The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-08-01
OUR STORY TELLER.
MISS GORMAN's PRISONER.
BY RUTH CHESTERFIELD.

BY RUTH CHESTERFIELD.
Miss Germans farm was on the bor-
der-lands Of Maryland and Virginia.
As she herself was fond of saying, her
potato-patch was in the one State, her
corn-feld in the other. But although
border-lands, of whatever nature, are
notoriously perilous to principles, Miss
German held staunchly to hers through
both evil and good report. |
On both sides the line there were peo-
pie enough who were friendly to either
Southern or to the Northern soldiers, as |
they ckanced to be associated with |
them; but she, like Barbara Freitchie, |
would have stood by her colors, though |
her corn-feld and potato-patch had both
been filled with Southern soldiers.
When the war first began, Llewellyn,
her nephew, had joined the Union Army,
taking with him the best and most trusty
farm-hands. "It is cruel to leave you
So" he had said; "but how can / stay
at home with the cannon sounding in
"You can't" said Miss German.
But Jim and Dick want to go, too"
said Llewellyn.
A<Cb CLl1 odla nAioo oOA h0ds
So they went, and ever since Miss
German had managed the farm herself,
with the aid Of Luke, an old shambling
negro, and Pat, half-witted Irish lad.
One evening in July Miss German
sat in the piazza cooling herself after
the heat of the day, and enjoying, in an
hoated up from her garden, while all
the time her thoughts were following
the soldiers, and particularly her own
boy" as she called Llewellyn. 1t was
natural that they should, though she
not have recalled him il she could have
done 80 by a wish. Half an hour had
passed in this manner when she saw her
nearest neighbor, Mrs. Kennette, coming
acress the garden.
"Newsl newsp cried she, breath
lessly, and waving her handkerchief
like flag of truce.
"From the warp asked Miss German I;
for in those days there was no other
news worth talking about.
They say Lees whole army is there, and
the Yankeesare completely demoralized
They say it's worse than the first Bull
INuu, anu NIdnb IL nave W buIlCAuCI DC-
fore tomorrow nightp
A likely storyp' said Miss German
"In the first place, / don't believe Lee
is within two hundred miles of Harper'i
Ferry; and as for Gen. Grant, he's going
to Richmond. He don't mean to stoI
till he gets there"
"No doubt he'll bring up there, bu
it won't be because he wants to. Hell
An atrxlNN lad 60 ~,
Libby Prisons pretty crowded, but
reckon there II be room for him."
"I reckon there will-when they ge
him." said Miss German"
"And get him they will; but i haven
on Baltimorel He'll find plenty h
rally around him there"
So the two women went on, growin
more excited eve. y moment, till it reall
seemed as il, like two knights of old, the
were about to decide the fortunes of tn
opposing armies by single combat.
At last Mrs. Kennette went off in
huff, and Miss German sat and fame
herself vigorously. After that she wen
to bed, but it was good while befor
she could compose herself to sleep; an
scarcely had she begun to doze whe
she was aroused by a faint tap on th
window.
"It's that Kennette woman with som
more of her news" thought she 81
she doesn't go of, I'll set the dog o
herp
The rap was repeated, and was accon
panied by faint moan. Miss Gorma
was out Of bed in an instant.
Who's thereT
&c urn IAl Al
Miss Gorman waited to hear no NOR
but hastily wrapped herself in SON
loose garment and opened the door.
A young man stood there,-tall slel
der and deadly pale; 30 much she sa
at a glance.
"Come in" said she.
He obeyed, but with feeble an
faltering step, and when he had reache
the sofa to which she guided him,
fell upon it in a dead faint. Then 81
saw, what she had not noticed befor
that he wore Southern uniform.
Had he been strong and we'll, 81
would have called Luke and Pat to tai
him in charge; but that pale face a
pealed TO certain soft spot in her hear
and she applied the restoratives she we
knew how to use, with such effect tn
ut bOOu rcbuIueQ 10 cOnSclOuSucSB.
His wound was not severe, and h,
less to do with his fainting fit tn.
hunger and fatigue, as she was not sic
in discovering; 10 she fed him first, tn,
dressed his wound. So far she b,
asked him no questions, but she thoug
it was now no more than fair that 4
should give some account of himsel
SO she said,--
Young man, how comes it that yo
in that dress, dared enter the house Of
loyal womanT
Are you, then, a Unionist"
You must be a stranger in IL
region to ask that question of Judi
German"
clam, indeed; but / was in no stu
tion to be particular. was wounded
Harper's Ferry
"Then there has been fighting there
"Skirmishing."
And who beatp
THAT II don'tknow yet. Twas wound
early in the day and fell unconsciol
and when i came to myself they had
moved on. l came 30 far, and could 9
no further, and seeing light in yo
window ventured to rap. / suppose
am done for now."
There's way out of it," said MI
German.
"HowT'
By taking the oath of allegiance" J"
"Whati desert INV co1ora1 That