The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1895-03-28


corporal's announcements.
"Oi'm sorry to inform ye, SIR" said
tho corporal in voice which he vainly
endeavored to keep steady, "that Miss
Fitz Hugh, passin under the namo Of
Elizabeth Baggs"-
Fitz Hugh put hts hand on Ratigan's
arm and stopped him, while he gathered
his faculties to bear what he knew was
coming.
"Was pursued by contemptible cur
Of Yankee, who deserves to be hanged
for ohasin woman
eyes, yes. Go on"
"Was captured and''-
so Godp'
"Condemned to be shot for spy to-
morrow mornin at SUNRISE"
Fitz Hugh sank back on Damp cot
and covered his face with his hands.
For few moments the corporal re-
speoted his grief by silence, but timo
was precious. and he soon continued.
"Thinkin ye might exercise some
influence to save her, Oi've como to in
form 20 Of the-distressin faot.''
The last two words were spoken in a
broken voice.
'By whose authority2'
Fitz Hugh rose and stood before the
corporal. He had nerved himself for
whatever was to follow.
"Colonel Mark Maynard, command
ing tho -th cavalry brigade"
"Do you mean to toll me-" said Fita
Hugh, with a singular, impressive slow
ness, ''that my sister is at the mercy of
Mark Maynard2'
'He is charged with her execution. "
Colonel Fitz Hugh shuddered. "Thas
man is my Nemesis, he cried in voice
filled with kind Of despair.
/" 'Tis he that sent mo to ye."
"He2"
"The same"
'Does ho wish to save my sister,"
"He does"
"Why, then, does he not do so2'
"He oan only save her by his own
disgrace. Yer sister will not accept
the sacrifice.
IA true Fitz Hugh" said the brother
proudly.
'Then Miss Fitz Hugh suggested that
he might send me to inform ye Of the
situation, that 70 might hev opportu-
nifty to use any influence ye would con-
slider wise and honorable to SECURE re-
prieve'
Fitz Hugh thought earnestly with his
head bowed, his eyes fixed Oh spot on
the ground.
"Thore is nothing that oan do, he
said at last. "Throatened retaliation ia
tho only recourse, and that could not bu
effected under tho circumstances with.
out duplicating Colonel Maynard"
'"Then ye see no way open2" asked
tho corporal despondontly.
''It is impossible for me to act intel
ligently alone. If I could sec Colonel
hit upon a plan.
"Would ye meet him between tho
lines?"
'There is not sufficient time"
There's five or six hours
Fitz Hugh stood pondering for few
moments without reply. Then, suddenly
starting up, he said:
"Go tell Colonel Maynard that will
meet him as you suggest. Let the point
OF rendezvous be-lot me see-whero do
you consider feasible point? You have
just come through
"Oi would namo the bank Of the creek
at point due west of this"
"How long n time will be required
before the meeting can take place? It is
now little after H.
cit may be an hour; it may be Ion
ger. If ye will be there, colonel, at 10
O'Clock, Well meet 80 as soon after as
possible"
"You will find mo there at 49,"
ut would be we'll, colonel, to con-
cert signal by which each should know
tho other.
"Suggest one.'
"Oi'll doubtless be with Colonel May
nard. Oi'll cry 'Oireland, and 70 can
TO the rescue"
Colonel Fitz Hugh called to those
waiting outside. who had brought in
Corporal Ratigan and directed them
to blindfold him and take him to the
Federal lines, and, If possible, insure
his getting through without injury
They wore to report the result to him
in any event.
Ratigan knew nothing but tho gallop
Of tho horse OH which he sat, with
about his eyes, until the
party conducting him drew rein and he
was directed to dismount. Then no was
asked if he would be escorted to q Union
vedetto known to be on road leading
tho north ond of tho ridge or
he would go alone
"Oi'll go alone" he said "If ye 60
with mo, they'll think it a midnight at.
tack"
Starting forward, the corporal trudgs
ed over short distance between him
and tho vedotto. AS no drew near ho
began to sing fow lines from play
popular ut the timo.
Trims tho boys
What makes a noiso,
Is tho R'yal artillcrio.
"Who comes there2' cried the We.
tletto, cooking his piece as Ratigan came
in sight.
Friend with tho countorsign, to DO