The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1893-11-24

her tenderly and carried her to hei
room under the gable roof and wher
they saw that rhe opened her eyes sn6
that her lips moved they were re
iojced. and there was q prayer ~
thank=z;,,::,7r::::.s 10 God that He haG
spared her life that night.
A few days later the order came
from the General ihstructihg Captain
Folsom to deliver the prisoner under
his charge to the outposts of the Brit.
ish army Mt the Bronx in exchange, for
it was demonstrated that he had told
| the truth when he said that he had
strayed within the patriot lines by nc.
| cident.
As he was about to go away he said
to- Captain Folsom: 81 have one favor
e. ask. May see Mistress Thankful
for an instant alonc?" 1t was permit
ted. He went and stood by her bed.
side and took her hand, Thankful, "
said h", 81 am going away. 1T is not
right that should speak to you except
earnestly md seemingly directing two
or three men OF tho company to take
this man in charge, and scarcely know
ing what sho did she approached her
have pnt her hand uuon his shoulder
before he saw her.
Sir" she heard hrr fnthcr say,
''you were captured within our lines
without pass and having no authority
to he there. ] am going to send you
with guard to the commander of our
army, who is in the camp dozen
miles or so beyond. He will discover
whether you are no British spy, but
have strnycd, ns you have said, within
our lines by accident
"Whnt has he done, fathcr?" tho
girl asked, for she was filed with pity
Tor this man, who seemed SO proud and
yet 80 pleading in his manner.
what Thankful, is it youp Why
are You h"-:, my ".uSntcr?' said the
Captain.
81 camc to wclcom" you, father"
"Bnt this iH no plnco for you. Wo
have II prisoner.
"a prisoner Surely he can do no
harm. He liz not like an army man
and he seems well favored"
"Ncvcrthclcss we found him wan.
dering within our lines and there are
spies about and he may be one OF |
those"
"a spy? Surely, | think not"
And the girl went to tho prisoner |
and stood before him in the innocenco |
Of maidonly confidence and looked full |
INTO his eyes, lifting her hcnd to do SO,
FOR he was tall and seemed to tower
TAR above her i'll his splendid presence
"lou are no spy" sh" said NJ last.
"No, my child, not spy. l am M
officer of tho Kings army who has
,traycd within your lines. Thank you
for your sympathy. You have beauty
in your fncc, my child, but you have
whnt - better you have sympathy.
The girl went back to her father and
,hc said:
"Fnthcr, suppose my brother John,
who il somewhere in the Jerseys with
should by accident be
'"pturcd by the r"dcomts. J.. ..,n O.
,rrnk WOW" h"-- ~ ND n,;,,. ''"cr eo."' /
,ir.cn together. We have ~" "ould
d... I.,a.v-....s, ....,ie if they took
I - for II spy. Surely thcro is truth
a this mans words. Come, bring him
18th you. Don't yoN rcn"'nhrr that
il Thanksgiving Day, and that we
re- tu have II roasted goose and II chicken
ir, and Abbic has baked IL glorious
pic? Let him como and hc
ur guest, md I'll warrant he'll promise
tc that he will make no effort to
scnpc until you hear from tho General
hat shall be done with him"
The Captain seemed to hesitate for
moment, and then turning to hii
rsoncr he said: "Sir, | nm mysGlt
with your dignity OF man
cr. 1t may be that you speak tho
ruth. My daughters intuitions arc
iiuu ~ 4" 49,. -... ,L"- rod my mind |
shall send II messenger to the General
,ith dispatch telling of your capture,
nd then whatever ho commnnds-thnt
viii / do. Meanwhile, sir, it is our
east day. We are accustomed every
ear after the harvest to give thanks
q the Lord and to "at u great feast
md to make merry in our families |
will nsl, Won to nhnrc this with us. You
will be u prisoner, but l will take your
parole that You will make no effort to
,scape.'
"You do me honor, sir. I give my
parole to YOU, md, If may bc per- J
nittcd, to this fair maiden who has :,
for me.
They unlooscd his thongs, nnu when
his hands wcro free he stepped up to !
Mistress 'riutui>fi.i ana he took her hand
md Bonded over it with the courtesy |
md grace Of one who had been accus-
toned to places where high breeding |
and gentle manners prevailed.
They hada afipe feast ut Captain Fol
SONS table, and the British officer
being no longer under great restraint,
became most compnnionahlc and ven
turcd gentle jcsts with Thankful nnd
her cousin. Mistress Abhic, who served
the meats and bountics with gentle dig
nifty and unconscious grace. And
when she turned to converse more Sc
riously with Captain Folsom upon the
war and its battles thoy--Thankful and
Abbic- under prctcnsc of some engage
mcnt for tho preparation of the des-
scrt, glanced furtivcly Mt him and eN-
changed condolences that he was
handsome man and we'll favored and
moreover very young !or one of his
stature and of his rank, for II was
plain that he was n high officer.
In the afternoon there was gentle