Wichita eagle., 1888-04-29

letter from her surviving boy, telling OF
the older brothers death and the younger
ones imprisonment. She read the letter
many times, and as the tears rolled down
her sunken cheeks, she fell on her knees
and thanked God that one son at least
had been spared TO her. A sudden reso-
luton possessed her She would leave
the little home in the cove and 60 away
70 the moth. She would 90 to Fort Della
ware, and they would not refuse 10 let
mother see her son-even n Confederate
mother. Once she had looked upon his
face again she would have courage TO
wait for his release.
Travelling was slow. Weeks passed be-
fore she was enabled to get through the
opposing lines and into Washington. AT
last. dying from want, sorrow and fatigue,
she stood in the commandments room at
Fort Delaware With written permission
10 see and speak with the boy she loved
SO well.
They tell sad stories of Fort Delaware
prison OF the north. I don't like TO be-
lieve it. Neither do you. They say that
after certain engagement the northern
generals accused the Confederates OF out
rageous cruelty, and in retaliation score
fort and ANONYMOUSLY hanged. Perhaps
they are mistaken. and that there were
better grounds for hanging than that.
BY some means rumor had gained
credence in the prisoners barracks that
something of the kind WAS TO take place,
while the impression prevailed that special
vengeance was 10 be melted out TO the sol
diers of Alabama, because of alleged out
RACES committed by regiments from that
state. Young Rogers was not coward,
but he had no desire TO meet so unsol-
derry a death. With that inventive
genius which develops so rapidly among
those held in confinement, the prisoners
in Rogers gang dug out the stone work
and earth under one Of the banks, and
thus secured. not only comparatively
safe hiding place for pilfered provisions.
but also for one or more Of their number
when occasion demanded that they should
keep under cover for a time.
The rumor that retaliatory measures
were in order struck CONSERVATION 10
many a brave heart, and when, for any
reason, a Federal orderly came 10 the pris-
oners' barracks and called the name OF n
johnny Reb," there was a general feel
ing of misgiving, and an effort made,
when possible, To discover for what pur-
pose the prisoner was wanted before
answering TO his name So that when
one day the barracks were excited 10 a
fever point by the calling Uf a dozen
names or more. and the name Of "Joe
Rogers rang with startling distinctness
in the ears of that young Alahamian, he
did not wait 10 be seen, but hnrriedly
crawled into the grub hole, and held
his breath for fear OF discovery and the
consequences that would follow. Three
times the orderly called;
''Joe Rogers Joe Rogers Joe Rogersv'
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 went away. and on the records
it was written that Joe Rogers had been
transferred-as even the officers thought
to be hanged.
A sad look came into the face of the
commanding officer when the white haired
woman gave him the slip of paper that
TO her meant so much.
Rogers is not here now" be said,
finally.
She looked at him, dazed by the intelli-
gence.
"Not-heres"
''No; he has been transferred
"Wherey"
The officer had heart.
'I-I do not know" he said He could
not tell that sad eyed woman what he be-
lieved TO be the truth.
But he could not deceive her.
''He is deadr' she cried, wildly, and
lettering forward she clasped her hands
across her breast and sank into a chair.
my poor boy" she sobbed 81 loved
you so, and yet was too later
The parched lids closed over the sad
gray eyes: the tired head fell forwards;
the nervous fingers relaxed their hold.
Come" said the officer, kindly; ''you
must go now. cannot permit you 70 re-
main here
There was no answer.
Il am waiting"- he began, and then
he paused abruptly. Something strange
in her appearance startled him, and ho
stopped down and peered into her face.
AS he did so tears cams into hts eyes.
The sweet faced mother would never see
the valley Of the Tennessee again.
She was dead
News flies In jails as IL flies elsewhere
In his hiding place that night young
Rogers was told the story Of his mothers
death. Strong man though he was, the
shock WAS almost more than be could
bear, and he grieved bitterly at the
thought that, even dead, he might not
look upon her face. But he was glad for
one thing. There were kind hearts among
the boys in blue. and they took the body
Of the dead mother across 70 New Castle,
and there In the old church yard rever-
emily laid TITO rest
Rogers managed 70 escape detection fer
the few weeks remaining before the close
OF the war. After the surrender he was
liberated and returned 10 Alabama.
There he lives and there met him. He
told me this story, and repeat IL because
it comesSo near home. IL interested me.
] think IL will you. -Philadelphia News
Victims of Monte Carlo.
The Monte Carlo people viii do an yth'ng
70 avoid a scautal Az rfle tEls il The