Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-09-23
DAILY SHORT STORY
NEAT JOB OF SECRET SERVICE
IOriginal.l


One morning in Virginia, when Nc
Clellan was threatening Richmond and
Ii was daily expected that he would
march victorious ARMY into the city,
young countryman driving d COW got
mixed with the Union pickets. He said
that he didn't know that the army was
SO near and asked permission to take
his cow to his home some distance
back of the Union front. He was
taken to the general comni.inding that
portion of the army. where he made
his entry and gave his name as John
Harding. Being questioned as to the
dispositions of the enemy among
whom he had been he proved so stupid
orders that he be permitted to drive
his COW home.
Six hours after he had departed Il
Jew was found on the extreme right of
the Union line selling the solt:iers
pinchbeck jewelry and tin watches, re-
lieving them of their Greenbacks for
the worthless articles. The orders We're
to arrest such traders and the Jew
was taken To the headquarters of the
general commanding the wing. where
he gave his name as Benjamin Moses.
He was conducted TO the rear and in
formed that if he came back he would
be sent through the lines to. the enemy.
A day or two later the commander
Of the Union left received all order to
look out for Il spy who had turned up
under the names John Harding, Ben
jamin Moses, and lastly Gustave La
violette. citizen of France travelling
in America and seeking a pass to go
through the lines ON his way to visit
relatives I'm Louisiana. His applica-
ton had been held for information
concerning him and he had disap-
peared. After the receipt of the order
the man had been chased to a clump
of houses near where. a day or two
later. was fought the battle of Seven
Pines. A guard surrounded the ham
let, the frightened people budding In
the road that passed between the
houses. The officer charged with the
arrest, not knowing the man he want
ed, asked for him under his various
aliases. IL he was there no one would
betray him.
The officer was puzzled to know what
orders. While he was waiting he kept
the men Of the hamlet In the road but
permitted the women to go and come
AZ they chose. One man entered the
place. apparently not knowing what
was transpiring. He was a mere boy
and not suspected, but the officer put
him with the other men. After wait
ing more than an hour an order came
which the officer proceeded to obey.
He compelled the men to stand as
near together as possible and drew his
soldiers up In a firing line. Then he
told them that IL they would not give
up the spy he would shoot them all
down together. OF course this was a
bluff. but IL drew forth a response.
The youngster who had entered the
place passionately begged that his
comrades be spared, avowing himself
to be the spy.
The youngster was taken to the head
quarters Of the division in whose lines
he was captured.
80 you're the person who has been
as Jew. Frenchman and
other individuals, gathering informa-
tionT"
Yes, general"
You're old enough to know that the
punishment for spying IL death, aren't
your
Yes, general
well. I wish you hadn't been caught
In my lines. It's no fun for me to
hang a boy like you"
To this the youngster made no reply,
and the general ordered that he be
taken away and kept under guard till
rallied for. Then the general reported
the capture to his superior and awaited
An order came to try
he spy by drumhead court martial and |
execute him, i