The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1873-08-07

growing more feeble every nom en-,
AT this junction / remembers
having seen a small cabin a shor
distance from there. l determine
70 seek 1t, and throwing myself upo
the mercy OF the inmates to ask thei
assistance and protection.
rushing aside the brush cautiousl,
and glaneing irom side to side,
crept hurriedly little way on m,
nands and knees, and then gradual,
raised myself to an upright position
Inis was not done without sever,
efforts; my limbs were weak ant
cramped, and l could hardly wall
Tor the pain it gave me. MY heac
was so light and dizzy that it wa
some time before 1 could recolIect il
wnat direction the cabin was. Blu
at length my senses returned, and
moved slowly forward. I discovered
the light which shone from the win
dow; | approached the cabin, bu,
paused on hearing the sound o.
voices. Taking few noiseless steps
l was enabled to glance through the
rude window. Two men and two
women were within.
l could hear the voices plainly
from where / stood. and listened tc
see i'll could gain some clue to the
character of the inmates.
4 am quite confident that we shall
succeed, said one.
The reward is worth trying for
anyway returned the other.
what will be done with him if he
should be caught?' asked the Young.
er OF the two females.
mo matter! They won't be likely
to let him go again. said the elderly
man, with significant shrug of the
shoulder.
He'll be treated as spies usually
are, probably remarked the middle.
aged woman who had not before
spoken.
The younger looked thoughtful. 81
wish there was 10 such thing as
war it so brutalizes human nature. )
she said earnestly after pause.
The sooner the Yankees are CON.
quered the sooner it will be ended.
said the younger man. $50 you see
it's my duty to catch this fellow who
is saidsto be very cunning and useful
in his way. He can't be great ways
of, and the sooner we get started af.
ter him the sooner we shall hu. him
down.
The other gave his hearty consent
to the proposal, and after talking
over their plans together, both left
the cabin and passed so near to where
stood, that by raising my hand
could have touched them. But for
tune favored me, and the darkness,
which succeeded the departure OF
the moon, hid me from their sight.
Waiting until they were out of
hearing, l stepped up to the cabin
door and tapped.
The latch was raised and voice
demanded, who's there p
"A friend one at least who has 10
power to harm you,' replied.
Il am sick and hungry, and sorely
oppressed by enemies; l am the spy
for whom the reward is offered; l
am in distress. You can save me or
you can deliver me into the hands of
your husband, or those who have
gone in pursuit of me-
The mother and the daughter ex.
changed glances, but neither spoke,
and anxiously l waited their decision.
The woman who opened the door
motioned me to enter. I did SO, and
seat was placed for me by the
daughter, whose sympathies were OBJ
vic usly enlisted.
we can give you food, but oul
protection can avail but little after
my husbands return said the wo.
man. asla.I
'Cau you not conceal me p | asked
earnestly. 'Hea zen will surely re.
ward you
The mother looked at the daughter
and they conversed together 10 low
tone.
we will do what we can,' said
the former briefly, as she placed foed
and drink before nae and signed me
to eat. .#st.H
DO not talk she added quickly
as l endeayored to express my graft
tude. There is no time to lose, anG
food will do more good than anything
else.'
did not await a second bidding
and the nutritious beverage soon haC
the effect to renew my strength anG
give me new courage. My head fel
less giddys the warm cheerful fir,
warmed my stiffened limbs, and
would certainly have fallen asleep il
my chair had not feeling of dreae
lest the men should suddenly re
turn, caused me to look often anx
iously toward the window.
'They will be gone two hours,
said the youngest, as if to assure ~,
on that point.
l signitied my thanks and looked
at the fair speaker so attentively tha
crimson glow stole over her count
enanoe, making it still more interest
ing. forgot for a moment my
illness, the danger had incurred
the risk | now ran, everything il
contemplating her symmetrical fig
ure, regularity OF features and th,
benevolent kindness that beame(
from her eloquent eyes. My raptur,
was OF short duration, the barking o
a dog and the exclamation of my de
liverer, you are lost brought me t.
my senses.
l started to my feet and looked
about some means OF escape besides
the door by which / had entered.
The girl shook her head, and tn,
color fled from her cheek by reason
of her terror. | remained where
was, knowing that the result woult
be equally fatal if l ventured t
leave the cabin.
The voices of the men came neare
and nearer. The young girl stood
spellbound for an instant, then spranl
toward the door that opened into |
closet. 5.1 saJ #a4 H..'la
Go, quiokr she whispered, 'ant
hide yourself behind the Clothes
l Iobeyed, and the door was quickl,
closed and fastened upon me, Will,
my deliverer, with uncommon self
possession las l afterwards learned
placed herself in the chair ! had jus
vacated, drew up to the table ant
very deliberately commenced eating
She had hardly done so when her ia
ther and his companion entered tn.