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i. m. grist & sons, Publishers. J % (Jfnmil|T Uauspaper: <$or the promotion of the golitiral, Social, gujrimltural, and (Eommqrial Jntmsts of tho ?ouih. {ter^'no$le0^oapy!efai?e,^centsance* established 1855. YORKVILLE, S. C., SATURDAY, MAY 6, 1899. NO. 36. - ? " 1 " * i " IN THE DEBA BY EX3WAI Copyright, 1S99, by the Author. CHAPTER XVI. WITH JACK. One of the curious features of that night's stirring incidents was that, from their oDening to the close, the good Mrs. Eldridge slept uninterruptedly. Not until the following day did she learn of the alarming experiences of her friends. The same can be said of Annt Marcie and her lively son Rastus. though in their case the fact perhaps was not so remarkable, since they were farther removed from the turmoil. As Lieutenant Oakman drew near the humble home of Pete, the faithful servant of General Eldridge. a burning point of light and pungent smell of tobacco brooding in the air apprised him that, despite the lateness of the hour, the slave was seated on the bench in front of his cabin, smoking his pipe. It may have been that what he had passed through rendered the old man restless, and he was seeking to soothe his nerves before lying down for rest. Naturally he was astonished when he recognized the Union officer approachs ing him. It required several minutes frvr OnL-man tn makp clej r that he had returned to avail himself of the offer of Miss Eldridge. Pete knocked the ashes from his pipe and gave a grnnt of disgust. "Kin yo' oxplain." he asked with surprising frankness, "why yo' was horned sich a debblish fool?" That parting with Miss Eldridge had put Lieutenant Oakman in a frame of min'd that made it impossible for him to be offended with anything in which she was interested. Still there was imminent need of haste. "I admit. Pete, that I have acted foolishly, but it is not good manners for you to refer to it. Besides, a number of Captain , Wilkins' cavalry are near the house looking for me. and if 1 don't get away in short order I shall be killed.' "De Lawd bress me! Yo' doan' say!" gasped the scared Pete. "If dat am so. yo've got to scratch grabbel!" In his affright he moved as if he were a young man again. With the officer at his heels he led the way across the old cotton field, or rather along its margin, for he fully comprehended the peril that threatened the young man for whom he had formed a strong attachment. Then they penetrated into the woods until they came upon a tumble down structure that had been converted into a rude stable, where the beautiful thoroughbred Jack had long been kept Kw Dnf n U1U71U1J IUU1VCU (UUCi IJJ 1 ^DV. He was again saddled and bridled, and then by a long, circnitous ronte was conducted to the highroad at a point about half way between the home of General Eldridge and the forking of The si five was seated smoking his pipe. the ways. A careful reconnoissance having failed to reveal any sign of danger. the lieutenant placed himself in the saddle. Pete helping to fix his boots in the stirrups. Then the slave doffed his hat and wished his friend well. As Oakman leaned over the side of his horse to shake the hard, honest hand he left in the palm every greenback with a single exception that he owned. Then, twitching the rein, he went down the highway like a thunderbolt. It was a brief gallop to the fork, where he reined up his superb steed. Hesitating but a minute, he turned to the right, and. pausing briefly in the highway at the opening of the lane that led to the home of Mrs. Ben ware and her sister, he drew near the house with his animal on a walk. It would be supposed that he had had a sufficiency alarming experience to make him shy of that place, but he appeared to be satisfied that everything was right, for. tying his horse, he walked up the steps and again sounded the knocker Several minutes passed before the summons was answered, and he knew from certain sounds that the ladies were taking cautions observations. If so. it did not require long to identify him. Shortly after he was seated in the identical chair which he occupied when made prisoner earlier in the evening, with the sisters trembling with pleasure and misgiving and the fire burning on the broad hearth. His first inquiry was "What became of that fellow that I parth* choked. Is he gone 1" "He is gone. Oh, my. my! I thought yon had killed him. " said the good Mrs. Benware. with a shiver at the recollection. "If I could have been sure of two or three more minutes. I might have brought about that happy consummation. Did he make any remarks 1" "Remarks!" exclaimed the horrified Miss Davis. "You have no idea of the shocking things he said." "I can very well imagine. I can't find it in my heart to criticise him. Then he didn't linger long after his friends left 1'' TABLE LANDJ ? ID S. EIjIjIS. | ' I "No. After he had sat op awhile and his head had cleared, I suppose, he made a plunge through the door. He was bo angry that he kept remarking those dreadful remarks and he was in such a hurry that he bumped all the way to the bottom, and then"? "He indulged in more remarks." The sisters raised their hands, with the palms spread ontward. and .ihook their heads in mnte horror. Really they couldn't do justice to