Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1889-05-09

more bitter. During one OF these pain
fully depressing times il was evident a
traitor had place in our councils, for
every important move was made known
to the enemy. Gen. Rosecrsns issued
the order that spies we're to be tried
and shot without delay. Excitement
ran high and a spy had small chance
for his life. Chaplain W was
summoned one morning to visit the
guard house. at the request of a pris.
oner who had been brought in during
the night and condemned as a spy at
early morning roll call. He had been
discovered skulking around the camp,
and when taken had asked to be re-
ported at headquarters Immediately.
Upon learning that Gen. Rosecrans
was twenty miles away he seemed dis
turbed and disquieted, but only insist.
ed on reaching him by some way or
means. And finally begged for the
chaplaln's presence.
Chaplain w went as requested,
and found che prisoner, man of
splendid physique, with face bearing
unmistakable marks of thought and
cultivation. Being questioned, the
prisoner said: i am Union soldier.
| am scouting, but not for the rebs. /
have information that must 60 to Gen.
Geary Immediately. thought l had
struck headquarters; that's how came
to be caught. If those fools shoot me
to-day promise to see Gen. Geary and
repeat the words, will you, chaplain?'
Refusing to tax about subjects that
would naturally interest a man con-
demned, the prisoner earnestly implor-
ed the chaplain to carry his message.
After promising to take the long ride
to headquarters and to see Geary with
in three hours, the prisoner repeated
over softly few words that sounded
to the listening chaplain like an un-
meaning jumble of words.
Then pausing moment, the soldier
bowed his head, and his voice trembled
as he repeated message for his moth
,er, to be delivered to this address,
slipping his hand inside the old gray
blouse and bringing out package
wrapped in worn paper. AS he fun
bled for a paper and pencil, in his
agitation the package fell to the floor,
and STOPPING to restore it the wrapper
fell away, and in the chaplain's fingers
lay long braid of soft brown hair and
slip of paper with queer childish
written pledge, and three names be-
meath it.
White as death grew the chaplain s
face, and with a queer choking in his
throat he stammered out: Where in
heavens name did you get this? caress,
ing the clinging tress the moisture
dimming the gray eyes so like the ones
that had shown upon the prisoner on q
sunny September day in Ohio. who
are you, manT
That's my name, chaplain; and this,
touching with tender motion the
braided hair, belonged to the wee
maid whose name is written there.
She gave it to me on my way to the
front two years ago. guess you may
know the other name
The proud head Of the chaplain
bowed low and tremor passed over
his stern face and his voice quivered
as he half whispered: MY little Mary,
my precious little daughter and with
uncertain fingers drew out from his
inside pocket the mate to the prisoners
treasured braid. Speaking rapidly,
after the story had been told in q few
words, the soldier said: i have al
ways kept it, chaplain. Many a time
when it was bitter cold and the can
teen passed around I could just see
that earnest little face and the child
hand writing so carefully her name.
I never forgot it, sir. If they shoot
me to-day, send it to my mother, will
YOU?
The chaplain was stirred, and visit
ing the officers interested, he argued
with them, telling them the story of
the pledge and the twin braids, petit
tioning that the man might be kept we'll
guarded until Gen. Geary could be
communicated with. The strange, pa.
thetic story, eloquently told, won the
day. AS soon as Geary could be
reached the prisoners discharge was
ordered immeditely, as he proved
to be one of the most valued men in
the secret service, and was then in
possession of news of the greatest i'm
portalce to our leaders.
Years drffted past, the war was
over and Cen. Geary was Governor of
Pennsylvania. invitations had been
sent out through the quaint old Dutch
city, calling those of the governors
immediate circle to meet q valued
friend before his departure to take .
position as American consul in for.
eign land. One of the guests, slender
young thing, remarkable only for a
pair Of wonderful gray eyes, had just
been introduced to, the grave, fine
looking gentleman who stood near the
governQrss wife, when supper was an
nounced 1t was such an informal
evening that the quests were urouDed