The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1896-10-23

John Gray put down the newspaper
and stood up, squaring his shoulders.
at means war. mother. I'm going to-
morrow"
The Puritan famed in Mrs. Gray's
eyes. "Go, my son, God be with you,'
she said. The clock ticked loudly; a
ray of sunlight crept across the floor;
the curtain fluttered in a passing breeze,
and bee droned lazily through the
ROOM Mother and son stood looking
at each other with strained, eager
gaze. There was the same stern cast
of features, the keen gray eyes and firm
chin, but the straight lines Of Mrs.
Grav's mouth were softened in her sons.
And while his eyes grew moist and his
lips quivered, she was calm and un-
moved, though every beat of her heart
sounded a knell "rhe only son of his
mother, and she was a widow va knell
that rang through many weary months
that followed.
The ninety days that were to end in
peace had long passed. Battles had
been lost and won. The Confederate
flag waved proudly over the State
House in Richmond, and its stars num-
bered eleven. But in the proud city
of Baltimore there was anger and
shame; Maryland had not seeded, and
Union colors floated everywhere, calm
ly defying the wrath Of the hottest
Southern heart.
At the close of long, hot day, the
dropping flag began to move gently i'll
the fresh breeze that came from the bay.
TO the tired Union soldiers who had
aveled through the glaring sun, its
cooling breath was like benediction.
They marched through the streets, erect
and impassive, with no sign of fatigue
i / their regular tread. Line after line,
guns flashing, flags waving-there was
no end to the blue uniforms, the shrill
flies and rattling drums, each adding
an insult
Colonel Gray rode beside his men.
As they entered wide street lined
with stately houses, he noted with a
grim smile the closed shutters and de-
serted piazzas, that spoke eloquently
Of the fierce anger within. NoanXious
figures stood in the doorway, no glad
ewes bt AIMED welcome from the windows.
The street was void Of life, and the
tramp, tramp of the regiment brought
no response but sulIen echoes. Sud
denly his eye caught a gleam of color,
Il vivid flash of red and white; high on
Il portico stood a young girl, wrapped
in the Confederate flag. Her face Of
radiant beauty shone like star above
the "Stars and Bars" The Colonel
unconsciously stopped his horse and
stared. Her flashing eyes caught and
held his for moment, with scorn and
defiance in their black depths He
met her gaze steadily and passed on
grave and unmOved. Not so with his
! men, who looked angrily at the rebel
colors and muttered fierce threats.
Some hours later John Gray was
summoned to headquarters where there
| were several warm and excited citizens.
/ His superior officer gave them into his
charge with the order to conduct them
/ to the house where the rebel flag had
been displayed that afternoon. Leav-
! inc the business portion of the city,
they drove into wide handsome ave
nue. Some distance away, a broad belt
of light from an open doorway tell
across the street THAT is the place,
said the Young officer. Just as we
expected! Julia Lawrcncc!' exclaimed
the gentlemen.
AS they neared the house, they heard
some one singing. The words came to