The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1899-11-24
AN IMPORTANT DOCUMENT.

AN IMPORTANT DOCUMENT
When | awoke the sun stood high. A
young confederate officer rode up to
our bivouac, and singing me out from
among the Observation-Disclosures be-
cause | was the only officer present
ordered the sergeant of the guard to
send me to headquarters. A man with
cooked carbine conducted me TO
house beside the road, where / was
halted for "A time, then led to a room
inside. An officer in immaculate confed-
crate gray was seated by n table, writ
ing and smoking a cigarette. He was
50 swarthy that fancied he must have
African blood in his veins, while his
sombrero's conical shape and the upward
turn of his mustache suggested Mephis-
topheles. | noticed, as he wrote, II seal
ring on the httle finger of the hand
that held the pen. Presently he fin
ished, folded the paper and gave it to
an orderly, then looked up at me with
as wicked a pair of eyes as ever gazed
into.
Good sir" he said, in a soft
voice which contrasted singularly with
his threatening eyes. 81 hope you are
quite well this morning"
quite well, thank you"
81 must apologize for the constraint
put upon you. 1t is the fortune of
war"
"a mere trife to a soldier"
perhaps you will favor me with
some information desire"
Certainly, if not inconsistent with
my honor"
81 see you are on the staff"
How do you know that?"
THE wreath on your cap. | ought to
know a United States uniform after q
service of ten years in the United
States army"
"Indeed?"
what is your commander doing in
this region?"
THAT is for you to find out"
Without changing his expression, ex
cept wickeder CLEAN of his eyes, he
drew a revolver, and, pointing it at me
said, placidly:
"Perhaps your breakfast this morn
ing was not sufficiently peppered."
was familiar with this mode OF
extracting information, as I had seer
the general use il often; nevertheless
those little serpent eyes appalled, me
but succeeded in mastering my fear
and said, initiating his own cool tone
Thank you, would like the break
fast first and the pepper afterwards. /
an invitation to a morning repast wer'
sent me, it must have gone astray."
lie regarded me curiously. You arr
good pluck, anyway" lie lowered hi
revolver, and evidently made up hi
mind to try another plan. I'll ordei
something for you to eat presently
Perhaps you won't mind telling me thu
name of the general you serve?'
Certainly. Gen. Alan Heath"
"Thc devil"
quite n different person, l assur,
YOU
singular" he said, musingly, "wha
meetings this war brings about
Young man, your general and l wer
classmates at West Point"
"Indeed?"
"And served at the same posts"
"What lucll!" l said TO myself "Il
be treated splendidly; perhaps eX
changed at once
"Gen. Heath makes his headquarter
at Norgantown's CROSSROADS, be
lieve?"
/ made no reply.
AT the Beach plantation?'
! was surprised at the accuracy o
his information.
Making love TO Margaret Beach,"
Inwardly l started; outwardly
maintained my composure. He
treating her as an enemy" l sale
coldly.
81 have occasion to remember Ala
Heath" he went on, with one of hi
> wicked looks. Would you mind taxi
! ing n message to him? That is, If 20
ever see him again, which won't b
very soon"
81 will, with pleasure"
"Tell him that / have carefully prC
, served the letter he wrote the mayor {
t - in March, 'G1, accepting his offer
e turn over the United States troops q
e the post under his command for a cor
sideration."
What did this mean? had had niue
r to stagger my faith in the general, an
j now it began to look as if where theI
was so much smoke there must be SON
p fire. However, | maintained my pre-
ence of mind before his accuser.
, "That would mean dishonor. Gel
! Heath is the soul Of honor"
He smiled knowingly. would yo
d like to see the letter."
5 mo"
70 81 wish YOU to see it: I wish II VI
T. ever see Gen. Heath again, that yo
e may be able TO convince him that Cad,
e Berante, Lieut.. Berante, of the It
= United States artillery, Maj. Berant
e Of the confederate army, holds roy
G flush over his four aces"
i lie got up and went out. In fe
4 minutes he returned with a long lcathC
= pocketbook fat with papers. Loollin