The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1908-07-16


walls and ceiling showed no signs of
an opening, save the customary hole
| leading to the loft. With a quiet move
ment, one of the men lifted chair
beneath this and mounted upon 1t,
only to dismount, convinced, by the
network of spiders webs, that the
board covering had not been lifted
for months.
Better look II there rs an entrance
to 1t from the outside" suggested one,
and the soldier softly dptoed out and
around the house, but came back,
shaking his head.
Apparently satisfied, they turned
and filed out, and Granny slept on. AS
they came down the path, the girl
clumsily advanced to meet them and
conducted them along the path to the
lef'," to a spring that trckled out of
the mountain side end formed a pool
in a natural basin that had fashioned
itself among the rocks, half hidden
by the grass. STOPPING at one side
she CROPPED about bit in the shallow
jug, securely fastened to the handle
of which was gourd dipper. Placing
the jug on the grass she united the
dipper. rendered 1t to the nearest man
and said: Hep yerself"
After each had held communion
with the dipper couple of times she
said to one Of them: "Jes' hold the
gourd while l pour out some fer that
ar critter what's holdin them
bosses. Wouldn't do to slight EN-,
cause Dad says sliehtin' amt hosper-
| tally, and | knows as how Dad would
| do it eff he wuz here"
She filled the gourd to the brim,
then shuilled back to the gap in the
road.
"Hyer," was all she said as she pre-
scented the drink, "hyer's some of
Dads hospertality."
The soldiers, trooping along behind
her, snickered at her crude
| manner, and the courteous bow
| with which the gourd was received
made her shy, and she fell to her way
| VI SHlhoillhS lHS IilAlt i'dpS WIN
her foot, and watching the soft clay
| as it oozed up between her stubby
toes. The empty dipper thrust into
| her hands made no impression on her
| so intent did she seem in her pleasing
| occupation, but loud "Goodby
brought her to recognition that they
| were going.
| "Good-by," she called; az you-alls
should meet Dad er Dan, tell 'em me
and Granny's SO and so, and tell Dad
| 'stended Their hospertality."
| She stood gazing after them. and
something drifted back to her like a
wonder If Dad wouldA't be riled when
he heard she had 'stended the hosper.
| tally to a lot Of bluecoats.
For a long time she gazed down the
died away. Then she fastened to the
house, and with glad Dan, they
gone" broke into low, gurgline
laugh.
Talk about your bake ovens!'
came from the four-poster, and Gran
ny piled out of that bed in a hurry.
But what a grandmother! Six feet
in her stockings! And when the wool
len night-cap was snatched Off, 1t re
vealed three days growth of beard
Next off came the nightgown, anc
its wearer put 1t to an unwonted ust
In hopping away the perspiratior
from his neck and arms.
From drawer in the cupboard the
girl produced a mans coat, hat anC
shoes, and with Hurry, Dam
passed them to him.
There, bless you, GIRL" He was al
ready at the door
You say they went up the Clayton
road? That's good, just as We planned
Now, I'll cut through by the mill. meet
Granny with the horse, and tomorrow
morning will see me safe back to the
lines. It's early yet, and If | hurry
Granny will be able to get back to you
before dark"
She followed him down to the gar
in the road, and, as his form disap
peared through the bushes opposite
took her former seat on the ledge OF
| the rock. Every now and then heI
eyes swept the road in the direction
whence the soldiers had vanished. Still
she sat on, and when the last streak
Of sunlight had disappeared and the
| shadows deepened 50 that vision could
no longer penetrate the distance, she
strained her ears to catch the slight
| est sound.
Finally, amid the bird calls, the
soughing OF the wind, and other IA
miliar sounds OF nature, she detected
the snap of twigs like some one com
ing through the grass.
Presently the bushes again parted
at the spot where the man had dis
appeared a few hours before, and she
sprang forward to meet a tired little
old woman who emerged therefrom.
We'll, he's off," was her first greet
ing, and You're sure they didn't come
back this way?" added the grand
| mother.
Positive" answered the girl, land
ef them Yankees never see rebel TIL
they ketch Dan. they'll never see
one"
Doubts About Il.
4. l.. 4