Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-05-30

woman, relying, it seemed, on her own pres
ence by the road, had not asked for protec-
ton, and her conduct had left no room for
suspicion that she might be friendly with the
enemy. Secession women invariably stayed
indoors when bluecoats were about
Twilight came on; the army continued its
tramp. The guards began to wonder if they
were to be kept at this station all night, when
the shutting, stumbling form of a negro was
seen in the lane. Now for news thought the
guard, for the negroes were the unfailing
sources of local knowledge, and it was often
good news to the soldiers to know what river
or road their camp was on, or even the names
OF farmers and planters round about When
the negro neared the gate he stopped, cap In
hand, and eyed the soldier pacing with his
gun. The sergeant called him to come on,
but he stood in his tracks and stammered the
words ''Y-y-oung miss sent meln The guard
halted. Andres drew near. "Young miss
sent me to say, Please come to de house,"
who is your young miss, Sambo?"
'She named Miss Enwood, sab. Ole miss
she named Ellwood, too, sab. But Use no
Sambo. Use named Patrick Henry, sab.
"Patrick Henry Ellwood of coursel"
''Oh, no, mars. Use no Ellwood, sab.
belong to Mistah Mars Seyton.n
"Wh';sS your masterr said Andres,
sharply
My us, sah' Ole mars dead, sab.
Young mars done gone Dunno, sab, whah
he done gone, sah."
Andres knew that he could not get full de-
tails from a negro at once and as there were
no white men on the place he shouldered his
musket and went to extend his acquaintance
at Ellwood farm
"Ole Miss" he learned on tie way was
head mistress, and had been twice widowed
The last master, Col Ellwood, had been
killed in the Confederate army. A son of
the first master, Capt. Seyton, was now in
that army, and still another son, owner, as
laws had said, of Patrick Henry and one or
two. more on the place, was wanderer
Mars Elwood and my Mars Edward nevvy
could get on together" the old man said sad
ly. "Young Miss" Evadne called Eva by
the negroes, was an Ellwood, having been a
minor when she received a step father
The lane opened into wide lawn, with a
garden and yard and path ran from the
track to a side door. AS he passed the front
of the house-an old style, cross shaped man.
sion-Andros saw that rough bars were nailed
over doors and windows, giving a very de-
serted look. The back part was open and the
negro went to the doorway of room between
the parlor and kitchen. Now the heroine of
the occasion stepped out on the porch, and
by simple nod and gesture, showed the sol
der seat by the door. Andres saluting,
said, mo, miss, am on duty. How can
serve your He spoke with studied GOODNESS.
Without confusion change of color, the
other said, You are certainly welcome. l
sent to you because wish to know if there
r,usf no n orrtard hare M tho Iapaf
"N-no, maam, no must about it unless
you wish. May / ask whyf' She thought
moment and finally said: There is no objec-
ton to a guard, yet it might be unpleasant"
The speaker was a type of fair haired, can
did womanhood, a winner of notice rather
by her manner than by physical beauty, with
which, however, she was richly endowed.
She was earnest, and inclined now to be con-
fdential, and continues: 81 regret you can
not rest yourself here tmotioning to the broad
seat; you soldiers seem to be always in mo-
ton, and have something to tell you"
There were no white people In sight except
ing the fragile young woman, but from win
dows and doors and the corners of houses and
sheds, the shining faces of the slaves peered
out curiously. Andres was assured by this
that no enemies lurked at hand or the n
groes would be in hiding. He sat down and
Miss Ellwood drew chair in front as
though to screen him from prying eyes, and
said: ~ beg q favor, and that of you person
ally. 1t is too trifling, too selfish a matter to
take to your generals, busy with other caresn
Such franlness was itself winning, and An
dros answered: 81 shall serve you if l can
and do my duty"
"You can be true to duty" she said. 81
have a friend, a near friend, in your army
whom wish to have come here, tonight, If
possible, or the next night, and, it may be,
afterward"
Andres arose, nervously, but the other, not
noticing his mood, continued ''There is
family secret ut the bottom of this and can
go no farther now; but can summon him
through our people, If you viii direct them
to his camp, and let him come and go-yes,
you shall come WtiA Inn If that will answer
duty better"
He was all soldier now, and searching the
face before him, said, brusquely, sin what
regiment does your friend served"
1.-THE - Pennsylvania.
"In keep your secret, and IL can-that is,
II my men stay on at the road, will let you
meet at least on my post, but promise moth
ing beyond that"
With touch Of his cap he drew his gun to
MS shoulder and hurried TO his post. When
it was fully dark the old negro came sham
bling along again, negro lad holding Ian
tern in front Of him. Andres directed them
to the camp of the - Pennsylvania, and
then repeated the orders to his men to allow
no one to pass between the house and the
army lines. There was danger in Andres
course, for he had fairly taken it on himself
to guard the farm from rascally camp prowl-
ers, and also taken risks on the exposure of
army secrets by allowing intercourse Of citi-
zens with soldiers. But he believed that the
woman was true and that harsh rules might
be evaded in rare cases.
Some time after the camps had become
quiet, the negro and the boy came across lots
beyond the road, and halted at the gate for
sign TO enter. Andres was hailed and he
opened the gate, and the old man passed on
as silent as funeral mourner. A cunning
negro knows how to be mum when some
thing dear to him Is afoot. Before midnight
the sergeant, armed, and a stranger In uni
form, but without q gun, stood at the door Of
EIlwood house. The stranger tapped softly
and when the door opened be stepped in, guild
ing the other BY touch on the arm. Thers