The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1900-11-22
SPY OF THE REBELLION
Continued from first page

he resolved to be guarded i'll his move
mentS, to refrain from writing any report
or making any notes that could pOSSibl,
betray him. He returned to the office an,
bar-room of the Worsham Hotel. and spen
an hour or two reading and smoking
While thus occupied. three military OIL
GERS entered and stood near the bar in ami
mated conversation. Webster saunterc,
toward them. and heard one of the trio;
man whom the others addressed as Doc
tor remark emphatically: -~
| Yes gentlemen. that is n true principle
it will not do to let man set foot on Ken
| tucky soil until the Northern troops disre
gard the neutrality of that State"
Catching the drift of the conversation
| Webster stepped forward and said:
Il beg pardon. sir; will you permit mt
to ask one question:
The three officers turned toward him
with expressions of mild surprise in theil
! faces. and the doctor replied:
Certainly. sir: certainly"
'.Do you suppose added Webster. that
Kentucky will allow the Northern army tc
march through the State without showing
fight?%
Not by a joyful" was the prompt re.
Spouse. The moment the Northern army
crosses the Ohio River Kentucky will rise
in arms and take sides with the South"
IF she doesn't" said Webster, with
much apparent warmth. ''she will prove
herself unworthy of the respect of any
true Southern men,
The doctors face frightened up and he
laid his hand approvingly on the scouts
shoulder.
May | ask where you are FROM
Il was born in Kentucky and reared in
Maryland. WAS the quiet reply, and |
an, now direct from Baltimore
Baltimore CALCULATED the whole trio
in chorus: and the next moment were all
shaking hands in the most vigorous fash
ion.
BALTIMORE repeated the doctor. his
face red with his recent eXertion. My
friend, we are always glad to meet Bal
timorean, for we know there is many n
true man in that city who would help us
if he could. May | ask your name, SIR"
"Webster-Timothy Webster
"A devilisb good name. Mine is Bur-
ton. My friends all call me Doctor Bur
ton. Allow me to introduce you to Col
Dalgetty and to Capt. Stanley, of the Ar
kansas Rifles.
The introduction was cordially acknowl-
edged on both sides. and Webster then
said:
Gentlemen. / was about to call for
drink when / heard you speak of Ken
lucky. | am happy 10 know that there is
still hope for that State. VIII you drink
her health with me-
And in the blinking of the glasses and
the Quafiing of their favOrite beverages the
new link of friendship was forged
Webster's new friends were men whom
he believed he could Use to advantage.
and he determined to improve the chance
that had thrown him in contact with them.
He found them not only very well in
formed, but disposed to be communicative.
and he therefore applied the pumping"
process with all the skill at his command
10.
mode of operation effectuaf. for these Off
GERS were exceedingly willing to air their
knowledge for the benefit of their Balti-
more friend. and enjoyed his frequent eX-
pressionS of agreeable surprise at the ex-
tent of the preparations made by the peo-
pie of the South to defend their rights.
DR.. Burton was the most conspicuous
one of the group. from his very pompOus-
ness. He wore a superfluity of gorgeous
gold lace on his uniform and assumed the.
dignity of n Major-General. He was n
flabby-faced. bulbOus-eyed individual with
Il wonderful stomach for harborinS liquor,
and that unceasing flow of spirits arising
from a magnified sense of his own impor-
tance. 1t was evident, even upon a short
acquaintance. that the doctor found his
chief entertainment in listening TO himself
talk. a species Of recreation in which he
INDUCED with great regularity. sharing the
pleasure with as many Others as would
grant him a hearing.
In Webster he found an attentive audi
tor, which so fattered his vanity that he
at once formed Il strong attachment for
my operative and placed himself on famil-
lar and confidential terms with him
Webster, we've got to do some hard
fighting in these parts, ard that before we
are many days Older said the DOCTOR
with a wise shake of the head.
Il think you are right" conceded the
scout We must fight it out. From what
you have told me. however, | am sure the
Lincoln troops will find you fully prepared
to give them warm reception here"
That they will, sir: that they will"
was the emphatic rejoinder. We have
one full regiment and four or five compa-
MES besides, at Camp Rector. and Gen.
Pillow has 300 men at the camp in the
rear of Fort Harris, which is a little above
us on this side of the river. We expect
to move with him, and if there is an at
tack made upon us every man in the town
will instantly become a soldier"
Have you arms enough for all of
them?"
Arms? Let the Yankees count on our
not having arms and they will meet with
a surprise party. In two hours notice we
can have from 5000 to 10000 men ready
to march"
mo doubt of it, DOCTOR but how do you
Lord bless you. Webster, we have men
watching the movements of the Yankees
at Cairo, and the minute they make
move we are notified. Then our signal gun
is fired, and every man is mustered"
"A good arrangement, truly" said the
detective. quietly.
You look as if you could do some hard
fighting yourself, Mr.. Webster remarked
Col. Dalgetty.
The detective smiled.
Il have been fighting against great odds
for the past two months in Baltimore. The
last battle l fought was to get away from
there with my life"
Yes. and we are COMPOUNDED glad to re-
ceive you here" exclaimed the enthusiasts
tic doctor, shaking Webster by the hand
for the twentieth time. Come. gentle
men, we must have another drink. Step
up and nominate your 'pizen.'
The glasses were filed, and some one.
proposed the toast, death TO the Yam
KEGS" Under his breath, however. the
detective muttered Confusion to the reb-
els.' and drained his glass. The toast
was no sooner drank than Lieut.. Stanley,
who was evidently beginning to feel the
influence of the liquor he had drank. took