The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1884-03-19

TO death M q spy.
The next day Mrs. Mackey, not know
ing what had happened. gathered some
fruit and eggs, and, with basket wei
filled, she made her way to Colone
TarletoD's camp. Hucksters were read
| lily admitted when they had such luxuriet
to dispose of.
On getting within the lines she in.
quired the way TO Colonel Tarleton't
marquee, which was shown TO her. The
colonel was on parade, but a young Of
ficer, who was writing, asked her TO be
seated. After he had finished, he said,
lyon have something for sale, l pre-.
sumo"
She replied that she had eggs and
frnit. He gladly took what she had and
paid for them. She frankly declared
that her basket Of fruit was only n pre-.
text to get TO Colonel Tarleton that she
was anxious to see him in person on busi.
ness Of great importance. She then cx-
planned to him the capture Of her hus.
band, and that she wished to get him
released il he were still alive, for she did
not know bnt what they had hung him
up TO the first tree they came to. The
officer told her that the colonel was on
parade, and would not return for two
honrs-not till he came in for his mid
day meal. Mrs. Mackcy was n comely
woman Of superior intelligence, and she
soon interested the young officer in her
sad condition. He expressed for her the
deepest sympathy; told her that her
husband was near by under guard that
he had been tried and sentenced 10 death
as spy that he was TO be hung mt sun
rise tomorrow; and that he feared there
was no hopes Of repricvo, M the evil
dence given against him by Tories was
OF the most positive kind. He told her
that Colonel Tarleton was as cruel and
unfeeling ~ he was brave, and that no
would promise her anything to get rid
OF her. but would fulfill nothing.
However, said he, al will prepare
the necessary document for your hus-
bands release, filling in the blanks, 30
that it will only DO necessary to get
Colonel Tarleton's signature. But /
must again frankly say that this il
almost hopeless"
IL was evident to the most superficial
observer that Mrs. Mackey would soon
become mother, aud this probably had
something TO do in enlisting the kindly
sympathy Of the brave young officer. At
twelve o'clock Colonel Tarleton rode up,
dlsmounted, and entered the adjoining
tent As he passed along, the young
officer said: "You must wait till he
dimes. Another charger will then DO
brought forth, and when no comes out
to mount, you can approach him, and
not till then"
AT tho expected time the tall, boyish-
looking, clean-shaved, handsome young
IarletOn came out of his tent, and M he
neared his charger he was confronted by
tho heroic Lydia Mackcy, who in few
words mndo known the object of her visit.
He quickly answered that he was in n
great hurry, and could not Mt that time
stop to consider her case. She said the
case was urgent; that her husband Ind
been condemned to die ut sunrise TO.
'''''' hi'ihihEy ull'l Iilul Ilt ulOllt Il'NI
the power to save his life. He replied:
every well, my good woman, when
return later III the day i will inquire
into the matter" Saying this no placed
ms foot in the stirrup, and sprang up,
but before he could throw his right leg
over tho saddle, Mrs. Mackey caught
him by the coat and jerked him down.
Ho turned upon her with scowl, and
she implored him to grant her request.
Hewas greatly discounted, and angri-
ly said he would inquire into the case ON
his return. He then attempted again to
mount, when she dragged him down II
second time, begging him in eloquent
terms to spare the life of her husband.
"llnt tut my good woman p said he,
boiling with rage. "Do you know what !
you arc doingp Begone I'll attend /,
to this mt my convenience; not sooner" |
So saying, he tried third time to
mount, and II third time Lydia Mnckey
erked him to the ground. Holding by
The swords scabbard and falling on her
knees, she cried, "Draw your sword and
Stay me and my unborn babe, or give
me the life of my husband, for / shall
never lot you 90 till you kill me or sign
this document"-which she drew from
her bosom, and held up before his face.
Tarleton trembled, was ~ pale M II
,orpso, and turning to the young Off
nor, whostood near by, intcntly Watching
he scene, he said, Captain, where is
his woman's husband ?"
He answered, "Under guard in yon-
or tent"
"Order him to be brought here" And
BON Charles Mackey stood before the
lliant Tarleton. "Sir," said he, "you
ave been convicted of bearing arms
yainst his Majesty's government.
have been convicted of
einga spy; you have dared to enter my
nes III disguise ~ II spy, and you can /
OF deny it. But for tho snke Of your
lie, will give you full pardon on
that you will take an oath
ever again to bear arms against the
Ing's government"
"Sir," said Charles Mackey, in the
rmest tones, 81 cannot accept pardon
N those terms. 1t must DO uncondi-
ional, or | must die"
And poor Lydia Mackey cried ont,
And too must die; and on her knees,
holding on to Colonel Tarleton, she
pleaded with such fervor and eloquence
hat Tarleton seemed for moment to
estate, and then, turning to the young
lptain, he said with quivering lips, and
voice choked with emotion, "Cap-
I'm, for Gods sake, sign my name to
lis paper, and lot this woman CO."
With this, Lydia Mackey sank to the
ound exhausted, and Colonel Tarleton
ounted his charger and galloped off,
ubtless happier for having spared the ,
Q of the heroic Lydia Mackey's hus-
nd. ,
Lydia Mackey in her old age was a
o talker, and when / was boy ten
ara old / heard her tell this story with :
ch feeling and earnestness that great
'rs rolled down her aged cheeks to !.
ngle with those of her little grand. 7