Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-03-31

him, rather, Tor ne won't give up. once
belonged to his gang"
"Ah, then of course you want him killed."
replied the captain. Very well, he added,
Ego out and see if you can locate him."
The guide, with his neck thrust out, glided
away among the trees. "Boa constructor"
said the captain, watching him.
At daylight the guide returned. II have
found him." said he. "And he couldn't be
in better place-down in hollow. He
thinks he's hid away where nobody can find
him. 1t isn't much bigger than sink-hole,
the place isn't, and you can station your
men all around and pick him and his men
like shooting turkeys. Come on"
Sergeant" said the captain, keep your
eye on this fellow and If you catch him in a
lie shoot him down"
The sergeant saluted and took his place
beside the guide.
They found Braze situated just as the
guide had reported. eve will make short
work of him." the captain whispered. "Wait.
What are they doing? They are holding
Easter services. Who is that gray.haired
man preaching"
"That's Brace" the guide answered. "Let
me pick him" lie cooked carbine.
wait" the captain commanded. 'Why
did he take up arms? Do you know"
"The union guerrillas hanged his son."
faNhat for?"
because they could"
'What was the father doing at the timer"
Praying beside the deathbed of fed
eral soldier. He was preacher"
Listen. They are singing. Keep low,
everyone"
They crouched in silence till the hymn
was done. Then the guerrilla preacher be-
gan to pray. He thanked the Lord that
peace was near at hand. He prayed for his
enemies. He asked the Lord to forgive those
who had injured him. He spoke of his son
and sat down, sobbing.
"About face" whispered the captain.
Through the woods the soldiers marched,
sullen, and with many a dark look cast at
the captain. The guide was disguised.
"Why didn't you kill him? You had him
In your power"
"silence, sir. shall make my report to
the colonel"
"And SO will I. You had him and you
let him get away. believe you said some
thing about hanging me. 1t may be my
turn to say something about hanging to you.
Oh, you can't do anything with me now.
The men are all hot at you, and you'll be in
luck if they don't string you up themselves"
The captain tapped the butt of pistol,
and the guide rode on in silence.
The colonel was sitting In bis tent when
the captains troop rode into camp. The
guide jumped off his horse ana. FASTENED to
the colonel. The captain slowly followed.
When he entered the tent the colonel WIS
in rage. For time he could not speak.
AT last he uttered the word: Traitor"
The captain smiled.
Colonel" said be, you are Christian,
and when you are calmer you will agree
with me. was sent to kill those wretches.
/ found them-their leader was preaching TO
them of the Resurrection an old man
preaching to congregation in rags. They
| had decked stump for an altar Thesun was
just rising and fell upon it. And what you
may call treason, but which call was ten
| derness, fell upon me. sawa sort of mised
| John Brown praying. Sincerity was his &C.
cent Faith was his watchword. The great
| guns of the war were hushing one by one.
| Birds were building their nests. And said
to myself: Does my country in the glory
| of her victory want the blood Of these poor
misguided wretchesT And believe it was
the spirit of my country that whispered:
No l admit that have disabeged orders.
I make no defense, except that could not
find it in my heart to murder them.
| Colonel, / am covered with wounds. Fen
| listed as private and have fought my
way up. You have commended me for
bravery. You know that there is no trea-
son in my nature. You know that love my
country better than do my life. In New
England uny father is preaching praying for
the souls of men. And the old man standing
in the valley with the sun upon his gray
head reminded me of him. / will take of
my sword; will"
A shout arose. A soldier came running
into the tent. "Braze and his men have
come in and surrendered" the soldier said
The colonel reached forth and grasped
| the captains hand. keep your honored
sword" he said. "Mercy is the greatest
soldier."
| She Sympathizes.
4 Kvy n