Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1882-12-21
CAPTURED.


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.
One morning, as the lieutenant sat
smoking in the door Of his tent, one Of
his outlaying pickets presented himself,
red and blown with running.
"Tye got 'em, sir! It's some ov thin
rebels--hookin' it across the lines. /
brought 'em to with round turnr'
"Wherer' exclaimed the lieutenant,
as he jumped to his feet. He was young
and jealous, and had not yet had q
chance to prove his zeal. .'Rebels break
ing through the lines, ehp Well done,
Wrightr'
Carrying provisions, sirr' .
mo doubt! No doubt! Arms and
ammunition. too, Of course. Where are
theyP Were they taken prisonersp"
The man looked sheepish. They're
back in the woods, sir. jest fotched
it along"
"N? What on EARTH ''-The lieu
tenant followed Wright, who ran to the
woods, dashed behind a copse and haul
ed out little girl of about ten years of
age, carrying basket. A donkey stood
beside her.
'There they be, leftenant! She was
footin' it past the pickets, singing Dixie
to herself as easy as yer please"
Take your hands off the child! !
thought you had captured dozen men.
you braggart! Who are you, my child"
"Pm Dora Nettley. SIR"
Dora was u chubby, freckled child,
with honest brown eyes, which remind
ed the lieutenant of his little sister away
out in Michigan. Still, important in
formation. 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 basket"
The child's face grew red, she shut
her lips tight and remained silent.
''Search it, Wright"
"Here's tea, sir. and q little package
Of sugar, and here's bottle OF quinine
pills."
"Where are You going with these
things, DoraP'
She looked wildly from side to side,
her chin quivered, and then she burst
into passionate sobs. .Oh let me go,
sir. It's my mot er's. 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
the medicine"
'.How do yon know she is sick?"
s.Patsev told me. Paisey's the coach
man. He followed the soldiers up to
Martinshurg He said there was mo-
\ body to take care Of her"
Sand you rode from Martinsburg
here on this donkeyp" 81.
ssYes. sir.
s.And meant to pass these lines?"
Dora nodded and her eyes sparkled.
This kind-faced lad was not so terrible
foe. after all. Il was just going down
the gap-road. ] have ridden 1t on Spot
a hundred times before
Wright's face was eagerly turned to
the officer. "Ob. lit the child go, lef-
tenant. What harrum kin she do with
her bit Of ta for her sick mither9 wish
I'd been in better business whin tech
ed you. sissy"
81 wish you had" said Dora. simply.
..How does II happen that your mother
is alonep" asked the lieutenant. Where
is your fatherp"
Dora's cheeks glowed fiery red. She
locked at the ground uncertainty. She
was quick witted child, and had seen
the pity and sympathy in the officers
eyes. II she could hide the fact that her
family were actively concerned with the
Cenfederates, there was q chance that
she would be allowed to pass. But-to
/ lie!
s.Where is your father, Dorap" he re-
peated.
..In the aymyr' she faltered.
s.Fighting for the Unionp" said Gra-
ham. quickly.
There was a long pause. "He is with
Lee" she said at last.
Sand your brothersp'
"They are with Dick Ashby."
The young officer turned away impa-
tiently. He had hoped to find a 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
of. And what harrum's donep"
..No. ] am sorry, Dora, but | cannot
let you pass through the gap. II is
against orders.n
She did not make any noise, but drop
ped on the grass and buried her face In
her hands. Il want mother!' she sob
bed. .'Oh, want mother
Eye see, child" explained Wright,
s.no support or comfort kin be carried
to the inimy."
ssShe's not an enemy" cried Dora,
angrily. .'She's mother"
ssCome with me, Dora" said the lieu.
tenant. He lifted her on the donkey
and led her to the farmhouse, where
the wife Of General R-had her quar-
ters. She was q gentle, motherly woman
and he told her the story.
Il am going to the commanding Off.
ceEto telegraph for . permit for her t