Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-06-20
COMMANDER OF THE POST.

UUlYllYlHlULll vi I'LL UOIr
1t was very dnlI at Cottonboro DUR
ing the summer of '64 The village
was situated on a small river IN Florida
leading to the gulf, and it was sup
posed to be a place of some strategic
Importance. For four years a small
force of federals had been endeavoring
at odd times to capture Cottonboro,
and a small force of confederates had
succeeded in keeping them back. A
hot July sun was blazing down on
COttOnboro, and the streets were de-
serted. Here and there in some shady
nook might have been seen a few
soldiers playing cards and telling
stories, but there was no other sign of
life. Col. Melton was pacing the side
walk in front of his headquarters. He
was the commander of the post, but he
had very little to do. There was no
fighting in prospect, and it was not
necessary to keep the men under very
strict discipline. The commander of
the post surveyed the situation. He
felt the deadening iLduence of the
sultry summer heat, and gasped for
breath.
Il must take nap" he said ''there
is nothing to be done here" Just then
he saw cloud of dust in the distance,
a mile or so away. II will wait" he
remarked; "there may be trouble in
that quarter" The commander was
right. In few minutes number of
cavalrymen rode in with a captured
spy.
"Shall we hang him or try himP"
asked the leader of the party. Col.
Melton was about to give an off-hand
reply, when his eyes fell upon the face
of the prisoner. He saw handsome
youth, covered with dust, and bearing
the marks of travel and exposure.
Leave him to me-" said the colonel,
quickly. Il will question him pri-
vately."
When the prisoner was alone with
the commander of the post the latter
said: CLARA, [ penetrated your dis
guise at glance. How is it that you
are here?"
The prisoner gave captious nod,
such as only a woman could give.
John Melton" she replied, II am
sorry to look upon your hated face
again.
but you are in trouble" answered
the commander gravely, land l must
Bee you out of 1t.
81 scorn your help" cried the dis
gulsed spy. "You deserted me after
had been faithful wife for years, and
You left me to face tho world and earn
my own living. My talents found en-
ployment down this way as a spy, and
/ went into the business with full
knowledge of the consequences. You
may tell your men to take me out and
shoot me-"
Il cannot do that" replied the COM
mander, "nor can l allow you to be
tried. If you are held for trial you will
be searched by a crowd of rude
soldiers. My wife must not be sub
jected to such indignities."
''Your wifeT' sneered the spy. What
did you care for her when you ran
away from herp"
The colonel shivered and then he
looked straight into the woman's ewes.
Il had my reasons" he said, land /
have never regretted my action. l
wish you were dead, but do not pro-
pose to have hand in heaping dis
grace upon YOU"
The woman's eyes fell, but in a mo-
ment she recovered herself.
Then, John Melton, she said, II
am safe"
~ on are" answered the comman-
der of the post; mot a hair of your
head will be harmed"
He spoke with an air of authority
and the woman looked at him with a
newly kindled interest in her eyes.
John" she said softly.
''None of that" responded the col
onel. when | left you, it was for
good and all. l must get you out of
this scrape, but you must never cross
my path again"
But what are you going to doP"
asked the spy.
Leave it to me-" said the colonel.
Then he called in couple of soldiers
and told them to bind the spv's hands.
Leave his feet unbound" said the
colonel. Il am going to make the
fellow take walk with me-"
''How is that, colonel?" inquired
Capt. Dallas.
"A secret of state" whispered the
colonel; lit is the only way to get it.
will walk with him to the place where
he has buried his papers"
"Goodi" cried the captain. well,
as his hands are tied, it is safe"
In the course of few moments the
commander of the post started to the
woods with his prisoner.
1.-The cunnle will come back by him.
SELF" said soldier TO comrade, with a
significant wink.
AIlthe soldiers smiled as they watched
the couple.
1.-The cunnle wants to do q little
shooting himself" they said. swell,
it is all right"
Colonel Melton escorted his prisoner
through the woods for a mile or so. At
last he paused.
"Clara, ''he said, 'doy you know where
you are now?"
Yes she answered, 81 could now
make my way back to the lines if left
free
The colonel cut the spy's bonds.
''Good-by, Clara" he said.
But youP" asked the spy. What
g,sl become of you?"