The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1890-03-14
THEIR FIRST THANKSGIVING,
Arrua story Of thu War.

THEIR FIRST THANKSGIVING.
True Story Of the war.
"Aunt Eva, do let's keep Thanks
giving!"
Aunt Eva dropped the lint she was
picking. and smiled at the handsome
boyish face that was turned to her.
keep Thanksgiving, RoyE she
said. "Where did you get that Yam
kce idea?"
II don't care II it is a Yankee idea,
Aunt Eva. Why shouldn't Old Virginia
have Thanksgiving day us 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 it as devoutly as the most
loyal Yankee does Thanks giving,
Roy"
"Aunt Eva" coaxed the boy, "you
might let Daisy and inc keep it. any,
how. l reckon We have tho best and
dearest auntie In the world. Neither
tho 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 oil that
something to give thanks for?" :.
well, we'll, dear, I'll think of it,"
and Aunt Eva took up hcr lint with a
sigh, while Roy sauntercd down the
wide hall and then stretched himself
lazily on the broad porch steps.
1t was q lovely October day. Not q
sound broke tho stiffness save tho occu.
sional buzz Of belatcd bee, or whir Of
birds wings us 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 us tho day itself, but of late it
was filled with the noise and hustle of
tramping hosts. Here were now hos
pitfalls and rests for tho 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 tho tenting ground of u Con-
fedcrate company.
So closely did the two lines come to-
gether here, 1t 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-
ters 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 ho saw a
squad Of blne-coatcd cavalry 90 sweep-
ing by. Hardly had they vanished up
the right branch OF the road, that forked
just beyond the gate. when the summer r
stiffness was again broken by the quick
beat Of horses feet and . troop of Con.
fcdcrate soldiers. led by the dreaded
Col. Mosby himself, came swiftly in
sight.
They galloped past the excited boy
to the forks of the road and then paus-
cd irrcsolutcly.
"Did they 60 up or down, I won
dcrP" the leader said; then catching
sight of the boy leaning on the fence,
he cried:
(Which way?"
"Up" Roy answered. startled at the
sudden question, and then his heart
gave great throb, for h. knew he
had given information to an enemy, u
thing his aunt had so often cautioned
him never to do, and that tho conse-
quence might be terrible for him.
"iow many men were there, boy?"
But Roy was on his guard now and
answered quickly:
Il cannot tell"
"You can give an idea, reckon;
was there one company Or two?"
81 must not tell, sir"
"Must not tell. you little Yankm
exclaimed an officer. sprinsing off his
horse. II say you SHALL"
Come. come. captain; wo have no
time to lose here. Forward men!" ex-
claimed tho leader. as putting spurs
to his horse he dashed forward, follow
ed by his men in hot pursuit.
Roy turned TO go to the house, hap
py over his escape from the soldics's
wrath, when q distant cloud of dusn
warned him that another body Oh
horscmcn was approaching and in a
few minutes /. company of bluccoats
galloped swift ly up. and stopped as II
conlcderatcs had done =. S'r br