Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1912-06-20

ed into a respectable gentleman, with a
scholarly. high-bred face and gentle man
ners. And he had such kind eyes that
Priscilla dreaded TO look into them-they
were so much like her father'sl
No letter had come from her mother
yet; she could only hope for the best |;
and between anxiety for her father and
anxiety for her prisoner, the girl grew so
pale and wan that Nanny Jane insisted
on dosing her with cherY-bark bitters
"to keep off de chills."
One day, when her prisoner had been
in the loom-hollSe for about week, she
said to him, "lf you were to-to-get
away, would you 60 back bone to your
family and not fight against us any morep"
He smiled. al am not going to get
away, my dear child, unless you turn me
out OF your own free will. am your
prisoner, you have trusted me, and Will
not betray that trust, even TO obtain my
freedom. And there is another precious
thing, called honor, Priscilla; an honor
able soldier is not free TO 90 backto home
and peace until his country no longer
needs him. So if | were free from pris-
on, should not be free from service. |
must keep on fighting, Priscilla, just as
long as am needed"
Priscilla, in the quiet OF her room, had
thought and thought; and when she said
her evening prayer, she had always
whispered at the end, "Dear Lord, please
tell what is best for me TO do about himl"
But now, in one single moment, every
thing seemed clear.
II was his duty TO fight-just as il was
her own fathers; he would never come
home TO rest in idleneSs while other brave
men were fighting for home and country.
1t was not her duty to throw suffering
fellow creature into prison-a prison al
ready running over with men whom the
country could notfeed. This man should
90 and join his army, il possible; she
would never take another girls father
from her. never, never
With happy sob OF relief, she grasp
ed her prisoners hands and whispered:
"Your feet are nearly well now. You
can walk, and you are going away to-
hight, when everybodY'S asleep. And
oh, / dm so sorry took you prisoner"
The "prisoner" smiled into the brim-
ming eyes that looked impIoringly into
his own. "My dear child, )" said he, "you
saved my life by doing so. Without
your aid, | could never have found
strength TO reach our lines. ! would
have been caught, and made real priS-
oner-which is dreadful thing TO be |"
"l'll let you out tonight" said Pris-
ella, her face beaming with the JOY Of
relief A transformed Priscilla il was
who came, soon after, into Nanny James
presence with song on her lips, as in
the happy old days.
That night, when, with the exception
of the faithful Candacy, the household
was asleep, Priscilla made preparations
for her prisoners journey. She knew
that he could not travel without money.
In those unsettled days every family had
its store OF gold hidden away for use in
cases of necessity. Priscilla had the
key to the tin box which held their treas
ure her mother had tied il around her
neck when she left for the front. Un-
locking this box, she took from il one OF
the little canvas bags, which she knew
contained one hundred dollars in gold.
This and package OF food was all that
the prisoner could carry.
Priscilla and Candacy accompanied him
down the avenue TO the road. He talk
ed very softly of his loved ones in the
North-how they would love and pray
for the brave Georgia girl who had given
the husband and father back TO his fam
lily. And some day, when there was
peace in the land once more, he would
bring them TO thank her in person.
AT the gate he kissed the tear-wet face
OF the girl in farewell; and pressing the
hand OF the sympathetic and weeping
Candacy, he thanked her for the help
she had given hermistress, by her silence
as well as by her aid.
SO Priscilla's prisoner went on his way,
and in time reached his far-away home.
Afterward all that he had promised came
true.
But that night wonderful thing hap
pened. Priscilla was awakened by
light in her face and tumult OF happy
voices in her ears; and when she open.
ed her eyes, she beheId at her bedside
her mother and her father!
Clasped to her fathers breast, she Sob
bed, 20 father, how long will they let
you stay with us 2"
81 shall never leave you again, daugh-
ter" he answered. 1.-The war is over"
-YOnfh's Companion.
On his recent trip to California Bert
Walker says the Pullman porter acted as
though he wanted something from the
passengers.
"What do you want 2" Bart asked
him.
"Oh, anything youse tito give, boss"
replied the porter.
"All right", said Bert. Boys, let's
give the porter three cheers" And they |
did.