Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1901-06-27

him. for be 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. at
is pity. A pity. indeed! War is ter
rible thing. and we must all suffer
while II lasts. could not even relieve
you with an answer about Morg7n's
men IL / knew ever so much at ut
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 q
matter OF business. believe. May l
hear itT'
He was a soldier now.
Certainly, madam. IL becomes nee
essary for us TO quarter our men upon
the citizens for a day, and ] must ask
you TO provide for one company. CIV
ing them the MONDAY meal tomorrow"
She opened her lips. but as II he d.
yined that she wus about to ask hard
question he continued. Il 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 | supply food for so
many mem" she exclaimed. You for
get that we have been under martial
law for weeks. aud | have scarcely
food for my own family. Besides. why
should cook <or men who would shoot
down my husband but for the oppOr-
tunity?"
The o:icer spoke calmly:
81 respect your fidelity to your cause.
madam. brt my men ms; have food.
Our commiEsary ls stationed two docrs
north OF here Present thiz 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 tie morrow great platters
stood heaped with juicy slices Of boiled
ham, kettles and buckets steamed with
beans and rice. baskets were ready.
and In the oven the last pan OF corn
bread was taking OH n 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
q 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 q
southern cavalry officer rode by, fol
lowed by a bunch Of soldiers. Nor
gan's brigade had come. with all Of Its
fearless enthusiasm. Expected from
one point, 1t had made detouT, divid'
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 o'clock In the afternoon theirs
was lull and by all was quiet Nor
gan's men stood In lines along the
streets, and Cynthiana was In the
hands Of an army Of famIshed 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 bullet wound In the thigh
She had found him lying near her door
and with her own hands had helped tc
dress his wound. An hour later a gray
coated cavaIryman was brought In. his
left leg shattered below the knee, and
as Annie PEBBLES knelt sobbing. be-
side his bed he whispered:
at is nothing to loso a leg. dear
Many a poor fellow has given his life
today"
A happy smile drove the tears away
as she lifted her head to say:
God was good to bring you home fol
me to care for"-Sunny South