Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-04-02


creek on, reckon. pointing to Reeds
bridge OH tho map.
That's the nearest from where We
are
"waal. general" said Jakey in q
tone to Indicate that the discussion Of
the campaign was ended, "ef you uns
bust me. I'll retreat thct away"
Nothing more was said about the i'm
aginary campaign by either. Maynard's
eye was fixed on his water map, and he
was lost in study Jakey let him alone
till he saw that he was drifting back to
his trouble. Then he endeavored To lead
him into war again. At last, seizing
favorable opportunity. the boy suggest
ed the propriety Of sending some mes
sage to his wife.
Thine enough for that after the
fight" was all Maynard would say.
Jakey was discouraged. He knew tEat
IL his friend lived after the fight II
would not be his own fault.
Jakey considered himself bound in
honor to report to Mrs Maynard her
husbands condition, not only on ac-
count Of his promise made her on the
evening Of his departure for the front,
but because he had vague unformu-
lated notion that there are certain oxi-
gencies where only women can "do
somep'n, and he knew that "the gen.
eral'' required his wife's attention.
Mounting Tom. he set of toward Ross
Vile, remembering by the water map
that the right hand road led there
1t was about IL o'clock at night when
he reached Rossvillc. Ho determined
to rest there few hours, and making
for a cavalry camp got on the soft
side" Of sergeant and turned III with
his natural associates, the soldiers ia
key asked the guard 20 waken him at 2
o'clock, at which time, after bite fur
nished by his friend, the sergeant. and
feed for Tom, he set off toward Chat
tanooga. At daylight he crossed tho
Tennessee river and was soon on his
way across tho neck of Moccasin point
toward his destination.
As Jakey approached the plantation
it occurred to him for the first time that
the information he bore was not pleas
ant for him to give to any one, espe-
cially woman. and that woman The
generals" wife.
Reckon she uns'll bo sliscred when
she sees me, " he muttercd ID Himself
"I don't like this business nohow. Won
der didn't think q this bcfo'. Wish
they wor some un ter tell her. Mcbho
I'll SEQ Souri, first II do. III let her
tell "
But Jakey was not 20 lucky. Ha
reached tho plantation just before break
fast time, and as Laura Maynard cast n
glance from her chamber window sho
saw him ride up 10 the veranda She
remembered well the promise she had
extracted from Jakey and knew in n
moment that he was the bearer Of some
bad news. Putting her hand on her
heart to stop its humping, she ran
down stairs and out on TO the veranda.
The boy dismounted and came up the
steps.
"Oh, Jakey. what Is it!''
Now, Jakey had his own methods OF
carrying his points, and whether or no
they were original or ingenious he car
ried them. Sometimes his parrying was
very clumsy. IL was so'now. BE must
gain time ut all hazards.
"What air what:'
"There's something happened 10 the
colonel. / know it. Tell me the worst. ="
"Waal, now. Mrs. Maynard, the
general he hain't dead nohow.
Thank heaven no lives! Is he III or
wounded? Is the wound mortal? Or Is
his illness dangerous? Will he recover:
Oh, tell me, tell mel
(which un o. them air questions
shell answer fust?"
Souri, came out on TO the yeranda,
and seeing Jakey took him into her
arms.
What are you doing here, Jakey!"
she asked.
Reckon I air a-standin on ter tn
gallery jest now. "
Mark is i'll, wounded, heaven knows
whatr' exclaimed Laura "He won't
tell me. She clasped her hands and
trembled.
"Jakey, don't give Mrs. Maynard
pain 10y keeping her in suspense. Tell
her.
But Souri, dreaded TO have her friend
hear bad news as well as Jakey dreaded
to give it.
"waal," said Jakey, cornered, 18th
general, he air id obstinate.
"Obstinate?"
"Yas."
"What do you mean, Jakey!" asked
Souri, encouragingly.
"Waal, tn general he reckons ther' S
goin ter be big fight, n he's goin 10
ter git hisself killed. "
"Hcavens!" exclaimed Laura. What
does it all mean?"
Means Miss Baggs."
Miss Baggs!' cried the WIFE, brls'
Ting. $50 it's something about her.
| "It's all bout her. F"
"Tell me what you mean this IN
stant" said Laura, with flashing eyes.
| By this time Jakey bad got to point
where he conld begin to tell his story.
He did SO after the following fashion:
Miss Baggs she wor ketched takin
tn telegraphs fin tn wires n turned
over ter tn general. The general he
wanted ter turn her over ter headquar-
tiers, but they was too smart for him.
They tole him ter try her n kill her.
.'Tho cruel monstersr' cried Laura
MAYBE Jakey's got it wrong. They d
not be likely to express 1t that way
said Souri,.
"Reckon thet's bout it with spy
anyhow. TIL general he tried her, but
when it come ter KILN her he WASH {
thar.
"The noble man! 1t is just like him, "
from Laura
"Then he found out thet she was
sister Of q old friend O. his'n."
"Who was that:" from Laura
"Mr. Fitz Hugh"
"Caroline Fitz Hugh?"
"Reckon."
"Who is she?' asked Souri, Of Laura
| "-I never saw her. ! know who
she is, though" Z"
"Then tn general he dressed hissell
like a private sojer, n. he n Corporal
Ratigan"-
Corporal Ratigan!" exclaimed Souri,.
"Yas, he n Corporal Ratigan they
run her over tn lines"