Pittston Gazette

              K8TABL1SIIK1) 1850. » VOL.. XI.V. NO. I. l Oldest Newspaper in the Wyoming Valley. PITTS-TON, LUZERNE CO., PA., FRIDAY, AUGUST :i, 189-1. A Weekly Local and Family Journal. longeu or, and though realizing his toward her sho made hold to defenders, and they resorted to strategy. A flag olT trueo finally appeared, and the soldier who boro it was permitted to approach within "JO feet of tho rocks. There he halted and said that 10 more men had come up; that Ike Baxter had been sent oil to the Confederate lines for artillery anil more soldiers; thai tho men then surrounding them had become so desperate that unless the twain surrendered within 10 minutes a squad would be detailed to go and burn Rest Haven and wreak revenge on Marian plain sight as tho troopers pushed on, and she shuddered as sho realized what might have been. Tho dead were forgotten for a moment in her anxiety for tho living. There had been no firing for the last. 10 minutes. Had the camp been captnml? Had help come too late? Sho stood in the ojien door and held herself on her feet while she listened. A sudden crash of musketiy told her what she was yearning to know. The Federal troopers had attacked, and they were strong enough to beat off or annihilate the besiegers. Half an hour later she was crying and sobbing and saying to the men who bore the litter: riio torco or f ederals opposed. They, too, have longed for a battle in whicn '.he infantry should have no part, and '.he oft expressed wish is about to lie gratified. nyfHAR)is B.)EWIS «M.QUAD.»| KWlTCO «94 BY A*»tRiC»N PW55 ASSOCIATION. wounded 1.111 n blended into one great wail for succor. It i:; freezing cold, and they are in torture: Hark again 1 That grswsomo sound rising at intervals above tho wailing comes from the wounded horses. They are also begging and pleading. Some are limping about among the dead and wounded men as if Seeking their masters, pausing now anil then to rub their cold noses against a body, while others are lying down and lift their heads only to utter a whinny which tells of fright and pain. Thank God that night and darkness come to the battlefield to hide its horrors! In tho darkness we shall seaich out all the wounded, but wo shall not be forced tc look upon tho mangled dead—mangled all. l'iD in tho cemetery skntrd by the Berry ville jDiUt; 1 foundgraveaftergrave in which soldiers slept their last long slot p, each name engraved on the stone, and behind them the pitiful fijiot over which all may Borrow, lint no one weep —the resting place of the "unknown." A SETBACK step out and accost him '"What, yo' ye re!" shouted the old man at the top of his voice as soon as he set eyes on her. "Fo* de Lawd, woman, bat if I t'-ergit hands on yo' I'll kill yo' far shoi I" What Macallister Heard From the liveried Servant. There is no advantage of position. Two thousand Federals, 2,000 Confederates, and each has a battery numberlug six pieces. Custer's guns could reach the gray horsemen as they deploy, but every piece is silent. A charge by half his command across that snowcovjred plain would have swept the field at arst and crushed the Confederates back into the narrow highway to become a panic stricken mob. No charge was orlered. The man whose name was to be:omo a household word before the end .if the war and whose life was to be •pared on 20 fields of battle that it might go out with the shouts of Indian lemons ringing in his ears sat his horse ind watched and waited. He had come to the brigadeof stalwart Michiganders 1 few months previously fresh from West Point. He had been called a boy, »nd men and officers had taken-no pains to conceal their sarcasm and distrust. Two or throe times he had led them in a dash there, but little fighting resulted. He would test them now, and they jhould weigh him in the balance. Boom! Boom! Boom! Tho Confederite battery is the first to open fire, and '.t is promptly responded to. The very Irst missile is apeicussion shell, and it Irives Its wav into tbe hniiso so lately Tho night was as balmy as Qilead, and Macallister Mcllhenny had a dollar in his pocket. This was unusual, for what he ordinarily had in his pocket were a bunch of keys and a knife with three of the blades broken oat. And Macallister Mcllhenny was happy. Any man ought to be happy with money in his pocket and hope in his heart, and Macallister Mcllhenny was in that fix, for the girl he wanted to foreclose an emotional mortgage on had given him a gentle smile that very afternoon. He was now on his way to see her, and he crooned a love ditty as he walked. It was many days ere Kenton or Marian or Mrs. Baxter walked in the sunshine. In the case tho latter perhaps it was better that her mind groped in tho darkness, and that it was months berore sho could realize ner wiaownoou. General Custer kindly sent her on to Washington for treatment,and for weeks and weeks she kept calling out: "Had Ike cam when yo' left the place?" sho asked, pretending not to notice his outburst of anger, but at the same time preserving a respectful distance between them. " Yo' ole cat! Yo' ole sho debbil!" he exclaimed as he rushed at her. "Yo* am de one who brung all dis trnbble Percy. It was a threat intended to strike Royal Kenton a heavy blow, and it succeeded. As ho heard the words and realized their import his face grew white as snow, and ho whispered to Htuvo that tho terms must Ik* complied with. "Carefully now! Bring hinf right in this way! I am so glad! I was afraid that he was dead!" to Miss Sunshine, an I'll broke ebery bone in yo'r body!" "Ike said he'd go fur help to captnr' tho Yankee, but ho hain't dun come back yit. Ike's goin to be a great oasifer and hev a sword and a prancin critter, and I'll hold up my head with any of 'em." il.l ve 1IOI1U « I til II "Exactly, and me too! Then thar won'the any charges, witnesses or trial. They'll report that we lit to the last, and it will be all plain sailin fur them as wants as outer the way. Thar'fore, in shootin we'd better jest shoot to kill and git all the revenge we kin. Steady, now! I think the critters hev smelt us repneu in.en ion She retreated before him and held up her hand as a caution to him to listen. The soldiers and guerrillas had begun firing on the camp. The distance was two miles or more, but tho morning wind was blowing from the south, and tho rejKuts of the muskets came plainly to tboir ears. Both realized at once what was going on. The woman laughed as she observed: [continued.] Tho prisoners were confined in the barn. Of tho entire force not one had escaped except Ike Baxter, and that only because he was absent. Thoro were a dozen or more dead men to bury, and after awhile a detail was sent back to perform tho work. A dozen dead, but no wounded. If yoa were in tho valley that winter, you will recall bitterness existing between the "irregulais," who wero practically bushwhackers and guerrillas, and the Federal cavalry. No prisoners wero taken on either side. If a Fedewil detachment was cut off, never a man returned to his lines. If a courier was captured, he was shot in his tracks or hnng to tho limb of a roadside tree. There was no more mercy shown on the