Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1898-11-18

spread their volumincus lirts 70 as to
completely hide bis tecumbcut figure.
In a short time several Yankees came
in and stood talking near tlo door.
There was nothing in tho appearance Of
the room to indicate that there was q
spy concealed. Two sets Ct young
folks were going through the stately
measures OF the l%ancert, with the little
Frenchwoman, who was tho teacher,
at the piano, ncGding and calling the
figures 20 them. Down at tho end Of
the room was a group Of girls laughing
and talking. The music camo TO q stop
and the dancers crowded around tho
girls at the far end Of trio room. The
Yankees left, 40 the lesson was over.
Then Sue Mundy came flom bis hiding
place. Several of the girls took of a
skirt apiece and rugged him out. With
cloak aud fascinator he passed the Yam
KEGS at tho foot OF the stairs, got in
safety to the home Of a friend and in
the early morning elud1d the p%iclyets
and started on his ride for Louisville,
where no was captured and hanged as a
spy.
It was, l believe. SOHO tirc after
ward that this apron again met with an
adventure. One day two ragged, foot.
tore C~orfcaorates camo to gran1moth-
er's seeking food and shelter. They had
been cut OF FROM their company, which
had passed through the adjacent coun-
try a few days before. OF course they
were fed and were lodged in an out
house.
They had not been lcng concealed
when grandmother get wcrd that q
squad CT cavalry who had been securing
the country for gtraeslers were headed
for her place. 1t was too late for the
Johnnies to escape. Clearly something
had to DO eone sc cnce. Tho Johnnies
would be found, AID grandmother and
the girls would be arrested probably.
Grandmother went TO the outkorse and
laid tho matter before trio two men.
They were uunTinCd, willie grand
mcther's arsenal consisted Ct a rusty old
musket.
Mother proposed Q plan, which was
carried cut successfully. She aud her
younger sister had often mustered with
their cousins and other ~neighbors' boys.
They had always been the fife and drum
corps.
There was q dense plum thicl5et not
far from the house. a queer procession
headed for it in a little while. There
was grandmother, my two aunts, moth
er, the two Johnnies and the negro
cook. Mother carried her fife in one
hand and this aprcn in another, while
my aunt had q drum. Mother tied her
apron TO a stick and hoisted it above the
plum trees.
In q few minutes tho Yankees came
in sight. Mother says at sight of the
uniformed men, mounted On splendid
horses, her heart bounded and that her
sister tremU,ed so that it was q second
or SO before they could command cour-
age enough TO carry cut their part of
the programme.
The Yankees came to q halt at sight
Of the rcd, white and red flag. Then
came the ehrill notes of Tic fife and
steady beat Of the drum. Then "Dixie''
came floating over across the meadow
{ to them. They came closer. What
meant tho ominous silence SO far "a
shots went? The Johnnies had not Tired
q single shot. The plum thicket wa:
/, large enough to conceal a gcodly body
Of men. They approached tie thicket
and fired. The only damage done was
these bullet holes in the apron. Panic
seized the advancing men, and wheeling
their horses they went heltcr SHELTER
across the meadow and in the direction
Of their camp.
When they returned. q short time
later, they had been heavily re-enforced.
They found the farmhouse in the pos
session Of two women and three girls
and not a trace of JohIniea anywhere.
Not long after this the war was over.
A young Union officer called at grand
mothers one day and asked for mother.
He was the sergeant who had christen-
ed her apron. The call was followed by
many Others, aud the following yeal
/ mother and father were married. st.
/ Louis Republic.