The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1875-04-21

ocys
II allus does jes' de t'ings yer tell
me, Massa Cap'n."
II know you do. And, Just because
you do what / tell you so we'll, | want
TO send you 10 my home, to run err
rands for my wife,and TO do what work
she will give you in the house. And
/ have three little children--two little
girls and baby boy. want you to
20 with them when they 60 out TO
play, and take care Of them. Don't
you think you would like TO 60 thore 2"
"Ef yer goes too, Massa Cap'n."
"But, my boy, | can't possibly go
now"
Use do jes de ting yer say, Massa
Cap'n. Ef yer tells se ter 60, Use go.
An lee jest do ebery word de missus
say, an look afr de chilleus de best
knows, ontil yer comes dar, On'y
please cum right soon, Cap'n."
The Richmond government deter
mined to make the North feel the
war rs she had never felt it," hal or
ganized the grand raid" An order
came for Captain Leigh's regimont to
march at daylight, "Tobe," said the
captain, "you can 60 in one Of the
baggage wagons. Strap up my blan-
ket and poncho, and take them along;
and these boots, take particular care
of them, for it's not often can get
pair Of cavalry boots TO fit me as they
do" "Yer needn't be feared, Massa
Cap'n, Use take care Of dom de bes'
/ knows" The main body of the
raiders were reported on tho line Of
the South Mountains, making for Get
tysburg. Scouting expeditions were
sent out from the Northern army in
all directions and body oStroops,
including Capt. Leigh's regiment, were
ordered to proceed by shortest route
to Gettysburg and head the rebels of.
One of baggage wagons broke down,
the driver passed on, and the two wag
ons were left alone on the mountains.
In one of them was Tobe, with the
captains boots, over which he kept
constant watch. The men worked
busily at the wagon, and Tobe sat
Watching them. Suddenly o trapping
of horses feet was heard, and party
of cavalry came round turn in the
road.
"That's good" said one of the men |;
"there's some of the boys. If they'll
wait few minutes, We can 60 along
with EN-"
"'Tain't none Of our boys" said the
other, after keen glance; "them's
rebs." At the word, Tobe slid down
in the bottom of the wagon under
some blankets, and lay silent and mo-
tionless with the boots clasped in his
arms. AS the soldiers advanced, the
officer said, apparently in reply to a
question, mo, let the men go; we
can't dc anything with prisoners here.
But well look through the wagons,
and if tho Yanks have anything we
want, all's fair in war"
The "rebs" were about finishing
their examination, when one of them
said, whats that under the seat oI
that wagon 7" "Ohl nothing but a
torn blanket" said another. "'Tain't
worth taking; have got all we want.
"There may be something under il
though" he said, pushing aside th'
blanket. "Ahl this Just what want
ed. Come, boy, hand over those boOti
quick"
"'Deed, massa," said Tobe, Il can
glib 'em ter yer. Dey longs ter Mass
Cap'n an he tole me to take keer oi
EN- mos partic'lar."
Cant help that. I've got to hav,
them; so pass them along" "Pleas
massa," began Tobe, but the rebel Gu
him short. "Will you give me thos
boots? If you don't do it, and il
double quick time, too, I'll put bal
through your black skin. won't asl
you again. Now, will you give then
upH" and he pulled out his pistol.
"Deed, massa, can't case Mass
Cap'n--" There was a sharp click,
flash, a long, sobbing moan, and Tob
lay motionless, the boots still claspe
in his arms, and great drops of bloc
slowly gathering upon them. 'Euem
in sight shouted n picket riding NJ
The officer hastily gave an order, an
the rebels dashed Off at furious spec
and a few moments after party {
Union cavalry, with Capt. Leigh q
their head. appeared, riding from tn
opposite direction. A few words su
feed for explanation. Capt. Leigh lai
his hand on Tobe's shoulder, an
spoke his name. At the sound of III
voice he loved so well, his eyes openec
aud he said family, 'Massa Cap'n,
done de bes knowed. | KEEP de boots
20. TObep groaned the captain,
wish you had given them up, woul
have lost everything, rather than ha,