The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1893-05-24

died faithful to the dear old flag. The wells
OF the mob are growing more and more dis
tinct. The Lords will be done. Farewell"
Although this letter was committed
to the care of trusted colored servant.
there was little expectation that it
would ever reach its destination, but it
did. Its reception was decisive in
winning the consent of the parents to
the enlistment of their only son. Until
then they had not felt called upon to
surrender him. Besides, he was ill
prepared to face death. His sisters
letter, however, led them to see their
duty in new light. Then, too, God
might use the terrible experiences of
the war as the means of answering
prayer in their sons behalf.
Accordingly, Frank was soon off for
the scenes of military strife. Nobody,
however, credited the young man with
taking any interest in country or hu.
manity. 1t was believed that his eager
ness to enlist had been wholly due to
his desire to give freer rein to tenden.
cies which caused many parents
sense of relief at his departure from
their community.
His chosen military associates repre-
scented that type of young men whose
ruin army life generally completed.
While his swagger and coarse profanity
brought him into contempt with the
best element of the regiment, the chap
lain had special reason to regard him
with aversion. None supposed him
capable of entertaining noble thought,
or equal to brave act. No wonder,
therefore, that his comrades almost
doubted the testimony of their own
senses when Frank Knapp promptly
stood forth in response to the dreaded
challenge of their commander. Their
opinion of him was instantly revolu-
tlonlZed. He whom a moment pre-
vious so many regarded as a contempt
Idle popinjay, all now honored as a
hero. His countenance wore an ex-
preston of serious purpose which had
never been seen there before, and he
entered on the execution of his peril
GUS task, the object of profound admi-
ration.
The closely-wooded river bank is
reached in safety. Now he is stealthilv
threading his way through the dense
shrubbery. How noiselessly he creeps.
How serpentlike he winds himself
forward without Occasioning disturb
rance in branch or leaf. He has sew
eral narrow escapes at points where the
shrubbery becomes sparse. At length
he has approached to within few Yards
of his object. Here, however, he finds
that the most dangerous space remains
to be passed. 1t sloped to the river
completely exposed to the view of the
enemy. Knapp is stretched at full
length upon the ground, his body con
cealed in the bushes, while his head
lies hidden behind a tree on the edge
of the open space to be rCssed. Here
PROSTATE and alone, with the open
death space before him, he crowded
into few seconds good deal of seri-
Gus and NEST important thinking. Now
he is re ady TO rise and make bold dash
for the shelter of the bridge. AS he is
about to act on this resolution cannon
ball struck the trve behind which his
head was concealed, in such a manner
as to fell it toward the bridge, quite
covering the exposed ground. The adj
vantage is instantly seized, and few
moments later, loud, exultant cheering
from the direction of the Union ranks
assured him that the deuse column of
smoke had announced his success
As he turned to go back the way he
had come be was startled by the sound
of footsteps near him, and, quickly
turning round with pistol in hand, saw
man holding out small Union flag
Their face scrutiny of each other
softens into gaze of mutual astonish-
ment.
s. Is this you, Walter Denton?"
L" 1t is, Frank" and the brothers.in-
law were instantly clasped in Joyful
recognition.
rs sister Kate alive?' inquired
Frank.
50 She is, follow me and l will take
you to her." whispered Denton.
A few PAGES brought them to the
massive stone abutment at the end of
the now rapidly bridge. Part
ing the rank growth of thickly- matted
vines, Walter pointed to an opening
sufficient to receive the average human
form, and Frank crept into the dark
ness beyond, followed by Denton.
When the vines had been carefully
readjusted, the large stone was re-
placed, thoroughly concealing all trace
of an entrance.
What next?" inquired Frank.
/" Creep along after me-" answered
Walter.
As they were thus proceeding, he
explained how he and his wife had
been compelled to flee for their lives
They had undergone many hardships
during the months that had interve ned,
but Kate had behaved bravely in the
most trying situations. They had
reached the Milestone on the way to
the Union army. Their underground
hiding place had been disclosed to them
by female slave, who proved TO have
been once owned by the elder Denton.
1t had been constructed many years
previous by slaves as place of conceal
ment in escaping from bondage. 1t
had remained a profound secret in
spite of every means of discovery.
" Is that you, Walter?" inquired
Mrs. Denton from the underground
chamber in which the tunnel termi
mated.
Yes, have some one with me-
don't be frightened?" he whispered, at