The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1884-02-27
For the Z. & M-HousehoId.
Jim 1radewei's Quarter Race


and much hard fighting, 1862, found me
e James William Tradewell, private il
:, the Kirk wood Rangers, HaskeIrs I.ert.
S. &. v, but detailed as a scout il
Hume's band, and serving down on tn,
Peninsula near Yorktown. a position a
some importance, and much peril, for i
viii be remembered that McClellan's La.
!. vincibles were then advancing in order tC
make that wholesale retreat across tht
ChickahOminy few days later
| had been in service ever since Dec
! 1860, and frequent escapes from perilous
places had made me great deal more
careless of risks than was compatible with
good sense, or even decent regard foI
for life and limb.
There | was then, down On the Penin-
sula. with headquarters near white
hall, and my scout was nearly ended.
for next day had to report at head
quarters. The sun was setting as rode
up to the modest domicile of Mrs. Cole,
= where [ contemplated spending the even.
ing summing myself In the eyes of her
pretty daughter, Miss Lucy, whose attrac
tlons had a good deal to do with my will
llngness to scout in that locality.
Miss Lucy was standing on the porch
as rode up, wearing dress of white mus
lin with scarlet ribbons in her hair and
about her. She was as pretty as a pic
ture, and | certainly was very much in
love with her. As | dismounted, and
fastened my horse. she came out to greet
me, and said: You are just in time,
Mr. Tradewell, to join pleasant party.
George came home this morning on
three days leave. and Archie Hunter
came with him." George was Miss Lucy's
only brother, and Archie a cousin, of
whom | was decidedly jealous. We
went into the house, for Miss Lucy sedu-
lously avoided granting me any tete q tete
interviews. George and Archie met me
very warmly, and soon we were exchang-
experiences of our campaigns until sum
moned to supper, meal that was always
bountiful at Mrs. Coles whenever a sol
der was near her, for she knew our
chronic state of hunger. Aftertea, music
and cards filled up the hours so agreeably
that twelve clock crept on US unawares.
As the last stroke sounded, | rose to make
my adleu. George with hospitable in
slstance urged me to spend the night.
Thanks" | replied, "but l have made
1t rule never to sleep in house when
am on scout, aud now am SO well
seasoned that | don't mind either wind
or weather"
But my dear fellow there isn't a sin
pie Yankee, by your own showing this
side OF their lines, so you run no risk.
Lucy, try your hand at persuading him !"
Mr.. Iradewell knows ] would be glad
to have him stay with Us, but | wouldn't
like to urge him if he fears there is any
risk In 1t. She said this with the usual
doubleness OF women, who say don t.
with their lips, and do" with their
eyes.
That settles it, Miss Lucy" answer
ed, II Il stay if only to prove that | fear
no risk" "Oh please don't let my i'll /
chosen speech tempt you to endanger
your safety" she said with pretty earn
estness. Il would never forgive myself
Il anything happened to -- to Gen. /
Gary favorite scout"
''Fair lady, dear my life shall be
Since 1t is worthy care from thee -
Il quoted with an earnestness that sent
a whole garden Of blush roses to her
cheek
The question was settled, and l staid.
We played few more games of cards and
then retired. Georges room held two
delightful beds, and soon was sleeping
the sleep Of tired scout in one of them.
Day was Just pointing her rose flush in
the east, when some sound broke my
light slumbers, for / always slept with
one ear open at least. Springing up, |
dragged on my neither garments as | Il
crossed the floor and looked cautiously
out of window. One glance satisfied
me, and the next instant | was shaking
George Cole by the shoulder and saving.
IVY axe up man, We are surprised Forty
Yankees in the yard, and the devil to
pay generally" George rolled out drag
ging Hunter with him, and | hastily fin
ished my toilet, and resolved the posi-
bility of escape. Just then | heard Mrs.
Cole say. IF you know Mr.. Tradewell
is here you know also that there are TWEEN
~ other scouts with him. The whole of
Hume's band slept here last night
Mrs. Cole was good pious woman, but
she told that timely deck fib as if she had
been trained to that sort Of business all
her life, just as cool and steady as pump
handle. '.Well madam, we only want
Mr.. Tradewcll Mr.. Hunter, and your
son. the other twenty men can stay where
they are The cool mocking toue in
which the fellow spoke convinced me
that he was thoroughly posted as to my
strength, and almost instantly there came
a laundering clash of arms at the foot of
the stairs, and an imperative summons
for our surrender.
Cole sat on the foot Of the bed in deep
at last he looked up and said
bitterly, well, there is no help for it,
we might as well obey.
What" exclaimed Hunter ''surren- /;
der. why George you know Tradewell
can't"
''Archie. | have to think first of my
mother and sister. If we don't surren- |
der we must fight, and being only three
to 40. that will be a short affair, then we ;
are captured certainly, probably all be I
hung, and the house burnt down, and
what will become of mother and Lucy?'
George is right, Archie, Iinterposed; ;
but can't surrender in the first place !
| We sworn never t. surrender with arms ,
in my hands; III the next, my surrender ,
would not be accepted for | have been :
out lawed. and am 10 be hung whenever
they get chance to do il. So am 90
ing to make run for it somehow, en-
gage them IN i.,riey il you can. | walk
ed to window and looked out, no one
was in sight. 50 | cautiously put my head
aud shoulders through, and was pre- par j
ing to follow suite with the rest of my
corporal limits, vixen | was politely ad c
vised to get in again, and looking below
saw big Yank leveling carbine at me. c
Good morning" | said affably. Take :
your head in" he roared, and as | drew !
back, the sash knocked my hat off and it
fell plump at the rascal S feet. 'Thankee,
Johnnie he sung out as he picked it up, 7
aud put it on his head Twas fine new I
hat which cost me fifty dollars in Rich {