The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1889-05-30
''where's your masterp said Andres,

"My mars sahf Ole mars dead, sab
Young mars done gone Dunno, sab, whal
he done gone, sab"
Andres knew that he could not get full de
tails from negro at once and as there were
no white men ON the place he shouldered hi:
musket and went to extend his acquaintance
at Ellwood farm
sole Miss he learned on the way, was
head mistress, and had been twice widowed
The last master, Col Ellwood, had beer
killed in the Confederate army. A son Of
the first master, Capt. Seyton, was now in
that army, and still another son, owner, as
laws had said, of Patrick Henry and one OF
two more on the place, was a wanderer
'Mars Ellwood and my Mars Edward nevvy
could get on together" the old man said sad.
ly. young Miss" Evadne called Eva by
the negroes, was an EIlwood, having been a
minor when she received step father.
The Lane opened into wide lawn, with a
garden and yard and a path ran from the
track to side door. As he passed the front
Of the house-an old style, cross shaped man.
sion-Andros saw thatrough bars were nailed
over doors and windows, giving a very de-
serted look. The back part was open and the
negro went to the doorway of room between
the parlor and kitchen Now the heroine of
the occasion stepped out on the porch, and
! by a simple nod and gesture, showed the sol
der a seat by the door Andres saluting,
said, mo, miss, l am on duty. How can 1
serve your" He spoke with studied GOODNESS.
| Without confusion or change of color, the
other said, 'You are certainly welcome l
sent to you because / wish to know if there
must be guard here at the laneG"
''N-no, ma'am, no must about it unless
you wish. May l ask why?" She thought a
moment and finally said: There is no objec-
ton to guard, yet it might be unpleasant"
The speaker was type of fair haired, can
did womanhood, a winner of notice rather
by her manner than by physical beauty, with
which, however, she was richly endowed
/ She was earnest, and inclined now to be con-
| idential, and continued: Il regret you can
not rest yourself here (motioning to the broad
seat; you soldiers seem to be always in mo-
! ton, and have something to tell you.n
There were no white people in sight except
ing the fragile young woman, but from win
dows and doors and the corners of houses and
sheds, the shining faces Of the slaves peered
out curiously. Andres was assured by this
that no enemies lurked at hand or the ne
groes would be in hiding. He sat down and
Miss Ellwood drew a chair in front as
though to screen him from prying eyes, and
said: 81 beg favor, and that of you person
ally. 1t is too trifling, too selfish matter to
take to your generals, busy with other cares.
Such frankness was itself winning, and An
dros answered: ~ shall serve you if 1 can
and do my duty"
you can be true to duty" she said. 81
bo, fr;a -,
whom l wish to have come here, tonight, if
possible, or the next night, and, it may be,
afterward"
Andres arose, nervously, but the other, not
noticing his mood, continued: There is a
family secret at the bottom of this and can
go no farther now; but can summon him
through our people, if you will direct them
to his camp, and let him come and go-yeS,
you shall come with him if that will answer
duty better"
He was all soldier now, and searching the
face before him, said, brusquely, sin what
regiment does your friend serves"
1.-THE - Pennsylvania"
''Tl keep your secret, and if can-that is,
if my men stay on at the road, will let you
meet at least on my post, but promise moth
ing beyond that"
With a touch Of his cap he drew his gun to
his shoulder and hurried to his post When
it was fully dark the old negro came sham
bling along again. a negro lad holding Ian
tern in front of him. Andres directed them
to the camp Of the - Pennsylvania, and
then repeated the orders to his men to allow
no one to pass between the house and the
army lines There was danger in Andres
course, for he had fairly taken it on himself
to guard the farm from rascally camp prowl-
ers, and also taken risks on the exposure of
army secrets by allowing intercourse of citi-
zens with soldiers. But he believed that the
woman was true and that harsh rules might
be evaded in rare cases.
Some time after the camps had become
quiet, the negro and the boy came across lots
beyond the road, and halted at the gate for a
sign to enter. Andres was hailed and he
opened the gate, and the old man passed on
as silent as funeral mourner. A cunning
negro knows how to be mum when some
thing dear to him is afoot. Before midnight
the sergeant, armed, and a stranger in uni
form, but without a gun, stood at the door of
Ellwood house. The stranger tapped softly
and when the door opened he stepped in, guild
ing the other by touch on the arm. There
was a second door leading to an inner room,
and from there an elderly lady came out to
meet the callers. Miss Ellwood brought the
stranger forward and he was greeted with
affection and caress The young woman
took his hand, their eyes met, and Andres
said to himself: ''They are lovers"