The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1892-11-02

and, oh! Luke, fear he hates you; if you
should ever meet him, beware of him.
Brother wrote me of your saving his life
oh can not thank you too much. Should
you meet him again, dear Luke, be it on the
battle field or wherever it may, remember
that though he is your enemy, he is my
brother, and, if possible, spare him."
"Yes, yes; l have spared him, and l viii
spare him." sighed the young soldier, bow
ing his head in his hand. "But is not this
after all, battle between brothers9 Oh
cruel indeed is war at best, but this fratri
cidal strife is swapping the heart-strings OF
the best IN the land'
He promptly answered her letter in as
cheerful strain as he could, hoping that
their difficulties would soon be removed
and peace spread her white wings over the
land. From beginning to end his letter was
replete with expressions Of tenderest love.
The month of December, 1861, was spent
in drilling and discplining the troops for
the long, hard marches, sieges and heavy
battles that were before them. Occasion
ally small scouting parties were sent out
into the country for the purpose of recon
nolterng. Camp life had grown irksome to
a small body of cavalry on one of their ex-
petitions into neighborhood in Kentucky
reported to be filed with rebel guerrillas.
As Luke was leaving he met the captain OF
the steamer on which he had gone to Bel
mont, who informed him that 'that niger
fireman, Blaclihawk, had deserted them"
HE is a strange being" said Luke,
thoughtfully.
'Ill have him tied up and whipped if l
can find him." the officer retorted.
Luke mounted his horse and rode away
to the bo&t which conveyed him and his
party across the river. 1t had been raining
that morning, and the woods and earth
were stilidamp from the flood. They did
not reach the Kentucky shore until late in
the afternoon, and the heavy mist which
enwrapt hill, valley, grove and town hid
them from any prying eyes which might
be on the watch for them. They Travelled
slowly along the wooded road long after
nightfaN had set in. Their guide was a
trusty fellow who knew every foot Of
ground. They were liable to be fred upon
by bushwhackers at any time, consequently
the officers carried pistols and the soldiers
carbines ready cooked in hand to defend
their lives against an attack.
Luke and the Captain were riding side
by sidejust behind their guide, when that
parsonage drew rein and said:
"There's sum wun ahead o u.s."
The officers could mako out dark figure
approaching them, and instantly both lev
eled their pistols at it.
"Hoie on dar, massa! don't We go fur
T. shootin' dis ere niggah!' said husky
voice. "I'se come heah ter show We to de
house whar am some rebs N bush
whackers.n
There was halt and few moments con-
versation, and then they inquired about the
numbers Of the enemy in the house, and
informed that there were but six.
lead the way" said the Captain of the
cavalry, and they rode slowly forward until
their dusky guide halted upon hill and
pointed down into dark glade where there
was light cleaning. 1t came from the
window of one of those log cabins occupied
by squatters SO common in certain parts OF
Kentucky at the time Of which we write
''What is going on down therew Luke
asked, as the sounds Of a squeaky fiddle
came TO his ears.
''Dancin'," said the negro.
They cropt q little nearer, and discovered
y number of horses hitcned to the trees
about the house. So secure were the rev
elcrs that not even guard had been left
without to give note of alarm in case an
enemy should approach.
Leaving tho dragons but a short distance
away, Luke and the Captain crept down to
the log house and through the chinks got d
GLIMPSE within. Here scene greeted Their
eyes.
A dozen Confederate soldiers and officers
were in the room, their faces flushed with
Kentucky whisky. A one-eyed negro was
saving away on a sQuealiy old fiddle, while
each Confederate was gong it at a gallon
with a rcd-cheeked country girl
"Yo, hi Whoop 'en up; SWING yer pard
r, ALBANIAN left! Whoop 'em upr' shout
cd u large, red-headed fellow in his shir,
sleeves. who, from his total lack of uniform
was evidently u citizen, and without doubt
the proprietor of the house.
by gosh, Sal, don't kick so high ur yell
knock fellcr's nose off his face. Look
out, ole woman, ur yen punch my eye out
with yer derne ed old snuff stick. All prom
enade, balance t yer pardner, right hand
t yer pardncr an grand right m left
Look out, Bill, can't yer keep on yer legsp
''re-'t tee tee u tee did-diddle-a-dee,'
sung out the old squcaly fiddle, until the
red-heade6 host shouted:
Ladies E ther seats an gents Z the Jug
Then there was a shout of laughter
and scampcring away to the high two
gallon stone jug which stood in one corner
"Gaw, git the Rourd an issue Their ri
shions ter the loys,' said the rod-headed
host, A thic1l-set woman brought gourd
and was pouring out some liquor into il
when u voice without shouted; "Surrenderp
"The deuceyo saywcred the host, spring
ing to his double barrelcd shotgun over his