The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1892-09-28

Ihey were constantly threatening to
break up and go of in different directions,
each company to itself. Nothing but the
knowledge that prowling bands of Confed-
crates swarmed everywhere held them to-
;gether at Sagget. On the evening of the
third day man mounted on jaded horse
rode into camp with the startling intelli-
gence that Lexington had fallen on the Goth
'of September, the day before.
All hope of reaching Lexington was
abandoned, and without any leader the
army was in deplorable condition. Sur
rounded by the enemy, cut off from friends
and convulsed with internal strife, their
condition was somewhat prccatious.
! Some wanted to go to st. Louis, others to
Springfield, and another day was spent at
Sagget arguing which course they should
take, when messenger came with orders
from somewhere for them to move to Cairo.
! That, OF course, settled their destination,
but there were many minor details to be
consulted in regard to the march. Captain
Smart still had nominal command of the
forces, but his authority WAS liable to be
usurpcd at any time.
BY pressing into service such teams as
could be found, they managed to organize a
small baggage train and prepared for the
march. Luke's voluntary suggestions to a
great extent helped to pour oil on the
troubled waters, and brought him into the
favorable notice Of his superiors.
At last the march was begun, and to
Luke's establishment, as well as delight, he
found that their course took them down the
road which led past Mr.. Neff's farmhouse.
The whole country was wild with alarm,
and they frequently found farm houses de-
serted. Those deserted homes were plum
dered by the recruits, who seemed to have
no ideas of war above that of pillage. Cap
tain Smart and many others did all they
could to prevent plumber and insults, but
sad lack Of military discipline rendered
them powerless.
captain Smart" Luke said, as they were
marching down the great turnpike which
led past the farm of Mr.. Neff, twill you not
let me have small detail, and 60 forward
to guard farmhouse about five miles in
our advanced"
"Why dye want to do thatl" the Captain
asked.
"Those people are my friends"
"Are they rebclsf'
pOlllC llltly ut-SulllG ufc IUJ, DuJ UIN0
sworn that the young glrl and that helpless
old man shall not suffer insults which l
have seen heaped upon the inofensive and
weak by these soldiers"
Captain Smart, remembering the ad-
vantage Lulles suggestions had been to
him. said
I'm give We any four men in my compa-
ny We want, If We think they'll be enough to
protect the people. I've tried t stop their
stealin', but it don't seem in my power. 1t
you kin do it, yer welcome t the detail.n
Having the privilege of making his own
selection, Luke chose his mess-Ariansaw
Tom, Ned Cotton, Bill Swain and Corporal
Max Bills wound was trihng, and did
not disable him.
"What We want US T. do!n asked Arl5an-
saw Tom, as they hurried down the road
past the advance guard.
"You are to protect house"
"Whoseln
"Mr. Jordan Neff's.n
Union or seceshi"
"The family are divided. The only son is
in the Confederate army"
"They'll burn the house,
"You must not let them. The house and
inmates must be shielded from insult"
If We say It, wen perfect 'em, eff it costs
US our lives"
"That is what want you to do"
ats settled" said old Arllansaw Tom.
Gwen perfect 'em, ur bite the dust tryin'."
The old familiar farmhouse was at last
in sight, and Luke felt his heart beating
/ high with hope and expectation as he neared
it.
~ will see her once more,' he thought.
"She will know that have done this for
her sake, and that next to my country she
is the dearest object of life"
How peaceful and quiet seemed the pleas
ant old country home. The tall poplars
and stately elms lowered above the broad
lawn, and their leaves rustled in the breeze,
The f1ocks were beating on the hills, and
distant tinllling of cow-0ells came to his
ears. Pigs were gruntiug in the fence
corners, and busy bees hummed from how-
err to flower. The strange silence about
the house caused an uneasy feeling TO come
over him. When they reached the gate
they saw that the house was closed, and had
appearance Of being deserted.
Followed by his comrades, Luke has
tened toward the front door, hoping by his
sudden return TO give his betrothed a pleas
ant surprise.
Only hollow echoes answered his knocks,
and at last, growing impatient, he turned
the knob and opened the door. The room
was unoccupied. There was DIR. Neff's ia.
vorite couch, with one cushion on the floor
as if the occupant had Quilted the room
hurricdy. a few embers still smoldered
on the hearth. and Lilies favorite chair
with her sewing on the floor near it, was
at the side of the couch. A crumplcd news
paper in the middle of the iioor and the dis
arranged furniture all bore evidence of .
hasty flight.
Filed with q strange dread, Luke has
tened to the next room, calling the name o.
Lille, with no answer save the hollow echc
of his own voice
He soon satisfied himself that the hous,
was deserted. A warm dinner was smok
ing on the table in the dining room, which
convinced him that the house had been bu
recently occupied.
Hoping that the owners might be near
he ran to the garden, then To the negr-
quarters, but they could nowh re b,
found. He was about to return when
black face peepcd out from u cluster O
wcodbnes at the rear of chimney to on
Of the negro huts, and a voice SAID:
Mass sd Luke. am do: you:"
"BlaCkhawli, why are you hiding tAcre.'
Luke asked
: "Hulin'. massa; all dc others am dou
gone an hided. an so did l."
Who are you hiding fromln