The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1882-09-29
CAPTURED.

Near the beginning of our late civil
war. Lieut. Graham was stationed with
few men to guard gap in the Virginia
mountains The blockade of the whole
South at that time vas very rigorous,
and supplies of any kind were rarely
smuggled through the Union lines.
One morniag, as the Lieutenant sat
smoking in the door OF his tent, one of
his outlying pickets presented himself,
red and blown with running.
"Tve got EN-, sir! It's some oy thin
rebels-hookin' it across the lines. 1
brought 'em TO with a round turn!"
"Where?" exclaimed the Lieutenant,
as he jumped to. his feet. He WAS
young and jealous, and had not yet had
a chance to prove his zeal Rebels
breaking the lines, Ell? Well done,
Wrightp
Carving provisions, sir"
"No doubt; no doubt. Arms and am
munition too, of course. Where are
they? We're they taken prisoners?"
The man looked sheepish. "Theyre
buck in the woods, sir. l jest fetched
IL along"
ut? What on earth -" The
Lieutenant followed Wright, who ran to
the woods, dashed behind cople and
hauled out little girl of about TO- years
9 age, carrying a basket, a donkey
stood beside her.
"There they he. Leftenant! She was
footin' ii past the pickets, singing
"DiXie" to herself as asey rs yer please
"Take your hands off toe child! L
thought you had captured a dozen men,
you braggartl VINO arc YOU, my
child? 2"
"Tm Dora Ne.tley, sir"
Dora was chubby, freckled child,
with honest brown eyes, which remind
ed the Ilieutenaut of his title sister
away out in Michigan. Still, important
information, maps and dispatches had
often been carried by women and chill
dren since the war began, and this
might he bearer OF information, child
though she was.
sWhere did You come from, Dora?'
sFrom AIartinsburg, sir"
"And what have you in that basket ,"
The chiId's face grew red; she shut
her lips tight and remained silent.
SEARCH it, Wright"
Here's tea. sir. and little package
of sugar, and here's a bottle of quinine
pils."
'Where are You going with these
thin rs, Dora?'
She looked wildly from side to side,
her chin quiverod and then she burst
into passionate sobs. ooh, let me go,
siri It's my mother. She is down on
the plantation al alone The negroes
II e.
mothers alone and sick. just thought
I'd buy her litGie tea and sugar and
the medicine
How do You know she il sicll?"
"PatSey told me. Patseys the coach
MN. He followed the soldiers up to
MartinSburg He sad there was no.
body to take care of her"
And You rode from Martinsburg
here on this donkey?"
'Ycs, sir"
@And meant to pass the lines?'
DMa nodded and her eyes spark|ed.
This kind-faced lad was not so terrible
a foe. after al Il was Just going down
the gap-rold. have ridden it on Spot
a hundred times before
Wright's face was eagerly tuvred 20
the officer oh lit the child 81. Loft
enAnt What hirrum kin she 10 with
her bit of Tn for her sick mither? /
wish I'd been in betther business whin
toched you. s Ssy."
II wish YOU had" said Dora, simply.
"How does it happen that your mother
is alone?" asked the Lieutenant. Where
is your father?"
Doras cheeks glowcd fiery red.
She looked mt the ground uncertainty.
She was a quick witted child, and had
seen the pity and sympathy in the of
fcer's eyes If she could hide the fact
that her family were actively concerned
with the Confederates, there was n
chance that she would be allowed to
pass. But-to lie
"Where is your father, Dora?" he re-
peated.
In the army" she faltered.
Fighting For the Union?" said
Graham, quickly.
There was n long pause. He is with
Lee she said at last
And your brothers? ~
~They are with Dick Ashby."
The youhg officer turned away imps-
eicHbly' nc ildu HOpeu Jo Hlu prcJeAJ
for being of service to the child.
"Walk down the field bit, Leften-
ant, an kape yer back this way" whis-
pered Wright. "Tll give her the winS
to be off And what harrum's done?'
@No. l am sorry Dora, but / cannot
let you pass through the gap II is
against orders"
She did not make any noise, but
dropped on the grass and buried her
face in her hands. II want mother!7
sihe sobbed ooh, l want mother"
aye see, child" explained Wright
"no support or comfort kin be carried
to the inimy."
@She's not an enemy" cried Dora,
angiy. aShes-mother.
@Cone with me, Dora said the Lieu
tenant. He lifted her on the donkey