Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1901-06-27
ure Of Der husband that hung over tie


occurredG
"Oh. SIR" she exclaimed. -do you
bring me news from my husbandE"
lie 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 a large rocker
whose arm She had clasped for support
and said rather to himself than 10 her:
"Ah, these women of ours. They suf-
fer at home more than we do in the
field Then to her: NO, / have no
news from your husband. Our division
is made up entirely Of northern men.
With whom IS your husband:"
You mistook my meaning" She ex-
claimed, the color creeping back 70 her
face and the old fire awakening within
her eyes. lie is not a Union soldier.
He is with Morgan's men, hut
thoEght perhaps there had been an en-
gagement and you had con to me.
even as he would 90 to an anxious
northern wife. Have you heard from
Morgan's men, captain: II is 50 long
since We had 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.
a tear glistened in his eye.
And SO you are a rebel" he said. 1t
IS pity! \ pity, indeed. War is a ter
rible thing. and we must an suffer
while it lasts. | could not even relieve
you with an answer about Morgan's
men if l knew ever SO much about
them. Martial law would avail little if
we gave away its secrets
once more Mrs. PEBBLES eyes flashed,
for had he not spoken as if 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, l believe. May
hear it,"
He was soldier now.
Certainly madam. 1t becomes nee
essary for us to quarter our men upon /
the citizens for a day, and l must ask |
you to provide for one company. Civ
ing them the MONDAY meal tomorrow" /
She opened her lips, bur as if lie IL
yined that she was about to ask hard I
question he continued. 4 can only ex-
plain that the men are detailed for spe- /
cial duty, ana the food must be prepar- /
ed for them
But how can l supply food for so
many men?" she exclaimed You for I
get that we have been under martial T
law for weeks. and | have scarcely I
food for my own family. Besides why I
should | cook for men who would shoot /
down my husband but for the oppor-
tunityG"
The officer spoke calmly:
Il respect your fidelity to your cause. i
madam. but my men must have food. |
our commissary is stationed two doors I
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 I
stood heaped with juicy slices Of boiled /
ham. kettles and buckets steamed with
beans and rice, baskets We're ready, /
filed 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
~ 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 |
gan's brigade had come, with all of its |
fearless enthusiasm. Expected from |
one point, ii had made a detour. diyid- |
ed ana entered from three unprotected |
points Mrs. PEBBLES hurried her chill |
dren and servants To the cellar. and !
there, with throbbng hearts, they
waited.
AT o'clock in the afternoon there
was lull and by all was quiet Nor
gan'S men stood III lines along the |
streets, and Cynthiana was ia the
hands Vi an army Of famlshed soldiers. |
Many hands united in giving Uncle |
sam food 10 the graycoats. but Mrs. |
PEBBLES was not among them. la one
of the brightest ROOMS in her home the
gray haired Federal captain lay suffer
ing from bullet wound IN the thigh.
She had found hiul lying near her door
and with her own hands had helped TO
dress his wound. An hour later a gray
coated cavalrynan was brought IN, his
left leg shattered below the knee. and
Is Annie PEBBLES knelt. sobbing. be-
side his led he whispered
1t is nothing to lose a leg. dear.
Many poor fellow has given his life
today
4 happy smile drove the tears away
as she lifted her head 10 say
God was good 70 bring You home for
me 70 care for."-Sunny South.
Nautical Explanation.
The officers were on the quarter deck