The Somerset reporter., 1901-06-20

Not quite, nanny" the mother an
swered and smiled to see the little fell
low sit up and hold out bis arms to the
old nurse. who said:
Oats right. Come to yo' nanny,
honey. an she'll tell you about Brer
Rabbit. Dyah is a Yankee capting In
de library, Miss Annie, an he says he
mus see you, dat dyah some business
he mus talk to you about"
When Mrs. PEBBLES entered the libra
~. the soldier stood looking at a pic
ture of her husband that hung over the
mantel.
A sudden fear seized her. Was II
Morgan's men whom the Federal had
expected and had a skirmish already
occurred?
"Oh, SIR" she exclaimed, "do you
bring me news from my husbands"
He was an elderly man, and as he
turned and saw the white face, with its
pleading eyes searching his own, he
pressed her gently into large rocker
whose arm sheshad clasped for support
and said rather to himself than to her:
fer at home more than we do in the
field" Then to her: mo, / have no
news from your husband. Our division
is made up entirely of northern men.
With whom Is your husbandY
You mistook my meaning" she ex
claimed, the color creeping back to her
face and the old fire awakening within
ha fc II,,io
He is with Morgan's men, but
thought perhaps there had been an en-
gagement and you had come to me,
even as he would go to an anxious
northern wife. Have you heard from
Morgan's men, cantain? 1t is so long
since we mad any news from outside
the town."
The pleading in her voice touched
him. for he turned to the window and
stood looking out into the gathering
darkness When he turned toward her,
tear glistened in his eye.
And so you are REBEL" he said. ut
is pity! A pity, indeedl War is ter
rible thing. and we must all suffer
while 1t lasts. l could not even relieve
you with an answer about Morgan's
men if | knew ever so much about
them. Martial law would avail little IL
we gave away its secrets"
Once more Mrs. PEBBLES eyes flashed,
for had he not spoken as IL the pity Of
the war lay upon the shoulders Of the
southerners. She Strengthened herself
in her chair and said coldly:
You wished to speak to me about a
matter of business, / believe. May
hear it?"
He was a soldier now.
Certainly, madam. Itbecomes nee
essary for us to quarter our men upon
the citizens for day, and | must ask
you to provide for one company. CIV
ing them the monday meal tomorrow.
She opened her lips, but as If he d.
vined that she was about to ask hard
question he continued. 81 can only ex-
plain that the men are detailed for spe-
cial duty, and the food must be prepar
ed for them"
But how can l supply food for so
many menu" she exclaimed. you for
get that we have been under martial
law for weeks, and have scarcely
food for my own family. Besides, VIII,
should cook for men who would shoot
down my husband but for the oppor-
tunity?"
The officer spoke calmly:
81 respect your fidelity to your cause.
madam, but my men must have food.
Our commissary Is stationed two doors
north of here. Present this order and
prepare the food by noon tomorrow.
Good night"
He was gone. and she. knowing
enough of the power of an occupying
army TO rebel no further, went to the
kitchen to give the necessary orders.
AT noon on the morrow great platters
stood heaped with juicy slices of boiled
ham, kettles and buckets steamed with
beans and rice, baskets were ready.
filled with delicious southern biscuit.
and In the oven the last pan of corn
bread was taking on a delicate brown.
But no soldiers appeared. and In the
distance the popping of rifles and the
boom of cannon could be heard. Plain
ly the Confederates had come up and
battle was on. In every house wo-
men were busy tearing old linen and
cotton into lints and bandages. The
firing drew nearer. and presently a
southern cavalry officer rode by. fol
lowed by bunch of soldiers. Nor.
gnn's brigade had come, with all of Its
fearless enthusiasm. Expected from
one point, it had made detour, diyid-
ed and entered from three unprotected
points. Mrs. PEBBLES hurried her chill.
dren and servants to the cellar, and
there, with throbbing hearts, they
waited.
At 2 O'clock In the afternoon there
was n lull and by all was quiet Nor.
streets, and Cynthiana was in the
hanGs Of all army Of famshed soldiers,
Many hands united in giving Uncle
Sans food to the graycoats, but Mrs.
PEBBLES was not among Them. In one
of the brightest rooms in her home the
gray haired Federal captain lay. suffer
ing from Il bullet w0rnd in the thigh.
She had found him lying near her door
and With her own hands had helped t.
dress his wound. An hour later a gray.
coated cavalryman was brought in, his
left leg shattered below the knee, and
as Annie PEBBLES knelt. sobbing be.
side his bed he whispered:
1T is nothing to lose leg dear.