The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-03-04


] las night Twas one OBJ dem seben did
it. Twanst Dandy
4 You can leave the room. = said Aunt
Annie. II really am tempted to think he
is possessed with an evil spirit, . she said,
when he was gone. '.Minty, his moth
er. was stupid creature, and nursed
him through his childish illnesses with
my own hands. Tom has showered
seen a sign of affection from him to any
human being. Nothing but impish
| tricks
/ They never have done any body much
HARM said Sue, thoughtfully. Per
haps he is jealous of Tom
Jealous of Tomn' Aunt Annie's fair
face flushed. "a negro jealous of Col
| Archer's son!"
! Going out / stumbled over Dandy,
suspieiously near the key-hole. He Inc
| stantly began to spin around in a waltz,
| giving TOMS step with such languish-
ing airs that laughed. He stopped.
Mast Tom mighty fine on de feet,
Miss Aggy. But Dandy good as de next
man, foh de waltz. Mast Tom he turn
sojer an get shot in glory, kase he Cum
| mel Archer's SON.
He stood erect and suddenly dropped
| his negro dialect, which he could do at
| pleasure. For the moment it was grave
man, not q capering imp that faced
| me.
'.Au the Archers are fighting-stock,n
| touching his own breast lightly. The
next minute he was strutting down street,
whistling shrilly. --s>qs-
We never saw Dandy again. When
he did not return Aunt Annie was posi-
tive that he had followed Tom across
the lines. But was not SO confident.
There were deeper thoughts in the boys
| yeasty brain than she had ever suspect
ed.
a week later we received call from
Gen. Wright of the Union army, an old
friend of Aunt Annie's. He took it for
granted that she was loyal like himself.
81 have just come from Winchester
he said. There win be hot work there
SOON, By the way. where is Tomp Z
found young recruit in my regiment
the other day that I mistook for him
from a singular likeness; name of
Archer, too One of your relations?"
mo; none of our family are in the
in that army said Aunt Annie, color
ing hotly. Fortunately we were sum-
moned to dinner just then. and the Gen
eral forgot to renew his inquiry for Tom.
''Who could that recruit have been?''
said Sue, when she was gone. Like
TomP Name of Archer? It is very
stranger
But they did not think of Dandy, and
l did not suggest him.
Tom succeeded in joining the South
ern army and was made captain of
company. He conducted himself that
winter with courage, but was incurably
given to boyish sky-larking, which
brought on him incessant reproof.
At last Gen. Wright's division camped
within sight. Toms soul burned to
make himself name. He resolved to
cross the river without orders, and dis
cover the numbers and condition of the
Union troops. He had dislike to the
name of spy, SO the foolhardy boy set
out without any disguise; crossed the
river; was arrested and tried at drum
head court-martial and sentenced to be
shot the next morning.
Orders had been received the day be
fore that no further mercy was to be
shown to spies and deserters. Gen.
Wright was in Washington, but if he
had been with his command, he proba-
bly, could have done nothing to save the
son of his old friend.
Tom sat, miserable and limp in soul
enough, in a little hut which had been
taken as his guardhouse. TWAS nearly
morning when the patrol at the door
was relieved. The new sentinel paced
gravely up and down few times, then
glancing cautiously about him through
the silent camp, and at the dusky hills,
suddenly turned and pushed open the
door.
Mast Tomi''
What! Dandy! Is this you?''
IS this Won ~ cayaralu ssThaf3a
properer question, I Think Lud-a-
massyr' lapsing int his familiar speech.
Mast Tom, I allus knowed what'd
come oh yoh high-fying, an capahs,
and foolidgness! Hyah yoh are a-gwine
to be shoti''
"Shotr' Tom leaped to his feet.
This was a horror he had not dreamed
Of
..Hush-h, fob heben's sake! Eve got
q plan" He shut the door, and they
stood whispering together for few
moments. Presently it opened and the
man with the gun came out
You understands said the prisoner,
in quick, sharp tones. 'tAt five the re-
lief comes. The password is Shenan-
doah, and the cut in the hills below will
lead you straight into the thicket."
But Dandy''-the sentinel passed.
I'LL 1AlO JOIA ouAO Az ASIAAA4
will come to your
mo, no. I'll jes tell de General how
de land lies. He won't shoot niger
fob wearin' his mast cloes. t%Taint de
fus time, hey?' chuckling.
Tom took up the sentryss march.
Before dawn broke, the relief came, and
with quick glance in at the prisoner,
Tom was gone. He crossed the river
and reached his camp in safety. When
the door was opened by his comrades,
Dandy was surprised to find that he
was not recognized at once. He remem-
bered for the first time his singular like
ness to the prisoner.
s'Good Lordi Dat look oh de Archers
IL be de death OBJ me at lastr' he NUT
tered.
The army was to march that morning,
and the execution was ordered for an
early hour,
..Dey're gettin' de breakfast and me
an such trihes out of the way" said
Dandy, with the inevitable giggle, as he
rose and followed the officer to the door.
81 must see Gen. Wright" he said.
ssThe General has not returned"
2 1t was sunrise. Down in the gorges
The fog lay in deep gray waves. Dandy
glanced towards the cut through the
hills. Tom had not yet had time to
escape Ii he told his secret, Tom
would be retaken, both would be shot.