Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-11-28

wound.
Boom.
More whistles all along the track far
down to the south, varying in distinct
ness from a near, loud cry to distant,
! faint moan. This is fine hunting
stalking locomotives with cannon. Did
any South African sportsman ever
| strike such game or hunt with such
guns?
| Boom. boom, boom! Far and near
the shotted guns speak: far and near
the metal monsters cry out in terror.
| Boom!
| All are bagged, except one more dar-
ing than the rest, which runs the CANT
let of artillery and with a round shot
flying through its cab speeds out Of
range.
Meanwhile sashes in the houses along
the road are being raised, shutters
flung open and heads put out to learn
the cause of the commotion. AS guns
BOOM whistles shrek and cavalry clat-
ter along the road, followed by men
rapidly marching and artillery horses
briskly dragging the guns. many a
citizen who the night before had gone
to sleep not dreaming of a foe looks
upon the passing armed throng, lis
tens to the sound Of the cannon and
the shrieks Of the engines and wonders
if pandemonium has come.
am drawing near the Stanforths'.
There is the house, with its broad We
randas and its peak roof. A knot of peo-
pie are at the front gate, but am yet
too far to see who they are. Now I
can distinguish the turbaned Lib.
There Is boy perched on one Of the
gate posts. 1t is Buck. That girl, tall
and slender, is surely Helen. AS
draw nearer can see Ginger, his broad
mouth stretched in grin of pleasure
at sight of Yankee troops. A figure is
sitting In wicker chair on the veran-
da, dark eyes flashing in pale face.
1t is Jaqueline.
Riding up to the gate, am out OF
my saddle almost before my horse has
stopped. Buck gives cry and jumps
into my arms. Ginger grasps my hand.
"By lingo, Mr.. Brandystone," cried
Buck, I'm mighty glad to see you!
Since l got back after fightin g'rillas
like
Mars, It's good TO- de eyes t. see
yo'," interrupted Ginger enthusiastical-
ly.
after fightin g'rillas like man
what! Mr.. Branderstane, and in the
uniform of Federal of1icer1'
1t was Mr.. Stanforth. He looked at
me, surprised, then put out his hand.
But always suspected the old man to
be at heart Unionist.
Buck kept on. "After fightin g'rillas
like man come back
Upon my word!'
Another Of the family was express
ing surprise to see former guest with
the Union troops. Mrs. Stanforth look
ed panied, but she had nursed me when
l was suffering, and her motherly feel
ings got the better OF her prejudices.
took her hand, and she did not with.
draw it.
II say, Mr.. Brandystone," Buck now
fairly shouted, "after fightin g'rIllas
like man come back hyar to be fol-
Tered roun' by that doggone old Libw
1t was out at last, and the boy looked
relieved. I broke away and, advancing
toward Helen, put out my hand.
She turned away from me with con-
tempt.
Fortunately at that moment espied
little Ethel looking at me wistfully
and, taking her up, hid my face and
my anguish in her tresses. Then, look
Ing up, ! saw that Jack was waiting
for me, and, going upon the yeranda, I |
took both her hands in mine.
"Yo're the only Yankee in the world
I want to see," she said enthusiastical-
ly.
"Golly" cried Buck behind me. Turn
ing, saw what had surprised him
the guerrillas riding by as prisoners.
they had been conducted to Shelby
vile by the company of cavalry which |
had captured them and were now a
part of the procession of men and
horses hurrying by. Captain Ringold
looked up at us, with melancholy
stare. He caught sight Of Jack, and q |
shall remember to my dying day the
SAD look in his eyes as they rested for
atmoment upon hers.
The advancing army moved rapidly |
ON and was soon mingled mass Of
guns and horses in the distance. The |
sun touched bayonets and fags flashed
for an instant, then were lost in a turn
In the road. The region which had SO
suddenly been enliveued relapsed into
fhe quiet Of tie country.
Jaaueline begged me to 60 into the
house. declined. Mr. Stanforth add
ed his Invitation.
THANK you, Mr.. Stanforth, but 1
must rejoin my regiment at once. This
Is no time for me to be absent"
"You shall come in long enough to
drink one glass of wine to show that
you are our friend" saw that he
would be not only hurt, but, with his
strong southern impulse, angered IL /
refused, and 1 reluctantly consented to
spare few minutes to pledge my for
mer host
ITO Be Continued.)