The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-06-09
THE DESERTERS.

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It was a beautiful morning In June.
The sun shone brightly "and the sky
was cloudless. The birds sang their
sweetest songs, and the fresh air was
| laden with the perfumes of many floW-
ers. Never had nature seemed falrer
or more peaceful, yet the dark clouds
Of war hung over the sunny South. All
hearts were sad and anxious as they
| listened to the distant roar of the can
non and prayed for the soldiers who
might never see their loved homes
again
Situated on gently sloping hills sur
rounded by grand old oaks, was the
large, handsome house belonging to
DR.. Wilson. Three children were sit
ting on the shaded porch laughing and
chatting gayly, for childhood Is ever
free from care.
Say Angie" cried JAMIE, the eldest
of the trio. "huckleberries are ripe.
Now, let's ask mother to let us 60 and
pick some"
Eyes; l know whar mo Nv 'em ar;
deys jes' es thick down yonder, tother
side de railroad, es hops"
81 am going, too" said curly-headed
little Nan.
Their mothers permission was gain
ed, and Nan and JAMIE. with little black
Angle, set out merrily on their excur-
sion. At the gate they met Jack and
Bob, big teasing boys, Of fourteen and
sixteen.
"Why, where are you chaps going?"
asked Bob
after huckleberries," lisped Nan.
"Humph! you had better not go; the
deserters will get you"
"Whut's a zerters, Mars Bob?" ask
ed Angie
"Oh," laughed Bob, they are men
who ran away from the army; if they
catch you they will carry you way off,
If they don't shoot you"
II don't believe l will CO." said Man,
"That's right; you stay here. Nam
cy."
Use not 'fraid OBJ de serters," stout
ly declared Angie.
"No; I'm not, either" said JAMIE,
"come on" and running quickly down
the hill, they soon disappeared in the
woods beyond the railroad Meanwhile,
those wicked boys were forming fine
plan.
Lets give those children regular
scare" said Jack, 1--WE can paint our
faces, rig up, get some guns, steal up
behind them, and they will take US for
the deserters.'
All right" agreed Bob, II just want
to see Angie run"
They were soon rugged up, and truly
they presented a formidable appear
ance. The children.were busy gather
ing the luscious berries that grew so
plentiful on the low bushes.
MY basket is nearly full, Angie.
How many have your"
Angie raised her head, but she did
| not reply. Instead she gave a wild
scream and dropped her pail Of berries.
"Oh Miss JAMIE de serters is COM
ing; dey get us sho." and with another
scream she started for home, running
| much faster than she had ever run be-
fore. JAMIE was terribly frightened.
! She tried to follow, but she could not
| move, so she stood in silence and trem-
blingly watched the approach Of the
flerce-looking 'serters," who were
coming right to where she stood.
why, little sister, don't you know
us; we are no 'serters," said Jack,
laughing heartily. mo, that we are
not, but we thought we would scare
you, but you looked so white we had
to tell you who we were. Just look at
Angie If you will; don't stop her. Mer-
cy, how she does yell"
Come on. Jack, and let's follow
her."
Poor Angie. she looked back, saw
them coming, and with them her loved
Miss jamie. She redoubled her speed,
screaming at every step.
"Oh, de serters has dun got Miss
Janie De serters is mos got mel"
Il wouldn't take S. for this" said
Bob.
Angie was soon out OF sight. She
ran straight on, through the blackberry
thickets and brambles, first up and
then down, crying, painting and call
ing "Mistis." At last she reached the
house, and darting in she ran in terror
to Mrs. Wilson. "Mistis," she sobbed,
"dey is dun got Miss JAMIE"
who. child? What Is the matter?"
cried the astonished lady.
"Oh, Lor', Mistis. l dunno!" and
then to her horror she saw them COM
ing slowly up the walk. de serters, de
ole serters! Hide me, Mistis! Hide me!
an take Miss away frum 'em, an give
'em sister, but let EN- get mel"
Mistress saw who the deserters were.
gave one laugh and pretended to be
very scared. Then, seeing how really
terrified Angie was, she said: ut Is no.
body in the world but Jack and Bob.
Don't be so silly"
1t was long ere Angle would be con-
WINGED that this was true.
"Well, Angie, thought you were the
brave girl who was not afraid" teased
the boys, who, it is needless to say,
enjoyed the joke hugely.
Il amt but you s'prised me- an you
looked jes' awful zactly like de serters
an l don't want 'em to get me-" re.
piled Angie. nj.
All this happened many years ago
jamie is with the angels now. Nan
Is a grown woman, but neither she nor
the boys have ever forgotten Angles
L.