The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-06-17

could produce IL instantly, while b
own pistol was in holster on his hil
A man might have pointed his weapo
at him and ordered him to throw u
his hands, then possessed himself Z
the paper. But this was a good des
for woman to do. At any rate
shrank from it. l determined to us
more feminine means.
l noticed that 1t was difficult for hir
to keep awake while he was eatins
There was nothing surprising In this
Tor | have heard that in wartime
man may pass several days withou
sleep, and many a man has slept unde
IRE. When he had finished his meal
went to the cupboard where fathe
kept his cigars and, taking the box
offered 1t to the officer. He opened hi
eyes with delight, and taking one bi
on the end, and lighted a match ant
held the flame to the cigar.
/ now had an object and softenet
my manner toward him decidedly
Pointing to lounge, l invited him tt
take nap on 1t. He protested against
the nap, but could not refrain from
stretching himself upon 1t for a few
whiffs Of the cigar. l asked him II he
would not take half an hours doze
provided l would awaken him at the
end Of that time. He positively refus.
ed, though he confessed that he had
had no sleep for two days. While he
was refusing to sleep he passed into
slumber.
He had hardly fallen asleep before
1 had the paper from his belt. / read
1t and 1t proved to be a message to a
general on another route just when
and where to meet the corps on our
road and march together toward Get.
tysburg. Leaving the young man sound
asleep, l went outside, mounted his
horse and galloped away northward.
1t was evening when 1 reached the
camp Of one Of the corps near Gettys-
burg and delivered to the general the
dispatch. He read 1t with great inter
est and said that it indicated what the
southern forces were intending. Then
he sent it to the commander of the
Federal army.
All was changed when / reached
nome. An army-Or part of one-had
swept over the place, but though the
fences and other articles that could be
moved were gone, the place was not
injured beyond repair. Our buried
had not been disturbed. The
officer from whom had taken the dis
patch had, Of course, vanished. Not
withstanding the service / had render
ed the Union cause my heart smote me
for the position in which I had placed
him.
Then boom coming down on the
north wind announced the great his
toric battle that proved to be the turn
Ing point Of the war. For three days
we listened to the booming, like dis
tant thunder; then down the road came
the Confederates in retreat. They did
not stop. but we expected another WIS.,
Itation when the Federal army would
follow them. This, however, did not
occur at once.
The Confederates left numerous
wounded men in the different houses
along the route, and we all took hold to
care for them. | was very busy pre-
pairing such articles as they needed.
Several wounded men were quartered
1t our house, but left them much of
he time to the care of my mother and
ny aunt, while devoted myself to the
production and distribution of supplies |
This led me to great number of the |
leighboring houses.
One day l went to a farmhouse to |
cave some lint. When / entered the |
living room, where several wounded
men were lying on cots, there, pale !
md helpless, lay the officer whom ! !
lad robbed. Though l had done a |
legitimate deed of war, felt as guilty |
IS If l had run knife into him. Per- |
laps If had met him strong and well |
should have triumphed over him. As
was, was seized with a desire to
tone for what had done.
I did not dare face him and beat
asty retreat. But the next day, sum-
noning my resolution, returned and
Valked into the room where he was
Eing. He recognized me at once, but
did not receive, the look of reproach,
bitter antagonism that 1 deserved.
II presume" said, shat you
espise meT'
"Why should 1 despise you? All is
air in war" Then, with that pleasing
mile with which he had greeted me
he first time I saw him. he added.
and in love-"
1t would be impossible to express
~ feelings as stood over him look
lg down upon him, that smile on his
ace, which grew sad as he thought of
ne disadvantage that had accrued to
is cause through his yielding to the
idgue which had overcome him.
Forgive me-" l said.
Il have nothing to forgive"
Il win do what l can to atone for
hat l have done. | will nurse you
ack to health"
Il shall feel pride in being nursed
Y so brave and energetic a woman" /,
| Kept my pledge. devoted as much
my time to him as l could spare
'om my work for his wounded com
'des. And when he had recovered he
that my tender care had
wed his life.
Three years later he reminded me of
y words. 81 will do what 1 can to
.one for what have DONE" and de-
AIRED that it would require a lifetime
devotion on my part to enable him {
bear the position in which l had
aced him with his commander and
'other officers. replied that my life
ould be devoted to that purpose.
We are now an aged and feeble