davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Globe-republican., 1894-11-30
CHAPTER Xxx

The one man who seemed to have
the clearest comprehension of all this
was Hendricks, who. from his retreat
underground, watched by some in
scrutable process every move that was
made. Gen. Waterson reached Laran
on the Goth of July. He left New
York just six hours before the police
began to look for him, apd he found
that four hundred and fifty of his men
had preceded him to the Laran. Dur
ing his absence the sanitarium had
been burned to the ground. This took
place on the Sth. On the 9th Gen.
Luscomb's party had been attacked in
the rear. The general had been killed
and his men routed. Those that es-
capped got in at Covington and re-
ported the sanitarium burnt and the
gang gone eastward. In the public
mind this appeared to explain the ap-
pearance Of the regiment in New York
on the 18th.
About ten miles east of the Laran
snugly perched on the side of a wild
glen is solitary Swiss cottage. 1t is
built of stone and looks down upon q
rugged but beautiful country. It is
just three miles from the town of
Hoxic on a branch of the Tennessee
railroad where there is a post Office
and telegraph station. The people in
the town understand that an eastern
literary woman who has an enormous
mail has hired the place on account
OF its seclusion and salubrity. She
has pony and two servants. ono
The Globe-republican., 1894-11-30
CHAPTER XVIII

nJune of that year there appeared in
several of the Indiana papers the fol-
lowing advertisements:
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-05-23

That front, the position of the Federal
videttes so far as known, and named
many farmers who sympathized with
the Confederate cause and would give
him shelter. It was about 70 o'clock
in the forenoon when Renton left the
last post behind him and disappeared in
the woods. He knew in a general way
what was required of him. It was. first,
to push as near the Federal lines as pos
sible, and then to estimate the strength
Of camps or marching columns, locate
forts and earthworks and seek to dis
cover the strength Of positions. Spies
go in disguise and often remain in a
camp for days. Scouts are saved from
the halter wien caught only because
they are not IAN enemy in disguise"
The spy is detested simply because he is
generally moved by a financial consid-
GRAFTON and is often a person who will
work for the side paying him the best.
The neutral ground between the two
armies was a strip Of territory from
three to six miles wide. Reconnois-
sances were almost of daily occurrence
from one side or the other, and cavalry
commands patrolled the highways at
frequent intervals.
The sentiment Of the Virginia farm
ers was overwhelmingly Confederate,
and whenever Kenton identified himself
he was given all information at hand.
During the first two days he had several
narrow escapes from Federal cavalry
patrols, and on the third day he was
treated to a double surprise. The farm
er with whom he had remained yer
night had recommended him to one
much nearer the Federal outposts to Sc
cure additional information. Hereach-
ed this place about II O'Clock in the
forenoon, and the first face he saw was
that of Marian Percy, the next that Of
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-05-23
p x.

No part of the south witnessed so
much of the wreck anu misery of war
as the Shenandoah valley. Its high
ways, fields and forests, its houses, barns
and sheds, it's every breeze by day and
night for three long years, echoed the
fierce shouts Of contestants and the
groans of wounded men. Nature made
it a garden. Wa converted it into a
vast graveyard.
The Federals had begun their march
up the valley from Harper's Ferry.
Jackson was ordered yer to bar the
way. Historians may write with pref
udice and politicians speak in bitter
ness. Let us be fair and conscientious,
even if we cannot be neutral. Jack
sons first battle was on the broad fields
Of Kernstown. All historians who have
written for the future have pronounced
him a wonderful man in the science of
war. Before his command was fairly in
the valley Royal Kenton and others
were far ahead, scouting for informa-
ton. Their reports decided Jackson on
moving swiftly up and attacking the
Federals as they reached Kernstown.
He was beaten back and fairly routed.
but that was to be the first and only
time.
AS Jackson's own brigade swept for
ward into the fight Kenton vas in the
ranks of the Shenandoah guards. On
his right was Steve Brayton, On his left
Ike Baxter. He had known but little
Of his company since detailed for scout
duty. He OWNED that Captain Wyle's
bitterness had Intensified, and that the
prejudice against him among his com
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-05-23

