Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1915-12-09

ing his wool thoughtfully. Il done
reckon as how you got the wrong
house"
mo, I reckon not" said the other
drily cit long in. an tell him Jem
Taylor is yere."
The door opened wider.
"Suah, know you now. sab. Just
step right long in, the both OF yer.
I'll look after them horses. You'll fin
Massa HARDWOOD In the dinin' room.
sah."
followed the mountaineer up the
steps, and into the hall. utterly indif-
ferent as to whether my company was
desired or not. 1t was not yet dark.
but lamp burned on nearby table,
and cheerful fire glowed at the far
ther end. But brighter glow Of light
streamed from a room, beyond, and.
determined to miss nothing. l was so
close behind Taylor that my quick
eyes caught what believed to be a
swift signal of warning to the man
within. This, however. was an i'm
preston born from my own suspicion,
rather than any real movement, for
Taylor took but a single step across
the threshold, and stopped, leaning on
his gun. The single occupant sat up
right, before him the remnants of
light repast, his hand toying with
spoon, and his eyes shifting from Tay.
lor's face to my own. He was
heavily built and broad of shoulder.
The face would have been hard, but
for CLEAN of good humor in the
eyes. and the softening effect of gray
hair, and gray mustache. The man
had aged greatly, yet recognized him
instantly, my heart throbbing with
the possibility that | also might be re-
membered. Yet surely there was no
CLEAN Of recollection in the eyes that
surveyed me-and why should there
be? / had been an uninteresting lad
of fifteen when we last met. This
J knowledge gave me courage to meet
that searching glance, and to lift my
hand in the salute due to an officer of
rank.
"Ah!" said HARDWOOD in deep voice,
"a soldier from the valley?"
Eyes, sir" respectfully, "the Sixty
fifth Virginia"
How does 1t happen you wear ar
tillery uniform?"
Expecting the question l answered
unhesitatingly.
They'd lost so many gunners, some
Of us were detailed to help. Recruits
are coming in now"
what was your battery?"
"Staunton Horse artillery, sir"
"Stationed?"
"At Front Royal-that was our win.
ter camp"
He nodded, tapping his spoon
against the table. favorably impressed
by my prompt replies. His keen eyes
sought the face of the silent noun
taineer.
"You know this man, Taylor?"
oval, l can't exactly say tibet l
dew, major" he said drawlingly, shift
ing his feet uneasily. HE says he's
Cowan, frum over on Buffalo crick."
"a Cowan!-you mean"
mo, he don't claim ter be none o.
Oh Ned's brood-his mars a wilder
woman. They amt no kin. reckon"
Whatever thoughts might have been
In Major Harwood's mind were con-
cealed by an impassive face. as he sat
there for moment In silence, gazing
at the two Of US.
mo doubt you did what you be-
lieved to be best, Taylor" he said at
last quietly. 1--WE will talk It over
later. You are both hungry enough
to eat, suppose? Draw up some
chairs and Sam will find something.
No objection to remaining here over
night Cowan?"
I'D be glad to get on, sir, but my
horse is about used up. The roads
have been hard and we have travelled
rapidly"
well, there is plenty of room. and
you are welcome. This house." he ex-
planned. belongs to friend of mine,
who had to leave the countryside
Yankee for his neighbors. find 1t
rather convenient at times. All, Sam,
that rasher of bacon looks prime-Ill
try some myself"
The three Of US talked upon many
subjects, although Taylor said little,
except when directly addressed. and
! noted that few references were
made to the war. That HARDWOOD was
in the Federal service had no doubt,
although he was not in uniform, and,
II this was true, then 1t must be also
fact that Taylor was a Union spy.
The meeting here had not been by
chance. although mystery involved
the hidden reason why !, known
Confederate soldier. had been encour-
aged to accompany the mountaineer
to this secret rendezvous. At last the
meal ended and the major pushed
back his chair and motioned Sam to
clear the table.
"You two men are tired out" he said
genially, "and you had better turn in
and get good nights sleep. Wen
all of us ride on into Green Briar to-
morrow. I'll talk with you minute,
Taylor, in the, parlor. before you go;
but Cowan does not need to wait. Help
yourselves to the tobacco. Oh Sam!
show this soldier up to the back bed
room and see he has everything he
needs"
1t was clearly apparent that Har-
wood desired private word with Tay-
Tor and so, after deliberately filling
Money Worth Of Human Ear.
The value of human ear has been
tudicially determined as one-third that