Gardnerville record. (Gardnerville, Nev.) 1898-1902, 1901-09-27
Morgan's men whom the Federal had
expected and had a skirmlsh already

expected ana had SklrmiSh already
occurred!
"Oh. SIR" she exclaimed, do you
bring me news from my husbandg
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 a large rocker
whose arm she had clasped for support
and said rather to himself than to 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 to her
face and the old fire awakening within
her eyes. "He is not a Union soldier.
He Is with Morgan's men. but |
thought perhaps there Ind been an en-
gagement and you had come to me.
even as he would 90 to an anxious
northern wife. Have you heard from
Morgan's men. captain? II is so long
since we had any news from outside
| the town"
| The pleading in her voice touched
| him. for he turned 10 tile window and
stood looking out into the gathering
darkness. When he turned toward her.
a tear glistened in his eye.
And SO you are REBEL he said. 1T
is pity! \ pity. indeed. War IL ter
| rible thing and We ninst all suffer
while 1t LASTS | could not even relieve
| you with an answer abent Morgan's
| men II | knew ever 50 glHeh about
| them. Martial law world avail littie if
we gave away IFS 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
matter of business. believe. May
hear it?'
He was a soldier now.
| Certainly. madam. 1t becomes nec-
| 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. but as il 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 men?" she exclaimed. you for
| get that we have been under martial
| law for weeks, and | have scarcely
| food for my own family Besides. why
| should | cook for men who would shoot
down my husband but for the oppor-
tunity:"
The officer spoke calmly:
Il respect your fidelity to your cause.
madam. but my men must have food.
Our comnissary 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 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
lowed by bunch of soldiers. Nor
gan's brigade had come, with all of its
fearless enthusiasm. Expected from
one point, 1t had made a detour, 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 2 O'Clock in the afternoon there
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 n bullet wound in the thigh.
She had found him lying near her door
and with her own hands had helped to
dress his wound. An hour later n 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:
ut is nothing to lose 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 for
me to care for."-Sunny South.
One Advantage.