Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1896-09-19

Try ANNOUNCING tnlt any Oue CiuSuU uSN-
astating property would be shot on
sight. Captain Crawford, afterward
brevetted colonel. was detailed to post
the notices, thereby gaining the hatred
of the raiders, who only wanted an op-
portunity to vent their revenge on him.
The opportunity now presented itself,
and as they drew near the general re-
moved his fieldglass from his eyes and
surveyed the prisoner
"Who is hep
A corporal advanced and saluted.
"a Union soldier, sir
"Where did you get him?"
Caught attempting to run through
the lines with flag. 1 think he wanted
to flag some train"
Lieutenant, detail ten men and have
him shot.
As the lieutenant turned to obey the
order something familiar about the pris-
oner attracted the attention of the gen.
eral.
'Say, fellow, what's your nanae?" he
inquired.
Crawford, came the answer.
The general started.
"What did you say? Crawford? Your
first name, man, quick!'
Crank. -
The general looked again into the
prisoners face.
"My God, Frank, is it you?" he
said, and as the situation dawned on
him he continued:
"This is too bad. Z"
Crawford, in surprise, surveyed his
captor for moment and recognized an
old school chum and companion.
"Why, Ellsworth, l didn't know
your' he exclaimed.
"Here, lieutenant, take good care Of
this man. I'll attend to his case later.
said the general as he hastily turned
away and resumed his inspection of the
scene below. Scarcely had he put his
glass to his eyes when he beheld the
fieeting figure fall before the halting
train This was the signal for action
among the rebels. With few sharp
commands the troops formed i'll retreat
ing order and were soon lost to view in
cloud of dust.
Hours passed and the little woman,
once more i'll camp, showed signs of re-
turning life. Suddenly she opened her
eyes.
"What is that:' she gasped.
"Be quiet" replied the nurse. "It is
nothing. You have been i'll and must
remain quiet"
"No, no; it is calling me-" she per-
sisted, raising herself with much diff
Guilty upon her arm. II must go and see
what he wants."
'She must be out of her mind"
thought the nurse as she gently tried to
persuade the sick woman to remain still.
''There it is again, calling, calling"
"What is calling?"
"The telegraph instrument. YoE must
take me to it. 1t is my husbands private
call. There, don't you hear it?''
In a1} Welcoming tent on all improvised
desk the telegraph ticker merrily clicked
away its dots and dashes. Thinking
only to humor her, the nurse called a
couple of stalwart soldiers and the cot
with its precious burden was carried
close to the instrument.
Tremblingly her fingers sought the
key Her husband had taught her its
use and given her a peculiar call by
which she could always recognize him.
1t was this call, the presence of his
thought, that had called her spirit back
to earth.s
"Who is it?" she licked
"Friend-fOe - friend foe," came
the answer
"What do you want?''
"Mrs. Crawford.
''This is she. What is it?''
II, General Ellsworth, saw your brave
deed from the hill where Stood, came
the message, "and, although I had pre-
viously commanded that your husband
be shot, you need have no fear I will
spare his life for your sake. Goodby!'
She sank back ON the cot exhausted,
tears filled her eyes and faint "Thank
God! escaped her lips as she was car
ried back to her tent.
The guerrillas had made hasty re-
treat, taking Crawford with them, and
were now 20 miles away, camping for
the night.
The hatred against Crawford was so
bitter that General Ellsworth could not
pardon him, but that night, under the
cover of darkness and in charge of Sc
cretly instructed officer, Crawford was
mounted on the fleetest horse in camp,
with the instructions from the general
to ride like hip
He evidently obeyed, for he was not
seen again ty the rebel soldiers Nine
days after he joined his wife and babies
at Union headquarters 1t was happy
reunion, and as soon as Mrs. Crawford
was able there was an elaborate recep-
tion given by the officers in their honor,
at the Burnett House, in Cincinnati.
By strange coincidence, that was the
very day Morgan and his men were cap
tured, and the prisoners We're made to
pass in review before the hotel a route
to prison. Detroit News.
A little wit and great deal of ill
nature will furnish man for satire,
but the greatest instance and value of
wit is to commend we'll L-Tillotson.