The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1892-10-05

TOUCHES 1T"
which good Captains are made John Harms,
81 Smith, Phil Daniels and lots of others
among you would make excellent officers"
The result was the election Of Luke Mason
for Captain, 81 Smith, First and Phil Dan
iels, Second Lieutenant.
II told We wonld TX We all right" said
Captain Smart, after it was over.
"But have no commission yet"
"Neither have l." answered Captain
Smart "You are as much an officer as any
Of u.s."
There was soon to be regjmental organ
ization, at which only the regimental Off.
GERS were to vote, and Luke was made to
understand that Captain Smart expected
favor in return, for the Captain was candi-
date for the Colonelcy
The newly-elected Captain set about COM
pleting the organization Of his company. He
himself attended to drilling them, using all
the military knowledge he poss essed, which
was very little
In military knowledge the dull never sue
coed. Some men served three years in the
army who never learned to keep step, while
the manual of arms was continual Chinese
puzzle. At the eud of the first hours drill,
which was by moonlight, Luke's patience
was almost worn threadbare. That night
their bed was the earth, and their covering
the trees, and beyond the confusion Of
changing guards the night passed quietly;
but they were all recruits, and at each time
the guard was relieved sufficient noise was
made to rouse the entire camp.
Next morning, by liberal foraging, they
procured sufficient supply of provisions
Luke's company was sent in the advance
when the march began, and he selected a
sergeant with dozen men to go ahead, Civ
ing him particular instructions to recon
hotter well aud report the first sign of an
enemy that was seen.
They had not gone mile before he
heard shot, followed by two more in quick
succession. He hurried forward with all
possible speed, and when he had reached
the top of the hill he came in full view of a
large, elegant farmhouse, in front of which
waved a Confederate flag.
His advance guard stood huddled to-
gether about hundred PAGES from the
gate, at which was a beautiful young girl of
eighteen, clad in spotless white, waving a
revolver in the air.
whats the matterl" Captain Mason
asked.
THAT ar secesh gals been shootin' at
us, an we 'uns war a.talkin' o. shootin'
back" the sergeant answered.
Have you seen any men aroundm
"No"
"Then don't fire. We are not making war
on ladies'"
mo, but that secesh flags got ter come
down."
$50 it shall, will ask the young lady to
lower t.n
"She won't do U. know that ar gal N
she's meaner than pizen."
"That is the reason you failed to cQmpro.
mise matters with her." said Luke, and
ordering his men to remain where they
were. he went toward the house.
"What do you want here!" the pretty
girl demanded, her bright blue eyes fash
ing fire. There was something about her
heroic and grand to Luke, even though sh,
was an enemy to his country He fell
strangely moved in her presence, and hat
he not known that his heart was true t.
Lille, he would have half believed that he
had fallen in love with the pretty rebel o,
first sight.
He answered: Nothing"
"Then go on" she cried.
81 have come to give you some advice"
II don't want it, but the muzzle of hel
pistol was lowered, and he came up quite
close, and leaned on the gate post. go on
60 on, you thievin' vagabond"
"Young lady, honor any person who de
tends their principles. would not call {
Confederate thief unless knew he wa,
one"
"But you have plenty of thieves in Lin
coln's abolition army"
"You speak too truly. There are thieves
and plunderers in our own little band. wa
forced TO knock one down and bayonet an
other only yesterday TO save the house of
Southern man from being burned. But
am not thief" Her eyes dropped, while
faint flush swept over her pretty face
Taking this as favorable sign Luke con
tinued:
at is my determination to protect you
home from destruction. Our men, half
, thousand strong, are coming: but | an
| able to save your house from being burne
J and yourself from insults. Will you lc
ines"
; Yes she answered, family.
''Then run down that flag, and carry it 4
the house.m
, Never! Twill shoot the first man VIII
touches it,
"Nobody shall touch it il you will take
: down. Ifyou DON'T they will not ouly TAX