as he ddrnnccd.
Confederate army is a puzzle to me.
Seems as if he was waiting to let them
get a good ready. Everybody is giving
him hail Columbia, but I suppose he
knows what he's about. What COM
mand do you belong to-:
The pair had been slowly walking
side by side down to where the cavalry
mans horse was hitched to the limb OF
a tree. The Federal had quite accepted
Kenton as belonging to his side and was
planning to do him a good turn by
guiding him to the reserve. Kenton
must avoid that. He had hoped to do it
by strategem, and he had excuses al
ready on his tongue when asked for his
command. Answer he must, but as he
did not know the exact location Of a
single Federal regiment his answer
would probably betray him. He was
hesitating when the trooper repeated:
"What regiment do you belong to, and
where is it stationed:"
Pm independent, replied the scout
as he suddenly snatched at the carblne
and twisted it out of the others grasp.
Now throw up your hands! Up high
er! l see you have a revolver, but If
you drop your hands by so much as an
inch I shall fire on you! Forward!
March into the woods!.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-05-23

was hardly 30 feet distant, face turned
away and completely at his mercy. The
heavy bullet passed between his arm
and side and sped cross the camp and
killed a poor sergeant as he lay sleeping
on his bed. The would DO assassin plead
ed accident, and it wa natural to be-
leve that it was such. Kenton was one
of the first to excuse him, and not the
slightest suspicion of the soldiers MUIR
derous intentions found Judgment in his
mind.
Another incident, and one with far
more pleasant surroundings, occurred
the very next day. A message came to
the commanding officer Of the guards
from Stonewall jackson to send Private
Kenton to his headquarters. The gen.
eral looked at the young nan before
him for half q minute before saying:
"You headed the detachment which
captured the gun in a hand to hand
fight. You did nobly. Who is captain
Of your company"
Captain Wyle, SIR"
"Ah, yes. Captain Truesdale was
wounded and crippled for life. see.
And you are still a private?"
eyes, sir"
Hin! / oughtto have remembered
you, but I have been busy-very busy.
Is your captain with his company
mo, SIR. He left several days ago on
THROUGH"
"H'mi And haven't you asked for a
furlough too?"
81 have not"
well, We'll see about it later on.
Tomorrow I shall be away. The day
after at 10 O'Clock in the morning l
wish you to report here to me. Stay! l
will write an order to that effect, which
will be your authority for leaving camp.
Show it to your commanding officer"
And when Kenton returned to the
guards and related his interview and
exhibited the order all congratulated
him-all except Ike Baxter. That in
dividual felt himself greatly wronged,
and his mutterings took the form of
words:
"Drat that burned Yankee, but he's
jest gwine to boss this hull army if the
captain doan' dun hurry back to eamp!'
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-05-23
"Runnin as fast as the rest of us. ;

"Runnin as fast as the rest of u.s."
"And Mr.. Kenton rallied you:"
He did, mas am. Abner jenkins was
carryin our company flag, and he tum-
bled down and left it lynn on the ground.
I was right behind him with Kenton,
and the Yankee lifts it up, waves it
about and yeils for us to halt and rally"
.tAnd did the officers rally, too!' per-
sisted Marian.
WAL, yes, but they was purity Glow
about it. We had got the cannon and
were DRAWN it off afore I saw any OF
Fem. Reckon they feel nightly cut up
over il, fur they allus said the Yankee
wouldn't stand fire.
Steve Brayton was not a close observ-
er, or he might have discovered secret
that afternoon. Both mother and daugh-
ter exhibited the greatest interest and
asked him many questions, and when
he took his departure he said to himself:
Durn my hide if they wasn't more
interested than half the men!"
Twoer three days later Captain Wyle
appeared, and Steve Brayton vanished.
The captain expected to create a sensa-
ton, bnt was bitterly disappointed. Ev-
erybody was friendly, but Brayton had
told the story OF the rally and put the
credit where it belonged. He had plen-
II Of excuses to urge, and his story was
quite different from Brayton's, but
somehow it failed to g. While he was
congratulated on his promotion, which
was strong evidence in itself Of his good
standing with his superior officers, he
had not rallied his flying company and
led it back, and no one could be quite
satisfied with his record. On the Sec
ond evening of his arrival he called
upon the Percys. His sole reason for
returning home at that time was to
make this call. The victory which he
had helped to achieve, his promotion,
the Mandatory notices he had received
in his home newspaper, all THESE things
went to make him believe that he would
be accorded a frank welcome by mother
and daughter and that opportunity
might be given him to plead his cause.
The captains welcome was cordial
enough, and after the first salutations
conversation naturally turned to the
war. He took an early opportunity to
%laughingly remark:
well, I suppose you have heard all
about our Yankee?"
II whom do You refer, captain?'
stifiy inquired Marian.
why, to Kenton, Of ours l be-,
ieve you both knew him? had noidea
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-05-23

