Year: 1868

Chess and sherry, with one of tn


most beautiful women south of Ma


son and Dixon's line I was but


man, and yielded, though I knew


that our line had passed on, an(


that l should have a hard, ant
perhaps a risky gallop to overtakt
them.


The chess had advanced but 6
little way, and was conscious of
spending one of the happiest hours
of my existence, when the door of
the room in which we sat was
thrown open and five gentlemen
in the uniform of officers in the
Confederate service entered. As
quick as lightning l glanced into
the faces of the three young ladies
who were my entertainers, and as
quickly / became convinced they
were innocent. Fortunately / was
enabled to preserve my presence
of mind, and when Mrs. Wether-
bee said:


captain Foote, allow me to
present Colonel Ashby."


| arose quietly, and taking his
hand, responded


81 am happy to meet one of
whom ] have heard so much"


Then, with an introduction to
the others of the party, we became
seated. | cannot help admitting
that there was momentary en-
barrassment with all the party,
and for minute nobody spoke.
1t required the tact OF women to
rectify this; it was rectifed in
stantly, and the conversation flowed
smoothly. Our chess was drop
ped, but our sherry was discussed,
as well as every topic but that of
the war. This was tabooed sub
ject, and not one word was uttered
upon either side that would have
led the most careful listener to be-
lieve that we were soldiers war
ring against each other.


1t would be useless to deny that
during this time my mind was run
ming on all things besides those
upon which l was talking. |
knew that | was Col. Ashby's
prisoner, though there was just
shadow of a doubt whether he
meant to enforce the forfeit. I
could not help stealing anxious
glances occasionally into Mrs.
Kate's face, to see it / could read
there any indication of her belief,
and as often | saw an uncomfort-
able recognizance of her position
and the fear of my suspicion.


At last the time came when /
must bring the matter to an issue,
and rose to depart. Whatever
the end might be, | did not in
tend that .Ashby or his friends
should see it in my face or in my
manner of taking leave, that I for
an instant suspected such a ter
mination to our interview. In
fact, l had made up my mind not
to be taken without struggle; as
it was but few nights before that
two of our officers had been cap
tured, while on a visit to some
fair ones outside our lines, and the
incident had served for some hard
jokes on the now imprisoned amo-
ratios. 1t was we'll worth bit of
a fight, therefore, to avoid not on.
ly being taken prisoner, but being
taken in so ignoble a way.


bade my fair entertainers good
night, regretting that it would be
SO long ere I should see them
again, and advanced to do the
same by Colonel Ashby and his
friends, but found them on their
feet and preparing also to depart.
/ shall not forget the minute that
it took us to reach the piazza-it
seemed an age. l had picked up
my sword by the way, having un-
buckled and stood it in a corner
of the room when I sat down to
chess, and grasped it tightly by
the scabbard in my left hand, pre-
pared to use it on the slightest
demonstration. Ny horse stood
fastened within a few feet, and /
felt that if ] once got over his
back I had no fear of the whole
party.


1t was just dark, and we all
stood an instant looking out upon
&ho londscara Evprv moment I