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

know, chile, when 'tother side gwine
turn and be on top; 20 jes' fold dat
little string away, and lock it up
keerful-dats mammy's word"
Rose took it with a thoughtful face
You are a wise old woman, nanny,
but | trust | shall never need it."
"Yo' don't know, honey" A little
later nanny showed Mabel, no one
else being present, ar exact imitation
of the knot in Irvine.
What dey call dat knot, Mis-
Mabel?"
why, it's a true-love knot II
makes a nice embroidery pattern,
too"
Nanny said nothing, but when she
was in the cabin alone she laughed
heartily.
"Yo is right clever, Mars Jack, sure
to do yo' courtin' wild dat leetle bit
of gray string! Yo gwine git her,
too-ef yo' has half chance, honey
Two more years had passed and
Jack and Rose had never heard of
each other in the interval. But one Of
mammy's predictions had been full.
filled. After time of peace, when no
troops had been in the neighborhood,
, two or three union regiments had been
sent there again. Keen blows had
! been struck by the confederates, and
in spite of sharp reprisals made, the
! men in gray were temporarily on top,
and alas! poor Lindsay had been
1 captured in civilian Dress one OF
those cases where success brings rich
reward and failure a shameful death.
He was to die at 10 o'clock next
morning, and no one was allowed to
see him today
Rose was with his mother and
sister. Although not related by blood
they were her nearest friends. When
Ger. Walker had taken mis- old place
(the family having taken refuge with
in the confederate lines), as his head
quarters, his wife and daughter had
joined him here, and his young soldier
boy was often with them. In those
happy old days Rose Coleman, an
orphan, and with but slender support
had been warmly welcomed by her
young school friend, Mabel and made
one of the family from the first by all
After Gen Walkers death the others
remained because Lindsay could
sometimes be with them. The SER
wants of the refugee" household had
never gone away. Nanny Sarah"
had nursed very tenderly a little
daughter of Mrs. Walkers, who hao
died here, and with the exception of
Mars Jack" Bellamy, also nursing
of hers in years gone by she seemed
TO have transferred her affection to
the Walkers, and ruled over them,
greatly to their own advantage.
She entered noiselessly and
beckoned Rose aside. Cit yo' wraps
ready, honey, an de knot of gray
string, De heritage is at de do now.
Then she turned to the others, the
tears running down her black cheeks. |
Il gwine take Miss Rose wild me
little while,-an' eff de Lord bless us, |
We'll bring yo' son home. But pray
wild all yo' heart, and hope for de
blessing!"
She pressed Mabel's cold hand be.
tween two rough ones, and hurried
away 1t seemed like dream to Rose.
as Jim drove along rapidly, and Nam
my said now and then a few words.
Dis here Gen. Bellamy- It's my
Mars Jack, sure. Miss Rose, you IS
go to show dat little knot-he give his
word on it-and ask for Mars
Lindesays life. You saved his Miss
Rose, 20 mus trus' de Lord yo' jes
got ter save dis life, honey"
In her heart she believed no one,
could deny that sweet, sorrowful
! face.
! Once or twice they came upon the
guards, and would have been sent
back, but Mammy's imperious state
ments that they had secret informa-
ton for the general carried them
I through Roses beauty was not with
out effect, either, with soldiers said to
be the most chivalrous in the world.
Arrived at camp, they were carried
to the generals headquarters. He was
debating dispatches, but as soon as
the envelope with the tiny lovers knot
was brought to him, he dismissed all
who were in the room. He was kind
in his greetings, but he was changed.
This was no impulsiye, miscellaneous
boy; it was man hardened by stern
experience, with the dignity and re-
serve of power. He gave a keen,
searching glance at Roses face as
4 soon as the veil was thrown aside but
} even Nanny could not decipher its
meaning.
Roses heart sank as he went
straight to the point at issue.
Il see,' he said, looking at the knot
you have a request to urge. It is
Capt. walkers lie, of course
! Rose uttered a faltering Yes. ."
I You gave me your word,-when you
were in peril. she could not go on.
Jim HAD done far more than she. her
claim looked trivial, absurd.
He answered with formal kindness.
i have not forgotten your generosity.
}, for heard afterward you were on the