Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1915-09-23
CHAPTER u.
An Unwelcome Companion.

An unweicome Companion.
II was In the chill Of cold. gray
morning that | rode into Strasburg.
jogging along at the rear Of q squad
ron OF Fifth Virginia cavalrymen who
CHANGED to be headed for the same
place. These found quarters In the
town. but proceeded mile or more
south on the valley pike, until
reached a single-roomed cabin, heavy
wooden shutters barring the windows
the door closed and securely fastened
The place to all appearances was de.
serted, and had been for long while
Although situated scarcely hundred
feet back from the valley turnpike.
which was never without its travellers,
and along which armies marched and
countermarched, the surroundings
were those of a remote wilderness |
dismounted, and leading my horse,
pressed difficult passage through the
bushes. To my surprise the rear door
stood slightly ajar. and my eyes per.
ceiyed the movement OF an ill-defined
shadow within.
Hello there!" | called out. yet In.
stinctively drawing step backward
is there any room here for a tired
man.
The tall, angular figure OF noun
taineer Immediately appeared In the
doorway, and q gray, wrinkied face.
scraggly bearded, looked forth. the
eyes glinting and filled with sus.
picion.
wal, who be We, an whut do We
want yere?"
II am a soldier" replied. rather
shortly, not particularly pleased with
either the mans appearance or man.
ner. Myself and horse are about
worn out. mistook this for a de-
! serted cabin
"Whar be ye bound? an whut may
We be up to a-travelin' alone"
I smiled, endeayoring to retain my
temper.
See, here, friend" returned short
| ly. II have as much reason to ask
you such questions as you have me
| However, ! am willing enough to an
swer. I am on furlough. and am 60
| ing home across the mountains to see
my folks. DO you know Raleigh
county,"
| The man, who was now standing up
right in the doorway, one hand grip
ping the barrel of musket. the early
morning light on his withered face
stared unwinkingly into my eyes.
| Il rather reckon | do, young man.
he replied slowly Fur | was raised
I'D on the Green Briar. What moul
be yer name?"
"Cowan," | answered promptly, ms
mind instantly alert. and aware had
made a mistake"
"Ho! Ye don't say! One O. Oh Ned
Cowan's boys?"
mo. l am a son OF Widow Cowan
over on Coal creek"
There was not the faintest glim
mer in the cold. blue eyes, no evidence
OF any recollection in the wrinklet
face. His jaws rose and fell on the
tobacco which extended his cheek.
81 don't reckon I've been over thai
way fer nigh on fifteen year." he sale
at last refectively. An somehow
don't just recall no Widow Cowan--
but | know Of Ned mighty well. Hell
took to the brush with his whole breed
since this fracas started, an som
cusses burned his house, an sent the
Of woman after EN-. It's plumb he'll
In Green Briar Maybe yer q Cowan
but I'm id II ye look like eny o
oct outfit ever I see afore. What
part o. the army wus ye WITH"
"Sixty-fifth Virginia -- Covingtor
company. Captain Daniels"
The older man chewed awhile In 81
lence. evidently impressed with the
seeming frankness of the reply
wal, ye mout be . Cowan, o
course" he admitted reluctantly
"Enyhow reckon 1t don't make nc
great difference, fer If ye be goin' tel
Greca Briar we kin ride awhile ter
gethas. Two is better than one these
DAYS Hitch yer boss out thar In the
| scrub alongside o. mine. an then come
in we're. Well eat bite fnst. an then
lie down a spell. fer I've been a-ridin
mos, o. Their night myself.
His voice was hardly as cordial an
his words sounded. but ! felt 1t bes'
10 ACCEPT the rather sariy Irritation
led my horse down the dim path IN