The National tribune., 1889-05-16
WINNING A WIFE.
How a Yankee Soldier Captured a
Southern Wife.
Br ~r1uo," PORTLAND Mills IND.


BY "ELEc," PORTLAND MILLS, IND.
III.
Mrs. Greene treated me with what I called
cold courtesy, fhaving doubtless been warmed
BY her son, and seemed greatly elated over the
defeat of our army at Sabine Crossroads and our
subsequent retreat All! What did tell
vou2@ she said; all Of which I received good
naturedly laughed and TESTED regarding tue
affair until we had finally drifted into socla-
bic and friendly conversation.
While the mother and son retired TO another
room 10 dress his wounded arm, had an op-
portunity to talk with Lizzie, and told her
al that had passed since our last meeting, be-
sides many other things which were only IN
teresting to ourselves. / learned that Capt
Todd had already visited the plantation, aud
was furious over the defeat Of his scouts by
Cant Moore. He had also talked with the
negroes and had learned of my visits TO Lucy's
cabin and had gone TO Lucy and by much
brutal whipping compelled her 10 tell OF
our meetings at the cabin. he threatened TO
hunt down and destroy the vile Yankee cur
who had dared TO meet his betr0thed in the
quarters OF the slaves. Jake had informed his
Young mistress Of ali this, and she refused to
see the Captain in his wrath. She was in great
agitation, and expected the Captain would
return during the night, and feared trouble
would result from our meeting. She said that
<
Lucy and probably from her mother also
Lizzie therefore implored me to return to
camp Immediately, Tor safety. told her oil the
nature OF her brothers parole and of his prom
Use 10 protect me during has visit at home. and
that I had no doubt be would be able to keep
his promise, and that had no Tears OF treach-
cry from her brother
True, she granted, but also said that did
not know this desperate man Todd, whom she
believed would not regard parole or promise
made to the Federals as binding. ] could do
nothing but trust to her brother to defend me
in his own house, should the dreaded Captain
return during the night, for it was then already
dark.
Ii was arranged that should retire early, so
that il the contemplated visitor came / would
not be molested if This could possibly be pre-
vented After going to the room assigned me
] thought but little Of the danger ! might be
in but rei0iced at the prospect of getting one
nights rest in a real bed and under shingle
roof a luxury / had not INDUCED IN Tor over
two wears Therefore / soon fell asleep and
dreamed but not Of what was going on beneath
me on the first floor
Capt Todd had come, as was expected, de-
manded that ] should be made a prisoner,
and that Serg't Ben should violate his parole
and escape Ben aud Lizzie expOstulated, but
be claimed that as Ben was a subordinate, be
had the right to command him. On further
remOnstrance from them, he became furious
and accused them Of being in sympathy with
the common enemy. and even qHarreled with
Lizzie, accusing her Of keeping company with
the murderers Of her father, and this in the
negro cabins at a very late hour; and he be-
liered she was at that time harboring the same
vulgar Yankee wretch under the roof of her
murdered father, whom be would hang like
the dog that he was. lie was finally ordered out
OF the house. and made to leave the premises.
After few hasty words with Mrs. Greene on
the piazza, be mounted aud rode rapidly away.
The room occupied was in the second story.
The window opened out on the roof of the kitch-
Ell I. Of the building The sash was raised and
curtains thrown back TO admit the fragrant air
from the garden beyond the kitchen. This l
had carefully noticed on retiring. SO that in
case Of attack / might have some knowledge
OF a way TO escape / was unarmed, except a
small Smith & Nesson, which / carried In my
hip-packet, aud had placed it under nay pillow.
Not being ia the habit of undressing to sleep.
did not remove any Of my clothing except
ing my boots and cap About o'clock as !
afterwards learnedl ! was startled by the gen.
tie pressure Of small hand on my forehead,
and heard my name called in a soft whisper.
I Immediately aw0ke and found Lizzie bend
ing over me. She rather hastily aud excitedly
Informed me, in a whisper that some one had
Etealthlly approached the house with ladder,
and she had great reason TO believe that l was
III danger j quickly sprang mp, grasped my
revolver and on tip-t0e approached the window
On peering cut ] saw, by the moonlight on the
roof not six feet away. the crouehing form OF
man cautiously approaching the window
Without waiting for the second thought, fired
az the bulk heard slight scream behind me
EaT the figure partially iall, and start to crawl
rapidly back. / sprang through the window
followed over the comb Of the roof and fired
another shot as be disappeared hastily over thC
caves. Quickly returning to the room, ! found
that my fair protector was almost speeches
with fright, but she quickly turned up my
lamp / tried TO quiet her, by assuring her thai
al danger was probably past and that though
no one was hurt. After putting on my boot
we quickly descended TO the lower part of the
building I insisted on going outside agains
her protest; passing through the dining-room
and out the back door, saw, by the aid of tbs
light, which ] still carried in my hand, lad
der resting against the cave Of the kitchen
roof, and on closer examination / saw blood OF
the rounds Of the ladder, at the foot OF Whiel
lay a magnificent pearl handled Navy revolver
which was in few moments identified as be
longing 70 Capt. Todd. and heard the catte
Of horses hoofs leaving the premises.
We locked the doors and returned to tn
paFoF, where / was Informed by the noble cir
that she had mistrusted that the enraged Cap
tain would seek to murder me. She had no
retired at all, but had kept vigilaut watcl
while ] slept and had thus saved me from tn
2
fearful eyes, which / thought enhanced he
beauty tenfold and believe under the circum
stances / WAS excusable for taking her in M
arms and kissing away her tears-at least sh
has forgiven me, anyway. / now became con
scious that ] loved her more than had eve
known that it was possible for one TO Low
another, aud after she had expressed desiE
20 escape if our army retre2ted, and make lie
way 10 New Orleans where she had bee
raised and where she would be among friend
and relatives. and also under the protection
the old flag. I determined that ] would get he
through or die in the attempt. She also b
Ieved that in case she refused to marry M
Todd (which she surely would that her Iii
would be in danger, and that she had good re-
sons 10 believe that her mother had attempte
to betray me into the hands Of the enemy. S
we accordingly arranged our plans and earl
next morning / returned to camp with m
prisoner without further molestati0n. / di
covered however, shat though Ben was a rad
cal, brave and fearless rebel he was also ma
OF honor, and could appreciate favor.
Gu our return found the feet had returnC
from CD the river during the night, and prep
Fations were being made TO continue the r
treat and that early next day Grand Eco
would be evacuated. / called on DIR. B.. OF
Regimental Surgeon. who was kind and a
cOmmodating man and particular friend
mine, and asked him 10 take young man,
citizen aud friend Of mine, with the ambulan
train, who wished to retreat with the arm