The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1871-03-09

III 'A0 particulars OF our VlSlC, and to MS !
inquiries for her son, she replied that "he
would be down soon now, as she had sent
one Of her daughters to hasten his appear
ance !" We began more strongly to sus-
plcion that something was wrong, and
hinted as much to the Lieutenant, who
was somewhat bewildered by the smiles |
OF the pretty daughter and the compli- |
ments of her more sedate mother. Watch
ing an opportunity, whispered the Lieu
tenant to search the house. He replied in
the same tone, 'Take Bigney, (who had
entered from the back way) and go quietly
up stairs, searching as you CO." We pro-
peeded accordingly, and about halfway
up stairs met bright-eyed, mischievous
l0oizing girl, who smilingIy said, as she
paused on the step:
You are looking for my brother, I |
know, but you are just a half hour too
late. We heard the noise of your approach
and guessed your errand. We warned
Sedley, so he got up, put on his pants, took
his boots in his hand, and made for the
woods"
She tripped gaily down stairs, while we
went to her brothers room. True enough. |
There lay his coat and vest on a chair, the
bed was freshly tumbed, and the bird had
flown - slipped through our fingers en-
tirelyl On learning this fact, Lieutenant
Moffatt could not conceal his chagrin, and |
the young ladies added still further to his
discontinue by openly boasting of their
brothers escape. Leaving the ladies to
console him by discussing the merits of
the war and the hopes of the rebel cause, !
we stepped out to reconnoitre the premises.
Being attracted by rustliug in the adjoin-
ing shrubbery, we hastened to the spot, |
and with drawn sabres, began to beat |
about in the bushes, when we were startled |
by the ejaculation, in frightened voice,
"Pray de Lord, massa soldiers, don't kill
poor nigger!"
On looking more closely among the
shadows, we could just discern two rows !
of glistening ivory, and the whites of two
wide-extended eyes in background of
ebony, peering out from beneath the cur
rant bushes.
"Come out of that, you imp of stygian
darkness, and tell us where your master
is"
The black woman crawled ont, saying,
as she eyed the arms glittering in the
moonlight
"Deed, sab, Use dun no. 'spect Uncle
Pete does, for he done work in de house.
Use field ham, is, te-he-he y'
We inquired where "UncIe Pete" was to
be found.
"Well, massa, put up dem big swords,
Use afraid o. dem, an III dun carry you
to Uncle Pete"
Following the slave to the house she
presently pointed out to us an old wrinkled |
and grizzIed darkey, saying laconically-
"Dat's him. Dah's Uncle Pete"
We at once inquired of him which way
his master went, when he left the house.
"Deed, gemmen, dunno. 'spect he's
hid out in de bush somewhar."
"Now, look here, Uncle Pete, you know
where your master is, and if you don't tell /
US, you will never eat any more hoe-cake."
'Deed dunno. 'Spect he hid in de bush
out dar," was all we could get out of him.
So, giving Bigney the wink, we seized the
darkey's arms and led him to
the rear of the stables, and near the edge
of the forest. Assuming a serious tone
we halted, drew our sabres, and holding
them over his head, said
s'Now look here, you black rascal. Do
you see these keen blades? They are as
sharp as razors, and if you don't obey US,
off goes your head, sure as fate. Now call
your master, as loud as you can. Tell
him to come to the house, that the soldiers
are all gone"
He did4so, but no response came from
the dark and silent woods. We bade him
call again, louder. He obeyed, but still
no answer came. So, we released the old
man, and went, disappointed, back to the
house, and reported to the Lieutenant.
The ladies were very gracious, and con-
descended to Gull us some flowers from the
garden and present them to US. They
well knew that all danger of capturing the
rebel officer was over, for this time at least.
About IL O'Clock we prepared to return
to camp with what booty we had, consist
ing of two mules and fine horse. Before
leaving, however, the lady of the house,
Joined by the persuasive elOquence of the
handsome daughters, entreated so hard Of
the Lieutenant 10 allow them to retain the
horse for farming purposes, that the in
fatuated young man yielded, and the horse
was turned loose again. We joked the
lieutenant about Cupid leading the would
be captor captive. He blushed acknowl-
edgment to the soft impeachment, and
bidding the ladies goodnight" we set
out on our return.
We reached camp about daylight, and
turned our property over to the Post Quar-
termasteE. We were surprised the next
day to see their owner, inquiring for Gen.
Sickles' headquarters, where, by her ap-
peals and soft entreaties, she succeeded in
the mules, and passing our
quarters on her return, she waved a smil-
ing adieu to the embarrassed Lieutenant
who, turning to squad of men standing
near, drily remarked
"Boys, don't it beat the nation? You see
the result of our last nights expedition
If Gen. Sickles wants any more rebel
or mules captured, he may do
it himself, by George! for won't"
Buford, Ohio, Feb. 18th, 1871.
An exchange says that Ex-Governor
HerscheI Y. johnson and Alexander
II. Stephens, of Georgia, have been
in the Swedenborgian faith.
The Iadv Of the former. one of the +