The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-08-03
MISS GORMAN'S PRISONER.

uer-lanu OF Maryland and virginia. AS
she herself was fond of saying. her po-
tato-patch was in the one State, her
corn-feld in the other. But although
border-lands, of whatever nature, are
VIGOROUSLY perilous to principles, Miss
German held staunchly to hers through
both evil and good report.
On both sides of the line there were
people enough who were friendly to
either Southern or to Northern soldiers,
as they CHANGED to be associated with
them; but she, like Barbara Freitchie,
would have stood by her colors, though
her corn-field 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 of the farm-hands. at is cruel
to leave you So" he had said; "but
how can stay at home with the cannon
sounding in my very ears?'
"You can't" said Miss German.
"But Jim and Dick want to 90, too"
said Llewellyn.
LET 'em," said Miss German.
SO they went, and ever since Miss
German had managed the farm herself.
with the aid of Luke an old stumbling
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 I'M
conscious way, the perfumes that floated
up from her garden, while all the time
her thoughts were following the SOL
diers, and particularly her own boy"
as she called Llewellyn. 1t was natural
that they should, though she had given
him up willingly, and would not have
recalled him if she could have done so
by wish. Half an hour had passed
in this manner when she saw her near
est neighbor, Mrs. Kennette, coming
across the garden.
News! newsr' cried she, breath
lessly, and waving her handkerchief
like flag of truce.
From the WARP" asked Miss Cor.
man; for in those days there was no
other news worth talking about.
Yes-tighting at Harper's Ferry!
They say Lees whole army is up there,
and the Yankees are completely demon.
allied! They say it's worse than the
first Bull Run, and Grant'll have to sur
render before tomorrow nightr'
"a likely story!' said Miss German.
"1n the first place, don't believe Lee
is within two hundred miles of Harper s
Ferry; and as for Gen. Grant, he's 90
ing to Richmond. He don't mean to
stop till he gets there"
"No doubt he'll bring up there, but
it won't be because he wants to. He'll be
mighty glad to get away again. Libby
Prisons pretty crowded, but reckon
there'll be room for him."
81 reckon there will-when they gel
him." said Miss German.
"And get him they will; but haven't
told you all. Lees next move is to be
on Baltimore! He'll find plenty tc
rally round him there"
And so the two women went on
growing more and more excited every
moment, till it really seemed as if, like
two knights of old, they were about tt
decide the fortunes of the opposing
armies by single combat.
At last Mrs. Kennette went off in ;
huff, and Miss German sat and famed
herself vigorously. After that she wen
to bed, but it was good while before
she could compose herself to sleep; anC
scarcely had she begun to doze wher
she was reused by faint tap on thu
window.
Its that Kennette woman will
some more of her news" thought she
L" If she don't go off, I'll set the dog OF
herr'
The rap was repeated, and was &C
companied by faint moan. Miss Cor
man was out of bed in an instant.
who's there?"
"a wounded soldier" was the re
ply.
Miss German waited to hear nj
more, but hastily wrapped herself il
some loose garment and opened thu
door.
A young man stood there--tall, slen
der and deathly pale; so much she saw
at glance
Come in," said she.
He obeyed, but with feeble and fal
tering step, and when he had reaches