The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-08-14

there was reason to apprehend a raid
by the Federal army, and, on their APP
proach, to burn it when in danger of
falling into the enemy's hands. Some
| times this order has been executed, but
| in numerous instances only the part re-
| lating to cOncealment has been carried
out Consequently, when Lee surrend-
cred, there We're thousands of bags of
cotton hidden in the hills and swamps
all over the South. Now, where is that
cotton at the present moment, and to
whom does it belong? Well, boys, there
are hundreds of bags in this very coun-
ty, and, according to my opinion-and
| hold myself an honest man--it is no.
bodys property. To return it to the
taxpayers is utterly impracticable, and
such being the case, it seems to me,
since the Confederacy is no more, that
no one has a better right to the cotton
or stands in more need of it than the
poor ragged soldier boys who have
fought for the soil that produced it,"
bravo, bravo" exclaimed Jack Meri-
weather.
do you know where any of this cot
ton is concealed?" asked Layburn Gag
erly
don't, after all this preamble" added
Meriweather.
Il do, boys; do" said the old plant
er.
"Hurrah hurrah!' cried Merweather
Stop your racket" said the planter,
sternly. for Meriweather had attracted
the attention of several Federal SOL
diers on the street.
IF you don't move on the dead quiet
you will ruin everything. All this Con-
federate cotton is being seized as soon
as discovered, by the Yankee garrisons,
as government property"
"Mr. Palmer" said Layburn, serious
ly; eff you will tell us where this cotton
is concealed and give us your advice in
regard to securing it we will be SUI
premely grateful and endeavor to fol-
low your counsel in every particular"
The old planter, seeing that the two
young men had sobered down, and were
now in the proper frame of mind to be
trusted with this great secret, drew
to one side and revealed to them the sit
uation of the cumbersome but valuable
bales of the Souths great staple. The
first thing to do was to convey the bags
from the recesses of the swamp, where
it was hidden, to some stable or out
house, and remove the Confederate la
bel and give each bale a private mark
This accomplished, it would not be diff
cult to ship it, by night boat, to Mo-
bile. where it could be easily sold, or
sent to Liverpool and there marketed.
"The main obstacle concluded the
old man, sis the hiring of a wagon with
which to bring the stuff out of the
swamp. 1t is a risky business and no.
body likes to let wagon and mules
for such a purpose. The work has to
be done at night, and if you are caught
by the Fedcrals you will be sent to Jail
and the wagons and teams will be con-
fiscated."
1--WE are willing to pay a stiff hire"
said Layburn.
You'll have to-" said Palmer. "a
hundred dollars a team is the price for
night work Let me see," the old man
rubbed his chin meditatively, you
couldn't do better than to try jim
Brown. He has two wagons and teams
Jim's been transacting a little business
in this line on his own account. and
no doubt he'll be willing to help two
deserving fellows for consideration.
There's Jim, now" And the old plant
err beckoned to stout man little past