The National tribune., 1898-12-08

our folks. Ever since Terry heard that
he's been mighty Uneasy for the Yankee
soldiers that took his truck away said
our men couldn't keep him, and, If ever
he got back, he would be jest as sure to
kill Terry as ever he set eyes on INN
| again" :,
| well. / reckon the old man would
rather he hadn't have had anything to do
with it, in that case" said l.
20. la. yes: for the Yankees liked to
have broke him up for il; they driv oil
| every COW and every boss creetur he had;
besides, he's afeared the Teller will git
back some time"
How far does Terry live from here?'
asked.
about two miles and half" she re-
piled, adding in the same breath: La, II
would be mighty bad eff he should happen
| to git killed off and leave all them pore
little children without anybody to take
keer of them
do you remember that Yankee s
Manner i inquired.
rally | have forgot it; gals-Virginny-
does anyone of you gals remember what
that Yankees name was that got taken
over at your Uncle Terry's last Spring
a Year,
LADIES IN MYSTERIES.
"Virginny" now appeared in the door OF
the sitting room, and no sooner did her
eyes light on me than she gave sort of
terrified start, and retreated to the inner
most recesses of the kitchen.
La, gal, why don't you tell a,bodyF
said the old woman. 'Virginny, do you
hear?'
Thinking woul! see little fun with
the old woman, | said solemnly: Mad
am. ! am the man.
ia. bless my soul an body" she said,
and, sinking into chair, she burst into
tears.
Don't be alarmed. madam" | said; 81
don't intend to hurt any OF you; and you
may tell Terry for me that he need not be
afraid that will hurt him, although he
caused me six long months OF imprison-
ment. and | nearly lost my life by ii.
You can tell him that will spare him for
his children IS sake. and not because ! do
not think he deserves punishment. Tell
him To stay at home and take care of his
children. and | will see that the Union
soldiers do not modest him:
The young ladies made their appearance
at this time to soothe their mothers agi-
tated feelings, when bowed TO them, and
with excessive poiteness said:
Ladies, wish you very good day
Finding that there was a considerable
force Of rebel cavalry on Little Coon,
concluded to go back on top OF Cumber-
land Mountain and travel along it until
i got out of danger Of falling in with them,
and accordingly changed my route.
Not a great distance from Cowan'S Sta
ton | was going down through a long,
narrow. and very crooked pass in the
mountains, when / heard ahead OF me
great deal of chopping. None of our men
were in the country, so 1 conciuded as
there were too many axes going Tor the
chopping to be citizens, that the enemy
must be up to some dirt.
CIanbering to the top of the mountain,
followed along it till ] came to a pro
iecting spur, which | followed out, and
presently stood on the edge of the bluff,
almost over the cause OF my alarm. AT
the foot of the mountain was party OF
rebel cavalTy-home guards, as i sup
Dosed-who had about so darkieS chopplng
down trees across the road, thus effectu
ally biockading the gap at place where
it could not possibly have been seen until
turning this short spur that projected
into it.
1t didn't require much soldier sense to
tell what that meant. They were fixing
trap for our cavalry, or some other body of
pass that way. The thing had been well
considered and would have been a
serious obstacle to any body OF troops at
that point, for few sharpShoOterS de-
pIoyed along the sides of the mountain
could have then defended it against a
large force. There were about 20 rebS
guarding and so darkies at work. The
Johnnies were scattered about among the
choppers, urging them to their utmost ex-
ertions, while right at the end OF the spur
were their pickets-three in number-but
/ was now behind them.
After surveying the condition Of things
saw that was perfectly safe from them,
for the sides of the mountain were very