The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1888-02-09
EVENLY MATCHED.
One Of the Queer Things That Hap
pened in War Times.

The right wing Of Sherman's army was
only few miles from Blue Rock, a mount
ain village In North Georgia.
The simple villagers felt little alarm.
Blue Rock was a point Of no strategic i'm
| pOrtance 10 either the Federals or the Con-
| federatss
One fine morning in the early spring
John Dickson started out from the little
hamlet TO visit his farm, only a mile or
two distant. Dickson was q Young man,
but a chronic lameness had secured his ex-
emptiOn from mhIta.y service, and as be
had a wife aud two children entirely de-
/ pendent upon him, he regarded his disa-
biiity as a blessing.
still, he was a strong Confederate, and
on this particular morning. u lie be was
limping slowly alons the rodgh country
road, he paused mcre ihsg once 70 listen
with a fruwn nx face 10 the sullen boom
/ Of Sher'n}n'> guns. several ail IS away.
Il am mt able 10 io much nShting," he
mnttered: 81 1t 4 ii.--v come e. Blue Rock
and cut mp any Of their dsviit-y I'il kill
some Of them ID l have to de foi it,"
He meant what .g 7a,d. This quiet
young farmer had plenty 81 grit when be
was put 20 the test.
Tho walk tired him. and he eft the road
ami stretched himself in Grassy place
under the shade Of a sturdy old oak.
He threw himself on his back and
closed his ewes for a moment. Then be
looked up INTO the green foliage above
him.
A queer expression Fitted over bis face,
but his gaze remained fixed upon one
point.
In a careless way be- raised his hand 70
his face. and strokrl bis mustache. Then
the hand wandered down over his vest
toying with esch baton. At last Il slipped
downward 20 a h.p pocket, and reap
peared AS qu.cS o. Hash Of lightning,
this time with pistol aimed upward.
'Now, you come dnsn," said Dickson
grufiy.
"Ha ha" laughed fne on. up In the
tree. You have found me. have yuuy"
The lauah surprised aud irflratrd Dick
son. His keen ewes bad discovered q fell
low in a blue uniform sitting On one OF the
topmost limbs Of the tree. IL had flashed
into bis head that II would he an easy
matter TO capture him, and march him in
70 Blue Rock. And now the rascal was
laughing at him,
you'll grin on the wrong side Of your
mouth prery soon.n said Dickson. Il mean
business. Don't YOU know that you are
my prisoner"
ave ell, nj" was tie cool reply. Il hadn't
thought Of Il in that light. In fact, was
under the impression that you were my
prisoner, AMI / was wondering how 70 dis
pose Of you"
"Confound you!" reared the young
farmer. ''lf you don't come down at ones,
I'll shOotP
-See here, my friend" answered the
soldier, you don't understand the stu
alton.
20. don't :" snortsd Dickson.
"No, where are your eyes. Take a good
look. but don't move"
Thus appealed 20. Dickson allowed his
eyes to run over the soldiers entire figure.
He gave a start Of surprise The Federal
held in his right hand a revolver aimed a.
the man on the ground.
81 have hsd You covered ever since you
came here" said the man in the tree.
"And what do you think Of doingf" /
asked Dickson in q tantalizing way.
81 am going % shoot IL yOu try 10 get /
up, OF IL You cock your pistol was the |
response; ''hut expect 70 persuade you 70
drop your weapon and 20 OF 10 the top Of /
that hill yonder."
"YOu are a fool - shouted Dickson.
'iDon't you know that some body from /
town will come along som and help me
capture yous1
Sand don't YOU know" replied the
other. ''thnt some of or cavalry are com
ing this way, and may be here any mo-
mentsn
Dickson studied the face above him. It
was q dark. clear-cuf, handsome face,
very youthful and pleasant IN ifs express
sion.
"Why, you are a box, amt voa.'' was
bis next question, a. he took in the 1.-the,
EillOuy form.
"Never mind what am: ny Captain Il
with me. and that + enough"
@YOu bad better drop your pistol and
come down. IN se- that you are treated
we'll"
Thanks. Hadn't Won bett-r Law down
your weapon and march over that hill,
and 60 home 20 your y lie and children. II
you have anvs am not particularly
anxious 20 have our boys come along aud
capture Won"
The frank ard fearless EYES locking into
Dicksonis bad a kind loek. aud the angry
farmer found that his wrath was gradual
" melting. After all. he thought, there
= Nutu = hNttH -tNi1 ~ esp ai ii-- AAia Ivy I
soldier, Aud then the fellows story might
Be true. Il the Federais were coming IN
hat direction Il was time for good Con-
lederates % hide ont.
fWbat are you doing here, anyhow" be
,sked.
Il slipped IN Bius Rock last night, % vas
he ansSer, Iand some OF your people
.hased me out. Ny horse was shot, aud I Z
"a n fnEa 70 fha unnlE 1 e1fruhnf m
lsrs % Be safe until cur cavalry cans
ll0nR.n
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