The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-04-10

| it now without sense of horror.
 | The negro guards had been with us nine days, and their duties would end on the morrow. They had kept off three bands of stragglers, but now there was no passing of troops, and even If they could have remained longer we should not have needed them. Besides it would be a great relief to be rid of them, espe- cially would we be happy to see the in tensely black one leave. He had become impudent in speech and manner.
 The morning of the tenth day of their detail had come, and they were to depart at sunset During the morning they were sitting in the sun to keep warm, occupy ing bench on the side of the office They seemed not to notice that a window of Colonel Drumgoold's room was open a few inches for ventilation, or If they knew it, they did not care if they were overheard by him, as he was federal soldier, like themselves.
 By sunset they had made their arrange ments to move from Eastwood. From the front gallery I watched them until they reached the road. They then turned to the east, following the course of the fed erals that had passed, and very soon pine woods shut them out of view. During the afternoon thick clouds had gathered and when the sun set there was no twi- light night seemed to fall immediately and by supper time dense darkness en- shrouded Eastwood. Old Nanny was en- gagged with the sitting room fire, and Ellen Lambert was getting supper ready Ellen started to go to the kitchen in the rear yard, to bring in the bread and po- tato-coffee. I offered to go, but she did not hear me. She had been gone only about minute when we heard a wild cry of alarm, followed by the sharp crack of a pistol or rifle We all rushed to the door and to the piazza. Sarah had thrown open the Kitchen door, and standing in the dim light of the kitchen lamp screamed, 70, Gawd. Mistess, what's dat?" Grandmother called, Who's there? Is anyone hurt?" But there was no an swer. The silence of death brooded over the darkness Then Aunt Mary excited ly asked, Sarah, is Ellen there ?'' NO marm, she ain't been in de kitchen"
 By this time Uncle Henry and Joe ap- peared Grandmother dispatched Joe to the office to ask Colonel Drumgoold if he had fired a pistol. Tom returned say ing, ''He aint dar, Mistiss.' Not in the office? He must be; he cannot even stand, and could not have gone from his room She then sent Joe for lanterns and turning to me, said, "Go up stairs and tell Ellen to come down; you are mistaken about her going to the kitchen" " I ran from room to room calling Ellen, but she was not in the house.
 When lanterns were brought the ser wants made a horrible discovery. They found Ellen's body under an old beech tree, about 10 feet from the path leading from the house to the kitchen, and by her side was the repulsive body of the brut- ish negro guard His eyes were glazed and his teeth were flercely grinning in desth. Ellen was carried into the house. and in few minutes it was found that she still lived; indeed, there were no signs of a wound upon her. except that at the throat, which was swollen there were bruises and finger prints blue at first, but gradually becoming black.
 The servants were then sent to the of- flee with their lanterns, for grandmother insisted that Colonel Drumgoold must be there. They were gone only a few min utes when Joe returned, breathlessly ex- claiming, i've done foun him in de yard stone dade.'' Lead me to him." commanded grandmother. She knet at his side and felt his pulse; as she did so he gasped and opened his eyes. He was taken to the office at once and pr. Ander son sent for.
 It was near midnight when our family physician came, and to him Colonel Drumgoold told his exciting story. He had heard the negroes talking outside his office in the morning One of them was trying to d!ssuade the other from a diabolical purpose, but without avail fin- ally saying, T won't be in 1t; I'm going on to the army The other said he was