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

uniform is the color of yourn. If you
warn't hurt, we'd take you to where
that scout of yourn has been took. But
you've been winged, and in these days,
when we're in the saddle or on the
jump all the time, you'd be only a.
bother. s'pose we could exchange you
after awhile, but that, too, is nui-
sance. Consequently, as aforesaid, the
easiest way out is to take your parole. %
Lieutenant Oakman nodded to signi-
fly he understood.
81 presume you intend to leave me
at this house2"
Ackers in turn nodded
''It will be unpleasant to the inmates
to have an enemy, even if wounded,
thrust upon them as guest.
Don't give yourself any worriment
about that. That our part of the busi-
ness. Now, let's have the parole"
There was not much formality about
it. Lieutenant Oakman merely gave
his word of honor to consider himself a
lawful prisoner of war, and, if recap
tured by his own friends, he would not
take up arms against the Southern Con-
federacy until regularly exchanged.
While the simple proceedings were
under way, the negro boy Rastus was
observed standing near the end of the
mansion some rods distant, attentively
watching them. When they were
through, he beckoned with great vigor,
and the party passed under the shade
trees, around the end of the long, low
structure and ascended the ample porch.
Mrs. General Eldridge, calm, matron-
ly and still handsome, was prepared for
what was coming. for she had rightly
interpreted the astounding message of
Rastus. In her severely plain dress and
the silvery hair brushed away from her
smooth forehead, she was standing near
the steps, and at her side was her
daughter, as calm and collected as her
parent If the thunder of war had not
long been heard among these southern
homes, the years of dread expectancy
and anguish had burned its woeful les
son into every heart.
The young woman was barely out of
her teens, but her mind had been ma
tured Tar beyond her years in the bit
terest of all schools.
1t was too early for the silver tC
show in the silken mass of hair that in
its midnight blackness rivaled the eyes
and the dark complexion glowed with
a health and strength that forbade the
shadow of wrinkle. She was of slight
stature, showing in feature the best
physical characteristics of each parent.
Jim Ackers, who did all the talking
for himself and comrade, presented the
prisoner to the ladies and explained his
wishes. At the moment of confronting
them the lieutenant removed his caI
deeply.
"This ia wholly involuntary on my
part" he hastened to explain. II
pains me inexpressibly to be forced thu
upon you. If you have the slightest OBJ
lection, beg you to say so and I shal
not cross your threshold.
''Mr Ackers knew when he brough
you here that you would be received
My husband was treated kindly when I
prisoner. You belong to my enemies
But you are injured. 1t is poor comfor
we can offer, but such as it is you ar
welcome. Please enter"
The graciousness of manner whicl
accompanied these words was like
gentle benison. Lieutenant Oakmal
could hardly check his tears when. de
clining the air offered by his captors
he passed up the steps, cap still in hand
There was something in the sweet word
that recalled his own mother as he las
saw her in the faraway New Englan
home when she kissed her soldier ho
goodby. In a choking voice he mul
INJURED, "Thank you'll" and, waving
farewell to the grizzled men still stand
ing at the foot of the steps, he followe
the ladies into the broad, roomy apart
ment where they had been seated sew
ing and waiting, waiting, waiting
when Rastus burst upon them with th
startling news cf a wounded "Linkum
man" who would soon reach the door.
81 feel meaner than can express,
thought Lieutenant Oakman when b
accepted this typical southern hospita
ity, ''for, in welcoming me to thel
home, they have no suspicion of tn
whole truth. The best man does NJ
know what a miserable scoundrel /
can become until he makes the hone'
effort for himself