The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1897-07-01

ROWD
Absolutely. Pure.
Celebrated for its great leavenrng strength
and healthfulness. Assures the food against
alum and all forms of adulteration common to
Royal BAKING POWDER Co. New YORK
fore, from this time Laura detested d it
with tenfold bitternass,a threw her
self even more recklessly than ever in
to the endeavor to befriend the rebels.
ALI hope IN life seemed to her tn have
fled from the time that she knew that
Clarence Stuart no longer loved her,
and was enrolled in the hostile army.
Life had grown very Indifferent to
her. She exposed herself recklesslv
on all sorts of daring expeditions, ca
ring little if she lived or died, wish
ing often that she might be killed if
her death could serve her country.
All sorts of stories are told of her
perilous adventures at this time She
soon gained the reputation of being
the most faithful and successful spy
IN that region of country. 1t is even
said that more than once. in guerilla
skirmish, she carried musket and
fought with the best. An opportunity
came very soon for very permanent
usefulness in the rebel cause.
There had been ferry near her
house, but the boats were carried
away by raid Of Union troops. and
communication between the opposite
banks of the river became difficult
and dangerous Laura at once resolv
ed upon establishing a ferry that
should run only for the benefit OF her
own friends. She sent for one of her
slaves, an old man whose feeble health
had kept him faithful, while others
had fled.
"Pompey," she said, lyon know
those miserable Yankees said you
would be free if you would go with
them, but will make you really free
If you will do as / ask you"
"Deed, missis, Ise do anytink miss
is wants, but don't send poor Pompey
away"
mo, Pompy, l will not. I will
make you free, but will give you
wages all the time, and you shall
work for me-"
''Tank de missis."
And then Laura went on to explain
her plan. Pompey had light canoe
which had escaped destruction. In
this he was to cross the river, and
build for himself hut in the bushes
on the opposite bank; there he was to
live, with his canoe concealed under
the hill. When she summoned him
with blast on the plantation horn,
he was to come over and take across
those she placed in his care. or if call
ed on his side by peculiar whistle,
he was to ferry over those who be
longed to the rebel service.
Before many days, this ferry was
in successful operation, to the intense
annoyance of some Federal troops,
who thus several times lost important
captures. Laura heard of their wrath
| and vows of vengeance. but she laugh
ed at the threats, and night after
night, in storm or danger, went down
20 the river bank at the risk of her
life
At this time she had news again Of
her former lover Bryne. He was
raidlng through the country. the cap
tain Of desperate band of outlaws
and deserters who made the Union
name an excuse for every species of
robbery and oppression. She only
laughed at every warning, and con-
tinned her perilous enterprise.
One evening in late November when
it was cold and dark, near storm
threatening, she wrapped her cloak
| around her and prepared for her eve
ning's duty. Mrs. Davis, who viewed
her daughters whole course with ter
ror, but knew her remonstrances were
useless, was so overcome with some
recent stories of the near approach Of
the Union army, thas she could not
forbear one last appeal.
Laura! Laura! don't go to- -nightr'
she said at is cold and stormy.
Oh! my darling child, don't go away!'
a must. mother. have reason to
believe there will be fugitives escap-
ing from the Yankee troops. must
be there to save them"
"But, my dear daughter, the Yam
kee troops are so near they may be
there, to-
II can't help it. Would you have
me desert my friends for any paltry
consideration of personal dangers"
"Yes, would! Laura, I am an old
woman. Your father is away, and ]
have no one but you. Do you not
think you owe me some duty? my
child! my child! stay with me this one
night!'
For a moment Laura hesitated; but
just at this instant she caught the
sound of shrill whistle.
"Hark! they are calling me now
[ must go, mother. Kiss me, quick
Good byep'
She was away. darting down the
path, out into the wild and stormy
night. There was a full lnoon, sc
that the darkness was not very intense
although black clouds were hurryins
across the heavens. Yet ever ane
anon these clouds would break away
and the clear, silver moonlight woult
stream out, illumining the dark river
the tempest tossed trees, and tn,
group of soldiers on the bank.
. Laura hastened to them, wondering
who they could be. 1t was only whel
she stood among them, that, by th'
| pale moonbeams, she caught sight o
3 the glittering buttons of the Fedora
inform, and saw Joe Bryne's pale
t sinister face scoxling upon her.
"Yes, Laura Davis, [ have com
: back" he said-"come back as tol,