Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1894-06-22

opened off the library, and he was Just
SINKING into a doze when he WIS start
lea INTO wakefulness by hearing a
etnir turned over in the next room.
Vniekly and silently he got out of bed,
and having no other weapon at hand,
ne picked up bootiack, which was
near the vashstand, and in his bare
feet slipped into the library. BY the
ilght Ola lamp burning on the grounds
ois'sitte he saw the figure of man
bending over his desk, and with move
ments so cautious and catIike that he
was certain that it was not one of the
servants, and also that his own en-
trance had aot been observed by the
burglar.
The mans back was towards him,
and knowing that fight would follow,
in which he might get the worst of it
If he gave any alarm, Colonel Ford
sprang forward, brought the bootiack
down with a number one cut, and
the next instant with groan the in
trnder fell in heap at his feet.
The colonel lit the gas Immediately,
and turned the burglar so as to expose
his face. As he bent over him, Chan
cellorsyille and all the incidents con
nected Herewith flashed through his
mind. Here was the man he had been
SO long in search of, the brave fellow
who, at the risk of his own life, had
saved him from the sabre of mount
ed Confederate.
The colonel was about to summon
the servants, but suddenly changed
his mind. He had the necessary stim-
ulant at hand, and he at once proceed
ed to revive the unconcious burglar.
After a few minutes the man was re-
stored to his senses, and rising un-
steadily from the floor he rubbed his
eyes, and in dazed, frightened way
surveyed the man standing before
him.
"Who are you, and what brought
you here?' demanded the colonel.
Before replying the man staggered
into chair, and then in broken
voice, replied:
"My name is Tom Rushmore. My
God, sir do not have me arrestedl"
"Not have you arrested !" repeated
tie colonel. "What else can | do
with you? | find you here as burg
lsr trying to rob my house, and fortu-
4tsly ] haze been able to prevent
sraln snseses..s,a aud lerhals from
Re greater one of mnrder?"
'Murderl" echoed the man, as he
pressed his hands to his bleeding head.
Before Heaven, sir, | had no thought
of that. You will not believe my
oath, but if you could l would swear
to you, and with truth, that this is the
first time in my life that ever know
ingly attempted crime. My wife
has been an invalid for nearly two
years my children are suffering for
food, and | am out Of employment.
For days and weeks l have searched
far and near for work, but without
success. | have heard that you were
rich, and in my desperation 1 tonight
entered your house, hoping that I
might be able to pick up something
that, without serious loss to you,
would have enabled me to buy medi-
cine for my wife, and furnish bread
to my starving little ones. !"
''Were you a soldier?" asked the
colonel.
Eyes, sir, was the response, ''and
| think brave one. Here is some
evidence of it, and he tore open his
flannel shirt, exposing a scar across
his right breast.
Were you at the battle of Chan
cellorsville?" asked the colonel, eager
ly.
Il was, sir, replied The man.
"What was your corps?"
'The Eleventh. But, in justice to
myself, | should say was not one of
the men who led the stampede in that
fight. I"
NO." said the colonel, 81 think !
distinctly remember you near the
rear, and with the enemy all about"
'You remember me?" said the man.
IN surprise. 81 must confess, sir, that
while l have seen you since the war, !
do not remember having met you dur
ing that time"
Yes, l think you did meet me. and
saved my life in that very battle, and
then the colonel related the incident
at Charlottesville, which the man
distinctly remembered, though he
modestly took no credit to himself for
the part he bad played in the young
officers rescue.
There is but little more to say. The
colonel did not read his visitor a lee
tlre on the immortality of his conduct
that night. His heart was too full OF
the mans gallantry on the former
occasion. The poor fellow came in to
hnd something that he might sell that
would relieve his family; he went out
with money in his pocket and hope in
his heart.
It Is pleasant to add, though it is
Just what might have been expected
from Colonel Edward Ford, that Tom
hushmore had no need longer to seek
ior employment. He is now trusted
superintendent of one Of the coIoneps