The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1889-12-05
THEIR FIRST THANKSGIVING.


giving!"
Aunt Eva dropped the lint she was
picking, and smiled at the handsome
boyish face that was turned to her.
keep Thanksgiving, Roy!, she
said. where did you get that Yam
kee idea?''
Il don't care If it is Yankee idea,
Aunt Eva. Why shouldn't Old Virginia
have Thanksgiving day as we'll as
any other state?"
Torn in two by this dreadful war,
old Virginia has little to give thanks
for, just now, dear; but if the blessed
day ever dawns that brings us peace,
I'll keep 1t as devoutly as the most
loyal 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 off as all the other
darkies have done Now isn't all that
something to give thanks for?''
We'll, well, dear, I'll think OF itr'
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 a lovely October day. Not a
sound broke the stiffness save the occa-
sional buzz OF a belated bee, or whir of
a 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 Union soldiers;
here the loyal governor of Virginia had
his headquarters, and its streets were
constantly filled 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 maintain
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-
tiers 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 6
squad of blue-coated cavalry go sweep
ing by. Hardly had they vanished W
the right branch OF the road, that forkeC
just beyond the gate, when the summe1
stiffness was again broken by the quick
beat of horses feet and a troop of Con
federate soldiers, led by the dreaded
Col. Mosby himself, came swiftly il
sight.
They galloped past the excited DO,
to the forks of the road and then paus
: ed irresolutely.
, Ibid they go up or down, won
der?" the leader said; then catching
sight of the boy leaning on the fence
he cried:
(Which way?"
, up" Roy answered, startled at tn
sudden question, and then his hear
gave a great throb, for he knew h
had given information to an enemy,
, thing his aunt had so often cautione'
7 him never to do, and that the conse
quence might be terrible for him.
''How many men were there, boy?'
But Roy was on his guard now an
answered quickly:
, Il cannot tell"
: ''You can give an idea, / reckon
was there one company or two?"
o Il must not tell, SIR
] "Must not tell, you little Yank!'
exclaimed an officer, springing off hi
. horse, Il say you shall!'
8 Come, come, captain; we have n
r time to lose here Forward menu ez
claimed the leader, as putting spur
to his horse he dashed forward, follow
ed by his men in hot pursuit.
Roy turned to go to the house, HAP
e Ply over his escape from the soldier
t wrath, when a distant cloud of dus
warned him that another body {
d horsemen was approaching and in
n few minutes a company of bluecoat
= galloped swiftly up, and stopped as tn
IT., confederates had done at the branch
ing roads.
Again Roy heard the question
, = (Which way did the soldiers take
= boy ?" but Roy was not to be caught 6
y soon again and answered firmly:
9 "We'uns are neutral, captain, and
r. dassn't tell"
Look here, boy, didn't you tell tn
% Johnnies who just wen. by which roa
d our boys took ?"
. Roy flushed crimson. 4-
"Yes," he answered, for Roy ha
been taught to tell the truth. But
e was very sorry 1 did it. 1 did nj
r. Think
Sorry !" exclaimed the officer in
!" patiently. ~
,. Captain have had about enough
le these copper-head neutrals. l ordt
o this boy under arrest as spy. Yo
k men are witnesses he has confessed I
It giving information to the enemy, an