Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1889-05-30
LUKE MASON.
A Thrilling and Romantic Story
OF the Late Civil War.
BY JOHN II. MUSICK,
AUTHOR OF BROTHER AGAINST BROTHER
HELEN LAKEMAN," " WALTER BROWN
FIELD, BANKER OF BEDFORD
AND OTHER STORIES.
copyrighted, 1881

He promptly answered her letter in as
cheerful strain as he could, hoping that
their difficulties would soon be removed
and peace spread her white wings over the
land. From beginning to end his letter was
replete with expressions of tenderest love-
The month of December, 1861, was spent
in drilling and disciplining the troops for
the long, hard marches, sieges and heavy
battles that were before them. Occasion
ally small scouting parties were sent out
into the country for the purpose of recon
noitering. Camp life had grown irksome to
Luke, and he gained permission to go with
a small body of cavalry on one of their ex-
petitions into neighborhood in Kentucky
reported to be filed with rebel guerrillas.
As Luke was leaving he met the captain OF
the steamer on which he had gone to Bel
mont, who informed him that ''that niger
fireman, Blackhawk had deserted them"
HE is a strange being" said Luke,
thoughtfully.
'rll have him tied up and whipped if
can find him." the officer re orted
Luke mounted his horse and rode away
to the boat, which conveyed him and his
party across the river. 1t had been raining
that morning, and the woods and earth
were still damp from the flood They did
not reach the Kentucky shore until late in
the afternoon, and the heavy mist which
enwrapt hill, valley, grove and town hid
them from any prying eyes which might
be on the watch for them. They Travelled
slowly along the wooded road long after
nightfall had set in. Their guide was a
trusty fellow who knew every foot OF
ground. They were liable to be fired upon
by bushwhackers at any time, consequently
the officers carried pistols and the soldiers
carbines ready cooked III hand to defend
their lives against an attack.
Luke and the Captain were riding side
by side Just behind their guide, when that
parsonage drew rein and said
"There's sum wun ahead o us.n
The officers could make out dark figure
approaching them, and instantly both lev
eled their pistols at IT,
ttHoie on dar, massal don't We go fur
q shootin' dis ere niggah.n said husky
voice. Use come heah ter show We to de
house whar am some rebs N bush
Whackers.'
There was a halt and few moments con
versation, and then they inquired about the
numbers Of the enemy in the house, and
informed that there We're but six.
LEAD the way" said the Captain of the
cavalry, and they rode slowly forward until
pointed down into dark glade where there
was "a light cleaning. 1t came from the
window of one of those log cabins occupied
by squatters so common in certain parts OF
Kentucky at the time of which we write.
"What is going on down therel" Luke
asked, as the sounds Of a squeaky fiddle
came to his ears,
s'Dancin','' said the negro.
They crept little nearer, and discovered
q number of horses hitched to the trees
about the house So secure were the rev
elers that not even q guard had been left
without TO give note Of alarm in case al
enemy should approach.
Leaving the dragons but q short distance
away, Luke and the Captain crept down x
the log house and through the chinks got {
| glimpse within. Here ascene greeted then
eyes.
A dozen Confederate soldiers and officers
| were in the room, their faces flushed witt
Kentucky whisky. A one-eved negro was
saving away on a squeaky old fiddle, while
each Confederate was gong it at gallon
with red-cheeked country girl
s'Yo hi! whoop 'em up; SWING yer pard
ner, ALBANIAN left Whoop EN- upl' shout
ed large, red-headed fellow in his shir
| sleeves, who, from his total lack of uniform
was evidently citizen, ana without doub
the proprietor of the house.
''By gosh, Sal, don't kick so high ur yell
| knock felers nose off'n his face. Loci
out, ole woman, ar ven punch my eye ou
| with yer derned old snuff stick. All prom
enade, balance Z yer pardner, right hane
| T. yer pardner an grand right m left
Look out, Bill, can't yer keep on yer legs 3
| ssTe-'t tee tee tee did-diddle-a-dee,
| sung out the old squeaky fiddle, until thu
| headed host shouted
/ ladies & Their seats an gents U the Jug
1 Then there was a shout of laughtel
and scampering away to the high two
/ gallon stone Jug which stood in one corner
s'Maw, git the gourd an issue Their ra
| shions ter the boys said the rcd-headet
host. A thick-set woman brought q gourG
| and was pouring out some liquor into
when voice without shouted Surrender
1.-THE deuce you say r'criedEhe host, spring
ing to his double.barreled shotgun over hi
door But before he could lay his hand upol
| it the door was open and the sharp point O
| saber thrust against his breast, while tn
| doors and windows were black with tn
| nuzzles of carbines
| ssSoldi'' groaned the red-headed sauatter
"Why, nav, we're two derned fools, be
goshri
'sThe first man who moves dies,'' sal
Luke Mason, leaping into the cabin, a cookies
pistol in each hand
They stood motionless as statues, and III
girls snifhed and cried al the elof theA