Pittston Gazette

              ■jfcik VA ESTABLISHED 1850. I VOL. XUII. NO. 44- t Oldest Newspaper in the Wyoming Valley. PITTSTON, LUZERNE CO., PA., FRIDAY, JULY CD, 181)4. A Weekly Local and Family Journal. Bull Rnn. In the third, as nigh as I kin make out, thar's a gal in the case. Looks to mo liko Iko had been hired to talk agin yo*. At any rate, he's got tho hoys nil stirred np, and yo'd bettor bo keerful not to git too fnr ahead of tho crowd in capo wo hev a font down yore!" about five days out of every week had been spent tramping around the country with his gun or discussing " Yankees" and "niggers" in thevillago barrooms with others of his ilk. According to his own line of arfyimont, he was a martyr. Ill luck had aiways followed him. even to the birth and death of triplets. "He tin's in luv with the gal." ago that Kenton was to carry off tho prize. He had written to Marian vvilh considerable fervor and without mentioning the news, and she had replied in a very brief and formal manner. To revenge himself on a woman was quite foreign to his nature, but as ho saw tho four servants and noted their state of alarm ho remembered that be and Iko Baxter had a plan to carry out. Ten minutes later ono of his company was saying to the tolored women: "'l'ho Yankees are only a couplo of •nilesaway! If you all don't hurry, you will be taken prisoners, and that means that every ono of you will lm burned at tho stakol They shoot down white folks and burn niggers!" pRf'^*n^ixi*Tio«». "I heard that yisterday." over to us, tho boys would think yo' nn j had some gamo to play. Reckon yo' : know whar it all starts from?" BILL NYE HAS A FIRE men mignt say that you nan selected this time to become a wealthy widower and skip, but I am not so soured against my fellow men as that. I believe that if the house was set afire some one else did it" "If \Vo all could brek it np, it would flatten he nn out. Jest think of a southern gal lnvin a reg'Iar Yankee spy, and probably goin to marry him, when she could hev Dnko Wylel" "I think I do." BUT BY MUCH THOUGHT HE PUTS "Can't no two fellers love tho same gal without sunthin bustin sooner or later. I kin jest shot my eyes and seo what tho captain is layin fnr. Ho un's achin powerful bad to hev yo' killed off or drivout or used np in someway, lie wouldn't liov minded if half of us had bin wiped out down thar if yo'd bin ono of the dead." IT OUT. "How does it happen that yon are not down on mo with the rest?" asked Kenton. "Shoo, how yon talk!" Then the Insurance Adjuster Come* »»■« Gets In His Work—A Few General Re- I am insured in five companies besides the one that carries my piano, and so really there should have been six adjusters and the local agent in addition to the independent adjuster, but the climate hero is so pure and bracing that one man can do the brain work of two, and so they did not all come. "And if wo all could flatten him out I'd soon ben gineraland prance around on a hoss," continued Ike. "Drat him, but he talked about vo' toUineral Jack- Mrs. Baxter also had a constitutional and ready made grievance. If she had been allowed to have her way about things, she always argued, they would long ago have teen rich and owned niggers, "Yes, sah, real niggers and mo' or fewer $75 mewls." mark* on the Sutyect—The New Drink "Reckon thar ar' several reasons in that too. Fustly, yo' con Id hev got away to the Yankee army if yo' had waifted to. Yo' didn't, and that's n purty good sign yo' un ar' all right. Noxtly, yo've got plnck, and I like a plucky man. Mo' noxtly, the mo' men wo hev tho less chance of my bein hit myself. Lastly, I've swn Captain Wyle and Ike Baxter with their heads together about yo', and I've hoard that both yo' and tho captain was sweet on tho same gal, and I've sorter put two and three together and made seven. I'm goin to Ik) right alongside o' yo' in this font, 'canso I liko yo'r way o' fightin, but yo' jist mind what 1 tell yo'I The bullet which hits yo' today is liable to come from our side!" That Helped Nye. [Copyright, 1804, by Edgar W. Nye.] Two or three days after Jackson reached StraRbaxg Captain Wyle had an interview with him. None of his own company knew it, and what, passed could only bo inferred from circumstances which developed Inter on. It was announced that it had been decided to reorganize the guards as a cavalry company, and in tho course of a week this chango was effected, much to the satisfaction of tho men. Just as it was finished Royal Kenton was ordered to report to Jackson again, lie found tho same stern, low spoken, plain looking man and received tho same quiet greeting, Tho general adverted to tho bravery of tho guards at Kernstown, aad then to Kenton's capture aud escape and asked for tho details. Tho latter at ouco realized that some one who processed to know alt ahoufit and who was i seeking his injury had reported to the general. He, however, proceeded to give tho particulars not only of his es- • capo and his efforts to rejoin his command, but of tho charges brought against him by Ike Baxter and tho interview with General Shields. This portion of his adventure ho had not spoken of to any one on rejoining'liis company. Jackson seemed to lDo thinking very seriously as Kenton talked. The facts just related no doubt surprised him and perhaps gavo a different turn to affairs. After awhile ho said: At Home, Juno, 1894. Tho Earl of Bismuth, who joined the great Coxey tournament in Washington and acted as May queen there fqr two weeks, has just, returned to Ticktown, this state, feeling cast down right muoh. Tho Earl of Bismuth is a darkish man, with broad shoulders, and claims that some of the blood of the Castilians oourses along his veins. He has done nothing that one could not do honestly ;o avoid industry. Ho eats farinaceous food and wears sandals made of ooffee sacking brought from Persia to Ticktown by Jules Bryson. The local agent and the adjuster, I find, are two different men. One is a social favorite and a pleasing conversationist, while the other is a man who tells yon how cheaply houses like yours can be built nowadaya The agent gives you all sorts of adrantages over the company, and when •he adjuster comes you find that those ihinga, after all, were not put into the jolicy. He also takes you around behind ;he barn and shows you that, as a matler of fact, your policy has been vitiated leven or eight times within the past rear, bat he will say nothing of that be- Iko Baxter had also been granted a furlough, and according to tho stories ho told after reaching home the battle of Bull Run would not have been a victory without him. When anything was said about Kenton, he was prompt in replying: [continued] CHAPTER IX. "Yon may rest easy on that score," replied Kenton. "A year hence war will mean devastation, destruction, murder and assassination, but men's hearts are not briualized yet. I must reach the Confederate outpost, but I can't do it by the road." That was sufficient to start them off to join the fleeing thTong. Not ono of them returned to tho house. Jacksop sent out couriers to advise tho panic stricken people to return, /nit hundreds had gone too far to bo overtaken. Among them were the four women. Shields entered Winchester without opposition. Within an hour the excitement had subsided. Tho Yankeo soldiers had neither horns nor hoofs. No ono was molested nor made afraid. Whero timid women requested it guards wero placed at their doors, and instead of tho merchants boing robbed and ruined, as most of them had fully expected, their properties were safely cared for. When the troop had disappeared np the dusty highway, Kenton returned to the bouse to say goodby to its inmates, and half an hour later he had turned hia face sooth ward, satisfied that he had secured all information possible for a scout to pick ap. The farmer posted him as to where be would likely strike the Confederate outposts and warned bim what highways to avoid, but on that very day McClellan was pushing his cavalry forward and seizing new territory. At 4 o'clock in the afte-noon as Kenton, who had been traveling in the fields and under cover of the forest, was about to cross a highway he heard the click, click of a carbine, and a voice called to him: "Dnrn the Yankee! But we nns has got our eyes open now, and ho nn can't play us no mo' tricks!" "I don't think you could fool all tho others as yon did me," said the cavalryman, with a sickly smile. Ho was so outsjK)ken in his language, and his languago was so bitter that Lawyer Williams and others were given an inkling of the true state of n if airs. Tho lawyer found opportunity to inquire of Ike: For years Bismuth has been the life of Ticktow*—merry, hilarious and rollicsoine. Ho returns cast down and has a very tender place on the frog of his foot "The question is what to do with you? If I set you at liberty, you'll raise an alarm." Jackson's command, numbering not quite 6,000 men, made a rapid march of 40 miles down the valley to strike a hjpw at General Shields' command of 8,000. They were waiting for the Confederates. Jackson attacked at once. "Shoo, how won talk!" cause you evidently did not set the housC on fire yourself, and yon seem to want to do better and live a purer life, so he will give yon $23 and pass receipts. Then ho look* at hia watch and says he mnei hurry away and make sotne other homD lappy with his ready John, and aw.T' "Guess I would—in fact, I know I would." *-■- K son, and that's what hurts me mo' than t'other!" "How kin I flattrt* Mm ont?" she asked, ready to begin work at once. "Didn't my nephew enlist of his own accord, and is thorn a man in tho company who has exhibited more bravery and won more of a reputation?" He has grown up in Tioktown and has always fonnd a roof to shelter him here. Sometimes it was one roof, sometimes another, but when ho got to "And I have nothing to tie you up with until I can get safely away." "That's so. You remind me of the chap who caught the bear anil dasn't let go." Even while the roar of his marching column was still two miles away he attacked. It was a fierce and bitter fight. As daylight began to give way to twilight 011 that dismal March afternoon tho guards were ordered to charge a battery which was making h portion of the Confederate line untenable. They dashed forward to bo met by a volley which killed or wounded a dozen men, and a swift move on the part of a Federal regiment resulted in the capture of nearly one-half of tho others. An hour later Jackson was retreating. He had been defeated. Ike slowly lighted his pipe and sat down on the doorstep and made room for hor beside him. He kept her waiting for another minute and then unfolded his plan. She listened patiently until ho was through and then pointed out the obstacles here and there. He reviewed the case and explained how everything was to be overcome. Although mi ignorant woman, she had a good •leal of natural shrewdness in her composition, and after the plan had been gone over in detail for the tliirif or fourth time she said: "Didn't I dim told yon all so!" exclaimed Uncle Den on tho street that evening as he was out looking for the missing servants. "Yankees am jist de same folks as anybody. I'zo bin lookin at heaps of 'em, an I can't see no difference. All dem folks who got skeered an run'd , away was fools! Yankees hain't gwineter hart nobody onlees yo' unbehave yo'self funt.!" " What did he un rush in and rally at Bull Run fur bet'o' Duke Wyle could git thar?" demanded Ike in reply. "Ho un just wanted to show oil and make believe. And isn't he un givin us away to the Yanks all the time? And isn't he uu talkin 'bout Gineral Jackson and holdin his head above us? And if he un nits the chance won't he nil j;ive up our huil army to Gineral McClelland Oh, wo mis has our eyes open fur him!" he goes. The agent and the adjuster are both lovely characters, bnt in a different way. One fixes it so that yon will, in case of fire, be about $1,000 better off, while the other makes yon feel so glad to think that the oompany has not slapped yon into jail for frand that yon tremble all over till he goes away. I was glad that all the adjusters did not come. If they had, I would have been a poor man. "Halt where yon are, or you are a dead man!" "I must take you along with me to the Confederate outpost. We shall cut across the fields and woods to reach it. You go ahead, and I will lollow. It is needless''  It was a Federal vidette, dismounted and posted among the bushes which fringed the highway. Kenton looked op to find himself covered by a carbine. Both were on the same side of the road. He had approached the vidette in tear, and bad he exercised more vigilance woald have detected his presence in time to avoid him. The men were not over 80 feet apart when Kenton got the aammons to halt. "I'm no fool!" bluntly interrupted the Federal. "When I'm down and the other teller has got his thumbs in iny eye and my nose in his jaws, I know enough to cave. You won't have tc shoot me, and 1 want to ask a favor of Captain Wyle knew where to find Ike Baxter's wile. She luid moved into town two weeks before, leaving the farm to take care of itself. That was ono of the points in the plan presented by Ike and accepted by her. Hhe knew that Jackson had been beaten and was on the retreat, hut Fho did not know of the fut-o TlrC» and inarw of his comrades. Some of