The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1896-12-17

Confederates could be sem vending their
way down NE dusty road that leads into
the little town OF Whrrenton, and nom
the tired look Of the men and the steaning
sides of the horses one could plainly see
that the cavalcade had ridden fast and far.
The company were part Of the rangers,
and at their head rode their chief, Mosby,
ON black steed, while the rest of the men
trotted on behind In q leisurely manner
and made the air ring with their jests and
gay songs 1t was true that the enemy
might come In sight at any moment OF
that some stray bullet from foe hidden
In bush might cut short the laughing
words on the merry lips, but familiarity
with the horrors Of war had bred an easy
indifference, and these mon, though daily
facing death, thought no moro of their
danger than IL they were riding to pionio
In some neighboring grove
It was just about noon when the party
dismountsd at a farmhouse, and In an In
stant the jollX rebels were the center of an
admiring group that crowded about them,
and the eager host FASTENED to bring out
for their entertainments all the good things
that his larder afforded. The men were
hungry, and seated beneath the huge oaks
they were soon discussing the relative
merits Of the buttermilk and fried chicken
with which they were plentifully supplied.
But time wore on, and the men, forgetful
Of its passing, sought refreshment In .
doze on the grass beneath the trees.
A sudden cry OF "The Yankees are CON-
ingP' rang out on the still afternoon air,
and the Confederates sprang to their horses
just as party Of Union troops dashed In
sight around a bend in the road. In mo-
ment the rangers had leaped on their steeds
and galloped out Of sight down a narrow
woody lane that ran near the barn and
partially concealed them from view In
fact, their escape would have been success
full had not one mans restive nag delayed
the fellow so long In mounting that the
approaching squad caught a glimpse Of the
gray jacket as 1t vanished In q cloud Of
dust In the distance
All of the rangers had got out of danger
except their leader, Mosby, who was In the
house when the alarm was given and had
not heard the warning cry. So when he
looked up from the book which he was
reading while resting In the cool of the
hallway, he saw the Union troops charg-
Ing In at the gate, which was only few
hundred yards away. 1t was too late now
to escape, and while the Federals did not
yet know of his presence they would search
the house, and 1t was only matter of q
| few moments before he would be prison
er In their hands.
In the parlor, which opened into the
hall, young lady sat sewing, and her
quick wit took In the situation at glance.
Here! Step In this clock casep' she hur-
riedly whispered as she threw open the
| door Of an immense old clock that stood
ticking In one corner of the hall.
And in moment Mosby had squeezed
himself into Its dusty recess.
BY this time the Union men were dis
mounting, but before they entered the
| house the lady had seated herself and was
quietly sewing.
The Union officer strobe into the room
and looked anxiously about.
"Are there any rebels concealed in this
housef" he demanded In a loud voice.
"Mosby's men were here awhile ago, 1"
she replied, "but they all escaped as your
| troop came in sight"
The officer glanced about the room, and
his quick eye caught sight of man. q soft
felt hat thrown carelessly on . chair.
"Search the house., be ordered Of three
msn who were waiting his commands
In . moment tho men In blue were
swaSming over the house and poking into
every nook and corner. They commenced
at the garrct, searching each room closely
a. thsy descended, and the rattle of their
sabers could be heard distinctly In the
ball below as they tramped about, throw
ing open closets and upsetting beds.
Presently all gathered In the hall and
were discussing in disappointed tone their
| fruitless search.
Every moment seemed an eternity to
<k<.v ~l,.f, tkx.h
| of the old clock, and the warm air had
grown almost unbearable. Yet he dared
not move, for only few feet away he
could plainly hear the angry tones of the
Yankee officer, and the least motion meant
capture or death. Slowly the moments
dragged on, and still tho men fingered.
Finally the occupant Of the clock felt
an uncontrollable desire to sneeze, and as
he realized the fact he broke out In cold
perspiration at the horrible thought. To
prevent 1t was something beyond his con-
troll, but a sneeze would surely be an
swered by bullet through the clock case,
and the ranger felt he would prefer the
danger Of facing bis foes in an open fight.
Suddenly bright idea camc into his
mind, and just as he bent his head to
sneeze he gave pull on the pendulum
that sent all the wheels whirring In loud
confusion.
The Union men glanced suspiciously at
the noisy timepieoe.
~ am afraid that clock needs mending,"
remarked the lady carelessly as she turned
down new hem in the linen on which she
was sewing, and her quiet voice disarmed
suspicion.
With sigh of relief, Mosby heard the
officer command his men to mount, and
presently the gallop of their departing
horse hoofs feIl ON his delighted ear And
scarcely had the eoho died away when the
clock few open, and the exhausted prison
er struggled out In an almost suffocated
condition.
A merry laugh had the ranger over his
narrow escape, but In all the dangers that
he faced during four years of bloodshed
there was none that tried his nerves like
the terrible half hour spent In the old
clock case. Exchange
Your Alter Ego.
A.