Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1904-07-07
THE SCOUTS RIDE.

Williams in The Rider and Driver. Wit
that elasticity of spirit so characteristic
of the veteran soldier, the Union troop
had already recovered from the effect
of that terrible battle at Fredericksburg
when the several corps were buffeted b,
Lees guns on St. Mary's Heights. Man.
a familiar face was missing from tn
ranks, but convalescents were rapid,
arriving from the hospital, and the arm,
was preparing for its approaching sprins
and summer campaign, which ended a
Gettysburg.
While his staff was exchanging
Christmas greetings soon after reveill'
General Hooker summoned to his pres
ence Jim White, one of the headquarter
scouts.
"White," said the general, 81 lear1
from Washington that it is believed
that the rebs contemplate movement
through the Loudon valley. You mus
go and ascertain if this is true
"All right, general, replied the scout
with brief salute as he turned to leav'
the tent
"What route will you takeY' asked
the general.
II shall go by the Warrenton roai
and leave our lines from the pickets OF
General Sykes regulars. From Warren
ton to Aldie gap is days ride, and ther
I will be in the valley"
Il hope to see you then in five days."
eff get back at all, sir, you will SEE
me on New Years eve. 1t can't be done
any quicker"
VERY well. Go and get your pass"
1t was great disappointment for jim
White, this being summoned for danger.
Gus duty on Christmas day, for he had
intended being one of the guests Of a
comrade who had received fat turkey
from home. But, putting aside ali
thought of the proposed festivity, Jim
got his pass for the picket line, and sad.
ding his horse rode away from head
quarters.
Reaching the little village of Aldo on
the afternoon Of the second day, Jim
rode through the gap as the setting sun
began to gid the mountain tops. Dressed
in faded butternut, the usual costume of
Virginia farmer, the scout had met
with no adventure. and he was looking
forward to y speedy termination to his
errand.
The horse Jim rode was a remarkable
animal. Possessing good blood and &C
ton, it nevertheless was rather uncouth
in appearance. It's coat was very rough,
and us the scout seldom used the curry
comb, the brute did not look like a fast
one. Jim, however, knew the good quail
ities of his beast, for they had often been
proved in critical moments. Always
adopting the character of a Virginia
farmer, Jim's shaggy horse aided in the
deception, and only those who knew his
zeal character would recognize famous
scout in the queer picture he made III the
saddle.
"Seems to me-" said the scout, solilo-
Quizing, "those people in Washington
are always finding mares nests. Here
an in the Loudon and not reb in
sight"
AS he uttered the words, Jim came to
another road which crossed the one he
had been following. In an instant he
discovered the approach Of Confederate
cavalry patrol. Accustomed to such
perils, Jim very coolly checked his steed
and waited for the little party.
"Whar yeou cum fromY demanded the
cavalry leader as he and his men rode up.
"Bin down in Aldie," drawled jim.
event to see how things looked down
thar"
B'long to the army
"Well, not exactly, though I've done
my share toward thinning out the
Yanks."
"Oh, then you are one of Mosby's
men:"
"Yaas."
"And whar are yeOu gOing"
Sup by the way Of Ashby gap, Prom
ised to be in Nartnsburg tomnrrer-"
great Mista LIZ Rape Seed.
Professor Craig relates how an exceed
n"ly annoying and costly mistake was
made by an English firm of seedsmen in
Cling orders from this country for seed
II fodder rape with the seed Of the COM
non bird rape. Professor Craig init
mates that most of the seed sent out to
.armers by seedsmen has been from this
Of bird rape seed, and it il
o be feared that nearly all who have
made a trial Of rape this year will have
heir trouble for nothing.
Professor Craig states the difference
between the two kinds of rape, which is
hat the bird seed plant blossoms while
he other does not the first year. Before
le left Madison (about the 25th inst.)
ONE of the rape ON the college farm had
evealed its character 10y its blossom
nd was prtmptly plowed under, and
his course Professor Craig recommends
With all fields of rape which are il
loom. The error is particularly exas-