The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1888-06-22
HIS SECRET.
How I Forced 1t Out of Him at
the Cannons Mouth.

How I Forced 1t Out of Him at
the Cannons Mouth.
They said it was a forced march.
First, some soldiers on horseback went
tearing by with q terrible clatter,
leaving a cloud of dust behind them,
then it was all quiet for an hour. l
heard 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 to see what they
looked like before those in front had
passed. They didn't march like SOL
diers [ had seen in the city on gala
day, when | was a little girl; they hur-
ried along, each man walking as he
liked. | wondered how they could 60
so fast, they were loaded down so.
They carried great heavy knapsacks
and blankets, and tin pans and cam
teens, besides their muskets. They
looked more as if they were going to
set up housekeeping than to war.
While / was leaning on the window
sill, looking out and watching them, |
saw a young officer ride into the yard,
just as if he belonged to the place-or,
rather, as if the place belonged to him
and back toward the barn. Two SOL
diers rode close behind him, and they
got down off their horses and went in
to the ban. | thought at once they
were after our horses. My pony was
there, and [ made up my mind they
shouldn't take him without walking
over my dead body. l ran downstairs
and out to the barn. If | had been
making a forced march myself |
couldn't have gone faster. Before !
got there they had two horses out,
and were Harvesting them to the farm
wagon. | marched straight up to the
officer and asked him what he was do
ing.
He was % trihe startled at seeing
girl standing before him, looking as if
she intended to make resistance.
"We're pressing all the horses and
wagons we find along the road" he
said.
What do you mean by pressing
themP"
We're pressing them into the serv-
ioe.n
What for?"
To carry the mems knapsacks.
They can march faster"
" Do you think it makes it any more
respectable to call it 'preSsing?"
The officers face was flushed. T.
thought it was because hewa ashamed
of his work; but soon noticed that he
was in burning fever.
" You shan't take my pony, any
way | cried, going to man who was
leading him out of the barn, and seiz-
ing the halter.
Never mind that horse" said the
otficeri "it's only a pony. Take it
back into the stable"
The man obeyed at once They har-
messed two horses to the wagon, and
led the team into the road. As the SOL
diers marched past it they threw
their knapsaclSs on the wagon, and it
was soon loaded, and one of the ne
groes drove it away.
just then on officer came along with
q number of other officers and train
of horsmen following him. I noticed
that he had stars on his shoulders, and
wore a straight sword instead of
crooked one like the rest.
"Captain?' he said, looking at the
officer who had taken our horses and
wagon, you'd better not try to go any
farther"
Il can go on, General. It's only in
termittent."
The General cut hi1a short with:
"Stop whore you are." He spoke so
sharp that thought he was going to
bite the Captains head off. wished
the Captain had the courage to answer
him, but hadn't, The General and
those who were with him rode on, leav-
ing the sick man sitting on his horse
looking after them, to take care of him
self as best he could. / noticed he wore
the same ornament on his cap as those
about the General--a wreath-and con-
cluded he was one of them
There was an interval in the passing
regiments, and no one was near but the
Captain and me.
"What are you going to doP" Iasked
him.
was sitting on the fence, with nv
feet dangling. 1t wasn't very grace
full position, but l was only country
girl then, and didn't know any better
81 don't know" he said, YEARLY;
~ suppose l must ride back to N.
There's a hospital there
If he hadn't been Yankee and a
robber, or a presser, which is the same
thing I'd have asked him to come into
the house at once, he looked so sick.
Aren't you ashamed of yourself, II
said, "to take horses that don't belong
TO youPn
He did look ashamed. "It isn't a
pleasant business he said. YOU'D
better get that pony of yours out of the
way; there'll be more troops along here
by and by"
When he said this his voice sounded
SO pleasant, and he looked so sick, that
made up my mind to ask him in.
But couldn't bring myself to speak