Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1899-08-23
knit my brows. Was to hunt un

but l had seen my chief cut man
down with his sword for a mutinous
reply. progressed my choler and start
ed doggedly into the house. He called
me back, supposed to give me rep
rimand, but l was surprised when in
quiet voice he said to me: II have
selected this plantation us a rallying
point from which to make forays on
\the railroad. The disloyal citizens are
all spies, and will report our every
move to the enemy. Likely there is
one of them at this moment in this
very house. Now go upstairs and find
who is lurking there"
This was the generals way. One mo-
ment he would strike, the next ca
ress. One moment l hated, the next
loved him. / went into the house to
carry out his order. Taking an old
darby with me as guide, mounted the
stairs, reached door which l judged
would let me into the room sought,
and threw it open. No one there.
Now, uncle" said to the negro,
"Iwant you to take me into every nook
and corner of this house, from garrett
to cellar"
"Yes, mars"
Never have seen negro more de
liberate, more profuse with excuses
than the one who piloted me on my
search. It was Eyes, mars, jes' wait
minute till I find de key" OF "Dis
do done stuck wild de wedder," or
''Don't hurry de ole man; de misery's
powerful bad; nobody can't git away
while de sojers is outside"
drew my saber and poked here and
there, beat it against doors, thrust il
up chimneys, pretending that was do.
ing a duty which was Sinking al
the while. On the floor where had
seen the face we found all the rooms
empty. Above was trap-door with
steps leading up to it. I climbed the
steps, lifted the trap and stepped in
under the roof. 1t was singular con
struction, sloping downward to a gut.
ter in the center instead of rising tt
peak. Finding nothing, pulled my
self through an opening and stood OF
the roof, looked behind all the chin
neys, and heaved a sigh of relief thai
I had found no one. Then, going be
low, resumed my searching in tn,
lower stories. Knocking at the door O.
a room on the second floor, the sum
mons was answered by an old lady. Al
I gained an insight into the apartment
a bedchamber, I thought I saw WON
ans skirt whisk out of rear door.
81 must search the room, madam"
said, imperatively.
Certainly. Come in.'
She spoke in so soft voice and loolzet
at me in such motherly way out of he
patient eyes that could have bittel
off my tongue for my demand.
"Neyer mind" said, coloring. .
see there is no one here"
i Better satisfy yourself"
With that she opened the closet dool
pulled out lounge and turned up til
valance of the bed. / stood hangin
my head like boy caught stealth
jam, then suddenly squared my bac
to what she would show me.
"Leok," she said, with sweet voice
"Look?" repeated, turning an
facing her. Look through the chan
Der of lady! Have come down her
to do work detective would shrin
from? came to fight men, not to fore
myself on the privacy of women. Las
: your pardon, madam, for trespassing
left the room, my cheeks burnin,
and, going downstairs, passed out
the gallery where the general was wal
ing for me, and reported no one foun
He drew down the corners of his mout
! in way l never liked.
. Sergeant" he said, turning to IL
man who commanded the guard, ''tal
q couple of men and search the house
The sergeant saluted, and, orderi1
the men he selected to follow him, wei
. upstairs. Meanwhile Col Wilton, Il
next officer in rank to the general, 70,
up and claimed his commanders atte
ton, while the girl stood waiting in Il
doorway.
Leaning my elbows on the rail,
looked out on the scene before m
The sun had set, and the surroundi1
hills stood out in silhouette against
pearl sky, though their sides we
dimly aglow with variegated autumn
colors-for it was at the end of Oct
ber-and o chill breeze was coming
from the south. Directly below, in Il
yard, the men were going into cam
some unsaddling the horses, some &c
ting out cooking utensils, some cutti1
: boughs on which to sleep. From snail
fence on the other side of the road troo
ers were carrying rails with which
make camp fires, some of which we
already sending out the odor of burni1
wood and boiling coffee. Some 20 mil
, away, across the valley of the Tenne
see, were the hills at whose base r,
the railroad we were charged wi
watching. was wondering how Il
general, with a few hundred me
could maintain himself against the ca
airy of the enemy, let alone getting ne
enough to the railroad, at the exa
time the expected trains would pass.
discover them, when the sergeant al
his men came downstairs and report,
another failure.
Lieut.. Hail." said the general shar
ly to me.
eyes, general"
81 expect you to keep this young lac
under your especial watch. Questit
her, take down her replies in writin
and bring them to me. Treat her al
every one about the place with evel
consideration possible under the ci
cumstances, but instruct the guard
see that no one leaves the house duri1
the night" With that he left me al
trotted briskly down to the gate.
turned to the girl. She had sunk in
seat in q dead faint.
III.
RBD-HANDED.
I was about to sing out Justify +,
some of the negroes below to come