other side. The capturo of an armed man in citizen's dress or half uniform meant that he had only 15minutts to live at the furthest. If he claimed to lielong to Mosby's band, he courted death the sooner. Men who fell in a fight went down to be buried there. by shot and shell and grape and the iron hoofs of the charging horses until resemblance to humanity is lost and one ctitt out in horror. CHAPTER XXVI 'Hon'tyou believe it!" was tho blunt reply. "It's simply a game to rattle us. Don't yo' remember tjiat Uncle Ben was to start out the tnis mavvnin to fiud the YaDri£ei s? Ho un's had time, and it'q they are on the way. The gal is [southern and loyal, and even thongh sum of these chaps ar' guerrillas they dasn't go that fur." At the door of her palatial mansion he was met by a liveried servant. The gang had gone far enough—perhaps too far. The Percys were loyal southerners and people of influence, and this disgraceful raid, even though made under a reasonable pretext, might be sternly rebuked by higher authorities. Those in citizens' dress were no better than piowlers; those in uniform had 110 authority beyond what Iko Baxter assumed.Where is Unclo Bon ? Gone to his rest years ago, but he lived to seethe end of tho war and to enjoy for a season the haven of rest which kind hearts created "Is Miss asked lightly. Montague at home?" ha While tho fight was raging the house and "quarters" were both in flames, fired by the shells from a Confederate gun. But for tho strenuous efforts of the detachment guarding tho prisoners in the barn that structure would havo also been reduced to ashes. It therefore came about that when the battle was over and men began to bring in the wounded the barn was the only shelter to be bad. The prisoners were turned out and tho place given up to moaning, groaning men and thnso who sought to succor them. The sounds of battle had been heard in the Federal lines, and a brigade of infantiy arrived about 8 o'clock in tho evening. While their services were not needed, tho half dozen surgeons sent out with the column had work to last them the long night through and far into the next day. CHAPTER XXX This reply set him back four pegs. "Is her father at home?" he asked on a second attempt. "She is not, sir." out!" for him Half a mile up the /oad from Rest Haven tho gang had left their horses and divided into two parties to search the hills on each side of tho highway. Steve had caught sight of two jr three men moving toward the camp through the scrub. There was a marriage in Winchester about two months alter tho battlo of Rest Haven. They called it a military marriage, beennso more than 50 Federal officers attended, because a Federal chaplain Officiated, because a Federal band serenaded the happy couple1. Who do yon think gavo away the bride? General Custer, who became a groom himself only a few days luter. Royal Kenton had recovered from his wound, and tho keen edgeof Marian's grief had been somewhat dulled by lapso of time and the excitement of her surroundings. It was better so. Kenton was not held for exchange under tho circumstances, nor did any one wish him to become a renegade by joining the Federal service. After tho marriage tho bridal couple, accompanied by Uncle Ben, went norjh and there remained till the close of the war. Steve Brayton was asked to go— nay,almost commanded—but he replied: "Ike'8 goin to git 'em fur phoret Iko will be an ossifer now and ride the best iritter in the company. Reckon yo' must 'a' bin hidin out when Ike got thar, or yo' wouldn't now. He was goin to burn yo' unalive." "But suppose they dared to?" pleaded Kenton. "He is not, sir." "Is her mother?" "She is not, sir." As Marian stood facing tho crowd, her face expressing the contempt she felt and her eyes flashing a menace from man to man, they began to fall back toward the horses. "Then they'd do it arter they had cut us to pieces, tho same as liefo'. Look at them dead folks out thar. D'ye reckon they'll spare us arter that? Hark! Whoopee! By tho livin jingo, but tbe Yanks hev showed up at last!" "Is anybody at heme?" he asked desperately."Nobody but the servants, sir." "I won't shoot to kill—not this time!" ho whispered as he thrust the barrel of tho carbine through the opening. "I'll jest fling a bullet down thar to let 'em know that the Confederate Yankee army has had breakfast, pulled its boots on and is ready fur bizness!" The reports of the guns told Uncle Ben that the two men in camp had been attacked, and that he had not a moment to waste with the woman. All his strength and resolution had returned, and without heeding her words he started off at a stout pace. She felt certain of his mission, and she was determined to detain him if possible. Mrs. Baxter was not only a fearless woman under all circumstances, but in such a crisis as this she was desperate. If Uncle Ben brought help, all that had been gained would he lost, and Ike might lie killed or captured with the i%-t *if tho gang. She stepped aside to let the old slave pass and then followed at his heels, threatening, taunting and commanding by turns and almost daring to lay hands on him. If she had been armed with knife or pistol, she would have attacked him at once. As she was not sho continued to follow him in how« of encountering some one on tho iiighway. If a white man, and she cried out to him that the black had dared to raise his hand against her, Uncle Ben would be seized, if not shot down in his tracks. What Macallister Mcllhenny said about the servants need not be mentioned hora "Dod rot my skin, but why didn't I kill that cussed nigger when I had a chance?" growled Ike Baxter. "Ar' yo' all goin to let that gal stand us off in this way? If she un's hidin that Yankee, then her's a sympathizer and oiter suffer fur it! I move we shoot the nigger and burn the houses!" CHAPTER XXVIII. "Where are they all?" was the nexf question, for he was not a man to throw up the sponge until the last armed foe had expired. The cornier dispatched by tho captain of the Federal iroop reached the lines in duo time and handed tho message to Geueral Custer, whose brigade was in winter quarters, but scouting and reconnoitering almost daily An order had been issued by tho general in command of tho army in the valley outlawing all Confedeiate iiregulars and directing special attention to Mosby's band. His shot was followed by a yell which announced to tho other party that the fugitives had been discovered, and 10 minutes later the camp was surrounded. Among the enemy was a man who had seen Royal Kenton fall when fired upon, and it was therefore known that he was wounded. How far he was disabled, however, could only be guessed at. "They have gone to a boating party, sir." "Oh, ah?" "Yes, sir. It was quite unexpected, sir. The invitation came just after din- "We ans won't do anything of the sort,"said the sergeant, now pushing forward for the first time. "We uns was sent yere to captur' Kenton and Brayton, and I reckon t'other things had better lie left alone. If that gal wasn't in the house when yo'all searched it, then whar did she cam from?" Custer with bin troopers found Uncle Ben eagerly awa'ting them. Tho old man