Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-04
NARROW ESCAPE
Written for The Evening Star.

One cool September day a small party q
confederates could lie seen vending their
way down the dusty road that leads into
the little town of Warrcnton. And from
the tired look OF the men and the steamins
sioes OF the horses, one could plainly see
that the cavalcade had ridden fast-and far.
Inc company were party of the rang
ers and at their head rode their chief.
Mosby, on a black steel, while the rest Of
the men trotted on behind in a leisurely
manner and made the air ring with their
jests and gay songs. 1t was true that the
enemy might come In sight at any moment.
or that some stray buffet from a foe hi iden
in bush might cut short the laughing
words on the merry lips. but familiarity
with the horrors Of war had bred an easy
indifference. and these men, though daily
facing death. thought no more OF their
Danger than II they were riding to a picnic
In some neighboring grove.
1t was just about noon when the marty
dismounted at farmhouse. And in an IN
slant the jolly rebels We're the center OF an
admiring group that crowded about them
ana the eager host FASTENED to bring out
Tor their entertainment all the good things
that his larder afforded. The men We're
hungry, and. seated beneath the huge oaks
they were soon discussing the relative
merits OF the buttermilk and fried chicken
with which they were plentifully supplied
But time wore on, and the men. forgetful OF
It's passing. sought refreshment In a doze on
the grass beneath the trees.
A sudden cry OF THE Yankees are COM
ing rang out on the still afternoon air, and
the confederates sprang to their horses Just
as q party OF Union troops dashed I'm sight
around bend In the road In a moment
the rangers had leaIei on their steeds and
galloped out Of sight down a narrow woody
lane that ran near the barn and partially
oohceaied them from view. In fact, their
escape would have been successful had not
one mans FESTIVE nag DELAYED the fellow so
long In mounting that the Approaching
squad caught glimpse OF the gray jacket
as II vanished In a cloud OF dust In the dis
lance.
All OF the rangers had gotten out OF dam
ger except their leader. Mosby, who was In
the house when the alarm was given and
nad not heard the warning cry. So when
he looked up from the book which he was
reading. while resting In the cool OF the
hallway, he saw the Union troops charg-
ing IN at the gate. which was only a few
hundred yards away. 1t was too late now
to escape and while the Federals did not
yet know OF his presence they would search
the house. and It was only a matter OF a
rev moments before he would be "a prts-
oner In their hands
In the parlor. which opened into the hall.
young lady sat sewing and her quick Wit
LOOK IN the situation at a glance.
Here. step in this clock case" she bur
riedly whispered. as she threw cpen the
door OF an immense old clock that stood
ticking In one corner of the hall And in a
moment Mosby had squeezed himself into
its dusty recess
BY this time the Union men were dis
mounting. but before they entered the house
sewing.
The Union officer strobe into the room
and looked anxiously about
are there any rebels concealed in this
mouse ne demanded in a loud voice.
hara
she replied, but they all ESCAPED as your
troop came In sight"
The officer glanced about the room ard
IN. fiis 1uich eye caught sight OF mans soft
felt hat thrown carelessiy on a chair.
Search the house." he ordered of three
men who were waiting his commands
In moment the men In blue were
sMarming over the house and poking into
every nook and corner They commenced
at the garrett, searching each room closely
as they descended, and the rattle Of their
sabers could be heard distinctly in the
Ran below, as they tramped about throw
ing open closets and upsetting beds
Presently AL -gathersi-in the hall and
we're discussing n a disappointed tone
their fruitieAs yssaeeh = -
Every moment seemed an eternity 20 the
ranger shut up in the hot, dusty depth OF
the old clock. and the warm air had grown
almost unbearsble. Yet he dare not move.
Tor only a few feet away he could plainly
near the angry tones of che Yankee officer
and the least motion meant capture or
death. Slowly the moments dragxed on.and
still the men fingered.
Finally, the occupant of the clock felt an
uncomfortable desire to sneeze. And as he
realized the fact he broke out in a cold
rerspiraton at the horrible thought To
prevent IL was something beyond his con-
troll. but sneeze would surely be answered
by bullet through the clock case and the
ranger felt he would prefer the danger OF
facing his foes in an open fight
Suddenly a bright idea came into HIS
mind, and just as he bent his head TO sneeze
he gave pull on the pendulum that sent
all the wheels whirring in a loud confusion
The Union men glanced suspiciOusly at
the noisy timepiece.
Il am afraid that clock needs mending."
remarked the lady. carelessly. as she turn
ed down new hem in the linen on which
she was sewing, and her quiet voice dis
armed suspicion.
With a sigh OF relief Mosby heard the
officer command his men 20 mount and
presently the gallop OF their departing
Households fell on his delighted ear. And
scarcely had the echo died away when the
Cock flew open and the exhausted prisoner
struggled out In an almost suffocated con-
Gition.
A merry laugh had the ranger over his
narrow escape, but in all the dangers that
he faced during four years of bloodsh "a
there were none that tried his nerves like
the terrible half7hour spent in the old clock
case. V M