Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-07-25
would let me into the room ! sought,

would let me into the room sought,
and threw it open. No one there.
Now, uncle" said to the negro,
II want you to take me into every nook
and corner of this house, from garnet
to cellar
Eyes, mars"
Never have l seen a negro more de-
liberate, more profuse with excuses,
/ than the one who piloted me on my
search. 1t was "Yes, mars, jes' wait
a minute till l find de key" or dis
do done stuck wild de wedder," or
Don't hurry de ole man; de misery's
powerful bad; nobody can't git away
while de sojers is outside"
drew my saber and poled here and
there, beat it against doors, thrust it
up chimneys, pretending that was do
ing duty which was Sinking all
the while. On the floor where / had
seen the face we found all the rooms
empty. Above was a trap-door with
steps leading up to it. l climbed the
steps, lifted the trap and stepped in
under the roof. 1t was singular con-
struction, sloping downward to gut
ter in the center instead of rising to
peak. Finding nothing, pulled my
self through an opening and stood on
the roof, looked behind all the Chin
neys, and heaved sigh of relief that
l had found no one. Then, going be-
low, I resumed my searching in the
lower stories. knocking at the door of
room on the second floor, the sum
mons was answered by an old lady. AS
gained an insight into the apartment,
bedchamber, l thought saw wom-
ans skirt whisk out of a rear door.
II must search the room, madam" l
said, imperatively.
Certainly. Come in"
She spoke in so soft a voice and looked
at me In such motherly way out of her
patient eyes that could have bitten
off my tongue for my demand
"Never mind" said, coloring. II
see there is no one here"
Better satisfy yourself"
With that she opened the closet door,
pulled out lounge and turned up the
valance Of the bed. I stood hanging
my head like boy caught stealing
jam, then suddenly squared my back
to what she would show me.
Look" she said, with sweet voice.
"Look?" I repeated, turning and
facing her. Look through the cham
Der of lady! Have come down here
to do work detective would shrink
from? I came to fight men, not to force
myself on the privacy of women. / ask
your pardon, madam, for trespassing."
left the room, my cheeks burning,
and, going downstairs, passed out to
the gallery where the general was wait
ing for me, and reported no one found.
He drew down the corners of his mouth
in way never liked.
Sergeant" he said, turning to the
man who commanded the guard, take
couple Of men and search the house."
The sergeant saluted, and, ordering
the men he selected to follow him, went
upstairs. Meanwhile Col. Wilton, the
next officer in rank to the general, rode
up and claimed his commanders atten-
ton, while the girl stood waiting in the
doorway.
Leaning my elbows on the rail, i
looked out on the scene before me-
The sun had set, and the surrounding
hills stood out in silhouette against a
pearl sky, though their sides were
dimly aglow with yariegated autumnal
colors-for it was at the end of Octo.
ber-and chill breeze was coming up
from the south. Directly below, in the
| yard, the men We're going into camp,
some unsaddling the horses, some get
ting out cooking utensils, some cutting
boughs on which to sleep. From snake
fence on the other side of the road troop
ers were carrying rails with which to
make camp fires, some of which were
already sending out the odor of burning
wood and boiling coffee. Some 20 miles
away, across the valley of the Tennes-
see, were the hills at whose base ran
the railroad we were charged with
watching. was wondering how the
general. with few hundred men,
could maintain himself against the cav
| airy OF the enemy, let alone getting near
enough to the railroad, at the exact
| time the expected trains would pass, to
discover them. when the sergeant and
his men came downstairs and reported
another failure.
'Lieut. Hail." said the general sharp
ly to me.
Eyes, general"
81 expect you to keep this young lady
under your especial watch. Question
her, take down her replies in writing,
and bring them to me. Treat her and
every one about the place with every
consideration possible under the cir
cumstances, but instruct the guard to
see that no one leaves the house during
the night" With that he left me and
trotted briskly down to the gate.
turned to the girl. She had sunk into
y seat in dead faint.