was given a neat in an ambulance, ami within a few minutes the general had heard his story. Tho order was given to push 011 ut a faster pace, and the command reached Rist Haven just as the pi isoners had been placed under guard. A surgeon accompanied the column. and while be was busy dressing Kenton's wounds General Custer was holding an interview with Marian Percy. Tliu result of this was au order that the dead woman and the wounded man should be taken back to the Federal linos—the ono for burial, the other tor proper medical treatment. Whatever Marian wished to take away would be transported for her, and tho place would be abandoned. It is a grim sight, a field hospital like this, and they'aro grim men into whose hands the wounded fall as they are lifted off the stretchers, groaning, cursing or crying. Tho flight of a snowflako in a gale of wind is not more erratic than the flight of death missilus in a battle. Here are men woonded in the face; the next three or four may 6e wounded in the feet or ankles. Sabers have descended upon heads andpshouldcrs; bullets have plowed their way into arms, sides, hips or legs; fragments of shell havo carried away fingers and reduced hands to pulp. Of a hundred men no two have received the same hurt. "Urn! Was there a young man in the party?" inquired Mac, trying to appear very unconcerned. ner, sir." Within halt an hour after receiving tho courier Custer dispatched two companies of the Sixth Michigan cavalry, with instructions to push forwaid at a gallop, and 80 minutes later ho followed them with the First and Fifth regiments and a battery of artillery. Tho Hying column found old Uncle Ben patiently waiting by tho roadside and stopped long enough to hear his stoiy. He gave them the lay of the camp occupied by Kenton and Bray ton anil was left behind to wait for tho main column. Stevo Brayton was known to be with hiin. and Steve was also known to bo a tighter. It was theiefore decided not t# open tiro until other means had been resort" d to and failed. Thirty minutes after tho first appearance of the enemy a tlag of truce was shown among the scrub, and the bearer cautiously advanced until withiu bailing distance. Mis advance was from the south side, and both men had him under their eyes. It was Ike Baxter, and he halted about yistol shot away and called out: "See ycre, Yank, I've bin thinkin and thinkin, and I make it ont this way: 1 sorter owed the confederacy a grudge fur the way it treated yo', and hevin paid it off and squared the debt I orter go back. Thar won't bo nuthin said about yo' arter the war, bekase yo' was actually driv out, but the boys would rub it in on me purty heavy to the day of my death. I'll jest surrender over again to this Yankee army, wait to be exchanged and in due time become a good Confed again." "Yes, sir. He came for Miss Montague, sir." The artillery galloping into position. occupied by the living and the dead, and in its explosion brings wreck and ruin. Twelve guns are belching their deatL missiles across the open space when a sudden cry to the lips of a thousand iuen. from the western edge of the plain, where the pines grow thick, a woman suddenly appears to view. She Is bareheaded, and her hair is flying about her shoulders. She has neither nhawl nor cloak, and her dress is ragged and torn. She has a stick in her hand, and she waves it as if it were a iword in the band of a man and starts at a wild run for the eastern edge of the plain, right across the front of the lines drawn up in battle array. The cry of astonishment which greeted her appearance becomes a shout of warning, but sho does not heed it. Enveloped by the smoke of their guns, the artillerists do not see her. Their hearing deadened by the loud reports, they do not catch the shouts ottered by Federal and Confederate alike. Round shot and shell go whizzing and shrieking over the snow, and men waiting tor battle shudder at the woman's danger. One of the men replied that he thought be had caught sight of her up the road about five minutes before she appeared among them, but wasn't sure. Ike Baxter said be had been following Uncle Ben up the highway when assaulted, and it was rightfully concluded that the fugitives were not a great way off. Just then they were joined by three more guerrillas, and the entire gang headed up the road and were soon out of sight. As they moved away Uncle Ben's tear* began to fall, and ho whispered : "Was she glad to see him?" "Yes, sir; I should say so, sir." "Was ho glad to see her?" "Very, sir." A cloud settled heavily on the brow of Macaliister Mcllhenny. "Did you hear her say anything about expecting me this evening?" "Yes, sir." Aggravated and annoyed by the pain of the blows intiicted by Ike Baxter, maddened by the woman's words and her continued presence and rendered desperate by the danger of the general situation, it was no wonder the old man suddenly turned at bay with the glare of a hunted wolf in his eyes. She was too close to him to escape. Springing forward, he seized her by the shoulders, lifted her from the ground, and with a mighty effort he flung her clear of the road. At that point the ground sloped sharply away toward a ravine, and as the woman struck the earth with stunning force she rolled over and over until she finally brought up against a bush 50 feet away. Pur hups tlio l*1,sieging force was in earnest in making the statement which fell from the lips of tho flag of truce man as an alternative. They had suffered too severely to try another charge up tho narrow way, and the fusillade maintained for hours had been lead thrown away. Ike Baxter had indeed been sent away fur re-enforcements and a piece of artillery, and tho guerrilla portion of the force was thirsting for revengo and rife for the most desperate deed. Tho girl bad defied them, and her lover had killed two or three of their number, and somebody must be made to suffer. Rude tables have been prepared, and strong men lift each victim up to be overhauled by the men who have stripped off coat and vest and rolled their sleeves far back. They look like butchers in a slaughter pen, but their hearts are tender toward these victims of battle, whether friend or foe. The bitterness of battle is at its height when tho crash of artillery and tho crackle of musketry are fiercest. When the battle is over, whether victorious or defeated, pity returns to tho heart and blinds the eyes to tho color of the uniform. Over each man lifted np there is a brief consultation."Ah I" And again the heart of Maoallister Mcllhenny beat high with hope. "What did she say?" And that was the course ho followed, and when I shook hands with him in Winchester last spring I was proud to givo him his title as lieutenant. Did the match please Unclti Ben? Hear what he says as he congratulates the bride: "Hello, up thar! I want to 6pcak to yo' uns 'bout a uiinit!" Steve Brayton had come out of the affair a gieater heio than he had ever ho|ied to Ik). Although fiankly acknowledging himself an escaped prisoner and now again captured by the enemies of his cause, every Federal who understood how ho had fortified the camp and dafended it to save a wounded and almost