Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1893-01-12

btupAu icOhiiiS Ivy viz '"S 49, '-J
far into them.
who are your he asked of Souri, not
unkindly
Missouri Slack"
where DO you live:"
ION the anderson road, not far from
Jasper
And this boz"
Hes my brother"
"When did you come from homer
"Three days ago"
"What brought you. or how did you
know that the prisoner was here and in
Jail"
'Jakey sent lie word.
This boy;' e~ss1s
"Yes."
"Howy'
"He sent me silk hankercher what !
give t'other un.
How did you send it. boyT
'Niggers.
.'Um."
We'll, 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
a 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 nought gimme back my
gun, said Jakey.
The officer could not repress a smile.
"What gum"
9TH one yer Tux tother day"
"Go and get the boys gun, orderly"
he said to a 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.
"Do you know what you've been do
ing" the officer resumed, addressing
Souri,. You've helped 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 look at the
prisoners. Several Of them recognized
both Souri, and Jakey, and told the mar
shal that they were what they pretended.
This and their youth, together with
the fact that the provost marshal was
not a harsh man. saved them from pun
ishment There was great deal of feel
ing against renegade east Tennessee
ans. and had they been men they would
havr 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
another room till he could hear from
headquarters regarding them. He knew
the Triggs and the "black hole" and
feared to let them 60 back to them.
The officers at headquarters were too
busy TO NEEDLE with such case. The
provost marshal's 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 IL does not
appear that there is any reason to hold them.
The brother and sister were brought
in again to hear what was to be their
fate. Souri, was aware of the enormity
of her offense and expected severe pun
ishment. She had determined to beg the
officer to send Jakey back to his parents,
then be might punish her as he liked.
Suppose let you and your little
brother 90 home" sad the marshal,
twill you 90 there and keep ont of any
interference in matters that concern the
Confederacy hereafter;
"rll go home. said Souri,
"Well. reckon yon'd better go re-
piled the officer Then to the guard;
"Send the corporal here.
Take these children, he said to that
person when he arrived. TO 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,r said Jakey, II 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.