Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-07-07

short distance at time, and had to be
carried Mary having always one some
times two, in her arms. Several Of the
servants were near her, but none of them
seemed to notice her or her burdens. The
last horse had been carried off that very
day; there was no escape but on foot.
Suddenly. a ball came crashing by
them through the trees! Then a charge
OF grape-shot cut the boughs overhead.
They were exactly IN the range of the
guns! It was evident they had taken the
worst direction, but there was no help
for it now-it was too late to turn back.
In her agony, the mother cried aloud on
God to protect her family. Mary Rugged
closer the child IN her arms, and trembled
SO she could hardly keep up. Another
crash! The shot shrieked past them,
striking the trees in every direction. The
assault was fierce, the roar was incessant
The frightened family rushed on as
swiftly as possible toward friends
plantation, far back from the shore: but
it was soon seen that they would not
have strength to reach it, even if they
were not struck down by the flying shot.
The Americans were pouring their fire
into these woods, thinking the enemy
would sock refuge there. The wretched
fugitives expected every moment to be
the last. On they pushed through mud
and rain and screaming shot
Soon they found they were getting more
out OF range OF the guns. They began to
hope; yet now and then ball tore up
the trees around them, or rolled fearful
ly across their path. They reached one
of the houses where their field-hands
lived, with no one hurt; they were over
mile from the mansion, and out of
range. The negroes said no shot had
come that way Unable to flee further,
the family determined to stop here. As
soon as they entered, Mrs. Glbbes felt
her strength leaving her, md sank upon
a low bed. Chilled to the bone, drench-
ed, trembling with terror and exhaustion,
the family gathered around her. Sic
opened her eyes and looked about She
sprang up wildly.
"Oh, Mary!" she cried, where is
John?"
The little girl turned pale, and moan.
ed ooh mother! mother! he's lJtH
She broke into crying The negroes
quickly sympathetic, began to wiring
their hands and wall.
"Silence!'' said Mr.. Gibbes, with stern
but trembl .ng voice. The tears were in
his own eyes. The little child now miss
ing was very dear to them all, and, more
over, was deemed a sacred charge, as he
was one of the orphan children Of Mr.
Gibbcs's sister, intrusted TO him on bel
death-bed.
The wailing ceased; there was silence
broken only by sobs, AID the master
asked:
"Who is willing to go back for th<
caild?"
No one spoke. Mr.. Gibbs turned t.
his wife for counsel. As the two talked
in low tones, Mrs. Gibbes called he,
husbands attention to Mary, who wa
kneelipg with clasped hands, in prayer, a
the foot of the bed. In moment, tn,
little maid rose and came to them, say
ing, calmly:
'sNIother, must go back after baby.
ooh my child" cried the mother, il
agony, 81 cannot let your
"But, mother, I must" pleaded Mary
ssGod will care for me-
1t was fearful responsibility. Thu
guns roared constantly through the dark
ness; the house might now be in flames
it might be filled with carnage and blood
Mrs. Gibbes turned to her husband. Hi
face was buried in his hands. Plainly
she must decide it herself. With strea IN
ing eyes, she looked at Mary.
"Come here, my chhild," e calle'
through her sobs. Mary fell upon he
mothers neck. One long, passionat
embrace. in which all mothers lev
and devotion were poured out, and tn
clinging arms were opened without
word. Mary sprang up, kissed her faith
er's forehead ana sped forth on he
dangerous mission of love.
The rain had now ceased, but the nigh
was still dark and full Of terrors, fe
through the trees she saw the trequer
i flashes of the great guns. The woods wei
filled with the booming echoes, SO thu
cannon seemed to be on every hand. Sh
flew on with all speed. Soon she hear
! the crashing trees ahead, and knew tbs
in moment she would be face to fac
with death. She did not falter. No
she was again in the fierce whirlwine
All around her the shot howled an
shrieked. On every side branches fe
crashing to the earth. A cannon-ba
plunged into the ground close beside he
cast over her heap Of mud, and threw HI
down. She sprang up and pressed {
with redoubled vigor. Not even TIL
ball could make her turn back.
She reached the house. She ran to I'll
room where the little child usually slep
The bed was empty! Distracted, 81
flew from chamber to chamber. Su.
denly she remembered that this night
had been given to another nurse. .
into the third story she hurried, and,
she pushed open the door, the little fe
,, low, was sitting up in bed, cooed to h
| and put out his hands.
With the tears raining down her chee]
J Mary wrapped the babe warmly al
+ started down the stairs. Out into Il
darkness once more; onward with b
precious burden; through cannon-ros
through shot and shell! Three tim
she passed through this iron storm. II
J. balls still swept the forest; the terri
booming filed the air
> With the child pressed tightly to b
/ brave young heart, she fled on 81
/. neither stumbled nor fell. The sh
; threw the dirt in her face, and showere
e the twigs down upon her head But 81
r TT y n