helpless fellow Confederate insisted on taking him by the hand and tendering him hearty congratulations. Even General Custer himself did not withhold a word of praise after learning from Marian and Kenton of Brayton's bravery and self sacrifice. The face of the liveried servant was as fixed as fate, as expressionless as the sphinx, as immobile as the countenance of a mummy. "Waal, fire otf yo'r breath!" replied "God bress yo\ Miss Sunshine,fureber an fureber fur what yo' dun did fnr me, but I'ze got powerful bad news to tell yo't" "We una has dun clean surrounded po' uns, and yo'd better give in!" Steve. "Now, Miss Sunshine, yo' all has dun gono an married Mars Kenton, an it does jest seem to me dat I ar' walkin round on aigs! Hul But when I was "She said, sir," he replied, "thai they had better get away before you came, air, because if they waited until you left, sir, they wouldn't get started until it was time for breakfast, sir." "Yes?" "Is mother dead?" she asked as tho color went out of ber face and her lips grew white. "If yo' uns will give in, nobody will bo hurt. If yo' uns don't give in, we nns ar' bound to wipo yo'ont! We nns is a hundred strong, with two cannons!" Alas, alas I By breakfast time there was no dollar in Macallister Mcllhenny's pocket, and he conldn't have put his head in any pocket less in size than a coffee sack.—Detroit Free Press. "She was dead when I dun got yere!" "That yo', Ike Baxter?" called Steve, as if doubting the other's identity. "Uncle Ben," whispered tho girl, choking back the wails of sorrow which sought to pass her lips, "I know you are stiff and lame and sore, but I want you to try to reach the Federal army tnd bring help!" "Yes.' The sergeant in command of tho sCiuad of Confederate cavalry had nn control over tho guerrillas, but when, as they waited to hear from the men lDehiiid tho rocks, ho hemd them planning to wreak their vengeance on Rest Haven, he did all in his power to dissnade them. They seemed to abandon the idea, lint under pretense of "having a talk" four or five of them slipped away and startt d tor tho house. They were within 20 rods of it and had already divided up the wicked work to be swiftly accomplished when the flying sijuadron turned a bend in the highway and was upon thorn. They turned to flee, but half a dozen revclvius cracked, and they wero dead men as the last set of fours jumped over their bodies lying on tho highway. Not a troojDer slackened his rein or a horse broke his gallop. Those bare armed men need waste no time. They can tell almost at a glance What the result will be. If it is a mortal hurt, the poor follow is lifted aside to breathe his last as peacefnlly as possible under such surroundings. If there ts hope for him, his wound is dressed With agile fingers, and he gives way to the next. "Waal, I've got my gun pinted fur a shot right betwixt yo'r doggoue eyes, and if yo' hain't back thar among yo'r gang befo' I count 10 I'll pull trigger! If yo' want us, cum and git us!" "Do Lawd furgive me, butlcouldn't dnn help it!" groaned Uncle Ben as he continued his way. "Dey's arter Miss Sunshine, an dey's arter me, an dey's arter Mars Kenton, an de good ole missus am lyiu dead in de house, an what's gwine to becum of us all  With eyes fastened on tua pathway, with teeth hard shut, with words of prayer rising to his lips and a constant struggle against the feeling of despair seeking a lodgment in his heart, the faithful old slave pressed on, mile after miler, and suddenly found himself confronted by a party of horsemen in blue uniforms. The goal had been won, and as he realized it up went went his arms, and he sank down on tho icy road. "Waal, gineral, I durino about all this," leplied Steve, with a good deal •Df embarrassment, "Reckon I was the ulceus of gittin that Yank into tbe Confederate service, and now it looks as if I was the means of gittin him out and myselt along with him. We una hev been driv outer the southern army by :hat font up at the camp, and if yo' una lon't take keer of us 1 we una will hev to bunt a cave suinwhar and uide away till the war is over." By the Card. "Who's that? Haiti Haiti Ho can never do it) He's sure to be killed!" A traveler found at Richmond castle a guide who was amusingly dependent on tradition and guidebook. "I hain't hurted much—only jest a beetle bit—an I'll start right off!" he answered. "I'll go, an I'll keep gwine ti.ll I drap down in my tracks!" Five minutes later fire was opened on the fort from all around the circle, and the enemy were shouting and cheering as if a victory had already been nearly won. While nxjst of their bnllets flew clear over tho piled up rocks, those which were better aimed did no damage whatever. Not a shot was fired in reply. Kenton's position caused him consideialilo pain, and Steve removed the prop from his back and laid him down with tho remark: So cried 600 Federals as Steve Brayton, monnted on the horse of a trooper be had been asked to hold for a moment, dashed straight out into the plain to head the woman off. He knew her the moment she stepped out of tho woods. Uncle Ben had told him of the meeting with Mrs. Baxter on the highway. He had flung ber down the bank with tremendous force, and as he came back over tho road with Custer's men he expected to find her lying there dead. Nothing was to be seen of her, however, and his mind was greatly relieved. In her fall, as was afterward known, the woman's head struck a stone, and the skull was fractured. When she struggled up, she was no longer sane. She bad been wandering through the forest for hours liefore she appeared on the battlefield, but she encountered no one and found no shelter. Never was there a more gallant deed than that performed by Steve Brayton, and never was hero more heartily applauded by friend and foe. He galloped his horse straight at the woman, and as he came up to hei be leaned over in the saddle, caught her with lioth hands, and next instant she was on the saddle before bim, and the horse was flying back to tho Federal lines. The woman fought and screamed, and fragments of bursting shell whizzed and whirred around and above horses and riders, but they dashed into the lines unhurt, and tho gallant iescner was directed to continue down tho road until the wouian could bo placed beyond danger. "What is the height of this fine old keep?" asked the traveler. "God grant that you may be in time!" she prayed as she turned away to enter the house of the dead, while tho old man lost not a moment in setting out on bis journey down the road. "According to histroy, it's 99 feet," was the answer. "That's Captain Wyle, my company Captain!" The same reply made to various other questions rotating to the height and depth of the measurements, and finally the men reached a part of the battlements where the hill on whioh the castle stands descends abruptly to the river. So exclaimed Steve Brayton as he entered the barn about 11 o'clock at night to see if ho could recognize any Confederates being brought in. The captain had just been lifted to tho tablo. He Was conscious, but had not yet spoken. Thoso who biought him in said that he fcas pinned to the earth by tho