The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1904-11-05
PRISONER
TO A GIRL

General Grant, and on this particular
day l had approached what l thought
was an abandoned farmhouse that l
might get drink of water from the
well. The front door stood partly
open, and that was one of my reasons
for believing the place was deserted.
AS | reached the door looked in and
saw furniture and at once realized that
some one must be living there. l was
hesitating what to do when the door
of an inner room opened and girl
about twelve years old stood before
me. She was poorly clad, and hands
and face We're not overclean, but her
eyes shone with intelligence, and her
expression was pleasing.
what do you want" she asked aft
er we had surveyed each other for a
minute.
'Something to eat, and I will pay
you for it, replied. "If you will give
Inc the gourd will get drink Of wa
ter"
But father is away, and l am all
alone and YOU are Yankee"
We'll. what of that? l shant hurt
you"
She looked me over from head to
foot and no doubt wondered how | got
there and what my errand was. lean
ed against the door and smiled at her,
but the pleasant look left her face, and
she frightened her lips Is If she had
come to some decided conclusion about
something. | thought she was going
to turn me away, but after awhile she
slowly said:
You will find a gourd at the well,
and | will yet YOU something to eat"
l went out and satisfied my thirst
and then rc-cntcred the house and sat
down at the rude table in the kitchen
whereon the meal was served. She
brought me some milk and some corn
bread and cold meat.
l tried my best as | ate to engage her
in conversation. but she either an
swercd in mGnosyllables or not at all.
She knew all about the war, young as
she was. and, being southern born, 1t
was not to be expected that she would
give me very cordial welcome. l
and when | found that she was sullen
and uncommunicative l ceased to an
noy her with questions. When my cup
was empty she took it down cellar to
refill it. | heard her moving about
down there and heard her ascend the
stairs and, though she did not immedi-
ately reappear, did not raise my eyes.
min Inf hn
and my eyes lifted fast enough. She
was standing in the door between the
kitchen and the front room, and she
had a shotgun leveled at my breast
from distance of only ten feet
yankee, you are my prisoner"
what do you mean? | asked as l
rested an elbow on the table and stared
at her in surprise.
Just what l said, sir. You are my
prisoner, and If you don't do just as l
say | will shoot you. Stand up"'
Don't be foolish. child" l said as
1 stood up and smiled at her. THAT
gun isn't loaded, and even if it was you
would not dare to fire 1t off Put it
away and hand me the milk. l am GO
ing to give you the silver half dollar
when | am through eating"
1.-THE gun Is loaded. and I'll shootw
she exclaimed. though her voice be-
trayed that she was somewhat fright
ened. 'Do as I tell you or l will fire.
60 into the pantry"
My revolver was in Its holster un-
der my coat, and l knew that the girl
would fire If l made a move to get 1t.
1t was absurd to let child like her
make me prisoner, and yet / was
forced to realize that she was as danger
GUS as n man-perhaps more so. The
| result was that l backed up to the
open door Of the pantry, and as she ad-
vanced upon me l stepped into the lit
tie room, and she closed the door
and fastened it with a button.
My idea was to escape by the Win
dow before she could get out and
around the house, but I found the
| opening Il small one and barred from
| the outside. could not have escaped
| that way had been alone in the house
Drawing my revolver, l fired through
| the door and made threats, but the
girls voice was firm and determined as
| she answered Eo:
"If you fire again will shoot through
| the door, and there is big load of
| buckshot in the gun"
I coaNcd and attempted to bride, but
| she refused to hold any conversation
with me. | hoped that she would leave
| the house to get help in which case Il
couple of kicks would have sent the
old door flying, but she sat down in the
| kitchen to act as guard until some ne
| should come along.
1t was almost noon before any one
arrived, and then it was a squad of
| Confederate cavalry beating up the
country in search of Federal scouts
and spies. They were passing the
house when the girl called them in,
and as the sergeant opened my prison
| door and commanded me to step forth
| seven or eight others had their car
| bines leveled at me. They joked and
guyed me not a little and had much to
| say in praise of the girl.
l was taken to Lees headquarters to
be questioned and later on was sent to
| Richmond, whore | was confined in
| ihbr priS,n