The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1896-05-28

from DANGER SnOulu the prison 0U1ClalS
undertake to search for me.
This program was carried out to the
letter, | still wondering what it mean
and wishing that l might catch a glimpse
of my angel, whom l had not seen on en-
tering the house. In this den for four
or five days l was kept a close prisoner.
Young Chauncey was most attentive to
me, visiting me several times daily, but
no one else was admitted except Chaun-
cey, pere, who visited me twice. The old
gentleman was kindness itself. assuring
me that he would gladly do all in his pow
er until such a time as | wished to return
South. Both informed me that no effort
had been made by the prison officials to
capture me. One evening Avery crawled
into my den and said: 1.-THE ladies are
expecting you in the parlor this evening,
and we think there will be no risk"
l was rejoiced at this, for my c%Onfine-
ment was growing irksome and l longed
for the time when | might see my fair de-
liverer and thank her and the others for
their great kindness. the reason for which
] also longed to learn. When we de-
scended to the parlor, the entire family
were assembled. Mrs. Chauncey, Miss
Sarah Chauncey, the aunt, and Miss Es-
ther, my angel, to each Of whom l was
duly introduced. A general conversation
followed. | was too deeply interested in
Miss Esther to permit an opportunity for
engaging in conversation with her alone
to pass by, and when this opportunity
presented itself l seized it rapturously.
During our conversation l preached the
subject of my release and inquired what
had brought it about. She hesitated a
moment, her face flushing, and Their she
spoke:
Last spring brother Avery was badly
wounded down in Virginia. A REBEL
mean a Confederate-oficer was very
good to him, giving him food and water,
and protecting him from a fire which
would soon have burned him to death.
When he was able to move we brought
him home, and he often said that when
he recovered he would return the kindness
to some Southerncr. He has never re-
gained his strength sufficiently to return
to the army, SO he decided to pay his debt
by releasing one of the prisoners, all of us
promising to help him. The selection of
the victim was left to me, and l thought
yOu-yOu looked-nice. and | felt more
sorry for you than any of the others,
and"
l did not permit her to finish. A light
flashed through my mind ut that instant
and l turned to Avery. who had just re-
turned after Il temporary absence from
the room. and said:
"Were you ever in Virginia."
YES, and l carry very undesirable
proof of the fact in my hip now"
Got it at the Wilderness, l guess!"
YES, sister told you, l suppose
Fifth New York Cavalry, imagine!'
"Yes."
LAY in the bushes and came near be-
ing burned?"
"Yes."
Fellow came along and fixed you up
in some sort of way"
Yes"
Brought you some water and left n
mouthful of %rations, and took your watch
for pay%"
mo, I gave it to him, and he refused
it."
Would you know the fellow again if
you met him."
Gazing at me for a moment, he sprang
forward, throwing his arms about me and
saying:
'Well! well! well you are the very man,
old fellow! Since the first time l saw you
l had II notion ] had seen you somewhere,
What Il fool l was not to have known
your
No need to tell the rest. In the weeks
that followed Esther listened and her eyes
gave me my answer when l whispered
words Of love. Thirty years ago she be.
came my bride, and the union of blue and
gray has been II blessed one.-Blue AMI
Gray Magazine.