those who escaped both death and capture bad seen Ike go down, and it was certain he had fallen into Federal hands. Mrs. Baxter fell to sobbing as she heard the news from the captain, but her sorrow did not last long. Mrs. Baxter had got the idea from fke's letters home that be had not only won a crown of fame under (ire, but was holding the whole Federal army in check, Hhe could read and write, but very poorly. She had picked up most of her information and all her military terms from others scarcely less ignorant. When Ike aypeared in sight down the road, she ran to meet him and welcomed him with: "I'll anyhow. I hev alius dun hated Yanks like pizen, and that Percy gal is jest too stuck up fur anything! Might do her a heap o' good to come down a few pegs! If I flatten he un out, that will make yo* a giueral?" "General Banks is pushing up the valley with a largo force. I wish you to scout along his front and secure all possible information of value. Can you set out at once?" Once I had a house insured for $16,- 000, and lightning struck one of the ohimneya and destroyed the roof, the falling brioks cntting through the tin so that an entire new roof had to be put on. I had planned to go to Italy that summer, but I had to stay at home and prove that I did not tip that chimney over on the house myself in order to get a new roof. you." Ike Baxter was among tho wounded. With others ho was taken to tho field hospital to be cared for, whilo the nilwounded were marched to the rear and placed under guard. Ike had been hit in the shoulder. While his hurt was being dressed tie Raid to the surgeon : Many of the Federal troops were still dressed in the gray uniforms snpplied by their respective states, while the Confederates had a variety of uniforms, and it was difficult to detect one side from tbe other. The vidette bad done bis doty in halting the prowler, but be was not sure what sort of game he had "Well?" "Don't walk mo in a prisoner." "I'll set) about that Let's go on." They strnck through the woods, crossed an old field, skirted a meadow and entered another piece of woods. As they were traversing this they came upon a negro cutting firewood, and be informed them that the Confederate outpost was only 20 rods below thein on the highway."Within half an hour, sir," was Kenton's reply. "I reckon" "And yo'll ride around on a critter and w'ar a cocked hat?" "And do yon wish a companion?" "If a Yankee deserts to our sido and fights agin yo' nns, what happens to he nn if yo' captor' him?" "I think I can do better alone, but if yon think two might do better than ono I nball"  "Hurrah fur Gineral Ike Baxter, who fit and fit till the Yankees dun run away!" "Yes." Life insurance is not quite so bad, although I expect to be dug up by seven or 'eight different companies in order that they may be plumb sure that I am not playing possum on them. When the adjusters went away, I felt from what they said to me that I was a sort of janitor for these insurance companies, and that if I did not use more care in protecting the property I would be discharged and another man pat in my place. I want to add one word in closing regarding the good effects mi my health shown from the constant use of Lithia water, if the reader will pardon my deflection from the insurance business. imggeu. t "Throw up your bands!" be commanded as be advanced. Kenton obeyed. He was armed only and as that was hidden from sight be appeared defenseless. "Now, tben, who are you?" asked the Federal as he came to a bait scarce six feet away. "And buy mo two new kaliker dresses, a Iwnnet, a pa'r of shoes, a— o"  "Do as you think best, but report to the captain of your company that you havo been detailed." "He'd he shot!" was the blunt reply. "Buts'posin he 1111 also played spy fur our side?" "Don't yo' nn know nothin?" angrily (demanded Ike as be came nearer. "Didn't yo' un fit and fit?" "Of co'sel fit, but yo' needn't gab it "Drat that Ike fur a fool!" she suddenly exclaimed as grief gavo place to indignation. "Didn't ho nn promise mo last thing b"fo' him went back that if him ever got into ; Jothor fout he un would scrouch down so the bullets would flyover him! It'sall inbim—alius wantin and hevin his own way spite of all 1 kin do!" "At this stage of the game one prisoner more or less is of 110 earthly consequence," said Kenton as ho looked at tho cavalryman. "I'm going to let you return." "Yo'll jest be richness and wealth and look like a queen!" said Ike asshe hesitated.THE EARL'S RETURN. "He'd lDe hung instead of Bhot! you know of such a case?" As Kenton loft headquarters ho felt that something was wrong. Just what it was ho could not determine, but it noemed as if there were mistrust and suspicion. Ho had been thoroughly loyal in making his previous observations and reports, but an enemy was at work to discredit him. He was fully satisfied of this as he left camp on his scout. After reporting to Captain Wyle, who treated him with strict military etiquette, he went to bis tent to make a few preparations. He had left it and was making his way out of camp when ho was overhauled by Steve Brayton, who said: Washington he found a frosty welcome and spent some time in solitary confinement with the members of the commonwoal."Then I'll do it if I hev to walk through Are, and p'raps 111 ride around on a critter too!" "Reckon I do, and I feel it my docty to tell yo* about him. Jist tell yo'r gineral to inquar among the prisoners fur a man named Kenton—Royal Kenton. Ho nn's a Yankee deserter and a spy fur Gineral Jackson!" all over Virginny and make other folks jealous!" "And I've concluded to be taken prisoner and sent to Richmond," replied the He hove in sight over the crest of Potato hill night before last and has been well received on account of the strango and interesting sights he has seen. "I might ask yon the same question," replied the scout, making a great effort to appear cool and indifferent. "I know yon might, but I guess yon won't I Answer my question!" "I have information to give." "What is it?" "Whar's yo'r stripes?" she asked. "What stripes?" "For what reason?" man. CHAPTER XII. "Ike and the others would have been all right if they had not been betrayed," observed tho captain. "Plain as a pumpkin on a gatepost. If I go back without my arms, what can I say? I'd just have to admit that a Johnny reb came along and played me for a sucker and got the best of me. That would mean ridicule and disgraco forever. If I don't go back until exchanged as a prisoner, I'll be all right, I'll sort o' give out that I was tackled by about six of you, you know." " On yo'r arms—yo'r gineral stripes?" Panic does not always follow defeat. Indeed it seldom