Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-12-05
CAMPFIRE STORIES.
FEEDING THE ENEMY.
ATorgan's Raiders Enjoy a Meal Prepar'
for the Tova in ERIue

were ralded by John Morgan's guerrll-
las, who gathered as they went good
horses and mules for army use. Nearly
every able-bodied young man was at the
front IN the Union army; consequently
those left at home, unused to war or
raids, were wildly excited when Nor
gan's raid was begun.
On public road very much travelled,
in an old weather-beaten house which
had since the year 1900 stood the wear
of time, three members of a patriotic
family bravely ''kept things moving
on" though the '+mainstays" had gone
into the Union army at the first call.
''Grandpa" Drummond, though eighty
years old, managed the farm and di-
rected the hired men, while Aunt Piety
cooked and served to the passing travel
ers such good meals that they made it a
point to try to reach the Drummond
house to srend the night when on their
way to or from the city. Rob Drummond,
a ten-year-old lad, was hands and feet
for the household.
The horses we're Rob's especial pride,
and he had no idea of allowing Dolly
Warden, Snip and Serb to join the Nor
gan guerrillas. 'Mother," he cried upon
the day the guerrillas were expected,
edo you think the raiders will want old
Dolly and dear, good Snip?"
''Of course they'll take 'cm, an likely
leave their WORKOUT scrubs here" re-
turned Aunt Piety, wishing in her heart
that Joshua were home.
Rob" said the help, a bouncing girl,
don't you fret, Morgan won't want a
horse that's on this place"
why don't he, Orvilly?" inquired
Rob.
Because raiders don't want fat,
lazy critters sech as Dolly Warden; they
need fast travelin' beasts, replied Or
Willy.
''Orvilly, you don't know good boss
when you see one. I'm gOin' to hide 'em
in the woods, retorted Rob.
Yes, hide 'em, then hurry back and
help me wait on the home guards.
They'll be here soon. We must give
them the very best dinner we can get
for Them said Aunt Pioty.
BY ten o'clock long table was we'll
laden with a bountiful dinner, and
grandpa stood at the front gate peering
up and down the road for glimpse
of the home guards, who were latter
Morgan"
Rob had his four horses pretty well on
the way to the woods pasture, when
three horsemen in plain clothes rode up
behind him, asking IF there had been
any soldiers about that morning"
GGNn not l,,1E +ha1r,l1 ho bora cooy,
Our folks are gettin' dinner for the home
Tuards. They'll settle the guerrillas. I'm
taking the bosses to the woods to hide
'em. 1 couldn't bear to have poor old
Dolly Warden have hard time. Idon't
tEi=k Dolly would like to be an army
horse" said Rob, confdingly.
mo, don't think she would like to
join the army. Why do you think Nor
gan a thief" inquired one of the
men.
"Why-he-he-last night he burned
a depot an railroad bridge. We saw
the light from the high hill yonder.
I'm not afraid now that you've come.
Just 60 to the house. Grandpa has feed
for your horses, an mother is getting
dinner. She says nothin' is too nice for
our home guards" said Bob.
Had he seen them Rob would not
have understood the sly winks or the
expressive Good enough" uttered by
the men, who did ride on to the Drum
mond house, where silvery-haired old
grandpa in his homespun suit of blue
jeans stood at the gate with friendly
hand-grasp for each man. Soon new
Corners dropped in, and by noon there
were fifty men lying upon the green
grass, under the big trees, eating the
good things so freely served to them by
Grandpa. Aunt Piety and Orvilly. Bas-
Eets of grapes. plums and peaches were
''hanGod around" and in the pasture
the tired and hungry horses rested and
Toasted.
Rob, after his return, was industri-
ously making the acquaintance of the
men, telling them all he knew of the
raid"
''Bub, how do you think Morgan and
his men will come? With brass band
and waving banner?" inquired plain,
middle-aged man.
'Ah-men-we'd better be moving"
said another. A shrill whistle sounded,
there was a rush for the horses, and
without any adieu to their entertainers
the quests" were galloping west
ward.
"Why-why-!'' stammered grandpa.
''The guerrillas are coming an tho
home guards have gone. Oh. come! let's
rum screamed Rob.
Run? Never! I'll leave that for the
rowardly guards!'' Numbered grandpa,
grasping tightly his cane and going to
the gate We'll not run. Who'd ha'
thought those guards would have showed
ouch cowardice!''
Rob hid his face in tho ample check
apron Aunt Piety wore, while Grandpa
Drummond received coldly the supposed
leader of the guerrillas.
"Look up, RobI'' called Orvilly; ''can't
you see that they are the blue-coats?"
"Blue-coats? Who-who-who were
the men We have just fed?" inquired be-
wildered grandpa, scarcely able to be-
lieve that he had warmly welcomed the
guerrillas and Toasted them royalty.
''We have no dinner to offer you, lads,
as we've given it all to the raiders. I'm
angry with myself for making such
mistake. Like Rob, expected to see
the banners and plumes. All, the request
They were civil, and no doubt laughed
in their sleeve when we tried to make
their short stay an agreeable one. Rob,
what will our soldier boys think when
they learn that we have Toasted the
enemy?" said grandpa, sadly.
Grandpa" returned Rob, ''you read