The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-09-12
SENORITA LOPEZ.

n
siege by General Sherman, she created a
decided sensation among the gallant young
officers of the Confederate army She was
the acknowledged belle of the siege, and
her almost reckless daring completely fas-
cinated the officers from the generals down.
One thing about Maria Lopez delighted
US. Federal shells had no terror for her,
and when other ladies shrieked and ran of
unceremoniously from their visitors to
plunge into a bombproof this brilliant
and fearless creature would simply clasp
her hands and make some scornful remark
about the wretched aim of the Yankee
gunners.
After our Notifications around the city
had been nearly completed, the senorita
rode out every day with some of her mill
tary admirers to view the works. This
was rather perilous. Stray bulletsp and
shells were always whizzing by, anu it
was a common thing to see a general or a
colonel dodge behind q tree. But it was
soon noticed that the senorita never even
ducked her proud little head. She would
sit on her horse like statue and laugh in
derision when her escorts proved them
selves unable to stand the racket.
"Oh, would give anything to be a sol
dierl' she said one day after looking
through Colonel Blanks feldglass. 81
would glory in the opportunity of show
ing men how to fight and die for a great
cause. -
Perhaps this was too intense, too bonn
bastic, but in those days everything that
we wrote and spoke was in this fervid
strain. So the senorita's talk provoked no
comment except a tribute of admiration.
One day our heroine passed me at a gal
lOp on her way back from the breastworks.
Something white futtered down from her
riding habit picked it up, but the lady
was out of sight, riding like the wind.
Thoughtlessly allowed the paper to come
open. What saw troubled me not little.
I saw traced out in detail the plan of fully
half our forts and trenches The paper
also contained the location of certain gov
eminent buildings and an estimate of our
forces.
There was but one thing to do. hated
to get pretty woman into trouble, but
had to do my duty. In an hours time the
paper was in the hands of the provost mar
shall. The next day was brought face to
face with Maria Lopez. The hearing was
in private, and a circle of colonies and
majors sat around the accused, frowning
at me as if had been guilty of some Grim
inal act. When related the circumstances
attending the finding of the paper, the lit
tie Spaniard looked at the officers with
merry smile.
81 think, said she, ''that you dom care
to hear from me. will say, however,
that never saw the paper and therefore
could not have dropped it. The young
man perhaps found it, but he could not
have seen me drop it. - She smiled sweet
~ on the provost marshal.
'Ahemr' said that individual. "There
must be some mistake here. We do not
doubt your fidelity, sir, but we had better
hear no more of this
I was dumfounded and abashed. Know
ing very little about the ways of the
world, hastily retired, thanking my stars
that had saved my head. In a day or
two the Senorita Lopez disappeared. Her
lovers did not have time to mourn her
loss, because Slocums corps crossed the
Chattahoochee, and our forces had to be
got out in a hurry. But I was destined to
see the senorita again.
Many of US failed to follow Hoods army
south. We were whirled about in such a
vortex of conclusion that we were glad to
escape with our lives. Among other dot-
sam and jetsam was thrown beyond the
Federal lines. Stranded in Nashville, at
that time a vast military camp I felt bad
enough. could not go south, and
could not get a pass to go north. One
night went to the theater. During one
of the scenes there was buzz, and people
stood up to look at man in the dress cir
Gle just above my head. Finally rose as
somebody said;
He is the most successful guerrilla and
spy on the Union side.''
I stood up until my face was on level
with the railing of the dress circle.
1t was a wonder didn t faintl
Looking calmly, mOckingly, into my
eyes was the handsomest man ever saw
He was dressed in a glittering uniform
and wore diamonds. That clear cut, dark
face, those burning eyes, the slight scar
under the left ear-there was no mistake
I seized my overcoat and rushed out of
the door just in time to hear the alleged
Senorita Lopez say in voice like bugle:
Arrest that MANI
A wave Of darkness came over me. An
officer caught me by the arm. felt that
was lost. If the senorita was not only a
man, but an enemy, had no mercy to
hope for.
There was a sudden tumult, a wild cry
of fire, and then a crowd surged down the 4
stairway. When picked myself up, the
officer who had arrested me lay on the
sidewalk with fractured skull limped
quietly away and took the outgoing train
for Louisville. I had no passport and
trusted to luck.
PASSES, gentlemen ~ shouted a sleepy
lieutenant as he passed through the car.
kept my head bowed down, with my hat
over my eyes.
See herei show your pass said the
officer
a gruf man behind me spoke up and
said:
You don't want to see it twice. He
showed it to you a minute ago"
beg pardon" said the soldier, slightly
confused. He went on, and I was safe.
I have never seen the senorita since, and
I have no desire ever to meet her. or him,
again. The cold blooded devil would have
had me shot as spy beyond a doubt if it
had not been for my lucky escape at the
theater.
The Late Staying Caller.
Friend Staylate makes a call in the