The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1894-10-05
TALES OF THE WAR.
MosBy WAS HIDDEN IN THE CLOG
The Fedcrals We're In the House, Du'
Could Not Find the Guerilla In General


The Federals We're In the House, Di'
Could Not Find the Guerilla In Geher"''
One cool September day, says writer III
the Washington Star, IL small party OF cohIeo-
crates could be seen vending their way down
the dusty road that leads into the llttie toWh
of Wnrrentown. And from the tired look OF
the men and the steaming sides of the horses
one could plainly see that the cavalcade had
ridden fast and far.
The company were party of the rangers
and ut their head rode their chief, Mospy' on
Il black steed, while the rest Of the men tro'ted
on behind in leisurely manner and maze the
air ring with their jest and gay songs. III was
true that the enemy might come IN slght at
anv moment, or that some stray bullet from II
foe hidden in a bush might cut snort the
laughing words on the merry lips, but TAMIL
iarity with the horrors of war had bred an
easy indifference, and these men, though ualIy
facing DEATH thought no more OF tnelf dahSer
than if they were riding to picnic Ill some
neghboring grove. ,,a
It is just about noon when the party uls.
mounted at farmhouse. Ana III IN instant
the Jolly confederates were the center OF an
admiring group that crowded about them and
the eager host fastened to bring out for their
entertainment all the good things that MS
arder afforded. The men were hungry, anu,
seated beneath the huge oaks, tnev were pien-
tifully supplied. But time wore on ana tne
men forgetful of It's passing, sought reIresn-
mcnt in dozc on the grass beneath the trees. :,
A sudden cry of ''the Yankees are coming
rang out on the still afternoon air, and the
confederates sprang to their horses Just as q
party of Union troops dashed in sight around
a bend in the road. In a moment the rangers
had leaped on their steeds and gaIloped out or
sight down narrow woody ane tnat ran
near the barn and partially concerted tlieiil
from view In fact. their escape Wolliu nav
been successful had not one mans FESTIVE nag
DELAYED the fellow so long in mounting that
the approaching squad caught a glimpse OF
the gray Jacket as it vanished III clOud OF
dust in the distance.
All of the rangers had gotten out of danger
except their leader. Mosby. who was III the
house when the alarm was given ana had no,
heard the warning rap. so Wnen ne lookeu
up from the book which he was readlnS,while
resting in the cool of the hallway. he saw the
Union troops charging in at the gate, Which
was only few hundred yards away. 1t was
too late now to escape. and while the 1euera'S
did moi vet know of his presence they Wou'u
search the house, and it was only matter OF
few moments before he would be prisoner
in their hands.
In the parlor which opened into the nan a
Young woman sat sewing, ana ner quick VII
took in the situation at glance.
''Herc, step in this clock case,' she htirrieu-
" whispered as she threw open the door OF
an immense old clock that stood TICKING III
corner of the hail And in a moment Mospy
had squeezed himself into his dusty recesses.
BY this time the Union men were dsmount-
ing. but before they entered the house the
l.. T.. 4
ing.
The Union officer strobe into the room anu
| looked anXiously about.
"Are there any rebels concealed in TINS
house," he demanded in Il loud voice.
| .sMosby's men were here while ago. she
replied. ''but they all escaped as your troop
came in sight
The officer glanced about the room and his
quick eve caught sight of Il mans soft fell hal
| thrown carelessly on chair.
"Search the house, he ordered or three
men who were waiting his commands.
In a moment the men in blue were swarm
| ing over the house and poking into every nook
and corner. They commenced at tine %arre,
searching each room closely as they descend
ed, and the rattle OF Their SaDers couiu a. oe
heard distinctly in the hall below as they.
trampled about. throwing open closets ana
upsetting beds.
Presently all gathered in the hall and were
discussing in a disappointed tone their fruit
less search.
Every moment seemed an eternity to the
ranger shut up in the hot, dusty depth OF the
old clock, and the warm air had grown almost
unbearable. Yet he dare not move, for only a
few feet away he could plainly hear the angry
tones of the Yankee officer. and the least mo-
ton meant capture or death. Slowly the mo-
ments dragged On, and atil11h mea fingered
,FinalNt rsapa clasf JET ia an rs uh.
lied the fact he broke ont in cold perspira.
ton at the horrible thought. TO prevent II
was something beyond his control but sneeZe
would surely be answered by bullet through
the clock case, and the ranger felt ne Woulo
prefer the. danger of facing his foes IN an open
| fight.
Suddenly bright inca came into his mind
and lust as he bent his head to sneeze he gave
pull on the pendulum that sent all the
! wheels whirling in loud confusion.
The Union men glanced suspicousy at the
noisy timepeace. ,
II am afraid that clock needs mending,' re,
! marked the lady. carlesSly. as she turned
down a new hem in the linen on which she
was sewing, and her quiet voice dlsarmed sus'
| picion.
With sigh of relief Mosby heard the officer
| command his men to mount. and presently
/ the gallop of their departing horse-hools l lel
| on his delightful ear, and scarcely had inc
/ echo died away when the clock flew open ana
! the exhausted prisoner struggled out III an al
most sutiocated condition.
! A merry laugh had the ranger over MS mar,
row escape. but all the dangers that ne laceu
durn four wears of bloodshed there were
none that tried his nerves like the terrible
! half-hour spent in the old clock case