The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-05-20

even fall on the scaffold, but never will I |
be false to you, or do deed unworthy OF
your love. know your sympathies are
secretly with the "Old Flag" pray for it
and me, dearest.
A weeping promise that she would a
hastily snatched kiss and then they par
ted, how and when, If ever, to meet again,
they knew not.
The next day Raymond reached the city
of Washington, and entered upon the du-
ties of his office, with full determination
to do all in his power to restore our glo-
rious Union, to its former quiet. How well
he kept his resolve, his advancement will
show.
1t was the night after the battle Of Bull
Run, July 21st, 1s61,) that fiercely con-
tested struggle, which at first, seemed so
disastrous to the union cause. Mcdowell
had been defeated; the confederates had
forced open road to the Federal Capitol,
and tho union cause seemed lost.
All day, Annie had heard the thunder
of the cannon, for her fathers mansion
was but few miles from the battle field,
and had shuddered to think Of the wounded
and suffering soldiers; the hundreds of
souls called to their last account; the wives
made widows; the children orphaned
Even at night, and when she had retired to
her chamber, her thoughts were SO engross-
ed by sad reflections, that she could not
sleep.
| Guddanlxy fbara n, 1otx, 1y,no1r OF tbsa
door, and the voice Of her maid, tremulous
with excitement, solicited admission.
What is it, said Annie, with alarm,
as she saw the pale and agitatNd face of
the servant.
"Oh Miss" cried the girl, "only to
think, they've got poor, dear Capt. Ray
mond and are going to hang him.
Annie felt the room spin around her,
J but had still sufficient self-control to grasp
a chair-back for support. Her maid seeing
her mistress agitation, stopped abruptly.
81 am better now," said Annie, in a
moment, recovering herself, ego on"
The girl frightened, and already regret
ting that she had told her mistress, would
| hoNO uCOnbSn, puO huhtO inolNOSo Oh hiiOW-
ing the worst. Indeed her anxiety to learn
all had preserved her from fainting; for she
was never timid in great emergencies,
however much SO under ordinary circum-
stances.
1t seemed that the confederate troops
had appropriated whatever convenient quar-
ters they could end, and as the Mitchell
mansion lay directly on the road to Rich
mond, large party of officers and men
had arrived there after the battle was over.
The officers were now being entertained by
the Judge, while the soldiers were distribu-
ted in the barn and outhouses.
, "They've got ever so many prisoners, -
f concluded the girl, call of whom are COM
mon soldiers, except one, and he's Capt.
Raymond, Pm sure. They've put him
, away from the rest of the prisoners, in the
little room over the library, and posted a
soldier to keep guard there. Pm sure from
all this, that they're going to hang him, as
master always said they would.
4 Annie thought SO too she was aware
a that the confederate leaders had not yet
! ventured to execute prisoners of war, but
she feared, that, after this signal victory,
they would change their policy, for they re.
| garded every union soldier she well knew,
] as deserving death. Her interest in the
Q prisoner assisted in bringing her to this
o conclusion. For some minutes she remain
: ed, trying to collect her faculties, and
+ pressing her hand on her heart to still its
S beating, but she was interrupted at last
by the maid.
3. "Ohi dear, what shall we do?" cried
Q the maid, wringing her hands, "such a
Q dear, sweet gentleman, and to be hung al
: our own door too. Won't master beg his
a life of the soldiers?"
"Bridget," " said Annie trying to speak
without perceptible emotion, "my father
. will never do that, and the Captain will
q die IL we don't find some way to let hin
: escape Listen to me now, and remember
a every word say There, don't speak
but attend--"l eiI9if II"
i "oh yes, Miss, I'll do anything to say,
such handsome"
o "Never mind that, but listen and obey
d Go straight down stairs and see that til.
h sol diers in the kitchen are well served, ant
:. give them as much ale, or even stronger
/; drink, as they want. You understand me
# At twelve o'clock tonight The sentry at tn,
> door Of the captains room win be relieved
# and wish the one who succeeds him to b,
n as sleepy as possible. There's littl,