The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1883-03-08
CAPTURED.
a STORY OF rHE REBELLIoN.

very rigorous, and supplies of an,
kind were rarely smuggled througl
the Union lines.
One morning, as the lieutenan
sat smoking in the door of his tent
one of his outlying pickets presente'
himself, red and blown with run
ming.
"Pve got 'em sir. It's some o1
thin rebels-hookin' it across th,
lines. / brought 'em to with =.
round turn"
| %WhereG" exclaimed the lieuten
ant, as he jumped to his feet. HI
was young and Jealous, and had no
yet had chance to prove his zeal
"Rebels breaking the lines, eh?-
Well done, Wrightr' vi
Carrying provisions, sir"
eNo doubt-no doubt. Arms and
ammunition, too, of course, Where
are they? Were they taken priso-
persY .gl
The man looked sheepish.
They're back in the woods sir.
I just fetched it along
''Hl What on earth"
The lieutenant followed Wright,
who ran to the woods, dashed be-
hind a copse, and hauled out q little
girl of about ten years of age, carry
ing basket. A donkey stood be
side her.
"There they be, leftenant. She
was footin' it past the pickets,
singin' Dixie to herself as aisy as
yer please"
"Take your hands off the chlld
1 thought you had captured dozen
men, you braggartl Who are you,
my childF'
''rm Dora Nettley, sir"
Dora was chubby, freckled child
with honest brown eyes, which re-
minded the lieutenant of his little
sister out in Michigan. Still, i'm
portant information, maps and dis
patches had often been carried by
women and children since the war
began, and this might be a bearer
of information, child though she
was.
"Where did you come from,
Dora?"
"From Martinsburgh, sir"
"And what have you in that bas-
ketF'
The child's face grew red, she
shut her lips tight, and remained
silent.
Search it, Wright"
Here's tear, sir, and little pack
age of sugar, and here's a bottle Of
quinine pills."
"Where are you going with these
things Dora?'
She looked wildly from side to
side, her chin quivered, and then
she burst into passionate sobs.
80, let me go, sirl It's my
mother. She is down on the planta-
ton, 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
allow do you know she is sick2"
sPatsey told me. Patsey's the
coachman. He followed the soldiers
up to Martinsburgh. He said there
was nobody to take care of her."
"And you rode from Martins
burgh here on this donkey?'
Eyes sir"
"And meant to pass the linesT
Dora nodded, and her eyes
sparkled. This kind-faced lad was
not SO terrible foe after all.
II was just going down the gap
road. l have riden it on Spot a
hundred times before"
Wright's face was eagerly turned
to the officer. aA
go, let the child go, leftenant.
What harrum kin she do with her
bit of tay for her poor sick mither2
1 wish I'd been in better business
when 1 fetched you, sissy"
81 wish you had" said Dora,
simply.
Glow does it happen that your
mother is alone?" asked the lieuten-
ant. "Where is your fatherP'
Dora's cheeks glowed fiery red
She looked at the ground uncertain
ly. She was q 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 con-
federates, there was a chance that
she would be allowed to pass. But
to lie!
"Where is your father, Dora?" he
repeated.
'In the army" she faltered.
"Fighting for the UnionY 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
impatiently. He had hoped to find
pretext for being of service to the
child.
"Walk down the field bit, lef
tennant, an keep yer back this
way" whispered Wright. "Pll give
her the wink to be of. An what
harrum's s done?p
"No. 1 am sorry, Dora, but
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.
"I want motherp she sobbed. |
80, L want motherp
eye see, child" explained Wright,
s'no support or comfort kin be car
ried to the inimy."
"She's not an enemy? cried Dora,
angrily, "she's mother"
"Come with me, Dora" said the
lieutenant. He lifted her on the