West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1888-11-22

OF us, as soldiers, when they learned
that the officer whom we all cheerfullv
acknowledged was the ablest soldier
among US, had fallen into the enemy's
hands. The Major was so amazed that
he actually bit of the mouthpiece OF his
pipe stem in fit of anger; but this Sc
we're action did not return to us the
flower Ct the regiment.
Just before sunset sentry on the road
startled all Of us. as we lay behind the
works, by shouting:
"ofiicer of tho guard Flag of truce
cominglp
We all sprang upon tho parapet, aud
saw emerging from the forest, nearly half
mile away, horse, rider, and a tiny
white rag. The Major raised his glasses.
peered through them moment, dropped
them, and exclaimed:
That flag is carried by a woman2"
Then all Of us wished we had glasses.
The rider advanced slowly, until we
could see that she was not armed; then
that she had fine figure, and finally
that she was young and pretty.
Wants protection for her property,
suppose growled the Major. "rhose
raiders are probably cleaning out the
family's barn aud smokehousc, there
being nobody at homo but women aud
children. What do they suppose a few
infantry can do against nobody knows
how many cavalry"
Nevertheless he went slowly out,
alone, to meet her, at which Glennie's
Captain exclaimed;
This isn't according 10 custom. Who
knows but she's a young man, disguised,
and will drop the MAJOR with a pistoll
Come on, boys"
Several Of us followed him. AS we
saw him twirling the ends OF his mus
tache and tipping his hat slightly TO one
side, we followed his example in these
respects also. We overlook the major
just as the rider halted, looked very
pale, and said:
at wasn't his fault, sir-really it
wasn't"
''Whose fault, madamqn said the
major, raising his hat
"Alr. Glennie's," said the girl.
"Ohl Confound i'll / mean--so
they got him, did theyq"
"Oh no, sir, but he wishes they had.
And they would have done, only
only -"
"Well, MADAME
'fOnly they we're prevented"
'Indcedl How was thatl'
"Why, you see, sir, he stopped at our
house, Just for n drink of water, and
while he was standing by the well, the
Rangers"
"aangers"
eyes, sir; the Texas cavalry-thoy
came across the hill just then. He
started to run this way, but-but-"
"Well"
The girl looked down moment. col
ored. raised her head, and then said
rapidly:
81 told him he would never get there
alive. / said. they were hundred to
one, and he'd surely be killed I'm a
true Southern woman, sir; my father is
Captain Grayson, Of the artillery bat
talon, but don't believe murder is war.
So made him come into the house He
declared he wouldn't; death was moth
ing to duty. But / made him come in. 4"
'Indeedl What arguments did you
use, may ask7"
Again the girl looked down and col
ored deeply. Some of the young officers
began TO exchange winks.
''He declared he wouldn't" the girl
resumed, "but made him. He strug-
glcd with all his might, but
81 beg your pardon for interrupting, 3"
said the Major, biting his lip, "but-he
escaped, thenF
"Yes, sir, but not second too soon.
l hadn't more than got him into the
hogshcad- 49,"
"Hogsheadi"
Eyes, sir, big sugar hogshead, 10
the cellar, that we had meant TO keep
sweet potatoes in-when two OF the
Rangers came in the front door. They
said they'd seen q Yankee at the well.
IN faHl a. fyfH L. 4
seen them. and made dash for his own
lines. He really did you know, for
step or two, when
"Whcn you warned him OF his dan
GER"
eyes. sir. Well, they took my word,
when 1 told them who my father was,
and they went away
"Ahl Where are the Rangers nowlr
"They went back-I don't know
where hours ago"
"And caught him as they went7"
")h, no, sir. they couldn't. But he
was in a dreadful excitement. He said
ho had no right 70 be outside the lines
he could be court-martialei for it. and
sgraccd, and maybe shot, IL things
went wrong in the fight. lie went on so
that ] wouldn't listen to him, and i was
afraid some Of the Rangers might come
back aud hear him, so / wouldn't stay
and listen to him."
"But why didn't he return after they
rotiredP
"Because he conldn't, sir. I wouldn't
let him j didn't want him 10 be court
mariialed aud shot, and all Of those
dreadful things, 80 / thought Sc would
be only right to come aud tell you It
wasn't his fault
"The enemy has been gone FOR several
hours, said the Major, turning with
suspicious look to MS. 'J'm afraid there's
some ruse in this" Then ne turned
again to the girl and stcrnly said:
young woman, 10 your story is true, he
should have returned by this time. lie
knows he has nothing Co fear, and there
is nothing to prevent him coming back.
If he knows the enemy have disap
pcared."
'Oh, yes, there is, cir; thero'sa cover
to the hsgshoad and a.padlOck beside"
"Oh--h-hl' said the Major. with
many infections Giles your prisoner,
is hei But, heavens, madame, IL bel has
been locked IN q hogshcad an this time.
he's probable sudocatod. COnfound --"
'Oh, no, said the girl with an assur.
ing smile There's q big bung hole to
the ho0shcnd, and I know he has sense
enough to breathe through 81, because