Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1903-10-29


ing in a fresh young voice.
Slow, slow, my ball | wind
Come, my true love, come and find,
To the ground my ball | cast;
Catch, my true love, hold it fast.
With the last words she tossed a
ball lightly into the dark mass OF
shadow When she would have drawn
it out again by the thread it did not
move. She pulled; it stayed fast. A
little frightened, but trembling it had
caught on a twig. She moved nearer
to disentangle the thread.
To her amazement she saw a
shadowy form, but she had self
possession enough not to cry out. 1t
was during the second year of the
civil war. She fancied it was a gray
uniform, and one or two young union
officers were watching her from the
veranda, with her Cousin Mabel.
A quick throb of pity,-if she were
not careful now this foolish boys
trick might cause his instant death .
She scarcely dared breathe her
entreaty,--
please let go! There are union sol.
diers in the porch"
She was not too soon, One of the
officers was on the steps. She even
saw the CLINT of his pistols in the
moonlight.
IN get your ball, Miss Rose he
, called. Wait minute"
ono mn che o,lioJ ln,1, ,,,,,
dare interfere you will break the
charm! No one in flesh and blood
shall touch my ball. Go back at once
please"
There was real entreaty in her
sweet tone and he uau turn back, ali
of them laughing at her earnestness.
Come in, Rose" called an older
voice. you will be wet with dew
Keep them busy talking-PIl go to
Nanny Sarah's cabin" This in
whisper, and Rose ran lightly across
the lawn, leaving the bah with the
stranger.
where's the ball?" asked Mabel
Il robbed mamma and it is her last.
You would not have Lindsay wear
parti-colored socks"
ITS all right" answered Rose
hoping the halffalsehood was forgiven
above. Surely the ball was all right
If it saved a life.
She had never tried so hard before
TO be charming and Mabel listened in
wonder, for Rose was usually shy and
silent with their guests.
All her cousin, Lindsay, a soldier IN
blue, came on the veranda, and spoke
in an undertone to the captain She
heard these words "Seen lurking
, about the lawn. Will search the
, cabins" and then both voices were
lowered.
She reclaimed in haste: Il forgot toI
carry Nanny Sarah her drops Dear
old nanny! | don't like to have her
poly Please EXCUSE me one minute
only one!" and before any one could
interfere she ran swiftly down the
steps and along the path to the cabins.
She was breathess when she softly
pushed mammy's door open There,
I as she had expected, was the soldier
in gray finishing his supper The light
wood knots burning on the hearth.
showed his face, a delightful face. full
of life, spirit, mischief and a fine
, resolutc chin with the laughing lips
She did not know that he saw her
quite as distinctly while she rapidly
warned him of peril.
But nanny was a strategist A
whisper to her boy, Jim, and he was
out Of the door; then she boldly threw
, IL Wlue open, pushed the broad hat
down with a quick movement over
| Mars Jacks" light hair and handed
I him big hamper
Yes, Mis- Rose, dat futed frock
Of yo's were ironed jes arter dinner.
/ aud dat triflin' Jim forgot to kear it
long to de house Yo' Jim, pick UP
dat basket dis minute and kear 1t
steady,like. behind Mis- Rose. She
gwine sho' yo' whar to set it."
They went out in the line of march
rs ordered and a minute later. WITH
crash through the bushes. figure
was seen speeding toward the woods
va wv llSit. ne OlllCtES GUS1Pu
from the house, pistol-shots were
heard, and Roses attendant, setlng
the basket on the back porch, stole
unnotced away toward the left.
Very soon the pursuing officers al
most fell over Jim lying fiat on the
ground. He told a plausible tale: he
had given chase TO dat ar man
skulkin' roun' de lawn, den when
hear pistol-talk, ies' drap down, and
say nothing tall | amt nebber tried
dem pistol-halls-not yit,"
Lindsay maryeled over Jim's readf,
ness in pursuit, but he was privileged
as "mammy's" son, so they locke
; about awhile, and went back
grumGling at the escape, but no;
blaming Jim.
Rose. meanwhile. marveled AT her
self She was loyal unionist, yet
she was aiding this young rebel rc
escape by all means in her power.
Next day nanny brought her the
ball. and little knot of the hue.gray
thread
StNIo,-t