Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-10-31

which his improvement would be rapid.
And il came about precisely as she
said Indeed the relief was 80 marked
that. as he expressed il, the change was
like heaven itself
A strong man desires 10 be let alone
when he is suffering. Words Of sym
psthy do no good and generally are a
bore. Lieutenant Oakman was glad that
Mrs. Eldridge and her daughter under
stood this truth and forbore intruding
upon him. The effort to show the cour-
tesy and gratitude due them would
have intensified his pain.
But there were dslicacies sent 10 his
room, accompanied by kind wishes
borne by Aunt Marcie, that were the
sweetest Of balms. How these people,
reduced TO the most painful degree Of
poverty. could furnish him with such
delicate and nourishing food was in
conceivable TO the guest. All the slaves
had run of excepting Pete, his wife
and the boy Rastus The plantation
had been going TO waste for long time.
and it would seem that the production
was not sufficient for the sustenance of
one person.
And here were mother and daughter,
accustomed TO lives Of refinement and
luxury. besides the three servants, none
Of whom showed evidence Of actual
want, though the poverty Of attire, the
substitutes for genuine tea and coffee
and the meager fare itself spoke elo-
quently Of the painful change Of condi-
tons
II Is probable that this exemption
from the distress that came to thou
sands OF other homes was due to vari
ETY. Of causes. As Is known. the section
lay in the very heart Of the Confeder.
acy, where. until the visit Of Sherman
and his army, the real presence Of war
was not felt. Although the men at
tached TO the plantation had long since
gone to war. taking the most valuable
horses with them. Pete and his wife
were able to give more help to the
women than would be supposed Their
love for the mistress and her daughter
led them to self denial that no one
besides themselves suspected
Since Lieutenant Oakman was not
ailing in body and the arm which he
carried in 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. but
with his sudden release from anguish
the autumn sun burst forth in splendor,
as IL 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 good
ly number Of miles to the south This
was an enormous relief to the officer,
who knew too well the plundering pro-
clivities Of many Of his countrymen,
which led them to regard everything
worth taking as legitimate spoil. BE
dreaded visit from them, though ex-
pecting it. until he learned Of the
change in the line Of march. Several
squads Of cavalry had been seen hover
ing in the neighoorhood, but they van
ished without molesting the women.
who uttered q prayer OF thankfulness
when convinced that nothing more
would be seen Of the invaders
OF course. in the event Of hostile
visit the officer would have defended
the household to the last, but he was
only one unarmed man against what
might have been score or q hundred
Perhaps his chivalry would have avail.
ed. perhaps it would not; so it is well
that it 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 departf He was
prisoner on parole and unexchanged
Scurrying back and forth on the hanks
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-
tion to the United States uniform.
They we're liable TO visit the home Of
General Eldridge at any hour.
81 must take the first opportunity to
leave" was Oakman's thought. my
arm Is only slightly sore. and II mount
ed on Q good horse, with my revolver
at command, I wouldn't hesitate to
chance it. Poor Fanny! II isn't likely
we shall ever meet again, and as for a
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 full speed.
Forgotten for the time. It might be he
was the only one who recalled the fact.
What godsend IL he could recover 1t !
Since his rapid convalescence the
officer spent much Of his time in wan
dsring about the old plantation. He
loved to sit under the grand old shade
trees, where seats had been placed long
before. Sometimes be chatted with
Uncle Pete or Aunt Nsrcie, and mas
much a. they refused TO accept any
thing in the form Of money from him
he filed the pockets Of Rastus with
greenbacks until the dusky urchin
threatened to become . budding mil
honaire.
Mrs Ehridge and her daughter were
considerate. responding kindly to his
greetings and expressing their pleasure