The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1893-12-11

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WITH A RIFLE AT HIS HEAD HE sURREN-
DERED.
Unlike his old self, l was struck by the
fact that he was not communicative, and
he shut up like a clam whenever any refer
ence was made to his capture. How he
was captured | subsequently learned from
another officer of his regiment, but as i
wanted to retain Captain Morton's friend
ship / never asked him for confirmation
Of the story. Here it is:
When General Burnside advanced into
east Tennessee and seized Knoxville Cap
tain Morton, with his troop, was sent up in
the direction of Bristol to see that the
enemy did not rebuild the railroad bridges
in that direction and at the same time to
give notice of any force that might be de
tached from Lees army in Virginia and
sent down that way.
Captain Morton was as fearless man as
ever sat horse and as susceptible a one as
ever felt his heart beating fasteri in the pres
ence of beautiful woman.
In his dealings with men the captain was
the embodiment of force and common sense,
but with pretty girl he was as weak a
shorn Samson.
Men who know their own weakness in
this way should religiously keep from all
entangling alliances with the fair sex. but,
curiously enough, they are the very fellows
who court most assiduously that danger
which they are so powerless to resist.
The houses in that part of east Tennessee
were not very luxurious or inviting at that
time, but near the place where the captain
was to be stationed till driven or ordered
back he was not long in discovering resi-
dence of the better class. 1t was about 800
yards from the place near the railroad
where his men were in camp, and it was its
air of comfort and prosperity that induced
him to go up there soon after his arrival
and ask if he could be accommodated with
board and lodging, for which he was will
ing to pay during the indefinite time of
his stay.
There were number of black servants
about the house, but its only white occu
pants were a middle aged, matronly lady,
Mrs Herndon, and her daughter Jennie,
the latter one of the prettiest girls the cap
tain had ever seen.
In reply to the captains request Mrs.
Herndon said:
MY husband and two sons are away at
this time" The captain suspected that
they were in the southern army, but that
was so usual as not to perpleX him for a
moment II shall be glad to accommodate
you if in return you agree to give me and
my daughter protection and keep your
men off the place at all times
Morton glanced from the sweet face of
the mother to the beautiful face of the
daughter, and there was, or at least so he
thought, such pleading expression in the
fine brown eyes of the latter that he &C
cepted her proposition at once.
Elated with his success and madly in love
81. lad fat. hGin
his first experience in this way--the cap
tain went back to his camp and issued an
order to his men in accordance with the
agreement he had made with Mrs. Hern.
don.
81 haven't had so many soft billets dur
ing the war" said the captain when tell
ing his lieutenants of his good fortune
that l should throw this one over my
shoulder"
The lieutenants winked slyly at eacf
other and said: Certainly, captain. You n
quite right We'd do the same if we hac
a the chance" and no doubt they would.
Morton moved up his effects, not yer!
cumbersome, to the fine house on the hill
and with true southern hospitality he wa
made Immediately at home.
lie sang well, and Jennie Herndon playet
well, and both gave an exhibition of thei
after supper that evening.
Then, as afterward, Mrs. Herndon lief
her daughter and the Yanke officer so muc
alone that the latter construed her Thought
fulness to mean that he would not be OF
iectionable as a son-in-law
II these ladies had favored the Unto
cause, they would have declared themselve
at the outset. Yet from first to last the
refrained, with well bred thoughtfulnes'
from saying anything about the war
more experienced and less susceptibl
man than Captain Morton could not hav
resisted for long the destinations OF tina
beautiful, sweet voiced girl Morton mad
no effort 10 do so. The genuine thing wa
altogether too delightful for anything lik
prudence
He was charmed at first sight, but befoI
aweek was out he had entirely forgotten
lovely girl he was half engaged TO up l
Cincinnati and was insanely in love wit
Jennie Herndon.
The post near the railroad bridge was nj
an onerous one Ten days passed withor
the appearance of graycoat on the su
rounding hills, and this immunity, WIT
the condition of the captains heart, le
him to believe or at least TO hope that tnl
state of affairs might continue indehnltei,
To please Jeunie-what would he not
to please herY-he now went on WIN ne
every afternoon on long horseback rae
Encouraged by his success, on one OF the'
rides he declared his loveand asked TOT IN
hand
She did not seem surprised, but told hi
10 come back after the war Tor her ansWe
and as she persisted in this the captain Ia
to be satisfied.
The fourth of these rides was the la
Cantain Morton ever took with Jenn