Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1897-10-28

the reputation among the circle,
he said.
The younger brother grew impa-
tient. ooh, come along, Abner !;
we'll be late.
Abner had already been under
arrest for rebellious act while on
visit to st. Louis, and his wife
was easily alarmed now. By 1880
the barn held u score of men Of oil
ages and sizes, and outside a circle
of picket kept watch that no prying
negro came within hearing distance
of the loft in which the meeting
was held. In the center Of the
group, and doing most of the talk
ing, was a big, black whiskered
man of alert and vigorous manner.
The members were hunched or
sprawling about on the hay listen
ing in silence. At last the chair.
man raped for order and said in
low voice
Brothers of the circle, you are
called together tonight because
there is work to be done. You've
all been just achin' to do something
for the cause, and now's yo'
chance. We've had to submit to
these Yankee scrubs who hold our
fo't. Fo't jackson should never
have been surrendered. We have
been helpless under the heel of
these Northern vandals ever since.
Now we have chance to make
them pay. Brother Nose Banner
has word to say.
Banner was peddler who car
ried drugs from st. Louis to the
Confederate armies in the Southern
part of the State. He carried also
whatever news Of military move
ments he could secure. lie now
stepped out into the floor, the ex-
element of the project IN his Wis
age. He plunged into the plan at
once.
Brothers we have a chance to
rob the Northern armies of a bril-
gadier- General. Gen. U. S. Grant
of Cairo is home on a leave of alb
sence. He drove out today without
guard. Nobody with him. He's
at old man Dents, which is not
more than two miles from here.
You all know the place. He will
be there all night. My plan is to
surround the house and seize him
while he is asleep. The Union
cause will have one Brigadier- Gen
eral less
Two or three of the younger hot
heads leaped up, white with excite.
ment.
Good That's the plan. Well
make him pay for Belmont
The boldness Of the scheme took
the cooler men at q disadvantage.
Before they could gather their
limbs under them another belliger-
ent was in the middle of the floor,
blazing with excitement, his words
a volley. 1T is glorious oppor-
tunity to serve the cause Of the
South. We have been organized
for just work as this. Now is our
chance. | will be one to do this
work tonight
so will /, said ono at his side.
And /, shouted several more.
The Chairman uttered a warning
hiss-'Sh don't yell For an
instant it seemed as if the whole
lodge was ready for this bold plan,
but dissenting voice made itself
heard at last. Some one shouted,
Hold on o minute :. and when the
rest had time to look about to see
who had spoken, Abner Taylor was
seen standing in the background.
The big cornhusker looked grim
and threatening as he stepped for
ward and flung his hat on the floor.
Il vote no ! Now, see here, neigh
bors, want word right now. |
know this Gen. Grant. I've cut
wood and hauled props with him.
lie has eat dinner in our house
many a time. You all know him,
and you know that a better man
never lived in this town. He's a
gentleman and an honorable sol
der, and | don't propose to kidnap
man like that under such circum-
stances. Why, the man trusts US |!
You say he has no body-guard-
well, I'll be one Of his body-guards.
you all know I've no love for
Yankees would cut the heart
out Of Frank Blair if | could, but