Waterbury evening Democrat., 1895-01-18

in it. But seriously, JaKey, that experi- ence has filled me with a peculiar dread. Now, suppose some day Confederate spy should fall into my hands. !"
 Reckon yer'd hev lots O fun hang in him.
 You're far out of the way there, my little Solomon. I fear it would be abso- lutely impossible for mo to do such a duty if required of me-"
 "Yer needn't take him. in the first place."
 "It might be my duty to do so."
 "Y' mought do like Tom. Tom, he can't never see me when I want ter drive i'm outen pastur. He can see well huff when get ear O corn fo' 'im, though"
 "A good idea, Jakey. With that sub tie sophistry of yours you could reason a Methodist minister into dancing Q hornpipe, but fear it's hardly sound enough to enable one so used to deceiv- ing others as was when a scout to de- ceive himself. I should do my best. should take a spy, to turn him over. "
 "S'posin 'twar woman?"
 "Oh, Lord, Jakey, don't suppose any such thing. I'd have to do my duty in that case just the same as if she were a man. What kind of looking 'go- cart is that coming down the road?"
 A horse was visible in the distance, its long neck stretched out in front of its body, coming toward them at a rapid gait The rattling of buggy which it dragged reminded the colonel of the band of q newly recruited regiment. Within sat a woman in a striped dress, sunbonnet and glasses. In short, Jakey Slack at once recognized his old friend, Betsy Baggs.
 "Howdy, Miss Bags" he said as she drove by.
 Miss Baggs was the sphinx she had been to Jakey when he met her near Tullahoma She leveled her spectacles at him, but had no recognition what ever for him.
 "Who's your friend?' asked May nard as the buggy rattled away.
 '"Thet's Miss Baggs. said Jakey.
 And who's Miss Baggs?"
 Jakey paused long while before re- plying. There was a problem in his mind suggested by the meeting of Miss
 
 with the colonel about capturing a woman spy, for Jakey had a suspicion that Miss Baggs was in some way Q Confederate emissary.
 "Waal," he said at length, "I reck- on she's sweet on Rats. "
 "Jakey," said the colonel, there is occasionally a lucidity about your ex- plantations, shining brightness, which makes my eyes blink. Bat on the pres ent occasion l think there is dust in them. Would you mind giving me a pointer as to your meaning? By Rats do you mean rodents?' Whats rodents?" asked Jakey. Meanwhile the rattling of Miss Bags buggy was dying away in the distance.
 Real rats are rodents
 Not them uns Rats is corporal in Major Burke critter company.
 The corporal's name is quite appro- pIiate to th9 one you have given his regiment The woman in the buggy looks as if she d make fit vivandiere to 'critter company and a fit sweet heart for corporal of the name of Rats.
 Jakey made no reply to this. He was | evidently weighed down with some con cealcd responsibility. The colonel tried to draw him again into conversation, but even their campaigns" were not sufficient. At last the colonel, realizing that they were near their destination and his young wife. became occupied l by his own thoughts Suddenly he ! caught sight of n large frame house set back from the road. He gazed npon it with singular mingliug of different feelings. In it he had first met his wife, in it sho had concealed him from men and hounds, and thero she was now, his wife and the mother of their babe. He gave his horse the spurs. Jakey sud denly drew rein.
 "Colonell" he called.
 "What?"
 Miss Bags"
 "Confound Miss Bags! What oi her?'
 Reckon thar'S somep'n wrong bout her :"
 What do you mean:' | "Mebbe she's 'Foderte spy"
 You little imp, why didn't you tel mo that befcrc:" cried the colonel an grily.
 "Waal, I hain't sart' in bout it no how. n thought yer moughtn't lik' fo' to hold onter woman
 "Jakey," said tho colonel impressive ly, you have dono very wrong. Yor should have told mo of your suspicion at once Remember I'm colonel com manding q brigade in the Union army.
 Tho colonel sat irresolute. Wha should he do? Miss Baggs was nov miles away. Jakcy only suspected her His young wife, whom he had not seel for nearly year, was within q stone throw of him. Suddenly he drove tn spurs again into his horse's Hanks anC rode on to the gateway of the planta ton. There was no need to open tn, gate, for there was no gate to open. Tn two rode on to the house through al avenue of trees, and Colonel Maynard dismouuted before his horse reached tn foot of the steps leading up on to tn veranda. A young woman flew througl the open front door with all the impuls of summer storm. In a moment sh and Colonel Maynard were closely lock ed in each others arms.
 Mark"
 "Laura!'
 Jakey sat on old Tom, viewing thi collision very much as he would watc two tempest clouds meet in the sky Reckon them uns heZ got it bad, " h