The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1912-02-20

WrlUng-table Uttered with papers oc-
cupying prominent position against
the farther wall A swivel chair
stood beside IL, and across its back
hung what appeared to be a suit of
clothing. ! saw no other signs OF hui
man occupancy.
Convinced that the apartment was
deserted, and discovering no different
means OF egress. crossed the room on
tptoe. and peered cautiously out into
the hall. 1t was net a pleasing pros
pect to one In my predicament- The
lower portion, judging from the In
eessant bum OF voices, was filled with
! people. who were either unable to
find place within the crowded ball
room, or else preferred greater retire
ment for conversation. Even the wide
stairway had been partially pre-
empted, young lieutenant, as I
judged from his shoulder-straps, sit
ting just beneath the landing. whis-
: pered eagerly into the attentive ear
OF pronounced blonde who shared
the broad carpeted step with him.
l drew back noiselessly, to figure
out the situation and determine what
was best for me to attempt 1t would
be sheer madness to venture upon a
passage 10 the front door, clad as I
was In travel-worn gray uniform; to
rush through that jam was impossible.
IL l were to wait until the dance was
concluded the later hours of the night
might indeed yield me somewhat
clearer passage, yet 1t was hardly
probable that the house, used as
knew 1t TO be for a military prison,
would De left unguarded. Besides.
such delay must absolutely prevent
my getting beyond the Federal picket
lines before daybreak, and would
hence render valueless the news I
sought to bear to Lee
l moved to the only window and
glanced out; it opened upon the back
of the house and presented a sheer
drop TO the ground. At the slight
noise of the moving sash a sentry
standing at the corner glanced up
suspiciously. Evidently each side Of
the great building was abundantly pro-
tected by patrols.
Something had to be attempted. and
at once. The room / was in bore un-
| questionable evidence OF recent occu-
pancy, and at any moment might be
re-entered. My searching eyes fell
upon the articles of clothing carelessly
folded over the chair-back. / picked
up the garments one by one and took
them out; they composed the new uni
| form of a colonel Of artillery, and
we're respondent with bright red fac
ings and profusion of gold braid.
With all my soul loathed the thought
OF disguise, and especially the hated
uniform OF the enemy. 1t was re-
pugnant to every instin- t of my being,
and would certainly mean added
degradation and danger in the event
of capture.
Yet / saw no other way. Sheridan,
Brennan. Cation. the three who would
certainly recognize me on sight, l was
assured were absent, although they
might return at any moment The
greater reason for haste, the less ex-
cuse for delay. But If l should chance
TO run foul of the rightful owner OF
the garments amid that crush below
and he should recognize them, what
then? l stood close beside the writ
ing-table as 1 revolved these consid-
erations rapidly in mind, and my eye
CHANGED TO fall upon an open paper
1t was an official order, bearing date
q. p m. that same day, command.
Ing Colonel Culbertson to move his
battery at once down the Kendallville
pike. and report to Brigadier-General
Knowls for assignment to his brigade
Evidently the new dress uniform had
been carefully brushed and laid out
to be worn Mt the ball that evening;
the sudden receipt of this order had
caused the owner to depart hastily IN
his service dress, vigorously express
ing his feelings, no doubt, while his
servant. now enjoying liberty below
stairs, had neglected to pack up his
masters things.
This knowledge was the straw
which decided me; ! would chance It.
Hastily / drew on the rich blue and
red over my old gray, adding the dress
sword ! had discovered In a closet
and then, wondering curiously what
sort of figure l might cut In all these
fine habiliments, sought a glance al
myself within a mirror hanging upon
the bedroom wall. Faith! but 1t was
Coos mercy that didl
Such a face as grlnned at me from
tLat glass, peering over the high-cut
decorated collar, would surely have
created genuine sensation in those
rooms below. Serious as my situation
was, / laughed at the thought of II
until tears ran down my cheeks, leav
Ing white streaks the full length oil
them; for no chimney-sweep I'm the
full tide OF his glorious career was
ever worse sooted and begrimed
thought OF the elegantly dressed
lieutenant and the blonde young lady
upon the stairs-surely they would
have supposed the very devil himself
was coming down.
It took me nearly a quarter OF an
hour to get myself tolerably clean
and ] could not have done that had
! not used some grease that was upor
the stand. At the end. however.
stepped back from the glass confident
that with good luck 7 should run the
gantlet safely
Just as ] prepared 20 step forth q
new thought occurred TO me-wbo wa,
II II questioned, as was highly prob
able, how could account for my pres
enoe? Who should 7 pretend to be'