He dreao up his m1sket end deliberately
fired to Kill.
that he could be induced to enlist, and
I am surprised that he did not desert to
his friends before the battle opened"
"Mr. Kenton believed it his duty as
a citizen of Virginia to take up arms in
her cause" replied the mother.
"And instead of deserting he seems
to have led your company to victory
quietly added Marian.
"He was simply in the rear we
faced about and was carried along with
the rush," explained the captain.
Nevertheless he is a brave man, and ]
hope he is in earnest"
"Why shouldn't he be-" asked the
girl.
Blood will tell is an old saying.
I shan't be surprised to wake up some
morning and find that he has deserted
to the enemy"
You do Mr.. Kenton gross injustice!!"
exclaimed Marian as her color came
and went. and her eyes looked brighter
than he had ever seen them before. 81
have seen nothing in him to lead me to
believe that he would c~ountenance any
thing dishonorable, and brave men are
never recorded as deserters."
If the captain had planned to make
her betray her true feelings toward
Royal Kenton, he had succeeded. Her
looks and deneanor, added to the words
she uttered with so much spirit, salts
lied him that his own cause, unless
something unforeseen should arise, was
hopeless. While he vas a man Of hot
temper he had a great self control, and
when he left the house neither mother
nor daughter suspected his bitterness of
feeling.
ssIt's no use to deceive myself" he
muttered as he walked slowly down the
street. '.If the Yankee doesn' t desert,
and if he is not killed in battle or other
wise, he will return to wed her. With
him removed my path is clear. 1t will
be my fault if something doesn't hap
pen to him very soon!"
Something did happen--tWo or three
somethings-before the captains return
to camp. Ike Baxter thoroughly under
stood what Captain Wyle desired, and
he was eager for an opportunity to car
~ out his wishes. One night when
both were on guard about the camp he
wheeled in his beat, drew up his musl;et
and deliberately fred to kill. Kenton
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-05-23
CHAPTER VIII.

AS with the Federals at Arlington, so
with the Confederates on the fields and
meadows to the south. Battles were
fought on the eastern coast and on the
western ri~vers-battles which made
history were fought in North Carolina.
Kentucky, Tennessee and Missouri, but
the Army Of Virginia remained in its
camps. Its leaders realized from the
beginning that Virginia would be the
real battle-ground of the war, and that
the Army of Virginia would be called
upon to render heroic defense. Every
hour gained was an advantage, every
day a gain of men and material and
experience.
When Royal Kenton reported to
General jackson as per order, he was
asked if he knew the country to the
north of the Confederate outposts. He
was forced to reply that he was entirely
ignorant of it.
"This is a disadvantage, but yon
can overcome" said the general. I'VE
are in need of a few more bra We men at
the front to act as scouts. Would you
have any objection to serving in that
capacity?"
IL should not like to act the part
of a SOY, stammered Kenton in much
confusion.
"Nor would l ask you to. A spy is
generally a brave man and often moved
solely BY patriotism, but few Of them
are soldiers, and the profession is I'M
der a stigma. AS a scout you go IN
your uniform, secure such information
as you can in a legitimate way, and If
captured you are treated as a prisoner
Of war. You can take a comrade with
you or go alone, as you elect. Do not
be afraid to state your objections if you
have any,"
II will go and go alone" replied
Kenton after a moments thought.
VERY we'll, l am glad to hear it.
You can now return to your company,
and during the day l will send the
proper order to your captain. Upon
your return report to M direct, and 1
have nc doubt you will bring informa-
ton of value"
That afternoon Captain Wyle return
ed to his company, and when he re-
ceived the order detailing Private Ken
ton for temporary duty at headquarters
and learned its object he was almost
tempted to congratulate him. AS be-
tween captain and private or between
man and man, he would have done so
with great heartiness, but as a rival
lover he could not. When Ike Baxter
had related the story of the attempted
removal, as he called it, he expected
words of praise, but they We're not ut
tered. On the contrary, his action was
severely criticised, and he went away
TO sulk and growl.
Understand me-" said the captain
as Ike betrayed his disappointment by
word and look, 81 don't want murder
or assassination. l hate him because
he's a Yankee and because he is an en-
smy among as. want to drive him
out-force him to desert to his own
side. Iwant the news to go back home
that he has deserted and is a traitor to
us. Bring that about, and I'll do any
thing / can to reward you, but don't
shoot him down in cold blood. Now
that General Jackson has taken him un-
der his wing we must be more careful
than ever"
Armed with a pass that would take
him through the Confederate lines and
pickets, Royal Kenton made his way to-
ward Washington. When he reached
the last outpost, the officer in command
. gave him the lay of the country along
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-05-23

