The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-12-27

They gave :; rousfng round of cheers that brought Captain Warner rushing back into the room.
 Come, come, gentlemen! Remem- ber where you are. This ain't Wash ington. What are you feeling so or nery about?"
 Fiend," explained Cox.
 And, besides, cap,' interposed Hart ''ain't this Thanksgiving eve? How about them pumpkin pies we ordered and paid for in good United States money?"
 'Thats a fact" answered the com missary. Well, the cook tackled lem, according to directions. They ought to be pretty nigh done by this time. Queer grub, that.'
 At this juncture the door opened and immediately a joyous commotion en- sued.
 "Pie, pie! Oh, pumpkin pie! Atten- ton, all! Salute the pastry! Let the noble pumpkin approach it's doom with military honors.''
 The prisoners drew up in line oppo- site Captain Warner, while in march ed a dignifed old negress with a red bandanna turban on her head, bearing aloft in both hands a platter contain ing an enormous pie. This she solemn ly deposited on the table, then turned and made her exit in silence, saluted profoundly by the company.
 Chaplain Hart will ask a blessing will you join us, Captain Warner?'
 ''No, thank you,'' replied the commits sary, making his exit 'The atmos- phere's getting too Yankeefed to suit me, and I'll beg to be excused
 Knife in hand, Hart stood in an at titude of devotion at the head of the table.
 +'Au I can say is, Lord bless this 'ere pie''-then, as an expression of horror and disgust overspread his homely face-"and the Lord help us after we've eaten it! Why, durn my skin, if they ain't gone and put an upper crust on a pumpkin pie! And the pumpkin cut into hunks as big as you1 fist, without no milk nor sugar, and not half baked, neither.''
 '"The devfll Those Virginia darkies are good cooks, but they don't know what pumpkin pie is-
 Deacon Hart carved the pie and dis tributed slabs all around, remarking 'philoSophica1ly: .-.-,
 'NThe blacks must be freed and edu- cated. Think of a whole race in such benighted ignorance as this"
 The attack had scarcely begun when Captain Warner once more appeared at the door, making a sign which all the imprisoned officers instantly under stood.
 Stir up the animals, boysY' whisper ed Hart. ''Visitors coming"
 'tPetticoats, too," added Cox, look ing out.
 A pretty, vivacious young woman, es- corted by a sinister looking Confeder- ate officer, who singled out Lieutenant Bedloe with a malicious sheer and re ceived a flashing look of silent scorn and defiance in return, were shown in by the commissary.
 '"This is the Potomac room, Miss Ma son. Gentlemen, a southern lady pays you the honor of a visit.''
 Captain Cox bowed courteously, while all his comrades stood in the background.
 Madam, be assured of our grateful appreciation. It is long time since we have seen a woman's face. We are not exactly fixed up for company, but At this point he looked into her shining eyes and in sudden overwhelm- ing recognition exclaimed: Great heavens, Marie-Miss Mason am not mistaken?'
 "No, Tom" she answered sweetly, "you are not mistaken Oh, what 8 horrid placer
 ''Yes, you find us at a disadvantage. I say 'us, for, as you see, Ralph is here too''
 ''Oh, dear; how terriblei You poor. foolish boys! And how is it with you, Ralph?"
 '@Thank you-not much worse than when I parted from you at Lexing- ton.''
 ''What a pair of rash, headstrong boysI Why did you desert the south p
 'SWasn't it the south that did the de serting? Oh, but don't let us talk poli- ties"
 "It just breaks my heart to see you here, both of you-yes. all of you." said the young woman, looking around sym pathetically. Then she took from un- der her cloak a cigar box and a couple of bottles wrapped in a newspaper and set them on the table beside the sorry looking wreck of the pumpkin pie. ''Ive brought you a few cigars and things to cheer you up. Wasn't thoughtful?"
 Bless your pretty face and gentle heart, miss," Deacon Hart said fer ventIy. "What pity you're seceshv'
 ''Well, she seems to lean toward the Union side anyway" whispered Colo nel Coggswell, as Captain Cox and the fair visitor conversed in low. earnest tones, with their heads very close to- gether.