hind quarters of his dead horse, and that the Animal was fearfully mangled by grapoahot.."1 Unelc Ben's congratulation tied np to dat post an yo' was Jin dar wid dat big dissolver, an de sojers an gorillas was gnashin their teef, I s'pected do Lawd was so fur off he couldn't git dar in time to save us." Let us see how things went on at tho camp. Marian bad no sooner left it than Steve Bray ton still further strengthened the defenses. The ground to the south was fairly clear for a charge, but in no other direction could a body of men make a rush. The camp was on the crest of a knoll, and no spot within rifle shot commanded it. Tho packing up had been accomplished, and the dead wonif«n was about to be carried out of the house when the burial party was driven in by a strong force of Confederates. Ike Baxter bad galloped into the Confederate lines, only Ave or six miles away, with information ;hat 8iMDedily sent two companies of cavilry down the road as a re-enforcement. "A pretty steep descent this," remarked the traveler. "They una will keep bustin away far half an hoar yit, and we ana kin take things easy. I reckon the firin will mako the gal a bitoneasy, bat it'll also harry ap tho Yankees in case they ar' 011 the way." The Percy mansion was burned, as you remember. A much finer house occupies the sito today, and it is there the Kentons dwell, honored and respected by all. What more could I add? Goodby! "Yes, sir," was the reply. "According to history, it's almost perpendicular."—Youth's Companion. "Runaway darky, bat he isn't pursued that I can see," ol»erved the captain of the troop as he ordered a halt. "Sonio of you men liven him up with a sip of whisky." "I flgger jest this way," said Steve as he overhauled the aminnnition and saw that both guns were reatftfor service—"that Ike Baxter was sent down to the boase last night to sorter spy around fur Captain Wyle. Uncle Ben didn't smash him hard 'null, and be an crawled back to the house, got his wifo to fix him up and then skulked oil. I don't reckon he un had l4r to go. It's party shore that some of our company will show up doorin the day, and yo' kin bet yo'r last mewl that them guerrillas hain't given up the chase I Befo' noon suntbin's bound to bust!" "Halt! Dismount! Fourth men hold horses! Deploy to the left! Forward and firo at will!" One of these was Captain Wyle's, and bo smiled grimly as be recalled the cirrumstances of bis last ride over this highway. . "Shoulder dislocated, ribs broken, leg broken, struck in the groin by a carbine ball," announced the surgeon who made ft rapid investigation. Proof Positive. "That'swhat we mast hopo for,"answered Kenton, "bat watch out that we are not taken by surprise." It was a complete surprise to the Confederates, wlio had collected in a body to hear what answer might bo made to the massage sent in. They made a show of defense, but after n fight of five minutes, during which they lost 10 or 12 men, they threw down their arms and surrendered. This event was known in the camp almost as soon as outside of it, and tho cheers which Steve Bravtoc ut- THE END A sergeant dismounted and put a flask to Uncle Ben's lips and forced some of the contents down his throat. In a couple of initiates the old man sat up and looked around. ODDS AND ENDS. Tho firing attracted the attention of a party of seven or eight guerrillas who were bunting for the fguitives on their own account, and they came up and joined forces with the larger body. Tho entire force then numbered, as near a-t could l*i estimated by tho firing, about 25 men. All they could hope to by their blazing away as they did was that a stray bullet might find a tar- "Any hope for me?" asked the captain, whose lips had been moistened Vrith whisky, as it was observed that he desired to speak. Fits men for society—the tailor.—New Dort News. Iko Baxter had come into camp on a previous occasion to report that Kenton uid Drayton were biding out near Rest Haven, and that he had b6en nearly kilkxl by Uncle Ben while trying to follow him to the hiding place of the fugitives, Captain Wyle would wash his aands of the affair, but a detachment was sent away with orders to hunt down md bring in the prisoners. Steve Bray'on might be brought in, but be very ivell knew that Kenton would not be, whotber found wounded and helpless or not. After the detachment had accomplished its work he would seek a meeting with Marian Peicy, but not before. She could not bold biin responsible for tho action of others. Pine timber is clilpning out rapidly in the Michigan forests. The snrgeou shook his head and motibned to the attendants to lift the officer aside. When they had left him, Steve Brayton sat down beside him and bathed his face with whisky and gave him to drink. The captain had recognized him at once, but it was several minutes before he queried: A spidor web is constructed according to the best mathematical principles. "Were you running away?" asked the captain as he rode closer. "Whar—whar's Mars Custer?" gasped Uncle Ben in reply. There aromen in New York city who do nothing but rent camp stools for a living "General Custer? Oh, he's some miles away. Did you want to see him?" tered as he perched himself on the rocks were plainly heard as fur as Rest Haven. The regular employment of Hawaiian prisoners for many years has been the making of a road up the volcano of Eila nea. "Yank, old boy, we tins is on the top limb now," chuckled Steve as ho leaped down and shook Kenton's hand. "Bein as I've got sorter used to tho sight of Yankee uniforms, I reckon I'll drop over thar and tell 'em about yo' and sue what's {join to be donp." "And what would you advise?" asked Kenton, seeing that Steve was in doubt •bont something. 'rjl§p^ A V'/ "Miss Sunshine dun wants him, Bah —wants him to cum quick 1 Do gorrillas an do sojers am up dartryin to burn do house an kill eberybody!" "You and Kenton were in tho fight at Harrisonburg and weio captured. How came you here?" Visitors to the Mammoth cave of Ken tucky are less in number now than they were 10 year:) ago, although tho cave ha* been explored to a depth of 11 miles. \ "Seems to me the situation is about ■d toilers," replied Steve. "We ar' \ both Confederates. We've fit in several ijbattlea. We've bin captured and got ?way. We've put in a heap o' time cliawin up mighty |Dore rations and marchin up and down the kentry to prove our patriotism. Do yo' foiler?" Uncle Ben was so overcome that it took 10 minutes to get his story straight. The troopers numbered only about half a company and had been sent out to intercept a Confederate mail courier who was expected to enter that val leythrough Hempstead's gap, three miles away. The captain wrote a note and sent it off to the Federal lines by courier, but could do no more in the matter. Uncle Ben was given «itno rations to make a breakfast of, provided with a blanket by a kind hearted trooper and instructed to wait for the force which would be sure to come up within two or three hours. "Wenns made a bolt fur it on the road and got away." "What makes you think he is so is love with you?" The underground portion of the Kremlin palace, in Moscow, is to be explored to find the priceless library and collection of an clent manuscripts accumulated by Czai Ivan the Terrible. VBnt tell thorn of Miss Percv first." replied Kenton, whose anxiety was far greater than be had dered Ijetruy to his comrade. "And what has happened here?" "Waal, Kenton was wounded, then me and him stood oil Ike Baxter and his crowd, then the gal's mother died, then tho gal and Kenton hev bin driv away to tho Yankee Hdcs. Sorry fur yo', cap, and sorry fur tho rest of 'em, for our hull crowd has bin wiped off tho face of tho airth!" "Oh, I know it, because he is so attentive to other girls when I am present."