Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-02-24
DAILY SHORT STORY
TAKE HIM AWAY"
IOriginal.1

Tennessee UnioniSt, was run out OF
the state at the instigation of his bitter
enemy, George Wilbur. The case was
especially aggravating since Harvey
had just been married. The bride re-
manned on their little faEpl. getting
ON as best she could, while her hus-
band Joined the Union army.
Then the Union army came down
and was scattered from the MiSSiS-
sippi to east Tennessee One day a.
Union general visited Mrs. Harvey's
house to ask her questions as to the
position of a Confederate force some
distance south. and she volunteered 10
go and find out what he wanted to-
know. She made the trip, brought the
information and was asked to name
her compensation. She asked for Il
horse, whereupOn the general told her
to select one from those ridden by his
staff. She chose IL handsome iron gray.
She was told that the horse was
vicious, but she fancied him and held
to her choice. He turned out to be an
unmanageable brute, especially as to
guidance. What way he wished to go
lie went, and his mistress soon discov-
could prevent him. She called him
Ajax.
Mrs. Harvey did u great deal of
scouting for the general after carrying
him information and always rode to
headquarters on Ajax. There he was
well fed and found old friends. On enc
occasion Mrs. Harvey tied a note about
his neck and told him to take it to the
general. He did as he was ordered. and
the general was so pleased with the
idea that he had a pocket made in the
saddle in which afterward his scout
sent her notes.
One day Mrs. Harvey wrote Il note,
giving important information. and put
it in the saddle pocket for Ajax to
carry to the general But. changing her
mind. she concluded to go herself with
it. On the way, coming to a crossing,
whom should she meet but George Viii
bur at the head of n band of guerrillas
of whom he was captain. These bands
We're usually Confederate Sympath-
zers. but they robbed and murdered on
either side. 1t was too late for Mrs.
Harvey tG turn and flee, so she drew
rein and waited. hoping that the men
That's fine critter yo uns is ridin',"
said the leader admiringly. "Whar did
yo' git him?"
Hes all the stock I've got. George
Wilbur, since you run my husband out
and took all we had
Ray Harvey's wife?'' asked the
guerrilla. looking at her carefully for
the first time.
Yes. and you're mean enough to rob
me now as you robbed us year ago"
''Whar yo' goin'?"
"She's goin' to the Yankee headquar-
ters," said one of the men. 1--WE saw
her goin' that away heaps o. times
Reckon she's one o Gineral BIS spies'
Mrs. Harvey was ordered to dis |
mount, and Wilbur took possession of |
Ajax. While examining the saddle the |
guerrilla stumbled on the pocket which |
was underneath the leather side and |
drew out the message that Mrs Har- |
yey had neglected to take out after de- |
Gliding to make the journey herself |
There was Il conference among the |
guerrillas, and their captain finally de- |
cided to leave them where they were. |
ride TO Fayetteville, where there was |
captured message. This meant that |
Mrs. Harvey would be treated as n |
spy. and the penalty for spying is |
death.
Mounting Ajax, Wilbur turned his
head southwark. Vixen spun on his |
four legs ninety degrees to the east
ward. Wilbur dug pair of spurs into
his TANKS.
Now, Ajax never liked spurs at any
time, and since he had come into Mrs
Harvey'S possession he had never felt |
their prick. He threw his fore part |
into the air and when he came down |
dashed like the wind for Shelbyville |
Wilbur's men laughed as he passed out |
of sight; but, not doubling that he |
would get control of the horse they |
bivouacked, cooked supper and, leaving |
two men awake to guard the prisoner
went to sleep.
While the guerrllas We're sleeping
Agnes Harvey heard the tread of q
troop of horses hoofs in the direction
of Shelbyville. Union or Confederate
soldiers were better than guerrilIas,
and, fearing her guards would take the
alarm, she set up succession of
shrieks. The band started up, demand
Ing the cause, but received only shrieks
for replies. Suddenly a detachment of
Union cavalry bore down on them, and
they were surrounded before they could
even mount.
Agnes Harvey had suspected that
Ajax would carry Wilbur into the I'm
ion lines, and he did. not stopping till
he drew up in front Of the generals
tent. Ajax, with man In butternut
On his back. told a story. The man
was questioned and searched and the
message found on him. In twinkling
an officer and a dozen men were off to
see If they could find Mrs. Harvey.
When they returned with her and the
band Wilbur was confronted by her in
he generals tent Il;