The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-11-24

father talking earnestly and seemingly di-
recting some two or three Of the company
TO take this man in charge, and scarcely
knowing what she did she approached her
father and was so near that she could have
put her hand upon his shoulder before he
saw her.
"Sir," she heard her father say, you
were captured within our lines without
pass and having no authority to be there
am going to send you with guard TO
the commander OF our army, who is in the
camp a dozen miles or so beyond. He will
discover whether you are no British spy
but have strayed, as you have said, within
our lines by accident"
what has he done, fatherT the girl
asked. for she was filled with pity for this
man who seemed so proud and yet 50
pleading in his manner.
"What, Thankful is it your Why are
you here, my ughterW said the captain.
~ came to welcome you, father"
"But this is no place for you. We have
a prisoner"
"A prisoner Surely he can do no harm.
He is not like al army and he seems well
favored"
Nevertheless we found him wandering
within our lines, and there are spies about,
and he may be one of those"
"A spy? Surely think not" And the
girl went to the prisoner and stood before
him ia the innocence of maidenly conf
dence and looked full into his eyes, lifting
her head to do so, for he was tall and
seemed to tower far above her in his splen-
did presence.
"You are no spy" she said at last
/ "No, my child, not a spy. / am an officer
of the kings army who has strayed by ac-
cident within your lines Thank you for
your sympathy. You have beauty in your
face, my child but you have what is bet
ter-you have sympathy"
The girl went back to erfather and she
said: Father suppose my brother John,
who is somewhere in The Jerseys with
Washington, should by accident be cap
tured by the redcoats IL would break
your heart and mine if they took him for q
spy Surely there Is truth in this mans
words. Come, bring him with you. Don't
you remember that it is Thanksgiving
day, and that we are to have a roasted
goose and a chicken pie. and Abbie has
baked glorioust pumpkin pie? Let him
come and be our guest, and III warrant
he'll promise me that he will make no
effort to escape until you hear from the
general what shall be done with him."
The captain seemed to hesitate for a
moment, and then turning to his prisoner
he said: "Sir, am myself impressed with
your dignity of manner 1t may be that
you speak the truth. My daughters in
buttons are that it is so. / have changed
my mind. | shall send a messenger TO the
general with dispatch telling of your
capture and then whatever he commands
that will | do Meanwhile, sir. it is our
feast day. We are accustomed every year
after the harvest to give thanks TO the
Lord and TO cat great feast and make
merry in our families. | will ask you 10
share this with us. You will be Il pris-
onor, out | will take your parole that you
will make no effort TO escape"
you do me honor, sir. give my parole
to you, and, il may be permitted, to this
fair maiden who has interceded for me-"
They Embossed his thongs, and when his
hands were free he stepped up 10 Mistress
Thankful and he took her hand and bend
ed over it with the courtesy and grace Of
one who had been accustomed to place.
where high breeding and gentle manner
prevail
They had fine feast at Captain Fol
SONS table, and the British officer, being
no longer under great constraint, be-
came most companionable and even ven
tured gentle jest with Thankful and her
cousin, Mistress Abbie. who served the
meats and bounties with gentle dignity
and unconscious grace. And when he
turned TO converse more seriously with
Captain Folsom upon the war and its bat
ties tbey-Thankful and Abbie-under pre-
tense Of some engagement for the prepare
ton Of the dessert, glanced furtively at
him and exchanged condolences that he
was handsome man and we'll favored and
moreover very Young for one OF bis stature
and of his rank, for it was plain that he
was high officer. ..,.-
In the afternoon there was gentle mer-
rymaking, and Captain Folsom, being
greatly impressed with the manifest honor
and nobility of his prisoner guest, had
such confidence that he at last said ''Sir,
/ do not know whether your rank would
permit me 10 call you captain or major or
colonel, for one OF these Offices know must
be yours. You do not care TO tell us your
name or your rank, but have that conf
dence in yon that am willing 10 leave you
for awhile with these gentle guards. my
daughter and my niece. for | have a mis-
sion Of some consequence in, the village
which is few miles away''-
IL am grateful for your confidence, sir,
and Shall not betray it. While these maid
ems guard me | shall protect them until
your return"
"Will you promise to obey usr' asked
Thankful in merry mood.
In all things" he replied, bowling with
grace aud yet with the mock dignity Of
gentle sport.
u exact only one promise. sir" said the
captain, land that is that you will not
quit this house until my return"
Il give that promise willingly
After Captain Folsom had goae away the
young officer sought even the more ear
nestly TO entertain these maidens, and their
intuition taught them that their chaunr