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

uus nuiuo iur CdNalTy. ilOW many hoi-
diers belonging to the 'crtter compa-
mics, as you call them. did you see?''
WAL, counted 30, n thet's q fur
as l got at countin in skule. "
Souri, was about 20 remind her broth
er that he bad proved himself one Of
the best boys in the school at mental
arithmetic, but desisted.
III H'm" The general thought mo-
ment and beat reveile with his fin
gers on the arm of his chair.
what were they doing within the
Federal lines just before you left the
outpostsg'
"Waal, only noticed one man. n he
war doin somep'n very partickeler "
"What was it:'
He war lookin at the sky through
fiat round thing what looked like big
squashed apple"
mot fieldglass was iti"
"No. sir Reckon 'twasn't thet."
"Was the man of high rank?''
Reckon ne war He had stripes on
his arm ~
Tut, tut, ne wore chevrons. He was
only nopcommissioned officer. Cant
yon describe more nearly the object
through which he was lookingy''
WAL ] think hearn some'un call
1t can--can
mot canteen?'
Yes thet's it. -
The general locked sharply at the
boy, who looked stolidly stupid He
determined to try another route through
which to lead Jakey's infantile mind.
"Wcre the troops you saw in camp.
or on the march, or in bivouac?"
Don't know what thet ar last air,
but the trees IN brush war so thick l
couldn' see plain. /"
Cant you tell me IL you saw any
infantry Soldiers who walk and carry
guns, you know?'
II never looks at them kind o. So
jers, replied Jakoy contemptuously.
81 only notices 'oin when th're on
critters backs -
THAT will do" said the general.
Then, turning TO staff officer near him,
be said
Captain, you may pass these people
south, " and added in an undertone:
ride over 10 division headquarters and
say that nothing has yet been obtained
of the eneny's movements in this vicin-
ity by questioning citizens. Only one
party has como through---a farmer,
with his sor and daughter The farmer
and his daughter took an oath not to
give any Information concerning the
dispositions of the enemy, and the boy
is profoundly stupid" 4"
There was sound Of hoofs without,
mingled with tho rattle of wheels.
Looking through an open window, an
officer was seen to dismount and hand
woman from mud covered, paint
rubbed buggy. All reco. sized Miss
Elizabeth Baggs The general arose
from his chair and went out to meet
her at the front do9r From there he
conducted Ter into "a room where they
could confer together alone.
what lucl,~
Il struck their wires within their
lines midway between Murfreesboro and
MacMinnvilio at midnight, and no one
was near threw my wire over the
line and made my connections with my
instrument | waited till nearly day.
light before any messages of impor-
tance came along, though dispatches
w~re passing all the while. AT last one
camo in cipher | took it down, but as
we haven't the / key fear it will avail
us nothing
LET me see it, - said the general.
Miss Baggs handed him piece Of
paper on which was written;
MURFREEsBoRo Tenn, June 2s. 1903.
Volunteers Garfield with ciroling between
you possession turn an be cob Bundle at TO
get that possiba by move Benjamin pony chief
rapidity around that put Of the hours ready
shiDgle 10 notice enrny's Tullahoma your point
the by Of pollvog Of plateau Niggard ~ desire
and hope forward % hahn move we right
command and mountain order staff
The general read the dispatch over
carefully, and then. looking up at Miss
Baggs, remarked:
''Balkedl"
Cant IL re interpreted, generalp'
II fear not without tho key IL is
doubtless al Important dispatch. and ]
shall send j, at once to general head
quarters II they can decipher il, they
are welcome 10 do SO j don't care 60
try IL = g..
Calling az aid.de-camp, the general
bade him ca'sy the message to the army
telegraph s.. ion, a short distance &c
tho rear, and cepeat IL TO General Bragg
General, said Miss Baggs in al
nndertonc. YOU will let mo have tn
original or q copy, iwill try to decipber
it. may find clew that will sid me
, hereafter, though I fear it will be too
late TO take advantage of information
contained in shis one. 4"
Certainly. Lieutenant, return the
dispatch have given you 10 this lady
after IL has been repeated"
The officer departed The general
tnrnod again TO Miss Baggs with So
r1ous look