The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1901-08-21
Captain r. A. mitchell,
Author OF "Chnttanoora" "Chickamaugr,," Etc

iN lnlS lluit SfNfIhi lltu WIN
followed the officer pushed their way
into the room. | received no reply To
my question, but was ordered To get
up and go with them. The members OF
the family. discovering that something
had gone wrong. locked about. and II
was easy to see thn' though they did
not understand why was arrested,
they were all in sympathy with mc.
Mrs. Stnnforth seemed greatly dis
trcsscd. AIR. Stnnforth attempted to
argue my ease FOR me, of course to no
purpose. The negroes were nll lndlg-
nant While waiting for my horse
heard Lib delivering herself In the
back hall:
"Wha' fo' dat mls'able osifcr wild he
sleeves covered all obcr wild dem gor
snakes goln t rest n fine south'n gem.
len like dat? Dat wha' yo' call free
dom? Colored folks got mo- freedom
den dat. heah mas'r talkin bout
stutlonal lIbc'ty Wha's de use o stu
tionn libe'ty when de oder man got he
hand on yo' collar"
heard no more, for | was conducted
out TO the gallery. Just as | started
down the walk Ethel appeared. with
curious eyes, and paused TO take her
UP and give her II parting kiss. cast
n glance mt Helen. There was intense
interest In her face. but among so
many emotions | could not discover
which prcdominated. went with the
soldiers down to the gate. where |
found my horse, and. mounting. II cav
alryman on each side of me. rode away
with the troop.
We proceeded up the pike for n short
distance, then, crossing the railroad
track, struck road which bent to the
east.
Captain" said, II don't like the
direction you are going. If your III
tentlons were not murdcrous, you
would take me to Huntsville and exam
Inc into the charge against me. II np-
pears that you are taking me into the
country to dispose of me-"
81 am on my way to join my squad
ron near Brownsborough, sir. where
yo' will have an opportunity to face
yo'r nccuscr. II yo' are innocent, yoll
nhN' uo tloublc' ~ 'hu 'hiist III NY
company"
THANK you. Do look like n man
who would go begging for commits
sion"
81 beg yo'r pardon, sir" And he lift
ed his hat apologctcally.
had retained my coolness thus far.
but confess | did not like the sltua-
Ag IN
southern people, felt certain conf
dence, yet If II were known that was
Union officer | would be put out of
the way without benefit of clergy.
Who was the san who had informed
against me? What did he know? The
more l thought about II the more In
tense became my anxiety. Suddenly
looked up and saw white tents.
knew at once by the looks of the camp
that 1t contained one or two companies
of cavalry. There was II railroad bridge
near by, crossing what l knew TO be
Flint river. and judged that the cav.
airy was guarding this bridge.
l had forgotten my unlucky wound
and was intent on the camp when,
stiff bough scraped my arm. and
felt at once that 1t had been injured.
told the captain Of my fears, and we
halted to make an examination. TAX.
, ing Off my coat. there. as | expected
was a stain of fresh blood on my shirt
! sleeve
you needn't trouble yourself to mur'
der me-" remarked. "That wound Is
better enemy than all my others to-
! gether."
The captain cast glances about him
! for house. lie had no intention OF
numbering me or being n party indi
rectly to my death. While he was
making u survey Of the surrounding
country was twisting my handker
chief above the wound.
'Can you get to that plantatiOnT he
asked.
looked up and saw n large manor
house about half n mile distant. will
its flanklng rows of negro huts.
81 can try It,"
We mounted and rode on and In 0
few minutes passed into the gateway
between imposing stone posts. proceed
Ing by winding way to the house.
was glad to dismount and get inside
the spacious hall out Of the sun. There
sat down ON an old fashioned hair
cloth mahogany sofa.
A number of white and negro chill
dren, who were playing together al
contentedly as II the pickanlnnies wer,
not the property Of their fair skinned
playmates. stood gaping ut me. A slim
man with determined mouth. at tn,
corners of which were marks of to
bacco juice-he turned out to be al
overseer-an equally thin elderly wo
man, whom had heard addressed al
Miss Pinkley, and a quadroon cir
made up the group. was sitting will
my head resting against the sofa back
weak and respondent Suddenly dowI
the great winding staircase came ,
young girl with shapely petite figure