Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1880-07-02
CLOSE QUARTERS.

am Georgia gentleman, and served
the South during the war. In skirmish
before Fredericksburg was taken pris-
oner, and was sent North to Point Look
out. After while, number of us were
transferred to Fort Delaware. During
the journey, about fifteen miles from
Baltimore, I managed to jump off from
the train. There was snow upon the
ground, and brought up in drift. AS
soon as l could rally my wits, gathered
myself up, and turned my face toward
Baltimore.
At Point Lookout l had observed sew.
eral letters directed to Miss Fanny
Lewis, l94 Reade street, Baltimore. As
walked on kept repeating this address
over and over. l had never been in
Maryland. I had no friends and no ac-
quaintance there. | had no idea who
Miss Fanny Lewis was, nor, for that
matter, had my friends at point Lookout,
though they were in the habit of address
ing her according to the prison etiquette
as my Dear Cousin" They only knew
she was charitable lady who sent boxes
of good food and cast-off clothing to the
prisoners, while they in return made
rings for her out Of their coat buttons,
and inlaid them with mother r-of-pearl
cut from their shirt studs.
l entered Baltimore toward the East
and found myself, about half-past nine
o'clock, in what seemed a fashionable
quarter of the city Presently reached
a church-a Roman Catholic church,
presumed, from the cross upon its front
[ knew that the Roman Catholic popu
latinn of Raltimnra was Southern to 6
woman, and almost to man. followed
some ladies who came out of the church
and contrived to stop them withou
frightening them. l asked them to tel
me the way to Reade street; and they
gave me clear but brief directions.
raised my hat and walked on, striking
into shadow wherever | could, anC
fearing the glance of policeman.
made my way to Reade street and pulled
the bell of 1884, An Irish servant-gir
answered my summons.
"Can | see Miss Fanny Lewis for
momentP"
''No; Miss Fanny's sent off -gon
away. The master is come home. May
be our other Miss Fanny would do fo
ye."
LET me see her." l said.
She opened the door of sort of libra
ry or side sitting-room, turned up th
gas, and left me there. l thought of m,
torn clothes, my Drowned hands, m,
haggard face and unshorn beard an,
hair, and wondered what impression
should produce.
Presently the door opened. A smal
blonde woman entered. She was abou
twenty-five, with very pleasant face
She looked as frightened as l felt mysel
to be. Closing the door carefully, sh
came up close to me without a word.
"Who are youp" she said, trembling.
Madam" | answered, 81 am Maio
Dangerfeld, of the Confederate service
| know Miss Fanny Lewis to be lad
very good to our poor fellows at Poin
Lookout. | know nobody in Baltimore
l come to ask your advice and protec
ton" And I told her my story.
"Ohm she cried, 81 am the wron
lady; you expected to see my sister-ir
law. You have run yourself into th
greatest danger. My husband, Colont
Lewis, is Federal officer"
81 beg your pardon, madam" l sale
taking my hat; "I will go away {
once"
'No, not" she cried, wildly running t
the window as the bell rang. cts to
late; hear my husband. That's him @
horseback, with his orderly. He h;
only been in Baltimore few hours; an
, Fanny was sent away South before |
came. Go in therc-quick, she added
2 as a mans footstep sounded in the hal
She opened an inner door, and | e.
tered a sort of large closet or store-roor
1t had no window, but was lighted by
. kind of fancy lattice-work at the top
the partition that divided it from Il
. sitting-room. Besides the door throu,
= which | entered, it had two others.
/. softly tried them both, and found the
Z fastened. The place was a sort of ami
= room, now used as store closet. 1t b
. shelves in it, and trunks and packir
cases, linen laid up in lavender, a
ladies dresses hung on pegs. 1t W
lighted by glimmer of gas from t
10 sitting-reom.
"My darling Fanny" said a voic
and / heard kisses.
"Why, what's the matter, lovep Ha
!. you had q chillP You are trembling
over. What is it, my sweet FanP"
Nothing. What could it beP"
~ answered. He sat down; and think
drew her toward him.