does. A battle is a checkerboard wherein all the spots are marki-d with blood. The checkers are men—men lying in reserve, men on the battlo lines, men charging on flanks or center. "But why do you tell of it?" queried the surgeon. "I hain't no gineral!" "Yo' hain't? Why. I thought yo' was boss of the hull army! What's the matter yo' hain't no gineral?" "What's the matter y Cr hain't got no sense in yo'r head?" "Shoo, that's what Ike was afraid of! Was it that Y'ankeo agin—that Lawyer Kentqn?" One lobe of his whiskers is gone, and I am told that it got caught in the door of the senate chamber as the earl was coming away. Half an hour later Kenton was taken before General Shields under the charge made Ry Baxter. The latter had overreached himself. Had only tho two been captured it would have boon a different matter, but there were 20 of the guards who gave testimony in favor of Kenton, though it came from most of them grudgingly. A search of his person brought to light a pass from General Jackson in which ho was mentioned as a scout. " 'Cause it ain't a fair deal." "Which side are you on?" The captain nodded his head Last month I was quite ill for a week, and among other things had quite a chill one evening, but a lot of big hot water bottles placed about my person "Oh, it makes a difference, does it? Well, I'm • Confederate. What's your news?" "Ike bates him. So do I. If ho nn hadn't Rtood in Ike's way, Iko wonld hev bin a Rineial lDefo' this. Tho onery skunk, to lietray his own comrades! If I conld f»it hands on ho nn, I'd kill him! I'll never rest till I hev his life, even if Iko lets up!" He fears that no great monetary change will be made before fall and regrets that his trip was not more immediately productive of good. "But yo' un's a corporal!" "No." Tho generals in command watch the board. If ono makes a move on tho right or left, tho other seeks totako advantage of it. For the time being they shut their earn to tho roar of battle, shut their eyes to the sight of dead and wonnded. Beauregard halted at tho threshold of victory at Rhiloh. So with McClellan at Antietam. At Fredericksburg Lee permitted Burnside to retreat after defeat. At Gettysburg Meade did tho same with Lee. Jackson had thrown himself against Shields at Kernstown on the right, on the left, 011 the center. He conld not break tho line anywhere. He left his dead along a front of a mile and a half, but the sacrifico was in vain. It was military tactics to retrea—to fall back to a strong position and oblige Shields to attack him or give over his march up tho valley. There is sometimes more generalship in a retreat than in an advance or in fighting a battle. The trains mnst lDe saved, the broken and disorganized commands picked np and re-formed, the best troops sent to tbo rear to stand as a bulwark between the exhausted army and the enthusiastic enemy. Kenton looked about him in an nneasy manner as if be bad fallen into a trap and contemplated making a bolt to escape. "A major?" "No." "A leftenaat?" "No." "The gineral Is sendin yo' off on another scout? Yo' think yo' ar' goin alone, but yo' hain't. I've follered along to tell yo' that the captain has put llenbo Parker on yo'r track. Yo' know Reube? Ho hain't bin abusin yo' with his mouth as mu.cli as some others, hut he's down on yo' and playin into tho hands of tho captain. I tell yo' to look out fur him!" Pressonward Hamilton of Possum Trot is looked for next week, but was delayed a short time to answer for eating tho contents of an incubator at Washington. He had hoped to be met up with by a large reception on his return to Possum Trot, but now writes with blue chalk on a cattle car whioh came yesterday that a quiet little recep- "TOE WKOXG soon warmed me up, and I went to sleep np of ily Hirtl Bmn using with good results. This is not a certificate for the benefit )f that beverage, bat I did see a marked *ny friends also aver three large ;he time. I stack If I woke up in the it big half gallon ; I could hold. a buy again, and I •; day long. "I am sorry that I was obliged to deceive you to save myself," said Kenton after a moment of thought, "and there is no need to disgrace you. Here are yonr weapons, and yon are free to return to your post. Tho war has not fairly begun yet. There will be hate and bitterness and rancor after awhile, and there will be few opportunities to extend courtesies." "Say, yon look like a reb, but act like • Tank," langbed the man as he lowered bis carbine. "I guess you've got news, and I guess you want to go to headquarters." "Hain't yo' nn nothln but jest common folks?" she persisted. "No." "Have yon seen the—the Percys lately?" asked the captain as Mrs. Baxter got ready for another wave of sorrow. "While you aro cleared of the charge, " said the general after a long examination, "how does it come abont that you, a northern man. aro found in the Confederate ranks?" "Didn't I alius say yo* nn had no speerit about yo', and that's why we was alius poro and low down?" she bitterly exclaimed as they passed into tho house. "Ike Baxter, yo' hain't shucks! Yon nn's low down, and yo' like to stay right thar! Everybody elso is comin homo with gineral's and corporal's and major's stripes on thar sleeves, but yo' bas dun let 'em walk yo' intor the mud and hain't got no speerit to resent it! If I'd gone down thar, I'd 'a' come back as big as anybody! I've dun told everybody yo' un was a gineral, and now—now yo'sonly jest common!""Did Ike Wll yo'?" sho whispered. "Partly." "Will you kindly tell me which way to go to strike headquarters?" "I've bin fryin to CVD ns we planned, bnt couldn't fetch it. iko (bought nrC I might f,et n placo in tho house, but they una hev got too many niggers fuh that." Kenton turned white with anger and started to retrace his steps. tiou and dinner will be best, around. "I'll do better'n that—I'll go with yon to the picket poet and see that you are passed along. Have you been scouting?""Say, Johnny, that's a sqnare deal!" joyfully exclaimed the Federal as he received his weapons, "and I want to shake hands with you! Put it there! Can't tell but what we may meet again before this row is over, and if we do I hope it'll come my way to do the fair thing. So long to you!" "I enlisted in Jbe cause of Virginia, my adopted state," wan the reply. "No, yo' don't," paid Steve as he barred the way. "I fust took to yo' on acconnt of yo'r sense, and I hopo yon won't lose it now. Thar's a game bein played, and yo' wanter come out on top!" Ho says that the above reports about him are nntrno, however, but that he was disabled by being stepped on at the door of the capitol while he was perusing a page who stood near by. "But the cau.se of