The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-08-24
CHAPTER III.

A CONFEDERATE HOUSEHOLD. "A LARK and Jakey trudged on. N They met no one on the way,
 but at one part of the road A A running through thick wood they saw light in the distance to the right in the thickest part. They halt ed for a moment and then advanced cautiously. Coming to a place where they could get view of what the light revealed. they saw several men in ''butternut,'' whose horses were picketed near by, lying around the em- bers of fire.
 "Guerrillas," quoth Mark.
 Not caring to disturb these villains, who had no more respect for Confed- crates than Unionists. they passed on stealthily.
 About midnight they came to rivu- let, and Mark concluded to bivouac there They turned in among the trees beside the road.
 "Jakey," said Mark, before we go step farther, or do anything, in fact, we must fix this money"
 He pulled his roll of bills from his pocket.
 'eTake of your boot" he said.
 Jakey pulled off his boot and handed 1t to his companion. Mark took a num- Der of bills, and ripping out the lining of the. boot put it back in its place with the bills under it. Smoothing it down, he handed the boot back to Jakey and told him to put it on again.
 They took bite of the snack Souri had prepared for them and drank from the rivulet. Then they laid down, rest ing their heads against the root of a tree. It was not long before Jakey was asleep, and Mark drew his head over toward himself and laid it against his own breast. Thus the two rested. Mark slept at intervals; Jakey with all the soundness of healthy, irresponsible boyhood.
 At the first sign of dawn Mark walked Jakey, and after they had both thrown the refreshing water of the rivulet over their heads they started in search of a house, at which they de- Slkucu tO HdppSA III dL DAO0hldSt time. Fortunately they soon found such a place. Turning into the gate at the first farmhouse, a farmers wife received them kindly and gave them what for that time and country was a palatable meal.
 walked on. Various people-country- men, negroes, Confederate soldiers and occasionally a squadron of cavalry passed them on the road, but they were not questioned or interfered with by any one.
 About sunset they reached large place set back off to the left of the road. The premises were more impos- ing than any they had yet passed, and they judged by it that they were in the environs of Chattanooga. The house was a large, square, old fash toned building, with a very high base ment. In the rear were the negro quarters and the barn.
 Mark determined to ask for food and shelter for the night here. Turning into the gate, he followed straight road leading for perhaps hundred yards the house. A young girl robed in nlite muslin dress of a very sim- rle pattern, and a pink sash, stood on the veranda watching them as they came on. When they reached the steps leading up to where she stood, Mark saw a pair of black eyes looking at him, which, conscious of the decep- ton he was about to practice, seemed to read him through and through. h. deed he was sufficiently confused to take of his hat to the girl with all the grace and manner of a polished gen. fleman.
 "1f you please. ma'am," he said, as- suming the dialect of a countryman, "me n my leetle brothers goen ter Chattenoogy. My brother, he's walked a right smart show for sech a younker. Could y give us some supper and a place ter sleep all night?'
 "You can come up here and sit down, and I'll sec"
 Mark.
 The travellers went up onto the ve- randa and sat on some wooden benches ranged along the rail.
 Have you come far| asked the girl, who regarded them with evident curiosity.
 EssG our leet.s farm: on the Sc quatchie'
 Your brother does look tired Are you hungry, little boyF>
 "Is it a-gitten dark?''
 "Why. yes.' she said, surprised. What has that to do with it?''
 I'm hungry jest as sartin," and Jakey's little eyes glistened at the thought of hot supper
 The young lady laughed and went into the house.
 Mamma, there's a young country