The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-12-31
cHlvALRIo WAR o1vIL1rIEs.
Each Had a Close Call, But Both Met
it Calamity.
10


il Gellently.
From the Boston Globe.
1t was while was out on foraging ex-
cursion during the war that met face to
face Mrs. Grant Wetherbee, once Kate Cor
nell, an old fame of mine, who had almost
broken my heart when she married, five
years before.
When she invited me to enter the planta-
ton for tea forgot at once that l was In
the enemy's country and readily accepted,
sending my men away.
The tea was dispatched and we returned
to the parlor, but my fair hostess would not
hear ME speak of departure yet l must
play one game of chess and drink some of
that superb sherry l was won't to praise
five years before. when it made part OF her
fathers cellar.
Chess and sherry, with one of the most
beautiful women south Of Mason and Dix
on's line.
was but man. and yielded, though
knew that our line had passed on, and that
l should have a hard, and, perhaps, a risky
gallop 20 overtake them.
The chess had advanced but little way,
| and | was conscious of spending one of the
| happpiest hours of my existence, when the
door OF the room Ia which we sat was
| thrown open, and five gentlemen, in the
uniform Of officers Of the confederate SER
| vice, entered.
AS quick as lightning glanced into the
faces of the three ladies who were my en-
tertainers, and as quickly l became con-
WINGED they were innocent. Fortunately, I
/ 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-
| sponded:
| tT an, haoyDxy 70 voaak ono re ,,,Lo.,, -.
heard so much"
| Then, with an Introduction to the others
Of the party, we became seated. | cannot
| help admitting that there was momentarv
embarrassment with all the party, and for a
minute nobody spoke.
| Itrequired the tact of women TO rectify
this; it was rectified instantly, and the con-
| versation flowed.
Our chess was dropped, but our sherry
was discussed, as we'll as every topic but that
Of tue war.
This was a tabcoed subject and not one
word wac uttered upon either side that
| would have led the most careful listener to
believe that we we're soldiers warning
against each other.
1t would be useless 70 deny that during
| this time my mind was running on ali
things besides those upon which was talk-
| ing. | knew that l was Col. Ashby's pris-
oner, though there was just a shadow of a
! doubt whether he meant to enforce the for
| felt.
At last the time came when must bring
the matter to an issue, and 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 a
| termination to our interview.
In fact, had made up my mind not to be
taken without struggle; and iJ was but q
few nights before that two of our officers
had been captured, while upon a visit to
some fair ones outside our lines, and the iu~
cident had served for soms hard Jokes on
the now imprisoned amoratos.
bads my fair entertainers good night,
regrettiug that it would be SO long ere l
should see them again, and advanced to do
the same TO Col. Ashby and his friends, but
found them on their feet and preparing also
to depart.
shall never forget tire minute that it
took It's to reach the piazza. It seemed an
! age. had picked up nay sword by the
/ way, having untouched ana stood il in a