The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1902-10-03

the old man, with smile.
'"Thank you, Mr.. Palmer" said Meri-
weather, twisting his body impatiently.
"But, for heavens sake, go onw
STEADY, boys, steady" said Palmer,
with keen enjoyment "This isn't cav
airy charge; it's scheme. So just lis
ten and possess your souls in patience" !"
Layburn gave Meriweather a eau
tiening glance not to interrupt again,
and after blowing his nose the old man
resumed.
Perhaps you boys know, or perhaps
you don't, that part of the Confeder-
ate taxes was collected on the 1.-THE
system. This applies especially to
farm produce. The tax in kind of po-
tatoes and breadstuffs was quickly
sent to the front and consumed by the
army, but it was not the case with the
tithes of cotton. This tax was collected
by special agents and stored away till
the government found opportunity to
sell it, and orders were given these
agents to conceal the cotton whenever
there was reason to apprehend a raid
by the Federal army, and on its ap-
proach to burn it when in danger Of
falling into the enemy's hands. Some
times this order has been executed, but
in numerous instances only the part re-
lating to concealment has been carried
out. Consequently when Lee surren-
dered there were thousands Of bags of
cotton hidden in the hills and swamps
all over the south. Now, where is that
cotton at the present moment, and to
whom does it belong? Well, boys, there
are hundreds of bags in this very coun-
ty, and, according to my opinion-and I
hold myself an honest man-it is no.
body's property. To return it to the
taxpayers is utterly impracticable, and,
such being the case, it seems to me-
since the Confederacy Is no more, that
no one has better right to the cotton
or stands in more need of it than the
poor ragged soldier boys who have
fought for the soil that produced it."
'Bravo, bravow exclaimed Jack Meri-
weather.
'Do you know where any Of this cot
ton is concealed" asked Layburn ea-
gerly.
''You are an inhuman old man if you
don't after all this preamble" added
Meriweather.
II do, boys, do" said the old plant
er.
"Hurrah, hurrah!' cried Meriwea-
ther.
"Stop your racket" said the planter
sternly, for Meriweather had attracted
the attention of several Federal SOL
diers on the street.
"If you don't move on the dead quiet,
you will ruin everything. All this Con-
federate cotton is being seized as soon
as discovered by the Yankee garrisons
as government property"
"Mr. Palmer" said Layburn serious
ly, 'If you will tell us where this cot
ton is concealed and give us your ad-
vice in regard to securing it, we will
be supremely grateful and endeavor to
follow your counsel in every particu-
lar"
The old planter, seeing that the two
young men had sobered down and were
now in the proper frame of mind to be
trusted with this great secret, drew to
one side and revealed to them the situ-
alton of the cumbersome but valuable
bales of the south's great staple. The
first thing to do was to convey the bags
from the recesses of the swamp, where
they were hidden, to some stable or out
house and remove the Confederate la.
bel and give each bale private mark.
This accomplished, it would not be diff
ficult to ship it by a night boat to Mo-
bile where it could be easily sold or
sent to Liverpool and there marketed.
"The main obstacle" concluded the
old man, sis the hiring of wagon
swamp. 1t is risky business, and no.
body likes to let a wagon and mules
for such purpose. The work has to
be done at night, and if you are caught
by the Federals you will be sent to Jail
and the wagons and teams will be con-
fiscated."
"We are willing to pay stiff hire"
said Layburn.
you'll have to-" said Palmer. "a
hundPed dollars team is the price for
night work. Let me see." The old man
rubbed his chin meditatively. "You
couldn't do better than to try Jim
Brown. He has two wagons and teams.
Jim's been transacting a little business
in this line on his own account, and no
doubt he'll be willing to help two de-
serving fellows for a consideration.
There's Jim, now." And the old plant
er beckoned to stout man little past
middle life who was standing in the
was q country merchant who dealt in
farm supplies and the various articles
needed on southern plantation.
When he approached the group, Pal
mer in few words related all the par
ticulars of the business in hand, even
to the location of the cotton.
''Now, Brown" concluded the old
man, these boys need a wagon and
team, and I've told 'em if anybody
could help 'em out it would be you,
and if you couldn't you'd keep the
whole thing quiet"
"Of course I'll be as silent as the
grave" said Brown good humoredly,
''but as for letting out my stock at
night-it's risky, very riskyw
'The boys understand and are will
ing to pay" FASTENED Palmer.
"Well, gentlemen" said Brown, drop
in at o'clock, and we'll talk it over"
"By George, Layburn," said Meri-
weather when Brown had left them
and they had parted with the planter,