Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-19

| The general commanding was forty
| years old, regular army officer and
rigid disciplinarian. He believed
that the presence of women with an
army only encountered it and detract-
ed from its efficiency.
II have mind to bring my wife
down. said Barrows, eff / can find
| some farmers wife outside the camp
limits who will take her in. No one
outside the family she lives with need
know she's my wife"
eff the old man finds it out he'll pre-
fer charges against you for disobedi-
ence of orders, and it will go hard
with you
Barrows made no reply to this, but
the desire to see his wife was very
strong in him, and the next time he
rode out of camp it was with view
to finding a Judgment for her. Not
far from the chain of guards there
lived Mrs. Claybourne, a widow with
several children. Barrows called on
her, told her of his desire to see his
wife and asked the widow if she would
not give her Judgment for a brief sea-
son. The request was granted, and
Barrows wrote for his wife to come
south.
- One day couple of weeks later Gen
eral Chubb while riding by the Clay
bourne house saw Mrs. Barrows sit
ting on the veranda doing fancy work.
The lady was a very pretty woman,
and the general was much pleased with
her appearance. On returning to camp
he called one of his aids to him and
said:
''There is a house about mile from
camp on the turnpike leading west
ward, a white house with green blinds
Learn who lives there and report the
information to me-"
The general gave the order in tone
to indicate that he suspected there
were arms concealed in the house or
it was a rendezvous for spies or was in
some way prejudicial to the Union
cause. The aid made-the inquiries and
reported that the place was owned and
occupied by Mrs. Claybourne;i that she
was a sympathizer with the Confeder-
ate cause. but so far as could be learn
ed not disposed to interfere in the
struggle. The general received the re-
port without comment. and the aid re- |
tired
The next afternoon General Chubb, |
by single orderly. rode out |
10 the CIaybourne place. Mrs. Bar |
rows. who, having no duties, spent |
much of her time on the veranda do |
ing fancy work, was in her usual seal |
when the general rode up He had |
been pointed out to her by her hus
band. who had cautioned her If she |
Shouli meet hin, NOT IN ra,-aal hos, ;5o,, 1
ity. When she saw him stop at the
gate. turn his horse over to his order
y and come up the walk she was
much frightened. Nevertheless sh,
pulled herself togei her to meet the |
ssue.
"Mrs. Claybourne? said the general.
'aising his hat
The lady rose and bowed, but mad,
10 other reply. The fact that she was
to be the occupant of the
Premises somewhat treasured her.
Il have been Informed, Mrs. Clay
tourne, that you are widow livin
lere alone. and II has occurred TO m
hat YOU should have protection. NJ
men. as rule. are orderly. but in ex
ry army there are desperate chara,
ers who are liable TO break away am
illage. III you like will give YOU
uard'
L appreciate your thoughtfulness ans
indness. general" she said. adoptin,
he southern dialect so far as sh,
ould' Il Will consult with my siste
efore giving you definite reply. Wi
gu please excuse me for moment
ieanwhile take seat, subj l.