Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1897-05-06

III the hanuS OF the young lieutenant.
lie handed it to its owner with a
bow, and turned again to the trunk.
Ihat receptacle, to the innocent
young inspectors eyes, was rather a
woful illustration of poverty in the
pretty, pale lady. There were no
piece goods; the gloves seemed all
worn, the ribbons were sadly crum.
pied, the laces looked like worthless
Things; all the fabrics were tumbled
with the words nothing contra
band" and a deep sigh of relief, the
lieutenant chalked some marks on
the trunk, and gladly clanked away,
whlie the little mother laid the pre-
cious dolls in the uppermost place.
AS she turned the key she whis-
pered something so softly that il was
never heard OH earth.
Then she motioned to a negro who
had been waiting. He took the
trunk on his shoulder and set off.
followed by Alice, toward a cabin i'm
the small village that lay beyond the
military camp.
The debatable land-the district
occupied by neither army, but
secuted over by both-was now be-
fore Alice, and great was her fear of
discovery.
Troops moving on raid or recon-
noissance are quick to iudependent
action, and the young mother knew
that if any band stopped her they
might again examine her baggage
with keener judgment than the nice
young lieutenant had shown. So
she had determined on a midnight
fitting.
Yes, will soon be ready,n she
said, rising from her brief sleep as a
negro woman shook her gently by
the shoulder.
In the flare of the tallow. candle
the face Of Alice was as black as
burnt cork could make it. Not q
trace remained of the dainty white
ness of her hands. She had donned
so much of her disguise before lying
down. Now the old negro woman
slipped coarse plaid dress, like her
own, on the young mother, and hid
her brown curls beneath a rainbow
turban.
How do look, Auntie?n
"Jes' splendid, honey, 'ceppen
dem little feet. Heah-you take
desc, an I'll go bar'foot.n
But Auntie-the cold. 1 don't
like"
"Nebber mind what yo' likes. /
knows bes'. De Yankee cabalry
might cotch us; if dey see you ill
boots dey suspect de troof. Come;
we's got to step peart. You is nv
gal, Mandy, min dat, honey"
Can we carry these ?" asked
Alice, taking up the mysterious
dolls. If my trunk is lost, I'd
like to save the dolls"
kyar 'em easy. But de trunk
Lawd ! dey nebber ketch jeff"
"Sarvant, missis," said jeff, as a
gray old negro entered. lis YOU
ready now? Time we was gone
Hit be broad day fore we get safe to
Mars Lees army"
The dolls were thrust into a bun
die borne on the black woman's head.
She stepped out into the darkness,
and Alice thumped along in the big
shoes behind the negro's hay-cart,
In which her trunk was concealed.
They had long been walking in ST.
lence, when toward them on the
hard road came Gathering hoofs, and
" Halt ~ rang out. The parley was
a short one, for the old woman did
the talking.
Now come on, gal," she cried,
hnally. You gwine poke long
here all day" She clutched the
bundle tighter, and went on so fast
that Alice could scarcely keep the
pace.
Soon afterward low rumblinps
shook the earth, and the fugitiyes
heard the rattling and humping of
artillery wagons. BY and by these
sounds ceased, and shots came few
and far between.
Hope de pickets won shoot us
fur neider side," said Auntie, and
hurried on still faster.
Gray dawn was in the east when
they reached little log cabin, we'll
within the Southern lines. There
Alice sank upon the bed, a pitiable
sight. Tears had washed the black
from her face in streaks she had
the piebald complexion of a toy cat.
Auntie pulled away the turban and
held glass to the young mothers
lips.
Drink dis, honey" she said,
land go to sleep. We's had tight
pull, but we's got froo, an dere aim
muffin tall gwine hurt you now
We's safe"
"Oh, am l safe at last? ?n
" You is dat, honey. WAY down
Souf in Dixie !"
Alice slept the deep sleep of COM
plete exhaustion ali that day. The
winter sunlight slanted in long beams
across the cabin, when horse whin-
MED outside, and nanny hastened
to the door.
Bress God, yOu'se come at last,
jeff. l'clar', dis time was skeered.
Fo' marcy's sake, what is been
gwine on ?"
81 dunno. He'd scrimmage wild
some gorillys, or suthin-b'leeve in
my soul I'se lodged de whole army,
wild Marse Linkum at de head Ob
'em. But here / is, am here's de
lady's trunk -
jeff backed up his cart, and drew
the trunk from under his load of
hay.
Nanny went softly to the bed
and leaned over it. Alice, awaken
ing, started up, looked wildly around,
then caught the old woman's black
hands between her own.
"Oh, you good soul! l shall
never, never forget you !" she cried.
Den git right up, chile, If you's
rested. Eberyting's ready fur yer
haf am dar,s Nnnr frnnk -