The National tribune., 1898-07-14

NECK. ~
for an instant, and then braced up, and babe
her good morning.
She grunted an acknowledgment, and
said rather imperiOnSly:
- Y're a-gwine, air yO' 2"
Certainly" answered Shorty.
''And yo'?" F" she inquired, looking at ST.
"He's a goin' too" answered Shorty
:" Mustn't expect him 10 talk He's short on
tongue this mornin' Ketched bad cold
night before last. Settled on his word-miIl.
Unlimited his clapper. Can't speak word
Doctor says it will last several days Not a
great affliction. Couldn't we lost anything
o. less account"
"Must've bin an orful cold," said she,
taking her pipe from her mouth, and eyeing
81 suspiciously. Never knowed cold TO
shut off any ones CAB afore. Seems t me
that hit makes most people talk more. But
these Yankees air different. Whar air yer
things?" Did you bring plenty O. coffee y
We've got 'em hid down here in the
brush" said Shorty. We'll git 'em when
we're ready to start"
& ''We're ready now," she answered.
"Come along"
Shorty. We must go 10 the Captain and sit
passes
.Yo' won't need no passes, she said impa-
tiently & Foller me.'
Shorty had expected to make the pretext
about the passes serve for informing Capt
McGillieuddy of the presence of the woman
in the camp He looked quickly around and
saw the Captain sauntering caselessly at a little
distance, so that any notification was unneces-
sarv. He turned AMI followed Mrs, Bolster'S
long strides, with 81 bringing up the rear.
They went to the clump of brush where
thew had hidden their hayersacks and guns
Mrs Bolster eagerly examined the precious
package of coffee.
IN take keer o. this myself" she said
slowing it away about her lank person. 4"
can't afford to take no resks as to hit"
81 and Shorty had thought themselves very
familiar with the camp ground, but they were
astonished to find themselves led outside the
line without passing under the eye OF a single
nuard. 81 looked at Shorty III amazement,
and Shorty remarked:
'Well, I'll be burned"
The woman noticed and understood. Z" YO'
Yanks," she said scomfully, think your
selves moughty smart with all your book
larnin,' and yo'uns put on heaps o. airs over
po' folks what haint no eddication, but what
YOU don't know about Tennessee woods
would make bigger book than ever was
printed"
believe you." said Shorty fervently
His superstition in regard to her was rapidly
augmenting 10 that point where he believed
her capable of anything He was alarmed
about Capt McGillicuddy's being able TO
follow their mysterious movements. But
they soon came TO the road, and looking
back from the top of hill Shorty's heart
l;ohtened as he saw squad moving out, which
he was confident was led by Capt. Nc
Gilicuddy.
But little had been said so far. At a turn
OF the road they came upon gray-bearded
man. wearing "a battered silk hat and spec
tacies. whom Mrs. Bolster greeted as
Esquire" =
The word seemed to send all the blood
from Shorty's face, and he looked appealingiy
to 81 as if the crisis had come.
The newcomer looked them over sharply,
and inquired:
'sWho are these men, Mrs. Bolster?"
s'They uns IS all right. They'uns s had
enough % Abolition doin's, and hev come
over whar they 'uns alters rayly belonged
This one is a partckler friend o mine, " and
she leered at Shorty in n way that made his
blood run cold.
ssHain'tyo time t. stop minute 'Squire?'
she asked appealingly, as the new conner
turned his horses head TO renew his journey.
Not now; not now," answered the
Squire. digging his heels into his steed's
side. & want to talk t yo' and these ERE
men bout what's gwine on IN the Lincoln
camps. but / must hurry on, now, to meet
Can't. Solomon, at the Winding Blades. !"
ri come over 70 your house this evening" J"
he callel back.
Don't fall Squire" She answered, " fur
I've got little job for yo', an want Int
partickerly done thisvery evenm. Hit can't
wait"
.'I'll be there without fail" he assured
her.