Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1877-12-06

protect the jewels, and, sooner or
later, II it were in the power of man
to do so, would return them safe
ly to her possession.
But / had no time for sentiment
sliEing; the army was already In
motion, and my place was with my
command so, sitting my sighs of
regret, I prepared for immediate de-
parture. Taking the pearls. sewed
them carefully into large, leathern
belt which I wore on my person
concealed beneath my outer cloth
ing, and determined TO defend them
with my life.
That night we left New Orleans,
and years elapsed before l saw that
city again. Turning our faces
northward we moved through Mis-
slsslppi; here We had several skir-
mishes, but from ali escaped uu-
hurt. Months elapsed, and still l
wore the pearls safely hidden, and
as fondly imagined, unsuspected
by any one. But / was doomed to
fEd out my mistake.
We were encamped not far from
Cha. tannooga, Tenn. We were ex-
pecting marching orders daily, and,
lying idly III camp. were glad of any
diversion to while away The long
hours, when, one day, a strolling
musician, an old man with long
white beard, and carrying q violin
in a dila pidated case, was brought
into camp. He had beeu observed
proving around, and SD had been
taken IL" rs one of the men laugh
ingly remarked.
Bat, subsequent circumstances
proved that the ''boot was on the
other foot" Worn out with inac
tivity, the boys, one and all, wei
coined the old fellow and, when
found what exquisite music he
drew forth from that worn, old vio-
lin, we decided unanimously, that
the new arrival was u grand addi-
tion to the camp.
But, once caught him looking at
me there was peculiar glitter in
his steelv-blue eyes, which did not
please me an impression that we
had met before, creit over me, and
from that hour became suspicious
Of him, and was ever on the alert.
I had "turned in" for the night.
AL the camp lay quietly sleeping be-
meath the clear, white moonbeams ;
uC sound broke the silence, save the
occasional challenge of the sentinel /;
and lay, restlesslY tossing Oh my
rude couch, uneasy and filed with 4
vague distrust, a feeling that some-
thing Was to happen.
The moon-rays penetrated my
shelter, and dropped in great, white
patches On the ground, before my
bed. / lay with my eyes fixed upon
them when sudde My, L saw dark
shadow cross their whiteness then
q form drew cautiously near, and
saw that it was our strolling min
strel.
But he was no longer bent and
gray, and, in that moment I found
out two things that he had obtain
ed access to our camp in disguise for
some unlawful purpose; and, also
that my good memory had nos play
ed me false i; this midnight prowier
was the man whom L had struck,
for assaulting the young lady, some
months before. In a dash I saw it
all. He had attempted to rob her Of
her jewels /; put, failing in his vile
design, had secretly observed my
possession OF them, and had follow
ed cur regiment and dogged my
steps for the purpose OF robbin2 me
at last.
Something prompted me to close
my eyes, and feign sleep. I felt the
villain appro sch me-closer-Closer
then, q sponge saturated with
chloroform was held to my nostrils !;
with a quick spring I bounded to
my feet and caught the ruffian by
the throat. Just then, the sound OF
y bugle pealed through the quiet
night, 'boots and saddles. with
q desperate wrench the robber escap-
ed me and I-before | WAS scarce
ly aware OF nv own movements
found myself in my saddle, and,
with the rest OF the command, ON
my way to the scence Of action.
Here we met the opposing army,
and q fearful battle ensued.
Through all that dreadful engage
ment, L kept the pearls jealously
guarded ; it was a point OF honor
with me. and I would never give
them up. Such thoughts were lit
ring through my mind wnen I felt
a strong grasp on my bride and,
glancing down, stood face to face