River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-09-26


light Dragon lieutenant. Uncertain
what best to do I stole toward the
door and gripped the knob. This was
the only known way out, for l dare
not venture to use the window which
was in plain view of those soldiers
resting on the lawn. Whether Peter
had retired or not, possessed no
means of knowing, yet I opened the
door silently bare inch to make sure.
At the same instant my ears caught
she lieutenant's dismissing order, even
as my eyes had glimpse of Swanson's
broad back blocking the open doorway
of room nearly opposite.
THAT will do, Peter, for the present.
Have the table prepared for three
guests at once"
He backed out, casting a quick
glance of caution in my direction, and
disappeared down the hall, rubbing his
bald head industriously. I opened the
door wider. wondering if I dare ven
ture upon slipping by unobserved
Then Grant spoke, his voice loud
enough to be easily heard:
y,
where else could we go? The damned
! rebels stripped us clean; we had to
have food. This was the nearest
place where we were certain of getting
any. OF course I didn't know our
foragers had left Elmhurst alone, and
that-for some cause which mystifies
Clinton-these Jersey outlaws have
been equally considerate. There was
plenty to be had here, and I meant to
have it in spite of the servants"
"You must have marched straight
past your own place." the boyish voice
interrupted.
well, what If we did? There was
nothing there, as you know The
house has been stripped to a mere
shell. Not niger left, nor a horse.
I'd like to know what influence keeps
this property untouched"
That's easily answered. You forget
we are a divided family, with fighting
, men on either side"
Little these outlaws care for that"
cat least they appear to, as we re-
main unmolested. There has not been
a raiding party halted here since the
war began"
We'll, if you hadn't been at home,
there would have been one along
now" burst forth Grant rather rough
ly. "Those fellows out there are des-
perate enough to sack the house if
that was their only method of getting
food And promised they should have
the chance"
"Oh, you did, indeed! That would
have proven a friendly act"
Necessity does not take much ac-
count of friendship. was responsible
for a hundred starving men. Under
such conditions force would be justi-
fed. doubt if could control the fell
lows now if provisions should be re-
fused"
There is no necessity for induIging
in threats, Captain Grant," said the
boys voice coldly. "Elmhurst has
never yet turned soldier away in
hunger. Peter will instruct what few
servants remain to attend to the i'm
mediate needs of your men. May 1 ask
how long you expect to remain?"
I thought Grant was walking nerv-
ously back and forth across the room.
How long? Until night, probably.
Then with bite in our haversacks
we'll take the road again. That is,
providing you condescend to act as
our host for SO long time. Odds life!
but this reception is not over warm to
my thinking"
"Elmhurst is not tavern, sir"
mo; but the home of loyalist-the
commander of half those men out yon-
der. However am not pleading for
them, but myself personally. What
welcome have 1 had? By all the gods.
was almost compelled to fight that
bald-headed old fool to even gain adj
mittance to the hall. Were those your
orders?"
"Assured1y not. But you must con-
slider circumstances, and forgive Peter
for being over Jealous in my service.
received you as soon as I knew who
you were"
yes" somewhat Modified, 81 pre-
sumo that is true, although you are
chilly enough, the Lord knows. But
what brings you here?"
THAT must remain my secret, Cap
tain Grant-for the present"
ooh, very well. / thought it might
have some connection with Eric's pres
ence in this neighborhood."
With Eric! What do you mean?
Have you seen him?"
"Ah! so I've got below the surface
at last! l thought might with that
thrust. Yes. / saw him last night.
didn't know what the devil the fellow
was up to, but thought I'd let him
play out his game. 1t was a right
nervy trick, so far as it went, but un-
fortunately the rebels came in before
1 discovered what it all led up to-"
you do not make it very clear to
me-"
81 told you it was not even clear to
myself. This is all 1 know. When |
joined Delavan last night just after
dark, he had young officer of Light
Dragons in charge Of his advance
guard. ! merely got a glimpse of the
fellow as we rode in, and he looked
so devilisaly like Eric that 1 asked
Delavan who the lad was. He said he
had joined at Mount Holly with three
men, was going through to Philadel-
phia with dispatches from New York.
and was only too glad of escort the
rest of the way. Being short of Off
GERS Delavan gave him charge of the
van."
ssI1;d he rocoouizo vnY, %,