Nevada County picayune., 1886-04-28

1
 "I doubt the wisdom of my com ing" said the general, ''but l guess it is all right. Give the signal" The captain whistled a few sec onds in imitation of mocking-birt and then stopped to listen.
 "He is coming," he said to hi, companion. "Take a scat on this log and wait quietly.n
 See here," said Sherman, with a peculiar thick and slow articula. tion, "what kind of whisky was that you gave me on the way heref''
 ''Firt-class," replied the other, as he tapped the flask Tn his ve st pocket.
 "Then-then-why didn't you drinkf'
 "Mef Oh, I did" said the cap. tain.
 "I didn't tec you," Sherman whispered with difficulty, Cor I've forgotten. l am so drowsy. The devil! l believe I am going to die or Pve been drugged!r
 He rose to his feet and attempt ed to advance towards the captain but sank back on the log and lean- ed bis head against a tree. In a moment he Was breathing heavily, and was utterly unconscious of bis surroundings.
 With a triumphant smile on his face, the captain darted down the narrow winding path to the waters edge A skifi had just landed with two men in it. Ono left the boat. It was the captains confederate brother, the colonel. Without say ing word the former led the lat ter by the hand up to the thicket where General Sherman lay in a helpless stupor. With tremor of excitement, the traitorous Mis- sourian pointed to the sleeping man aud said to his brother:
 That man is General Sherman. l have drugged him heavily. 4st cannot wake. All we have to do is 10 load him in the skiff, and talk 6 him over. l deliver him into your hands,
 The confederate colonel bent toward and looked into the face of the sleeper. Then he turned upon his brother like an enraged lion.
 You internal scoundrell you soulless traitort' he hissed between his teeth.
 "Great God! what do you me eans' said the astonis.ed captain.
 ''1 mean,' replied the confeder. ate, "that l will be no party to this act of treachery on your part. Un- til now l believed you to be honest in your devotion to what I consid. cred bad cause. l respected youI motives. But now I find that my brother is a base, sordid trait or. You have disgraced your uni. form. You have disgraced both of us by this unheard of intamy."
 "But brOther--.'
 "Silence, sir! Ynt have tricked me into coming here by pretending to have news from home to com. municate. You brought me here to duplicate me in a crime that a barbarian would De ashamed of. Were you not my brother I would kill you on the spot"
 The traitor covered under those lion.like eyes
 "What shall doi" he groaned, "Do this," said the confederate.
 "After l leave, walk your com mander back in the direction of your camp. Walk him until you revive him. Then tell him you were similarly affected by the drugged liquor but in lesser de. gree. Will he believe you, do you think?'
 'Yes," replied the other gloomi. ly, 'he trusts me. He will believe me. l suppose must do as you say do, but we are missing a chance to make dur fortunes and to save the cause you love-"
 "None of that" retortod the col: onel fiercely. "I cannot aid a brother ofmine in an act that would make our whole family infamous for all time to come. Follow my advice and l pray God that you may soon me ct an honorable death Living, l hope never to look upon your face again."
 He turned aid sped rapidly