The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1909-06-12

the mingled reports Of cannon contendcd arlerys
duel Ned arose listened, waited The Conederaes were
attacking the town.
Then there commoton below, slammng,
shooting quick spoken getting guard
under the sound of muskcs humping the ground
Ned knew that the men were ready and waiting.
From the street subdued sound like the rapid tick
ing of clock louder louder till
of troops passing the Jail at double quick.
10 the sothward We're sounds as Of stones falling on boards
voIeys Were they fired by infantry cavalry? Was the
attack in force demonstration? Ned could tell,
and yet his life probably depended on the answer
The Gin Of battle drew cracking of firearms.
louder sharper gathering intensity IKE coming social passing
between the jail and the forts gng d'rce evefy minute,
while the cannonadng from the croo
Then the artillery fire ceased the musbty ccasad-ere
luL
Then street below passing north.
wardnot the reeua- tread of troops column bats surying
crowd firing tho coming directly
neah confusion stray
horses hoofs the all 6qcEed the
thunder Of cannon; suddenly the word Aensp spoken In
quick, sharp officer guard below, folowedl
by order to fire and a voley The Jail attacked.
Neds anSety-agony than at time during
this terrible period of He hoped that thu guard sr
brief petense themselves lgnominy
Of giving up ingoouy would abandon their post But tbe
firing seemed ntemnabe Then cheer from the guard
Great heavens! Had the Confederacs beaten or?
Neds heart stood still during the u that followed For tho
first time opening the failed him,
hangman danged again his head Suddenly there
caer of horses hoof mingled with shouts and shots,
and he knew there was a charge.
sound that sent him rcelng around the room In crazy
delight the hammerng the musket butts against the jail
then Is 1t minute that eernity? They
must be getting heavier baterng ram Now comes sound
Of timber striking against the door below.
shouting
crash noise opening doors cheers footballs the
stairs, Il dooSnob. blow the butt of
carbne and the door flies There in the doorway backed
by dozen is the figure of Neds captain. In
wkng Ned and his huggng each other like bears,
while the cheer and their hats the time.
who's htre?' Ned quickly.
"The general with the whole command"
"Whcre the Napkees?'
The ordered take this JAIL
a of a doing It, Come, get o this"
Hurying rckety staircase the ground floor,
found Confederate soldiers and released prisoners mingled shak
cppng another the back the exprisoners
throwing their caps dancing, boh all grinnng
delight Ned rushed into the light drawing in the
gups Suddenly he heard voice.
go de Iawd Mars John"
stopped exclamation by throwing around
the speaker,
"sam you're my Niger minute. I'm going to buy
you"
MARS john fyr
"Ned Ned; never call by name again"
81 belongs to Missy Elsie but reckon mougbt to
you too Mars Ned"
Ned at that catching of riderless horse
the street with forward
caught him by the rein and
all mounted formed and dashed the street
possession OF the town The
general In the main Captain Clark riding
him, reported the capture OF Jail release Tbs
general catching sight of and grasped
his hand f
General, kept my promise"
"Yes; faced death; death In fghtwe can all do
that but the death of fclon yourself dshon
orably"
Ay duty Ned began but paused nceu.
tive that had buoye him IN the last hors captivity
You have done than your duy.s made thu
Rakf Qk R Soy az.