Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1876-04-13


tall blonde, who had a waist like :
wasp and eyes that were always trying
to look languishingly into mine. Thu
General was taken in hand at once by
the chief dignataries, and finally, a
their earnest request, danced cotilliOn
his partner being chosen from the mos
distinguished of the ladies present, ant
!who, was informed by my slim com
pinion, wore lace on the occasion which
had belonged to her great grandmother
Now and then young man or woman
manifested their dislike of the smear
Yankees by curl of the lip, sheer
or sullen frown. but these were rare
exceptions, and the hours passed gayly
and pleasantly until dinner, which was
Iserved ut l o'clock, There We're &
good many people present there for sc
wild and thinly populated a country
but the supply Of provisions was Ger
|tainly sufficient to have fed three times
the number. The tables literally
groaned with good things, and found
myself wishing a half.dOzen times that
our regiment could get at them for {
quarter of an hour.
The General was forced to make 8
speech ut the table, which he did very
we'll. although unaccustOmed to post
prandial eloquence, and finally the
dancing was resumed and went on mer
rily until an hour or more had elapsed
Having finished my waltz about three
o'clock and seated my partner,
stepped to the edge of the pavilion.
wiping the perspiration from my face,
when was attracted by the queer
actions of a negro waiter near me. He
acted something like man with the
St. Vitus dance, and yet felt at once
that he was endeavoring to attract my
attention without having other persons
notice it. 1 went carelessly near
where he stood. and spoke to him.
Swell. SAM said I, show do you like
this e He took off his ragged hat in
true plantation style and replied:
':Purty well, sab! l can't dance,
sab, but can turn 4 handspring,
sah.'
"Indeed 2" said I. swell. let's see
You now"
\ number of persons were looking
lat us, and knew afterward that this
was ruse to get close to me without
attracting suspicion; but he imme.
Idiately placed his hands upon the
ground and sprang lightly over them,
landing on his feet my my side. As
his feet touched he said so quickly
that it seemed part of the act:
''Rebs comm, sab. Look over the
hill.''
l started, but, meeting his warning
look, recovered my self-possession in
|stantly. and laughingly complimented
him. Then as if to get ont of the
crowd and inhale 4 breath of fresh air,
l walked away. The barbecue was
given in a wood situate ON a consider
able hill, with a winding and quite
precipitous road leading to the high.
way at the foot. I soon gained the
brow of the eminence, and, looking
down into the valley, beheld party
of at least fifty cavalrymen coming
down the main road. They were near
the wagon track leading up to us, and
l watched them to see if they would
pass on or turn. They halted when
they came opposite this track. and APP
peared to be in consultation. Present.
ly the leader beckoned to some one,
and soon boy appeared from the field
close by, and of him they proceeded to
make inquiries. They had not asked
Nanny questions before they seemed to
decide upon joining our barbecue. and
l saw them start slowly up the hill.
The way the road ran they must trav-
erse at least half mile before they
reached us, and knew there was time
for escape-if another road could be
found out of the woods. returned to
the bower in search Of the General,
and found to my amazement that he
was actua ly dancing polka with the
lady who wore the ancient face.
knew the figure must be about through,
and with wild sort of bravado I Sc
lected the tall girl with the slender
waist and joined in. Every moment
was an hour, however, and | was just
about to stop and call the General
away, when the music ceased and the
ladies were escorted to their seats.
During the latter ceremony caught
the Generals eye, and communicated
by look my desire to speak to him.
He came easily and leisurely over to
where | stood, and I said in very
quiet tone: 'sFollow me as quick as
you can. Danger!' and Immediately
stepped out and walked toward the
spot where our horses were picketed.
Gaining the place, 1 turned and behel.l
the General coming. While he was on
his way had bridled both our horses
frightened the girths, and had them
ready to mount I told him of the
danger, and in another instant we
were in the saddle. sit will not do ia
go without seeing our hosts,'' said he,
land making our excuses, and saying
this he rode toward the pavilion, j
following. .-~-.. ..'.,
As he reached it Mr.. Linders who
had made himself quite prominent
useful, and agreeable throughout the
entire affair came running forth pale
and trembling, and informed the
General that the Confederate cavalry
were approaching. He begged us tt
!! fly without delay, and assured us that
he was entirely innocent of any
thought of placing us in such danger
when the invitation was extended
which we could readily believe. That
there was treason somewhere, how
ever, was pretty apparent. The Gen
eral assured him and a number OF
others who had gathered around BY
this time, that he absolved them from
any attempt at betrayal, thanked then
/ for the pleasure given him, waved al
|adieu the lady with the ancient lace
land lifted his hat an example which
followed, and then turning we trottet