Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-07-17

What'u become OF us all II were found
out, and can't see how it'll turn into any
good, anyhow. o! Silas, what ever are
you about?" she cried, addressing her
husband, who came out of the bedroom in
his best broadcloth suit.
''I'm goin' to show this new help where
he's to pillow that bottom land before l
ride into town." SAID the farmer, with
wink at the two women, who stared open
eyed at the change of the condemned
man, dripping with mud and sand, with
fettered wrists, into the careless, easy
going young laborer with his trousers |
tucked into pair of substantial boots |
to which were sticking Jumps of yellow |
clay, while huge straw hat was
slouched over his clean shaven face,
and a clay pipe was held between his |
lips.
"Now come ahead. It's time to begin
work; his names Tim Green, Virgie, and
lie comes from over yonder in Morgan
county, and has been with us for six or
seven weeks"
The young man, taking the pipe from
his mouth, said solemnly, "Whatever
happens to me, may God bless you, Silas
Drake, and you, Mrs. Drake, and you,
Virgle,' and he wrung their hands all
around.
''Come, tits six O'clock and we must
start the pillow. Virgie, you bury them
clothes in the chicken yard right away"
Half an hour afterwards he was riding
slowly to town On his colt, casting eau
tious glances back at the field by the
river, where lie could see his horses
blowing and his ':help'' toiling quietly |
after them.
The town was in state of widest con- |
fusion and excitement, and the throng on
the prison hill was so dense that the far
mer could scarcely proceed step. Ev-
verybody had his or her version of escape,
as Sllas Drake elbowed his way through
the throng to where a side street branched
off the hill, halfway up which was stu
ated the Episcopal parsonage.
He knocked at the front door and was
admitted by the clergyman's wife, her
self.
"Mrs. Vincent, I've something | want
to say to you very particular he said,
speaking in low. tone. "Could see you
alone?''
IF am all alone in the house this morn
ing, Mr.. Drake,' she answered, 'scome
right into the study"
''By your leave, ma'am, I'll shut the
door" Then walking over to the table,
he said, earnestly:
"Mrs. Vincent, l can trust you. am
in great trouble, and don't see my way
clear at all! You're lady, ma'am,
and good friend to me and mine. It's
another mans secret, and you must give
me your word not to betray it, else l am
afraid to speak,
"You may treat me as Christian and
lady," said Mrs. Vincent, quietly
Thus assured the farmer unfolded his
story, and begged the lady's counsel, add
ing, II come right to you as you're the
only Northern born person around these
parts, and l felt sure of your sympathy
| for the poor fellow"
II hardly know what to advise you,
Mr.. Drake" she said, as soon as she could
speak for establishment. 81 am afraid N
spite of all we can do the poor boy viii be
found out. But" she added, her face
Frightening, ''my husband has got to
drive over to -" mentioning town
some thirty miles distant, "this afternoon.
I'll have him start after nightfall, and if
you'll be at the crossroads at ten o'clock
he'll give your friend lift. From -,
if he can manage to strike the Potomac
and get across, he'll be within his own
lines once more"
She took little roll of bills from a
drawer "Give this to him." she said,
'ssay it's for love Of the old Granite State
from one of its daughters, who wishes
him Godspeed.''
The prison officials were not long in
| discovering by what means the captive
had made his escape, and from the open
| ing the search was carried above ground
to where the sewer emptied itself into the
river Looking for footprints on the
river bank, they roamed up and down,
but the friendly tide had obliterated
them Still on the supposition that if he
had lived to reach the river he might
have swan across, party OF soldiers
with warder were ferried across, and
marched in body to Silas brakes house.
Archie Moultons blood ran cold as he
saw them coming, but izing but
one among their number who knew his
face, he kept on steadily blowing.
Tho soldiers were young and careless,
and wild with excitement, but stopped to
ask:
GLOW long have you been blowing out
here?"
"Whoa! Since daylight, an hard work,
| too; everyone comm an askin' hev |
seen that mudsill that ran away-Whoa!
l tell yer" called the plowman, steadily
keeping his back on the warder, his rest
i've horses affording him an excellent
opportunity.
"He is supposed to have swan the
river said the sergeant, "and if you've
been here since daylight, he couldn't
have got over without your seeing him.
"Wall, hain't seen him, and all 1 ken
say is, that eff he swum that air river with
the water cold as ice, he's got more grit
than 1 give them mudsills credit fur Git
up thar!'' he added, bending double over
the pillow as he furrowed on. The soldiers
marched on to 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"
s'Here chickey. chick, chick!" she
called, raising her voice and scattering
the food.
"Good mornin', Miss said the tall,
stout sergeant, ''and you, too, ma'am,
Have you seen anything of runaway
prisoner?''
"What prisoner, sir9'' cried Virginia.
"Dear me, mother, that's what the little
boy was tellin' us about"
"What boy?" said the sergeant, on his