The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-12-20
WAS HE A %PRISONER?

II was while / WAS out on a foraging ex-
cursion during the war that met face to
face Mrs. Grant Wetherbee, once Kate
Cornell, an old fame Of mine, who had nj
most broken my heart whom she married.
five years before.
When ahs invited me to enter che planta-.
tion for tsa l forgot ut once that ] was in
the enemy's country n readily accepted.
sending my mon away.
The tea was dispatched and We returned
to the parlor. but my fair hosteas would not
hear me speak Of departure yet. must
play one game of chess and drink some OF
that superb sherry I was wont to praise tivo
years before, when it made part Of her ia
theirs cellar.
Chess and sherry, with one Of the most
beautiful women south OF Mason and Dix
on's line!
/ was but a man and I yiolded, though !
know that our line had passed on, and that
/ should have a hard and, perhaps, a risky
pallop to overtake them.
EtThe chess had advanced but a little way,
and I was conscious Of spending one OF the
happiest hours Of my existence, when the
door of the room in which we sat was
thrown OPEN, and five gentlemen, III the uni
form Of officers Of the confederate service,
entered.
Al quick as lightning / glanced into the
the faces of the three ladies who were my
entertainers, and as quickly I became con-
WINGED they were innocent. Fortunately, l
was enabled to preserve my presence of
mind, and when Mrs. Wetherbee said:
Capt. Foote, allow me to present Col.
Ashby."
/ rose quickly, and, taking his hand, re-
Eponded:
IT am happy to meet one of whom have
heard SO muoh." e. .s-
Then, with an introduction to the others
help admitting that thore was . momentary
embarrassment with all the party, and for
a minute nobody spoke.
It required the tact of women to rectify
this; it was rectiied instantly, and the CON
yersation flowed smoothly. Our chess was
dropped, but our sherry was discussed, Us
we'll as every topic but that of the war,
This was a tabooed subject, and not one
word was uttered on either side that would
have led tho most careful listener to believe
that ws were soldiers warning against each
other.
It would be useless to deny that during
this time my mind was running on all
things besides those upon which l was
talking. I knew that / was Col. Ashby's
prisoner, though there was just a shadow
Of q doubt whether he meant to enforce the
forfeit.
At last the time came when | must bring
the matter to an issue, and l arose to de-
part. Whatever the end might be, | did
not intend that Ashby or his friends should
see it in my face or in my manner Of taking
leave that | for an instant suspected such q
termination to our interview.
In fact, / had made up my mind not TO
be taken without a struggle; and it was but
a few nights before that two Of our officers
had been captured while upon q visit to
some fair ones outside our lines, and the
incident had SCI vcd for some hard jokes on
the now imprisoned amoratos.
I bade my fair entertainers good night,
regrettinR that it would be 40 long ere |
should see them again, and advanced to do
the same TO Colonel Ashby and his friends.
but found them on their feet and preparing
also to depart.
l shall never forget the minute that il
took us to reach the piazza. 1t seemed an
age. l had picked up my sword by the way,
having unbucklcd and stood it in a corner
grasped it tightly by the scabbard in my
left hand, prepared to use it on the slight
est demonstration. &
My horse stood fastened within q few feet
and I felt that if l once got over his back l
had no fear of tbs whole party.
It was just dark, and We all stood an in
slant looking out upon tho landscape.
Every moment | expected the words, Cap
tain. you ara my prisoner!' when i noticed
a look Of intelligence pass between tho
colonel and his ndjutant.
7 rrasped my sword tighter and lookedin
tho direction of their eyes, and with a great
bound OF the heart saw my own men COM
ing slowly up toward the house.
Whether they were deceived and believed
them a squad Of their own in the dim light.
or really knew what they we're and trusted
to my generosity. / could not tell, but after
they had fairly emerged into the road !
turned toward my companions and, with
one glance into their inscrutable faces, |
extended my hand to Ashby.
II must bid YOU good night, colonel; I
see a file Of my men coming up for rne, and
it would be unpleasant for you to meet
them.o
Good night, captain; / thank your was
all tho RESPONSE, and in u moment l WAS on
my horse and had joined my men. who had
returned. and that they might warn me of
several wandering parties Of 'sebs' they
knew to be out. and prevent mo from being
nicked up.-Boston Globe.