The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1899-11-09
PRINcEToN Union: THU RsDAY nov EMBER 8, 1890.

northward BY the pike along the base
/ OF Waldron's Ridge. On our left tow
Tered the ridge; on our right, amonpin-
Vulnerable hills, wound the Tennessee.
The general rode Mt the head Of the col
umn, his hat pulled down over his ewes.
doubtless to conceal the turbulent
thoughts within him. We Of the staff
knew that he was in no mood to be
trified with, and took pains to execute
promptly and satisfactorily such orders
as he gave us, that he might have no
cause to lash us with his sharp-edged
tongue, which he could use with such
effect when irritatcd. sz
The afternoon was spent. was rid
ing with the general, the head of coll
umn a short distance to the rear. Conn
ing to sharp rise in the road, Just be-
fore reaching the summit, there ap-
pearcd suddenly the face of woman;
then her form, then the horse she rode,
came successfully into view. At first
she seemed about to turn and flee. but
instead she sat blanl1ly staring at us.
The sun, which was near the setting,
shot a sheaf of rays flashing in her eyes,
lighting up her face; her lips were
compressed in an effort to appear calm.
Margaret" exclaimed the general.
Whether the girl was too startled to
control her tongue or did not recognize
an old friend, she continued to stare
mutely. ...t...< ..-..,II@
"What are you doing here?" T..
i've near here. 's..' r..
Live near here?" J.
Eyes. When the federal troops en-
tered Nashville we came to our planta-
tion." ,,,.ss,
IT did not know of any plantation be-
longing to your family in this region.
Where is it?'' -,
"Two miles back, at, Morganton's
Cross-Roads.' ~, j
where are you going?" -
"To visit a ,friend.' ..... n
1--WE shall stop at the oss-Roads."
Mamma will receive YOU" ~
The general looked perplexed. He
saw mischief in the girls going on, now
that she knew of our presence. THAT
moment he especially desired to keep
his movements from the enemy.
1T will not be safe for you to go to
Chattanooga alone; better 60 back with
us to the plantation" ..~ a,
She gave him a look of mingled sur
prise and reproach. "Do you mean that
you will use force?'' "
l had never seen the general so en-
barrassed. None of us who were look
ing on knew of his past relations with
this girl, except that it was apparent
they had been acquainted. The sharp
interest with which we regarded both
added to the generals perplexity. ;
''This is war;" he said. "Inclination
must be subseryient to duty" /
IF you detain me you will regret it,"
said the girl, with rising color in her
cheek and an angry light in her eye.
"Your very anxiety to go forward
necessitates my preventing YOU
1t was strange picture, one that aft
er long years of peace often recall as
typical of the many incongruities of
waD; the men in the ranks sitting in
their saddles in the various positions by
which horsemen contrive to relieve
their strained muscles, the horses, some
lowering their tired heads, others rest
lessly biting their bits, or nibbling at
the grass growing beside the road; the
young general thought him an old
man then-his eyes fixed on the delicate
face of the woman, in such marked con-
ira st with his own. Yet of all these de-
tails, one recall far more wildly than
the rest-a tear on the girls cheek,
which the rays of the setting sun caused
to sparkle like diamond. - ).
But there was only this tear to mark
her woman's weakness, for she sat'de-
faint in our path. In twinkling the
general broke her down with kindly
tone that had been natural to him be-
fore his troubles, but which was rarely
heard now:
"Come, Margaret, go with us, won't
your" ~
Turning her horses head, she rode
back as peacefully as child. But