Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-04-24

and strong, rounded and softly outlined; ;
and though she dressed plainly, and
mostly in black, it was with exquisite
taste, and her dresses sat closely and
neatly upon her figure.
Bell was very sorry that so pleasing a
young lady should disagree with him
about the right aud wrong of the war,
and that she had no realization OF any
thing grand in the thought Of contest in
behalf of union, nationality and liberty,
yet she was 80 enthusiastic and patriotic,
according to her own idea, and there
was something so womsnly in her love
for her soldier brother, that it is not to
be supposed that young man of twenty,
just out of the borders of lonely forests
and the lines of battle, and the lists Of
carnage and death, should be insensible
to so winning an influence, or should at
tempt to avoid ber company.
Bell enjoyed many conversations with
her, and even engaged in a quiet game of
cards with her 10 the ladies' cabin. He
told her little of his history, without
betrsying his secret, and recounted some
Of the incidents of the wer. Her eyes
glowed as she listened, and she ex-
claimed:
"0h, l wish l was man, and could
be soldier"
You don't think you could 20 into a
battle and fight2" said Bell.
"Oh, wouldn'tI?" she said, knitting
her brews and curving her neck. II
could fight as well as a man."
Suppose you should get captured, as
your brother and | have been, and be
sent to prison ?"
"Well," said she, 81 would glory in
anything I could do or suffer for our
cause. But don't believe | would get
captured, like you apd him." she added,
srchly. You must see my brother"
she continued, "and tell him that you
met me on the boat. You will like him
ever so much, know. They say the
Yankees won't let anybody 20 in and see
the prisoners, not even their mothers and
sisters. Don't you think that is mean 2"
OF course Bell assented.
II want to take him some clothes and
give him some money. They say the
Yankees steal all the prisoners money
away from them, but will give him some
hUJuOWt IL tuCJ iCb uio 6cC uiut uuu tuC1
won't find it out either"
Bell warned her that if she attempted
to convey anything to her brother Sc
cretly, and against orders, she might get
into difficulty.
"0h, no doubt" said she, curling her
pretty lip, mo doubt they would imprson
me if they should end it out. They
have no more manhood than to make war
on women. But | don't care. I'll defy
them, aud they can do what they please
with me"
The conversation became more general,
and was much more interesting than the
result of the game, though Bell was some
what uneasy to feel that half the conf
dence che seemed to repose in him was
because she supposed him q good rebel,
and that she might have looked on him
with scorn and hate if che had known the
part he was acting. Yet it might not |
have been so, for it often occurred 10
those times that young ladies' who we're
psssionately devoted to the Confederacy
did not nd the company Of Union Off
GERS disagreeable, and that human nature
was too strong even for the prejadiees of
war.
On arriving at ST. Louis, Bell took
kindly leave of her, and assured her that
if he was taken to the Grstiot street
prison he would seek out her brother.
He was marched of the boat in Gus
tody of the two soldiers, accompanied by
the lieutenant, and taken to the head
quarters of General Strong, then COM
at st. Louis. The lieutenant
gave the General letter of instructions
from Hurlbut, aud then retired.
General S.rong, who was an obese,
Jolly looking man, read the letter care
July, and then questioned the scout with
1 good deal of amusement as to his plan.
Bell arranged with him that he woal go
lome, and return in three weeks to be in
in the Gratiot street prison
or few days before bis intended escape
Ihoald take place.
Attiring himself in citizens clothes,
le left the same night for Galesburgh,
where be arrived safely, and where be
emained for three weeks of pleasant
ummer days, with that sense of rest and
comfort and satisfaction which is only
possible in the accustomed atmosphere
# home.