The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-08-08
A STORY OF THE WAR.

ing
Aunt Eva dropped the lint she was
picking, and smiled at the handsome,
hoyish face that was turned to her.
keep Thanksgiving, Roy p she said
"Where did you get that Yankee idea p
II don't care if it is a Yankee idea,
Aunt Eva. Why shouldn't old Virginia
have Thanksgiving day as well as any
other State p
Torn in two by this dreadful war,
Old Virginia has little to give thanks
for just now, dear; but il the blessed
day ever dawns that brings us peace, I'll
keep it as devoutly as the most royal
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 Yam.
KEGS 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 that something to give
thanks for ?"
We'll, well, dear, I'll think of it, and
Aunt Eva took up her lint with a sigh,
while Roy sauntered down the wide ball
and then stretched himself lszily ON the
broad porch step.
Not a sound broke the stiffness save
the occasional buzz of belated bee, OF
wbirr of birds wings as they bore ii
southwark. A hazy mist hung like a
golden veil edged with faintpurpie over
the landscape, almost hidden 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 was
filled with the noise and hustle of tramp
ing hosts. Here now were hospitals and
loyal Governor of Virginia, had his
headquarters, and its streets were con-
stantIy filled with Union troops coming
and going to and from the field.
Turning his head another way, from
the quiet porch observatory, Roy could
almost see the tenting-ground of Con-
iederate company.
So closely did the two lines come to-
gether here, it was only by maintaining
the strictest neutrality that the inmates
OF the Willoughby farmhouse had so far
dwelt in safety, although very harmless
foes to either side might have been con
sidered Miss Eva Sands, her little or
phan niece and nephew and Nanny
Minty, the only remaining slave of the
many who three years ago had inhabited
the row Of slaves quarters that stood
just back of the large, pleasant farm
house.
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 squad of blue-coated
cavalry go sweeping by. Hardly hat
they vanished up the right branch OF thC
road that forked just beyond the gate
when summer stiffness was again broker
by the quick beat of horses feet, and {
troop of Confederate soldiers, led by thu
dread Col. Mosby himself, came swiftly
in sight,
They galloped past the excited boy t.
the forks of the road and then paused
irresolutely.
did they go up or down, wonder p
the leader said; then catching sight o
the boy leaning on the fence, he cried
(which way y
| "Upm Roy answered, startled at thI
sudden question, and then his heart CAV,
great throb, for he knew he had givel
information to'an enemy, a thing hi
aunt had so often cautioned him neve
to do, and that the consequences nigh
be terrible for him.
How many men were there, boy ?"
But Roy was on his guard now ant
answered quickly
81 cannot tell"
"You can give an idea, l reckon; wa
there one company or two?
81 must not tell, sir"
"Must not tell, you little Yank T. ex
claimed an officer, springng off hi
horse. say you shall !"
"Come, come, captain; we have M
time to lose here. Forward men J" ex
claimed the leader, as putting spurs Il
his horse he dashed forward, followed
by his men in hot pursuit.
Roy turned to go the house, happl
over his escape from the soldiers wrath
when distant cloud of dust warned
him that another body of horsemen wa
approaching, and in few minutes |
company of blue-coats galloped swift!
up, and stopped as the Confederates haC
done at the branching roads.
Again Roy heard the question
"Which way did the soldiers take, boy?
but Roy was not to be caught as sooI
again and answered firmly
"We'uns are neutral, captain, and
dassn't tell"
"Look here, boy, didn't you tell tn
Johnnies who just went by, which roa'
our boys took p
Roy flushed crimson,
YES" he answered, for Roy had beel
taught to speak the truth, but l wa
very sorry did it. did not think
Sorry" exclaimed the officer, impa
tiently.
Captain, have had about enough o
these copperhead neutrals. order thi
boy under arrest as spy. You men ar
witnesses he has confessed to giving in
structions to the enemy, and mean t
clear the country of these dangerou
citizens"
II was only a moment. Daisy hear
her brother call her and ran down tn
walk just in time to get an agonizinI
hug, and hear him Whisper
"Oh, Daisy ! l didn't mean any harm
They are taking me to Alexandria, Kis
aunty good by" .
| lneIt WsS q OihtbCl VI bOOlot Jhhbi
of spur, flash of blue coats and sabre
in the sunshine and Roy was gone.
"a little girl to see you, Governor |!
and the loyal Governor Of Virgini
turned with a cordial smile to greet tn
visitor that was being ushered in.
The Governor was great lover o
children; a bousefull of his own hs'
only enlarged the true father heart tha
beat within him, but even had he lacket
this, the little girl who now greeted hin
would have enlisted his sympathies a
once.
She was fourteen years old, but yer.
slight for her age; while a wealth o
blonde hair, that clustered in tiny curl
about her forehead and then hung il
heavy braids to her waist, only added T.
the sweet pale face; and the big brow
eyes that grew dark and earnest as sh
talked, pleaded for love and kindness
while her flushed cheek and quicl
breath betrayed her fear at finding her
self alone with the "War Governor"
"What can do for you, my child 2"
The kindly voice gave her a it'll
courage, and she cried
| On, your EACellenCy, give he ~
brother, my twin brother He is all
have. Governor; there was only Rol
and me, and they have sent him to th'
penitentiary for spy. Think Of mann
ma in heaven seeing her boy in such |
place. He has no one to kiss good night
and how can pray keep us out o
temptation with Roy in that dreadful
place2 And we are going to keel
Thanksgiving"
MY dear child" exclaimed the be