Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1896-02-05

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Handing it to Raymond, he said. 'sas
4 YOU are an honorable man and have
executed your trust thus far so we'll
charge you most solemnly and par
ticularly to deliver this letter axn0De1s
ed, to no other person than the mar
who gave you the letter which you
have just brought me"
II solemnly promise you, Sir" said
Raymond, taking the letter and plac
ing it carefully in an inner pocket,
mot to dezSuer 1t to any other person
than the one youname. Now farewell
Il In three hours time 1 must be in Har
risonburg il l am not caught and
! shot p Eyeing the merchant sternly
but for a moment, he turned and was
gone.
The ominous words of Raymond ring
ing in his ear, and the evident amount
of knowledge gained by him in some
i mysterious way, as implied in his last
sentence, SO stunned the merchant that
he reeled and grasped the chair for sup
i port; and sliding into his seat allowed
his head to fall over on his desk where
we shall leave him in the gloomiest re
/ Election, and follow Raymond on his
ride.
Raymond was by this time some dis
lance down the road and going at a
spirited gait when approaching the
first woods he began to realize that his
first, if not his last, opportunity had
arrived for ascertaining the terrible
secrets he was innocently conveying
from one stranger to another. So dis
mounting and tying his horse he broke
| hn 70 tho loffor ond rood tho
words.
'.Staunton, Va, - 21st, 1892
''Dear Colonel:
'"The Rebel forces in and around
Staunton, do not amount to more than
900 to 1900 all told, and re inforce-
ments could not reach here for two or
three days. if, in fact, they are avail
able at all. A force of 1900 to 1850
men could take the town and march
on to Lynchburg unmolested."
"Act quickly, as surprises are always
| among the possibilities. X. X. X.
his death warrant he could not have
been any worse scared. To think that
he, though unwittingly. had carried a
despatch from Col. , of Gen.
Banks army, to Staunton to obtain
information concerning the rebel
strength around that place What
if he had been searched by TIE gallant
Captain who thought him SO lucky
What if this kind officer had, from
sense of duty, had him searched and
had found that letter of inquiry !?
Would he now be standing in the
lonely woods with this second letter of
such terrible import, or would he be
hanging to yonder old oak, riddled
with the balls from those rebel guns
AS these and similar other queries
chased each other through his rack
ing brain he dropped upon his knees.
and uncovering his head lifted it to
ward Heaven and asked God to for
give him-a self-appointed-
demned rebel spy. Then he tore the
letter into a thousand shreds; scattered
them among and under the wet leaves.
and remounting his horse was in few
hours safely back at home. without
having met with any resistance.
After sending the horse to the livery
stable, where he knew it belonged, he |
repaired Immediately to his home; and,
rushing to his own chamber, threw
himself upon the nearest sofa for rest.
He had scarcely had time to review,
20 his mind, the exciting scenes
through which he had just passed |
when there came a gentle tap at the
lower door. No bell was sounded i /
NO bold knock given. as though a dis
tracted brother, leaving for moment
the dying couch of his beloved |
mother to hear where his only
brother, as he represented, would, too,
stand by and clasp that old hand for
the last time, now soon to be cold in
death ! No, no {! No such evidence
Of bleeding heart on the part of the
mysterious stranger, as might have
been expected from his ca gerness in
the morning.
But instead an easy, timid, sneaking
knock, as if afraid some passer by
might hear it. Raymond knew full
we'll what that sneaking, treacherous
knock meant, which now sounded like
lis death knell, but he needed it not.
He simply waited and listened. Again
he timid, uncertain knock; aud when
t had been repeated for the third time
raymond raised the window overlook
ng the street and asked:
who's there %
What have you for me?" came in
n almost inaudible whisper. E
Nothing !" shouted Raymond, and
tanning the window down he pre-.
'oi GU " ITO uOWu again.
But the stranger was not to be dis
.osed OF in SO easy a manner. Again
he suppressed knocking, and again
raymond waited and listened. Seeing
le would have to give the man onel
nore interview he hoisted the window
nd asked what was wanted.
Have you really nothing for me. p,
laintively asked the voice, but now :
lmost choking with emotion.
Nothing !" again said RAYMOND.
nth aspersion, and was about to put
own the window ortensibly, but, as
suddenly recollecting, he added
"Oh, yes, five thousand rebels in
taunton and advancing. Run like
ne devil !" and with bang came |
own the window.
Raymond went to bed and the |
what became of him
as never known, but at daylight
lere was not yankee within five |
lies OF Harrisonburg.
THISTLE.
'aynesboro, Va, Jan. 9th 1896. HI
do you think his kissing hor xuoc CO ! !