The Delta independent., 1889-12-03
EIR FIRST THlgSCTVINC.
"A rrue story Of DO ~

a True story Of y ssa*.
Aunt Eva. do let's - Thanks.
Aunt Eva dropped the liax she vas
picking. and smiled at the hsaAsAme
boyikh face that was turned to her. y
vNeep Thanksgiving. Roy!" she
said. Where did you get that HsA-
kee iheap"
II don't care il it Is Yankee idea,
Aunt Eva. Why shouldn't Old Virginia
have a Thanksgiving day as we'll as
any other state?'
"1brn in two by this dreadful war.
old Virginia has little to give thanks
for, jAst now, dear; but If the blessed
day over dawns that brings US peace.
rn keep it as devoutly as the most
1oyal Yankee does Thanksgiving,
Roy
"Aunt Eva," coaxed the boy, ''you
might let Daisy and me keep it, any
how. reckon We have the best and
dearest auntie in the world. Neither
the Yankees nor the Johnnies, have
done us much harm, and Nanny
Minty hasn't run of as all the other
darkies have done. Now isn't all that
something to give thanks for?"
well, well, dear, I'll think of it!'
and Aunt Eva took up her lint with q
sigh, while Roy sauntered down the
wide hall and then stretched himself
lazily on the broad porch steps.
1t was lovely October day. Not a
sound broke the stiffness save the occa-
sional buzz OF belated bee, or whir of
birds wings as they bore it south
ward. A hazy mist hung like golden
veil edged with faint purple over the
landscape, almost hiding from the
boys eyes the old city OF Alexandria,
which lay in the distance.
Usually Alexandria was as sleepy and
quiet as the day itself, but of late it
was filled with the noise and hustle OF
tramping hosts. Here were now hos
pitfalls and rests for the Urion soldiers;
here the loyal governor Of Virginia had
his headquarters, and Its streets were
constantly filed with Union troops
coming and going to and from the
field.
Turning his head another way, from
his quiet porch observatory, Roy could
almost see the tenting ground OF Con-
federate company.
So closely did the two lines come to-
gether here, it was only by mainta tain
ing the strictest neutrality that in
mates of the Willoughby farmhouse
had SO far dwelt in safety, although
very harmless foes to either side might
have been considered Miss Eva Sands.
her little orphan neice and nephew and
Nanny Minty the only remaining
slave Of the many who three years ago
had inhabited the row Of slaves quar-
ters that stood just back Of the large,
pleasant farmhouse.
As Roy lay in the sunshine dreamily
watching his sister Daisy's busy fingers
also picking white linen into shreds.
he became conscious Of the distant
tramp Of swift-coming horses.
Running down the walk he saw q
squad OF blue-coated cavalry 60 sweep
ing by. Hardly had they vanished up
the right branch Of the road. that forked
just beyond the gate. when tho summer
stiffness was again broken by the quick
beat Of horses feet and troop Of Con-
federate soldiers, led by the dreaded
Col Mosby himself. came swiftly in
sight.
They galloped past the excited boy
to the forks OF the road and then paus-
ed irresolutely.
"Did they go up or down. won
derp" the leader said; then catching
sight Of the boy leaning on the fence,
he cried:
(which wayp"
"Up!" Roy answered, startled at the
sudden question, and then his heart
gave great throb, for he knew he
had given information to an enemy, a
thing his aunt had so often cautioned
him never to do, and that the conse-
quence might be terrible for him.
"How many men were there. boyp''
But Roy was on his guard now and
answered quickly:
Il cannot tell"
"You can give an idea, / reckon;
was there one company or two?"
II must not tell. SIR"
"Must not tell. you little Yank!"
exclaimed an officer, springing OF hi.
horse, II say you shall!''
Come, come, captain; we have nc
time to lose here. Forward menw ex.
claimed the leader, as putting spurs
to his horse he dashed forward, follow.
ed by his men in hot pursuit
Roy turned to go to the house, hap
py over his escape from the soldiers
wrath. when distant cloud Of dust
warned him that another body o
horsemen was approaching and in {
few minutes q company OF bluecoat.
galloped swiftly up, and stopped as the
confederates had done at the branch
ing roads.
Again Roy heard the question
(Which way did the soldiers take
boy P" but Roy was not to be caught q
soon again and answered firmly:
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