The Washington times., 1911-05-31

lit out / fined the artillery, cause
l was plum tired of fightin. But II
the calvary. 1 done got this hind paw
busted at Chancellorsville" Che pointed
to his leg), "and arter l got out of
hospittle / come down this hyar way,
and and dog-gone II ! didn't bump plum
They are pursuing you? Why?"
They're sorter disgusted at my am
bidon to keep livin'."
The question Of his words and man.
| ner had the effect he sought Her
alarm at his abrupt entrance gradu-
ally subsiding, she scrutinized his face
/ self :,
His features Enthusiastically proclaim
ed MIN a mountaineer, and the relent-
less feuds of the ignorant mountaineers
| were an old tale. Straightway, as the
appalling sounds outside seemed to
corroborate his audacious account, her
quick, womanly sympathy began to
lean toward him.
On his part, the mans almost un-
| canny gift of perception had led him
to read her nature thoroughly. He saw
| that she was warm-blooded, generous,
OF unreasoning impulses, guileless with
! the wondrous innocence Of pure woman
| hood gently nurtured Knowing this,
he deliberately bent her high simplicity
| to his own deep and dark designs. For
herein lies the real balefulness OF war,
| that even truth and honor must be
| laid" uuon its sacrifcial altar.
Your private enemies have sur
prised you in this tavern?' she de-
manded in a low, horror-stricken voice:
Sounds that way, miss, don't 1t?
Hear 'em howl
While you are helpless-wounded in
our country's service?" -..
Sure pop," he smiled. 'tHyar's my
I hon able discharge" From his tattered
blouse he drew a soiled scrap of paper.
and held 1t out to her with an air of
pride II can't read miss. But been
told 1t says, James Potts, private in
Cartons Georgy Battery, Troop Artil-
lery. Disabled line of duty. foot crush
ed at Charlottesville while serving
his gum"
All her passionate heart famed up
as he slowly and haltingly recited the
words Of the discharge paper.
The wretches They disgrace the
uniform they wear! Is this the way to
treat our wounded heroes?s And you
crippled in defending us from the YAM
kee vandals! Oh, II / were only a
man! She clenched her little fists. Tears
Of rage and pity sprang to her eyes.
They had drawn closer together and
spoke in undertones In the hallway the
confused tumult. the heavy running
about, the loud oaths, Harris frantic
appeals for mercy-all suddenly ceased.
Colonel Bledsoe, having first secured
the Jew, had come upstairs and taken
charge; the search had become sys-
temaic. There was silence, followed
by a loud knocking on the bedroom
door.
Binah, whom all her mistress shak-
ings had failed to arouse, started up
from slumber and. as her eyes opened
on the ragged soldier. gave sur
What dat?'' she exclaimed. staring.
'Fo' Gawd's sake! who dat?'' !
Like a bronze statue Potts stood
propped on his crutch in TIP middle Of
the room, his eyes fixed on the girl,
who motioned wildly TO the negress to
Again the knocking sounded.
Who's there?" cried out the girl
in clear. high tones that quivered
slightly.
Your pardon, miss" changed Bled-
soes voice, so unexpectedly deep and
stern that she shuddered. There's a
Yankee spy concealed somewhere up
here"
"A spy" she fsItered. Her dubious
gaze wavered over the fugitive.
You seen my discharge. miss. "
whispered Potts, leaning earnestly to-
ward her, his manner candid and COM
something like. that. SOS to make out
a reason for KILN me. Do look like
a Yankee?"
He was so plainly a Southerner, with
all the characteristics Of the ignorant
mountain class, that she was momen-
tarily satisfied.
There's no Yankee spy concealed
in my room. sir" she called out.
Allow me to examine"
Never! Never"
"G'way wild yo!" Indignantly roared
the old colored woman. ''Yo'-all gwtne
git in trouble eff yo' come in yaw! All
bust yo' oveh de haid'"
There were suppressed chuckles
Sir the girl cried again. Il am
Della Coombs, the daughter of Gen.
Tyler Coombs, who fell at Manassas.
Do you suspect me of harboring a
Yankee? No! That is only pretextn
II am we'll aware who you are:
miss But 1t is my duty to suspect
every one. am about to search your
room. Prepare"
to such an indignity!-to break into her
bedroom at dead Of night with a band
of rufians? Oh. my family is not so
powerless that you shall not be pun
ished for this
mo indignity is intended. madam.
I am affording you time to attire your
self" And from the cold determine
ton of Colonel Bledsoe's tones 1T was
evident he meant to come in.
Il do not know you! You may be
robbers-or worser
IF you foolishly persist, madam,
shall be compelled to break down the
door. 1 am on government service.
What assurance have 1 Of that?'
she cried. How am to know that 1t
isn't Just a preteXt?
"On my honor, madam. I am execut-
ing the orders of President Davis. l
am Elijah Bledsoe, chief of the Secret
service, in pursuit of two Yankee spies
who conspired together tonight in this
house. We have captured one; the
other Is hiding somewhere up here.
Listen to Burnet and be convinced;
Thereupon. after some words outside
the door in an undertone, the land
lords reluctant voice was lifted up.