The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-01-11
CHAPTER vIII-continued.)


mind suggested by the meeting Of Miss
Baggs so soon after his conversation
with the colonel about capturing
woman spy, for Jakey had a suspicion
that Miss Baggs was In some way
Confederate cinissary.
WAL. " he said at length. II reck.
on she's sweet on Rats !"
'Jakey. said the colonel. there Is
occasionally lucidity about your OK.
plantations. q shining brightness. which
, makes my eyes blink. But on the pres.
ent occasion think there Is dust In
them Would you mind giving me q
pointer as TO your meaning2 BY Rats
do you mean rodents?"
What's rodents?" asked Jakey.
Meanwhile the rattling Of Miss Baggs'
buggy was dying away in the distance.
Real rats are rodents
mot them nns. Rats is n corporal in
Major Bprke's critter company"
THE corporal's name is quite appro.
pirate to the one you have given his
regiment Tha woman in the buggy
looks ar IL she'd make fit vivandiere
Co "a 'crittor company and a fit sweet
heart for corporal Of tho name Of
Rats. :"
JaRey made no reply TO this He was
evidently weighed downwith some con-
cealed responsibility. The colonel tried
60 draw him again into conversation,
but even their campaigns" were not
sufficient. At last the colonel, realizing
that they were near their destination
and his young wife, became occupied
by his own thoughts. Suddenly he
caught sight of "a large frame house set
back from tho road. He gazed upon IL
with singular mingling of different
feelings In il he had first met his wife,
in it she had concealed him from men
and hounds, and there she was now,
his wife and the mother of their babe
He gave his horse the spurs Jakey sud.
denly drew rein.
'Colonelr' he called.
WHAT"
miss Baggs
"Confound Miss Baggsl What Of
herr"
Reckon thar's somep'n wrong bout
her -
WnaJ 90 you mean!
''Mebbe she's Federte spy"
'You little imp, why didn't you tell
me that before?' cried the colonel an
grily
"Waal, haint sart'in bout il no.
how. N / thought yer mcughtn't like
TO to hold onter woman.
''Jakey, said the colonel impressive.
1xr
should have told me of your suspicious
at once Remember I'm colonel com
manding brigade in the Union army"
The colonel sat irresolute What
should he DO? Miss Baggs was now
miles away. Jakey only suspected her.
His young wife, whom he had not seen
for nearly a year, was within stones
throw of him. Suddenly he drove the
spurs again into his horses flanks and
rode on to the gateway Of the planta-
tion. There was no need to open the
gate, for there was no gate to open. The
two rode on to the house through an
avenue of trees, and Colonel Maynard
dismounted before his horse reached the
foos Of thessteps leading up on to the
veranda. A young woman few through
the open front door with all the impulse
Of summer storm. In moment she
and Colonel Maynard were closely lock
ed in each others arms.
"Markp
"Laurap'
Jakey sat ON old Tom, viewing this
collision very much as he would watch
two tempest clouds meet in the sky.
Reckon them uns hez got it bad, F" he
remarked sotto voce and with solem.
nifty that was intended to be reveren
tial.
Colonel Maynard's brigade went into
camp on the river bank some five or SIX
miles from the plantation. The colonel
insisted on having Jakey Slack with
him permanently and sent him home to
ask his fathers permission, Jakey at
the same time bearing an invitation to
his sister to viso Mrs Maynard, re-en-
forced by ssScial request from the
colonel that it be accepted. Jalxey sue.
ceeded in Obtaining the desired permis-
sion, and after much hesitation Sour;
decided to accept Jakey entered the
army as drummer boy, but was not
called upon to flourish the sticks. He
was at once detailed for duty at brigade
headquarters as clerk in tho assistant
adJutant generals department as a con
venient way of making him confidential
factotum to the colonel commanding
Upon getting on the blue and brass
OF Union soldier Jakey was very
proud Of himself and when placed H.
close confidential relationship with tn
commander Of brigade he nearly burs
with the emotions generated by the dig
nifty of hrs position He was of gyea
use to the colonel. who at once appoint
ed Enn dispatch bearer between himself
and Mrs, Maynard The domestic near
ness Of this Office only rendered the boy
more consequential He snubbcd nc
only the orderlics attached to the head
quarters of the brigade, but would oc
casionally approach disrespect toward
tho ofiippr of fba etaH "A fbtc