The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1882-10-06
CAPTURED.


war, Lieut.. 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 we're rarely
smuggled through the Union lines.
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.
I've got EN-, sir! It's some ov thin
rebels--hookin' it across the lines. I
brought 'em to with round turnl"
"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, eh2 Well done,
Wrightp
Carrying provisions, sir"
"No doubt; no doubt. Arms and am
munition, too, of course. Where are
thoy? Were they taken prisoners ?"
The man looked sheepisb, They're
buck in the woods, sir, I jest fetched
it along."
at? What on earth -" The
Lieutenant followed Wright, who ran Ia
che woods, dashed behind copse and
hauled out little girl of about 10years
of age, carrying basket Adonaey
stood beside her.
"There they be, Leftenantl She was
footn' it past the pockets, singing
Dixie" to herself as asev as yer please"
stake your hands off the child! I
thought you had captured a dozen men,
you braggart! Who are you, my
child"
I'm Dora Nettley, sir"
Dora was q chubby, freckled child,
with honest brown eyes, which remind
ed the Lieutenant of his little sister
awayoat in Michigan Still, important
information, maps and dispatches had
often been carried by women and chill
Gren since the war began, and this
might bo bearer of information, child
though she was.
"Where did You come from, Dora?"
"From Martinsburg, sir"
"And what have you in that basket ?"
The child's face grew red; she shut
her lips tight and remained silent,
Search 1t, Wright"
"Here's tea, sir, and little package
of sugar, and here's bottle Of quinine
pills"
where are you going with these
things, Dora?"
She looked wildly from side to side,
her chin quiyored and then she burst
into passionate sobs. ooh, let me go,
sir It's my mother. She is down on
She 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
the medicine"
How do you know she is sick"
"Patsey told me. Patseys the coach
man, He followed the soldiers up to
Martinsburg, He said there was no.
body to take care of her"
And you rode from Martinsburg
here on this donkey?"
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. 81 was just going down
the gap-road. [ have ridden it on Spot
a hundred times before"
Wrights face was eagerly turned to
the officer. ooh, lit the child go, Left
enant What harrum kin she do with
her bit of Ia for her sick mither? T
wish I'd been in betther business whin I
teched you. Sissy"
wish you had" said Dora, simply.
How does it happen that your mother
isalone?" asked the Lieutenant. "Wbere
is your father?"
Dora's cheeks glowed a fiery red.
She looked at the ground uncertainty.
She was q quick witted child, and had
seen the pity and sympathy in the of
ticers eyes If she could hide the fact
that her family were actively concerned
with the Confederates, there was o
chance that she would be allowed to
pass But-to lie!
"Where is your father, Dora?" he re-
peated,
"In the armyp she faltered.
Fighting for the Union?" said
Graham, quickly
There was long pause. "He is with
Lee" she said at last,
And your brothers?"
"They are with Dick Ashby."
The young officer turned away impa-
tlently. He had hoped to find a pretext
for being of service to the child.
Walk down the field bit, Leften-
ant, an kape yer back this way" whis-
pered Wright, 9TH give her the wink
to be off. And what harrum's done2"
mo. I am sorry, Dora, but I cannot
let you pass through the gap. 1t is
against orders"
She did not make any noise, but
dropped on the grass and buried her
face IN her hands. 81 want motherl"
she sobbed "Oh, want mother"
I'VE see, child" explained Wright,
mo support or comfort kin be carried
to the inimy."
Shes not an enemy" cried Dora
angrilv. "She's-mother."
Come with me, Dora" said the Lieu
tenant. He lifted her on the donkey
and led her to the farm house, where
the wife of Gen. R had her quar-
ters, She was gentle, motherlv
woman, and he told her the story.
IL am going to the commanding
officer to telegraph for a permit for her
to pass the hues. You can discover
whether she has anything contraband
concealed about her But I would
stake my life on the honesty of the
child"
you viii have ride of twenty miles
in the hot sun, Lieutenant," said Mrs
r. "Do you know the child?o
mo; but Icannot help thinking, what
if that poor woman yonder were nv
mother and this child little Alice?"
Mrs. II. took the girl up to little
chamber which she told her should be
her own until the Lieutenant returned /;
kissed her and left. She felt impatient
with the dreadful turmoil and sorrows
of the war. This poor mother dying
alone perhaps, and the child wandering
through the country! Why was there
no one who could set it all right?
In the meantime Dora had hidden her
basket, locked the door, and kneeled
down by the side of the bed. She was
praying with all the strength Of her
little heart to God to help her. And
on the other side of the mountain, in