The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1886-01-23

Philistines have spoiled me, yet have |
escaped unhurt'
Then by slow degrees he told his
story how Sheridan's men, on their
famous raid through the valley, had
met him and summary seized his
horse, leaving MIN to find his way
home on foot. They searched me for
arms, though | told them was a man
of peace, and finding none, they Ladc
me depart nor did they ride after me,
thank God but they air spelling hither
and you burning every barn they come
across. That is the smoke from
Brother KIine's yonder, over the hill.
Sheridan, that man OF blood, swears he
will smite Early, hip and thigh. nay,
that if crow fits across the valley
from Winchester to Staunton in his
track, it must carry its own rations or
starve.
Lois and her mother looked at each
other with pale, scared faces. The
old man saw their alarm and ha,tened
to reassure them "Nay,' said he, ''the
danger hath passed US by; the strength
of the hills is Hi; also, and He hath
hidden US as in the hollow OF His
hand. Let US thank Him for His
mercy They fell on their knees, but
while the head of the house poured
out his thanksgiving the tramp OF
horses was heard at the door. They
started up to meet the danger, but the
noise ceased as suddenly as 1t had
come and no knocking followed.
Jonas Hlnckle opened the door. and
there in the dark, quietly cropping the
grass by the doorstep, stood Gretel, the
gray mare, with a wounded Union sol
der lying helplessly across her saddle.
No one else was visible, though they
peered anXiously into the darkness,
fearing to see an armed host.
The creed of the Dunkard rests
wholly on the literal Interpretation OF
the precepts of the New Testament,
and the forgiveness of injuries and hos
pitality to strangers are among its chief
tenets. Therefore, when this stranger.
wounded and helpless, was brought to
the door of these people, by the horse
of which he had robbed them, they
took him in and cared for him as ten
derry as though he had been one OF
themselves. His blood stained uni
form was buried at dead of night III
the orchard there were those in the
nelghborhood whom it was best should
not be trusted with the knowledge that
the sick man was a Federal soldier.
and all through the autumn, even until
the snow lay white on the hill sides, he
lay between life and death on the great
feather bed in the spare room of their
house.
In his delirium he ravcd in 4 strange
tongue, calling Lois, Marie. vt times
he would not suffer her out Of his sight.
At others he drove her from him with
fierce imprecations.
When, at last, he was able to totter
feebly down stairs it was plainly evil
dent that he could never again answer
to "boot and saddle The wound on
his chest had healed, but the hip Joint
was permanently injured and he was
lame for life. He bore the knowledge
quietly, as men seldom accept sucl
calamity, and, as his strength came
slowly back to him, made himself O
use in many little ways about the house
and farm. The winter passed and the
spring came, bringing the end Of the
war, but there was no talk of his leav.
ing the simple hearted folk on whose
kindness Fate had thrown him lad
as is often the case, in benehting hin
become attached to him, and after a
faint suggestion on his part that per
haps he ought to go, the matter wa.
dropped and he took his place as one
of the household. His name, he said
was Anthony White he had no tie
either in this or his own country. He
had been left alone in the world anC
had come to America to seek his for
tune. He had joined Sheridan's cav
airy. THAT is the all, ne said, il
conclusion and they took him at hi
word, with the charity that thinketh NJ
evil
In truth this new life was stranger
welcome to him, perhaps because of it
utter novelty. A grave and silent man
he was, nevertheless, warmhearted
and the simple, earnest piety OF thes,
primitive people came to him IS 4 new
revelation. He joined the brethre!
and soon grew popular among the q
ders of the congregation. That h,
did not, when the war was over, CLAIM
his pension from the United State
Government as a disabled soldier, was
in their eyes, proof of his sincerity
since the SO doing would have VIOLATED
the rules of their religion.
But when, after year or two of con
sistent fellowship with the congrega
ton, he was unanimously elccte(
Preaching Brother, an office which nt
Dunkard is permitted to decline from
personal reasons, he earnestly enreateo
to be excused, on the plea that he hat
been soldier in worldly cause, ant
was therefore untitled to serve in til,
Temple of the Lord.
"Nay, brother urged the elders
"Paul was accounted worthy to preacl
the Gospel, and he had even been