The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1903-11-04

enabled him to see me somewhat bet
ter, and he stood looking at me with
out uttering word for long time;
indeed, so long | took it for bad
omen and thought of running away.
Look here, little fellow, that's a
vond,.ful story you tell. Now, come;
if you want anything, tell me the truth
and will help you. You could not
swim that bay. could not DO it, nor
could you, child. Now, come, tell
the truth.
Before Cod, I've told you nothing
but the truth. If it is wonderful and
hard to believe, that makes the feat
the greater and appeals to your urban
ity the more. swan that bay, won
dcrful as you think it,
well, little fellow, you deserve pity
and hcl p and this alone concerns me.
| could no more refuse you food and
help than could refuse my own child,
poor little fellow.
My case was won and the trclncn-
dous strain was relieved, and once
more felt happy.
Now, my little man, will so and
bring you something to eat first That
man $ voice you hear there is one Of
the Fifth Delaware Regiment that
guard the prisoners at the fort. Now,
if he comes down here while you are
eating and asks any questions, you d
better have better story to tell him
than you We told to me-.
With this the tall figure disappear
ed, going in the direction Of the house.
He soon returned with large dish
loaded with bread, cold meats aud
other food that were now strength to
me.
| sat on the ground and was fecdin 6
like famished beast when to my hor-
ror the soldier, in full Yankee uni
form, appeared before me in the very
midst Of my delight. One swing of
the pendulum brought hope-thc next
despair.
| seized as much as both hands
would hold of the food that remained
and lost no time in leaving.
| neglected to say that my tall ben
cfactor had told me if anything occur
ed to scare me away that l was to pre-
tend to 60 off and 60 around to the
barn, stay there all night, and that he
would find me there tomorrow and
help me. [ had only proceeded few
steps when to my great delight I sud
denly rah upon McCathron, who had
been waiting to sec what turn my ven
ture would take.
very freely gave him the food
and told him everything that had hap
pened.
We must be very cautious said
he. The barn would be nice trap
to catch us in and we'll not 60 in it,
but will get up in this tree, so we can
be concealed, and where we could see
if any Yankee soldiers arrived on the
scene, and have view of the barn
l believed implicitly in the sinceri-
ty of my benefactor, but McC cCathron 8
suggestion was on the line Of caution
and was adopted.
The night seemed q century long,
but it had an end in due time, and to
our infinite delight we saw the tall
form come out of the house with a
dish in his hand and go towards the
barn.
We lost no time in going there.
A troubled look came over the be-
nevolent face when he saw two instead
Of one man. 1 explained all, yet |
saw change in him and it distressed
me.
We ate the food and he then came
to clothing That was problem. He
brought cast.away coat and trousers
and hat OF his own. The barn was
suddenly turned into the widest and
most boisterous laughter. My bene-
factor fell down on tho hay and rolled
over and yelled, and McCathron had
large streams running down both
cheeks.
What it was about dawned upon me
very gradually. It was my appearance
in the immense suit I had put on. Il
would have comfortably environed four
boys of my size and that hat was an
old beaver, as we in the South call
them. I stood and looked first at our
benefactor, who was wild with mirth,
and then at McCathron in amaze
msnt. When T foupd ont the ioka T