The National tribune., 1904-06-09
THE BUMMER'S BABY.
A Romance Of True Love From q Strange
Beginning.

Atlanta smoking on the hills until Joe
Johnston stacked arms and the war
ended.
His was brigade detail of 80 men,
the hardest, brayest volunteers of the
command. They had passed through
Georgia and South Carolina well up into
the Tar Hill State. Some of the original
detail had been killed, some disabled,
few just ''winked out" but other volun-
teerS had kept the number good.
1t was a most uncomfortable night; the
rain had came down in torrents all the af-
ternoOn. We were out on the tianks, miles
away from the army all day, in pine
country that grew only nubbins of corn.
1t is said that crows flying over that dis
trict carried a days rations of meat with
them. The people told of a better
country beyond. but the animals we rode
were exhausted. and could scarcely move
that led through the forest. We were lost
in the night-cared not for points of COM
pass. only that the trail might lead 70
shelter for man and beast.
Like star from heaven a glimmer of
light led us into an open country, where
the road followed between fences to
village of cabins. stables. corn-crbs and
great mansiOn-hOuse, from which the
light came through an uncurtained Win
dow. AL others of the houses were de-
serted: the same story-"Gone to jine'
Sherman'S army.
with plenty of feed, the men in the
cabins building fires in the great CHM
neys, cooking coffee and drying their cloth
ing. The men fixed for the night. the Cap
tain called at the mansiOn-hOuSe to pay
his respects, hoping he might receive an
invitation to a bite to eat and a hot drink.
In reply to his knock at the door came
faint ''Come in" He passed through the
hallway into the parlor. where the fire
was burning on the open hearth and the
only occupant woman, who reclined upon
lounge and whose face looked ghOst-like
in the faint shadows of the room. 1t
looked like a city home: paintings on the
walls. hooks on the table. carpets on the
floor. chairs with velvet cOverings-so diff
ferent from what he had met in the past
few months that he hesitated. lest his
muddy boots might cause ruin. Then
doffing his water-soaked hat. he said: "By
your permission, madam. l will build up
the fire: | am wet to the skin and chilled
to the bone"
The fire burned brightly. lighting up the
room. He lighted the candles that were
on the mantel. At last the lady said: 81
see you are not one of our soldiers. 1t is
as | feared, you area Federal-one of
Sherman's men,.
81 am. madam; an officer commanding
the men you must have heard outside and
whom / have quartered in the deserted
cabins; but l will not intr,lde. if you are
alone. Where are your people?"
MY husband is in Lees army, dead. l
fear. for l have not heard Rom him in
many weeks: the servants and field hands
are all gone: they have taken what they
could carry on their backs and gone away
to Sherman's army. like a lot Of crazy
children. None of them have taken food;
simply backloads of bedding. I am alone:
deserted in my time of need: but / have
seen your face. and read in it that you
will help me. The nearest woman is two
4l,ap.
she would come if she knew my needs.
The house Is straight up the road through
the forest. then across the river by the
shallow ford"
The Captain again donned the wet coat
and hat. Hurrying ont to the cabins.
about the fires. he told them the whole
situation. Half a dozen of them started
for the stables at once. saddling the Cap
tain's and Lieut.. Bob Wilson's horses
The Lieutenant was bound to go along. A
sidesadGle was found and placed upon
third horse During this time the Cap
tain found Lew Hotchkiss, a man who
had experience-three babies Of his own
in Michigan--and took him to the house.
The rain drops were knocking at the
windows to come in. the winds were sigh
ing through the trees. sorrowing for the
poor blacks who had left good shelters
and were now miles away, homeless wan
derers in the woods, learning what war
was like.
Lew knew just what to do. and set
about it, while the Captain and Bob with
the led horse went away in the blackness
of the night. nsing whip and spur. along
through the woods where only the keen
eyes Of the horses saved them from a COLI
sion with the trees. down the hill and into
the river at the ford with water girth-
deep. and then amidst a pack of bowling
dogs that came from all sides Of house
outlined in the gloom. Dismounting at
the gate they wrenched pickets from the
fence to defend themselves. One big fel-
low got Bob by the leg. which by constant
training and scant rations was no bet
ter than soup bone, but it was the best
he had and he wanted to save it. so his
Colts revolver came into play. Between
dogs and men the house was aroused !:
lights glimmered through the windows,
and woman's head appeared at the door.
The Captain told his errand. but she was
suspicious; she heard that Sherman's
army was in the State somewhere. and
this was Yankee trick TO carry of the
woman and children. which was an easy
thing to do. as all the men were in the
and found group Of crying children hud-
died together in a corner by the fireplace
After threats and pleadings the woman
dressed herself for the journey; the Cap
tain putting his rubber poncho over her
head and shoulders. helped her into the
All women In the South at that time
were used to the saddle-it was the COM
mon mode Of travel. Had this one not
have been an expert she conld not have
survived this wild ride. With the Cap
tain holding the lead line and Lieut. Bob
In the rear welding a fence picket, they
went aplashing through the mud into sink
holes that tried the bones OF both riders
and horses. Lew had good fires burning
and coffee steaming hot when they came
In. The guards put the horses in the
stables. and soon the two officers were
soundly sleeping on the kitchen floor in
front OF the great mantle Of native pine
The polished crane Of brass upon which
the teakeftle was singing a merry song was
but trifle in the homelike picture.
Next morning the sun came out of the
clouds. the winds were shaking the rain
drops from the trees, and the birds were
singing. Outside at the cabins the for
ayers were gathering in a load OF pro-
visions for the days return to the march
Ing column. 20 miles away 70 the east.
The Captain and Lieutenant were broil-
Ing chicken over the Goals. when the
women came ont to join them in a break
fast-a cup Of real coffee, the first she
had tasted since the war began She was
all smiles and when her eyes rastad on