Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1881-12-22
ceiye treatment other than was due ! ladv.

ceive treatment other than was due lady.
But for our property, our homes, we did
tremble, and not without cause. In the
cottage, in the garden at home, we had left
q dear invalid, q mother in the last stages
of consumption. Her hold upon life was
so slight that for her we feared every ey-
element, dreaded the least possibility of
surprise. We never left her alone; we had
lett her with our old colored nurse, as true
as gold. But what if the marauders had
already gained entrance into her room! The
possibility Of such catastrophe made us
quicken our pace almost into run.
i do believe" painted young sister,
with eyes flashing and nostrils quivering.
pausing for breath, "that if they have found
there way into mothers room, GOD will
give me nerve to use these foolish pistols
incruel earnest"
"Devilish spunky! Boys, we must look
Tor mother room tonight. Bet your
sweet life on it, thar's where they've slowed
away guns or rebel soldiers"
These mocking words came to us through
the thick pyracantha hedging. Involun-
tarily We turned our frightened eyes in that
direction. 1t seemed to us as ii dozen
pair of wicked. cruel eyes leered back at us
through the interstices of the bushes.
Gentlemen. our mother is an invalid"
l ventured to say huskily.
"Al right" harsh voice laughed back
at us; I'VE are on our way now to get some
turkeys We've been told are out this way;
we'll call on mother when we've had our
supper.
We heard one voice raised in depreciation
as we sped onward with but one Thought
between Us, that thought to guard against
the threatened invasion Of our dear ones
| room; but that one voice was drowned in
shouts Of scofing laughter.
Night, it seemed to us, had never fallen
before with such unwished for suddenness.
We dreaded the coming of darkness. But
it dld not find us unprepared. Every door
and window had been SO mufhed that none
bat the most violent sounds could penetrat
to the ears OF. our invalid. Aunt July Ann
| was stationed In the room, while one Of us
took stand on each Of the two gallaries
that fanked The cottage. Concealed by the
| vines that clamkered all over them, we
| watched and waited. We had but one de-
fined object in view-that was to prevent an
entrance into that room. How we were to
do it we never clearly specified even to our
selves.
With the clouded sunset had come one of
| those sudden changes in the weather COM
mon to our climate and to that season So
We were not surprised to hear, presently,
the soft, slow pstter Of rain drops upon the
heaps Of the fallen leaves III the thick
shrubbery that surrounded the cottage.
But it made us nervous. It lessened our
chances of detecting approaching footsteps.
So we watched and waited while the 81 DOM
thickened without. and the rain drops pat
tered dismal'y on the dead leaves, and q
en,y -, l.
us grow almost sick with terror of what that
heard footsteps. No; yesl unmistakahle
We heard the familiar click Of our
garden gate evidently raised and
dropped by careful, steady hand. Then
the footsteps again; nearer and still nearer
until above the close cropped shrubbery a
mans head appeared. We crouched in the
dark shadows Of the vines and waited. He
seemed to stop and examine the premises;
glanced at the windows through which the
feeble rays Of the night lamp struggled,
emerged into full view; then began slowly
and steadily making the rounds of our little
cottage. He is looking for the best en-
trance, thought in terror, but I gave no
sound of my whereabouts. Once more he
paced slowly by my hiding place, and 1
could see, as he neared me, the bayonet
cleaning in the musket which he
carried at, support" When the
circuit of the house had been
made at least a dozen times, I began to
wonder at the non-aegressive character of
this invasion. He is only waiting for the
others, I thought. but perhaps I can turn
heart. Acting on this possibility, I ven.
tured to part the thick, clustering vines, as
he neared my ambushs again, and to ask,
with voice all choked with fright, who
Is that?"
Only Yankee sergeant, Miss; but one
who means well by you. was with the
boys this evening, when they gave you such
fright about your mothers room. I do
hear say she's not long for this world, and
I've took it upon myself to do guard duty
here till day breaks. I've give the boys
fair warning not to fool around here while
Sergeant Cross is On duty, SO you can just
turn IN and sleep like top"
"Do you mean" asked, leaning over
the bannisters towards the dusky form in
the shrubbery, "that you have voluntarily
put yourself on guard duty tonight. and in
the rain, to protect our mothers room from
invasion?" My voice was huskier than
ever, but not now from fright.
| We got uOlner NySeII, young lauy,
was the manly, simple answer, and God
do by her in the hour of her need as ]
mean to do by yours to- night; so, now, you
turn in for the night
did turn in" but it was only to tel
that other trembling girl in the back gal
lery what a wonderful thing had come te
pass; after which we stole out TO the din.
ing-room, and preparing the best our con.
federate larder could afford of luncheon
we went out and begged our friendly enc.
my to refresh himself. He came, but I an
afraid he lost prestige in my sisters 70.
mantle eyes by reason of bis plainness.
1t was plain-looking, rather under
sized young man, who stepped into tn.
light ct Our invitation, but when he took of
his wet cap to US with military courtesy
there beamed upon US pair of gentle
kindly grey eyes that inspired us with ths
fullest confidence in "Our Sergeant
And oil that long night there mingled
, with the gentle patter of the RAIN upon the
dead leaves the slow, steady tramp Of
Only Yankee sergeant"