The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1900-01-26
SGEF ne SSIGGNS
xxi.
AN oPPoRTUNE ARRIVAL.

an old man with hair and beard as white
as snow, ragged garments, and faded
straw hat, struggled past sentry who
was endeavoring to hold him back, and
rushed into the room. We all looked as
tonished at an intruder who showed so
little Difference for the commander-in-
chief. The old man stood for n moment
casting rapid glances from one to an
other, evidently in search. then his eyes
became fixed on Mellodew, who from
the first moment of the strangers en-
trance had shrunk away, endeavoring
TO conceal himself behind the others,
chattering and grinning like n fright
cned ape. The old man tore off his hair
and beard, revealing the features of
Corporal Punk
"You white-livered hound!"
Corporal Plunkl" exclaimed Marga
ret and | at breath.
Corporal" said Gen Heath, you are
in the presence of the general-in-chief.'
PUNK Strengthened up and brought his
hand up to his forehead awkwardly by
way of salute. You have come too late;
the case is closed"
CLOSED, general? Closed without my
story? Closed without my seem that
animated tombstone where he so nearly
placed me? Dead men tell no tales,
Enoch, but I'm not dead. Do you see
that hand, that arm? They're TO pull
the rope intended for me, only you'll do
the danglin'."
"Come, corporal, the general-in-chief
wishes to know of the military situa-
ton. Private Mellodew has charged
Lieut.. Hall and Miss Beach with con-
spring to state falsely that Gen. Long
street has gone northward, while Pri-
vate Mellodew asserts that no such
move has taken place"
HE lies. The move has taken place;
i saw it with my own eyes; that is, after
the young lady saw it; for deserve to
be shot for being asleep. | knew that
dog"-pointing to Mellodew-''was up
TO some deviltry when ! met him among
confederates, so / left the lieutenant
and Miss Beach at the ford aud rode
back. got these things on the way
pointing to his disguise-"and walked
straight into Col. Archard's lines. l
found Enoch there, settin' on log by
= campfire with Maj Berante-that
gentleman there. | crouches behind a
tree and hears the whole confab. Enoch
tells the major that the lieutenant and
Miss Beach have gone on with the in
'~formation of Gen. Longstreet's move.
The majo calls a halt till he kin report
the fact TO Col. Archard-that gentle
man there. Maj. Berante gifts permits
Il l.. 90 20 hoe
'em, then goes to "A house near by and
comes back with "A paper, ] don't know
what it was, but | TUX il tibet he wrote
1t himself. Leastwsys he tells Enoch
thet IL he will make up some yarn 10
throw distrust on Lieut.. Halls and Miss
Beach's story, and take the paper 10
Gen. Heath, maxim up another yarn
about how he stumbled ON il, Enoch
might come back and git big pay for the
Job. Enoch said he would do anything
TO git even with the lieutenant.
"They gifts up from the bivouac, and
Enoch starts for the plantation. fol
lers him out onto the road. but ] was sc
riled tibet couldn't wait fur him to gil
fur enough from the rebel camp before
tackles him. Enoch holers like loon
a vedette comes runnin' from one direc
ton, and an officer of the picket from
another and they pinned me down ant
TUX us both to Mai. Berante.
well, | was in hole. Thinkin' &c
gain time, tells the major that hey
Important information I'd like to SWAP
fur my life and he agrees to give me til
mornin' to make il all up-for thet''
what was agoin' TO do. In the mornin
/ tells him a cock-and-bull story abou
Gen. Grant sendin' troops around 10y
Nashville and Louisville to Knoxville
and let's him simmer. He opens then
snakes eyes o. his'n, takes in the infor
nation, but keeps me in limbo all the
same. Well, to shorten up, I've beer
watched by confederate guards lots o
times in this war, and they haven't KEEP
me long at any one time. Last night
give one of the men watchin' me a posta
quarter to go to the sutler for rum
and"
General" interrupted Gen. Heath
Corporal Plunks testimony makes al
clear. The work on which you sen
me has been accomplished, but not b,
me. Lieut.. Hall and Corporal Plum
have done their part, but it is this BRAY,
girl" pointing to Margaret, who, hav
ing assumed the ignominy which right
fully belonged to others, in face of mis-
understanding on my part and its con
sequent harshness-a harshness shall
regret to my dying day--while her tw
associates on the expedition wer
asleep, saw the transfer of Longstreet'
corps
sand now" he continued, "hayini
witnessed her vindication, it only re
mains to defend myself against tn
venom of that serpent. Maj. BerantC
you were about to read certain let
ter from me to the mayor of -- whe
you were interrupted by Corpora
Plunk's entrance. | beg you TO pre-
coed"
"Circumstantial evidence" he sait
II have always considered worthless