The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1896-01-30
A DIVIDED HOUSE
A Story of the Civil
War in Missouri.
BY SIDNEY 10. POWELL.
NoU Frst Published.
CHAPTER x.--REvERsEs.

Euhito' W NBN
up in the main road in front OF the
house. Every man in his saddle,
sabre and carbine buckled on and
all the accoutrements of var in con-
spicuous position. Charlie was i'll
the company Sitting at the parlor
window Ellie was watching them
with sad, fearful eyes.
Mrs. Dabney was in the sitting
room warming her feet, for the
morning was cool. She had told
Charlie goodbye aud said to him, 81
can expect nothing good from a boy
who persists IN going in opposition
10 his mothers wishes and IL you
ever want to please me you will
have TO leave the union army"
HMother don't want you to ex-
pect anything good from me Tor you
might be disappointed, but would
not Join the army to please any one. It
is my last resort to go in the army
and have chosen the side | was in
sympathy with"
He turned away and his eyes were
full OF tears, but even in this last
moment she had no word of love for
him and he was gone out from her
perhaps forever.
No one had seer the parting but
Aunt Ria and she told it atterward
that sole Miss looked as cold as ice
an never shed a tear till Mars. Charlie
rot down de hill out of sight and
den she fell down on de floor and
got dat white and cold. l thought
she was dy ng.N
John rode on az far as town with
Charlie, and when he came back an
hour afterwards alone, Ellie began
20 realize that Charlie was gone.
The federal cavalry now rein
creed by companies and regiments
from all directions was on the march
or the field of action, and, very
soon they might hear that a bait Q
uad been fought and many a brave
heart stilled in death. But the times
we're too restless and changeiul to
allow time to brood over sorrow.
Terror and dread were spreading
rom house 10 house, AT The Elms
Mrs. Dabney sUi | tried to carry on
her farming operations. John was
practicing medicine and rarely had
anything to do with the hands, One
day when Charles company had
been gone two weeks, John was
alarmed at seeing a squad OF cavalry
men coming up to the house in a
gallop.
He could see from the uniform
that they were federals. His horse,
a fine saddle animal as tied to the
rack. They coolly loosed him ant
led him on with them to the stable
where they picked Others of theil
king and prepared to lead then
G off. John had followed them anC
now coming up ~accosted them.
What are you going to do witt
my horses?"
"Take them to water" n sale
sneeringly.
ave want EN- boss" another ont
said.
"Well," said John, "you pay TO,
them don't your"
eyes when ths war is over'' h
answered.
''But'' said John, 81 need m.
horse, l am a doctor and can't d
without it,"
"You had better take it" he sal
derisively as he led him Off to tn
field where the negroes were a
work.
"Hello," said one of them to tn
negroes, 'don't you know you ar
free, quit that pillow and mount you
horses every one of you and com
a along with US in the army. W
want teamsters and Veil give yo
IL wages"
In vain John reas oned with the
to induce them to stay. 81 like
you Mars John, l amt got MOTH
agin you but l want my freedo'
Mars John, dats what want, | don
want nuthin but my freedom sa.
one man.
But Notwithstanding they wante
nothing but their feedom, evel
horse on the place was led ava,
and Mrs. Dabney was shocked al
| angered as never before, to Q h,
I own negroes with the soldiers pi
| lagsing her storeroom of It's col
[ tents.
l And they even stripped her be-
/ of blankets and quilts that had be-
I heirlooms in the family for years.
| Squad after squad followed ea'
I from attic to cellar in search OF an.
{ thing they might want, till carpe
| and floors were begrlmed with di
I and debris. Poor Mrs. Dabney I
I once had found difficulties she cou
( not surmount. Powerless as a bal
she could only Vi lily them, and Il
she did without stint.
J When night came on the soldie
we're gone but had left a desolati
I behind them that looked like far
inc.
Snow" said Mrs. Dabney to Jo
"What are we 10 dor There Is L
a mouthful OF anything on the pla'
4 aou . nA-uA tn 40 anyfhtnn - g