The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-08-23
Copyright. 1892, by American Press Association
TH ANNIVERSARY WAR STORY
BY F A NITCHEL.

unQer one rOOT. with a nOor between the two. The man led Mark into one of these parts or houses. The articles in 1t that struck the soldiers eye were a very high bedstead. heightened fur ther by feather bed; chest of drawers. and a clock on the mantle that ticked loud enough to be heard out in the barn. There were some pieces of rag carpet on the floor, two or three hard seated chairs and a rocker.
 What y got fur supper?" the old man asked as his wife entered.
 "I don't want any supper" said the soldier. '1 only ate an hour or two ago."
 The woman, who was bent down through some nervous disease. went to the chest of drawe took therefrom cob pipe and some tobacco and began to smoke.
 Much shaken among the sojers. stranger?" she asked. At the beginning of fight there's good deal" replied Mark. ''but after they're once in they get on without much trouble"
 Don't mean that kind of shaken ager."
 "oh. ague. No. don't think there's much ague."
 "Fever?"
 There's always more or less camp fever. It seems as if every man who campaigns in this country must have dose of typhoid to get acclimated."
 ''Thars a powerful lot O levers bout byar. Thar's the typhoid, the broken bone. the intermitten and the remit jack whenft comes up the Mississippi from Orleans"
 That's a good deal of fever" re- piled Mark; 'but, to come down to business, I want to say few words to you people. You're sure you're Union?"
 'Sarten," said the old man.
 ''Got 8 young un in Jim Browns company of east Tennesseeans." said the old woman. "I hearn tn all had the measles in tn spring. Henery he'd it."
 ''Yes, that regiment was nearly all down at one time. Now. I'm going on a very dangerous mission. May l rely on-who are you"
 A boy about thirteen years of age had come into the room. and squar1ng himself before Mark began to stare at him.
 "Jake." replied the intruder. "I have something of importance to say to your father and mother" Then to the parents. Wont you please send him out?''
 "Jest's y like. stranger" answered the father. ''but mebbe Jake thought show y the way or somep'n. He's purity peart."
 Jake's appearance did not bear wit ness to the encomium.
 'fWell. let him stay. I would like to rely on this house as a place of refuge in case l have to get back here rap- idly. I want you to take care of my horse, and if I never come you can keep her: If do come Pll pay you more liberally for horse fodder than you ever were paid before"
 "Y' talk purty rich fer a common sojer."
 Don't fear for that. I have money" and Mark showed a roll of bills that astonished his host.
 "Do you agreeT "Sarten. but the money don't make no differ. I'm a Union man to the backbone" "Have you any citizens clothesT '"Thar's Henery's store clothes ez he left when he went to jine tn army" "WiN they fit mef'
 Reckon so. ,Henry's bout your size"
 Slack took the soldier into the twin log cabin and there gave him suit of clothes which were intended for best wear. but they had evidently been so intended for years. with frequent de- viations from the intention. Mark took off his uniform. which. with his rife and pistol and other accouterments. he put under the bed. Then he drew off his boots (so loose that he could easily remove them without unbuckling his spurs) and put on a pair of shoes. A felt hat completed his attire.
 La sakesr' said Souri. raising her hands as she met him passing between the cabins. thus arrayed for secret service.
 As Mark entered the room where he had left Mrs. Slack and Jakey their eyes stood out wonderingly. Mir. Slack followed Mark into the room-
 -.Now how about the road?' asked Mark.
 "Whar?"
 @.To Chattanooga
 AsWaal. y thought go right up the road in front n the house fur bout a mile. Then y'I come ter a road leaden sort O southeast like. Elf y go down this ar road it'll take y ter tn Chat tanoogy pike. Jakey. you thought go along n show m tn way"
 Do you know the road your father speaks of. leading to the Chattanooga pike" asked Mark of the boy.
 Does I know. Souri?''
 None O them sideways taken. Jake Answer straight" said Mfr. Slack severely
 Reckon I does. I knows all tn roads bout hyar."
 Mark looked at the boy and thought few moments without speaking He