man who is supposed to be a Confeder-
ate scout or spy"
ssThere is only n white man here
the old farmer himself. sWe have seen
no stranger. You are at liberty to
search"
"Oh. no, no! The word of a lady is
amply sufficient. Perhaps he took the
other road. Sergeant, reform the men
in the highway
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-05-23
CHAPTER TX.

CHAPTER *.
When the troop had disappeared up
the dusty highway, Kenton returned to
the house to say goodby to its inmates,
and half an hour later he had turned
his face southwark, satisfied that he had
secured all information possible for a
scout to pick up. The farmer posted
him as to where he would likely strike
the Confederate outposts and warned
him what highways to avoid, but on
that very day Mcclellan was pushing
his cavalry forward and Selling new
territory. At 4 o'clock in the afternoon
as Kenton, who had been travelling in
the fields and under cover Of the forest,
was about to cross a highway he heard
the click, click of a carbine, and a voice
called to him..
"Halt where you are, or You are a
dead mani"
It was a Federal vidette, dismounted
and posted among the bushes which
fringed the highway. Kenton looked
up to find himself covered by a carbine.
Both were on the same side of the road.
He had approached the vidette in rear.
and had he exercised more vigilance
would have detected his presence in
time to avoid him. The men were not
over 80 feet apart when Kenton got the
summons to halt.
Many Of the Federal troops were still
dressed in the gray uniforms supplied
by their respective states, while the
Confederates had a variety of uniforms,
and it was difficult to detect one side
from the other. The vidette had done
his duty in hating the prowler, but he
was not sure what sort of game he had
bagged.
Throw up your hands, he com
manded as he advanced.
Kenton obeyed. He was armed only
with a revolver, and as that was hidden
from sight he appeared defenscless.
''Now, then, who are you?" asked
the Federal as he came to a halt scarce
six feet away.
81 might ask youthe same question:"
replied the scout, making a great effort
to appear cool and Indifferent.
Il know you might, but guess you
won't! Answer my question:"
"Ihave information to give"
.'What is it,"
Which side are you on?"
"Oh, it makes a difference, does it?
Well, I'm a Confederate. What's your
news:"
Kenton looked about him in an I'M
easy manner as if he had fallen into a
trap and contemplated making a bolt to
escape.
..Say, you look like a reb. but act like
a Yank," laughed the man as he low
cred his carbine. Il guess you've got
news, and I guess you want to go to
headquarters"
"Win you kindly tell me which way
to go to strike headquarters"
s:I'll do better'n that-I'l 60 with
you to the picket post and see that you
r passed along. Have you been scout
ing?'
Yes"
"Seen any 1ebs?"
"P1enty Of them"
"Well, come along, and I'll ride
down the road with you to the post.
We are posted along here in hopes to
catch a reb scout who's been sneaking
along our front for two or three days.
What did you say your name was"
"Kenton."
.sAnd mine is Fisher. Hear anything
about when we are going to mover"
"Not a word, though the army seems
to be all ready"
1T is ready, and why Mcclellan
doesn't push down and walk all over the
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-05-23
Another Victory
A Bad Sore Threatens the
Loss of a Limb
Hoods sarsaparila Routs Disease
and Gives Renewed Health.
MT. u. N. Cooley
Clarcmont, South Dakota.

