Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-12-15
"Jakey," he asked. chow would you

like to go with me OLA trip"
How would like to shoot squilrsls?"
"You, Jakel Didn't ! tell y t. an
swer straightf" from the father.
"Yas, I'd like ter 60"
Give ~ mind to tuke you, IL your
father will let you 60" said Mark medi-
tatively
"Many fevers bout Chattanooga"
asked the mother, taking the pipe out of
her mouth and casting an anxious glance
at her son.
"What y goen ter do with him?"
asked Slack.
81 only want him for companion
to divert uspicion--and-well can't
tell exactly what-for an emergency,
perhaps"
Whats Emergency" asked Jakey.
well, if should learn something of
Importance | might want to send you
ack with the news, or if l should be
aught in AIN a.
Tree, like a coon, with a gun or
Iorg below" supplied Jakey.
That's it exactly. might want TO
send word about that"
"Tm dfeard he's too little ter be Of any
use that away" said his father.
"Oh, Jakey can't go. He's got ter
stay right hyar n do hoen," chimed his
mother.
"What do you say, JalI-y: Do you
want to goY' asked Mark.
Would p
"You, Jake" again shouted his father.
course | want ter co.
all 4
let him go III bring him or send him
back safely and leave a twenty dollar
greeIbaok here with you for him on his
return"
"Souri! Souri, called Slack.
Souri, came il so quickly as to argue
that she had not been out of hearing of
all that had passed.
"Snack fur these two uns," said her
father.
Souri, departed and presently returned
with bundle containing cold eatables.
Nov, Jakey," said his fathor as they
all stood at the front gate before the de-
parture of the two travellers, "remem-
Der Yer Unioner n treat the stranger
far"
con, ain no slouch, # l am little"
replied the boy, with shrug and a
scowl, indicating that he regarded the
injunction entirely uncalled for.
IN, Jakey," called his mother, "don't
yer go n sleep out nights n git tn
ager,'
Never yer mind, nav. l amt goen
ter git no ager."
The two started off up the road. The
air was pleasant, and it was not too
warm for tramping. They passed out Of
the clearing and were about entering
the wood into which the road took them
when they heard step behind them
Turning, there was Souri,.
."lIow long d y low y mought be
gone down thar she asked.
Mark looked into her face, and she
lowered her eyes.
why do you want TO know. Souri,
"Waal, NAV, she'll worrit bout
Jakey."
Il can't tell you.'
How fur y goen:'
ITO Chattanooga. Perhaps farther
but not likely"
"Whatll tn do t y ef they letch ""
"They'll probably lift me off my feet
with hemp cord
They won't, will they? Don't talk
that AWAY"
She looked at him with her black eyes
and shivered.
II guess | can get through all right"
said Mark reassuringly. I've done it
before
The girl stood for few moments IL
resolute. Then she drew red silk hand
kerchiet from her bosom and handed it
to Mark. 1t was the only bit Of tnery
she possessed.
What is that for, Souri, asked Mark
affected in spite of himself
"Waal, eff don't see y no more,
mought keep ct ter ter Mebbe eff Y
git inter trouble y mought find chance
ter send it ter ne-Jakey mought tote
it--'n Ill go down n-'n'- She turned
away. 1t was evident she could not
clearly express her meaning, and her
voice was getting husky.
"Goodby, my little girl said Mark
going up to her and taking her hand.
Il have notion that if it is necessary
to the Union cause for my life TO be
saved again you will be on hand to
save it.
Then the girl went back to the house
and the travellers went on their way.
"Jakey," asked Mark, "can your sis
ter read writing
"Rcckon not
"Can your"
"Can | sing like a bird:'
"Do you mean that You can or YOU
can't;'
Il can't"
"Well, your sister is a good girl, and
smart girl, and Il courageous girl. She
has saved me once, and if | get into
trouble ! would rather have her near by
than sergeant and ten men."
Reckon she CIV y tn hanshicuf ter
send instead o written"
Mark looked down into the stupid
face Of the boy beside him. lie began
to think that the chiid's stupidity was
not fattering 10 himself, iuasmuch as
,Ial[eV had npDntr4tp1 fuyt her than he