Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1888-09-07
THE CANNON's MOUTH.

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! ing a cloud of dust behind them. then
/ it was all quiet for an hour | heard
a tramping, and looking up TO the
crest of rising ground to 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 a gala
dav. when ! was little girl; they hur-
ried along, each man walking "a he
liked. | wondered how they could 60
so fast. they were loaded down so.
They carried great heavy knapsackS
and blankets, and tin cans and can
teens, besides their muskets. They
looked more a. 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,
as if he belonged to the place-or,
rather, as if the place belonged to him
and back toward the barn. Two
soldiers rode close behind him, and
they got down off their horses and
went into the barn. thought at once
they were after our horses. My pony
was there, and made up my mind
they shouldn't take him without walk
ing over my dead body. | ran down
stairs and out to the barn. If | had
been making Il forced march myself !
couldn't have gone faster. Before |
got there they had two horses out,
and were harnessing them to the farm
wagon. marched straight up to the
officer and asked him what he was do
ing.
He was triile startled at seeing q
girl standing before him, looking as if
she intended to make n resistance.
We're pressing all the horses and
wagons we find along the road, he
said.
What do you mean by pressing
them
We're pressing them into the ser
vice"
What for?''
"To carry the mems knapsacks.
They can march much faster"
DO you think it makes it any more
respectable to call it .preSsiHg'?"
The officers face was flushed !
thoughtit was because he was 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
officer; its only 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
soldiers marched past it they threw
their knapsacks on the wagon, and it
was soon loaded and one of the ne
groe> drove it away.
Just then all officer came along with
a number of other officers and train
Of horsemen following him. / noticed
that he had stars on his shoulders,
and wore straight sword instead of
a 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 him short with.
''Stop where you are" He spoke so
sharp that thought he was going to
bite the Captains head off. | wished
the Captain had the courage to an
swer him, but he hadn't. The GeneE-
al and those who were with him rode
on. leaving the sick man sitting on his
horse looking after them, to take care
of himself as best he could. ! noticed
he wore the same ornaments on his
cap as those about the General-a
wreath-and | concluded 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 do?'' asked
him.
! was sitting on the fence, with my
feet dangling 1t wasn't very grace
ful position, but was only a country
girl then. and didn't know any better
Il don't know" he said, wearily; Il
suppose l must ride back to N.
There's hospital there"
If he hadn't been Yankee and a
robber, or ''presser, which is the
same thing, I'd have asked him TO
come into the house at once, ne looked
so sick.
Aren't you ashamed of yourself, " /
said, Ito take horses that don't be
long to your
He did look ashamed. 1T 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 forget that he was
a Yankee soldier.
Come into the house, said. sharp