The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1883-12-29
A True War Story Retold.
From the Cenrier,Journa1.I

crates q Wearlly aIOug al Ala.
bama highway on a sultry afternoon
in may; 1865. One was returning
honle after an absence of four years;
the other had been his comrade in
war and was to become his guest.
They had been bunkmates in a
northern prison for two years, and
had been exchanged but q few days
before Lees surrender. When the
news of the collapse reached the tenn
porary camp where they awaited the
transfer of the exchange rolls, they
took up their line Of march for Sa-
vannah. Their route was through o
region of country that had been over
run by both armies, and was an ex-
panse of devastation. Hardships
faced them daily, and hunger retard-
ed their progress.
On this afternoon they were near
ing the nome of the one who was to
become the host. That dear old spot
was but q few miles further on. The
country round about was swarming
with scouting parties from Wilson's
Federal cavalry, hunting for confed-
crate property and private plate. In
| subOrdlnati0n ran high in its ranks,
] anu III OOllJlC1iC was SNlC ~ SONANA
and sack. Aside from the fear OF re-
capture and temporary detainment,
hope wrestled with doubt in the bo-
som of the host. At one moment the
| Joyous anticipation of once more be-
| holding the home of his childhood
auickened his pace. At another, a
dread that the devastating torch OF
| the invader might have swept that
home away retarded his footsteps. A
| view of the surrounding country soon
| to be obtained from a familiar hilltop
caused him to falter as he ap-
| preached the elevation. Musing
doubtfully on the developments 80
| near at hand, the foot of the hill was
| reached, and, frowning at prospec-
tive fate, he sprang lightly up the as
cent.
His comrade guest strove hard to
| keep pace with him, but was left be-
hind. The hilltop was mounted ca
| gerly, and, with quickening heart
| throbs, he threw all the earnestness
| of his soul into his vision, and looked
| hOmeWard. Across the undulating
| fields, over which his childish eyes
had often gazed. a mile or more away
he saw the dim outlines of the pa
rental farm house. 1t was still there
and in a wild, whirling delirium of
joy, he sank to the ground.
The picture of the old homestead,
standing amid the ruin that had
overtaken other tender hearts, soft
ened a nature rendered callOus by
the varied horrors of var To ltngef
in sight of that dear old mansion af-
ter so long all absence was a thrilling
foretaste of what was to follow. But
with this joy there came another
doubt. For two long years he had
received no message from home.
Were all his loved ones there to well
come him, or had some been called
away? Had his aged father been
spared? Could he muster courage
enough to cross that threshold, and
in a twinkling know all, or would he
linger by the road side for an old
neighbor or former slave and learn
something from them?
The day was fast nearing its close.
His comrade spoke and aroused him
from his reverie. They started on,
and soon sounds of horses feet and
rafting sabres was heard. The two
travellers stepped aside and con-
cealed themselves behind some brush
uutil a troop of cavalry passed.
From necessity the confederates
were partially clothed in Federal un-
form, which they hoped would
shield them in an emergency. But
they prepared to avoid all danger.
The cavalry passed and they returned
to the highway. At a sudden turn
they met an old man. He looked at
them inquiringly, and they eyed him
closely. There was a halt in his step.
The meditative confederate scanned
his face attentively and recognized
him. He had been q tenant farmer
on his fathers farm before the war.
The brawny man before him had
gone to the wal when a slender
youth and was not recognized. The
predomina3ce of blue in their uni
forms led him to believe they were
Federals struggling in from a private
scout. He saluted them and asked
what kind of luck they had met
with. Anxious to avoid recognition,
the confederate replied evasively, but
encouragingly to the old man who
seemed inclined to talk. He spoke of
successful hunts for wealth that had
taken place Whereabouts. Some par
ties had done we'll, and large quanti-
ties of plate and coin had been dug
up; but there was plenty of il. yet
hid away. He knew where a rich
haul could he made. The confederate
detected the old mans desire to show
the location and share in the spoiis.
He determined to draw him out, and
questioned him closely about the
gold. There was a fine lot, and it
belonged to the meanest old rebel in
the country.
If they would agree to handle the
old colonel. he would get the gold
and divide. But the old man would
have to be killed. The confederate
was now becoming deeply interested.
. vague suspicion filled him with
rage,
"Why kill the old rebel? he in
"Beoause nobody but my daughter
knows where his money is hid, and
f it is taken he will suspect her."
"How did she fiLd its location:."
"She has been working at his house
'ince the negroes left. and he trusts
leE with everything."
"How far is it to the placer"
"AbOut one mile.'
"What is the old rebels nam-?'
"Old Col. -" said the man, and
$ the confederate heard his fathers
lame pronounced the blood froze in
lis veins.
His worst suspicious were correct.
The old tenant farmer was plotting
With supposed stragglers to murder
nd rob his father. A plan of action
vas quickly formed. He accepted
be proposition. The sun was down,
nd the old man urged against delay. =
my daughter must be ahead of
8. She is at home now to see her
"Does she think it best to kill
i'm ?" I
"She will not take hold until he IS ]
They were following a bride path
trough the woods. The confederate
,ok from his belt a butcher-knife
18th a deeply.worn blade. Turning