but lead on if yoa please, for we have no
time to lose"
Forward, march " she exclaimed, i'm
itating the voice of man with strong
lungs. Forward, march :! Close up j
Close upF' And she moved along the
road at the tottering pace to person of
her years.
The night by this time had become
very dark. The sky was obscure with
thick driving clouds, and the wind scream
ed and reared among the tall pines that
lowered upon each side of the road. Oc-
casionally branch wrenched from its
native truok would fall into the road with
terrible crash, and more than once the
rebels started back and cooked their pie
ces in the belief that tho din was caused
by the discharge of some Yankee rifle.
"Ha! ha! ha!" laughed the hag upon
one Of these occasions, sit seems to me
that you are easily startled. Don't you
think your commander might have picked
| pair of bolder hearts than yours for this
expedition ?"
aYoa'd better keep silent tongue IN
your head, my good woman, until you
have an opportunity of witnessing as
many battles as we have" answered one
of the men, "a good soldier is always on
his guard"
"Aye, ayep replied The old woman
shut you should know how to distinguish
between the cracking of branch ant
the ring of rifed musket-"
The rebel did ne. relish the noise mad
| by the loud shrill tones of the femal,
guide, and in order to put an end to j
he controlled himself sufficiently not t
reply to her last remark. The party thel
con tiuaed on their way in silence--whicl