The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-06-06

In the Allegheny mountains to the
west, so miles away, was a rough but
comfortable house surrounded by a few
acres Of land which Senator Percy had
owned for years before his death and
occupied with his family for several
weeks in summer. There he had found
good shooting and fishing and rest.
After receiving the latest news" ard
sitting down to wonder what they
should do, mother: and daughter re-
membered the place and its quiet loca-
ton and soon determined that if fight
was necessary it should be in that di-
rection. It was out Of the track of the
armies, and they would not be disturbed,
and they might hope that after a few
weeks the C%onfederates would either re-
gain permanent possession of the valley
or that war would be at an end. The
faith of the south in its soldiery was
sublime, and it never wavered until the
last gun was fred at Appomattox.
To decide was to act. While the Ia
dies set about packing whatever they
might need, Uncle Ben was told to have
a vehicle ready for a move at daylight.
When Mrs. Baxter was informed of the
contemplated move, she promptly vol
unteered to go along, and her offer was
as promptly accepted. It was not only
a part of her plan to maintain an es-
pionage on Marian, but to be IN hand
when opportunity might offer to favor
Captain Wyle's cause. Such a fight
would bring mistress and servant closer
together. There was a grim determi-
nation about the woman worthy of a far
better cause. She hated Royal Kenton
simply because she believed he stood in
the way Of Ike's advancement. Sine
would be faithful to Captain Wyle SIM
ply because it would assist Ike. She
had always fretted because Ike had NO
ambition to climb up. His excuse had
always been:
.Dod rot my internal hide, but how's
a feller goin to start? Show me a way
to climb. and Ill git thar or die tryin!"
The war had opened a way. No mat
ter if Ike was regarded as the poorest
soldier in his company and the last one
who wonld deserve promotion, he had
made her believe that he was on the
road to military glory, and that on his
success depended her opportunity to
become somebody" She was ambitious
even if poor and ignorant. In some way
which she could not yet determine
Kenton was to disappear, Captain WYE
was to we'd Marian, and Ike was to be-
come ga great gineral and ride around
on a critter."
There was no sleep for any of therl
during the remainder of the night.
Uncle Ben got a wagon ready to carry
provisions. and clothing and a few ar
ticles of furniture and the family car
rage in which the women were to ride,
and as dawn was breaking a start was
made up the valley. They had company
on the road. Four or FIVE farmers below
Winchester had set fire to their ov7
houses and barns and come into town,
and during the night artillery firing
had created a new panic among the resi-
dents of the city. Marian had been
made anxious by the story told by MIS-.
Baxter the evening before-not that
she put any faith in the report, because
she had become aware that Kenton's
position was a painful one, but because
she realized that the situation would
become still mor grave. She worried
over his capture and feared he might
have been wounded, and she couldn't
help but feel that, no matter how brave
and loyal he was, he would become a
victim of conspiracy and circumstance.
She was somewhat consoled, however,
when she went to the carriage house liz
the gray Of morning to notify Uncle Ben
that all was ready. His life service
in the family had given him certain
privileges, and on certain occasions he
did not hesitate to express his opinions.
See yere, Miss Sunshine, he began,
what bout dat white woman in de
kitchen:"
:'She's to go with u.s., was the reply.
"Den let me tell yo' to look out for
her. Nose too sharp. Face too sharp.
Eyes Jest like snaik's. Walks aroun
Jest like a cat"
why, how can she hurt us??'
"Tellin lies.
about what or whom:
"Look yere," replied the old man,
dropping bis voice and looking around
"I'ze gettin purity ole, but hahn dur
blind or deaf. I knows all bout dat
Yankee Kenton an dat Captain Wyle.
1 knows dey boat wants to marry yo,!
Oar now"
why, Uncle Ben" she reproachful-
ly exclaimed.
Its jest like I tole yo', leetle Sun
shine. Member when dat Ike Baxter
dun cum home on a furbelow bout six
weeks ago."
ST believe I did hear he was home
"An all de time he was home ne dun
'bused Mars Kenton up hill an down.
What fur? What he got to say bout
his betters? What his wife 'buse Mars
Kenton fur: Why she mad at him: 70,