Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1886-03-03
A STORY OF THE CIVIL WAR.
BY LOUISE GRAVES.

One May afternoon, near the begin
ming of the great civil war, party of
Union soldiers, under the command of
Capt. Latimer, dashed up to the door
of respected Virginia parson.
1--WE will rest here tonight, boys"
said the leader, who was a mere youth,
yet the only one OF the party wearing
shoulder straps. IS IT'S twenty miles
or more to our lines at R, and I
know you are all tired. Hello!''
The exclamation brought the parson
to the door. He started at seeing
swarms of blue coats on his well-kept
lawn, for heart and purse were at the
command of the Confederate troops.
The officer, observing the reverend
gentleman's pallor, and attributing it
to fear, fastened to assure him that
their errand was not one of bloodshed.
"Calm yourself, sir. No harm shall
come to you or yours, if you treat us
we'll. We ask for food for ourselves
and horses, and the privilege of occu-
plying your lawn tonight
Mr.. Wood, the clergyman addressed,
was tall, scholarly looking person,
with keen dark eyes. His extreme pal
lor, Capt. Latimer now saw, was due
to i'll health.
II will not say you are welcome
he rejoined in a melancholy voice:
"but the exigencies of war place my
self and my property in your hands.
1t is needless for, me to say work your
will"
"Dismount, boys'' cried the cap
tain as he sprang lightly from his jad-
ed steed.
There was general dismounting
and lettering of horses; when the ami
mails wants were supplied from the
goodly store in the clergyman s stables,
the tired troops followed their COM
mander's example and focked to the
house. Spacious rooms, elegantly
furnished, met their view. They had
been tramping for months, tent for
shelter, oftener not even that; a meal
here, there, anywhere; and now they
had come to plenty, especially as that
plenty belonged to the foe, little Won
der that scant ceremony was observed.
Headed by their commander, they had
brought forth the goodly contents of
the larder, and these not being enough
raw supplies were put in pot and pan
to cook.
In the midst of all this hubbub, such
as the old house had never before
known, there came a sudden pause.
'What is itp'' said Harry Latimer,
who was devouring a huge chicken pie.
Elbowing his way to the door, he
paused and involuntarily removed his
cap. All the men crowded forward
amid 4 profound stiffness. A young
woman, slim, graceful, in her long
riding habit, stood on the veranda
steps, holding the superb animal from
which she had just dismounted. At
sight of the occupants of her home the
indignant color came to her cheek, and
her dark eyes proclaimed what she
thought of the intrusion. Flinging the
bride to wooly-headed domestic, who
was peering around the corner of the
house, she walked with a firm step to
the door. There her father, who had
followed Capt. Latimer, met her. A
spasm of pain crossed his face.
"Catharine, you should have been
spared this. Blind that I was not to
have sent you to a safer place before
thls!' he murmured, as he drew her
through the open window to the draw
ing-rooom.
''Dear father, you have needed me
at home. Do not fear for my safety.
Surely, if these men be our enemies,
they will respect defenseless woman
turning an appealing glance on Harry,
who stood by, an abashed spectator,
as indeed did all.
For months they had endured hard
ships untold, with few of the refining
influences of life. They were ready
.or danger, for any recreation which
might fall in their way, but at sight Of
this beautiful young woman asking
their protection, each would have
served her as Loyalty as his own sister.
Waving the men from the room, the
commander addressed the young lady.
who was the clergyman $ daughter and
housekeeper.
do not fear" he said in his manly,
straightforward way. 1.-The necessity
of war compels me to provide for my
troops from the supplies of the country.
A grim necessity it seems to you, but
believe me, no further harm shall come
to you or yours through me.'
She bowed her head in grave &C
knowledgement.
"Catheriuer' came her fathers voice
family.
The excitement had been more than
his feeble frame could bear, and he fell
senseless at his daughters feet.
''What shall do?'' she cried piteous-
ly, turning to Latimer, stunned by the
ghastliness of his look; then her pres
ence of mind returned, and together
they applied such remedies as were at
hand.
Lattimer at once ordered his troops
to move on to town, on the outskirts of
which was MIR. Woods villa. Ere the
servant returned with physician, the
stricken man showed signs of return
ing consciousness; and when the port
~ practitioner came, Harry deemed it
prudent to withdraw.
Catherine Wood accompanied him to
the door. She extended her hand,
which the young man grasped cordial
~.
..Though my fathers foe, I shall not
forget your generous treatment of US, -
she said, raising her clear eyes to his.
porho ro che rood ton vnroh @HmSra.