Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1899-12-07
VII.
AN IMPORTANT DOCUMENT.

When I awoke the sun stood high. A
young confederate officer rode UP to
our bivouac, and, singing me out from
among the Observation-Disclosures be-
cause was the only officer present
ordered the sergeant of the guard to
send me to headquarters. A man with
a cooked carbine conducted me to a
house beside the road, where I 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 that I fancied he must have
African blood in his veins. while his
sombrero'sconicals 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 it 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. II hope you are
quite well this morning"
"Quite well, thank YOU" o.
II must apologize for the constraint
put upon you. It is the fortune OF
war;"
"a mere trife to soldier" s..
"Perhaps you will favor me with
some information DESIRE"
Certainly, if not inconsistent with
my honor"
II see you are on the staff"
''How do you know that"
1.-THE wreath on your cap. I ought to
know a United States uniform after a
service of ten years in the United
States army"
'Indeed?" .... ..
"What is your commander doing in
this region?"
'That is for you to find out"
Without changing his expression, ex-
cept wickeder CLEAN of his eyes, he
drew q revolver, and, pointing it at me,
said, placidly:
"Perhaps your breakfast this morn
ing was not sufficiently peppered."
l was familiar with this mode of
extracting information, as had seen
the general use it often; nevertheless,
those little serpent eyes appalled, me,
but T succeeded in mastering my fear,
and said, initiating his own cool tone:
"Thank you, I would like the break
fast first and the pepper afterwards. II
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. 'I'll order
something for you to eat, presently
Perhaps you won't mind telling me the
name of the general you serve?"
"Certainly. Gen. Alan Heath"
"The devil" .....
"Quite q different person, I assure
YOU"
singular" he said, musingly, what
meetings this war brings about.
Young man, your general and were
classmates at West Point"
"Indced?"
"And served at the same posts"
"What luck!" said to myself. "1'ls
be treated splendidly; perhaps ex-
changed at once"
"Gen. Heath makes his headquarters
at Morgantown's CROSSROADS, I be-
ieve?"
made no reply.
cat the Beach plantatton?"
I was surprised at the accuracy Of
his information. ...
making love to Margaret Beach,"
Inwardly I started; outwardly !
maintained my composure. ''1Ie is
treating her as an enemy" I said.
coldly. ..s.., .,rt
81 have occasion to remember Alan
Heath" he went on, with one of his
wicked looks. "Would you mind tax
ing message to him? That is, if you
ever see him again, which won't DO
very soon."
81 will, with pleasure"
"Tell him that have carefully pre-