Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1901-07-20

ture of her husband that hung over the
mantCl.
\ sudden fear seized her. Was 1t
Morgan's men whom the Federal had
expected and had Il skrmish already
ocCurrcdI
"Oh, sir" she exclaimed, do you
bring me news from my huSband:'
He was an elderly man, and as he
turned and saw the white face. with it's
pleading eyes searching his OWL he
pressed her gently into 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 mstook my meaning" she ex-
claimed, the color creeping back TO her
face and the old fire awakening within
her eyes. He IS not a Enion soldier
He is with Morgan's men, but l
thought perhaps there had been an en-
gagcment and you had come to me,
even as he would go to an anxious
northern wife. Have you heard from
Morgan's men, captain? 1t is so 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
= IL L., 4 l..
tear glistcned in his eye.
"And so you are a rebel" he said. "It
is pity! a pity, indeed! War is a ter
rible thing, and we must all 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 it's 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, believe. May l
hear it?"
He was a soldier now.
"Certainly, madam. 1t becomes nee
essary for us to quarter our men upon
the citizens for day, and must ask
you to provide for one company. Civ
ing them the MONDAY meal tomorrow"
She opened her lips, but as If he di-
vined that she was about to ask n hard
question he continued, Il can only ex-
Nln;, f1,nt fI,o 4
cial duty, and the food must be prepar-
ed for them"
'But how can | 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
tunityT
The officer spoke calmly:
81 respect your fidelity to your cause,
madam, but my men must have food.
Our commiSSary is stationed two doors
north of here. Present this order and
prepare the food by noon tomorrow.
Good night"
liz N'lS Spilt, Sllt, hIlON lllS
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 hcaped with juicy slices of boiled
ham, kettles and buckets steamed with
beans and rice, baskets were ready,
filled with delicious southern biscuit.
nd m no 10 Of
bread was taking on Il 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 ConfCderatcS 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 n
southern cavalry officer rode by, fol-
lowed by Il bunch of soldiers. Nor
gan's brigade had come, with all of its
fearless enthusiasm. Expected from
one point, it had made detour, divid-
ed and entered from three unprotected
points. Mrs. PEBBLES hurried her chill
dren and servants to the cellar, and
'Ai'''b WIN lhiOpoIii5
waited.
At > O'Clock in the afternoon there
was lull and by 3 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 to
dress his wound. An hour later gray
coated eavalryman was brought in, his
left leg shattered below the knee, and
as Annie PEBBLES knelt. sobbing, be-
side his bed he whlspered:
1T is nothing to lose a leg. dear.
Many 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.
A Nautical Explanation.