The Redwood gazette., 1895-02-28

U0
He garc his horse the spar.
corporal. Indeed Ratigan fell behind
steadily. II he should break from a trot,
he would lose the race; il he should keep
up his trot, he would lose Miss Baggs.
Suddenly an officer appeared ON the
road, and regarding him sternly ordered
him to halt.
''Oi'm followin the young lady, sir.
Dim on official business for the gineral,
commandin the -th cavalry bri-
gade."
"Well. my man, you're . well dis.
ciplined orderly. You keep the regula.
tion 40 PAGES to the rear. Give your
horse the spur and catch up"
Ratigan, who could not we'll explain
to an officer that he was running race,
aud fearing to lose his charge, gave his
horse the spur and dashed after her at a
gallop. He reached her in ''blown"
condition.
"Oi've lost" he cried out of breath.
Reckon you have" was Miss Baggs'
sole reply.
1.-THE moneys yours. -
Reckon it air, repeated Miss Baggs
eyer always reckonin. Mebbe ye
reckoned about the end of the race loike
the ant ye were talkin about.
At that moment they spied the out
post ahead.
"Waal. hyar we air." said Miss
Baggs. Don't want ter part from
you uns, Mr.. Sojer. I'm powerful bad
struck hyar. - And she put her hand on
her heart.
Like enough Oi can find some reason
to go with ye bit. Oi'm all broken up
meself, sure enough
II hopes you kin"
"Lieutenant, said the corporal, sa-
luting an officer who came out from the
picket post. major Burke ordered me
to see this young lady out of the lines.
She has pass to Dunlap"
The lieutenant read the pass and told
Miss Baggs she might 60 through.
Ratigan was racking his brains to
know what to do. He had been instruct.
ed to go through with Miss Baggs un.
der some pretense, but his ingenuity
when put to the test failed him. Miss
Baggs came to his relief.
''Mr. Corporal" she, said, II don't
banker ter part 18th thet bloomin head
O. ha'r O. yourn. Would you mind seeir
a pore lone woman ter the Confederate
lines?"
The corporal whispered few words
in the ieutenant's ear. The result was
that in five minutes four cavalry pri
Yates were placed under the corporal's
orders, who held in his hand pole cut
from tree at the side of the road, tt
which he had attached a white cotton
handkerchief.
Then the old buggy. which ratified al
every turn of the wheel and threatened
to collapse at every mudhole, proceeded
down the road. Corporal Ratigan can
tered alongside, while the four private:
followed directly in rear
But few miles had been traverseG
when a horseman-he proved to be the
enemy's vedette-was seen standing il
the road ahead. AS the party approach
ed they saw a dozen more advancing t
his support. But the Confederates evi
IDENTIFY saw the white flag. for no othe1
demonstration was made than the rid
ing forward of an officer with half :
dozen men to meet those who were ad
vancing.
"What do you want?' asked the off
Ger gruffly.
'Flag to see the lady to your lines >
"Under commissioned officer?'
"Only meself, corporal" said Rat
igan.
'Well, you can turn about pretty
quick and get back to where you cam,
from. The next such flag sent out viii
be taken in and won't get out again"
Captain, don't you know me?" sait
Miss Baggs, smiling at the officer
swell, upon my word. You dom
mean
Miss Baggs put her finger on her lip
These men came at my request, ,
she continued, so hope you will no
find any fault -
The officer raised his hat, but sait
nothing.
"Good morning, corporal" she said
''I'm much obliged for your trouble. "
"You'r re quite welcome, miss. -
TO be continuedD