The National tribune., 1898-09-29

Oh, it was no consequence about the
pay, she did not i wish anything for it.
So thanked her and went out.
In few moments she came to the door,
but did not offer To assist me, or to hold
the basket, or anything. but stood look
ing at me most malciously, thought. |
placed the basket on the top OF the post
to which my horse had been hitched took
my seat in the saddle, and then rode up
| and took my basket. Turning to her |
| babe her good morning, and thanking her
again for her kindness l turned to ride
| away.
| had scarcely gone rod when she dis
charged pistol at me. BY some intui-
| tive movement threw myself forward on
my horses neck and the ball passed over
my head. turned my horse in twink
| ling and graSped my revolver. She was
in the act of firing the second time, but
was so excited that the bullet went wide
of its mark ! held my seven shooter in
nv hand. considering where to aim. did
not wish to kill the wretch, but did IN
tend TO wound her.
TAKING A PRISONER.
When she saw that two could play at
this game she dropped her pistol ana
threw up her hands implorlnGiy. took
deliberate aim at one OF her nandS, ana
sent the ball through the palm OF her left
hand. She fell to the ground IN an m
slant with loud shrek. ] d,smounted,
and took the pistol which lay beside her,
and placing it in my belt, proceeded to!
take care of her ladyship.
uniastened the end OF my halter, strap
and tied it painfully tight around her
right wrist, and remounting my horse
started and brought the lady to con
seriousness by dragging her by the wrist !
two or three rods along the ground.
stopped, and she rose to her ieet, and
with wild entreaties she begged me to re
lease her; but instead OF doing so pre-
scented pistol and told her that II she ut
tered another word or scream she was a
dead woman. In that way succeeded IN
keeping her from alarming anyone wh"
might be within calling distance, ana so
made nv way toward McClellan's Head
quarters.
Alter we had gone in that way about
mile and a half told her that she might
ride if she wished to do so, for saw she
was becoming weak from loss OF olooh;
She was glad to accept the offer, and !
bound up her hand with my handker-
chief gave her my scarf to throw over heT
head, and assisted her to the saddle.
marched along beside her, holding ttgnt 10
the bridIe-rein all the while.
When we were about mile from NC,
CleIlan's Headquarters she tainted and
caught her as She was falling from the
horse l laid her by the roadside whlie /
went for some water, which brought IN
nv hat. and after bathing her face Tor
some time she recovered.
DESPERATE WOMAN.
For the first time since we started en-
tered into conversation with her, ana
found that within the last three weeks
she had lost her father, husband, and two
brothers in the rebel army. They had ali
| belonged to a company of sharpshooters,
| and were the first to fall. She had been
| almost insane since the intelligence
| reached her. She said l was the first
Yankee that she had seen since the
l,<r LOT. 10 ayrl
| ed to urge her on to the step she hai
take, and if wouldnot deliver her up to
| the military powers she would go with me
and take care OF the wounded. Shc even
proposed to take 5the oath OF aileglance,
and seemed deeply penitent. eff thy
brother Tor sister sin against thee and re-
pent. forgive him. are the words oil the
Saviour. tried to follow their sacred
teachings there and then, and told her
that | forgave her fully if she was only
truly penitent. Her answer was soos ana
tears.
Soon after this conversation we started
for camp, she weak and humbled, and
strong and rejoicing. None ever knew
from that day to this the secret OF that
SeceSh woman becoming a nurse In
stead of being taken to Gen. Mcclellan S
He adquarters sherwent direct to the hos
pital, where DR.. P dressed her hand.
which was causing her extreme pain.
The good old Surgeon never could solve
the mystery connected with her hand, for
we both refused to answer any questions
relating to the wound except that she was
shot by Yankee" which placed the
Surgeon under obligations to take care OF
the patient until she recovered: that Is to
say as long as it was convenient for him
t o do so.
The next day she returned to her house
in an ambulance, accompanied by hos
pital steward, and brought away every
thing which could be made use OF in the
and so took up her abode with
us. She soon proved the genuineness Of
zeal for the cause which she had SO re-
Gently espoused.
AS soon as she was well enough to act |
in the capacity of nurse she commenced |
in good earnest, and became one of the |
most faithful and efficient nurses in the |
Army Of the Potomac.
ITO be confinmed)
EDITORIAL NOTE.-How the author be-
II nArr Ero