Oxford Democrat., 1910-07-12

desire to make It appear to me that
the army was stronger than II really
VAST was a citizen with no military
knowledge whatever and was content
that these fiery soldiers should slaugh
ter one another ad lib. provided could
make fortune.
The general called Major Campbell
to him and said something In an un-
dertone. Then the major dropped
back beside me. AS he left the gen.
eral the latter said loud enough to be
heard:
THAT plan would never do In the
world. He who has eyes to see can
see for himself. I'll issue the order as
soon as get back to headquarters"
had no idea what this meant. nor
did I take any interest In 1t. was
getting disgusted at being kept Idle
all this while by these autocratic mill
tary men. wanted to get ut the
quurtermaster. since the general took
no interest In my business AFFAIRS. ana
secure transportation for the last LOT
Of cotton had bought
But terrible surprise was In store
for me. We had no sooner got back
to camp than was placed under ar
| rest. with two soldiers standing over
me, ready TO shoot Inc at the slightest
provocation. ] was not only ihdig
nant-l was frightened. No officer
came near me. SO that | was unable
to ask any one what 1t all meant. ex-
cept my guards. who told me that all
they knew about 1t was that they had
orders to shoot ME II ! made the
slightest move to escape.
The first information as to my real
position | received was when an ntii
Ger approached me and began to read
from paper he held in his hanGs
was too agitatpd at first to listen to
or understand 1t. but presently gath
cred from It that | was charged with
being spy and was to be tried for
that offense by drunhead court mar
tial that very evening.
Everything now gradually became
plain to me. On the supposltion that
III had come into their lines for the
purpose of gaining information the
provost marshal had reported the fact
to the general. leaving word that
should not be permitted to go away
The matter of my Identity being sup
posititious. | was not to know that
was suspected until they were sure or
their case. This accounted for the III
tercst | had excited and for my tent
mate watching me while | took OF my
clothes. He wished to know 1t was
armed. Then while on the tour OF in
spection they had thought of permit
ting me to go back to where came
from to report greater force than
they mustered. But the general had
luuashed this plan. saying. He who
has eyes to see can see for himself
1.-The order he said he would issue was
lfor my trial. which also meant eXecu-
tion.
In the evening Was taken into a
large tent where number Of officers
sat around IL pine table lighted with
lcandles One Of them stated that l
Ihad been lurking about their camps
land had been arrested. But before be-
ling placed in proper confinement had
taken to my heels. tearing up IL paper
las | ran. | had escaped. but the bits
of paper collected had contained draw
Iings OF their position and memoranda
lpf the number OF their troops.
An officer acted as my counsel. but
lps he knew no more about me than the
llthers his defense was worthless. Un-
fortunately had recently sent LOT
pf business papers north that would
have proved my identity. AS II was
III was mistaken for some one they had
their grip ON before and who they sup
posed was still plying his vocation as
SPY under the guise Of Il cotton buyer.
was condemned to be shot In an
hour. Ten minutes before the time
appointed for my execution an officer
.ode up and called out:
We've retaken that fellow who got
laway last week. Hes been concealed
oy a southerner."
The moment he looked at me he
rarted back In establishment.
I'D have sworn" he said. that
eft you only few minutes ago. You
must be his twin brother"
was not Ibis twin brother" but
when | saw him the next morning just
before he was shot saw that his re-
semblance to me was remarkable.
| had had enough of cotton buying
III concluded to 20 north and recover
from the shock | had received.