Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1899-11-28
N 1RE D[BAIABE land.
By EDWARD q ELLIS.

By EDWARD q ELLIS.
tCopyright. lsse. by the Author.l
CHAPTER XVIII
NEWS
Those two grizzled Confederates were
knights to the core. When about to
mount for their eastward ride over the
broad swath of destruction left by Sher-
mans army. Ackers gently took the
arm of Lieutenant Oakman and. point
ing to the horse which the Confederate
had ridden to the cabin, said:
"Leftenant, that mare is acting rs II
she knowed you. II it's all the same to
you, I'll ride Miss Eldridge's Jack and
you can stick to your own"
The tears came TO the eyes OF the
Union officer He had already recog-
nized his mare Fanny. who whinnied
her delight at sight Of him. hut he reso'
lutely kept his face averted, feeling
that he could ask no further favors OF
his friends
Thank you. Ackera ] shall never
forget your kindness.
The next moment the officer had
reached the happy mare, who stretched
out her silken nose, which was caressed
and patted. as well az her graceful
neck. the endearment ending by the
owner giving her a kiss. Then all three
vaulted into the saddles and away they
went.
Under the escort OF the two Confed-
crates and protected by the letter OF
Captain Trenholm no further trouble
occurred. though the party were held
up and questioned more than once.
Winter had come. but its rigors were
softened in that southern cline. Sher-
man was well over in South Carolina,
his columns spreading devastation and
ruin far and wide. but he had not yet
got 10 Savannah when Lieutenant
Oakman reached the army and reported
TO headquarters
At a safe distance he babe goodby TO
Ackers and Masters. the former OF
whom promised to return the black
horse 10 his mistress, many miles away
in Georgia The subsequent campaign
Of General Sherman is a matter Of his
tory. All know how he telegraphed the
capture of Savannah as a Christmas
present to President Lincoln. after
which began his resistless sweep north
ward. on his way TO join Grant, who
was hammering the breath Of life ont
Of the furnishing Army of Northern
Virginia under the leadership OF the
grea, Lee in front Of Richmond. and in
the following spring the end came. The
sun Of the Southern Confederacy set
forever behind the hills Of Appomattox.
and the Union was restored. mightier
than before. 10 continue as long as
grass grows and water runs.
Throughout these days, when Lieu
tenant Oakman. who had been made
captain. recalled his experience in Geor-
gia. he was frequently impressed with
feeling that il was his duty 70 send an
expression Of gratitude 70 Miss Eldridge
for her immense kindness 10 him. FL
nally he wrote the letter. though, in the
disturbed state Of the country, he doubt
ed whether il would ever reach her. Ii
was written in February, in North
Carolina. just after the battle Of Ben
tonville and ran thus:
DEAn MIss ELpaIpor-Thsnks to your kind
ness in leaning me your splendid horse Jack.
wAs soon placed beyond all danger from pur-
suit, Then Ackers and Masters appeared ai
the righ, moment and. like the brave men
they are, accompanied me all the way TO my
own lines Ackers placed me under additional
obligations by returning my own animal TO me
and by taking your horse back 10 you trust
tha, no accident befell him or Jack. for could
not forgive myself ~ you failed 10 have your
pony restored 70 you. IL you will be good
enough 10 drop me . limo stating that he is
with you again, IL will be vast relief TO me.
The times aro % oui Of joint that this note
may be n long time In reaching you and posst
bly, may fail 90 find you 1T all. give my ad
dress below. 80 that " the spiris moves you TO
write me few lines think they will eycntu
ally come to my hands II will be great pleas
ure TO receive such an expression from you.
In closing beg you 10 express my fcrscnt
thanks TO Captain Trenholm for his chivalrous
friendship, and / venture 20 hope that nj no
distant day ] may have the pleasure OF clasp
ing his hand. Please say TO him for me that
one reason why We arc pushing the war for
the Union - hard Is that the south Is 70 full
Of glorious fellows like him that We are too
seifsh to let 'em 60. They've got TO stay with
Us.
Bat there are few things TO which pen and
words are unequal. One II 10 express my
gratitude 10 you for your acts to which my
life Is owing. Probably shall soon pass from
your remembrance. but you can never be for
gotten by me.
One hour after this missive had pass
cd beyond his control. Captain Oakman
began series Of frantic efforts to OBJ
tain possession Of it again.
1T is the most preposterous stun
that ever was written. was his hunili-
ating thought "Those last lines are a
virtual declaration of love They are i'm
pertinent and unpardonablel They will