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

could see the outlines, and he know them
we'll Then, with two or three long ra-
pid strides, he stood beside the vehicle.
The door was pushed open from the in
side. Without an instant's hesitancy,
and his heart beating wildly, he sprang
in, closing the door after him. Inside it
was dark as hades, but he felt his charm
or at his side, and with sudden impulse
threw his arms around her neck. Draw
ing her to him he kissed her passionately
In the meantime the horses were in mo-
ton and the wheels ratified over the hard
road.
On they went through the night gloom,
occasionally passing groups of soldiers
by the wayside and saw the camp-ires
burning in every direction, yet there was
no interruption. After long ride, du-
ring which Smith tried in vain to draw
his companion into conversation, they
reached the outer pickets of the Federals,
and here came the ominous warning
"Haltm
The horses stopped abruptly, and
sergeant advanced toward the carriage
with lantern.
"Show him your pass, my dear, said
the fugitive, sinking farther back into
the corner. Hand it out to him so he
can read it.
She made an effort to do as he desired,
but the soldier had reached the side of
the carriage, and throwing the door open,
elevated his light to aid him in the ex-
animation.
"Halloo, comrades Here's a gop'
exclaimed the officer, addressing his COM
panions standing little back with arms
at ''present" 'There's butternut in
here, or my name amt Tom Skinner
that's SO. Surround the cargo. Advance
Forward, marchp'
John Smith felt his blood curdle. 1t
was all over with him Skinner was
first sergeant in his own company. and
it would be useless to attempt to deceive
him. There was no help for it. He
must submit to fate.
BY all that's holy" cried Skinner,
elevating his lantern still higher. AS
| | live and breathe and expect some day
to see the old woman again, this is Cor
poral Smith, and in butternut rags too.
Here's fix for you. Haul him out~
The utter CONSERVATION of the moment
so entirely COMPOUNDED and overwhelmed
the fleeing corporal that he thought only
of how he might extricate himself from
his unpleasant dilemma. He had almost
forgotten that the one he loved $50 dear
ly" was at his side, and that it was due
to her to recognize this fact. The thought
no sooner entered his mind, than he
turned, with
"My de-"
There was an instantaneous pause
Then with a wild leap, Smith stood on
the ground, striking heavily against one
Of the soldiers in his mad haste.
"Sold, by he exclaimed frantical-
ly. "Shoot me--kill me-anything! /
don't care what"
90, you don't come any of them games
on us, old coon, ," remarked the sergeant.
coolly This matters got to be ex-
planned to the General. What were you
going to do with this contraband 7"
That was the rub. Sitting on the seat
in place of his supposed afianced, was
trim, 1.-THE wench, as dark as the shades
of eternal night, her mouth stretched in
a broad grin, and her eyes like two white
circles set in jet.
Smith pleaded-prayed begged, but
all in vain. He was returned under
guard to headquarters, where the Cen
eral having retired, he was placed in the
guard house till morning Then he was
brought before the commanding officer,
who after listening attentively to the
most minute particulars, merely admins
tered ight rcprimand, and released him.
The punishment which followed was
more severe than any the General could
have inflicted and it was at last neces-
sary to transfer him to another command
At the close of the war he returned home,
but the story having preceded him, he
at once emigrated to the far west, and is
now on the Pacific coast.
We have heard but once since then
from the beautiful Southerner. She was
at the time still unmarried, and declared
the cruel joke played upon the corporal,
was wholly the invention of Gen. B.,
and her mother.