Wichita eagle., 1888-01-08
EVENLY MATCHED.

only q few miles rom Blue MOCK, q noun |
tain village in north Georgia.
The simple villagers felt little alarm
Blue Rock was point Of no strategic i'm |
portance to either the Fsderals or the Con-
4 federates.
One fine morning in the early spring |
John Dickson started out from the little
hamlet to visit his farm, only mile or
two distant. Dickson was a young man,
but chronic lameness had secured his
exemption from military service, and as
lie had wife and two children entirely
dependent upon him, he regarded his dis
ability as blessing.
Still. he was a strong Confederate, and
on this particular morning, while he was
| lilnping slowly along the rough country
road, he paused more than once to listen
with q frowning fnce to the sullen boom
OF Sherman's guns, several miles away.
81 am not able 10 do much fighting" he
muttered. 'sbut if they come to Blue Rock
and cut up any of their deviltry I'll kill
some of them if have 70 die for itr'
He meant what he said. This quiet
| young farmer had plenty OF grit when he
was put to the test.
! 4 The walk tired him, and he left the road
and stretched himself in grassy place
1 under the shade OF sturdy old oak.
He threw himself on his back and
| closed his eyes for q moment Then he
looked up into the green foliage above
| him.
A queer expression fitted over his face,
/ but his gaze remained fixed upon one
!. point <
In a careless way he raised his hand to
4 his face, and stroked his mustache. Then
r the hand wandered down over his vest
\ toying with each button. At last it
\ slipped downward to d hip pocket, and
d reappeared as quick al fash of light
i ming, this time with d pistol aimed up
\ ward
II Now, you come down." said Dickson
II grufly.
II s'Ha! hal" laughed some one up in the
tree. tfYou, have found me, have your
II The laugh surprised and irritated Dick
II son. His keen eyes had discovered
II fellow in blue uniform sitting on one OF
n the topIuost limbs of the tree It had
II flashed, into his head that it would be an
III easy matter to capture him, and march
II him into Blue Rock. And now the rascal
II was laughing at him
i "You'll grin on the wrong side of your
/ mouth pretty soon," said Dickson. II
mean business. Don't you know that
yon are my prisoner?"
II t'Well, no." was the cool reply. Il
hadn't thought of it jim that light. In
fact, was under the Impression that you
i were my prisoner, and was wondering
j how to dispose of you.
NJ ssConfoupd YOUR roared the young
N farmer. 'If you don't come down ut
once, I'll shoot"
vi ''See here, my friend" answered the
i soldier, s'you don't understand the situa-
:! tion." W.
d 80, don't"' snorted Dickson.
j ''No, where are your eyes3 Take good
!. look, but don't move.
Thrs appealed to, Dickson allowed his
ewes 70 run over the soldiers entire figure.
\ He gave a start of surprise. The Federal
!. { held in his right hand revolver aimed at
} the man on the ground.
i 81 have had you covered ever since you
Il came here said the man in hetree.
h "And what do you think of doingT'
J asked Dickson in ta4talizing way.
! 81 am going to shoot if you try to get
I up, or il you cock your pistol was the
4 response; "but ] expect to persuade you
|. todrop your weapon and go of to the top
!, of that hill yonder.''
y 'sYou are a fooIn' shouted Dickson.
/ ssDon't lyou know that somebody from
| town will come along soon and help me
0 capture you:"
! ''And don't you know replied the
{ other, 'tthat some of our cavalry arc com
d ing this way, and may be here any mo
/ mentF1
! Dickson studied the face above him. 4
I was dark. clear-cut, handsome face, very
i youthful and pleasant in its expression.
4 'Why, you are boy, amt your. Wa'
! his next question, as he took IN the 1.-THE
! willowy form.
I ttNeyer mind what i am; my captain i
|, satisfied with me, and that is enough;
1 "You had better drop your pistol ant
come down. I'll see fnat you are treatet
! We'll.
g ''EharKs- Hean,t you petter lay cow
:, your weapon ana lnanch oVer Snat hlii' all'
i go home TO your wife and children, # yq'
II shave any am not partcu4aFiy all fhl
/ to have our boys come along and captur
d you: ILL.
e+ The frank and fear1ess eyes !ooAlng gnu
# Dickson's had kind look, and the angr
e farmer found that bis wrath was gradu
v ally melting After ali' ne tnougnt' t9er
$ would be little glory IN capturing tnls 20
y soldier: AND tnen me leIow ssor
II might be true II the Federals were CON
n ing in that direction 1T was time LOT goo
ID Confederates TO hide put
X What are you oqlhg hefe' an now!
he asked.
i II slipped IN bine hock Iase Ilgns,
was the answer, lang some OF your Poop
ot chased me. ont MY morse was stot anu
n had to take 70 tne w2ous. l cn3nDeu
Skr 4 he n