, 1896-10-19
A WON COURAGE.

guerril!as wero raiding the country. pill
Laying, burning and striking terror to
all the country round about, that a lit
tie baud of Union men, about 800, n de-
tachmcnt Of General Lew Wallace's di.
vision, who had been left to protect sup
plies at u point in Kentucky near the
Ohio line, were surprised and surround.
cd fy Ellsworth's division of Morgan's
men.
\ sergeant dashed without
into headquarters with. the startling
news. There was no time for delay. The
outposts had reported the simultaneous
appearance Of lines of mounted men
springing like ghosts from all points of
the compass.
''Morgan's devils? That means trou.
BILE. cried the colonel. "Here, Craw-
ford, wire Cincinnati for re-enforce-
mcnts."
Frank Crawford, an aid to General
Wallace, and detailed as telegraph op.
orator, grasped the key of the ticker and
flashed an appeal over the wire.
Back came the
Special train, 1900 men, south
bound. pass you in MI hour. Stop
them"
Preparation for defense were useless.
The guerrillas began to close in and
the b~luecoats found themselves outnum
bered five to one But there appeared to
be NO intention on the part Of the raid
ers to press a fight. They amused them
selves by slowly riding around the camp
and setting slow fires TO the supports Of
railroad bridges over the river neal the
camp. This gave tho Union boys no lit
tie alarm. Some one must get through
tho lines and flag the train.
WHO will volunteer to run the
guntlet?' asked the commander.
He locked ut the circle of brave men
around him. There was a pause. 1t
meant almost certain death.
II will 60" cried one.
"What, you, Crawford"
Eyes. Here, give me the flag"
Frank Crawford was no coward, hut
in q tent adjoining headquarters lay n
handsome brown eyed woman, his wife,
and by her sidc a bright little baby boy,
born under the old flag but four days
before. Near by an old colored nurse
was comforting a 3-year-old lad who
was frightened by the noise without.
Tho husband aud father choked back
the emotions which threatened to shake
his brave purpose, and after u hasty en-
brace and parting kiss rushed out Of the
tent.
The guerillas were riding around put
side, keeping close watch over every
movement in camp. Stealthily Craw-
ford moved along. watching for an I'M
guarded point ut an opportune moment.
Mrs. Crawford was us brave us her hus-
baud. Rising from her bed, sho stag
gered to the door of the tent just in
tiule to sec him captured. Her heart
stood still for a moment; then, quick US
q flash, she turned, pressed her babe to
her bosom for an instant, then giided
Out and across the camp between the
tents, like u white robed specter. Heed
less Of danger, she hurried on. the ex-
citement giving her strength.
Tho soldiers stood agLast as the wo-
man rushed past them. Ahead were the
bridges, aud clouds Of smoke were slow
ly rolling skyward from the rebel fires
beneath.
"Haltl' The order rang out above
the din.
The determined woman paid no at
tsntion to the command.
''Fire!" Acloud of bullets fell on all
sides. She needed them not. but ran on,
her long black hair flying about her
shoulders and her loose gown and bare
feet giving her the appearance Ct IN in
sane woman. She reached the bridge
and leaped from tie to tic in safety. Be-
yond was q second bridge. Could she
make II? 1t was burning underneath.
She could see the flames leaping up
around the beams. She grew dizzy. She
dared moi look down. Everything was
getting black. With superhuman
strength she gathered herself for the
final effort. Another beam was reached,
another, Que more. Thank God, she was
overl
Her foot had scarcely left the last
beam when, crashi the whole structure
collapsed. Horriied and stunned by tho
eject Of her narrow escape. for q mo
ment she was powerless to move. Then
abe heard the whistle Of the locomotive
- It rounded the curve. Springing for
ward. followed by the angry aud disap-
pointed cries Of her pursuerA, and grasp
Ing the little red akirt OF her baby.
whiuh abe had picked MP from the floor
II the TENT us she left, she raised 1t, and,
summouing all her remaining strength.
waved It frantically above her head. A
ri6e shot rang ont, and the brave woman
40. - aAr- M--A-n A-a1-A HA