The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1888-06-29
HIS SECRET.
How Forced It Out OF Him ct
the Cannon's Mouth

How Forced It Out OF Him at
the Cannon's Mouth
They said Il was forced march.
First. some soldiers on horseback went
tearing by with q terrible clatter.
leaving cloud Of dust behind them.
then II was all quiet for an hour.
heard a tramping. and looking up TO
the crest Of rising ground in the north.
saw the road packed with soldiers on
foot. They came quickly up. and ]
scarcely had time 70 see what they
looked like before those In front had
passed. They didn't march like sol
diers had seen in the city on galf-
day. when was a little girl; they hur-
ried along. each man walking AS he
liked. I wondered how they could 60
50 fast they were loaded down 50.
They carried great heavy knapsacks
and blankets. and tin pans and can
teens. besides their muskets. They
boxed more as IL they were going 70
sup housekeeping than to war.
While was leaning on the window
sill. looking out and watching them,
ssw : young o6icer ride into the yard.
just - II he belonged 20 the place
rather. as II the place belonged 20 him
and back toward the barn. Two SOL
diers rode close behind him, and they
got down on their horses and went in
70 the barn. ! thought At once they
were after our horses. My pony wa
there. and / made up my mind they
shouldn't take him without walking
over my dead body. ran down-stair'
end out to the barn. II ! had beer
usking a forced march myself
culdn't have gone faster. Before
cot there they had two horses out
and were Harvesting them TO the farm
wagon. marched straight up TO tn
Officer and asked him what he was do
ing.
He was tribe startled At seeing
girl standing before him, looking a.
she intended to make resistance.
Were pressing all the horses an
wagons We find along the road, p
said.
What do You mean BY pressin
them?-
We're pressing them into the scrs
icc.''
what forP"
Ito carry the mems knapsack'
They can march faster"
DO you think il makes II any NOR
respectable to call Il 'pressing7"
The officers face was flushed.
thought II was because he was ashame
Of his work; but soon noticed that b
was in burning fever.
You ahan't take my pony. an!
way" cried, going 70 man who va
leading him out Of the barn, and sci
Ing the halter.
Never mind that horse" said q
officer; Its only pony. Take
back into he stable"
The man obeyed q once. They b.
messed two horses 70 the wagon, ~
led the team into the road. AZ the q
diers marched past Il they thrc
their knapsaclrs on the wagon. and
va soon loaded. and one Of the a
grOes drove Il away.
Just then IN 0ficer came along WI
number Of other officers and tn
Of horsmen following him. motto
that he he'd stars on his shoulders, q
wore : straight sword instead Of
crooked one like the rest.
"Captain!" he said, looking q I
oflicer who had taken our horses .
wagon. YOU'D better not try 70 60 =
farther"
~ can 90 On, General. It's only
termittcnt."
The General cut him short VII
''Stop where you are" He spoke
sharp that / thought he va going
bite The Captains head on. I wish
the Captain had the courage 70 answ
him, but hadn't The General :
those who were with him rode on, LEI
Ing The sick man sitting on his hoI
looking after them, 70 take care Of hi
ell - bost he could. ! noticed he "
ne same ornament On his cap e ~