The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-01-08


Confederate army.
No further attention was paid to
Farmer Slack and his family. Evident
ly there was business of greater impor-
tance ON hand. They went out ON to the
doorstep. where they stood wondering
what was going on about them. Every
one was stirring An orderly dashed up
to the door leading an officers horse
saddled and bridled. An aid ran out of
the house. and mounting in hot haste
rode away. A man from an upper win.
dow called out to him:
whats up?"
''They've secured the gaps"
''Which?'
Liberty and Hoover's. All Of 'em."
"Well, what of it?''
''What of il? 1t means retreat" And
before the last word was spc1aai he was
out Of sight.
In q few minutes a bugle Wa heard.
It's tones had scarcely died away before
the camp was alive with men preparing
to move.
The farmer determined to get his
children into the wagon as soon as pos
sible He had been given his pass,
which, for the present at least, was
likely to be, Of little use, as he would
simply follow the army. The party lost
no time in getting to the wagon and
into it and drove down the road. But
they were too late. The way was choked
with horsemen and wagons, and they
were soon brought TO halt. The gen.
eral dashed past, with his staff, and
who should be by his side, her striped
dress covered with gray riding skirt
a sombrero on her head, with a jaupty
cocks feather encircling its crown, but
Miss Baggs. Seeing the farmers wagon
waiting by the roadside, she reined in
Bobby Lee beside Souri, and took her
hand.
"Goodby. my dear. / trust that your
innocent heart will not have to suffer
more than the rest Of us during the con-
tinuance of this fearful struggle. You
know we are all being tried in fiery
furnace. Well meet again. know it,
II you ever need any help or protection
when our army is near, hunt up Betsy
Baggs."
"Whar's tn chicken coop?' called
Jakey as she rode away.
"What chicken coop?"
9Th one on wheels.''
''Oh, the buggy" she said, smiling.
81 left that for the Yankees to pick up
when they come along"
"Rats'll be ridin inter il, / reckon.
''If he can find it, he's welcome to
It," and with laugh she dashed after
the rest.
Farmer Slack only succeeded in get
ting few miles ON the way before
nightfall. Then, coming to small viii
lage, he made up his mind that il would
be better to sleep there than attempt to
go on through country being abandon
ed by one force to be Immediately occu-
pied by another. He knew we'll the
crowded condition of the roads and the
perils Of night travel. So singing out
house beside the road, which was the
main street of the place, and seeing a
woman standing in the door, he asked
If she would give him and his party q
nights lodging.
Reckon kin keep you uns, but
hain't got no stablin fo' the critters.
"Oh, ! kin find place fo' them
uns," said Slack, and handing out his
daughter she went into the house with
Jakey, while the farmer drove off to
find shelter for the horses. Jakey wish
ed to go with him, but his father bade
him stay with Souri,.
The woman of the house was depress-
ed. She was not strong, and the contin-
ned successive occupation of the country
by Union and Confederate troops for
more than year had completely worn
her out
And now another shifting was at
hand. At first she had spoken her sem
timents freely. They were with the
Confederacy, but lately she had come to
endeavoring to find ont the sentiments of
strangers before betraying her own.
Wondering whether she was harboring
Unionists or secessionists. she began to
question Jakey.
Reckon you uns live nigh bout
hyar, don't y, boy?"
Nigh onter tn Sequach.
LET me I'LL that kettle for you, I"
said Souri,. seeing the woman about to
take up wooden bucket she was scarce
ly able to lift The woman suffered her
and went on making inquiries Of Jakey.
Thur mixed over thar. Some's Un-
ion. n some's secesh. Which air yer
pawf"
'Waal. ben ter skule year, n paw
he mought "a changed sence ! went
away"
Don't say 'mought, Jakey. dear. ="
said Souri,.
The woman looked at Jakey inquir.
ingly.
"Y' couldn't "a Earned much at
skule ef y reckon mans goin ter
change sides in this hyar fight. tn git
wusser N wusser. Still ef yed ben hyar
ye'd Earned thet Reckon y ben moth
to skule?''
1--WE have been north--in Ohio, ;"
said Souri, as she put the kettle on the
stove