the subject. "And when he found I had appropriated his horse, it was necessary for him to venture upon more language." "Very likely he did," said Mre. Benware. "but sister and I did not dare listen. We closed and bolted the door, and staid inside. We didn't know whether to expect you back or not and were about to retire when you rode into the lane. You must have had quite a trying time yourself, lieutenant. " His buoyancy of spirits was perhaps natural after his safe deliverance from his many dangers, but the occasion was too serious for levity. He sat near the open window with his horse in sight, j ready to fly upon the first appearance of danger. "The closest call, as it seems to me," he added, "was just after I had shoved that paper into my pocket, the order was given to search me. If the paper had been found. I shouldn't have been the only one who would have paid the penalty." "I was ready to sink," said Mrs. Ben ware, "for I saw no hope. " "Wasn't it managed brilliantly?" asked the lieutenant with a chuckle. "Signor Blitz himself couldn't have beaten such sleight of hand. " "Have you come for it?" asked Mra Benware. lowering her voice and glancing around, as if fearful of eavesdroppers. The visitor nodded and then passed into the hall, opened the front door and stood for a minute or two in tne attitude of close attention. Neither ear nor eye revealed cause for alarm. Whatever had become of that squad of Wilkins' cavalry, it was certain they were nowhere in the neighborhood. Once more Lieutenant Oakman unfolded the remarkable document and by the light of the candle examined the drawings and explanatory writing. "1 never saw anything to equal it.' _be remarked, as if speaking to himself. "The information is enormously valuable. but"-.With that he flung the document into the fire. It had smoldered somewhat since his previous call, but the paper caught instantly and was quickly consumed. "My. my! What is the meaning of that?" asked the shocked Mrs. Benware. "That's where it belongs." said the lieutenant, compressing his lips. "Hitherto I have been in reality a spy. though in uniform. An honorable soldier. Captain Trenholm. risked his life for me tonight. I carry a letter of protection from him. which will be all sufficient except with scoundrels like these irregular cavalrymen, and henceforth, whatever befalls mo. I shall meet my fate with clean hands and with honor untarnished. And now I must be off." CHAPTER XVII. BRIDGING THE CHASM. Jack, the superb thoroughbred, carried Lieutenant Oakman over the moonlit road with a swiftness and ease that filled bis rider with udmiration. The steed, as black as the eyes of his mistress. seemed tireless. It was so long L L - J L..,l since ue uuu u<iu uu up^uivuimj stretching his peerless limbs that he reveled in the enjoyment of sweeping mile after mile behind him. Twice during the night the lieutenant met other horsemen, but. although they exchanged salutations, the uniform of the officer awoke no suspicion, if indeed it was noticed. Some time latei. however, he found himself suddenly pursued by a squad of cavalry, who shouted to him to halt and give an account of himself. Figuratively speaking. Jack laughed at the party and with little effort threw them hopelessly to the rear. But Oaknian knew how to treat such a noble animal. Just as it was growing light he turned off from the main road and approached a negro's cabin, that belonged to one of the plantations that were the rule in that state. It was little risk for a Union fugitive to trust any member of the African race, and ?l- ? Vto/3 mnrlA lrnnwn \Y lieII LUC IIUIOCUIUXI XACAV4 4~1JC*V?\S ?-W " who he was the negro and his wife showed him genuine southern hospitality. While the man was looking after the horse, the "mammy" prepared a nourishing meal of pone, bacon and potatoes. which was fully enjoyed by the officer, who then lay down in a rear room and slept uninterruptedly until the middle of the afternoon. Upon coming to himself. Oakman was surprised to hear men conversing in the front room. Listening for a moment. he recognized the voices as those of white ]?ersons who had made him the subject of their conversation. It was easy to tell from their words that thoy had come down upon tlio dwelling so suddenly that the negro had no time to warn his guest. As the only thing, therefore, to do. he stoutly maintained that he had no guest at all. I "I tole yo\" he insisted, "dere ain't nobody hyali. Dar warn't nobody in blue clothes like Marso Linkum's sojers dat rid up here dis mornin jes' afore day an had breakfas'. Dar ain't nc such pussou. am dar. Dine?" Thus appealed to. the wife camo to the rescue of her embarrassed husband nobly. "Oo'se dey ain't!" she indignantly protested. "An his black boss, dat's de finest critter in Jawgy, ain't out in de bawn eatin like blazes. Co'se he ain't." "All that being so," said one of the men witL a laugh, "there won't be any harm in onr taking a look around." He rose to his feet and moved toward the open door, leading to the rear apartment, where Oakman had risen and was listening to the conversation. "Doan' go in dar!" called Dinah in comical consternation. "Why not?" asked the man, stopping short and looking inquiringly at her. "Dat's my room. Ain't yo' 'nough ob a