Kansas City journal., 1898-02-27
the movements of the two great

concerning the movements of the two great
armies.
When the news reached the hill country
that the rebels were coming. CONSERVATION
seized the people; the brave men leaving
with the cattle and horses for the other side
of the Susquehanna, while the nervous
women remained to welcome the foe.
Seilman and his son. hastily loading up
feed and provisions. drove off about mid
night for the land of safety, taking all the
horses and cattle with them. save young
colt, which had been given TO Mary as
present and which. under her treatment.
had become quite tame. This colt WAS not
old enough to be of much use yet. but its
beauty made il valuable and TO Mary il
was worth more than any horse on the
place. IL was her own and she vowed to
he" mother. when they were left alone, that
no rebel should get Daisy, as she had
named her pet.
Daisy i'm the Spare Room.
Excited farmers rushing by gave warn
ing that the rebel advance was not far off
AMI might be expected by daylight. Where
60 put Daisy was the query troubling young
Mary Seilman. For herself she had no care
because IL never came into her mind that
men would harm defenseless women.
II have it she exclaimed, after long
study: I'll just put Daisy in the spare
ROOM
Now the old house was old and of the
primitive kind. having Il side room on the
first floor, furnised for a sleeping apart
ment for visiting friends and acquaint-
ances.
But. Mary said her mother "they will
hear her stepping on the floor and take her
after all. and maybe burn the house. be-
cause we tried to hide the colt.
This was a difficulty Mary had not
thought about, and for while she sat
thinking how she could hide Daisy.
At last thought struck her, and she
said: I'll tie up Daisys feet Hastily
gathering up some old bags and pieces of
old carpet. she soon led the colt into the
spare room" Then procuring straps.
she tied up the colts feet. so that the ami
NAL could move about. but make no noise
with its hoofs on the floor.
She was none too soon, for scarcely had
she completed her work when the Johnnies
rode up. dismounted. came in and with
quite a swagger. demanded breakfast. To
refuse would only make matters worse: SO
the women set about the task and in lit
tie while an appetiZing meal was on the
table and Mary invited them to breakfast.
While eating they became quite talkative;
asked the women whether they were alone:
whether the old man hadn't run away with
the horses and hid in the mountains some
where. volunteering the information that
if he had they would soon find him and cap
ture his whole outfit.
Soldiers After Booty.
After finishing breakfast they made the
rounds of the stables. but found only a
couple of famished-looking hogs and two
or three scrawny calves.
Returning TO the house they demanded
permission TO search it. alleging there might
he spies or Union soldiers hid therein. The
mother was too much frightened to make
any objections. but Mary firmly refused
permission. telling them plainly they Were
not gentlemen or they would not think of
doing such thing.
YES. We are" said one OF the Johnnies
and if there is anything good about this
place want 1t, and mean TO have it,
and then he made a move to enter the back
room. where Daisy was quietly munchinG
oats and corn. But Mary was too quick for
latch in her hand. barred his way.
Get out of my road" he exclaimed
angrly. 'or I'll throw you out"
III you do you'll suffer for IT." was
Mary's cool reply.
For while he coaxed. then threatened
At last. he caught hold OF the brave girl
hut she held on with a firm grip; so firm
that he could not loosen her hold.
Finding she would not give up and be-
ing unable TO get her away from the door.
he called for his companion. who all this
time had been prowlinC around the outside
Of the house. As he came In and Mary saw
that she would be overpowered. she
screamed in terror with all her might. Be-
fore the sound of her voice had died away
the sound of galloping horses was heard
approaching.
Of as fast as they could down the road
disappearing around a bend in the road as
a rebel officer rode into the yard. followed
by a number Of men.
what is the natter" he asked. "why
did you scream? Did any Of our soldiers
attempt to harm you?"
As hest she could between her sobs Mary
told the story. and when she was through,
70 her CONSERVATION. the officer said
why. what is in that room you prize so
highly? Is some one concealed there?"
No" said the brave girl.
We'll YOU must permit me to look In I
am afraid there may be some one hid there