The bee., 1902-06-05

the sutler would be too busy to en-
qulre any more about 1t, and so his
mind was at ease about that, but
this false life did not make his mind
easy. What would he not do or
give to be free to go when and where
he pleased. He felt that he could
almost fly on wings of love to his
dear mother.
He made many plans to escape,
and get back to his friends near r.,
if he could not go to his own home,
which he felt was impossible now.
The Col. was ever kind, and al
lowed him many privileges, but he
never had an opportunity of getting
outside of the picket lines alone.
The men often made short raids in
the country, but never so far as r.
during the winter and early spring.
AS the spring advanced, and the
roads got in better condition, block
ade runners become numerous, and
cotton buyers were also quite num-
erous in the city and its suburbs.
The poor citizens for many miles
around, would bring bale or two
of cotton, and exchange for salt,
sugar, coffee, dry goods and every
thing else they were allowed to buy,
and often for things they were not
allowed to buy.
Mrs. Kate Adkins, her father, and
mother who were old people, and a
few of the neighbors were sadly in
need of all these things and could
do nothing better than to try run
ming the blockade.
There was the risk of meeting cot
ton buyers, who said they had Or
ders from the government, to burn
all cotton on wagons going north.
These same persons had made one
successful trip, the preceding sum-
mer, and had brought out much
that was needed by their families
and their husbands, and brothers,
who were In the army. For in spite
of warnings and cautions by the
older and wiser heads, the yeung
women would risk bringing out cav
airy boots, hats, quinine and other
contraband articles.
These friends of Paul met with no
opposition, and within three days
were nearing the city. AT night
they camped near enough to have
only short drive next morning and
have most of the day to look about
them and purchase supplies.
They had no idea they were in
few miles of their little friend, for
they had had no opportunity of
hearing from him more than once,
and that by the merest chance and
they doubted the information being
reliable.
Early in the morning the campers
were on the move, and SO were a
part of a company, belonging to Col.
Stephens command, and Paul was
one of the members, and fortunately
for him Col. Stephens also, the SOL
diers were passing along on by
road, and the covered wagons were
coming slowly along the main road.
Something about the foremost team
attracted Paul's attention. He look
ed again as they got nearer and
knew they were isis Kates" horses
and the driver was her father.
"Ohi Colonel Stephens" he called
out, "yonder Is my mother, may I
go to her.
The look of entreaty was more
than the ColonelY could stand. He
gave his permission with sparkle
of sympathy in his eyes, but with
the order to report at sunset.
Paul hardly waited to hear the
order. "Thank youl Thank you'll"
he cried and in run his pony car
ried him to meet those who had
been kind and good to him, when
he needed kindness so much.
He was soon alongside of the
wagon, shaking hands, and asking
questions as fast as he could. He
patted the horses, and called them
"Dear old John and Jim," and ask
ed if they remembered Larry, who
had been a city horse for so long a
time. He was so happy he hardly
knew what he was saying, and tears
stood IN the eyes of mothers, and
sisters in those wagons, who thank
ed God in their hearts, if not in
words, that their young sons and
brothers were safe at home.
Paul was thoughtful enough to
explain to Mrs. A. that he had pass
ed himself as her son; and that her
relatives must be his, while in the
city, and they must not forget and
call him Paul; they were all duly
cautioned.
They were met by cotton buyers
before entering into the city, and
readily disposed of their cotton for
greenback. AS there were several