Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1901-11-21
THE CONFEDERATE'S RUSE.

from his corner. The colonel chuckled,
then said very slowly, Can you mag
inc how II feels TO know yourself with
in an inch of hangingT'
"Oh, there's a story! Tell II" Max
well said. putting down his pen. The
colonel flung over to him the most un-
forgivable Of the penwipers, then sat
down on the edge of my desk, folded
his arms and began.
Don't know that | ever told you
ft for Cousin Sally Ann. as our COM
many wag used to express serving the
Confederacy. But | did. I was dare
devil too. Would you think so TO look
at me nowY'
Not much" we said in chorus. Tie
smiled and went on II belonged 10 Mr..
Forests 'critter company You don't
know 1t, but that means that | had
heap of chances TO get myself shot. He
was a fighter from way back, was Mr..
Forrest But that didn't feaze the boys
who rode with him. II was what they
were there for. He made things lively.
! tell you, In the country between the
rivers-the Cumberland and Tennessee.
North of the Cumberland. after Donel-
son fell. it was mighty hazardous for a
graycoat to venture. The river could
be forded only In time Of drought. and
the strict gunboat patrol made swim
ming or sailing across 1t about as dan
gerous as anything could be. Still we
wanted now and then TO get news OF
our friends. the enemy, over there. and
one day | volunteered to swim the riv-
or and bring back word to my chief.
GO IL you're a mind ter Billy. but
sorter think you'll come back dead he
said. But | went. Home was across
the river. you see. and girl who-but
never mind. / didn't see her that trip.
Hardly had | crossed when / ran
plump upon "A former overseer, who
was, | knew. a Union man. He recog-
nized me at once. yet If | had been the
prodigal son his welcome could not
have been warmer When | asked II
he meant to inform on me, he almost
cried. His feelings were so hurt. in
deed. that / had to agree To stay all
night ut his house and let him help me
next morning across the river. which
was the main lion In my homeward
path. 1 wanter show We Jessermine's
drorin's. too. he said. 'Ye amt fer
got Jessermine-she's the little young
IN yer ma used ter make much on.
Growed up now. she Is. an er scholler
right. Why, she paints cows an hawgs
an sech like that natchul We CANT help
but know 'eu
Il didn't know 'em-not apart. mean
Until Jessermine herself dlfferentiat-
cd them for me. She was a big, fair
girl. wholesome as the day Is long 1t
gave me heap Of comfort to hear her
whisper as we separated for the night:
'Pap's the only Union man in this fam
lily. Id fight for the Confederacy ev-
cry day In the year IL only had not
been born girl
The speech was still more comfort
ing when ! got up in the morning and
found whole division Of bluecoats
stacking arms In the turnpike outside
the gate. They had made night
march and meant to cross the river the
next day. | was trapped squarely and
likely within ten hours to dangle from
a limb II my host did not betray me.
my horse In his stable. with cavalry
saddle and holsters, most certainly
would. Escape was ont Of the ques-
ton. They were before and behind
me and all around. with more coming
In each half hour
Then every mothers son of EN- was
mighty mad with Forrest. lie had
whipped EN- when he had no right to
do 1t and run when they ought to have
whipped him. There was. besides.
sort Of talk Of retaliation. Altogether
! made up my mind that | had less
than six hours of life unless miracle
saved me or Jessermine stood my
friend.
She did that. like the trump she
was Don't you worry she said when
she Brought me breakfast Eat hearty
an rest All you can. until / get them
Yankees all fed. Its likely you may
have 20 ride all night without stoppin.
hut don't you be uneasy whatever you
do
viii you believe it. | trusted that
girl blindly lay down and slept like a
Top VI I'll she WIS pack again. she had
her paiutbox and brushes. besides
couple Of raw onions When she had
told M her plan for me. laughed until
crict'.
Garry ii out9 I shouldn't be here If
] Ind not. That afternoon. about :
O'clock. man rode YEARLY into the
camp. His eyes were red and swollen
and ren water continually He was
broken ont all over with red. angry
looking pustulcS Take me to your
general II surrender. l am Captain
Lillard Of Forests cavalry he said In
n weas voice. 1 want 10 bs sent 10 tile
hospital. IS You see. have small
pox
"Th, sentry waited To hear no more.
lie passed the prisoner ON like a hot
potafoe So did tile corporal of the
guard. aud Sc. IN the end. did the gen
eral Tie prisoner. whose eyes kept
getting rcdaer and more watery. smell
ed strongly OF onions. but aone of them