Virginia was and is unjust. She is guilty of treason. Every one of vou under arms is a traitor to the government. The principle is so plain that no one need doubt." "All their women have cut and run —not ono left. If yon should happen to offer your services there now, I think they'd be accepted." "¥68." "Seen any rebe?" "Plenty of them." Since writing my last letter fire has broken crat in my chateau, which stands on the east side of the deer park, and which can he seen for over a mile. The building is erected in the Anglo-Saxon stylo, running back as far as William the Conqueror on one side, while on the other it runs back to the henhouse. "Well, come along, and I'll ride down the road with yon to the poet. We are posted along here in hopes to catch a reb scoot who's been sneaking aloog oar front for two or three days. What did yon say yonr name was?" "Shoo, nigger women all gono?" "2 know it for a fact." I'll go over thar this very hour!" said Mrs. Baxter as sho reached for hor sunbonnet. "C'apting, was Iko right when ho said this yero Yankeo stood in his way?" "Is it possible that after what has passed they still continne to look npon mo as a traitor?" demanded Kenton in a voice broken with emotion. Kenton watched him out of sight and then walked down to the highway to find himself at the post of a vidette. He was directed back to the reserve, his pass examined, and he was then within the Confederate lines and ready to push on to Manassas and Jackson's headquarters. When bis information had been laid before the ptern faced man, whose title of "professor" had been changed to that of "general" within a few brief months, he quietly said: "But there are doubts, sir. A large proportion of the northern people are doubtful, and some of the most influential of the northern papers contend for the right of secession." Mrs. Baxter Bat down and wept and used her aprop for a handkerchief. Ike had expected just such a reception, and he had a plan to develop at the proper time. While sho continued to weep be helped himself to a bite to eat from the capboaid and maintained silence. "They do, bnt it's fur an object,"yo* see,"replied Steve. "It's all on acconnt of tho gal. J[f thar was no gal, yo'd be the first lieutenant or mebbe captain of tho company today. If thar was a gal and 110 war, yo' and Wyle would hev fit a dnel over her befo' this. One would hcv challenged t'other." "Kenton." *'And mine is Fisher. Hear anything •boot when we are going to move?" "Not a word, though the army Beems to be all ready." The general could not gainsay that. The government was rushing troops into the field, and battles were being fought, but the principle was still being discussed, and men eminent as jurists, statesmen and journalists were still di-. vided. Kenton was dismissed to bo returned to his fellow prisoneis. Only ©no guard accompanied him. '•Yes, ho was." Smoke was noticed at about dusk coming from the ballroom, and before the coachman could get the dishes done up fire had been seen beneath the chancel, which connected with the building on that sida "Was he right when he said if wo una conld got tho Percy gal to hate him ho would bother nobody no mo'?" Jackson left nothing behind him—artillory, wagons 01 muskets—worth gathering up and reporting. Most of his wounded were carried np tho valley as he fell back. Shields followed slowly, and tho rear guard had no fighting to do. The panic of an army, of an army corps even, is a terrible sight, but the panic of a town is something which no one can fitly describe. Tho news of Jackson's defeat preceded him, and when he reached Winchester it was to find a town wild with fear and crazed by terror. War was young then. In after years tho old town changed bands without a tremor, gathered np tho dead off its streets and buried them as part of tho regular programme. "It la ready, and why McClellan doesn't push down and walk all over the •-Yes." "And why didn't they make a gineral of yo'?" asked Mrs. Baxter after about 10 minutes. "If the Yankee was shot or killed or snnthin, would Iko ride around on a critter and dangle a sword?" "You have done excellently. My command is ordered into the valley. 1 shall have further need of your services in this line, but you may return to your company at present." "But, but"— stammered Kenton, boiling over to say something and yet not wishing to drag Marian Percy's nnmo into the case. The chateau is 15 miles from Asheville as the bird flies, and my well Is between 100 and 150 feet in depth, with a pair of moss covered buckets on the inside. These buckets are suspended by means ofetchaiii. which is of course 110 feet length When one of these buckets meets the other in of the well, the empty knocks the contents of ono almost entiroly plumb out, and so the service is not entirely satisfactory in case of fire. "If yo' un dun had any sense in yo' head, I could tell yo'," be sullenly replied."It's quite likely. What plan have you ■got?" Half way between headquarters and the spot where the prisoners were being held under guard they encountered two men bringing in a wounded man on a stretcher. The victim proved to be the guard's brother. For a 1110- "It's jest this way," interrupted Steve: "Yo'un'sgot the inside track, and tiler's but ono way to keep it—play to win. Beat the captain at his own game. Go right along about yo'r Manes', b:rt keep an eye out fur Iteube. He's put on yo'r track to soil yo' out, "Sense! Sense! If I hain't got sense, who has? If it hadn't bin fur my sense, we uns would hav bin right down to tater skinH y 'ars ago! It's my sense that has kept ns outer the porehouse and lot ns hold our heads up with the l«Dst of 'em! Leastwise I've alius held my head np, even if yo' hain't!" "Jest leave that to me! Mebbe I haven't got any, und mebbe I've got a hoan of 'em!" CHAPTER X. improvement, which noticed, for I had taken gallon bottles durinp to it night and day. night, I wonld go to tl bottle and drink all th; No part of the south witnessed so much of the wreck and misery of war as the Shenandoah valley. Its highways, fields apd forests, its houses, barns and sheds, its every breeze by day and night for three long years, echoed the fierce shouts of contestants and the groans of wounded men. Nature made it a garden. War converted it into a vast graveyard. "Here is what yon are to remember," I10 said as he rose up to go. "If tnd he'll do his purtiest to please the •aptairi." I began to feel like danced and Bang all tl«, After three weeks of its steady use I i discovered that I had been using the water that had been used so successfully to break up my chill. It had been put in empty Lithia water bottles and set near my chiffonier in