The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1910-04-22


telling some exciting scene, Cage
took occasion to rise from his seat,
stretched forth his arms in way Of
illustration, when ''lo and behold"
the vest burst asunder and out rolled
the biscuits: Now there was aston
ishment, and Cage dumbfounded at
the peculiar phenomeon.
But we will leave Cage to explain
to Aunt Hubby and the rest how
"witches used to ride him in his
sleep,'' and the ''jack-o-lanterns lead
him at will" >..< 3:
He plodded along leisurely his lone
ly way homeward, meeting many ad-
ventures and amusing incidents. One
day as the sun was riding low in the
West, casting long shadows Of the
rider and horse in front, the leaves
Of the trees, now turning their
emerald green to golden yellow, Cage,
travelled stained, tired and worn;
came in sight Of the old homestead
As he unlatched the old barnyard
gate and rode in, he was filed with
many emotions.
He entered the house where his
young mistress and babe we're await
ing him, saluted her, placed the sword,
hat, watch and purse upon the table.
"Well, Miss ICalline, I is sorry for
you, God knows I is. It seem lack to
me, I'd drather be sleepin beside
Marse Jake on de mountain beyont de
Potomac, dan com home Ike dis
He could speak no more and as he
passed out he said in sobbing tones,
F'M&rse Jake shore died Like er
man, an I buried him wild desc
hands,
The young wife sat as one dazed.
The poignant grief had burned itself
out, by days of weeping, tears failing
to come to those beautiful, innoce1 t
"windows Of the soul.'' Taking up
the sword and hat tenderly noticing
where the bullet had pierced she gave
a wild shrek and fell into her chair,
moaning and sobbing, clasping her
child to her breast, cried out, "Oh,
my darling husband, all is lost, all is
lost. Ny child, what will become Of
you?"
Cage went back to his place on the
farm, was as kind and faithful to his
mistress as he had been to his young
master.
Years rolled by, big crops were
made, peace and plenty prevailed on
the Baldwin Quarter"
Young Mrs. Baldwin displayed
great energy and economy in the
management Of the farm. Knowing
even~she would only get a support
for herself and child, for by the
provisions Of old Maj. Baldwin 5 will,
they had been disinhsrited. She. could
expect little consideration or kind
ness from her sister-in-law, or from
her husband, she having married a
foppish young man from an adjoin-
ing county, whose father was said to
be vastly rich and who was even more
proud and high minded than his wife.
Accounts came daily Of the moving
of a mighty army through the South,
spreading destruction and devastation
with fire and sword. In the middle Of
February, 1865, this great troop Of
Goths and Vandals, led by the Attila
of the century, the ehieftain who
E'made war hell" neared the border
land of the Dutch Fork. Astounding
tales preceded of their ferocity and
preparations were made every where
to remove or hide valuaibles and pro-
visions from the enemy. Mrs. Bald
win did not know how or where to
conceal anything, so she trusted to the
Father, who watches over the wild
ows and fatherless. Great volumes
Of smoke from the burning buildings
to the south and~west told too plainly
the enemy was nearing their homes,
coming with the torch and fagot.
The day came when body Of
troops, followed by train Of wa
gons, rode into the yard. An officer
dismounted, came up to the young
widow, told her he would load has
wagons with provisions, that her
house would be searched for valuables
and such articles as the soldiers de-
sired, that she should deliver up the
keys. She gave them without falter-
ing. Then an inspiration came, she
remembered mystic sign her hus-
band had taught her, Of benevolent
fraternity to which he belonged. In
passing the keys she made, unobserv-
ed by all the rest, the mystic sign.
The officer was thunderstruck, and on