Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-08-11
VII.
AN IMPORTANT pocUMENr.

VII.
AN IMPORTANT DOCUMENT.
When awoke the sun stood high. A
young confederate officer rode up tic
our bivouac, and, singing me out from
among the prisoners-doubtless be.
cause was the only officer present
ordered the sergeant of the guard te
send me to headquarters. A man with
cooked carbine conducted me to 9
house beside the road, where ] was
halted for time, then led to room
inside. An officer in immaculate confed-
crate gray was seated by table, writ
ing and smoking cigarette. He was
SO swarthy that1 fancied he must have
African blood in his veins, while his
sombrero's conical shape and the upward
turn OF his mustache suggested Mephis-
topheles. noticed, as he wrote, seal
ring on the little finger of the hand
that held the pen. Presently he fin
ished, folded the paper and gave 1t to
an orderly, then looked up at me with
as wicked pair of eyes as ever gazed
into.
"Good-morning, sir" he said, in soft
voice which contrasted singularly with
his threatening eyes. 81 hope you are
quite well this morning"
"Quite well, thank YOU"
II must apologize for the constraint
put upon you. 1t is the fortune of
war"
"a mere trifle to q soldier"
perhaps you will favor me with
some information DESIRE
"Certainly. If not inconsistent with
my honor"
IT see you are on the staff"
"How do you know that?"
1.-THE wreath on your cap. ought to
know United States uniform after a
service of ten years in the United
States army"
"Indeed?"
"What is your commander doing in
this region7"
"That is for you to find out"
Without changing his expression, ex.
cept wickeder CLEAN Of his eyes, he
drew revolver, and, pointing it at me-
said, placldly:
perhaps your breakfast this morn.
ing was not sufficiently peppered."
was familiar with this mode OF
extracting information, as had seer
the general use it often; nevertheless
those little serpent eyes appalled, me
but succeeded in mastering my fear
and said, initiating his own cool tone:
"Thank you, would like the break
fast first and the pepper afterwards. Il
an invitation to morning repast were
sent me, it must have gone astray."
He regarded me curiously. "You are
good pluck, anyway" He lowered his
revolver, and evidently made up his
mind to try another plan. It'll order
something for you to eat presently
Perhaps you won't mind telling me the
name of the general you serye?"
Certainly. Gen. Alan Heath"
'"rhe DEVIL"
"Quite different person, assure
YOU"
singular" he said, musingly, what
meetings this war brings about
Young man, your general and were
classmates at West Point"
"Indeed?"
And served at the same posts"
what luck!" said to myself. "I'l
be treated splendidly; perhaps ex
changed at once"
"Gen. Heath makes his headquarters
at Morgantown's CROSSROADS, I be
lieve2'
I made no reply.
TAT the Beach plantation?"
I was surprised at the accuracy O.
his information.
Making love to Margaret Beach,"
Inwardly I started; outwardly
maintained my composure. HE il
treating her as an enemy" 1 said
coldly.
II have occasion to remember Alar
Heath" he went on, with one of hi.
wicked looks. would you mind TAX
ing message to himq That is, If 70,
ever see him again, which won't b.
very SOON"
II will, with pleasure"
"Tell him that have carefully pre-
served the letter he wrote the mayor q
- in March, '61, accepting his offer t.
turn over the United States troops a
the post under his command for con
sideration."
What did this mean? had had mucl
to stagger my faith in the general, ant
now it began to look as If where Their,
was 30 much smoke there must be som,
fire. However, maintained my pres
ence of mind before his accuser.
"That would mean dishonor. Gen
Heath is the soul of honor"
He smiled knowingly. would 20,
like to see the letter."
mo-"
II wish you to see II, ! wish. Il 70,
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