Kootenai County Republican. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1899-1903, 1899-05-26

were abio 10 Civ. more help to the
women than would be supposed. Their
love for the mistress and her daughter
led them to a self denial that no one
besides themselves suspected
Since Lieutenant Oakman was not
aiiin2 In body and the arm which he
carried in a sling was mending rapidly
there was no call for him to stay within
doors The second night on which he
walked the floor was the most wretched
OF his life. A drizzling rain fell steadily
through the dismal hours. and the pat
tering on the roof. the endless dripping
of the caves. the soughing Of the wet
branches. drove him almost frantic. be
with his sudden release from anguish
the autumn sun burst forth in splondor.
as if rejoicing with him over the blessed
surcease from misery
Stirring news had come to the Union
prisoner From some cause General
sherman made an abrupt turn to the
northward in his line OF march. thus
leaving the Eldridge plantation "a good
ly number OF miles to the south This
was an enormous relief to the officer.
who knew too well the plundering pro
ciivities of many Of his countrymen.
which led them to regard everything
worth taking as legitimate spoil. He
dreaded visit from them. though ex-
pecting 1t. until he learned Of the
change in the line Of march Several
squads of cavalry had been seen hover
ing III the neighborhood. but they van
ished without molesting the women.
tho uttered a prayer Of thankfulness
when convinced that nothing more
would be seen of the invaders
OF conrse in tho event Of a hostile
visit the officer would have defended
the household to the last. but he was
only one unarmed man against what
might have been u score or II hundred
Perhaps his ohiyairy would have avail
ed, perhaps it would not. so it is well
that II was not put to the supreme test
The situation of Lieutenant Oakman
was unique. He felt that he ought not
to prolong his stay. and yet what means
should he adopt to depart? He was
prisoner on parole and unexchanged
Scurrying back and forth on the TANKS
and in the wake Of the Union army
were multitudes Of Confederate cavalry
men. through which il would be well
nigh impossible for him to make his
way. Some Of them were irregular
forces or guerrillas, who. enraged by
disaster. would show scant considera.
ton to the United States uniform
Tney were liable to wat the nome O,
General Eldridge at any hour.
II must take the first opportunity 70
leave. ,s Oakman's thought. "My
arm is only slightly sore. and if mount
ed on good horse with my revolver
at command. ! wouldn't hesitate to
chance it. Poor Fannyi 1t isn't likely
we shall ever meet again. and as for
revolver
He checked himself with thrill Of
hope In the furry Of his encounter
with his captors the weapon was drop
ped while riding the mare at fuli speed
Forgotten for the time. IL might be he
was the only one who rccallei the fact
What a godsend ii he could recover il
Since his rapid conyalescence the
officer spent puch of his time in wan
dering about the old plantation He
loved to sit under the grand old shade
trees. where seats had been placed long
before Sometimes he chatted with
Uncle Pete or Aunt Marcie. and mus
much as they refused to accept any
thing IN the form Of money from him
he filed the pockets Of Rasins with
greenhacks until the duHky urchin
threatened to become a budding mil.
lionaire
Mrs Eldridge and her daughter were
considerate. responding kindly to his
greetings and expressing their pleasure
at his recovery. but the situation was
80 delicate 70 him that he avoided both
His sense Of honor would not permit
him To attempt in the remotcs. degree
to take advantage of his position
As for Miss Hartman. tine situation
may be said 20 have been one o. armed
neutrality. Mrs. Eldridge must have
spoken sharp words ~ her for nothing
more was heard of her biting sentences
She avoided the guest, never sitting at.
the table with hiu. and being ahsen,
floIn the house sometimes all day and
nigat The most that was said Of her
by Mis-. Eldridge was to explain that
her full name waa Marian Hartman.
that she had come from New England
just before the brea king ont of the war.
and. because Of her high recomInenda-
tions had been engaged by General
Eldrldge AS "a goyerness or companion
for his daughter. who contemplated a
European tour with her mother. but
was prevented by the opening of hostil-
ities
Brief a. are the words recorded Of
this young woman. they are sufficient
to show her intense southern sympa-
thTea- She was more extreme than those
among whom she lived and sometimes
brought reproof upon her head for her
fierce utterancea-
Lieutenant Oakrnan remembered the
spot where he dropped his revolver
when he was struck by the bullet Of
Tim Masters Sauntering TO the place,
he groped only few minutes among
h. -. ul.- -. 4.