Catoctin clarion., 1898-10-20
WAS WORTH HAVING.

ing army turned southward alter the
successful raid through Missouri. The
enemy came up against them like great
billows. Steadily and threateningly
they moved to cut off their retreat.
All day long the incessant roar of the
canon had sent thrill of horror to
those within reach of its hoarse voice.
The dead and the dying marked the
path of the army. Night closed days
battle that could not soon be forgotten.
The October moon looked coldly down
upon the hard worn field.
AS night advanced here and there in
the distance we caught sight o. the
glimmering camp.fres. We knew the
army had sought rest for the night; a
rest that would nerve the army for a
deadlier blow on the morrow.
Impatient and anxious | walked back
and forth on the long porch that extend
ed across the front Of the house, hoping
every moment to hear some. thing Of our
brave boys who had been in the battle s
fore front all day. happened to be a
guest at this house. Lucy Eaton, our
young hostess. was most companiona.
glrl, and the especial pride of the home.
She had just joined me when we were
startled by rapid volley OF pistol shots
fred few yards from the house.
"That means death to some one,' she
exclaimed, as we stood together silent
and trembling while the thick shadows
of the night crept closer to us.
A riderless horse sped past as if mad
dened with fright. In fow moments
squad of federal soldiers galloped
swiftly and silently down the road.
ave must see what this terrible
shooting MEANS said Lucy as she sum-
moned the negro cook, Aunt Cindy,
from the kitchen to accompany us.
Frightened and excited, we began to
reconnoter. A short distance from the
house we found a confederate soldier
shot through the leg aud shoulder.
After many attemps we succeeded in
getting him into the house, where his
wounds were dressed. He was de-
lighted to be thus cared for, and said
be felt sure that he would be able to
Join his comrades in few weeks.
The strictost secrecy was enjoned
upon the entire household regarding
our wounded soldier. Aunt Cindy es-
pecially was impressed with the neces-
sity of maintaining a strict silence on
the suiect.
Laws mercy" she CALCULATED, mo
body kin incinderate me into tellin' one
word. Miss Lucy sholy know what
she's bout takin' in halt dyin' man
Use side by side wild :1iss Lucy; least
ways Use not gwine agin' her."
Next morning, fearful that some Of
the straggiers from the army might
discover our soldier and take him pris
oner, Aunt Cindy stood in the roadside
and refreshed them as they passed with
cooling draugnts OF water. When the
last soldier had passed she commended
herself in extravagant terms for the
strategy she had used so satisfactorily
We learned from our soldier that he
was Kentuckian and colonel in the
confederate army. Neighbors and
friends came and went as usual ex-
changing visits, yet we never divulged
in any way our secret, which seemed
almost sacred to US, and they never en-
tertaiaed the slightest suspicion that
within the home was wounded soldier
constantly attended by a physician.
One day as | was sitting at the win
dow party of federal soldiers on 6
foraging expedition halted in front Of
the house. Our confederate was doz-
ing in his chair. Aunt Cindy, with he,
usual thoughfulness, met them at the
gate. Cheerily her voice rang out al
she expostulated with them regarding
the propriety Of their making liberia
appropriation Tor themselves.
Now look here, gemmens, she siad
"I'se Objectionable TO you helpin' yer
selves, not cause you amt welcome tt
ennything we've got, but it's kinder
hard On me and Miss Rebecca keerin
up all bv ourselves. Pears like i
would be more fitin and proper for yor
to go whar yo' can git more"
After much expostulation they seem
ed quite willing to 60 "where they
could git more,'' as they road away anc
Aunt Clndy returned to her work anC
her guest breathod more freely.