—Truth.Turn quick to the south! You will never see a grander spectacle than this. The Confederate command, divided intc three divisions, with double lines dressed as if on parade, has received tho order to advance. They had waited for Custer to charge, but the chevalier was also a strategist. His artillery, being better served, was creating tho most havoc, and ho could afford to delay. Look! Look! As the gray horsemen begin to move Custer's guns, which have been grouped in front of his center, limber up and inovo at a gallop—four of them —two to the right and two to the left. In three minutes they are on his flanks and loaded with grapeshot and canister. The Confederate battery does not follow the example, and as the horsemen move forward the guns are useless. As tho Confederates came down the road in pursnit of the burial party Custer ordered forward three or ftur companies, and the pursuers became in turn tho pursued. But not for long. A heavy foreo of troopers in gray were coming □p, and even a child could have told what that look on General Custer's face portrayed. For long weeks he had tried to bring on a cavalry fight. The hour bad come! O ' A negro who thought it smart to ticklf the hind log of a mule took an unexpected trip through the air in Huntingdon town ship, O., the other day. IIo landed beau down in a posthole. A nitch AH Roand. "Yes." Tho prisoners wero conducted to the highway and surrounded by a guard, and then the senior captain accompanied Brayton back to the camp. They were not long in deciding what should be done with Kenton. They would remove him to RestHavcu, temporarily at least, and the prisoners would bo held there until tho main column came up. A rude litter was soon constructed, and Kenton was placed thereon and borne Rway. The gander legged young man in ■ sky bluo necktie came hurriedly into the squire's office and laid a legal document before that potentate. "That's one side. Now the is that a sartin gal hived yo' better'n she did Captain Wyle, and fur that reason he on has bin tryin to git fjbeto' yo' by fa'r means or foul. He's *jf)t the wliipsaw on yo' and means to hold it. If he gits hold o' yo', sunthin's goin to happen, and yo'll .be tno one to be hurt. With that major down on yo' aliont the Harrisonburg font, and with Ike Baxter and half a dozen others ready to sw'ar to anything the captain wants, yo' un won't stand no mo' show than a cfion cotched in a co'ncrili. Am I right?" Nolson'sold battleship, the Foudroyant. is being exhibited at various ports ii Great Britain. It is said that every tiinbeD of tho old ship is as sound today as when 6he was launched a hundred years ago. "Is that paper negotiable in this mar ket?" he inquired anxiously. "Have we been defeated?" "Regularly cleaned out, cap. I don't believe a hundred of onr men got away. 'Cordin to what them doctors say, yo' can't pull through this. Do yo' want to leave any word with me?" The squire looked over it long enough to determine in his own mind that it was a marriage license. •*w Tho Young Woman's home of Mem phis, Tenn., has been saved from sacrifice by a wealthy gentleman named Kink ley, who paid a $ti,000 mortgage. "Name it for my mother," was tho only condition of the gift. Let uh anticipate their coming. Ah the fusillade had drawn no reply from tho fort, the enemy at length concluded that its defenders had been disabled. They ul«o realized that tho Bounds of battle might reach Federal ears and bring np a force to the rescue, and it was therefore decided to advance upon the camp without further loss of time. As Brayton had predicttd, they formed on the open ground to the south. The entire torce formed in two lines for a charge, and as a movement or two showed that they were about ready to advance Steve quietly remarked: "I suppose it is," replied the squire, "but it oannot be validated, so to speak, unless the party of the second part is present" Ike with the flmj of truer. CHAPTER XXIX, get in one of tho defenders, but this did not happen. After expending enough cartridges to equip a whfte company for a raid the firing suddenly ceased. It in within an hour of sunset on a winter's day. An inch of snow covers tho earth like a royal carpet, and dark and ragged clouds drive last across a :old blue sky. "No," whispered tho captain after a moment's thought. A feeling of dumb despair crept over Marian Percy as sho entered tho house after Undo Ben's departuro and looked upon her dead. The event was not entirely unexpected, and yet it was a great shock to her, surrounded as it was by such trying circumstances. The mother dead, Mrs. Baxter gone, her lover wounded and besieged by bloodthirsty men, Undo Bey gone after help, an almost certain knowledge that tho worst was yet to come—what wonder that the girl was stricken and helpless? The report of every musket reached her ears, "Not even fur the gal? She won't bear no grudge when she bears yo'ar' dead." A physician at nays City, Kan., opened the door of his room suddenly at midnight and yelled ''Boo!" just to scare his room mate. Tho latter responded with a shot from a 44 caliber revolver. Ho was hit, but not killed. "You mean tho gal?" asked the negotiator, more nervous than before. "Yes, that's about the way of it, but what about yon? You have lieen my friend and comrade from start. Yon have periled your life to save mine. I owe you a debt of gratitude, and I don't want you to sacrifice yourself tor my sake. Tbey have nothing against yon which will not bo overlooked. They want to get me out of the way. and there is every chance that they will accomplish theii object. I would bo selfish to pull yon down with mo alter what you have done." "I da" "Now, then, Yank, they all's comin to clns quarters, and 1 want yo'rhelpl" said .Steve lirayton as he proceeded to raise Kenton to a sitting position and prop him up as l»efore. "Yo' take the shotgun. Both bar'ls ar' loaded with buckshot, and yo' orter drap about fo' of tho critters and wing twoor three mo'!" In front of Rest Haven, looking to the south, the hills recede and leave an almost level plain on which there is no greater obstruction than an occasional tree or bush. A creek which has its birthplace in the mountains meanders across this plain, but divides it about equally. Tho plain is largo enough for 5,000 cavalry to maneuver on, and along its edges are a dozen siDots on whick field artillery can be posted advantageously.s The captain shook his bead and closed his eyes. Steve moved away after a few minutes to look for other Confederate wonniled, and two hours