Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1889-05-02
copyrighted, 1881

abandoned, and without any leader the
army was in deplorable condition. Sur
rounded By the enemy, cut of from friends
and convulsed with internal strife, their
condition was somewhat precarious.
Some wanted to go TO st. Louis, others to
Springfield, and another day was spent at
Sagget arguing which course they should
take, when q messenger came with orders
from somewhere for them 10 move TO Cairo.
That, of course, settled their destination,
out there were many minor details 10 be
consulted in regard to the march Captain
Smart still had nominal command OF the
forces, but his authority was liable TO be
usurped at any time.
BY pressing into service such teams as
could be found, they managed 10 organize a
small baggage train and prepared for the
march. Luke's voluntary suggestions to a
great extent helped to pour oil on the
troubled waters, and brought him into the
favorable notice of his superiors.
At last the march was begun, and to
Luke's astonishment, as well as delight he
found that their course took them down the
road which led past Mr.. Neff's farm house.
The whole country was wild with alarm,
and they frequently found farm houses de-
serted. Those deserted homes were plum
lered by the recruits, who seemed 10 have
no ideas of war above that of pillage. Cap
ain Smart and many others did all they
could TO prevent plumber and insults, but q
sad lack of military discipline rendered
hem powerless.
Captain Smart Luke said, Us they were
marching down the great turnpike which
led past the farm OF Mr.. Neff, Twill you not
let rue have small detail and go forward
70 guard farm house about five miles in
our advanced"
"Why dye want to do tha,t' the Captain
isked.
"Those people are my friends,
Are they rebels
Some may be-some are not; but have
sworn that the young girl and that helpless
old man shall not suffer insults which
have seen Eeaped up9sF the inoffensive ana
weak by these soldiers
Captain Smart. remembering the ad-
vantage Luke's suggestions had been to
MIN, said
I'm give We any four men in my compa-
ny We want, If We think they Il be enough TO
protect the people. I've tried L stop their
stealin', but it don't seem in my power Ii
gou kin do il, Yer welcome u the detail
Having the privilege of making his own
selection, Luke chose his -Arkansaw
rom, Ned Cotton, Bill Swain and Corporal
Max Bits wound was rrifng. and did
not disable him
What We want us t do.n asked Arkan-
saw Tom, as they hurried down the road
past the advance guard.
You are to protect a house"
.tWhose!"
Mr.. Jordan Neff's
Union or secesh.n
1.-The family are divided. The only son is
in the Confederate army
They'll burn the house.
You must not let hem. The house AMI
inmates must be shielded from insult"
IF We say t, we'll perfect 'em. ef il costs
Is our lives
THAT is what want you 10 do"
It's settled, said old Arkansaw Tom
. Wen perfect lem, mr. bite the dust tryin'"
The Old familiar farmhouse was at last
in sight, and Luke felt his heart beating
nigh with hope and expectation as he neared
H.
II will see her once more,' he thought.
She will know that | have done this for
her sake, and that next to my country she
$ the dearest object of life
How peaceful and quiet seemed the pleas
ant old country home. The tall poplars
and stately elms lowered above the broad
lawn, and their leaves rIIstled in the breeze.
rhe fiOcks were beating on the hills, and
distant tinl1ling of cow-Dells came TO his
ears. Pigs We're gruntinS i'll the fence
corners, ana busy bees hummed from flow
ar TO flower The strange silence about
the house caused an uneasy feeling TO come
lver him. When they reached the gate
they saw that the house was closed, and had
the appearance Of being deserted,
Followed by his comrades, Luke has.
teued toward the front door, hoping by his
sudden return 10 give his betroihed pleas
ant surprise.
Only hollow echoes answered his knocks,
and at last, growing impatient, he turned
the knob and opened the door The room
was unoccupied There was Mr.. Neff's IA
vorite couch, with one cushion on the floor
is If the occupant haa quilted the room
hurriedly A few embers still smoldered
On the hearth. and Lilies fayOrite chair,
with her sewing or the floor near il, was
at the side OF the couch. a crumpled news
paper in the middle OF the floor and the dis
arranged furniture all bore evidence Of z
nasty flight
Filled with strange dread. Luke mas
tened to the next room, calling the name OF
Lille, with no answer save the hollow echo
OF his own voice.
He soon satisfied himself that the house
was deserted A warm dinner was smok-
ing on the table in the dining room. which
convinced him that the house had been hut
recently occupied.
Hoping that the owners might be near.
he ran TO the garden. then TO the negro
quarters, but they could nowhere be
found. He was about TO return when a
black face peeped out from cluster of
xoodbines al the rear of chimney 10 Que
Of the negro huts, and a voice said;
Massa Luke, am dot youg''
Blackhawk. why are you hiding thererf
Luke asked
Hidin', massa; all de others am doae
gone an hided, an so did l."
Who are YOU hiding 'front.'
dun no, massa All de 0dders dee
runs an hided, an dis chile did too
Blackhawk, where IS Miss Lillier'
Dun no, boss; she an ole massa runs
like de debll war after 'em down into de
woods, an lef me heah by myself. an den
hided heah''
go after them tell them they shall not
be harmed
Nouiun nuu EN-. masSa-
go and try. l must see Lille, aud
have but short time 10 stay. | must see
her father, too. l left so suddenly that
night that I did not &c: 10 say all |
wished
" kin 90, massa, but ten 10 one don't
find UNI
The head Withdrew into the wOodbines,
slight rustling noise and the negro was
gone over the low fence into the wood be-
yond
When Luke returned he found his com