ana Gives nS0IItss
&C. 1. Hood & Co., Lowell, Mass: :.
81 have used several dozen bottles OF Hoods
Sarsaparilla in my family and know its merits
I had a sore on one Of my limbs below the knee
which bafaed the Skill and treatment Of several
physicians. They were uncertain whether to
call it erysipelas, cancer, scrofula or blood
poisoning. Owing to my old age they thought
+ would have to have my leg amputated. It
was badly swollen, nearly twice its usual size,
and raw as well as painful, with a
Burning, Itching Sensation.
chad used Hoods Sarsaparilla before and 80
having great faith in its merits, I took 1t and
effected a perfect cure OF the eruption on my
limb and also renovated and purified my whole
system. Two years have since elapsed and 1 am
now passed Is years Of age. and yet I have more
energy and work harder than the average OF
men at 10. I have $50 acres under cultivation
and work more hours per day than many men.
"My wife has not been able to attend 10 ner
household duties much of the time during tho
ten wears we have lived in Dakota on account or
Nervous Prostitution.
She has been taking Hoods Sarsaparilla for the
past year and has never been as well as now.
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-04-25
The Strike Of the Coal Miners.

The coal miners must be badly advised
! In all parts of the country they have de-
liberately deprived themselves of an OPP
portunity to earn bread for themselves
and their families with the hope of fore
ing the operators of the mines to pay
them the wages they received in prosper
GUS times. There would be some reason
in their action if the operators were in a
position to comply with their demand
As a matter of fact, the operators are
about as badly off as the miners. In
many localities they have continued TO
work their mines with the expectation
that there would soon be an industrial re-
vival, and that there would then be
larger demand for coal, and consequently
better prices.
The industrial revival, however, has
been delayed. The delay in congress in
acting upon the tariff bill keeps the in
dustries stagnant. The demand for coal
is light, and consequently the operators
are not in position to respond to the
demand of the miners. No doubt many
of the operators do not regard the strike
as a misfortune. They have not been
making big profits 1t is probable they
have been losing rather than making
money. They have not closed their
mines for the reason that it is necessary
for them to hold their business, and they
do that only by supplying their Gus
toners, and also for the reason that they
do not want to throw their employees out
of work, knowing they have no means of
support. II is better for them to continue
to operate their mines at loss if there is
a prospect of better times than to close
them.
1t is curious fact workingmen do not
understand that there are times when
their employers cannot increase wages
without imposing upon themselves heav-
Ter burdens than they can carry. There
is hardly a business at the present time
that is profitable. 1t is not reasonable
TO suppose that while such condition of
affairs prevail employers will yield to a
demand for halter wages They cannot
afford TO do so.
NO doubt the coal miners are poorly
paid. 1t will hardly be denied that their
demand for better wages is a Just one,
and there is not much doubt it would be
granted if the coal trade were in pros
porous condition. But how can the oper-
ators pay better wages when there is so
little demand for their product, and
when the prices they receive for it are so
low?
While it is true that the wages of
miners are low, it is also true that the
cost of living is less than when wages
were higher. Flour was never so cheap
as now, and there has been remarkable
decline i'll almost all the other necessaries
of life The miners strike will likely
fail, not because of any injustice in their
demand, but because of the inability of
the coal operators to bear any heavier
burdens than those they are now carry
ing
The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-04-25
Instinct Told Them the Right Road.

II had an experience to be remembered
once at MoOsehead,' said Joseph Williams to
the Lewiston Journal. Three of US were ont
on the lake one winter day IN January when
storm came up. We had couple of horses
and rode on sledges made of split birch roles
To get home and settled IN the cabins before
night came was our one wish. Tut for two
hours the icy clouds had been blowing up on
the horizon, and now came down in a whfll of
snow and icy wind. In half an hour we were
lost on the ice. Two hours later we crossed
our own tracks again, and knew that we had
been going aLout in a circle 10
stay out there all night would he
death, and TO keep on travelling about
aimlessly meant"tO fall at last exhausted
Finally as the wind blew keener along the
level sur ace, and the snow beat on our faces
with more cutting effect. we called halt and
discussed again the chances. An old guide
who was with Us, suggested that we let the
horses take their own way off the lake. IL
seemed foolish, but we agreed Striking the
horses smart clips with the whips. we were
surpris d 10 see them turn each to the left and
S art on 10 the east. We thought this wouId
take us farther into the lake, out submitted
and in half an hour the trees along the tank
doomed up through the storm, and we were
safe. horse knows by instinct what a man
doubts and questions in such times"