later the officer's dead body was carried out with others to mako room for tho wounded. "She's all right. She's outside in th« wagon holdin tho bosses." "Trot! Gallop! Charge!" You hear the bugles sound the order, and you see 2,000 sabers flash in the sunset as 2,000 horsemen thunder over the plain. Givo them credit for bravery even to recklessness. Before the horses are off a-trot tho murderous grapeshot are knocking them down by dozens, and as the artillerists change to canister 2,000 Federal carbines also open fire. "You don't exiC et mo to go out there to perform tho ceremony, do'you?" asked the squire haughtily. One authority says golf should bo pronounced liko gawk, with an "f" in stead of a "k," and another as strongly assorts "goflt" to be tho only correct and smart way to sound tho word. As it Is as hard to play as it is to pronounce, it might bo well to cling to tenuis for awhile. "Have you y t iho power to fix the business?" inquired the young man, apparently of tho belief that the squire hart to call in tho or a preacher or squio other functionary. When morning came anil the dead were gathered for burial, Steve Braytor. found many that he could identify. In deed a full half of his own company had been wiped out, and among them was Ike Baxter. But great as was the Confederate loss, that of tho Federals was severe. History has said of that first real cavalry fight of tho war that it was terribly brief induration and appalling ic its list of dead and wounded. It was almost night of tho day following the fight before tho last of tho Federals moved off and left the field. And how changed was Rest Haven,fand what a misnomer tho titlo which had been given to it in tho years of peace I Cinders and ash''s showed where the houses had stood. Across the plain, farrowed by shot' and shell and hoof, its snow white carpet now spattered and blotched by a thousand blood stains, they had dug long trenches and covered in tho dead. Trees had been cut down, bushes uprooted, and over acres of ground was strewed tho wreck of battle. CHAPTER XXVII "1 dun no whar Jeff Davis bought this yere carbine, bnt it was a mighty cute trick in hiiu. Sho'8 good for seven shots as fa«t as I kin poll trigger, ami that means that sumbody's goin to git hurt. Yo' on hold yo'r buckshot till they git on this Bide of that bush. How yo* feelin, Yank?" Undo Bon had started out bravely enough, but after ho had traveled a mile or ho ho found himself growing faint and wC-nk. He was not only an old man, but the exciting scenes through which he had pawed in the last few hours, together with the physical pain ho had endured, were quite sufticithit to tax his strength to the utmost. He fought against the feeling until at length the rocks and trees seemed to lDo whirling round and round and the frozen highway to bo sliding from under his feet, and then ho dropped to the eaith and gasped: "Certainly. I've got all the paraphernalia right hero handy. All I need is tho girl." "Rally! Re-form! Forward!" Sir Georgo Gray, ex-premier of New Zealand and governor of Cape Colony, proposes, in a London journal, a close al lianco between this country and Gnat Britain, including an agreement tliat neither will mako war without the eon sent of the other, and prophesies lts accomplishment."And what?" queried .Steve Attention, now, for yon are going to witness one of the grainiest sights in war —a cavalry fight! Only a few of the Confederates have appeared in sight, but Custer has guessed the situation and is preparing for it. While he is issuing orders and the squadrons are moving und the artillery galloping into position, one of his aids is hurrying up the move to abandon the house. Wrapped in her bedding instead of a shioud, the dead woman is ltorne to an ambulance by troopers with uncovered heads and reveront mien—troojiers who will Im» shouting like devils and wearing the looks ot madmen half an hour hence. Marian goes with her dead, Royal Kenton into an ambulance by himself. The vehicles tako the road for the Federal lines. Above the roar of cannon and musketry you can catch tlio notes of the bugles, and as the smoke lifts hero and there in spots the eye can detect the gray horsemen seeking to obey thecalls.- They do rally. Tney do re-form. They do push forward under that terrible fire, but only to lie bioken up and swept aside. The Federal artillerists get the order to cease firing, the crackle of musketry dies away, and five minutes later the smoke has drifted off, and the eye can scan the plain. Beaten, broken, slaughtered, and yet the gray horsemen are trying to rally again! "Give me one of the guns, prop mo op over -there, and then go! I'll die right here after making the tiest tight 1 can!" "And tho whole caboodle wouldn't amount to shncks without her, would it?" asked tho youth, with a smile as happy as it was sheepish. "All right." "Yank," said Steve as he moved over and held out his hand, "yo' don't begin to know Steve Drayton if yo' think he's any sich critter! I was bo'n right down thar at Winchester, and I'vo lived tliar all my life and hated and abused Yankees as hard as anybody. I went into the war with a whoop, and I jest believed everything was plumb right and all hands round till I saw how the captain and the hull company was playln dirt on yo*. Yo' un's Yankee bo'n, but yo'a got mo' clean sand in yo'r craw than anybody lever met up with befo'I I'm goin to stick right yere. If we uns git away, I'm goin with yo'. If them guerrillas ar' too many fur us, we'll both die right yeret" "Of co'se yo' ar'. Yo' ar' lookin jest as natural as an olo hat! Yere they "Hardly." A Chattanooga man, who is evidently not an amateur, sends a story to the effect that two blind men—brothers—carry all tho United States mails lietween Gadsden and Asheville. One of these mail carriers, being asked if he did not fear robbers, roplied, "Been here a long time now and hain't seen anv of 'em vet." "Shako, old man," exclaimed the Romoo, extending his hand. "Shake •once for luck. I'll go right out and hitch the hosses and fetch in the gal, and you can hitch us. Here's 50 cents to show you I moan business," and ha hustled out to hitch the horses preparatory to the other hitching.—Detroit Free Frees. cum!" With a chorus of yells that would have dono credit to a war party of Pawnees, the enemy broke cover and advanced at a run. They were hardly in the open before Steve began blazing away. His Are was fast and deadly, but it did not chock them. It was only whon Kenton, who was coolly waiting for them to pass the bush, let fly both barrels into them at just the right range for buckshot to do its best that the charge was broken, and every man on bis feet sought safety in precipitate retreat"O Lawd, doan' let it cum jest yit! Oive do olo man strength 'nuflf to roach aem Yankees, an den yo' kin take him away! I dun can't stop yere, O Lawd! I'ze got to keep trabblin till I finds Mars Custer an tells him dat Miss Sunshine wants him!" A Perplexing Family. Now is the moment, and Custer has waited for it. Only the dead and wounded are left behind as he moves out, as his entire command sweeps straight across the plain and falls upon the broken and disorganized enemy. They rally here and there by the score and meet the shock. Thev fiizht simrlv and by twos and threes. Men wait and die rather than run away. Bravo men, all of them—men whose deeds will be spoken of around our campfires for years to come. The only criticism will be that they did not have a leader equal tc Custer in the murderous art of war. The strangest com hi nations resulting from the marriage of relatives, that w# have ever heard of is that in the fanAiy ol Lewis Osborne, who has recently removed to Pomona from Selma, Fresno county. Mr. Osliorne tells us that he has been 10 /ears trying to unravel the perplexities of relationship that his second marriage ha# *iused. 