Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-05-02
CHAPTER LII.
A CONFEDERATE HousxHoiA

AM s
WSEsS~
"Hax you come fart" asked the gtn
Mark and Jakey trudged on. They
met no one on the way, but at one part
II the road running through . thick
wood they saw light in the distance
to the right in the thickest part. They
halted for moment and then advanced
rautiously. Coming to q place where
they could get view Of what the light
revealed. they saw several men In "but.
teruut," whose horses were picketed
near by. lying around the embes OF . fire.
"Guerrillas." quoth Mark.
Not caring to disturb these villains,
who had no more respect for Confed.
rrates than Unionists. they passed ON
stealthily.
About midnight they came to rivu-
let, and Mark concluded to bivouao
there. They turned In among the trees
beside the road.
.Jakey." said Mark. "before We 60
step farther. or do anything In fact, we
must tiI this money"
He pulled his roll Of bills from his
pocket.
Take of your boot" he said.
Jakey pulled of his boot and handed 1t
TO his companion. Mark took q number
Of bills. and ripping out the lining OF the
boot put It back in Its place with the
bills under 1t. Smoothing 1t down, he
handed the boot back TO Jakey and told
him to put II on again.
They took bite of the snack Souri, had
prepared for them and drank from the
rivuiet. Then they laid down, resting
their heads against the root OF tree. 1t
was not long before Jakey was asleep,
and Mark drew his head over toward
himself and laid II against his own
breast. Thus the two rested. Mark
slept at intervals: Jakey with all the
sonndness Of healthy. irresponsible boy
hood.
The moon was setting, and Mark
caught q glimpse Of 1t between the
lower branches of the trees and the hori-
xon. When he cast his eyes upward he
saw the stars. He fell to nusing upon
mis- singular position. lie remembered
that far to the north Of him Confederate
cavalry were dashing hither and thither,
attacking bridges. capturing the guards,
threatening Union pickets and In every
way harassing the Army Of the Ohio.
Yet here he was beyond the Union
front. In region which belonged to no
one save the outlaw guerrillas-ruled
neither by the United States nor the
Confederacy-with all silent and peace
full about him. An innocent face, care
less of danger. lay on his breast. The
leaves Of the trees hung listlessly above
him.
Then that blue vault above! Its seren-
ity seemed to mock the puny contests
upon world which, with all its cam
paigns and battles. was but a grain OF
sand among the heavenly hosts. lts
heaviest artillery could not be heard at
the nearest planet Its marshaled armies
could not be seen. Save for the reflected
light Of the sun 1t would revolve In
space. unknown by those on even the
nearest planets. And 30 musing he fell
asleep.
At the first sign Of dawn Mark walked
Jakey, and after they had both thrown
the refreshing water Of the rivulet over
their heads they started In search OF
house, at which they designed to "hap.
pen In" at breakfast time. Fortunately
they soon found such place. Turning
into the gate at the trst farmhouse. q
farmers wife received them kindly and
vave them what for that time and coun-
try was q palatable meal.
Refreshed by their breakfast, they
walked ON. Various people-country.
men, negroes. Confederate soldiers and
occasionally a squadron Of cavalry
passed them on the road. but they were
not questioned or interfered with by
any one. Occasionally they would ask
the road. but upon receiving the neces-
ary iniOrmation. and after making q
few commonplace remarks, would 90
ON. At noon they turned aside from
the pike in among the trees and ate
what was left OF their snack.
About sunset they reached q large
place set back of to the left Of the road.
The premises were more imposing than
any they had yet passed, and they judged
by IL that they were In the environs OF
Chattanooga. The house was large,
square, old fashioned building. with q
very high basement. 1t had two stories,
with peak roof. In which were dorlner
windows. A gallery or verands extend
ed across the front both above and 30.
low. some large trees were scattered
about the yard. In the rear were the
negro quarters and, the barn.
Mark deterininedNto ask for food and
shelter for the night here. Turning into
the gate, hs followed straight road
leading for perhaps q hundred yards tc
the house. A young girl robed In 9
white muslin dress Of q very simple
pattern. and pink sash. stood on the
yerands watching them a. they came
ON. When they reached the steps leading
up to where she stood. Mark saw . pal,
Of black eyes looking at him, which
conscious Of the deception he was about
to practice, seemed to read him through
and through. Indeed he was sufficient
ly confused to take of his hat to thu
girl with all the grace and manner OF
polished gentleman.
"If you please. ma'am." he said, -
running the dialect Of countrymsn
"ms n my lestls brothers goen ter Chat
teuoogy. My brother, he's walked
Iglt snart show for sech . younker'
rould y give us some supper and plac'
Ger sleep all nighty
"You can come mp here and sit down
md I'll see" =,
"what . musical voice." though
Mark.
The traveller. went mp onto the 70
randa and sat on some wooden benche'
ranged along the rail.
"Havs you come fart" asked the Cir!
who regarded them with evident cur'
ssity.
tuatchis."
"Your brother does look tired. Ar
ton hungry. little boyr
.ls Il a-gittsn dsrkr
II "Why, yes,- she said, surprised
-