The National tribune., 1898-02-10
kG5I2S<AAsre 7hG
~ laurel "a Blooms
- ........And Men and Women
Live Near Natures Heart.....-
Ru JOHN
Bv JOHN NcELROY.

| prosecuting the Union people. They i'm.
pressed every young man who was capable
of service into their armies. They confscated
every head of live stock, every stack OF hay,
every load of corn and meat for the use OF
the rebel troops
Not content with this they burned the
houses and farm-buildings of the men who
had sons in the Union army, they dragged
the old men to prison, where they persisted
from exposure or hunger, or were hanged
outright on charges of disloyalty. The
women and children were starving, and ex-
posed 10 outrage and insult.
Col. Rhea was conspicuous in this cruel
work He had deccncy enough to give
| strict orders that Robert Inrule's home
should be spared. and that there should he a
sulliciency of food left to keep the women
alive. But Robert Inrule had to return to
his old refuge in the cave and only visit his
family by stealth.
r think how much trouble | mout've
saved the settlement by jest putin little
dog's-bane into his tea" said Sally IIoslins
TO Miriam. - / did wunst put some leather
wood berries in, unbeknownst 4 the rest O.
you rs, for | wanted t. take the whole blame
myself, an save you'ns if hit wuz found out
| Hit come monty nigh fetchin' him, an now
! l wish hit had"
81 wish in my soul yo' had settled him"
replied Merriam ''Yit, try to make my
self believe that we done right when we'uns
! followed the Elders advice an spared him. I"
Again the Spring brought cheer. The
! Union troops were again advancing on Cum
! berland Gap. The Elder brought news of
| small victories to encourage them. They
heard of the rebel Pemberton being penned
up in Vicksburg. The rebels talked of the
victory at Charlottesville and of Lees in
vasi0n of Pennsylvania, what John Nor
gan was accomplishing in Ohio, and what
Gen. Johnston was going to do with the army
in Mississippi.
But one July day the Elder rode through
the country announcing to the faithful that
Vicksburg had been taken, John Morgan
captured and shut up in the Ohio Peniten-
tiary, Lee utterly defeated in Pennsylvania,
Bragg driven from Tullahoma to Chattanooga,
with Burnside's and Rosecrans's armies adj
vancing irresistibly into the heart of the
country.
Again there were weeks of intense. almost
agonizing expectancy. Burnside's army
seemed like waves which roll forward for
while, and then recede. But August saw the
whole army pressing forward upon every road
that led from Central Kentucky into East
Tennessee. The corn was hardening from milk
&c grain when all the mountains from Cum
berland Gap TO Chattanooga were blue with
the advancing Union hosts. They did not
come this time as single spies, but in battal-
ions.
The rebels amt huntin' they'uns down
no more, Robert Inrule reported with
swelling heart TO his family one evening
They mss is hunting the rebels all over
Tennessee, an the rebels IS havin' monty
sight o. trouble gittin' away from they uns
Our boys'll be home any day, mother"
Soon the Elder spa through the country
with the glorious news that Rosecrans was in
Chattanooga, Burnside in Knoxville, Cum
berland Gap had been retaken, and the day
of complete deliyerance was at hand
As an earnest of this came Capt Henry
Clay Pollock himself, riding at the head of
his gallant company, in which were the two
Inrule boys. He could allow himself but an
hour to stay with Miriam-just long enough
to feed and rub down the horses, for they had
heard that Col. Rhea and the remnant of his
regiment were in the neighborhood, and they
were in hot pursuit.
. Peace is now Almost here " he whispered
in Miriam's ear. When shall we be married,
sweetheart?''
Jest as soon as yo' kin git the Elder.
Then hit shall be Jest as soon as I take
Kunnel Rhea's seal for a weddin' present.
/ can't allow myself no peace nor happiness
as long as he's alive, an l won't allow him
the chance O. dom yO' any more harm by
maxim yo' wilder"
He kissed her again, vaulted into his sad
die, and ordered his men to mount.
As his way would lead him by the site of
their future home, Miriam mounted Sarvice-
Blossom to ride along with him that far.
They were riding together, far in advance
of the company, when they came TO the sum-
NIT of the hill which commanded the view
Of their place. Their hearts leaped when
they saw that detachment of rebels had
halted there for dinner
" Hit must be Kunnel Rhea's rigimint.u
said Pollock, after momentary survey.
-" for there's nary other band i'll these parts
that we know on. Yes, thar's the Kunnel
hisself," he continued with intenser tones
pointing to a tall figure walking back and
forward at little distance from the sitting
lounging men. I'D know him among 10
600. Hate has burned his picture on my
heart"
Hit sartinly is the Kunnel," agreed
Miriam, after studying him with her bright,
strong eyes. What air yo' gwine t. do,
Ciay?"
" I'm gwine T. make sure that nobody but
me gifts him. That's my greatest consarn.n
The Colonel had not yet noticed them. as
they had approached under the cover of the
woods crownng the hill
Pollock's main anxiety now was TO get the
Colonel into single combat with himself
This would be far more satisfactory than to
Kill him IN the midst of charge and q
melee. He rode back 10 his company and
ordered the second platoon, under Second
Lieut.. Zach Reynolds, 10 dismount and adj
vance as skirmishers, depOying on either
side of the road, and following him. The
first platoon, under First Lieut. Web Brain
ard, was to remain mounted, and decide the
fight by a charge as soon as the skirmish-
line had fully developed the enemy in posi-
ton, and Pollock's and the Coloneis affair
had been settled
Then Pollock reappeared on the summit of
the hill, followed by his skirmisbers. The
rebels at once noticed them, and at the Colo.
nel's command, took refuge behind rocks and
trees and opened fire.
As the lines settled down into mutual
popping away at one another, Pollock rode
down to a little knoll in front OF his lines
and shouted out loudly, 50 that his voice was
distinctly heard on both sides:
Kunnel Rbea! Kunnel Rhea, l want
Kunnel Rhea"
. am here" shouted the Colonel, in re-
ply;
'Kunnel Rhea, am Henry Clay Pollock.