Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1896-08-06
EVADED THE YANKS.

"Say, son, do you know what good all
up and down the backbone thrill is
worth"
"Where does the thrill come in9' Max
well, the coloncl's partner called from his
corner. The colonel chue,lcd again, then
said very slowly "Cn you imagine how
it feels to know yourself within an inch Of
hanging
ooh, there's story! Tell it." Maxwell
said, putting down his pen. The colonel
flung over TO him the most unforgivabls
of the pcnw ipers, then sat down on the
edge of my desk. folded his arms and be-
gan:
Don't know that I ever told you fit
fer Cousin Sally Ann, as our company
wae used T. express serving tho Gonfcdera-
cy. But did. ! was u daredevil too.
Would you think so to look at me now?'
Z. Nut much" we said In chorus. He
smiled and went on 4 helonged to Mr..
Forrest : erit,er company. You don't
know it, but that means that | had hemp
of chances to get myself shot. He was II
fighter from way back, was Mr.. Forrest.
But that didn't feaze the boys who rode
with him. 1t WAS what they We're there
for. He made things lively, | tell you, In
the country between the rivcrs-the Cum
berland and Tennessee. North Of the Cum
berland, after Donelson fell, it was mighty
hazardous for graycoat to venture The
river could be fOrded only in time Of
drought and the strict gunboat patrol made
swimming or sailine across it about as
dangerous rs anything could he Still we
wanted now and then To get news of our
friends, the enemy, over there, and one
day volunteered to swim the river and
bring back word to my chief Go, if you re
a-mind ter, Billy, bat | sortcr think you Il
come back dead he fpid But | went.
Home WAS across the river you see and a
girl who-hut never mild. / didn't see
her that trip
Hardly had l crossed when l ran
plump upon IL former oNcrScer, who was,
| knew, n Union man. He recognized me
at once, yet If | had been the prodigal son
his welcome could MOI have been warmer
When | asked if he meant to inform on
me, hc alH.ezt cried. HIS feelings were so
hurt, indeed. that | had to agree to stay
all night Mt his house and lct him help me
next morning across the river, which Was
the main lion il my homeward path l
want"r show y" .jesscrmiue's drorin's,
too hr slid You ain t forgot .Te-4ernine
SHE the little young un yer ma used ter
make Iuuca on. Growed up now, she is,
an er scholler light. Why, she paints cows
an hawts an s"ch like that natchul ye
CANT help hut know EN-.
81 didn't know cn-not apart. I mean
until JesscrmInc herself differentiated
them for 10. She WAS a big, fair girl,
wholesome the day is long. 1t gave mo
a heap of comfort to hear her whisper as
separated for the night: Pap's the ON
~ | Mon man in this family. I'd fight
for the CoHtedcrncy every day in the year
If only had not been born a girl
''Ihe speech was still more comforting
when l got mp in the morning and found
/ a whole division of bluecoats stacking
arms in the turnpike outside the gate.
They had made a night march and meant
To cross the rlYer the next day. was trap
ped squalroly and likely within ten hours
to dangle from a limb. II my host did rot
betray me, my horse in his stable, with
cavalry saddle and holsters most certainly
would Escape was out OF the question:
they were before and behind me and all
around, With more coming In each half
hour.
Then every mothers son of 'em was
mighty mad with Forrest. He had whip
ped en- when he had no right 10 do ii and
run when they ought to have whipped
him. There was, besides, sort OF talk Of
retaliation. Altogether l made up NY
mind that had less than six hours of life,
,,,l... :, ,nj,,,,I s,,,,d ,ne or 1as.,,,,,,i,,,,
stood my friend
..-hn did nm, Itl. tt,.. ,r,,,,,, sbo ,r,.
.Do,', Won, ,-,,,.,,,. ;, sh, s,id ,,.i,.',, H..
hro,1e,b+ ma, hrenlfs., .Fot hn,r,,. ~, 49,,
all ,e,, ,,,,u 90, ,I,o,,, yanl,,,,.. IN
Tod - I'LL, Won, 7,.,, b,,,, 10 rid..,Il
nil,h, without st,T,,in but don,- vn,, n,
r,r,sv yvhnt.ver Won do
win vou heli.ya i, 7 trns,,u, ,ba, ,,irl
t,irdI, a., ,,,d .,a,,t M t,',,
-, - "a, .I.
onions. When she had told me her plan for
me. laughed until cried.