Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1873-02-21

naked negro boys, from ten to twelve
years of age. They were genuine spe-
cimens of the African race, and had
about as much intelligence as full grown
ape-nothing more.
They're smart as STEEL" remarked
Smith, with self-satisfied air II can
make them useful to me, General"
In what way 2" asked the command
ing officer, dryly.
"Oh, I'll keep them along with me
till get a chance to send them home,
and then the old man will take care of
'em. He'll be mighty glad to when he
knows how got them and all about it,"
Well, corporal, what are you going
to do with them in the end?" and there
was broad smile on the Generals lips.
Going to do with them, did you say I?
Why, I'll make one an overseer and the
other mechanic. That's what I'll do,
General"
An overseer and mechanic ?" rcit-
Grated the officer, with twinkle of the
eye. And in the name of God, what
use then will they be to you p
"pll show you bye-and-bye," and he
patted the woolly heads standing beside
him.
Now, Corporal Smith had petted these
two little imps, till they hung around
him constantly; and he had given them
coppers, with which they hurried off to
the nearest suffers stand. spending them
for candies and nuts. He had done this
not so much for any particular pleasure
it afforded him, as to crafty and please,
az he supposed, the fair idol Of his heart
He was generous-she could see it; he
was kind-hearted-she could not fail tc
understand him. His suit was prosper
ing gloriously, and he was in high
spirits.
just throw them penny, General y
said Smith, stroking the curly pates
"and then see if they don't know what
to do with it."
The officer threw handful of coppers
on the ground, and like a couple of pigs
after kernel of corn, the two blacks
scrambled for the money, then started on
a run for the nearest suffers tent
If the truth must be told, the young
lady did not look upon the corporal in
any respect favorably, and was altogether
displeased with his persistent attentions
She, however, was in an unpleasant po-
sition, and sought to avoid what might
have the appearance of opposition, choos-
ing to bear patiently any amount of an
noyance rather than offend, when offence
might increase the danger to herself and
mother. At heart she was true South
erner, and was also her mother and they
had given everything save the homestead,
to further the interests of the Confcd-
cracy. Two sons-young men Of prom
Use and education-had been sent back
from the front, their bodies mangled and
mutilated with shot and shell, and were
laid away in the family vault. Yet an
other and the father were in peril, and
might be swept away any hour.
Corporal Smith had made a violent de-
claration of love to the object of his ad-
declared with the most SOL
emn assurances that she was all in all to
him, and that without her life would be
a mere nothing. She had forescen this,
and had tried in every possible manner
to prevent it. He, however, was mex
orable, and lying in wait for her, poured
into her unwilling ear his doleful tale of
love, asserting with increased vehcmence
that he must have an answer Immediate
ly. She, becoming alarmed, confded
the situation to her mother, who in turn
sought an interview with the command
ing General.
The corporal was in high glee. He
lad been successful His boots showed
| brighter polish--his blouse and pants
we're relieved of the smallest particles of
iust-his moustache, splendid, superb,
received a fresh application of bears
grease, and he walked about when off
luty as one who owned the soil on which
le trod.
This same John Smith was not the first
nan, and most probably will not be the
asst one, to be led from the path of duty
md of honor, by the smiles of beau
iful woman. Yes. John had promised
o desert the army-to throw up bis cor
,oralship-and in the simple garments
If Confederate soldier, to accompany
lis ahianced to Savannah in the family
arriage-shc having pass through the
federal lines, and there they were to be
married. Johns idea extended but little
'eyond this point, and it is not certain
What his plans we're after this event had
,een contaminated.
The time set for the departure was
'aturday-midnight. And it was ne
essary that the utmost secrecy should be
BY agreement he was not
o visit her during the day, and in no way
reate the least suspicion of their design.
1t the appointed hour he would meet her
n the carriage at the east end of the res
dence, fully prepared, and entering
Iuickly the negro coachman would drive
hem away toward the city. The two
title contrabands had been quite forgot
en- in the hurry consequent on their pre-
ipitous fight.
Everything worked to charm. 1t was
he corporaPs turn on duty that night,
,ut the captain relieved him almost with
tut asking, and hours before the time
designated this absconding soldier, in a
licely fitting suit of 'butternut,' lay hid
n an old smoke-house. 1t was long,
edious interval that followed. but as all
hings must have an end. so with his
Waiting. He saw the carriage drive up
md his beloved come out from the house
md enter it. 1t was quite dark, but he