The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1881-12-22

cltement 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 a catastrophe made us
quicken our pace almost into q run.
II do believe. painted a young sister,
with eyes flashing and hostrils quivering.
pausing for breath, that if they have found
there way into mothers room, GOD will
give me nerve to use these foolish pistols
lncruel earnest"
"Devilish spunky! Boys, we must look
Tor mothers room tonight. Bet your
sweet life on it, thar's where they've slowed
away guns or rebel soldiers"
These hooking words came to US through
the thick pyracantha hedging. Involun-
tarlly We turned our frightened eyes in that
direction. 1t seemed to us as it dozen
pair OF wicked, cruel eyes leered back at us
through the interstices of the bushes.
Gentlemen. our mother is an invalid, -
I ventured to say huskily.
"All right!"a harsh voice laughed back
at us; "we 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 thong hit to guard against
tue threatened invasion of our dear ones
room; but that one voice was drowned in
shouts Of scotfing laughter.
Night, 1t seemed to us, had. never fallen
before with such nnwished for suddenness.
We Dire sded the coming of darkness. But
1t did not find us unprepared. Every door
and window had been so muffled that none
but 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 a stand on each Of the two galleries
that hanked the cottage. Concealed by the
vines that clamAered all over them, We
watched and waited. We had but one ,le-
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 patter of rain drops upon the
heaps of the fallen leaves in the thick
shrubbery that surrounded the cottage,
But 1t made us nervous. It lessened our
chances of detecting approaching footsteps.
SO we watched and waited while the Ell DOM
thlckened without. and the rain drops pat
tered dismally Oh the dead leaves, and q
faint cough from the sick room would make
us grow almost sick with terror of what that
night might bring forth. Presently we
heard footsteps. No; yes! 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
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
| 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 aggressive character Of
this invasion. He is only waiting Tor the
| others, thought. but perhaps can turn
him from his evil designs. He may have q
heart. Acting on this possibility, ven.
| tured to part the thick, clustering vines, as
he neared my ambushi agair, and to ask,
with a voice all choked with fright, who
| is that?'
Only a Yankee sergeant. Miss; but one
who means we'll by YOU. l was with the
| boys this evening, when they gave GU such
| a fright about your mothers room. I do
hear say she's not long for this world, and
I've took 1t upon myself to 90 guard duty
here till day breaks. I've give the boys
! ta'r warning not to fool around here while
Sergeant Cross is on duty, SO you can just
turn III and sleep like top"
Dc you mean," asked, leaning over
| the bannisters towards the dusky form in
the shrubbery, that YOU have Voluntarily
put yourself on guard duty to- night. and in
| the rain, to protect our mothers room from
lnvaslon?" My voice was huskier than
ever, but not now from fright.
I've got mother myself, young lady"
| was the manly, simple answer, and God
do by her in the hour Of her need as I
mean to do by yours to- night; SO, now, you
! turn in for the night"
did turn in but it was only to tell
| that other trembling girl in the back GAL
lery what a wonderful thing had come to
pass; after which we stole out 10 the din
| ing-room, and preparing the best our con-
federate iarder could afford of a luncheon,
we went ont and begged our friendly ene-
my to refresh himself. He came, but am
afraid he lost prestige in my sisters ro-
mantle eyes by reason of his plainness.
1t was plain looking, rather under
SIZED young man, who stepped into the
light at our invitation, but when he took off
| his wet cap to us with military courtesy
there beamed upon US a pair of gentle,
kindly grey eyes that inspired us with the
fullest confidence in "Our Sergeant"
AID all that long night there mingled
with the gentle pattel of the rain upon the
dead leaves the slow, steady tramp Of
only q Yankee sergeant"