Evening journal., 1909-06-01
ARCHES DILEMMA
BY DONALD CHAMBERLAIN.

Van Valkenburgh, a descendant from
old Garret Van valkenburgh. who
owned a farm at the time Of the Rev
olution IN what is now the middle Of
New York city, left his millions and
in the ranks went down into Virginia
to help preserve the Union.
Arche's regiment one afternoon.
skirmishing through little aristocratic
Virginia town. encountered a brigade
of Confederates which gave them
fire that disabled most Of them. The
as their legs would carry them. Archie
among the runners. Mounting a pretty
white fence that inclosed flower
garden. he climbed into the branches
OF a cherry tree. The leaves as well
as the cherries we're thick. and he was
well hidden The Confederate com
mander. fearing an ambush. ordered a
halt. leaving his pickets within n few
hundred yards Of the fence Night
came on and left the soldier up the
tree.
Me -hes had been long and fighting
free Archie was tired. hungry,
sleepy I'd. In climbing the
tree a shatr sub had removed
what remained - Of his trou-
sers but he didn't .-.-o- - 10 long
as he was safe from capture. Finding
two parallel branches near together,
he stretched himself between them
and went to sleep.
In the morning the bright sun awnk-
ened him. and he found that all ap-
pearance OF war had vanished. Di-
rectly beneath him was a girl pluck
ing roses. Archie was not afraid OF
a girl; he had danced and firted with
too many OF them in New York. But
he remembered the missing seat Of his
trousers and kept quiet Unfortunate
ly the girl looked up aud saw him.
She was about 20 shrek when
Archie dropped directly before her
Dofing his hat and bowing very low
as was the custom with swells In those
days. he said:
Pardon me for coveting your cher
ries. ! was hungry"
Are you one of oursT was her first
question. His uniform was so dilapi-
dated that she couldn't tell whether it
was Confederate or Federal. Besides.
she was ratified.
81 am not one OF yours" be replied.
II wish | were"
what do you mean"
Il refer to the cherries and the
roses"
"Ohg
III ! were a cherry. you could eat
me; II rose. you could wear me in
your hair"
Her fright vanished. What a hand
some. ragged. dirty mani
"You are my prisoner" she said.
"Delighted to be made captive"
II mean 1t. A single word from me
would call a number Of people"
"Please don't speak It."
Il order you to turn and walk before
me to the house over there"
Archie remembered the missing seat
OF his trousers. He paled slightly.
would you mind my walking back
wardT' he asked humbly.
Backward
"Yes; you look awfully fierce. I'm
afraid you'll shoot me-"
The girl smiled. she held her arm
toward him. rose in the hand.
you see" he said. taking the rose,
"facing you can disarm you"
ITS all the weapon / have You
are In no danger. Now turn about and
move forward or I'll CALI.
crisis had come.
won't you please walk before meg
Certainly not. DO you suppose
wish to be murderedT
"And don't wish to be crucined."
II would advise you TO do as l say
Really You are very nice, ragged
dirty Yankee. ! like you. and II yol
will do as say before any one comes
I'll take you home and hide you"
Here we're two horns of a dilemma
on the one hand. avoidance of going 4
Libby prison; on the other. walking be
fore a pretty girl with an exposed
shirt tail. The blood OF generations o
swells revolted at such an ignominiou
situation.
"Neverr' he said at last
"You don't mean that you fear al
unarmed girl? How can you Yankee
expect 10 conquer our men II you ar
afraid OF our girls7"
III you were a man. you nigh
march me anywhere. I'm unarmed."
About face-marchr'
Il mutiny. Excuse me. must mu
tlnyw
"Oh, you do7 Well, II you conunu
to- There. your obstinacy has cos
you your liberty. That's my fathe
coming. He'll call out sufficient me
to arrest you. and they'll send you I
Richmond. can't protect you"
A gentleman came up and, seeing hi
daughter talking with a dlsreputabl
looking man. knitted his brows.
Father" said the girl, heres
Yankee. He hid in this tree when ou
boys drove his people Off yesterda
evening. ordered him TO march b'
fore me to the house. and he refuses
: Take him in charge"
D. "You march TO that house might
n quick" said the man. "or rlr'-
Il will II your daughter will so hrst
er "why soy asked the man, surprises
"Lookw
at He turne1 his back to the gentlemai
Carey" said the latter. ''go c
ahead"
The girl obeyed the order. When 81
! L. 4.