The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1909-07-08
Civil War Stories
4 PIucky Girl.

as he declared his inability to furnish
a 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
ITS so long since / heard it that
the circumstance has escaped my mem
DRY" returned the lady.
The Colonel acquiesced and said:
at is a pretty story enough; but
The heroine did not consider me in the
least, l can promise you Did you
never think how seldom an adventure
crosses the path of a 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, / was a party in the affair,
If not a principal, and the matter is
as follows:
There was young man, WI I'm |
will call Frank Tooke, in my reg. nent.
He was the nephew of farmer dwell
ing in Missouri near the place where
I was located at that time.
Frank had entered the service
without his uncle's consent, ard, in
deed. against his inclination; for the
old gentlemen had leanings' 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,
/ at last appointed 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 it contains nothing remarkable
/ shall pass it.
But one object of my observation
was the young woman who displayed
so much energy few hours later.
She was the daughter of a neigh
Dor. and as | soon suspected from
several glances | witnessed between
Frank and herself. she had been in
yited 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
few minutes just before shutdown. he
told me all about her, and somet hing
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 il descended.
1T was warm evening, and the
windows of the sitting room, opening
out upon long veranda, 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 Anticipated
organ. when / happened to turn to-
ward the windows. and saw a sight
that brought me upon my feet imme-
aiately
"A large, bearded man stood upon
he veranda looking into the room.
He held long rife in his hands. and
rs rose presented 1t at my head.
No resistance he said. harshly,
md stepping in through the window.
was followed by half a dozen men.
"All was excitement and alarm The
women screamed. and old Mr.. Tooke
swore; but it was all of no use.
II had been warned before coming
to the farm house that a detachment
Of Hildebrands bushwhackers were
lurking in the neighborhood. and ! at
Dnce 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
lhe fellows to release their prisoners
st saw that after the first burst
Of excitement was over Miss Brady.
Franks betrothed. seemed to become
strangely composed.
"She whispered few words in the
ear of Mr. Tooke. and then left the
room.
"The old man came up to the leader
Of the gang and invited him to par
take of a cold collation. and some
liquor he had that day procured
This offer was accepted at once.
and the outlaws were very merry for
half an hour-so long as the liquor
iasted-but they were careful to have
a guard upon us, and no opportunity
presented itself for our escape
"At last they prepared to leave the
house, and we were led into the yard
and mounted upon a pair of poor
horses behind two powerful rufrans.
THE band rode off at a good pace,
which was kept up until we arrived
at a thick wood upon the bank of a
river, five miles from Mr.. Tookes
residence.
This seemed to be the rendezvous
of the gang for fires were smoldering
and a few camp utensils were scat
tered about upon the ground.
'Dismounting. the horses were pick
eted. and the marauders prepared to
turn in for the night.
Blankets were furnished us, but we
we're not in condition to court sleep
with any success.
Mercy was an article to be expect
ed from the gang only so long as II
suited their inclinations; they were
liable to drag us to execution at the
least alarm.
Guards were set around tie camp
and soon all was quiet.
"An hour or more dragged away
You may imagine how pleasant l felt
with the prospect of meeting mis-
cradle death in the morning.