The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1896-01-09
A DIVIDED HOUSE
>,
A Story of the Civil
War in Missouri.
Noip First Published.
CHAPTER v1-FoUND DEAD.
pY SIDNEY Il. POWELL.

CHAPTER vII-FoUND DEAD.
The winter OF '61 was drawing to
its close, and the circle at ''The
Elms'' was still unbroken.
Charlie, although drilling with
Capt. Mabin's company every day
or so, was yet an inmate of his moth
er's house, and John, now getting
ute a little practice, still the mag
net that seemed to hold the discor-'
oant little family of four to their
rlacee. But war news, now YVES
coming thick and fast. Sc tenty-fye
thousand troops had been cal. ed out
to quen the rebellion, and in every
home there was an excitement and
fear never known before.
Where were tho rebels, and who
were they?" was the question hard
10 answer, for the states we're not
only divided, but commun ties and
families, and susp cion ready TO
alight on the nearest neighbors, or
the dearest friends.
"The Elms," Mrs. Dabney's beau
titul country seat, was situate near
the thriving little town OF Hugo. The
neighbors around hailed from a doz-
en- different states and countries and
represented as many different kinds
OF politics. 1t was the dread of Mrs,
Dabney that this mixed community
would bring trouble in among them,
and cause dissatisfaction and revolt
among the negroes.
John was not a volunteer, He
had waited for Missouri to secede
and now he was opposed to seces-
sion.
The I coming of guns at Fort Sum
ter stirred the Llood in southern
veins all over Missouri; and volun-
teer companies were formed rapidly,
and marched off-to actual service.
Charlie rabney, now that party
spirit ran SO high and hate and sus
picion had taken possession of every
one, almost feared to sic p in his
mothers house, for everyone knew
that he belonged to the union side.
AS he came home one evening, q
week before his company were to
start to duty, he met a man in the
wooded pasture, half mile from the
house, who aroused his suspicion by
turning almost Immediately and fol-
lowing him to within a short distance
Of the house.
WHO are you?" said Charlie
turning suddenly upon him and tax
ing him by the collar shaking him,
till his teeth fairly chartered.
~ am a friend,' the man at last
choked out, Charlie still having hit
grip on him.
"What are you following me for9'
I asked Charlie.
Il followed you because 1 heard
> a man tell another one to pick hi
q chance t. put your light out, and
e thought | saw him start this way
and | came to tell you"
The nan said this with difficult.
: between his pain and fright, bu
Charlie gave him another shake, no
n showing much appreciation of hi
kindness.
A "Ahd who was 1t wanted my ligh
put out" asked Charlie.
sob, I don't tell tales and name
II too, but I wanted to tell you for tn
l. young lady's sake as l know'd hoy
she'd take it to heart.n
!. "And who are your" asked Char
lie.
At Don't you know me Mr.. Char
ID lieP" he asked. "You know l an
~ my mother and sister moved her
ne last fall from Indiana, aud Miss Elf
Brought mother milk TO drink ever
IS, day when she was down with tt
ed fever"
er sob yes, l know, you are JAG
Hazel, but who Is it wants n
Ia killed."
tn 81 can't tell that, for Pm afra
rs. for my own neck these times-but
&c heard him say confidential Ill
whoever will get him out of the wa
nv may have a nice sum from mt
m The fellow said show much?'
ed thousand dollars he said. pm 20
he man then,' the other n said"
gs "Did you know the man I'll
~ agreed to do it7" asked Charlie.
oh "No, sir, 1 never saw him befol
~ but although it was night and cot
not see him plain, I think I'D kn'
ny him. He was a tall and st%oop-shol
of dered and he had a way of snappi
be his words short that made me st
to listen, for l don't sneak around
by caves drop. But they didn't kn
80 was anywhere a They thoui
to they were all to themselves"
ley "And you say You saw him CO
nto this way?" asked Charlie.
OF 81 thought l saw the same fellt
=, N IL looked like him, coming this v
about half an hour ago"
and "And you followed me to vi
me2"
ayes, sir, and to help you out II
got after you."
"weli, I'm very much oblige'
said Charlie, letting his collar 10
/ a for the FIRST time. "But Pm
a. t..,d ~ than for alwava take