1 m 18.S8 he married a young widow, who was his own grandfather's third wife. The couple have a little son. k. ... An Accommodating Prescription. An old fellow from the back lots came into a Piscataquis county drug store not long ago bearing a big old fashioned bottle which he wanted filled with sulphur and rum. He was very talkative, and before the proprietor could get a word in edgewise he went on to explain: "You are a noncombatant and had better go with him," the officer Baid to Steve Brayton as Kenton was ready to go- After a rest of three or four minutes he rose up and moved on. He slipped and staggered as he advanced, but he shut his teeth hard and would not yield to tho weakness seeking to pull him down. Two events happened to brace him up and restore a portion of his strength. Ho had gone a distance of about two miles and was just passing tho cabin of a "poor white" which had been deserted for tho last month when Mrs. Baxter suddenly appealed. She had traveled two miles toward tho Yankee lines after leaving Rest Haven instead of going tho other way, but it was to strike a pass leading over the range into tho Shenandoah. She had been waiting there in hopes to hear from Ike, who had told her that ho would return for his revenge. Uncle Ben was no rlontit nnKiiARHPil at the information alCn * "**»D»■» i r^' frr I have but few more pages to write. mac lb awinii wmspereu iveniou as the smoke blew away and gavo them a clear sight of tho ground. My story has not been all romance, and it is with a feeling of selfishness that I part from those of my characters who ire with us in the flesh today, and whose bands I have hold in mine within tho last twelvemonth. At tho opening of my story Winchester was described nsa quAint old town. That was truo of it—• a quaint old town of quaint houses and streets and people. War wrecked it again and again. Every street and square and alley witnessed a death grapplo. Every building which escaped tho flames wa's marked by ball or bullet. A few months ago I looked in vain for trato of war. Here and there a quaint old house still stands, but tho town is full of the bustle of these rushing days. Ah, but there was a trace of war after Kenton protested and argued, but Steve was determined. Ho took a tin pail which had contained food and filled it with water at a spring not far away. Then he carefully moved Kenton over to the south side of the camp, propped him up at a loophole in a sitting position and sat down beside him to wait. "Sense mo fur differin with yo'," replied Hteve, "but if it won't do no pertick'ler harm I'll stay and see this fuss over with. It's goin to be a right smart icrimmage, I take it, and as It'll probably bo the last fout I'll see I'll sorter hang around. Thar's that ole nigger, though—don't leave him." "Lands, but wo uns hev licked the hull southern confedeiacy 1" answered Stove. Given this simple statement and a nura oer of peculiar family relationships may ht iednced. For example. Mr. Osborne is a grandchild of his wife. His son being also a son of his (Osborne's) grandmother, is uncle to his own father. Oslwne becomes a brother to his uncles and aunts aud also a stepfather to them. The boy, being the v'hilrt of Oslxirne as a grandson, is thereby a great-grandson of his owu mother, while his father may rejoice in the title of greatgrandfather to his own child. Thus the boj becomes a grand ancle to himself and hi* parents' great-grandchild. Osborne is th« boy's father and groat-grandl'ather at the came time, and, being the husband of Iji* own grandmot her, enjoys the distinction of being his own grandfather as well.—Pomona ;Cal.) Progress. "This Is allers tho way I have it fixed. I have sulphur up to thar"—indicating with his finger a small space at tho bottom of tho bottle—"an the rest I have all rum. An this is the way I use It: When I want a dose of sulphur, w'y, I jes' shak'er up afore I drink, an when I don1 wan' no sulphur, w'y, I don' shak'er. See?"—Lcwiston Journal. The report nf every miixkct rcached her and now and then as the firing died away a little her heart stood still at the thought that Kenton and his comrade had been captured by thoeo wlm thirsted for their lives. Bbocould only weep and pray as the hours dragged away. Hope came to her only when she heard the clatter of iron hoofs on the frozen road and looked out to behold the two companies of Federal cavalry sweeping up the hiehwnv to the r.fene. Uncle BC n had been in time, and she murmured, "God bless him!" as she realized what it meant. The dead guerrillas lay in cur a. At first sight it seemed as if half the charging foico had boon wiped out, but after a moment some of those who had fallen began to crjDep nway to the shelter of tho rocks and bushes. They wero allowed to do thD$ without molestation. Five remained thero in plain fight, however, and not ono of them would ever stand on his feet again. There was no further movement for half an hour. The besiegers realized that they were not enough to carry that fort, even though it held only two Uncle Ben stood in the midst of the bustle with bundles and packages in his arms and at his feet. lie was told to get Into tlio vehicle with Kenton, and next moment six horses were galloping a gun iver tho spot whero ho stood. Look to tho south. The Confederates »ro debouching from the highway and deploying on tho plain. Their hearts uro filled with rejoicing as they behold Night has fallen, and the fight is over. There are prisoners to bo guarded, wounded to lie caied for, dead to bo counted for tho official report and spoils to be gathered up. The clouds have driven away to the east, and the canopy of heaven is studded with bright stars. There is no moon, and tho blood spots on tho snow gradually fado away and are lost to sight. "I've figgered thisouta bit,"ho said as he peered through bis loophole for sign of danger. "If them chaps had found yo' at the house, yo'd hev bin carried off to camp. Bein as they'll find yo' yere, and bein as thar'll b« a font, thar won't be no carryin away if they git the better of us!" On What Greatness Depends. In tho sight of God greatness docs not depend on the extent of our sphere or on tho effect produced, but on the power of virtue in tho soul, in the energy with which God's will Is performed, the spirit in which trials are borne and the earnestness with which goodness Is loved and pursued.—W. E. Channlng. " You mean they'll kill me here and flurkl That Bound is the cry of