The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1902-10-17
CONTINUED.

The Darrack OF the EeQeral garrison
was situated on the main thoroughfare
of the town. 1t was two story frame
building which had once been furni-
ture shop and still retained on its front
the weatherworn sign of the former
proprietor Above the ramshackle edi-
flee the stars and stripes waved idly
on the sultry breeze. A sentinel paced
back and forth before the open door,
occasionally shifting his piece from
shoulder to shoulder to vary the monot-
ony and indulging in frequent yawns.
Up and down the street in front of the
china trees. in whose deep shade a
number of soldiers off duty were anus
ing themselves with the 'gambols of
several young raccoons, whose look of
intelligence and premature age, coupled
with their comical motions, excited the
frequent laughter of the bystanders.
Brown inquired for Captain Adams,
and, leaving Black Jake at the foot Of
the stairs, he was ushered by one of
the soldiers to the captains office on
the second floor, q rather bare room
facing the street.
Adams was seated at his desk, busily
writing. He was man Of about thir-
ty, with closely cropped black hair and
rather thin. swarthy cheeks. He had
not recovered the flesh lost during his
illness. But there was no look of del
icacy in his color and build, and in the
steady, self contained glance with
which he greeted his visitor one might
read knowledge Of human nature
and self confidence in dealing with it.
'Be seated, SIR" he said, pointing to
chair. 81 shall be through in a mo-
ment."
True to his word, in a moment he
had sealed and directed the document
upon which he was engaged. Drop
ping it in II box at his right hand with
number of envelopes of similar
size, he turned his keen dark eyes upon
Brown.
''Now, sir, am at your service"
''You are Captain Adams?" began
Brown as matter of form.
The officer bowed.
Nell, SlI, ALL MI bFOWu.
Again the captain bowed and gazed
at the merchant intently. The latter
shifted uneasily in his chair and look
ed toward the open door.
''If you have anything of a secret ma
ture to communicate" said the captain,
interpreting the glance, "have no fear.
There is no one in hearing"
In spite of the officers assurance,
Brown betrayed his distrust by anoth-
er glance at the door. Then he opened
bis budget
Adams listened carefully to Browns
story with the disgust which, open or
concealed, every honorable man feels
for an informer, even when duty tells
him that he must act upon the infor-
nation. When the merchant had fin
lshed, the soldier said:
"You are sure that your statement is
quite correct?"
"Quite correct, sir. I have brought
my witness. He is down below"
Produce him." said the captain.
Brown went out and returned in
moment with Black Jake, who
stumbled at the threshold and followed
his employer into the room in any
thing but state Of equanimity.
"Now, Jake, tell the captain all about
IT," said Brown blandly, at the same
time giving the negro menacing look.
The frightened negro scraped his foot
and bowed to the captain, glancing ap.
prehensively at the same time at
Brown. The latter had seated himself
somewhat in the rear of the captain,
where he could watch Jake closely
without being observed by the officer.
The negro began:
'Cap'n, want to tell yo' at de start
dat Mr.. Brown warn't dar an amt
got nothin' to do wild dis"
Brown gave Jake a terrible look,
which made the negro tremble in his
shoes.
dat is, he amt got much to do wild
it," added Jake losing his presence of
mind.
The captain looked up, but failed to
catch Browns murderous glance.
go on. Mr.. Brown has told me the
main facts. want to hear the partic-
ulars."
"Yes, sab, gwine tell 'em," FASTENED
Jake, looking toward Brown. The
particulars-what were they? Perhaps
they were the things that his master
had forbidden him to mention. Jake
threw himself in the breach heroically.
$40 Gawd, cap'n, no pusson knows
anything bout dis business but me.
Marse Jim warn't dar, an he amt been
dar."
Brown shifted in his chair. If looks
could kill, Jake would have dropped
dead.
"Go on with your story, Jake" said
the merchant, glancing uneasily at
Adams, who was engaged in sharpen
ing pencil.
''Methinks he doth protest too much,"
thought the captain, and, turning to
Jake, who stood with quaking knees,
he said:
"Don't be frightened. I'm not going
to hurt YOU"
Il amt skeered OBJ yo', sah," replied
the negro, and, meeting Browns eye,
he added: Il amt skeered OBJ nobody.
des got a chill. l cotch it in de
swamp" Then, to give the semblance
Of yeraeity. he sale, 4 gwine buy me