Evening journal., 1911-04-05

being taken south from Richmond IN a
box car, the object being to get them
away from Grants approaching army.
One Of the boys had stolen a case knife
and another had picked up part Of
rusty file. With the file they made
a saw of the knife and managed to cut
away enough OF the flooring OF the
car 10 let a man through. During the
night while the car was stationary
Tom Atherton and another prisoner
named Murdoch dropped through this
hole and attempted to escape. Muir
dock was shot, but Tom got away.
The next afternoon Tom was hiding
in wood near North Carolina plan
tatlon. II was a pine wood with an
underground Of evergreens. Tom. over
come with exhaustion, had gone to
sleep among the underground. He was
awakened by a shrek. Sitting up, he
saw standing before him girl who
had evidently been much frightened.
Under one arm she held a bundle OF
evergreens and in her right hand a
knife. Tom arose, hatless, almost
coatless and minus the seat and knees
OF his trousers. His toes protruded
from one shoe. while the other was
gone entirely.
81 surrender" he said, throwing up
his hands.
Goodness graciousr' was the girls
only response.
"what are you going TO do with mef'
asked Tom.
do with your"
Eyes. Being unarmed, I'm at your
mercy, you having that cold steel In
your hand"
"Who are your
"a Yank escaped from prison. I'm
! played out Nothing 20 eat for two
days, cold and not enough clothing to
keep nee warm. might as well sur
render to you as any one. What are
you doing out here with that knife
and those evergreensr
"Cutting evergreens for Christmas"
"Christmasr
"Yes. Don't you know that tomor-
row will be ChristmasT
II don't even know what month II
is."
isn't that awfulr'
"I wonder II mother and Mollie and
Sue are decorating at home" said
Tom musingly. II suppose you're q
rebel girl"
"Of course l am"
''Well, then. you might as we'll turI
me I'm at once. couldn't have gon'
through another night in this wood
I'd be starved by morning"
"All right. Come with me-"
The girl pointed the way and, faT
ing In behind Tom, marched him
her home. II was growing dark whe
\ they entered large plantation hous
and those within were Just lighting Il
lamps.
"Go in there" said the girl, openil
the door Of a room, "and stay the
till I turn you in."
Tom remained alone for awhi
when she came in again and sal
Come"
"Are you going to turn me inr' l
asked.
YES"
She led Tom upstairs and turne
him into a room IN the center OF who
was a tub Of water. On a chair wa
suit Of clothes. including a pair 0
shoes.
"You call this turning me inf" sal
Tom.
"Yes-for the present"
Tom bathed, put on the clothes
which fitted him tolerably. and wen
downstairs. The girl was waiting fo
him In the hall.
ge "Well," he said, I'm ready TO b
nu turned in now. shall give you III
20 credit for my capture"
n ''rhanlS you. Go In there"
,rs She pointed 10 an open door, an
ub Tom half expected to find some OF
as beyond II with a musket waiting Il
ed him. He was much pleased TO zee
gh table with eatables on H.
ne "Well, now," he said, smiling a
me- lss. over. this is being turned in in
ne way like"
he Unfortunately for Tom there wei
M few good things 20 eat in the south
so the time. but he got the best the
Ith was I'm the house The girl waited {
- him and when he had finished Il
meal said to him:
Tomorrow will be Christmas. r
ther is fighting your people at Peter
]" burg, mother is i'll, and I'm going