the moving. Faith will not only remove mountains, but warts, bunions, wens, tumors and ingrowing naila "It's this way," said Ike as he continued to eat and reflect. "It's corporal, sergeant, orderly sergeant, leftenant, captain, major, kurnol and gineial. Takes a heap o' time to git up thar! Everybody has got to begin way down." It was trne that Banks was moving lp iuo vaney, i-te naa an army uv« iinos as strong as Jackson's, and lie neant to annihilate the latter before re-enforcements eonld reach him. Kenon had set ont in good time. It takes m hour to move a regiment of men assigned to a certain place on a march. It takes three hours for a brigade to march and countermarch and file ont of its camp onto the highway. Divisions jrdered to move at 7 o'clock a. m. are t alting and lingering at noon. An army :Df 20,(MM) with its artillery, baggage trains, ambulances, camp follow•rs and beef cattle is a gigantic sloth. It must open its eyes. It must wink and blink and nap again. It must stretch and yawn and complain. It is is if a huge tortoise was trying to work innRtt from kIipU The flames wore iiow supposed to be slowly eating their way to the wine cellar, where I keep a flagon of mountain dew and a case of colic to offset each other. Heavy volumes of dark smoke were seen emerging from the facade of an escarpment which I had put on the house by a man who learned how to be a carpenter a year ago. He learned by chopping his way out of jaiL "The Yankees are coming 1 The town will be given up to sack! Winchester is to be bnrned, and women and children must flee!" The Federals had begun their march up the valley from Harper's Ferry. Jackson was ordered over to bar the way. Historians may write with prejudice and politicians s]Deak in' bitterness. Let us be fair and conscientious, So rose the pry from house to house. Some locked their doors and rode away on horseback or in their carriages. Others left their doors wide open and took the turnpike to the south on foot, carrying whatever they bad at first laid hands on as a burden. Furniture was broughtout and piled in the streets and set fire to, and had not Jackson's advanco arrived as it did the people of the town would have applied the torch to their own rooftrees. The Yankee soldier was popularly suppoeed to bo without honor or pity—a ruffian who stopped at no crime. Jackson paused to refresh his men and allay the excitement. Those who had not fled decided to remain, though fearful of consequences, but the general excitement scarcely abated. "J3ut yo's not even a corp—corporal yit!" who exclaimed as one eye filled with tears of disappointment. "And what's the reason 1 hain't? Do yo' un remember that Yankee lawyer who lived yere—feller named Kenton?" "Seems like I did." By this time one of the moss covered buckets had arrived at the top of the well, but the colored equerry who drew it was so overheated that he had to drink the most of it to resuscitate himself. even if we cannot be neutral. Jackson's fiist battle was on the broad fields of Kernstown. All historians who have written for the future have pronounced him a wonderfnl man in the science of war. Before his command was fairly in the valley Royal Kenton and others were far ahead, scouting for information. Their reports decided Jackson on moving swiftly up and attacking the Federals as they reached Kernstown. He was beaten back and fairly routed, but that was to be the first and only time. Jlj "Throw up your hands!" he commanded an he advanced. Of COIITM It It. Mrs. Snooper—I wonder if it is true, Dr. Jacobi Bays, that the baby of today has a better chance of life than the baby of fifty years ago? Snooper—Certainly it is. The baby of fifty years n;?C D ia half a century old now.—Detroit *'ree Press. "Ho un'H to Maine. Tried to pit ns all captar'd at Bull Run. Tried to put all the officers down, (iot in with Oineral Jackson and talked agin ns, particklarly me. Reckon he nn said a heap 'bout yo', too, while henn was at it. If it hadn't bin fur he tin, I'd hev had stripes on my arms—heajrn o' ptriiies— and yo'd bin proud o' me. It's jest he un that keeps me down. We all hate he tin, but him'a got Gineral Jackson on his side." When I announced that the fire was in the wine cellar, -a neighbor of mine who stood watching the glorious sight jumped into tho flames, and his body has never been fully recovered Confederate army is a puzzle to me. Seems as if be was waiting to let them get a good ready. Everybody is giving him hail Columbia, but I suppose he knows what he's about. What command do yon belong tot" The pair bad been siowiy wanting side by side down to where the cavalryman's horse was hitched to the limb of a tree. The Federal had quite accepted Kenton aa belonging to bis side and was planning to do bim a good turn Dy guiding him to the reserve. Kenton moat avoid that. He had hoped to do it by strategem, and he bad exenses already on his tongue when asked for his command. Answer he must, but as he did not know the exact location of a single Federal regiment his answer would probably betray him. Ho was hesitating when the trooper repeated: "Would Ike ride around on a crittcr and At this time one of the ramparts fell, and tho whole scene was lighted np for miles around. I began to think rapidly. Still I was perfectly cooL Every one who saw me said that he had never seen a cooler or more collected man. Any one to look at mo would not have dreamed that I was thinking. dangle a swordf" at natin t wen ror i\.«nion, hoi a man ju our company would have been killed or captured." [TO 15 e continued. } Japanese Stmly of PerfnmPH. Confedri "It is a singi W. Strother of federate congress printed copy of that body, bo far certain. Of course the southern bound by rules congress today, were not put in . "I remember very well in 1865 member of the state senate, that, Baldwin, who was speaker of the I delegates, fashioned the rules of thi exactly after those used in the Conf congress, in which he had been a rep ative. These rules provided for coun quorum by counting those present w fused to tote and recording them i negative.' I am almost sure that it w imitation of the Confederate plan that dolph Tucker proposed when a membt congress iu 1S80. He then offered a quo; counting system exactly like that in us Richmond during the days of the rei lion."—Washington Post ate Con?,.