Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-02-19
NUMBER s.
"who,s ronr friendG,, asked May.

who's your friend?' asked May.
nard as the buggy ratified away.
"Thet's Miss Baggs." said Jakey.
"And who's Miss Baggs?"
Jakey paused long while before re.
plying. There was problem in his
mind suggested by the meeting OF Miss
Baggs SO soon after his conversation
with the colonel about capturing a
woman spy, for Jakey had suspicion
that Miss Baggs was in some way q
Confederate emissary.
"Waal, " he said at length, II reck-
on she's sweet on Rats.
"Jakey," said the colonel, there is
occasionally lucidity about your ex-
plantations, shining brightness, which
makes my eyes blink. But on the pres
ent occasion | think there is dust in
them. Would you mind giving me
pointer a. to your meaning? BY Rats
NJ you mean rodentst
What's rodents:" asked Jakey.
Meanwhile the rattling Of Miss Bags
buggy was dying away IN the distance.
Real rats are rodents "
Not them uns Rats is corporal III
Major Burke's critter company.
"The corporal's name is quite appTo-
pirate to the one you have given his
regiment The woman in the buggy
looks rs if she'd make fit yiyandiere
10 a 'critter company and fit sweet
heart for a corporal of the name Of
Rats. -
Jakey made no reply to this. He was
evidently weighed down with somo CON
cealed responsibility. The colonel tried
70 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 = sht Of large frame house set
back from the road. He gazod upon IL
with IA 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.
Colonel he called.
What"
Miss Bags"
"Confound Hiss Yaggs! What of
herr"
Reckon thar's somep'n wrong boz:
her.
What DO you meanE'
"Mcbbe she's q Federte spy
"You little imp why didn't you tell
me- that before:" cried the colonel an
grily.
"Waal. ] hain't sart in bout it no.
how. n thought yer moughtn't like
TO TO hold onter a woman.
"Jakey," said the colonel impressive
", you have done very wrong You
should have told me Of your suspicious
at once. Remcmber I'm a colonel COM
manding u 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 year. was within stones
throw of him. Suddenly he drove the
spurs again into his horses hanks and
rode on % the gateway Of the planta-
ton. There was no need 70 open tho
gate. for there was no gate TO open. Tho
two rode on 10 the house through an
avenue IF trees, and Colonel Maynard
di,mountcd before his horse reached the
foot os the stops leading up on to the
,.aAda. ! young woman flew through
the open front door with oil the impulse
OF "A summer storm. In moment she
and Colonel Maynard We're closely lock
ed III each others arms.
MARK
Laura
Jakoy 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 il bad, he
remarked sotto voce and with a solem-
nity that was intended 10 be reverential
Colonel Maynard's brigade went into
camp Oh 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 %
his sister 10 visit Mrs. Maynard, re-on-
forced by a special request from tho
colonel that II be accepted. Jakey sue
ceeded in obtaining the desired permis-
sion, and after much hesitation Souri,
decided to accept. Jakey entered tho
army as a drummer boy, but was not
called upon to flourish the sticks. He
was at once detailed FOR duty at brigade
headquarters as clerk in the' assistant
adjutant generals department as a con
venient way Of making him confidential
factotum 10 the colonel commanding
Upon getting on the blue and brass
of a Union soldier Jakey was very
proud Of himself, and when placed IN
close confidential relationship with the
commander Of a brigade he nearly burst
with the emotions generated by the dig