Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1882-04-05
EPISODE OF THE WAR.
A Mystery of the Lower Hudson---How Hastinq
Was Alarmed

A Mystery of the Lower Hudson---How Hastings
Was Alarmed.
The New York Independent tell what
it says is ga true incident" of the
Lower Hudson which is worth reading:
A few hours after 1t was known that
Virginia had seeded from the Union, q
citizen of Norfolk had collected a few
valuables and sailed for the north. He
went to Hastings-on- the Hudson and es-
tablished his family In cottage which
he rented for 500 year. Either from
choice or necessity, their style of living
was modest and they did not seek
society, the latter, perhaps because they
were not welcomed by their neighbors.
We all know what was the state of the
public mind in the spring and summer
of 1861, and with what suspicion south
ern refugees wereregarded. They might
have lost everything by their devotion to
the Union, or they might be spies or in
cendiaries. Who could tell That man
was from the south insured him the
strictest scrutiny and deepest distrust.
Little was known of this particular
family, but this may have served to
sharpen the eyes of the watchers. Two
facts were speedily ascertained; one,
that the head of the household was fire.
quently absentfrom Hastings; the other,
that when at home his favorite pastime
was walking upon the Croton aqueduct.
Both were seized upon as of evil omen.
To be sure, it may be difficult for us to
see why, as nothing was known Of the
cause of his absence, and the aqueduct
was a favorite promenade for old and
young, as who that has lived upon the
eastern bank of the lower hudson does
not know? Still the fact that the grey
haired stranger followed the custom of
the older residents was the cause of
general alarm.
A rumor had started, and was whis-
pered by old ladies over their tea, and
by young as they knitted on the unfaint-
ing soldiers socks, which were to the
girls then what high art embroidery and
feather-edged braid are now. The ru-
NOR was this: The stranger was an
emissary of the southern government.
His business was the blowing-up of the
Croton aqueduct and the producing of
water famine In New York, and his fire.
quent absences were to consult with his
colleagues. His walk to make needful
observations and arrange his plans.
The suggestion was frightful and i'm
mediately the innocent old man assumed
in the eyes Of the villagers the character
of a monster. The popular excitement
had reached higher point when one
morning fresh discovery was made. In
the top of the highest tree In a neighbor-
ing grove was q glittering something.
What could it be? No one knew; but it
glittered and that was sure sign it was
something evil. Again rumor took
shape. It was a signal connected with
that diabolical plot. The time had come
for the destruction of the Aqueduct,
and the thirsty thousands of New York
were to be left without drink. This tale
reached the ear of one of the pastors of
one of the churches. With stern resolu-
ton he took his gun and sailed forth.
This thing should not go on. That sig
nal should be destroyed. Let us hope
that his preaching was as good as his
workmanship, for the glittering offender
was soon lail low, and the valiant defend
er of his country returned to his study,
doubtless with joyful heart and an ap-
proving conscience.
So much history relates; but it
neglects to chronicle his feel ings, when
a day or two after DIR. Draper was heard
inquiring who had been SO unkind as to
destroy the test he had with much trou-
BILE arranged for the glasses Of new
telescope.
Nor does history recall the thoughts
of the sorely alarmed villagers, when a
few months later they learned that their
much suspected visitor was a naval Of
fcer Of life long standing; that even as a
boy he had distinguished himself in his
country's service; that his absence had
been caused by visits to Washington;
and that he had received his commission
as commander of the fleet In the Gulf of
Mexico; that in short he was Admiral
Farragut.