Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1889-09-18
tCopyrighted, IsS2.l
CHAPTER Iu-COSrrSurr

captain Smart remembering tho ad-
vantage Luke's suggestions had been to
him, said:
"rll give yo any four men in my compa-
ny We want, If We think they'll be enough to
protect the people. I've tried q stop their
steam, but 1t don't seem in my power. 1t
you kin do IL, yer welcome Z the detail.~
Having the pr@segc of making his own
selection, Luke chose his mess-ArlSansayy
Tom, Ned Cotton, Bill Swain and CORPORAL
Max. Bills wound was trifling, and did
not disable him.
"W nat ye want us Z dol" asked ArlSan-
saw Tom, as they hurried down the road
past the advance guard.
"Nou are To protect house"
"Whoseln
"Mr. Jordan Nen's."
"Union or seceshl"
"The family are divided. The only son is
in the Confederate army"
"They'll burn the house"
You must not let them. The house and
inmates must be shielded from insult"
''lf we say u, we'll perfect 'cm, OF it costs
as our lives"
"That is what want you TO do"
ITS settled said old Arltausaw Tom.
"Well perfect 'em, ur bite the dust tryin'."
Tho old familiar farmhouse was at last
In sight, and Luke felt his heart beating
high with hope and expectation rs he ncared
IL.
81 will see her once more" he thought.
"She will know that 1 have done this for
her sake, and that next to my country she
is the dearest object of life"
How peaceful and quiet seemed the pleas
ant old country home. The tall poplars
and stately Gins lowered above the broad
lawn, and their leaves rustled in the breeze.
TIE fiocks were beating on the hills, and
distant tinkllng of cow-bells came TO his
ears. Pigs were grunting in tho fence
corners, and busy bees hummed from flow
or to flower. Tho strange silence about
the house caused an uneasy feeling TO come
over him. When they reached the gate
they saw that the house was closed, and had
the appearance of being deserted
Followed by his comrades, Luke has
tened toward the front door, hoping by his
sudden return TO give his betrothed pleas
ant surprise.
Only hollow echoes answered his knocks,
and at last, growing impatient, he turned
the knob and opened the door. The room
was unoccupied. There was Mr.. Nen's ia
vorite couch, with one cushion on the floor,
as If the occupant had quilted the room
hurrlcdly. a few embers still smoldered
on the hearth, and Lilies favorte chair.
with her sewing on the floor near it, was
ut the side of the couch. a crumpled news
paper in the middle of the floor aud the dis
arranged furniture all bore evidence of a
hasty flight
Filled with strange dread, Luke has
tened TO the next room, calling the name Of
Lille, with no answer save the hollow echo
of mis- own voice.
He soon satisfied himself that the house
was deserted. a warm dinner was smok-
ing on the table in the dining room, which
convinced him that the house had been but
recently occupied.
Hoping that the owners might be near
he ran TO the garden, then to the negro
quarters, but they could nowhere be
found. He was about TO return when n
black face peeped out from a cluster of
woodbines at the rear Of n chimney 10 one
Of the negro huts, and voice said:
Massa Luke, am dot you?n
Z" Blackhawk, why are you hiding thcrel"
Luke asked
"Hidin', massa; all de others am done
gone an hided, an so dbl"
Who are you hiding fromlr
dun no, massa. All de odders dey
runs an hided, an dis chile did, too"
"Blackhawlx, where is Miss Llliel"
dun no, boss; she an ole massa runs
like de debll war after 'em down into de
woods, an lef' me heah by myself, an den
hided heah."
be harmed"
Couldn't find 'em, massa"
$50 and try. l must see Lille, and
have but short time TO stay. / must see
her father, too. l left 50 suddenly that
night that / did not get to say all |
wished"
. kan go, massa, but ten TO one L don't
find UNI
The head withdrew into the woodbines, a
eli
gone over the low fence into the wood be-
yond
When Luke returned nc found his com
rades seated at the farmers table helping
themselves 70 the ready cooked dinner.
"As they've all vamooscd we thought IL
best ter keep this ar grub from spilin',' said
OLD Tom.
Luke felt inclined 10 deny them the right
TO appropriate the dinner Of others, but, the