The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-01-28
prison fare had made me weaker than, in
The first snrrt [ had realized

prison fare had made me weaker than, in
the first squirt, | had realized.
"HaltW came within fifty feet of me, and
a pistol-ball vvhistled through my hair and
took off my hat. At the same moment a
cracking sound came from under my feet.
l staggered, urched violently 80 one side,
then lost my balance and rolled over and
over on the yielding ice.
"'All is over now thought; for felt
too utterly exhausted even to attempt to
rise But, just as all hope forsook me, a
loud crash aroused me, and l turned nv
head just in time to see my pursuer 60
down in the treacherous chasm in which |
had been so nearly engulfed. Then / knew
that | was saved; and with suddenly re-
newed strength l got to my feet again and
made off / continued for a half-mile
further up. and then made straight for the
shore. There | unstrapped my skates and
took refuge in deep thicket, and in few
minutes was in profound sleep.
81 wonder, now, that had not frozen to
death; and had not the weather moderated
greatly in the last few hours, l am sure |
would have done so. When / finally woke,
! was stiff with cold, and ached from head
to foot"
Here Mr.. SHINES paused, and gave a
retrospective SILVER as he leaned over the
fire.
"And what became of the poor fellow
who went under the ices" asked Mr. Har-
court.
drowned, suppose; / hoped so at the
time, at any rate. never saw him again.
Well, that is the last time l sl1ated," con.
tinued Mr.. SHINES, rising, and standing
with his back comfortably tuH&d' to the
fire. "rve never had hsleassVfaneY FL
the exercise sinte.r
But pray continue your narrative"
said Mr.. Harcourt as he rose and stood on
the rug beside his friend. 81 can't bear
to think of you in that thlcket with frozen
limbs and aching bones"
"Haven't l bored you enough already9
You know only promised to tell you my
last experience on tho skates"
Indeed, have an intense curiosity to
know how you got along afterwards"
Mr.. SHINES resumed his seat, and con-
tinued: "When | awoke it was almost sun
set ! was in dense wood, with no sign
Of habitatlon within sight. That should
find food and shelter for the night was i'm
peratively necessary; so l slowly got to my
feet and looked around. There seemed to
DE no outlet, not even cow-path. / com
menced my journey inland, however, max
ing my way through the thick underbrush
and over frozen streams, till, finally, after
an hours weary walking, l came across a
little path, This | followed for some time
when, at sudden bend, saw, few rods
before me, comfortable farm house, lights
cleaning from the windows, and general
air of hospitality pervading the whole
premises.
~ approached with considerable trepida-
non, for judged that my forlorn, bare
headed appearance would be decidedly
against me. My timid knock at the door
was answered by young girl, whom /
bought the most beautiful creature had
ever behold, having been thrown for so
many months into the society of rough men
only. In the most graceful manner that
was possible under the circumstances, i
begged for nights lodging, saying had
lost my way. The young lady questioned
me closely, and l suppose l must have made
some very inconsistent statements; for at
length, to my surprise and dismay, she
said: You are an escaped prisoner, are
you notY
II was speechIess, and could only look
at her beseechingly, She laughed heartily,
but, in moment, said gravely: DON'T be
afraid, will help you; but father mustn't
know it, for the world. Come imp and l
followed her into cozy sitting room, where
an elderly lady was preparing q table for
suReesr,, JrSSsi'g introRnce p eggs H.. Sother,
and, after telling who ] was, between them
they hastily devised means for secreting
me for the night
GAS the man of the house was expected
at any moment, was conducted to little
room somewhat apart from the rest of the
house. Here this angel-girl brought me my
supper. You must be off by daylight she
said, but will see you again.
at was hardly dawn when tapping at
my window reused me. After hastily dress.
ing came out Would you believe me
there stood my lovely hostess with bun
die IN her hand, and horse, saddled and
bridled, beside her.
You must be right off, she said. Here
are some things you might need, and
money! thrusting purse into my hand.
And this horse is my very own. You must
take him, and may return him ''when this
cruel war is over"
''She hardly gave me time to thank her
was overwhelmed by her kindness, as
you may imagine
81 will most certainly return l said,
pressing her hand. Then she gave me di-
rcctions as to my course and / departed.
sit would be more tedious than interest
ing to tell how, after long journey across
the State of Ohio, finally crossed the river
and reached my Kentucky home. From
exposure and long Imprisonment, I fell
very ill., When / was at last able to report
for duty again, the fortunes Of the Con-
federacy were about decided. News Of the
surrender at Appomattox reached US just
as was planning way to join General
Lees army.n Here the narrator ceased.
my dear fellow" said Mr. Harcourt,
II am heartily glad to hear of the success
full termination of your adventure. l have
always had quite a curiosity as to your
ultimate fate"
"AlwaysP' Mr.. SHINES looked up in
quirlugly.
Mr.. Harcourt INDUCED In long, low
chuckle. Eyes, ever since l came out OF
the icy bath got on your account You
don't recognize the officer who pursued yov
to the bitter end,' and | tell you it was
bitter cold under that ice. Well, of course
twenty years does make difference"
Mr. SHINES looked blanSly in his com.
panon's face. "Whatl" he gasped. "Youi
You don't say so!-and you weren't
drowned after all?''
mo, but came pretty near it. If some
of the men hadn't seen me go under, and
come up as quickly as they did, ! would not
now have had the pleasure of listening tc
your interesting story and congratulatlna