The bee., 1902-06-26
AYOUNGCOURIER
ATALE OF THE CIVIL WAR
BY
BLUE G, BARD,
CHAPTER vi.

confidently. ut was my sister anC
a negro woman you shot at. They
turned back to go home, alter com
ing nearly to those trees, and they
were exactly in the direction yor
were pointing, for saw the flash o.
yOnr pistol.
II am not mistaken" he answer
ed, "I saw the man. 1 would moi
shoot at woman"
And he was not mistaken, for il
was Albert that had almost been
too late to make his escape; skulk'
ing from the shadow Of one tree t6
another, and trying to make .hii
way to the willow thickets, thai
bordered the little stream.
1t was well for him, that the noise
Of the coming Of Fanny and the
children Diverted the attention OF
the picket.
If Fanny had known it was AL
bert, she could not have so conf
IDENTIFY said II am sure it was my
sister, and fear you have killed ol
wounded her."
MAY we go on to the house?" she
asked. "Yes you can pass on" he
said, and rode back near the trees
again.
AS Fanny and her charge came
to the gate, in front of the house, Q
soldier standing in the front door
ordered, Halt, who comes there
Fanny's temper was aroused and
patience almost gone.
Nobody, but parcel of women
and children" she said with EN-.
phasis, "can we enter?"
"Yes come in" said the puzzled
soldier. He showed by his looks
that he thought it odd for women
and children to be roaming around
at that time of night, and such q
cold night too, for little ones to be
abroad.
The cousin and her aged mother,
who was also Albert's mother, met
the visitors in the hall, with a glad
welcome. They were the only white
persons on the place, and the sold
iers were going through every room
up stairs and down. Where is
Kate?" was their first question.
"You certainly have not left her
alone. Mamma would turn back
aunt Mary" said Rob, his lips
trembling, "and she and Anne have
gone home"
"Yes, and that man, out there on
that horse, shot at her, for aunt
Fanny said so' cried little Emma
almost heart broken.
"What is that?" said a young
German Lieutenant, who seemed to
have command of the squad. my
picket shoot at lady, that is surely
a mistake, we make no war upon
women, and if he has shot one he
will have to account for it,"
"There was a colored woman with
her." said Fanny. He saw them
through the trees and thought they
were men. OF course he would not
knowingly shoot at women.
"But what are those men doing?"
she added, as big burly black
whiskered man, and two others not
80 large, nor so old, were turning
things about, and searching every
where except behind the folding
doors of the hall, where two rifles
hidden.
"There are hunting ammunition
and fire arms" sain Mr.. Ben Adkins.
"Thev declare If gun or pistol is
found in the house, they will burn it
to the ground.
II certainly hope they will find
none" said Fanny.
In passing through the wide hill
where the two ladies and their visit
0rs were still standing, and talking
to the young officer, the searchers
caught some Of the conversation
about the picket shooting at wom-
an, which interested them SO much,
that all three quit their search to
join in the conversation.
The troubled children were watch
ing toward the gate, and wishing
for mamma, when little Emma rails
ed a shout, "Younder she comes
with Aime!" "Oh, mamma! man.
ma! we thought you was killed."
Mrs. Kate sank on the doorsteps,
overcome with excitement and
fatigue. She had heard the report
of the pistol, and the loud talking,
which made her fear that some one
was shot, and she hurried on to see
if her children. were safe.