The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1915-11-20
CHAPTER xv.



! knew the town well. and few
changes had occurred since last l
walked those streets hand In hand
with my father II had not grown any
larger, and thus far the war had
wrought little damage The most OF
life I'm the sleepy old town centered
about the Frost hotel. a three-story
wooden structure. where the officers
OF the garrison lodged. and the court
house, dignifed ediflce OF red brick.
block beyond, where In other days
my father presided on the bench. now
completely surrounded by a military
camp. There were more Federal sol
diers here than had expected to see.
but a remark exchanged between two
OF my guard informed me that most
OF these had arrived during the night
Ia regiment OF Ohio troops, and q
battery OF light artillery. destined to
assist In n contemplated attack on
Covington.
The head OF our little column halted
In front OF the hotel, but whitlock
shouted a command to the sergeant
and we rode on past. the guard closing
up tightly. l kept my face straigh,
ahead. determined to make no sign
but, nevertheless. had a glimpse oil
Noreen. standing at her horses head
and. for an instant. felt certain hel
eyes were resting on me. Then Ray
mond spoke to her, touching hel
sleeve Familiarity with his hand to at
tract Attention. and she smiled ub Int,
his face. as II In answer TO some witt!
remark. This was the last glimpse
had as we clattered on down tn,
street.
j At the courthouse steps the ser
geant turned me over TO the officer o
the day, and was marched into TIT
basement. The old jail had evidentl.
been burned. for could see the roo
had fallen In. and the stone wall
were blackened with smoke, but tn
lower story OF the courthouse was has
tile enough. the windows barred. tn
I walls strong and thick. The place Il
which they thrust me had at one tim
protected the county records, was pei
haps nine feet square, with one nal
row window high up In the wall. an
an iron door. The floor and wall
4 we're OF stone. and the ceiling beyon
reach. A soldier threw In a box. to
T utilized as seat, together with
E couple OF blankets.
ri There, Johnny" he said carelessl,
} II guess you'll stay here TIL your
Z wanted. There1l be some grub alon
e after awhile"
I The iron door changed behind hin
, and heard the sharp click OF heav
q lock. then regular steps passing bac
$ and forth across the stone floor. proc
4 that a sentinel had peen posted. Their
: seemed little need OF one as ss
q down on the box and stared dlscol
!, solately about. The window afforde
q ample light. but no hope of escap
). The shelves on which had once r
Il posed the records OF Green Bris
, county were OF iron. as a safeguar
y against fire. with a sheet OF iron {
y their back, concealing the wall b
II hind. My heart gave sudden lea
q As boy ] had played about tn
d building. invading every nook and co
IS ner. could even recall when thos
,s shelves we're first installed and I ha
h sat almost where was sitting the
n, and watched the workmen bolt the
% into their present position. II was
fore my father bought the place OF
3 on the ridge. and we were living on
n block down the street. Those shelly,
n rested against the big chimney. ar
n there was an opening leading into
g across which they had nailed q
ID protector before they fastened Il
u. iron 10 the wall
At II ! could once get in behind tn
N iron plate the way out would not
IN such hard or difficult one TO trav,