The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1888-03-02

genius which developes so rapidly
among those held in confinement,
/ the prisoners in Rogers "SaB2"
dug out the stone work and earth
under one of the banks, and thus
secured not only a comparatively
safe hiding place for pItered pro
visions, bnt also for Que or more of
their number when OccaSnn de-
mauded that they should keep uD.
der cover for "A time.
The rumor that rctalatOry meas
ures were in order struck consterna-
ton TO many IL brave heart, and
when, for any reason, a Federal
orderly came 10 the prisoners bar
racks and called the name of u
"J0hnuy Reb," there WAS Il feeling
OF misgiving, and an effort made,
when possible. to discover for what
purpose the prisoner was wanted
before answering to his name. SO
that when one day the barracks
were excited TO II fever point by
the calling of a dozen names or
more, and the name of "Joe Rog-
els" rang with startling distinct
ness III tue ears OF that yOung Ala
bamian, he did not wait to he seen,
but hurriediy crawlel into the
"grub" hole, ana held his breath
for fear of discovery and the con
sequences that would follow. Three
times the orderly called:
"JOe Rogers! Joe Rogers! Joe
RogersW rang through the long
corridor.
Then the prisoners crowded
around, and the orderly seemed to
be unaware that Rogers had failed
to answer to his name. He vent
away, and on the records it WAS
written that Joe Rogers had been
tranSlrrred-as even the officers
thOu9ht-t0 be hanged.
A sad look came into the face of
the commanding officer when the
white haired woman gave him the
slip paper that to her meant so
much.
"Rogers is not here now,7 he said
finally.
Sue looked at him, dazed by the
intelligence.
"Not-hefe y
"No; he has been tTansferred.p
"Wherc ~
The officer had "a heart.
"I-I do not know he said. He
could not tell that sad-eyed woman
what he believed to be the truth"
But he could not deceive her.
"ue is dead y she cried wildly,
lud tottering forward, she clasped
Ter hands across her breast and
sank into chair.
"My poor boy y she sobbed. 81
owed you SO, and yet l was too
atep
The parched lids closed over the
'ad, gray eyes; tue tired head fell
OrWard; the nervous fingers re-
axtd their hold.
"Come," said tie officer kindly,
you must so now. | caunOt per {
nit you to remain here"
There was no answer.
IL am waiting" he began again,
md then he paused abruptly.
strange in her appear
nee startled him, and he stopped
Iown aud peered into her face. AS I,
Ie did SO tears came into his eyes.
he eet-flced mother would new
T see the valley OF the Tennessee !;
gain.
She was dead /.
News flies in Jail as it flies every :,
There. In his hiding place that :,
light young Rogers was told the !
tory OF his mothers death. Strong :
IAN though he was, the shock was !
lmost more than he could bear, =
nd he grievrd bitterly, as be !
hought that, even dead, he might !. !
ot look upon her face. But he :
as glad for one thing. There !,
ere kind hearts among the boys =
l blue, and they took the body of =,
he dead mother across to New !
astle, aud there, IN the old church :
ard, reverenily laid it to rest.
Rogers managed to escape detec- :
on for the few weeks remaining 7
efole the close OF the war. After a
le surrender he was liberated aud !,
,turned to Alabama. There he :,
YES aud there l met him. He !,
I'D me this story, aud l repeat it :, :,
ecanse it comes so near home. 1t "
lfaresfnh me. | think il will You.