The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1916-03-10
CHAPTER XIV.
Cheese Death.

Ni'NNNN Nr~'N'''
knew the town WE'LL and few
changes had occurred since last I
ulsd those streets hand In hand
WITH ny father It had not grown any
mgef and thus far the war had
Uought little damage. The most Of
NE In the sleepy old town conferred
about the Frost hotel, a three-story
wooden structure where the officers
d he garrison lodged and the court.
b0use a digHiied edidCe Of red brick,
block beyond where In other days
ny ather presided on the bench now
completely surrounded by a military
camp There were more Federal sol.
teT here than ! had expected to see
hl a remark exchanged between two
d my guard informed me that most
d these had arrived during the night
a regiment Of Ohio troops, and a
battery Of light artillery, destined to
isst 10 a contemplated attack on
CuVngton
The head Of our little column halted
front Of the hotel but WhitloCk
hOuted command to the sergeant,
nd We rode on past, the guard closing
y tightly kept my face straight
lhead determined to make no sign,
bit nevertheless, had a glimpse OF
EOreen standing at her horses head
ind Tor an instant. felt certain her
Nes we're resting on me. Then Ray
rOnd spoke to her, touching her
dss'e iamiliarly with his hand to at.
hirl attention, and she smiled up into
As face, as II in answer to some witty
remark This was the last glimpse !
bad a. we clattered on down the
fTset
Al me courthouse steps the ser.
glnt turned me over to the officer OF
ne DAY, and ! was marched into the
Basement The old Jail had evidently
esn burned for could see the roof
VAC fallen H. and the stone walls
we're backened with smoke, but the
over story OF the courthouse was bas
ule enough, the windows barred, the
aIs strong and thick The place In
Which they thrust me had at one time
pO'ecled the county records. was per
aps nine feet square, with one mar
nS window high up In the wall and
Y iron door The floor and walls
'He Of stone and the ceiling beycnC
Naen AsOldier threw In a box to b
"lllled as a seat, together with {
couple Of blankets
iaefe, Johnny" he said carelessly
guess you'll stay here till you're
.anIed Therell be some grub alont
ttef awhile"
lne IRON door changed behind him
w. heard the sharp click Of a heav,
%s 'nen regular steps passing bacl
@u 'ortn across the stone floor. proc
way sentinel had Oeen posted Their,
1sned little need Of one as I sa
WV % the box and stared discon
"A.ely about. The window afforded
spe light but no hope of escape
~ SnelVes on which had once re
W'ed the records Of Green Bria
W'nV we're Of iron, as a safeguar,
Sllnsl IRE, with a sheet of iron a
Ss' back. COnceaing the wall h.
Ny heart gave a sudden lear
boy ! had played about mi
.alO'ns Invading every nook and COZ
could even recall when thos
ns'ea we're first Installed, and ha,
~ ~ utmost where | was sitting ther
-O watched the workmen bolt then
W. ~ 'nelr present position It was be
as ny father bought the place Gu
y ue ridge and we were living onl
. ' down the street. Those shelve
Ave- ,S..ea against the big chimney an,
Vet. ~sle vas an opening leading into il
800 ..s which they had nailed a n
~ ~''v'0t before they fastened tn
non to the wall
!. could once get In behind tina
~ ~ pate the way out would not b
NY hard or difficult one to frave
~ Chimney was large; | recalle
~ aaulns upright To the fireplace o
s y MOOR above and looking up t
y" could perceive the light Of tn
n. y was constructed Of rregula
~ o. stone, which would afford lodt