Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-01-29

the ground At no inconsiderahie speed
The CORPORAL did his best and kept pac
pretty well.
Reckon my Bob Lee kin knock III
stufiin onten your critter. Mr. scleI
Git up. Bob I"
With that Bob increased the lengt
Of his tr.angulations increasing lhel
frequency at the same time The resnl
was that ne carried the old buggy wit
Betsy Blggs in II right away froni rt
corporal Indeed Ratigan fell beh.n
steadily II he should break from a trot
he would lose the race; II he should kee
up his trot. he would lose Miss Baggs
Suddenly an officer appeared on th
road. aud regarding him steruly ordere'
him 10 halt
''Oi M followin the young lady, sir
Oi'm on official business for the giDeral
com mmandin the ---th cavalry bri
gade -
"Wsll. my man. you're well dis
ciplined orderly. You keep the regula'
ton 40 PAGES to the rear. Give your
horse tho spur and catch up. l."
Ra,igan, who could not well explain
10 an officer that he was running race,
aud fearing TO lose his charge, gave hi:
horse the spur and dashed after her at
gallop He reached her in q blown
condition.
"Oi've lost" he cried out Of breath
Reckon you have, was Miss Baggs
sole reply
'The moneys yours. y
Reckon it air. repeated Miss Baggs
"Yer always reckonin Mebbe 20
reckoned about the end Of the race ioikC
the ant ye were talkin about.
At that moment they spied the out
post ahead
WAL. hyar we air. said Mis-
Baggs Don't want ter part from
you uns. Mr. Sojer I'm powerful bad
struck byar And she put her hand on
her heart
Like enough Oh can find some reason
to go with ye a bit Dim all broken uE
meSelf. sure enough.
Il 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 90 through
Ratigan was racking his brains to
know what TO do He had been instruct
oil to 90 through with Miss Bags un'
der some pretense. but his ingenuity
when put to the test failed him. Miss
Baggs came to his relief
Mr. Corporal, she said. 81 don I
banker ter part 18th thet bloomin head
D har o. yourn Would you mind seein
q pore lone woman ter the Confederate
lines?'
The corporal whispered few words
In the lieutensnt's ear. The result was
that in five minutes four cavalry pri'
Yates were placed under the corporal
orders. who held in his hand pole cut
from tree at the side Of the road. 70
which he had attached white cotton
handkerchief.
Then the old buggy. which ratified at
every turn of the wheel and threatened
to collapse at every mudhole proceeded
down the road. Corporal Ratigan can
tered alongside, while the four privates
followed directly in rear.
But few miles had been traversed
when horsenan-he proved to BE- Ihc
enemy's vedette-was seen standing IN
the road ahead As the party approach
ed they saw n dozen more advancing "a
his support But tine CJnfederateS evi'
IDENTIFY saw the white flag. for no other
demonstration was made th1h the nd
ing forward Of an officer with half Il
dozen men 10 meet those who were all
vancing.
What do you want" asked the Off
Ger gruffly.
Flag to see the lady to your lines. y
Under commissioned officer:
"Only meself, a corporal, SAID Rat
igan.
well, you can turn about pretty
quick and get back to where you came
from The next such flag sent out viii
be taken in and won't get out again -
Captain, don't you know me3" said
Miss Baggs. smiling at the officer.
well. upon my word. You don't
mean -
Miss Baggs put her finger on her lip.
These men came at my request.
she continued, $50 hope you Will not
find any fault
The officer raised his hat, but said
nothing
Good morning, corporal. p" she seld
I'm much obliged for Your trouble
You're quite welcome. miss.
Both parties moved slowly away ST.
multaneously They had scarcely started
before the corporal heard his name spo
ken in a woman's voice. but one With
which he was not familiar.
"Ratsr'