The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-04-04
NUMBER 27.

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 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 q 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. He
dreaded visit from them, though ex-
pecting it, until he learned of the
change iii the line of march. Several
squads of cavalry had been seen hover
ing in the neighborhood, but they van
ished without molesting the women,
who uttered a prayer of thanlfulness
when convinced that nothing moro
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; 80 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
10 prolong his stay, and yet what means
should he adopt to departa He was
Iprisoner ON parole and unexchanged.
lScurrying back and forth on the fanks
and in the wake of the Union army
lwere multitudes of Confederate cavalry
linen, through which it would be well
lnigh impossible for him to make his
way. Some of them were irregular
forces or guerrillas, who, enraged by
disaster, would show scant considera-
lion to the United States uniform.
Chey were liable to visit the home Of
General Eldridge at any hour.
81 must take the first opportunity t
leave" was Oakman's thought. my
arm is only slightly sore, and if mount
|
at command, l wouldn't hesitate to
chance it. Poor Fanny 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 full speed.
Forgotten for the time, it might be he
was the only one who recalled the fact.
What godsend if he could recover it'll
Since his rapid convalescence the
officer spent much 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 mas
much as they refused to accept any
thing in the form of money from him
he filed the pockets of Rastus with
l greenbacks, until the dusky urchin
threatened to become q budding mil
g lionaire.
7 Mrs. Eldridge and her daughter were
D Iconsiderate, responding kindly to his
: greetings and expressing their pleasure
e at his recovery, but the situation wai
so delicate to him that he avoided both.
q His sense of honor would not permit
8 him to attempt in the remotest degree
to take advantage of his position.
t As for Miss Hartman, the situation
: may be said to have been one of armed
. neutrality. Mrs. Eldridge must have
!. spoken sharp words to her, for nothing
{ more was heard of her biting sentences
i She avoided the guest, never sitting a
: the table with him, and being absen
/ from the house sometimes all day ani
q night The most that was said of hel
d by Miss Eldridge was to explain tina
r her full name was Marian Hartman
/. that she had come from New Englan'
10 just before the breaking out Of the war
d and, because of her high recommends
IS tions, had been engaged by Genera
Eldridge as a governess or companion
,e for his daughter, who contemplated
l. European tour with her mother, bu
a was prevented by the opening of hostil
It ities
r Brief as are the words recorded o
70 this young woman, they are sufficien
r to show her intense southern sympa
ID thies. She was more extreme than thos
among whom she lived and sometime
is brought reproof upon her head for he
es fierce utterances.
,e Lieutenant Oakman remembered th
g, spot where he dropped his revolve
Of when he was struck by the bullet {
h Tim Masters. Sauntering to the plac,
a. he groped only few minutes anon
es the cotton shrubs when he came upo
fe the weapon lying precisely as it ha
IN fallen. With a cry of joy he snatche
9, it up, slipped it into his pocket an
m started homeward.
Of ITO Be Continued