Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1889-03-16

Dacks, One-halt OF which ne sent 10
Laura, begging her 70 accept il as a
loan from one who still thought her
10 be the only woman he would ever
love. Then he boarded the cars, os-
tensibly bound for North Carolina and
Virginia on railroad business. There
were several Confederate officers on
the train, but their suspicious were
lulled by the fact that he was recog.
nized by the conductor rs a railroad
official. But a certain Confederate
detective. Pete Bassett, was not so easily
satisfied. He kept his eyes on Bryant
and followed him wherever no moved
in q manner that left no room for
doubt that il was q case Of trailing and
shadowing.
AT the town OF Graham Bryant sue.
ceeded in eluding the detective, and
was thus enabled 10 reach Raleigh and
secure from tho provost marshal q pass
10 Richmond, on the prctext OF secur-
ing some new rails TO repair the road
with which he had been connected.
The next day he reached Goldsborough
and there he again encountered Bas-
sett, who said, frankly: II have got
instructions to look out for you, and
have q mind TO arrest you at once. :"
Bryant produced his permit TO go TO
Richmond, ION military business OF
importance TO the Confederate govern
ment" Bassett was cowed and aston.
ishcd. ''But all the same" said he,
~ will go to Richmond to see that you
execute this important business But
again the detective was Optwitted. A
special train bound south Suddenly ran
into the station and Bryant contrivcd
10 board il without attracting any at
tention. His pass was now useless, OF
course, rs he was going away from
Richmond; but he got through TO
Wilmington without one by telling
the conductor that hc was on his way
10 Nassau after iron for the road. The
passengers on the train included sew
eral captains Of blockade runners.
whose vessels were taking in cotton at
Wilmington, and Bryant determined
TO take passage with one of them.
lie induced two negro stcvedorcs TO
put him inside of bale OF cotton and
carry him on board Of the Dart, which
was soon TO leave. The bale was
slowed in tho hold. and when Bryant
was released he found barely space
enough for his body between the cargo
and the ship Soon after u squad of
soldiers came to search the vessel for
runaways. They forced long poles
between the bales of cotton, but did
not reach Bryant; thcn they filled the
hole with dense smoke from burn
ing rosin, and he was almost asphyx-
lated, and he clanbered out upon the
lower deck. There was u heavy white
fog. aud the blockade runner was
boldly attempting TO run unseen
through the federal squadron that
barred her passage. The experiment
failed, and the vessel was forced 10 re-
turn. AS il ran close 10 the federal
flagship, Bryant cried out. Ship
ahoy! Stop this blockade runncrr 4
pattcring hail Of musket balls began TO
fall; the federal marines had opened
fire. Then one Of the officers struck
Bryant with Delaying pin. and he
rcelcd and fell upon the deck There
was roaring Of waves in hls brain.
and after that nothing.
When hc recovered his senses he
was in an ambulance jolting through
the streets Of Wilmington, and Peter
Bassett was saying To him. You are
the slippcriest customer ! ever tack
led" From Wilmington he was taken
to Charleston and placed in Jail. A
chance To take tho oath Of allegiance
and enter the Confederate service was
offered him. and lao rejected it. Then
l. .,..a ,,la,aI ,..,e1, Nl,a ..rs,.,spnl ,N.so
oners on the Notifications. lie made
several efforts 10 escape. bui they all
proved futile. In the course Of time
he was sent with others TO work on
intrcnchmcnis in the rear Of the city,
and there one day he was discovered
By Laura Pcyton. She was permitted
TO have an interview with him. lie
told her Of his adventures. "and she
did pity them, as Othello says You
must end this martyrdom at once, ="
she said. "ies. by pcrjuring myself
and becoming a Confederate soldier" +"
he replied. No, not that way" said
she. Though am a southern girl,
not that way. should not respect
you il you took that way now. In
some other way / must save you-in
some way | win save you" He asked
her il she still loved him. She held
up her finger, and hc saw on il his en-
gagcment ring. Yes" she said, Il
love you and will save you"
Two days aftcrward the former body
servant Of Bryant, trusty negro
named Caucus. was added 10 tho gang
Of workmcn. He and Bryant man.
aged to get away that night by crawl.
ing on their hands and knees through
the underbrush, across a swamp, TO
the river, where the negro had hidden
q boat. The Federal gunboats We're
not far away. "Whcrc is Miss Laural"
Bryant whispered. "a mile or two up
de ribber, at Judge Elliott's, said the
negro; rs To go back and port to her
when Is got you safe up dc ribbor TO
do Yanks." Bryant replied, Very
we'll, ! must SEQ her before go; turn
the boat upstream" Caucus protested
and entrcatcd, but Bryant forced him
10 obey. They reached the place in
safety. "For Gods sake, Lawrence" 4"
said Laura, why didn't you got ]
cannot save your life IL you do not
leave South Carolina He replied,
81 will never leave South Carolina till
you are my wife. Do the only thing
that will make mo wish 10 save my
lifc-marry mo nowl" She pleaded
with him 10 90. mot unless you
promise to be minc," he said; and at
last she said "Yes," just in time To pre-
vent his capture by troop OF lurking
cavalry.
Several weeks later Bryant and
Laura were married i'm a remote part
Of tho state, in the shadow Of the Blue
Ridge. Then Belle suddenly appeared
TO denounce the proceedings. "Oh,
how i hate you |" she said to Bryant
you have lured my sister away from
home and her duty. A man who had
not heart enough 10 fight US. but must
destroy our family by makinga woman
love him, and she-my sister. am
going 10 the nearest military post 10
deliver you up as dcscrter. that you
may DO shot TO death. That's what
they'll do 10 you. Then our disgrace
will be wiped out by your blood" II