The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1889-06-28

you meet him again, dear Luke, be it on the
battlefield or wherever it may, remember
that though he is your enemy, he IL my
brother, and, if possible, spare him"
"Yes, yes; have spared him, and will
spare him." sighed the young soldier, bow
| ing his head in his hand. "But is not this,
| after all, battle between brothersl Oh
cruel indeed is war at best, but this fratri
cidal strife is swapping the heart-strings OF
the best IN the land"
He promptly answered her letter in a.
cheerful a 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 fol
the long, nard marches, sieges and heavy
battles that were before them. Occasion
ally small scouting parties were sent on,
into the country for the purpose of recon.
noitering Camp life had grown irksome to
Luke. and he gained permission to 60 with
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.
'ril have him tied up and whipped il ]
can find him." the officer retorted.
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
nigntfall had set in. Their guide was q
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 in 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 u.s."
The officers could make out a dark figure
approaching them, and instantly both lev.
eled their pistols at it.
"Hole on dar, massa! don't ye so fur
t. shootin' dis ere niggah!' said a husky
voice. use come heah ter show We to de
house whar am some rebs n bush
whackers.''
There was halt and few moments con.
versation, and then they inquired about the
numbers of the enemy in the house, and
informed that there were but six.
Lead the way" said the Captain of the
cavalry, and they rode slowly forward until
their dusky guide halted upon hill and
pointed down into a dark glade where there
was 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.
s'What is going on down there2" Luke
asked, as the sounds of squeaky fiddle
came to his ears.
''Dancin'," said the negro.
They crept little nearer, and discovered
a number of horses hitched to the trees
about the house. So secure were the rev.
elers that not even guard had been lief,
without to give note of alarm in case an
enemy should approach.
Leaving the dragons but short distance
away, Luke and the Captain crept down tC
the log house and through the chinks got 9
glimpse within. Here ascene greeted then
eyes.
A dozen Confederate soldiers and officers
were in the room, their faces flushed with
Kentucky whisky. A one-eyed negro was
saving away on squeaky old fiddle, while
each Confederate was gong it at gallon
with red-cheeked country girl.
"YoI hi! whoop 'em up; swing yer pard
ner, ALBANIAN left! Whoop 'em up!' shout
ed a large, red-headed fellow in his shirt
sleeves, who, from his total lack of uniform
was evidently a citizen, and without doubt
the proprietor of the house.
"By gosh, Sal, don't kick so high ur yell
knock fellers nose off'n his face. Loci
out, ole woman, ur yell punch my eye on,
with yer derned old snuff stick. All prom
enade, balance t yer pardner, right hand
{ yer pardner an grand right m left
Look out, Bill, can't yer keep on yer legsf
"Tert tee tee tee did-diddle-a-dee,'
sung out the old squeaky fiddle, until the
red-headed host shouted:
Ladies t Their seats an gents t the Jug
Then there was shout CT laughter
and scampering away to the high two
gallon stone Jug which stood in one corner
shions ter the boys" said the red-headet
host. A thick-set woman brought gourt
and was pouring out some liquor into i
when voice without shouted: Surrender"
THE deuce You say I''cried the 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
a saber thrust against his breast, while tn,
nd min h1arly with fi.
| muzZles of carbines.
'.Soldr' groaned the red-headed squatter
''Why, nav, we're two derned fools, bel
| goshr'
1.-THE first man who moves dies" sait
| Luke Mason, leaping into the cabin, cooked
pistol in each hand.
They stood motionless as statues, and tn,
girls SMILED and cried at the fate of thei
sweethearts. The cavalrymen disarmet
them and marched them out one at time.
As the last one passed out of the hous'
nnder the escort Luke turned to go, whel
the black face of their informant appeared
at the door, and with chuckle the negr,
| said:
s'Golly, Massa Mason, yes got 'em."
What! Blackhawk, are you herep
But that mysterious, spirit-.ike personag'
| fitted away into the darkness and disap
peared. nor was he seen any more for week
afterward. They conveyed the prisoners 4
camp without any trouble.
Then came another long period Of in
action. Camp life became irksome to man.
during that long winter of 1861 and 1852
| AzIzzZ11
20 9EMSEu1
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