- _ 'ar iliiuKt" saW Judge P. Virginia, "that the Condid not have a single the rules which governed as I have been able to asthe representatives ot itates at Richmond wert just as the Federal but lor some reason they •ype- HWBI fH? « »  rrtw Rules. As Jackson's own brigade swept forward into the fight Kenton was in the ranks of the Shenandoah guards. On his right was Steve Brayton, on his left Ike Baxter. He had known tint little of his company since detailed for scout doty. He divined that Captain VVyle's bitterness had intensified, and that the prejudice against him among his comrades had rather increased with his absence. He had been detailed from his company, and his return to it as Jackson ordered an advance and everybody knew that a battle would be raging within a conple of hours prove-d his metal in the eyes of all. And yet not over a dozen men in the company had a nod or a word for him. Ike Baxter, under the tutorship of his master, was carrying out a plan to drive him out in disgrace.The Percys were among the fiist to hear of Jackson's defeat and the news that the Federal army was following him tip and would soon be in Winchester. They were excited, but not terrified. "And what becuni of he un?" Among the ritual furniture of tho different sects of Huddhism In t'hlna and Japan vessels fur incenso of every variety of shape are found, and in our collection at «!te Burlington Kino Arts ulnb the in ccnse burners held among the bronzes the Kline place of importance that the Ixtxcs for holding tho Incenso took among tho liu'nuer. The temple censers are usually uncovered and stand in front of the altar. Into tho accumulated bed of line white ashes are stuck what wo Irreverently call joss sticks (manufactured, according to Rein, from the bark of a species of ill! ciuin). m "Oh, ho was captured, too, but of course that was all a trick. However, I don't want yon to say= anything as coming from nm. You needn't even say yon have seen me." Royal Krntnn a prisoner. "The pesky varmint I" she gasped, with uplifted bands. "He nn's all tc blame then?" ment he forgot his prisoner, and when he had recovered from his excitement over the discovery he no longer bad a prisoner. Kenton had walked off into the darkness and made good his escape. Suddenly remembering that the chateau was built by an Asheville builder, whose address I will supply at any time, I pushed the house over, and I put the flro out with a pan of milk. Then I tipped it bauk in place, and bidding good night cheerily to one and all I retired to my slumbers. "All to blame." "We will remain right here, and we shall not be disturbed," said Marian to her mother. "Tho Federals havo not burned towns elsewhere nor made war on women and children, and they will not do so hero. We have no causo to bo afraid." "Talked about me to Qineral Jackson! What could ho on say?" "1 understand. Ike said yo'was after And now as the night drew on apace and the cold rain steadily beat down upon tho battlefield parties of men went forth in search of tho wounded. They cared not for the dead. At the front there is but littlo sentiment or sympathy for the wounded. They are cared for because many of them will recover to fight in soino other battle. They were found in the open fields, in the furrows half full of water, in the deeper ditches skirting the forest, among tho trees and bushes dripping with tho rainfall. Some cried out in the darkness with the broken voices of lost children; others prayed or cursed or wept. And here and there, with their f»ices buried in the grass or dirt or with faces upturned to the sky of night and eyes half open, were dead men, a thousarDl or more. Tho morrow would do for them. Tho dead of a battlefield ask nothing. The living give them a covoring of a few inches of blood soaked soil, and give that grudgingly. "Dnnno, but I reckon heun wont on 'bout yo'r gwino b'arfut to church and dippin snuff andgaddin 'bout and complainin. He un rubbed it in on both o' us powerful hard, most likely. Befo' that Gineral Jackson was as good ae pie to me, but afterward he un wouldn't dun notice me 'tall!" :ho gal too. I hopo yo'll git her. Do fo' reckon Iko was killed?" "I'm quite sure ho wasn't." "Then I'll see him agin?" "Yes, after a bit.' " What regiment do yon belong to,and where is it stationed?" Neither had they, but circumstances whtch could not 1*) foreseen soon caused a change in the programme. Among Jackson's troops was the remnant of the Shenandoah guards. All the house servant* about tho Percy mansion wero colored people and slaves. Like others cf their color, tho general excitement had made them half crazy. They had left tho house for tho street to see and hear and were ready to catch up and believe the most absurd tales. There were two men and four women. Buck, who was a young man of 25, joined a party of the fleeing Inhabitants hurrying up tho valley. Uncle Ben, as he was called, was a man of GO, born and reared in the Percy family, and though sharing to some extent In the general excitement ho would not leave his post of duty. He had said to tho female servants: , Tho building is heavily insnred, and four men and a team have been here a couple of weeks adjusting the loss. "Pore, pore Ike!" wailed tho wife as her apron went np to her eyes. "Fie had his streaks—he was shiftless—but he never complained. lie was onery about some things, but good as pie about others. He wasn't wuth shucks at farmwork, but as fur knowin all »liout mewls, why"  It Is tho smoke from tlieso sticks as they smolder away that gives tho characteristic smell to Buddhist temples, and indeed to Japanese interiors generally, for they are daily burned before tho little house shrines. The covered 1 license vases take every vari ety of form, long logged cranes and gro tcsque lionlike monsters being perhaps the commonest.. There are spherical censers —these more for secular use—some suspended by silk cords, others containing within a cup supported on a universal joint, so that they may lDe rolled about without upset,ting the incense. Tho Japanese pay comparatively littlo nttAtlon to the scout of flowers. They pamFv the faint scent of the blossom of Jmo plum (Prunes mume) to all other, Mrjudgo at least from a little poem that may bo rendered, ' Seek excoUcnoa among men in the Samurai, among flowers in the cherry blossom, among perfumes In the plum blossom, among objects of desire in tho toshli^a." The last word, by the way, Is Interpv jtod in the dictionaries as a woman of about St) summers, more or less—a ripe •ge Ui Japan -—Nineteenth Century. "I'm independent,"replied thescont M he suddenly snatched at the carbine fend twisted it oat of the other's grasp. "Now throw up your handsl Up higher I I see you have a revolver, but if yon drop your hands by so much as an inoh I shall fire on yoal Forward! March into the woods!" The library was completely gutted, and I barely escaixxl myself. "Then—then it's tho Yankee who dun keeps yo' all back ?'' she asked after taking a couple of minutes for reflection.But in time of danger I care no more for my lifo than for going to my dinner. Tho insurSkx) money comes in very handily at this time, and nearly $100 will bo put into immediate circulation. It is quite a windfall, as one may say. Five dollars of this amount was allowed for tho loss of the library. "Jest he nn nlone," answered Ike as be finished his snack. She looked up, but tho captain had lisappeared.  "By George, but yon don't tell roe yon are a rebel!" exclaimed the astonished and bewildered cavalryman. "Henn's yere fur no good, and yo' kin lay to that!" Ike had whispered from man to man. 'Jist yo' fellers keep yo'r eyes open! I'm gwine to do It, and if he un tries to play tho traitor I'll put a bullet straight into his carcass! Mebbe he un kin fule Oinoral Jackson, but he un can't play no Yankee tricks on me!" "And yo' all hain't got spunk nuff to drivo ho tin out! Ike Baxter, yo' tin alius did dun let folks walk yo' inter tho mud, but I didn't reckon it was as bad as this! Fur shame on yo'!" Buildings Id New York. of the numerous tall build- - nvor part of New York has re■emarkable change In the ap■he city as seen from the decks steamers. A few years ago . A spire was pointed out to ♦•he steamer entered the Nar' ,y the tall steeple la over♦he many lofty structures Jackson retreated no farther (linn fitrasburg. Shields advanced no farther than Winchester. Prisoners captured during the first year of the war were not held long. Within ."D0 days from the battle of Kernstown tlioso members of Captain Wyle's company wh« had been taken prisoners were exchanged. Ike Baxter was among them. CHAPTER XTII Tkb The erection Ing3 In the V suited in a pearance ol of incoming Trinity church strangers as rows, but today . shadowed by the «. . .  which have been built In that part of the ■ city. Even the massive towers of the Brooklyn bridge are dwarfed by the tfdl office bulid'ngs. When the Western building was erected at  Bey street, about Q0 years ago, lt«|HHHF erally believed that tue limit in height had been reached, and for *. number of years no attempt was made to rivttv. t*»at struc ture. Then came the era of absolutely "reproof building!), with iron and steel framework and swift passenger elevators, and now there appears to be practically no limit to the nomter of stories in the new buildings that an under way.—New York Bun. "I don't know yet whether I am or not," replied Kenton. "I'm a Virginian and in the Confederate army, and Whether we are rebels or patriots is a Question I haven't settled. Keep to the left." An insuranoe adjuster is one who stands between the insured and immediate wealth. If it were not for the adjuster, tho insuranco company would soon give way all its money and fetch up in the poorhouso. When notioe of my loss was sent in, the company wanted to pay mo for the house, grounds and barn at once, but tho adjuster said, "No; you must not give Mr. Nye all your money, for you would run short and be a vagrant inside of a year." "How's wo all to drive he an when Gineral Jackson is in the way?" asked Ike. "If 1 never git to be a gineral, it's he vin's fault. If I git killed or rantnr'd. it's the same. Duke Wvle would make me sergeant tomorrer but fur that dod blasted Yank!" As they marched forward on the highway Steve Brayton found opportunity to say: "And yon may be the very rebel scout we were hoping to capture!" "Yoa are pretty near right about that. Keeprighton—I'm coming! Now halt and keep your bands still up!" "Look yere, Kenton. Ike's goin to play yo' some onery trick if the chance comes, and yo'd better be ready fur him. He un hates yo' like pizen, and ho un's tryin to make all the rest do tho same." "Then if yo' doan' pay him out I will!" exclaimed Mrs. Baxter as she rose up with a look of determination on her face. "1 nebber dun did see no Yankees in all my life, but I hain't gwine to be afraid an run away. I didn't bring on dis wah. I hain't killed nobody. What dem Yankees want to hurt me fur? Miss Marian hain't skeered. Her mudder hain't skeered. If dey hain't skeered, what yo' all want to be skeered fur?" Two days atter tho battle Kenton had reported to his company at Strasburg. It was known that he was captured with tho others, and his truthful story of his escape found no believers except Stevo Brayton. While the others declared that his escape was all arranged for by his Yankee friends, Stovo gave hiin his hand and said: As before stated, Iko Baxtor belonged to tho class known at that time and still roforred to as "poor whites." Through tho efforts of his wifo he had managed to hold onto a small farm just outside of Winchester, left him by his fathor, but it is doubtful if her arguments would have carried the day had any one inado a cash offer for the few acres. While Ike always referred to himself as brn1r«n Ciown liv hard work. CHAPTER XI. " What are yon going to do with me?" asked the man as he was disarmed and permitted to face about. "flow far is It to the nearest Confederate outpost?" That's what Ike was waiting to hear. He was now ready to dovelop the little plan sketched out in Captain Wyle'B tent before leaving camp. His Thought Revealed* So tho adjuster came. After awhile I convinced him that I did not sot tho houso afire, and I could see that it was a relief to him, for he was a man who lovod to believe in his fellow men. "I am aware of that," replied Kenton, "but can you tell mo tho reason for it?" A single word sometimes reveals a man's inmost thought. "Whoare thoso girls playing a duet on the piano?" asked one man of another at tut evening party. "One of them is the daughter of the hostess,'' was the answer. "And who is her accomplice?"—Boston Saturday Galotta."Abont two miles down this road." "Reckon thar ar' several. In the fust place, yo' didn't happen to bo bo'n down yere, while Ike Baxter and the rest of us critters did. In the second, vo' took the Hhine out o' the officers at "How many videttea between us and the post?" "Three or fonr. You are not going to kill me oat here in cold blood?" "I Reckon yo' kin do It better'n we all If yC?' want to try," he finally said. "Yo" know them stuck up Percys in town, of co'se?' The four women were on a street corner in a group when Captain Wyle passed by and recognized them as belonging to the Percy family. Ho had heard from the erossinsof the town lone "It's gettin pnrty hot fur yo' around yere, Kenton, 'cordin to what I see and hear. If yo' could surround and captur' a hall Yankee army and turn it I proved that my wife was very dangerously ill on tho night of the fire, and that her life for throe days had beon despaired of, and so looking into my great, deep, honest eyes he said: "Some "O* /VI'OA "