Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1912-11-23

anything else he needed. He said therH
wis. He undoubtedly would be hang
ed. and he would like me to write let
ter TO his mother. saw this would
do more TO break me down than hun.
dred guns. and didn't wish to do It,.
but couldn't refuse him. and. getting
the materials. | sat down by his bed.
and he began 10 dictate. The very be-
ginning caused me TO waiver. Dearest
mother" spoken in tremulous voice.
was like sticking knife into my heart.
He went on to tell her that she must
not ericve for him: that he died for
his country and had he got through
without being captured would have
rendered II great service. was weak
enough 20 regret that | had been the
cause Of his capture. and when he
came to the last words. Your loving
son who IL about to die" burst into n
torrent OF tears and sprinklcd them on
the paper.
This ended the fight for me. My
rout was complete. was ready TO
turn traitor to my country by assisting
In the escape OF one OF her enemies
who might cause the defeat-indeed. the
slaughter-of her sons. among whom
were my own brothers. To get him out
Of the house during the day seemed
impossible. and by evening the mes
senger might return with soldiers tc
take him away. But | was now as
hot for the enemy as | had been
against him. | looked out of the win.
dow. There was the man on guard.
sitting on wood pile with shotgun
between his knees. A wheatfield ex.
tended from a few yards OF the house
10 wood an eighth Of a mile away.
In the interval there was not tree
or an obstruction OF any kind. The
wheat had been cut and was stacked
on the ground In sheaves Could any
thing be more hopeless for an escape!
But that power OF dupllcity, sym.
patty. unreasoning antagonism TO see
ing fellow creature-especially man
who has awakened the divine spark
OF iOve-suffer, had been aroused In
me. and was as ready to do and dare
In my field as man in his. must
act In broad day: dare not risk wait
ing for night. looked at the sheaves
and the guard below. and an idea-no.
two ideas--came TO me like the fash
of a gun. Scizing n part Of the bed
covering. began TO tear II into strips
Are you strong enough" ! asked
the invader. ito let yourself down from
the window by this7'
81 am strong enough. sweetheart"
he said. his countenance lighting with
hope and love. ito do anything you re.
quire"
Oh. that word sweetheart" 1t stung
me with ecstasy. When had made o
rope long enough TO reach nearly from
the window TO the ground went down
stairs and. taking an empty bucket
and giving II to Sam warder. the
guard. who "a crown for my treacheryl
had asked me to be his wife. asked
him 10 go 10 the spring across the
road In front OF the house and bring
me some water while guarded the
detestable Yankee" in his place. and
sealed the iniquity by giving him n
Judas kiss.
His absence gave me just time
enough 10 seize one Of the sheaves
and toss II up to the prisoner. whom
| called TO the window. He caught
II and took II In. Then returned 10
the room where he was and unbind-
ing the sheaf put II about him and
tied 1t up again. Then put one end
OF the rope OF bcdclothes into his
hands and tied the other end TO n
leg OF the bedstead. This all done. |
told the spy to watch by the window
and IL he saw me disappear. when he
heard me give u little shrek. TO make
the descent and take position in the
field as sheaf Of wheat
Going downstairs again began 20
talk TO Sam Warder about our affair.
putting up my lips near his TO tempt
him. He begged for a kiss. and after
teasing him awhile told him that II
he would come around the corner Of
the house where there were no win
dows would give him one. After
hesitating glance nj the prisoners
window he consented-"oniy for a
m!nutc" attempted to take the
kiss. gave little shrek. then al
lowed him 10 take me in his arms and
give me MS many kisses MS he liked.
When he started to 90 back 10 his
post looked at him reproachfully
and asked him II he was through so
soon This detained him for few
minutes longer. when. fearing that II ]
endeavored 10 keep him further he
might suspect my design. went back
with him 10 the rear OF the house.
There was the wheatticld. but | could
not detect the sheaf which contained
the man for whom had become a
double traitor. While my heart was
heating wildly I ran upstairs.
The room was empty.
danced for joy. There would be
no hanging ! had undone what had
done for my country and deserved To
be hanged instead Of the spy. But In
twinkling ! had been changed |
xra,,fH ,.n fhor c,fFar Ioath for th. nefS