Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-11-21

tatoes, which was fully enjoyed Dy the
officer, who then lay down in rear
! room and slept uninterruptedly until
the middle OF the afternoon.
Upon coming to himself, Oakman
was surprised TO hear men conversing in
the front room. Listening for a mo-
ment, he recognized the voices as those
of white persons who had made him the
subject Of their conversation II was
easy to tell from their words that they
had come down upon the dwelling 80
suddenly that the negro had no time to
warn his guest. As the only thing.
therefore, TO do, he stoutly maintained
that he had no guest at all.
IL tole yo'," he insisted. ',dere amt
nobody hyah. Oar warn't nobody in
blue clothes like Marse Linkum's sojers
dat rid up here dis mornin jes' afore
day an had breakfas. Oar amt no
such pusson, am dar. Diner
Thus appealed to, the wife came to
| the rescue Of her embarrassed husband
nobly.
"Co'se dey ANTI" she Indignantly
protested. "An his black hoss, dat :
de finest critter in Jawgy, ain't out in
do bawn eatin like blazes. Co'se he
amt"
'All that being so, said one Of the
men with laugh, "there won { be any
harm in our taking look around. "
He rose 10 his feet and moyed toward
the open door leading TO the rear apart
ment, where Oakman had risen and
was listening to the conversation.
"Doan' go in darp called Dinah in
comical CONSERVATION.
"why notf" asked the man, stop
ping short and looking inquiringly at
her.
Oats my room. Amt yo' 'nough
OBJ a gemman not to intrcodr
"But you're not in there, was the
superfuous remark OF the man, who
was getting a good deal Of fun out OF
the situation.
"But I'll be dar when bedtime
comes
"And we'n be somewhere else. So
long as the lady Of the house Is not in
her retiring apartment, there is moth
ing improper
There is no saying how the situation
would have ended had il not been I'M
erpectedly solved by Lieutenant Oak
man himself. After moments attsn-
ton he recognized the voices Of the
two visitors. who were having some
quiet amusement with the simple mind
ed couple. Without hesitation, there
fore, he strobe from the darkened cham
Der at the rear and, advancing into the
front room. extended his hand toward
the visitor who stood in front Of the en-
trance.
Hello, Jim. I'm glad to see you And
there's Tim too. How are You. boysr
The callers at the negro's cabin were
his old acquaintance, Tim Masters and
Jim Ackers, the same who had made
him prisoner on the plantation Of Gen
eral Eldridge weeks before.
The meeting was not a surprise TO the
two Confederates that Oakman antici-
pated. They had heard Of his departure
for the Union lines They knew the
circumstances and, understanding his
danger. set ont To find him, that they
might offer their services. This was at
the urgent request Of Captain Trenholm,
who censured himself intensely because
a suitable escort had not been furnished
his exchange.
Masters and Ackers Were finely
mounted, but ii took the greater part Of
the day before they could overtake Oak
man. because of the speed Of the
matchless Jack that had borne him 10
the friendly negro's cabin. The shrewd
Confederates knew that when he halted
il would be at such place, and, by
keeping track of him, through inquiries
from those whom they occasionally met,
they finally ran down the fugitive.
When the delighted Oakman began 10
explain matters, Ackers interrupted
with wave Of his hand.
1--WE know all that, leftenant, so
You can cut it short We don want TO
see that letter Of Captain Trenholm, Ell
ther. for he told Us about II. He feels
mighty mean that you should be left
alone TO grope your way back TO your
lines while it was all plain sailing with
him.
1.-The captain is one Of the bravest
and most honorable Of men. He would
have been glad enough to provide me
with an escort, but there was none at
his command
"Yes, there was" remarked Tim
Masters, with a twinkle Of his hazel
eyes.
"How was thatf" asked Oakman.
"He could have given You squad OF
Wilkins cavalry"
"Of course" added Ackers, land
there wouldn't have been left anything
for us 10 do. ="
.Nor for any one else, except the I'M
dertaker, added the lieutenant grimly.
"Those fellows were very pressing in
their intentions
"Well, said Tim, as he proceeded to
light his pipe, "Jim and me are going
to see you through this time. After un-