Smyrna times., 1892-07-06
A LUCKY MISTAKE.

Within a month after Fort Sumter
was fired on, two young men from
Pennsylvania enlisted in the Union
army. These young men were twins,
Tom and l. We were very much alike
in size, feature, voice and manner
everything indeed, and the only per-
sons who could always tell which was
Tom and which was were the twins
themselves. We did not join the same
branch of the army, Tom enlisting in
the cavalry while 1 joined the secret
service.
AT the investment of Vicksburg, and
when the Union forces were each day
digging nearer the city, was sent to
make an inspection of the Confederate
Notifications.
l succeeded in passing the Confeder-
ate lines and entered the city Of Vicks-
burg, where, dressed in civilians
clothes, was reasonably tree from
suspician. But it took me a full day
before desired knowledge and started
back towards the Union lines under
cover of darkness.
l passed the guard safely and was
perhaps a third of the way to camp
when heard a sharp Halt who goes
there? accompanied by the click of
cooking weapons.
Escape was out of the question, and
a moment later l was a prisoner.
Which camp do you belong TOP
queried the leader of the men who had
captured me.
Neither, answered, but am stay.
ing at Vicksburg.
How came you so far from the lines
tonight?
was just wandering around and
thought l would go until l reached the
outer guard, answered.
This is very strange-if true, said
my questiOner, turning to his comrades;
but probably it is all a lie. Then to me:
We will just take you into camp and
sift that yarn of yours.
The yarn sifted SO poorly that l was
convicted as spy and sentenced to
death.
One day after my conviction some
young ladies of the city visited the
prison where the Yankees were con-
fined, some to see the strange animals
of the north, who they believed had
horns and hoois like an elephant, as
one of the young women expressed it;
others to leave flowers or fruit for the
unhappy prisoners. The number of
the latter was small.
As condemned spy was an object
special hatred or commisseration,
according to the feelings of fair visi-
tors.
Is he really spyP asked one young
girl of gushing class and age.
Yes, answered the guard, he is
genuine Yankee spy.
Oh isn't it awful said the girl.
How can you tellP He doesn't look
like spy, and if you hadn't told me 1
should say he was real nice.
You can't ltell anything by looks,
replied the guard. Some of the
brightest and handsOmest men in the
service are spies. This 'un looks well
enough, but he is a sneaking spy, just
the same.
How strange. Aud what do these
dreadful spies dO9 What did this one
do?
He came to look over our fortified.
tiOns SO he could tell the Yanks where
it would be easiest to break through
them and capture the city.
oh, dear! you don't think the Yam
KEGS will capture Vicksburg, do you
II they should they would kill US all,
wouldn't theyP Oh, how dreadfully
awful that would be.
don't think they will ever take the
city; it is too we'll fortified and too
strongly defended.
My attention was soon attracted to
three young ladies who were dlstrIbu-
ting handsome little bouquets to some
of the prisoners, whom they appeared
to know, and l was surprised TO see
the hOrrifed stare which followed one
young girls first glance at me. She
looked a second time, searehingly, her
face pale aud startled, then turned
away with her companions.
The next day she came back again
bringing flowers, and / had chance
to watch her for some moments. She
brought me small bouquet, and when
handing 1t to me accompanied it by a
glance apparently full of meaning, and
yet utterly bewildering and untrans-
latable.
Surely, ! thought, have never seen
her before. Not q look or question, or
movement is familiar. And yet she
appears to recognize nae.
The more thought on the subject
the deeper aud binder became my
mystitisation, the more surprising was
the act Of my beautiful friend.
watched my charming mystery
builder until she had given me the