The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1892-09-21
CHAPTER II.

Of recruits for the Confederate army.
CHAPTER IL
BLACKHAwK-A soLDIERIrHE SURPRISE
Luke Mason, as already told, had been
rescued when an infant from the river and
reared as the adopted son OF Mr.. Nen's
brother, who was childless. The brothers
had lived on adjoining farms until old Seth
Neff's death, which occurred about two
years before the time of which we write.
Luke had grown up with Albert and Lille,
and his love for the latter began when they
were children attending the same district
school. Their affection had ripened, and
this year would have witnessed their union
but for the distressing state Of the country
When the lovers returned to the house
they found the old farmer still sittingo the
porch, bathed in the moonlight.
"Wall, Luke, 'ts time We war gone bed"
he said, with a sigh. The old man still felt
sad from parting with his son, whom he
knew he might never see again. slow long
ar We gwine T. stayl"
II leave In the morning."
"Whys s. soonW
"It's best"
The old man again gave utterance to
groan, and Luke leading Lille to the door,
babe her goodnight and promised to see her
early in the morning. Then he returned to
Mr.. Neff, and, drawing chair near to his
side, said:
"Mr. Nef, I want those clews to my iden-
tity."
"What yer mean, Lukei"
* mean the things which were found
about me when l was taken, like Moses,
| from the water"
''rhar hant nuthin' left but the old wood
en- cradle up N tn attic, which guess yes
seen hundred times, n the old yaller han
kercher."
"Let me have the handkerchief, then; it
| will be some clew. l may by it discover
my parentage. Any way, it shall be pre-
cous relic with which will never part"
| The old man rose and called TO = negro
boy to bring him lighted candle. The
sleepy darkey soon complied, and, followed
by Luke, the farmer went to his private
room, where was an old-fashioned escri-
toire. He opened one of the drawers with
an assurance that secuted at any doubt OF
the precious relic. But look Of uneasi-
ness came over his face.
ATS gone" he said.
"Lcok well; i, may have got in some other
nook" SAID Luxe, eagerly.
| He did So He went through drawer
after drawer, but at last, in despair, whis-
pered:
ats stolen"
"Who did iti''
The farmer could give no satisfactory
answer. They searched every where that
it could be possible for the missing relic
to be, but Of no avail.
With an aching head and heart heavy
with disappointment, Luke Mason retired
to his bed that night; weary from travel he
at last fell asleep, despite his anxiety. He
seemed to have scarce lost consciousness,
and his mind had begun to wander amid
vague, misty dreams, when he was aroused
by loud noise of confused voices in which
were mingled oaths, threats aud the plead
ings of Mr.. Neff and his daughter.
"Shet up, old man; we hain't agwine ter
hurt you or yer gal; but we'll hang that ar
aberliton n spite o. hip growled heavy
voice. Luke, alarmed sprang from his bed
and ran to the window The front yard was
filed with armed men. Mr. Neff and Lille
both partially in night-clothes were in front
of the door.
"You shall not hurt him." cried the brave
girl. "He has not harmed you"
"But he's aberlition, gal, an we'll hang
i'm ur die. Haint We Southern gal"
II am-my brother Is on his way to join
Price. but you shall not harm hair of his
head"
A loud shout of disapproval went up at
this determined sentence. Cries of "Tar
down the dol" BUN the housem and q
hundred other angry exclamations drowned
the brave girls voice.
Luke was alarmed. The freedom with
which he had declared his Union senti
ments at the last stage station had ruined
him. He now saw the folly of his coming
to this neighborhood, especially from a free
soil State like Ohio. He was at a loss wha,
to do, as he was wholly unarmed and in
capable Of making any defense, There came
rapid steps along the hall. the door was
pulled open, and voice whispered:
"Massa, Massa Luke"
Blackhawk, is 1t you" he asked.
ayes, massa; de berry debil am to play
t Secesh come to hang yer, Come wild me
an, by golly, I'll show We how to git away
from 'em.n
! There was no time for hesitation, even fol
thought. He followed the negro out int
the hall, where BlacRhawk thrust a horse
, pistol in his hand
elbow um ter dc debil eff UNI come" sai(
the negro in a whisper.
"Where did you get thisi'
, "Nebber mind, massa-can't tell yer now
come on. Eff yer gwine ter help free m.
, wife an little baby I'll help yer"
He led him down the stairs and they wer,
> fastening out the rear way when white
D robed figure suddenly ran down the hal
and, throwing her arms about him, said:
"Ohl Luke, Luke; 60 fly for your life"
One kiss on her beautiful forehead, on
5 whispered goodbye and he was out fol
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