Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1900-10-18
! SOLDIER and MAIDEN
hI ELLO, the house-hellol"

fire for the last half-hour, and in one
hand he held a pair of bullet molds-
and in the other a dozen newly-cast
bullets.
Ready in a minute!" he shouted,
as he retreated into the house, and
the men at the gate lighted their
pipes and sat down on the grass
Three ordinary men-Paulding, Van
Vert and Williams-uneducat hard
working, and unknown beyond the
neighborhood, but on that Septem-
Der day of 1880 they were going to
save the life of nation and make
history for the world to read.
"Who is it?" asked the wife OF
Paulding, who had been bus clearing
away the breakfast things as he
nodded his bullets.
Van Vert and Williams"
"And what are you going to do?"
Have a pop at some of the Brit
ish foragers, if the chance comes.
Van Vert heard last night that they
took about everything Jim Hender-
son had yesterday afternoon. We're
goin't to do leetle scoutln' on our own
hook, and I'm hopin' some of these
bullets will find mark"
"But be careful, James-be care
full" cautioned the wife.
III be careful huff. Say, now, lis
ten to me. You know that big tree
and the thicket over on the cross
roadsP It's only a mile from here
cross-lots. If you see any suspicious
persons hangin' about, or if the for
ayers come this way, send Minnie to
tell US. We shall hang out there all
day, unless driven off, and may not
be back before supper time"
With that the man passed out and
Joined his companions and the three
disappeared in the woods. At almost
the same moment Minnie Paulding, a
girl of IS, who had passed the pre-
vious night at the house of girl friend
two miles away up the river, started
to return home. She had hardly passed
the Smith homestead when stranger,
who had come out of the house, has
tened his steps and overlook her.
"a fair good morning to fair little
maid" he said, as she turned at sound
of his footsteps.
IN the four years of war she had en-
countered hundreds of strangers pass
ing to and fro over the highways, but
she instantly OWNED that the man be-
| ~
them. While his clothing was rough
and coarse, she detected the figure of
gentleman beneath the garb. His
step and bearing told her that he was
soldier, and his speech was not that
of a countryman. His voice was soft
and gentle, and he made her obeisance
as he saluted.
"And good morning to YOU" she re-
piled in return, as she resumed her
walk.
"And l may suppose that you live
not far away?" queried the stranger,
as he kept step with her, and struck
at the wayside bushes with the
switch in his hand.
"Iwo miles below, sir"
"And thy father-is he kings
man?"
Indeed, no, else Washington would
not have dined with us a month ago.
This is no road for the kings men to
travel"
81 fear me, little maid" he said,
after a light laugh, that 1 should
find thee a little rebel, if 1 knew thee
better"
81 am one, sir, as is everyone about
here, except the Smiths. IT'S shame
that tories should be allowed to live
on among us"
But these are the kings posses
sions. and those who remain loyal to
their king should not be objects OF
contempt and malice, though were |
kings man 1 might forgive thee on
account of thy sex. 1t is not for wom-
en-much less for young maidens-
to talk politics and war"
"But 1 thought you might be q
kings man." she said, as she looked
him squarely in the eyes.
He laughed and flushed, and 1t wai
full minute before he replied.
"Ieave war for men, little maid.
should guess thine age to be about
II, and"
sixteen. SIR"
+ 81 stand corrected, but let me fin
sh. Chestnut hair, hazel eyes, a Gre
elan nose, perfect teeth, trim figure
, small feet and charming franknes'
: There is a great promise here, an
= vet, alack! a few years hence wi
see thee the wife of a boor, toilin
p among these hills for his daily bread
He had not spoken with impert
= nence, but the cheeks of the made
Redeemed, and he saw that she wa
angry. They walked on for fe
rods in silence, and then he halle
: and uncovered his head ana making
low bow, he said:
81 have hurt thee, and | beg TO
giveness. Let us talk of other thing
i Is the road clear of pickets and p
= triots?"
"I believe it is" she answered, mo
lifted by his words, ''but if you al
of us you need fear no danger"
: "Didst | not tell thee to leave WI
o to men?" he asked, with laugh.
: A few minutes later they came
|, where the road branched, and az Il
!. girl halted, she said:
81 go this way to my home, and "
= go that way to Tarrytown. Sir, l b
!. you good day."
l. "But rot without clasp of t
hand" he replied, as he extended h
:. and dotted his hat. "You have MAJ
/ the walk pleasant for me. thar
:. you and wish you happiness. Shou