The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1879-10-17

back for a peep in the corners. The
cellar was the last place searched. a
window in the wall was open, and after
a brief search the soldiers concluded
that the scout had crept out of this and
made off while they were searching
above. At this moment one of the col
Ored woman raised an Outcry and declar-
ed she had seen blUe-cOat enter the
corn field about thirty rods from the
house. Away went the crowd, whOop-
ing and yelling, and the scout was left
alone with the woman and children.
Dave had planned to step forth, cross
the highway and make for the cover of
the forest, but just as he was ready to
execute the movement he heard the
rumble of wheels on the road. y force
was passing, and his appearance would
have been the signal for pursuit, The
only way was to trust to luck.
Afterza hunt of half an hour the pa
rOl struggled back to the house with the
information that the Yankee had made
his escape for the time being, but that
patrols had been sent out to cut off his
return. The lieutenant was offered
food and he had just drawn up to the
table Ito eat cold bite when he was
joined by a captain f.some independent
command, whose men had just come
of army matters and movements as they
piled their knives and forks, and what
the scout overheard, as he crOuched be-
hind the kitchen door, was regarded of
value when carried to the Federal head
quarters.
When the two officers had finished
their meal it was near sundOwn, and as
they rose to 90 Dave had narrow es-
cape from discovery. In the room with
them was a white woman and a colored
woman, and rs the captain rose up the
white woman remarked:
why, captain, you are loaded down
with dust. Wait a minute, and I'll
brush it off -
She started for the broom. She was
doubtless in the habit of standing it be-
hind the stair door, for her hand was
already on the edge of the door to swing
it back from the wall when the cOlored
woman cried out from the other room
that she had it. The captain was vigor-
Ously busted, his hostess duly thanked,
and the two officers departed together.
However, the scout was but little better
of. He could hear troops moving along
the road, and if he left his hiding place
before night, his capture or death would
be almost certain. But could he remain
where he was
The excitement having somewhat sub
sided the women went about their house
hold duties, and one of the colored wo-
men was instructedtO get supper. Dave
had been standing as stiff as board for
an hour and a half, but he dared not
change his position. The WON Ell talked
pretty bravely, and his escape from The
house might not be accomplished as
safely as he had at first anticipated
The windows were open and he could
hear sounds which convinced him that
soldiers were in camp not far away.
BY and by twilight came and supper
was ready. Dave hoped that after the
meal was over the household might scat
ter long enough to prevent his exit I'm
seen, but fate had a trick to play him.
The meal was not more than half over
when some article fell to the floor up
stairs with a loud bang. At this the
mistress of the house remarked to one of
the children
ALBERT. shut that staiT-dOOr and stop
that draft of wind. -
The boy left the table, walked over to
the door and pulled it shut, leaving Dave
in his corner without shelter. The lad
gave a start of surprise at sight of the
intruder, but before he could cry out.
the scout stepped boldly forward with
polite good evening to all. No one was
greatly startled, as soldiers were fire.
quent callers.
''WhO is it - asked the mistress as
she looked up.
''Gor' mighty it's dat Yank - ex-
claimed one of the cOlOred women in re-
ply, as she caught sight of the blue
clothes.
4 frightened look swept around the
circle, and as the black woman turned
tn f1v fbp ScDUt called ont
Don't be afraid-nO one shall be
harmed. l am going right out doors
now"
He edged toward the back door, when
the mistress asked:
"Have you been in the house all the
time -
Behind the door, " he answered.
The cOlored woman began laughing in
a hearty manner. and the others couldn't
help smiling at the idea of how the sol
diers had been tricked
You can't be SO very bad, or YOU
would have killed us all before now
said the woman as she rose up; and TAX
ing a platter of meat in one hand and
plate of bread in the other she extended
them towards her \ ankee guest. He
helped himself, bowed his thanks and
next moment was out of the house and
crossing the fields. No alarm was Civ
en-, and in short time he was safe from
pursuit.
1t having become known that a Fed
eral scout was about, every effort was
made to intercept and capture him.
Twice he ran against patrols and was
fired on, and again q horSeman jumped
right over him as he cTOuched behind
log. Even when Onlya mile from camp
he ran into the arms of a buSh-Whacker,
and while the latter was left dead in the
bushes. Dave entered camp with bull
let imbedded in his shoulder, but walk
ing bravely and hearing news greatly
desired.
\ LADY says 1--WE read a great
deal about the extravaganza of wives
and of girls marrying without knowing
how TO cook or take care of a a family
| should like to ask who is to blame for
this state of affairs Girls viii be girls,
and it viii be useless to try to make wo-
men Of them until they are old enough.
If young men insist upon marrying girls
before they are hardly out of school, be-
fore they are old enough to assume the
responsibility of motherhood, they must
abide the consequences. The girls don't
propose to the young men, neither do
they urge an early marriage it is the
young men that do this; and many
young girl has been cOaXed into marriage
4, H. f1F@ Il,