Sharp County record., 1881-06-23

had made his escape, and from the
opening the search was carried above
ground to where the sewer emptied it
self into the river. Looking for foot
prints on the rivers bank they roVed up
and down, but the friendly tide had
obliterated them Still on the SUPPOSE
tien that if he had lived to reach the
river, he might have swan across, a
party of soldiers with a warder were
ferried across, marched in body to-
wards Silas brakes house.
Archie Moulton'S blood ran cold as he
saw them coming, but recognizing but
one among their number who knew his
face, he kept on steadily plowing.
The soldiers were young and care
less, and wild with excitement, but
stopped to ask:
"How long have you been plowing"
"Whoal Since daylight, an hard
work too, every one comm an askin',
hev l seen that mudsill that ran away
Whoa! 1 tell yer," called the plowman,
steadily keeping his back on the ward
er, his FESTIVE horses afording him a
good excuse.
He is supposed to have swan the
river" said the sergeant, "andif you We
been here since daylight, he couldn't
have got over without your seeing him. "
We'll, l hain't seen him, an all |
ken say is that eff he swan that air river
with the water cold as ice, he's more
grit then l give them mudsills credit
fur. Git up tharr' he added, bending
double over the plow as he furrowed on.
The soldiers marched on towards the
house.
Virginia was busy feeding the chick
ems. Without turning her head when
she saw'the party of soldiers, she whis-
pered:
"Mother darlin', don't pretend to
know anything. Let me talk"
"Here chickey, chick, chick" she
called, raising her voice and scattering
the food.
"Good mornin', Miss" said the tall,
stout sergeant, land you, ma am.
Have you seen anything of a runaway
prisoner?"
what prisoner, sir?n cried Virginia.
"Dear me, mother, that's what the little
boy was tellin' US about"
"What boy?" said the sergeant, eff
his guard.
"Why little boy from town; he came
after fatherd left this mOrnin', and he
said that the Yankee that was to have
been hung this mornin had got Off
but we didn't believe himp' said Virgie,
with such an air of innocent inquisi-
tiveness that the soldiers were COM
pletely deceived. A boy had come in,
as she had said, so she spoke the truth
in that part of her assertion.
$50 your fathers away, is he?" in
quired the sergeant.
"Why, he went to the hangin' ever
so early this morning." answered Vir-
ginia.
But the soldiers did not leave with
out searching every loft and Granny of
the out buildings and every bush and
hollow about the premises and when
Virginia saw the band disperse them
selves over the fields she was not lit
tie relieved
When the long day drew to close
and Virginia went to call the help" to
supper, whispering that there was no
one in but her mother and father, he
felt as II he had lived a lifetime in the
past twenty-four hours.
As they sat about the fire chatting
pleasantly and securely, the rescued
youth silent from gratitude and thank
fulness, the farmer laughed heartily,
telling some of the stories which were
rife about the prisoners disappearance;
he the while casting side glances at
Virginia, and signing heavily.
"Cheer up, my boy" said the farm
er, cheerily, "and don't be sighin'
your heart out. This time twelve
months you'll be bringin' your bride
home to the old farm in your native
State and all this trouble'l seem like a
dream" "
"No, Mister Drake" said Archie,
earnestly, "Pll never marry Yankee
girl"
Virginia got up to put on fresh fuel
Immediately.
eyes, yes, you'll marry among your
own people, as you should" said Mrs.
Drake, more acute than her husband,
and disliking the turn the conversation
was taking. Virginia sat quite silent,
with glistening eyes and rosy cheeks.
And so they waited till the hour had
struck and then Moulton and the farmer
rose to walk to the crossroads where
they were to meet the clergyman.
Archie kissed Mrs. brakes hand in the
fullness of his gratitude, uttering broken
words of thankfulness and blessing. He
caught Virginia's hands, but suddenly
checking he turned passionately away.
"rll shut the gate after you;" said
she, brushing back her tears. So she
did, and Archie in the silence and dark
ness delayed moment, helping her to
latch it, probably-though he found
time to whisper few hasty words,
which had no reference to the gate.
keep up your heart, Virgie dar-
ling. Only wait till after the war, and
God sparing my life I'll come for you,
love. I'll write to you through Mrs.
Vincent. She gets Northern letters" "
And so they parted, but not forever,
for Archie Moulton has been Virginia s
fond and faithful husband for MANY a