Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-12-23
lN ~
NO. 3O3.
Talss aud Sketfhss.
HOW THE WIDOW CROSSED THE LINES.
lcoSTiNuED FROM YEsrEHpAY.t

An ambulance went by filed with reb.
ell prisoners; one was wounded near to
death. f...-f
This was war. 1t gave her a vague
idea of great masses of human beings
pushing each other into yawnifig graves.
She began one of the Psalms in metre
used by her church: .gtt.
But who is He that is the King r.
Of gloryi Who is thisi
The Lord Of hosts of Zion Lord, +i~5
Who strong in battle s.
But the battle and Zion, and the awful
Lord of hosts who reigned there, seemed
to far-of dumb shows to her, while close
beside her were her boy johnny and
Babe resting quietly in his mothers arms
IF Mary could see me, she would have
pity" thought the bgoted Presbyterian.
1.-The sword pierced her soul also" ''
The conspirators found the open farm
wagon which Mrs. Van Pelt had hired
waiting in secluded spot. and climbing
into it unmolested, quietly drove down
the river on the Ohio side. She had
brought an ample lunch-basket. No halt
was needed. About noon the next day
they reached a small village of two or
three dozen houses nearly opposite to
Parkersburg. There was apparently an
unusual excitement in the muddy town,
all the men of the population having gath
cred on or about the pOrches of the little
inn. They drove into the barn-yard, and
the women made their way unnoticed to
the inn-parlor. The windows of the room
hung with green paper blinds, opened on
to the porch. Mrs. Van Pelt established
herself on chair at a convenient crack
in the paper. ..-....gt
Zone must be on guard here" she said.
"That is a Union officer outside, and
these people are all secessionists, though
they had the ill-luck to be born on the
Ohio side"
But Margaret sat stolid as usual, her
bundle on her lap. .1 ts'i4
1.-The Union officer is young Joe Camp
cried Mrs. Van Pelt in an excited whisper
land major. as live Great Heavensi
of what stuff are heroes made A mere
boy, and silly. vain boy at that Listen
He has been sent to pay the troops in
Parkersburg tomorrow, and he's drinking
with this crown, and Dragging of the
amount strapped about his waist. Take
my word for it, there will trouble como
of it," as she stepped down from the
chair.
uc sOOu Cdiue. "A SUldll DOy
had disappeared five minutes before down
the muddy road which served as street.
and now came in sight followed by dor.
en- men, the foremost of whom, stout,
broad-faced fellow OF fifty, came upon the
porch with a quizzical laugh: "How dive
do, Major CampP" nodding Familiarity. As
The young fellow drew back with dig.
nifty: Good morning. remember you,
| think. A man who worked for my
father"
"Yes. cleaned the boss's stables many
a time. Col. James Brady now, sir-of
the Confederate service"
The young officer had pluck In spite OF
his smooth cheeks. He had his hand on
his sword and glanced quickly about him
This is your gang. ehP" oat
"Yes, if you like that name for 'em.
Don't wear no uniform-as yet; 90 It on
our own hook. this regiment does But
Pm reg, lar commissioned officer, Camp,
and | arrest you as sich. III trouble
you for that belt under your waist coat
Can't allow aid and comfort to go to the
enemy"
Mrs. Van Pelt, at the window, was in
perpetual paroxysm of excitement, ex-
ultation and pity; "Well done, Jim Poor
little Joe 1t is too bad Positively, the
tears are in his eyes, and he is as white
as his shirt. But he's had to hand over
the money"
Very well, major" said Jim calmly.
Now Pll trouble you for your PAROLE"
Never! I'll not be ousted from the ser.
vice by my fathers stablemanr'
Then you'll hev to take sch treatment
as the stabeman kin Civ. Better think
twice, Joe" -
"Well done, Jim Brady p yelled the
crowd, Margaret had not heard the name
before, having remained listless and i'm
movable during the uproar outside. She
rose now and without word went out and
made her way through the furious crowd
up to Brady. He and Camp had drawn
their revolvers and were facing each other
when she pushed Brady's pistol down
MY husband is with you"
Damn your husband !" dashng her
aside.
Margaret came up, faced him again on
the instant, neat. patient, obstinate "His
name is Peter Brodie."
The name arrested him you re Pete's
wife, ehP Well, stand aside, nv good
woman.-Your parole, Camp. or" -
One against village, with Brady at Its
head, were odds TO which the gallant little
major yielded at last. He gave his parole,
and quickly disappeared in the inn. Jem
turned to Margaret: "Thar's a good days
job I've got no good news to give you
of Pete, ma'am. We left him up the ka-
nawha Salines. He's-he's attendin' to
biz thar: You'd best 60 home, my good
woman"
II will go up the kanawha: l must see
him."
Good Lord You can't see him, he's
dead-shot in scrimmage last Monday,
Thar thar now God knows / didn't
want to tell her He's no loss TO any
woman. anyhow"
Mrs. Van Pelt was out by this time, but
Margaret did not heed nor hear her. She
stood quite still. staring into Brady's face
1t was long time before she could speak !
Johnny lie had my boy"
Jim looked at the men bewildered !.
Never hearn tell OF Pete's havin boy.
None along Of him, anyhow
One of the gang came forward step
and gave him significant look; The
poor woman better be took inside, and Ill
talk bit to this lady yer.