The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-07-06
ALMOST CAPTURED.

Shenandoah, in the spring 1852, and
was, upon the day to which my story
relates, out with Il foraging party OF my
own men.
l am West Virginian by birth, and
consequently pretty much at home on
the ground over which we were travel
ing. Our column was advancing, and [
rarely allowed it to be out of sight. We
did not do our foraging on the plan of
seizing everything on which we could
lay our hands, whether it belonged to
friend or foe, and appropriating it by
force Of arms; but went out with size
able roll Of grecnbacks, and paid, ask
ing prices for every bit Of provender we
brought back to camp.
Many times on these excursions. I
was tempted to renew some ofmy friend
ships of years gone by. and drop in up
on the wavside mansions rather as 4
guest than as buyer of pigs and poul
try, but | resisted the inclination, for the
reason that it was hard to tell where |
might find friends, and where foes.
though they might be only passive ones,
who had it in their power to make my
call 4 very unpleasant one.
l had been especially attentive to my
errand, hardly allowing myself to look
up from my bargaining with some sable
aunty or uncle, when l knew that pair
of bright eyes were looking down from
the piazza, or female ears were listening
curiously to catch any matter connected
with the 'dicker" that might he of in
tercst With this virtuous resolve strong
ly upon me, l was slightly taken back in
the midst of my acquisitions of a dozen
duck and a few score of eggs, the law
ful perquisities of q stout wench, by a
silvery voice that struck something of
memory calling Captain"
l raised my eyes to see above me on
the balcony, Mrs. Grant Wetherbee,
once Miss Kate Cornell, and once my
acme Of perfection Of Virginia beauty.
Five years had gone past since [ had
permitted my heart to be torn into min
ute shreds by beng present at the we'd
ding where the beautiful Kate was trans
formed into Mrs. Grant Wetherbee, and
yet upon the first glance that same heart
bounded with something like the old
love-bounded so forcibly, indeed, that
it sent me springing from my horse, and
up the veralda without further notice
1t is hardly necessary for me to say
how glad we were to meet | say ''we,"
because | can speak confidently of my
self, and | am sure, if l can believe in
my eyes, quite as confidently for my fair
friend Nothing would now do but l
must enter, and the names of the fair
ones who would greet me inside were re-
hearsed A more denying disposition
than mine would have yielded when l
heard the promise of finding in the par
lors two Of the most elegant women in
Virginia, firm friends Of mine in the
past.
1 believe they were really glad to see
me, and / will not offer an apology for
yielding to the cordial invitation pressed
upon me, that l should spend an hour
or two with them, and share, what a sol
dier has so seldom offered to him, q
bounteous and refined tea-table.
l accepted-how could help it? af-
ter stepping out upon the veranda and
sending my men about two miles across
the country to q mill, where they were
to obtain some sacks of corn, with Or
dcrs after that to join the regiment, and
report me absent till dark.
The tea was dispatched, and we return
ed to the parlor, but my fair hostess
would not hear me speak Of departure
yet. l must play a game of chess, an6
drink some of that superb sherry I was
wont to praise five years before, when
it made part of her fathers cellar. Chess
and sherry, with one Of the prettiest wo-
men south of Mason and DiXon's line
l was but man, and l yielded, though
l knew our line had passed on, and that
l should have a hard, and perhaps a
risky gallop to overtake them.
The chess had advanced but little
way and | was conscious Of spending
one of happiest hours of my existence,
when the door of the room in which we
sat was thrown open, and five gentlemen
in the uniform Of the Confederate ser
vice entered. As quick as lightning ]
glanced into the face of the three ladies
who were my entertainers, and as quick
ly became convinced they were inno-
cent. Fortunately, l was enabled to
preserve my presence Of mind, and
when Mrs. Wethcrbee said:
"Captain Foote, allow me to present
Colonel Ashby.''
I rose quietly, and taking his band,
responded:
Il am happy to meet one of whom
have heard 50 much
Then, with an introduction to the 9th
ers, we became seated. | cannot help
admitting that there was y momentary
embarrassment with all the party, and
for moment nobody spoke. 1t requir'
ed the tact Of a woman to rcctify this
it was rectified instantly, and the con
versation flowed smoothly. Our chess
was stopped, but our sherry was dis
cussed, as well as every topic but the
war. This was tabooed subject, an(
not one word was uttered upon eithel
side that would have led the careful list
ener to believe that we were soldiers
warning against each other.
1t would be useless to deny that du-
ring this time my mind was running OF
all things besides those upon which w
were talking. l knew that / was Col
Ashby's prisoner, though there was jus
the shadow of doubt whether he mean
to enforce the forfeit I could not hell
stealing anxious glances OCCASIONAL,
into Mrs. Hates face, to see if | coul'
read there any indication ofsher belief
and rs often / saw an uncomfortabl
recognizahce of her position and tn
fear Of my suspicion.
At last the time came when | mus
bring the matter to an issue, and l ros
to depart Whatever the end might bt
| did not intend that Ashby or his friend
should see my face or in any manne
taking leave, that for an instant su'
pected such termination of our ii
tarview. In fact | had made up my min
not to be taken without struggle; 6