The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1889-08-31
CHAPTER III.
IITL FaLIaW vs. iIIF.
Baird held up the envelope again.


Baird held up the envelope again
What do you say about this
That letter was received by me in
Nicksburg, through the Postoffice, last
May. The person who wrote il lives in
the same city. My name is Charles Smed-
ley. | was once Captain in the army"
Amt YOU III the rebel service nowI"
No; and l never have been"
veil, the letter squints that way
that's all. Ill read it out.
Smedley started at tie proposition, but
he quickly realized that his protest would
be of no avail, and would tell against
him. With outward composure, but with
something like inward madness. he heard
his rough judge with some hesitation and
stumbling read the following:
NICRsBUBG, May 7, 1861.
CAPTAIN SAIEDLEy. Your note of yester-
day IS received. You complain in it that
treat you distautly when we meet on the
street; you say that you have called re-
Gently ut my fathers house. and that the
girl at the door said Twas not at home, when
YOU suspected that l was at home. You ask
me for an appointment. when you may see
me and explain yourself.
Sir,-there is but one explanation YOU can
make that will pe acceptable TO me. The
time Tor plain speaking has come, and there
can be no other kind between Us. The
South needs every one Of her sons; your
cidNt tFtlL7 YOU TO the uttn- L ain u true
daughter of Mississippi, and will not smile
on one who, born on her soil, hesitates to
draw the sword for her ana her sister States
which have set up a new government She
has right TO demand more of You than
Of most others; Tor You have experience
YOU have already achieved q name in war
you are qualified to be q leader Of men.
My father says that you may be Colonel
If The infantry regiment now raising here.
II YOU VIII but ask 1t. Tel. him tomorrow
morning that you wish it; and in the evening
you will not be ttrned away from our door.
Otherwise it Will be useless for YOU to
come. ISABEL MONTFoRD.
"Well?" asked Baird.
Il have not seen the writer of that let
ter since its date, Smeiley responded.
Il left Nicksburg on the sth of May and
with much difficulty got through the
lines
What does the letter mean where it
says you have experience in war;"
1t means that | fought with the Mis-
sissippi Volunteers in the Mexican war 3"
"Nou?"
Yes.
Come, now, Mr.. Smedly-if that's YOUR
name-don't try to CANNON Us in that
way. We're not fools, if we be ignorant.
You don't look more'n thirty now.
Ihirty-one, said Smedley.
The Mexican war was over thirteen
years dSt- At 1tdSl. lou " ASH Ola enough
TO be there.
/ enlisted when l was sixteen. | fought
in some of its seyerest battles. won a
Captains commission for bravery ut Mon
rerey, whore l was desperately wounded.
| have fought hard and often for this
country; | never raised my hand against
her yet.
The simple statement, the tone in which
II was uttered, made a certain impression
on his captors. But the Judge went on
with his questions
Iou won't deny that you was writing
this here" and he held up the unfinished
letter.
l was writing il when you came.
And II reads we'll, too, Listen to it
II THE CIINCH MOUNTAINS,
East TENNESSEE. Aug. Is, 1861.
Miss Nontford:
Your cruel letter is always with me. I
read 1t daily with such heaviness Of
heart IS You Will never know. The
day aftec receiving it l left Vicksburc; il
was needless 20 tell you why must depart:
and VI | often regret that | came awav
But what was L to do? / never could accept
y1u hard condition; 10 live near you and
net 70 see Won. not 10 speak TO YOU. would
b. impossible. | have not drawn my sword
Il .ainSt tle South: how can l. with YOU
s-aiue me: l hear Of Union reYerses;