Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-02-15
A WAR EPISODE.

One cool September day small party Of
Confederates could be seen vending their
way down the dusty road that leads into
the little town of Warrenton, and from
the tired look of the men and the steaming
sides of the horses one could plainly see
that the cavalcade had ridden fast and far.
The company were part Of the rangers,
and at their head rode their chief, Mosby
on black steed, while the rest of the men
trotted on behind in leisurely manner
and made the air ring with their jests and
gay songs. 1t was true that the enemy
might come In sight at any moment or
that some stray bullet from foe hidden
in bush might cut short the laughing
words on the merry lips, but familiarity
with the horrors Of war had bred an easy
Indifference, and these men, though daily
facing death, thought no more of their
danger than II they were riding to picnic
in some neighboring grove.
1t was just about noon when the party
dismounted at a farmhouse, and n an in
stant the jolly rebels were the center of an
admiring group that crowded about them
and the eager host hastened to bring out
for their entertainment all the good things
that his larder afforded. The men were
hungry and seated beneath the huge oaks
they were soon discussing the relative
merits of the buttermilk and fried chicken
with which they were plentifully supplied
But time wore on, and the men, forgetful
Of its passing, sought refreshment in u
doze on the grass beneath the trees.
A sudden cry of "The Yankees are COM
ing!" rang out on the ytill afternoon air,
and the Confederates slrang to their horses
just as a party of Union troops dashed in
sight around bend in the road In a mo-
ment the rangers had leaped on their steeds
and galloped out of sight down narrow
woody lane that ran near the barn and
partially concealed them from view. In
fact, their escape would have been success
tul had not one man FESTIVE nag delayed
the fellow so long in mounting that the
approaching squad caught glimpse of the
gray jacket as it vanished in cloud of
dust in the distance.
AL of the rangers had got out Of danger
except their leader, Mostly, who was in tho
house when the alarm was given and had
not heard the warning cry. So when he
looked up from the book which he was
reading, while resting in the cool of the
hallway, he saw the Union troops charg-
ing in at the gate, which was only few
hundred yards away 1t was too late now
to escape, and while the Federals did not
yet know of his presence they would search
the house, and it was only matter of a
few moments before he would be prison
er in their hands.
In the parlor, which opened into the
hall, young lady sat sewing, and her
quick wit took in the situation at glance.
"Here Step in this clock caser' she hur-
riedly whispered as she threw open the
door of an immense old clock that stood
ticking In enc corner of the hall.
And in moment Mosby had squeezed
himself into it's dusty recess.
By this time the Union men were dis
mounting, but before they entered the
house the lady had seated herself and was
quietly sewing.
The Union officer strobe into the room
and looked anxiously about
Are there any rebels concealed in this
housee" he demanded in loud voice.
Mosby's men were here awhile ago.
she replied, "but they all escaped as your
troop came in sight"
The officer glanced about the room, and
his quick eye caught sight of a man soft
felt hat thrown carelessly on chair.
Search the house, he ordered of three
men who were waiting his commands.
In moment the men In blue were
over the house and poking into
syery nook and corner. They commenced
at the garrett, searching each room closely
as they descended, and the rattle of their
sabers could be heard distinctly in the
hall below as they tramped about, throw
ing open closets and upsetting beds.
Presently all gathered in the hall and
were discussing in disappointed tone their
RUTHLESS search.
Every moment seemed an eternity to
The ranger shut up in the hot, dusty depth
II the old clock, and the warm air had
grown almost unbearable. Yet he dared
not move, for only a few feet away he
,ould plaiply hear the angry tones of the
Yankee officer, and the least motion meant
,apture or DEATH Slowly the moments
ragged on, and still the men fingered.
Finally the occupant Of the clock felt
N uncomfortable desire to sneeze, and as
10 realized the fact he broke out in cold |
at the horrible thought. TO
prevent 1t was something beyond his con-
rol, but sneeze would surely be an
wered by btaiss through the clock case,
md the ranger felt he would prefer the
LANCER Of facing his foes in an open fight.
Suddenly bright idea came into his
mind, and just as he bent his head to
neeze he gave pull on the pendulum
hat sent all the wheels whirring in loud
onfusion.
The Union men glanced suspiciously at
he noisy timepiSoe.
~ am afraid that clock needs mendine,"
the lady carelessly as she turned
own q new hem in the linen on which she
'as sewing, and her quiet voice disarmed
lspieion.
With sigh Of relief, Mosby heard the
fioer command bis men to mount and
resently the gallop Of their departing
orse hoofs fell on his delighted ear. And
,arcsly had the echo died away when the
look few open, and the exhausted prison
. struggled out in an almost suffocated
,nditiuh.
A merry laugh had the ranger over his
arrow escape, but In all the dangers that
. faced during four years of bloodshed
'ere was none that tried his nerves like
10 terrible half hour spent in the old
ock case. Exchange.
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