Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1882-10-26
CAPTURED.

! OAf i OhED.
Near the beginning of our late civi
war, Lieutenant Graham was stationed
with few men to guard gap in the
Virginia mountains. The blockade OF
the whole South at that time was very
rigorous, and supplies of any kind were
rarely smuggled through the Union
lines. Iaa
One morning, as the Lieutenant sat
smoking in the door of his tent, one OF
his outlying pickets presented himself
red and blown with running.
"Pve got 'em, siri It's some Ov thin
rebels-hoOkin' it across the lines.
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 break
ing the lines, eh? Well done, Wright
carrying provisions, sir!" r-l =
mo doubti No Doubt Arms and am
munition, too, of course. Where are
they? Were they taken prisoners?" r
The man looked sheepish. They're
back in the woods, sir. l jest fOtched it
along" g. .T H.
3 "N!" What on earth" The Lieu
tenant followed Wright, who ran to the
woods, dashed behind copse and haul
ed out little girl of about ten years of
age, carrying a basket. A donkey stood
beside her.
There they be, Leftenanti She was
footin it past the pickets, singing Dixie
to herself as asey as yer please"
"Take your hands off the childl
thought you had captured dozen men.
you braggartl Who are you, my child ?"
II am Dora Nettley, sir"
Dora was a chubby, freckled child,
with honest brown eyes, which remind
ed the Lieutenant of his little 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 be bearer of information, child
though she was.
Where did you come from, Dora?"
From Martinsburg, sir"
"And what have you in that basket2"
4 The child's face grew red, she shut
her lips tight and remained silent.
search it, Wright" ..as..
Here's tea, sir, and little package of
sugar. and here's a bottle of quinine
pills."
where are yoa going with these
things, Dora?" .....
She looked wildly from side to side,
her chin quivered, and then she burst
into passionate sObs. "Oh, let me 60,
sir! It's my mother. She IS down on
the plantation, all alone. The negroes
have all followed your army, and my
mothers alone and sick. Just thought
I'd buy her little tea and sugar and
medicine"
"How do you know she is sick?"
PATSY told me. Patsy's the coach
man. He followed the soldiers up to
Martinsburg. He said there was nObO-
dy to take care of her."
"And you rode from Martinsburg here
on this donkeyP"
Yes, sir"
"And meant to pass the lines?"
Dora nodded and her eyes sparkled.
This kind-faced lad was not so terrible a
foe, after all. II was just going down
the gap-rOad. have ridden it on Spot
a hundred times before"
Wright's face was eagerly turned to
the officer. "Oh, lit the Child go, Leften-
ant. What barrum kin she do with her
bit of ia for her sick mither? l wish
I'd been in better business whin teched
you, sissy"
81 wish you had," said Dora, simply.
"How does it happen that your moth
er is alone?" asked the Lieutenant.
Where is your father?"
Dora's cheeks glowed fiery red. She
looked at the ground uncertainty. She
was a quick witted child, and had seen
the pity and sympathy in the officers
eyes. If she could hide the fact that
her family were actively concerned with
the Confederates there was chance
that she would be allowed to pass. But
Ito liel .I.i ia
e i"Where is your father, DOroP" he. re-
peated.
ain the armylr she faltered.
"Fighting for the Union?" said Gra-
ham, quickly.
There was long pause. "He is with
Lee she said, at last.
s"And your brothers?'
"They are with Dick Ashby."
, The young officer turned away impa-
tiently. He had hoped to find 4 pretext
for being of service to the child.
"Walk down the field a bit, Leftenant.
an kape yer back this way." whispered
Wright. "I'll give her the wink to be
be off. And what harrum's done!"
mo. j am sorry. Dora, but can not
let you pass through the gap. 1t is
against orders"
She did not make any noise. but drop
ped on the grass and buried her face In
her hands. ~ want mother" she sob
bed. "Oh, want mother"
"Ye see. child" explained Wright, mo
support or comfort kin be carried to the
inimy." t.r1s .sd,ii. ..le.l. i.cs.
%She's not an enemv," cried Dora, an
griiy. "Shcs mother" .
"Come with me, Dora" said the Lieu