The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-09-03

You will find gourd at the well,
and L will get you something to eat"
1 went out and satisfied my thirst,
and then re-entered the house and sat
down at the rude table in the kitchen
wherein the meal was served. She
brought me milk and some corn bread
and cold meat.
1 tried my best as I ate to engage
her in conversation, but she either an
swered in monosyllables 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 a very cordial welcome. L
could and did make allowance for this,
and when 1 found that she was sullen
and uncommunicative l ceased to annoy
her with questions. When my cup was
empty she took it down cellar to refill
it. I heard her moving about down
there and heard her ascend the stairs,
and though she did not Immediately re-
appear 1 did not raise my eyes
a minute later, however, she spoke,
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 a distance of only ten feet.
yankee, you are my prisoner" she
quietly said.
What do you mean ?" 1 asked, as
1 rested an elbow on the table and
started at her in surprise.
Just what 1 said, sir You are my
prisoner and if you don't do just as
1 say 1 will shoot you. Stand up!'
Don't be foolish, child L said. as
I stood up and smiled at her. THAT
gun isn't loaded and even if it was
you would not dare to fire it Off Put
it away and hand me the milk l am
going to give you this silver half dol
lar when 1 am through eating.
1.-The gun is loaded and I'll shoot"
she exclaimed, though her voice be-
trayed that she was somewhat fright
ened. do as 1 tell you or will fire.
Go into the pantry"
Ny revolver was in its holster un-
der my coat, and I knew that the girl
would fire if 1 made a move to get it,
1t was absurd to let a child like her
make me prisoner, and yet L was
forced to realize that she was as dan
gerouS as a man-perhaps more so.
The result was that L backed up to
the open door of the pantry, and as
she advanced upon me stepped into
the little room and she closed the door
and fastened it with a button.
My idea was to escape by the win
around the house, but 1 found the
opening a small one and barred from
the outside. I could not have escaped
that way had 1 been alone in the
through the door and made threats,
but the girls voice was firm and de-
termined as she answered me:
eff you fire again l will shoot
load of buckshot in the gun"
I coaxed and attempted to bride,
but she refused to hold any converse
ton with me. 1 hoped that she would
leave the house to get help, in when
case a couple of kicks would have
sent the old door flying, but she sat
down in the kitchen to act as guard
until some one should come along.
It was almost noon before any one ar
rived and then it was a squad of confed-
crate cavalry beating up the country IN
search of federal scouts and spies: They
were passing the house when the slrI
called them in, and the sergeant open
ed nv prison door and commanded me to
step forth seven or eight others had their
saw in praise of the girl, and 1 passed a
bad quarter of hour before they were
As for the girl she seemed to take it
all as a matter of course, and mad little
more to say to the soldiers than she had
had to me, though one of them knew and
gave her news of her father
was later taken to Lees headquarters
to be questioned, and later on was sent to
Richmond, where President DAVIS dlo me
the honor to confine me in dark cen
of the city prison for two weeks, and
plenty of threats were INDUCED in as to
however and having been taken in my
uniform and without the enemy's lines
After fortnight I was transferred to
Libby prison and later on sent off to
Andersonville with a batcn. an 6.1 II was ras
covered my liberty.
Long after the war revisited the farm
tured 1 found only an old man about,
and of him I dueried:
Ibid you live here during the WARP"
II shorely did, sah!"
Had you a daughter!
ago. but has been dead for six months.
She was a good girl, Nancy was RIgh5
yere in this house; when she was 6aIy az
spy in Grants whole army.'-(Copyrlght,