Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-12-23

wall, anu WibnOut t5atus etmo W moo
briefest Inquiry, followed Moke into the
cellar as rapidly as he could, but the
effort was so trying that he was on the
verge OF swooning. He took a seat
upon the steps. in constant dread OF be-
ing discovered by the soldiers before be
would be Ia a condition to tolerate a
good hiding. His mother, Mrs. Sevoy.
and the negroes stood about him, fan
ming him. occasionally dashing water
into his face and otherwise endeavoring
20 bring about speedy restoration.
which they fortunately succeeded ID do
ing; then Moke and Toop knocked the
lid off large box in a dark corner
aud were about to assist him into 1t,
| but Mandy objected, better plan hav-
| lug suggested Itself to her. There was
large empty vinegar barrel at the side
OF the steps. Selling the Ratchet from
| Moke's hand she soon had the head out
! and then, with the assistance OF all, the
captain was helped into IL. she then
went TO another barrel containing vine
gar and drawing cupful handed 1t to
her master with the suggestion that he
| hold il TO the bunghole so long as the
| soldiers might remain in the cellar. The
head of the barrel was carefully replaced
and the officers room visited and every
trace Of its having been occupied OBJ
liberated.
II was not long before Captain Mar
few began to feel very uncomfortable
in his cramped position and greatly In
need of much more oxygen than was
possible for him to get through an inch
I'LL 49, = al III a
request one OF the negroes TO remove
the barrel head that he might take
good stretching and breathing spell,
! put at the instant he was informed that
a squad of soldiers was approaching
and few minutes after he heard
strange voices and loud footsteps upon
the porch.
I'VE trust. madam" he heard one OF
| the soldiers say TO his mother, THAT we
! shall cause you no alarm or inconven-
fence, but we have been ordered TO
! search the house, 1t being supposed
/ that Confederate is concealed in 1t.
lie heard his mother reply III tones
calculated to assure the most hopeful
of the party that the search would be
unattended with success. Then deep
| voice said:
Here is cellar, boys; we've yanked
many a reb out of cellars. Come, we'll
investigate, and into the cellar they
all trooped aud general kicking and
tossing Of the barrels, the boxes and
everything else began.
pretty heavy" one said, giving the
barrel containing the officer a shake
Looks like the heads been tempered
with too. Maybe he's headed up 10
here" and he shook it again while the
others gathered about it.
"Turn it upside down." suggested
one.
"Or better STILL" said an
other, 'knock the head in,"
and picking up a large stone he
struck the heti heavy blow. and was
preparing to repeat 1t when Moke In
terrupted him by saying:
"Please, mastah. DON oothah de
vingan. Put yo' fngah in de bunghole
an see TO- yo'se'i ei it amt vingah.
The man did as directed.
you're right, Niger" he said, after
Withdrawing his finger and putting 1t
TO his lips; sit is vinegar, and Id
strong vinegar at that, toe"
At such assurance of success OF the
artfice the ladies and the negroes ex-
perienced great relief, for they had
each moment expected to hear the
! head OF the barrel fall in. followed by
! a triumphant shout over the discovery
OF the Captain; but greater still were
they relieved when the party withdrew
! from the cellar and began diligent
search Of the house.
81 hope that we have in no way an
moved you, madam" said the corporal
of the guard TO Mrs. Marfew, after the
building had been thoroughly searched,
Though we have done you great
injustice in suspscting you guilty OF
harboring Confederate. We ask your
uardon. Good evening""
He turned TO leave, but suddenly
paused and looked inquiringly first at
| Toop and then at Moke.
1T is reported" he said, "that there
was some firing from the cellar window
at the time Of the fight How about
that?"
"Bof o. us fiahed, mastah, answered
Moke, soemnly, but we nevah meant t
hut any o. yo' folks. It wa de Fede'-
ates dat we shot at. sab. We s powah-
full Union riggahs, boss"
"Well, am glad TO hear so, :" laughed
the soldier as he started OF, followed
by the others.
As soon as they had disappeared
there was a general rush into the
cellar to release the captain who, when
tina barrel was opened, was found in
such an exhausted condition that IL
was with much exertion on his part
and with the assistance of the others
that he succeeded in getting out After
little while be was helped to his room,
where he Immediately stretched him.
self upon the bed with his head all in
a whirl.
81 hates u lie, Masse Howa'd," ssid
! Moke, radiant with bread grin, Il
hates Z lie, but knows dat de Lo'd ill
| low TO- de scan'lous way dat l lied Z
dem than Yankees. Wen we fahed,
Masss Howa'd, one or tothsh O. US
! fotch a blue fellah shoes yuh's Twin"
TO- seed 'em pick 'em up aftah de fight
an tote 'em off stiff as a hoe-handle."
and the negro clapped his hands and
fell against the bedpost In q paroXysm
OF mirth.
"Your falsehood likely saved your
neck from the rope, and Mandy's
vinegar trick in all probability kept
me out OF Camp Chase" said the cap
tain, placing his hand upon his aching
forehead.
Late that night DR.. Cheenway called.
The wound he said was healing finely,
aud that the captain would soon be
able to resume his military duties. He
! ramofpad hut few mInutes his