South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1882-05-26
VERY CLOSE QUARTERS
"You're hiding rebels in the house,
wi'out the lcave G me-"

served tue South during those four
crucial years which one side calls .our
late struggle for independence and
the other stigmatiZes as the rebellion
In a skirmish before fredericksburg.
/ was taken prisoner, and was sent
North with squad Of fellow-misfor,
Inmates to Point Lookout. Thence.
after q while, a number of us was
transferred to Fort Delaware. During
the journey, while the train was run.
ming at slack speed, about fifteen
miles from Baltimore, / managed to
jump Off of it. took the leap liter.
ally in the dark, not knowing where
! was going to land, for it was grow
ing dusk, and the day was the 2nd of
February. There was snow upon the
ground, and l slipped as l struck the
track, rolling over and over until
brought up in snow-drift below u
steep embankment, saw the lights of
the receding engine flashing round a
curve in the road. As sooa as [ could
rally my wits, gathered myself up,
and turned my face toward Balti,
more.
After walking few miles, l saw
the hazy glow that hangs at night o.
yer large city. ] had never been
IN Maryland. l had no friends and
no acquaintance there. | had no mo-
ney, and felt faint for want of food ::
but l knew that Baltimore was n sort
OF outwork 70 the Southern Confeder.
acy, and that | was likely to find aid
and sympathy amongst its women :;
while knew likewise that | had bet
ter steer clear of any men met, us
most Of them who favored the Con.
tederate cause had gone already into
the Southern Army.
ct point Lookout, had observed
several letters directed TO Miss Fanny
Lewis, ISL, Reade Street, Baltimore
As | walked on, kept repe .timg the
address over and over. | had no i.
dea who miss Fannie Lewis was, nor
for that matter, had my friends at
Point Lookout, though they were in
the habit of addressing her according
to the prison etiquet, as my Dear
Cousin They only knew she was a
charitable lady, who sent boxes of
good food and cast off clothing 10 the
prisoners, while they in return made
rings for her ont Of their coat buttons.
and inlaid them with motler-of- pearl,
cut from their shirt studs.
entered Baltimore toward the
East, and presuming on the univcrs.
atty OF that great law, westward the
course offaslion takes it way. walk
ed on Until found myself, about
hal:-past nine o'clock, in what seemed
fashionable quarter of the city
Presently | reached q church, Ro.
man Catholic church l presumed from
the cross upon its !ront-and | observ-
ed that several ladies who came out
OF It, had prayer-books. with gilt
crosses, III their hands. | knew we'll
enough that the Roman Catholic pop
uIatlon of Baltimore Was Southern
TO woman, aud almost to q man.
followed these ladies and contrived
to stop them without frightening them.
concluded they felt 1 was gentleman
by address and were not influenced
by the clothes philosophy. They gave
me clear, but brief directions. l
raised my hat and walked on, striking
into shadow whenever | could, and
fearing the glance Of a policeman, /
made my way TO Reade street. and
pulled the bell of 1874. 1t was house
standing in garden q little back
from the street, and an alley ran q.
long on one side of the lot. An Irish
servant girl answered my summons.
That was good omen. Irish servant
girls were al! sympathizers in their
way.
Can / see Miss Fannie Lewis for n
moment?'
No; Miss Fanny's sent off-gone
away. The master 10 come home
Maybe our Miss Fanny would do
for YEP
Let me sec her. 7 said.
She opened the door Of sort Of Ii,
brary or side sitting room, turned up
tho gas, ard left me there. / looked
ut my torn clothes, my Drowned hands.
my haggard face, and unsborn beard
anu uillT Tor tnerc was large mirror
over the fireplace IA stood wait
ing, | wondered what impression /
should produce on that other Miss
Fanny, when she came.
Presently tho door opened. Al
small blonde woman entered. She /
was about twenty-five, with q very F.
pleasant face. She looked as friohf. |
,'ned as l felt myself to DO. Closing
Inc door carefully, che came up close
% me, without = word.
WHO are you? she said, trembling.
Madam | answered. I am Major
o. the Confederate SER
vice, | know Miss Fanny Lewis TO be
very good to our poor fellows at Point
Lookout. i know nobody in Balt.
more. come TO ask your advice and
protection ] told Ter my story.
'Oh = she cried, 4 am the wrop,