Nevada County picayune., 1890-08-21


 after dinner smoke Tn a hotel in Chicago with a gentleman who had been a colonel Tn the Confederate army.
 Il was in Chicago during the war, in 1862 or '63," he said, "and l had a decidedly narrow escape. Do you want to hear thrilling episode, as the newspapers call itE'
 'Certainly.'
 Well, l came through the lines no matter how-on special business, the exact nature of which l don't care to divulge even at thls late hour. l had to be cautious in my movements. The Federal authori ties were on the outlook for secret emissaries. l came to meet some parties from Canada, and met them, transacted my business, and went around town for several days enjoy ing myself.
 "One morning received q note from a lady of my acquaintance, who had q kindly feeling for the South and who was well posted on current movements. She wrote: I learned
 
 on undoubted authority that you are known to be in Chicago, and they are on the lookout for you. When you get this stay where you are until night and then go to Mrs Ks, - street, and show her this note and l think you will be all right,
 Here's a pretty mess, l said to myself. However, l determined to weather the gale, I had been through many a big battle, but to get in a tight place like this was cal culated to make man nervous, as might be arrested as spy and shot. l wasn't spy, however, but couldn't prove l wasn't
 ''I wasn't molcsted during the day. l stuck close to my quarters, and changing my clothes and putting on a sIouch hat and pulling it down over my eyes, l launched ont on the street and pursued my way to the address indicated in the lady's note. The streets were pretty lively with peo- pie, and a regiment of soldiers were marching down Lake street to the Illinois Central depot to take a train to the front. got to the house all right and found the lady to be an old Southern friend. An old friend, but very young and handsome lady, the wife of q very agreeable Chicago gentleman. You'll be all rioht here she said, and l thought so, too. She, her husband and l had very pleasant evening togcth- CT, and parted for the night Tn high spirits. l was tired and went to sleep very quickly. Don't know how long l slept, but was awakened by q laundering knock at my door. l sprang up and found my friend, the master of the household, pale as a ghost, standing in the hall. An of licer and a guard are at the door and you must hde-l don't know where or we shall all be ruined.
 i" Go ahead, said, and let them in. Pll take care of myself and you shan't be compromised.
 Ut was desperately rough situa- tion. Just then my friends wife came quickly to me and said: Come in here we must do the best we can and adopt heroic means. Get Tn there and don't breathe or we are lost
 "Shc pointed to her bed.
 "'Get under the mattress and Dc as still as death, and get air when you can.
 "In an instant l saw her plan The bed was large one. Tho springs were large. l pulled up tho mattress, jumped in on the spring and pulled the mattress over me The lady then returned to her bee and quickly laid down as naturally as you please over me She wash very heavy, but the mattress was and the springs seemed to haN' edges cutting into my legs and sId' Hardly had we disposed ourselves II = this unique manner when the ieu'on ant and his men were admitted t'