The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1874-09-30
THE scoUT.s DAUGHTER.

Can forget that happy hour2
Do you regret the words you said9
-s---
THE SCOUTS DAUGHTER
It was Mt the close ola sultry day
about the first of May, 1864, that a
single horseman might have been seen
riding along the turnpike few miles
west of Charlottesville.
He was apparently about forty or
fifty years of age, large, powerful
frame, bold, open countenace, and
possessed of a daring restless eye.
His attire being semi military and
semi-citizen, it would be hard to de-
termine to which Of the opposing par
ties he belonged.
He wore the blue cap of the Yam
KEGS, the grey blouse of the Confeder-
ates, and the remainder of his apparel
was that of an ordinary citizen.
His horse, a large, powerful bay,
swept along with an easy rapid pace.
By making an abrupt turn. he left
the main road, and entering a bride
path, was soon in dense forest.
The sun had already gone down,
when he emerged from the forest,
and riding up to large farm house,
asked lodging for the night.
The farmer, who was perfect
Southern Fire-eater," eyed him a
moment suspiciously. and then in
multifarious tones said;
"Well. yes, I reckon, stranger, as
you might stay; though the country
be so torn up that one can't tell who
to take in. Who are You. anyway Z"
Simply a weary and benighted
traveller, who will leave with the
mornings dawnj'
The traitorous looking farmer call
ed to a negro who was near. and bade
him put the travellers horse in the
barn. The stranger accompanied
him, and had the horse put in the
stall nearest the door, with the sad
die on.
"Debblish strange" muttered the
negro. "Mustbe afeard some ones
comm to gobble 'um up"
As soon as the negro had a chance
to speak privately to his master. he
informed him Of the manner he bad
left the horse at the stable.
an watch him Jake, and YOU re-
main handy. for I suspect he's Meade's
Scout, Glorcus. If he should be, I
want you to go the forest after Haw-
kins."
The negroes eyes sparkled greedi-
ly, as he replied
"Golly, Marsa. only find dat out,
and I'm off to the woods in no time" "
During this conversation the sub
ject of it was in the sitting room,
quietly smoking short black pipe,
while he seemed buried in thou ght.
He had unbuckled his sabre and
leaned it against the wall. but his
pistols were still in his belt around
his waist.
His blue cap was placed on his
knee. and his iron grey hair fell about
his shoulders in profusion. while his
keen, restless eyes kept constantly in
motion. As he sat there he looked
what he really was, desperate char
acter.
His reverie was at length broken |
by the entrance of a very pretty |
black eyed girl, who announced sup
per.
Every glad" said the stranger. "In
fact / am very hungry, Miss, What
may I call you? ?"
"Dellaln
"Della2 A very pretty name. You
are the gentleman's daughter ?"
mo, sirl"
"His niece thcn?"
mo, STRIP
"a relative then, anywavl"
IL think no relation at all. I am
simply an orphan girl@Della Doran |
Mr. Biswick has taken to |
raise but supper waits"
The stranger started up at the
sound of the name, bent keen glance
on the lovely girl, but said not
word.
The landlord, his foster daughter
and the stranger were the only occu-
pants of the supper table.
Mr.. Biswick being somewhat talk
ative, intimated that the fair girl was
not his child, but the daughter of
scamp who had deserted her at her
mothers death, gone to California,
and he had kept her merely out Of
gratitude.
The stranger seemed almost to
strange as the farmer still continued
to degrade the girl
He raised his hand to brush the
cold sweat from his brow, and as be
did so small slip of paper fell from
his blouse pocket to the floor.
1t was unnoticed by any save Mr.
Biswick.
Supper being over they all arose
from the table, and the planter pass
ing around adroitly slipped the note
in his pocket
Conducting the stranger to the sit
ting room be left him, and going into
a private room lit candle, and glanc.
ed at the note. 1t was brief, and as
follows:
Forward to the front, Glorcus.
GEN. MEADE.
"Ho, no! ! know him now" chuck
led the farmer. HE is Glorcus, the
famous scout. There's reward for
him, and I'm a fool if / don't get is.n
At signal the negro entered
at is as expected, Jake I; he is
Meade's scout. Go at once for Haw-
kins. The reward is ours"
III go Marsa. III co. said the ne
gro, and pulling on his cap ran out
into the night air. Once be muttered
to himself: I