The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1900-02-17

most Of despair, the man reanwhil'
watching her and not uttering sound
As soon as she had the trbe ready
she prasped the shovel, which was neal
the kitchen door, and said; Come
Be quick. We haven't a minute tC
spare
The man followed her, notPerceisins
her purpose. but too frightened to ques'
ton or protest. Quickly Mistress Fish
er ran to the ash heap and hgan to dig
with feverish haste. Every moment was
precious now. and she labo'ed desper-
ately, knowing that the fate OF life
depended upon her efforts AS soon
as she had made a hole larg enough to
satisfy her, she dropped theshovel, and,
taking the quill tube, saidto her COM
panion: Here! keep tbs in your
mouth! Now jump in and III hide you.
Be sure and keep your eye and mouth
closed. Quick!"
Her purpose was clear 1ow. and in
stantly the man obeyed. Then Mistress
Fisher covered him with ashes, being
careful to see that the end of the tube
was left free. and as soor as the labor
was completed she flung the shovel to
one side of the house and entered the
kitchen, just as the TORIES came up on
the piazza. Her heart vas trembling,
though her countenance was bold, as
she advanced to meet tn, band.
"Who are you? What wish you here?"
the brave woman demanded.
Give up that rebel, Jo' Butler" said
the leader; 1--WE saw him turn in here"
"Think you I would give him up If
he were here?'
you've got him he'e somewhere.
Now. give him over!" shouted the lead
er, tiourishing pistol as he spoke.
Mistress Fisher felt strangely sick
and faint, but, still stirling to keep up
her bold appearance, sad: Keep your
pistol to brighten children with; you
shall not intimidate me! If you want to
give up your chase ard look for my
Butler here, it is your priv
ilege. 'Tis not the first time defense
less women in Westchester county have
had their homes invaded by hirelings."
Come on, boys!" called the leader
restoring his pistol 10 his belt and
turning to his followers as he spoke.
''She hid that rebel husband of hers
under the kitchen floor, and perhaps
Joe Butler is there nOw."
In a moment the search was be-
gun. The loose boards of the floor
were torn away but no rebel was
found beneath them Then into the
cellar. into every room and closet,
tearing apart the beds and overturn-
ing chairs and tables in their efforts.
The men searched the house. but the
missing man could not be found.
Some of you go out to the barn"
said the leader. at last. I'll stand |
lere and keep my eye on both places"
he added, as he stepped upon the ash
leap.
In an agony of fear Mistress Fish.
II watched and waited Would he dis.
over the presence of the man con-
,ealed beneath his feet? The mo-
nents dragged on like hours, but at
asst the search was abandoned and
With many threats against her rebel
and the wing who for the
present had escaped them the men de-
,arted The woman waited until a
lalf hour had gone and then, taking
Ter shovel, began to dig into the ash
reap again. Soon she had freed her
eighhCr from his hiding place, but
What spectacle he presented NJ
most too exhausted to stand, streaked
nth the ashes, and almost blinded as
yell, it was long before he was re-
tored. But at last. by the aid of
cap ard water and such simple means
s were in the house, he was made
aady to return to his home or go to
ne camp, as he deemed best.
AS ne stood on the piazza he said:
thought | was dead man when !
rawlec into that ash heap. l was
linking of the words of the preach
Dust to dust, ashes to ashes"
"Out of the ashes you came to life
gain responded Mistress Fisher,
'lemLly. $50 may it be with our
'untry and with us ALL" And the
ue-hearted woman stood in the door
ay and watched her neighbor until
, disappeared in the forest.-Everett
Tomlinson, IN Congregationalist.