The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1893-03-02
now tnat the prisoner was mere and u

know tnat the prisoner was mere ana IN
jail?''
ssJakey sent me word.
.'This boy?''
eyes"
"Howy
"He sent me silk hankercher what
give t'other un.
How did you send it. boyT'
.'Niggers. ..
"Um."
"Well, You two are pretty young to
be engaged in such mischief"
The officer looked at them with inter-
est and vexation mingled. He had lost
prisoner for whom he was responsible,
but he could not but wonder at such
dull looking boy achieving SO difficult
task as sending the communication, and
could not but admire the sacrifice made
by the girl.
"What do you think ought to do with
your
Reckon y mought gimme back my
gun" said Jakey.
The officer could not repress smile.
"What gum
eth one yer TUX t'other day"
.Go and get the boys gun, orderly
he said to soldier on duty at the door.
The gun was not to be found then,
but was recovered later, and Jakey was
happy in receiving it.
ado you know what you've been do
ing" the officer resumed. addressing
Souri,. you've helped a spy to escape
who will doubtless carry information to
the enemies of your country"
Souri, made no reply. She stood look
ing at the officer with her big black
eyes. Fortunately for her. he had a
daughter about her age.
Meanwhile some Tennesseeans who
hailed from Jasper had been sent for
and they came in to have a look at the
prisoners. Several Of them recognized
both Souri, and Jakey, and told the mar
shall that they were what they pretended.
This and their youth, together with
the fact that the provost marshal was
not harsh man, saved them from pun
ishlnent. There was great deal of feel
ing against renegade" east Tennessee
ans. and had they been men they would
have been taken back to the ''black
hole" at the Jail and kept there till it
was found necessary to move them from
the approaching enemy. AS it was, the
marshal directed that they be taken into
anorher room till he could hear from
, headquarters regarding them. He knew
the Triggs and the "black hole" and
feared to let them go back to them.
The officers at headquarters We're too
busy to medd,e with such case The
provost marshaIs communication was
returned with the following Endorsement:
Respectfully referred back to the provost
marshal with authority to do with these pris-
oners as he thinks for the best interests of the
service. The spy having escaped it does moi
appear that there is any reason to hold them.
The brother and sister We're brought
in again to hear what was to be their
fate. Souri, was aware Of the enormity
of her offense and expected a severe pun
, ishment. She had determined to beg the
officer to send Jakey back to his parents.
then he might punish her as he liked.
Suppose | let you and your little
brother go home." said the marshal.
twill you go there and keep out of any
interference in matters that concern tie
+, Confederacy hereafter?
''Tll go home said Souri,.
"Well, reckon you'd better go" re-
piled the officer. Then to the guard:
''Send the corporal here"
'sTake these children" he said to that
person when he arrived, Ito the other
side of the river and turn them adrift,
and see that they don't get back here"
Souri's heart jumped into her throat
for joy. Turning her expressive eyes on
the officer, she said, THANK you"
''Mr. Ossifer," said Jakey, Il thank
y fur gimmen me back my gun"
A smile broke over the faces of those
present.
The next day the brother and sister
arrived at home, and great was the re-
joicing in the Slack family.