Sturgis advertiser. (Sturgis, Dakota [S.D.]) 1887-1???, 1889-04-27

talked on. One thing he did under
stand il regard to the plantation poll
tics, and that was that old Massa was
won't TO curse somebody he called the
blue coats, and that young Massa had
gone to be q soldier and fight against
aMassa Linkum.
The strangers tarried what seemed
. long while to the boy, and then, iing-
ling the tin-ware, once more they started,
oil unconscious of the wide-eyed, hor-
rifed listener almost under their feet.
OF course he had not comprehended
all, but this much he knew, that, dis
guised as tin peddlera, they were spies
sent by the enemy to ascertain the
strength. situation, ETC., of Massa
Linkum's men.
aGolly, it's cold |" he muttered, crawl
ing out and attributing the chills that
ran up his spine to the weather, abut
Massa Linkum's goin' ter be fooled by
dem dar mullets, less some un tells
him, and whose goin' ter do it? No
body knows it but dis here chile. Gollyl
if 'twa'nt SO fur I'd start he!"
George Washington looked in the di-
rection taken by the men, and wondered
what he should do. Already they were
hid from view by bend in the old road.
No use to go home, for Massa Vinewell
would only swear and say he was glad
Of it. Of course none of the co1ored
people could go; anyone would be
missed but himself.
aGolly! I'll try he exclaimed aloud,
at last. aThey lowed ter git thar TO-
dark, dey said, md eff dey kin pack all
dat truck nd get dar, kin. Dis Mig
ger am good on foot, and, pausing only
to fasten the ragged shoes more se-
curely, he started of on a run. He
must overtake the men and keep them
in view, else he would not know where
to find Massa Linkum.
1t was getting dark that evening when
picket belonging to Burnsides' army at
Warrenton challenged small figure
limping toward him.
Il must see Massa Linkum,' said a
very pitiful, child-like voice.
"See Massa Linkum,' echoed the
man, laughing heartily as his eve tray-
eled over the grotesque figure; why,
he amt here
"Beant he?" The voice was culver
ing now, and moment later the brave
little fellow had dropped to the ground
and was sobbing piteously.
You see he was barely 10 years DID,
and not quite used to the hardships of
war yet. Never had he been SO tired,
cold, and hungry before; besides his
feet were cut and bleeding. Possibly
he was little homesick, too.
The sentinel, being kindly disposed
man, at sight of the child's tears
stopped laughing and began to question
him. Soon he was in possession of the
facts, and, making brief note of them,
passed the little fellow in, with direc-
tions how to proceed.
Very much better did the young pa
triot feel after warm supper, and the
assurance that the man with the bright
things on his shoulders who came into
the tent and questioned him SO closely
was Massa Linkum's friend, and it was
all right. Before they were done tell
ing him he was asleep. Suffice it to
say, he was tenderly cared for that
night, and provided with an escort until
within q mile of home the following
day.
The tin peddlers, too, slept within
the lines that night in blissful ignorance
that they were prisoners of war !;
but they were wiser men before noon
the next day. The soldiers rev.
eled in coffee made in new tin-vessels,
drinking often to the health of the tiny
herd.
"Golly dat war venture, muttered
George Washington, as he once more
stood at the old bridge. @Specks old
massa IL skin me, suah."
But the severe illness of one Of the
children at the great house had kept
Nanny Birdsley from going home at
all that night, and there had been no
inquiries made. Owing to his sore feet,
however, the story got out among the
colored people, and George Washing
ton soon found himself quite hero, and
he felt to be every inch one when, a few
days later, party of blue-coats, forag-
ing through the neighborhood, called at
the plantation, and his friend, the senti-
mel, recognizing him at once. invited
him to meet them at the old bridge.
The invitation was promptly accepted,
and an hour later he was riding trium-
phantly @away to the war"
True, he never rose to commander-in-
chief of armies, but he served faithfully
till the close of the war as Capt. BIS
body -servant
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