Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1909-07-02
Civil War Stories
A PIueky Girl.

A Plucky Girl.
Relate your experience as a prison
er, Colonel" said the wprthy's wife,
as he declared his Inability to furnish
story for that evening.
you have already heard that, which
Is no adventure Of mine, by the way,
or at least l played a very unim-
portant part"
It's so long since l heard 1t that
the circumstance has escaped my mem
cry" returned the lady.
The Colonel acquiesced and said:
1T is a pretty story enough; but
the heroine did not consider me in the
least, | can promise you. Did you
never think how seldom an adventure
crosses the path of married man?
They are either shot dead, and there
is nothing to tell, Or
Perhaps the actors keep the story
to themselves" l suggested, for fear
of more adventures at home"
We'll, l was party in the affair,
If not a principal, and the matter is
as follows:
There was young man, whom l
will call Frank Tooke, in my regiment
He was the nephew of farmer dwell
ing in Missouri near the place where
4 was located at that time.
Frank had entered the service
without his uncle's consent, and, In
deed against his inclination; for the
pld gentlemen had 1eanings' in the
contrary direction.
His distaste was not so strong,
however, but that he invited the
story teller to accompany Frank to
the farmhouse to tea.
Il refused twice or thrice; but as
the farmer continued his solicitations,
l at last appointed q day, and accom-
panied by Frank, rode over to the
farmers house.
I'VE were well received, and every
thing done to make the visit pleasant;
but as 1t contains nothing remarkable
shall pass it.
but one object of my observation
was the young woman who displayed
so much energy a few hours later.
"She was the daughter of neigh
Dor, and as l soon suspected from
several glances l witnessed between
Frank and herself, she had been in
vited by Mr.. Tooke's daughters to
meet their cousin.
She was a pretty girl, with dark
hair and eyes, bright and good-na-
tured. AS / sat alone with Frank for
a few minutes just before shutdown, he
told me all about her, and something
that seemed to interest him above the
rest she was his promised wife.
so far the visit was fair as could
be described; but misfortune was
gathering, and soon after night set
in 1t descended.
1T was a warm evening, and the
windows of the sitting room, opening
out upon a long yeranda, had been
raised to admit the air.
I'VE were seated quietly. listening. /
believe, to the mistress of Franks
affections while she played a rollick-
ing war tune upon the antiquated
organ, when / happened to turn to,
ward the windows, and saw sight
that brought me upon my feet imme-
diately.
"A large. bearded man stood upon
the veranda looking into the room.
He held long rife in his hands. and
as rose presented 1t at my head.
"'No resistance, he said harshly,
and stepping In through the window,
was followed by half dozen men.
"All was excitement and alarm. The
women screamed, and old Mr. Tooke
swore; but 1t was all of no use
II had been warned before coming
to the farm house that detachment
of Hildebrand's bushwhackers we're
lurking In the neighborhood, and | at
once concluded that had fallen into
their power.
"They had surrounded the house,
and escape was impossible. Frank and
myself were soon bound to our chairs
at the mercy of the rascals.
They did not attempt to plumber
the house. Perhaps they had some
respect for Mr. Tooke's principles. but
nothing he could say prevailed upon
the fellows to release their prisoners.
IT saw that after the first burst
of excitement was over Miss Brady,
Franks betrothed, seemed to become
strangely composed.
she whispered a few words in the
ear of Mr.. Tooke, and then left the
room.
1.-THE old man came up TO the leader
of the gang and invited him TO par.
take of cold collation. and some
liquor he had that day procured
This offer was accepted at once.
and tho outlaws were very merry for
half an hour-so long as the liquor
lasted but they were careful to have
a guard upon US, and no opportunity
presented itself for our escape.
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