Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1894-02-08
A LUCKY MISTAKE.

TRACE ElleTI Nuduulu5 Al AOHeA ONAAfN--
ion.
A LUCKY MISTAKE.
Within a month after Fort Sumter was
fired on two young men from pennsylvania
enlisted in the Union army. These young
men were twins, Tom and l. We were
very much alike in size, feature, voice and
manner-everything indeed, and the only
persons who could always tell which was
Tom and which was were the twins them
selves. We did not join the same branch
of the army, Tom enlisting in the cavalry,
while Joined the secret service.
After the investment Of Vicksburg, and
when the Union forces were each day dig
ging nearer the city, l was sent to make an
| inspection of the Confederate Notifications.
/ succeeded in passing the Confederate
lines and entered the city at Vicksburg,
where, dressed in civilians clothes, l was
reasonably free from suspicion. But it
took me full day before l secured the
desired knowledge and started back to-
ward the Union lines under cover of dark
ness
passed the guards safely and was, per-
haps, third of the way to camp when
heard sharp Halt who goes there"
accompanied by the click of cooking wea-
pons.
Escape was out of the question, and o
moment later was prisoner.
(which campdo you belong to?" queried
the leader of the men who had captured
me.
Neither" answered, "but I am stay
ing at Vicksburg."
How came you 50 fax from the lines to
night"
81 was just wandering around and
thought would go until l reached the
outer guard" answered.
This is very strange-if true" said my
questioner, turning to his comrades, "but
probably it is all a lie." Then to me. "We
will just take you into camp and sift that
yarn of yours"
The yarn sifted so poorly that was con-
victed as a spy and sentenced to death.
One day after my conviction some young
ladies of the city visited the prison where
the Yankees were confined, some to see the
strange animals of the north, who they
believed had horns and hoofs like an ele-
phant," as one of the young women ex-
pressed it; others to leave flowers or fruit
for the unhappy prisoners. The number
of the latter class was small
AS condemned spy was an object of
especial hatred or commisseration, accord
ing to the feelings of the fair visitors.
SIS he really a spy9" asked one young
girl of gushing class and age.
YES" answered the guard; "he is a
genuine Yankee spy"
"Oh, isn't it awful" said the girl "How
can you tell9 He doesn't look like SPY,
and if you hadn't told me | should say he
was real nice"
you can't tell anything by looks" re-
piled the guard. 'Some of the brightest
and handsomest men in the service are
spies. This 'un looks well enough, but he
is sneaking spy just the same"
'How strange! And what do these
dreadful spies do? What did this one dor"
He came to look over our Notifications,
so he could tell the Yanks where it would
be easiest to break through them and
capture the city,"
"Oh, dear! you don't think the Yankees
will capture Vicksburg, do your If they
should, they would kill us all, wouldn't
theys Oh, how dreadfully awful it would
be-"
81 don't think they will ever take the
city; it is too well fortified and too strongly
defended"
My attention was soon attracted to three
young ladies who were distributing hand
some little bouquets to some of the prison.
ers whom they appeared to know, and |
was surprised to see the Mortified stare
which followed the younger girls first
glance at me. She looked second time,
searchingly, her face pale and startled,
then turned away with her companions.
The next day she came back again.
bringing flowers, and / had a chance to
watch her for some moments. She brought
me small bouquet, and when handing il
to me accompanied it by glance appar-
emily full of meaning and yet utterly be-
wildering and untranslatable.
Surely" | thought, ~ have neyer seen
her before. Not look or question or
movement is familiar and yet she appears
to recognize me-" The more thought on
the subject the deeper and binder was nv
mystifcation, the more surprising the ac.
tion Of my beautiful friend.
watched my charming mystery builder
until she left the prison, then turned to the
bouquet she had given me. | gave it
close examination. Hidden among the
leaves Of one of the flowers was very
small note, the paper being almost as deli.
cate as the tissues of the flower leaves
The note said:
DEAR Toni was so startled and horror
struck to see you yesterday that | almost be-
trayed the fact that recognized you. For;u-
nately did not, and now | will try and helm
you. Examine carefully everything | bring
II m haya
ready Ill, and have not dared to tell her.
MABEL
Evidently the young lady thought was
somebody else.
A guard came to my cell after she lefv
and said:
81 saw you were one of the favored one.
ebday"
Yes" replied; ''who is the lady"
Miss Murfree-Mabel Murfree."
Her home is in Vicksburg, presume,n
mo; Judge Murfree, her father, lived
outside, and his plantation was for several
weeks in possession of the Yankees. Fl.
nally he came here to be in a safe place
and brought his daughters along.
The next day Miss Murfree came again.
and when she reached my cell she handed
me another bouquet.
waited until was free from obserya-
eon, then examined my bouquet. In the
hollow stalks Of the flowers was a yery
small file, slender but strong steel bar
with sharp point and little platinum
bottle Of hydrohuoric acid. The flowers had
been carefully sealed up at the bottom to
prevent their contents from falling out
Besides the tools for escape was this note:
DEAR ToN-Tomorrow will try and fipd ont
the password trom a young officer who visit,
US M.,.,
awaited the result Of her effort with
painful interest. and when she came the
following day and gave me the usual bou.
Quet found the following nnta.