South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1882-11-24
A Story OF the Rebellion.
From the Youths cenpaBio..

cu With icW men 10 guard gap III
the Virginia mountains. The biocadc
Of the whole South at that time was
very vigorous, and supplies os 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 outlying pickets presented him
self, red and blown with running.
I've got EN-, sir /! It's some otthem
rebels-hookin' it across the lines, l
brought 'em to with round turn Z
'Whereg' exclaimed the Lieutenant
as he jumped to his feet. He was
young and jealous, and had not got
had a chance to prove bis zeal 'Re.
bells breaking the lines, ell? Well
done, Wright |!
Carrying provisions, sir!
NO doubt---no doubt. Arms and
ammunition. too, of course. Where
are they? We're they take prisons
4 ers?'
| The man looked sheepish.
They're back in the woods, sir.
Justuotched IT along.
'lt2t What .on earth -'
The Lieutenant followed Wright,
who ran to the woods, dashed behind
n copse, and hauled out a little girl
OF about ten years of age, carrying a
basket. A donkey stood beside her.
There they be, leftenant. She was
iootin' it past tho pickets, singing
Dixie to herself as easy as yer
please
Take your hands of tho child |
thought you had captured lozei
men, You Jraggar, Who are you,
my clild?'
I'm Dora Netiley, sir
Dora WAS n chubby, frecklel child,
with homes. brown eyes. which re-
minded the Lieutenant of his little
sister away ont in Michigan. Still,
/ important information, maps aud dis.
patches had often been carried nv NO.
men and children since the war be.
gan, and this might be bearer Of in
formation, child though she was.
Where did you come from, Dora?
From Martinsburg, SIR
And what have you in that bas-
kel?'
The cliii's face grew red, she shut
her lips tight and remained silent.
Search it, Wright
Heres tea, sir, and n little pack OF
sugar, and here's q bottle OF quinine
pills
where are you going with these
things Dora?'
She looked wildly from side to side
her chin qnivered, and then she burst
INTO passionate soos.
oh. let me go, sir! It's my moth.
er! She is down on the plantation, all
alone. The negroes have all follow,
ed your army, and my mother is a.
lone and sick. | just thought I'd
buy little tea and sugar and this
medicine
'llow do you know she is sicllp'
Patsy told me Patsy's the coach
man. lie followed the soldiers MP to
Martinsburg. He said there was no,
body tn take care of her.
And you rode from Martins5ure
here on this donkey?'
Yes sir
And meant to pass the linesY'
Dora nodded AMI her ewes sparllIel
This kindfaced lad was not SO terri.
bic foe after all.
Il was Just going down the gan
road. have ridden it OH Spot y
hundred of times before
virgins face was eagerly turned
to the officer.
Oh, let the child 60, Leftenant.
What harrum can she do with her
bit OF tea for her SIX mother? I
wish I'd have been in better business
when | teched You. sissy
i wish you had said Dora. sim.
ply.
How does it happen that your mo-
Their IS aloncY asked the Lieutenant
wv here is your tather?'
Doras checks glowed fiery red
She looked at the ground uncertainty
She was a quick.witted child. and had
seen the pity and sympathy in tie of.
ficer's eyes. Ii she coulI hide the
fact that her family wero actively
concerned with the Confederates
there was chance that she would be
allowed to pass. But-to lie.
Where is your father, Dora?' lac
repeated.
IN the army = she fal,ered.
Fighting tor the ULion?' said
Graham. quickly
There was a long pause.
He is with lee She said at last
And your brothers?'
They are with Dick Ashby.'
The young officer turned away i'm.
patiently. lie had hoped to find a
pretext for being of service 20 the
child.
walk down the Geld bit. Lieu.
tenant, an keep yer back this way
whispered Wright. I'm give her the