Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-08-30

almost stopped beating. To attract their
attention to myself 1 stopped i'm the
middle Of the road and began TO scream
violently and point down side road
which | knew made a detour into the
woods and led-nowhere. There. and
l pointed and acted as hysterical as my
calm temperament would permit. n
man-bleeding and wounded, poor
thing-there, that way. Quick"
There was confusion, of course, and
every man looked hard at me. For
once l was glad / happened to have on
that rutfied pink calico-they all say il
is so becoming.)
1.-The captain and two others dis
mounted. What did he have on? What
uniform? they asked hastily. and 1
tried to look innocent.
He had on neither coat nor hat. so l
couldn't tell. but he was running like
mad. and there was blood on his face.
and-oh, go quick and help him.
HE made a gallant offer Of aid to me.
saying some of his sweet nothings. but
after all he seemed as anxious to be of
as was to have him go and they clat-
tered down the road
"Time-that was all needed. And
l fairly flew back to the scarecrow. I
paused near without looking up. Keep
up your courage till dark; I'm going
home now, but I'll come back
Il was dying to run, but managed 20
go leisurely home. The folks were at
supper and / quietly stole upstairs.
suit and a hat and wrapped them up
and slipped down the back stairs, where
1 rummaged for some eatables, ana
without seeing a soul but the cook
sneaked out the back way and down
the road again.
1T was quite dark when / reached
the scarecrow. and at my approach he
exclaimed. You angel" which might
have embarrassed me. but that I make
it a rule to pay no attention to any
thing a man says-they are all fright
full fatterers. So ! only gave him the
clothing with the command: Dress; I'll
stand guard with the gum
And then it was that l began to
have real dramatic thrills: I'm not
nervous. but it is a wee bit creepy
to stand in the dark field aiming a gun
at some vague unknown while a strange
man changes his clothes few feet
away. He was very quiet-not a sound
or a word After a while he spoke.
May | come nearer? and as | turned
he said: Now you can shoot me, you
know: the gun is loaded.
Then take it quick and l walked
up to him, handing him the gun.
"He did not take 1t. but stood look
ing at me a moment: then lifted his
hat and said something about his graft
tude and my bravery. | didn't get the
words. but the tones-I could scarcely
believe they came from northern
throat. He was handsome. too. but thin
and pale.
much like a scarecrow ever.
mo: I am wondering about that
pepper" in your shoulder. But he as
sured me that ii was nothing but
scratch which he had tied up with the
sleeve of his shirt.
Then. as nearly as / can recall. this
dialogue ensued. rapid fire. but low:
"'How can ] thank you ever? Let me
see you home first, and then
Nonsense. And then get caught. No:
tell me. what direction are your lines"
"'Due north. ] should say
livery we'll; / know short cut
the others have gone on a wild goose
chase the other way
"'How will you get home@
That's easy. ] often stay at Sally
Prices. and we are making Amos, 4
bee line for her gate. You can leave
me there and be safe in no time
II handed him the gun. but he said:
Hadn't you better keep it,?
"'Why In the world should L? It's
heavy But later. having returned the
weapon for politeness's sake. l insisted
on carrying Ii.
81 haven't bad shoulder. Besides,
you had better eat bite
"And so we trudged on across the
fields and through the woods. saying
only occasional words to each other.
but each thinking a great deal. We
were supposed to be enemies. and here
we were the best friends in the land
and ALWAYS likely to be. At Sally's gate
we parted. but ! let him take my hand
i'm farewell for how could tell that he
might not be killed next day?
"'When the war is over may | come
to see you" ] promise never to he
scarecrow again, however much NAV
have to look like one when your gall
liant men I'm gray are through with me-
These were his words.
NV diary ends here. but it is proba BILE
that my aunt felt that the story Of her
romantic wedding later with the
Yankee officer was too well known to
need telling The blending of gray and
blue uniforms at the marriage was q
peace epoch in the south.
fTHE ENID