The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-12-07
A E5adeah Ammiveusar,,
@y RANDALL PARRISH
War Story


:, to be heard. and as evidence of good faith l win deposit my weapons on the | table"
 None among them uttered word. although the judge was sputtering as If endeavoring to gain control of his language.
 "No. gentlemen" I said, "T have come to you voluntarily to make a 1 statement. In one sense l am your prisoner. yet. had chosen to do so. l could have been well out of your hands by now. l am a Federal officer. de- tailed upon the staff of General Rose crans and temporarily in command of | scouts. Put short time ago I was ordered to take two men and examine this neighborhood for the purpose of discovering, if possible. the rendezvous of a guerrilla leader known to us as Big Jem Donald" gazed directly into the eyes of the giant, who was now leaning back in his chair. Are you the man?"
 "You may assume so for sake of ar gument. Go on."
 Understanding that Judge Dunn had some connection with this band | of raiders, l left my men asleep this morning and ventured here alone, hop ing to discover opportunity for investi-, gation. In the shadow of the grape trellis I unexpectedly encountered 1 young lady. who offered to permit my searching the house. While prescott | ing that search was suddenly locked into a storeroom and made prisoner"
 The deep voice of Donald interrupt ed with question.
 "Who were the men with you?''
 'Two scodts, Daniels and O'Brien."
 'That is why we have doubted your purpose" he explained shortly. "Well. before you go on I will tell you some thing about Bill Daniels" the voice I low. quiet, convincing. something that possibly may justify our action toward you, if we are guilty of any mistake. Daniels was born into a feud that has cursed this mountain region for many years. My father was involved in 1t, and 1t cost him his life. When grew up to manhood made every effort in my power to reach just settlement of the difficulty. l refused to go armed; I refused to retaliate for injuries done my property. appealed to the courts instead of fighting # out with the rife. But those fellows couldn't understand that sort of thing; they held me a coward and started in to drive me out of the country. This Daniels was the leader. and he had with him a lot of | v~at2 2vns< rS4v T the uselessness of courts ny house was burned, my crops destroyed, and my wife, weakened by the exposure, died. was twice shot from ambush, and three men allied with my interests had treacherously been done to death. 1t was then I became a fighting man. It took three years to rid those hills of | their vermin; 1t cost blood and money, but when we were done those moun- tain roads wonder were safe to travel over. This man Daniels was con- demned for murder, with Judge Dunn here on the bench. The atrocity of his crimes was almost beyond belief, and he was sentenced to death. In some way he escaped from prison and dis appeared. The war broke out; but, knowing him to be alive. knowing the threats he had made and that the peo- pie here required my protection. know ing there still remained in the region those who would, through ties of blood, harbor him if he returned and even assist in his vengeance. I durst not volunteer into the Confederate service. Influence gained me an independent command in this section. thus ena abling me to serve both country and friends at the same time. I am Jem Donald, but I am not guerrilla; I am com- missioned officer under the Confederate government"
 I bowed silently, impressed by the mans earnestness. He had not hn- ished.
 Not until yesterday did know Dan- iels had actually returned. His pres ence would not be so serious, but my command is just now badly scattered. and he comes backed by a force Of Federals.''
 eff I had my way" broke in the of ficer on the sofa. ''I'd hang this whole scouting party and have done with it.
 l turned and looked at him, instant l 1y recognizing the voice. He was Cal | vert Dunn.
 "A kindly thought" returned cold 1 1y, "and one worthy of soldier. Miss Denslow, l do not really mean / question what has been said. b should feel better satisfied to he; your corroboration. Is this story trueT
 ''It is perfectly true" she said sim- ply, "only Colonel Donald has told but