gemman not to intrcod?" "But you're not in there," was the superfluous remark of tfle man, wno was getting a good deal of fnn out of the situation. "But I'll be dar when bedtime comes." "And we'll be somewhere else. So long as the lady of the house ie not in her retiring apartment, there is nothing improper"? There is no saying how the situation would have ended had it not been unexpectedly solved by Lieutenant Oakman himself. After a momtnt's attention he recognized the voices of the two visitors, who were having some quiet amusement with the simple minded couple. Without hesitation, therefore, he strode from the darkened chamber at the rear and. advancing into the [ front room, extended his hand toward the visitor who 6tood in front of the entrance. "Hello. Jim, I'm glad to see you I And there's Tim too. How are you, boys?" The callers at the negro's cabin were his old acquaintances. Tim Masters and Jim Ackers, the same who had made him prisoner on the plantation of General Eldridge weeks before. The meeting was not a surprise to the two Confederates that Oakman anticipated. They had heard of his departure for the Union lines. They knew the circumstances and. understanding his danger, set out to find him. that they might offer their services. This was at the urgent request of Captain Trenholm. who censured himself intensely because a suitable escort had not been furnished his "exchange." Masters and Ackers were finely mounted, but it took the greater part of the day before they could overtake Oakman. because of the speed of the matchless Jack that had borne him to the friendly negro's cabin. The shrewd Confederates knew that when he baited it would be at such a place, and, by keeping track of him. through inquiries from those whom they occasionally met. they finally ran down the fugitive. When the delighted Oakman began to explain matters. Ackers interrupted with a wave of his hand. "We know all that, leftenant, so you can cut it short. We don't want to see that letter of Captain Trenholm, either. for he told us about it. He feels mighty mean that you should be left alone to grope your way back to your lines, while it was all plain sailing with him." "The captain is one of the bravest and most hoi^rable of men. He would have been glad enough to provide me with an escort, but there was none at his command." "Yes. there was," remarked Tim Masters, with a twinkle of his hazel eyes. "How was that?" asked Oakman. "He could have given you a squad of Wilkins' cavalry." "Of course." added Ackers, "and there wouldn't have been left anything for us to do. " n\7.? ?-?!?/? +ViA Tl?_ " IN or LUX tlliy UUC CISC, CAtcpu uuu dertaker. " added the lieutenant grimly. "Those fellows were very pressing in their intentions." "Well." said Tim. as he proceeded to light his pipe. "Jim and me are going to see yon through this time. After un Lieutenant Oakvutn heartily grasped each hand in turn. cle here has given na uu a square meal and our animals have had time to rest and eat. we'll be off. I hear that Sherman. with that army of 14.000.000. not counting the 1.700,000 niggers that have come in on the chorus, is so far over toward the sea that there ain't any doubt he's aiming for Savannah. " "Such I happen to know to be the fact." replied the lieutenant, who saw no risk in making known what he had learned weeks before, though he took care to give no intimation of the channel through which the knowledge was filtered to him. "They seem to be taking their time," observed Masters thoughtfully. "And, though it's mighty tough, I don't know that I blame 'em. I suppose it's the fortunes of war. and it looks to me as if the wind up isn't far off." 'Wh/.n r Inorno^ tliot hior QTTnV had cut loose from Atlanta." added Ackers. "I said that if they dived plumb through the heart of the Confederacy it would make a split that never could lieal. What do you think, lieutenantY" "There's no earthly doubt of it," replied the officer, who repressed the secret delight in his heart, through his sympathy for these two brave men that had fought so long and well on the los, ing side. "Grant is hemming in Lee 1 in Virginia, and be cannot hold out much longer. When he surrenders, the 1 Southern Confederacy dies." "And what will make Uncle Bob give in?" asked Ackers, over whose bearded face there spread an expression of pitiful pathos. ^ "When he yields, it will be to overwhelming numbers. The wildest partisan of the north will never dare claim that her success was attained through superior generalship or heroism. Had the contending forces been equal, with the same resources for each, the south never would have been conquered." Jim Ackers struck his knee a resound1 ing slap and swore an oath. ' "As true as gospel 1 Not forgetting, though, that we have had the advantage of fighting on the defensive; but then we're all Americans and belong to the same family, which the same being the ' case, I reckon, Yank, we can shake." Lieutenant Oakman heartily grasped each hand in turn. - CHAPTER XVHL NKW& i Those two grizzled Confederates were ' knights to the core. - When about to mount for their eastward ride over the broad swath of destruction left by Sherman's army, Ackers gently took the arm of Lieutenant Oakman and. pointing to the horse which the Confederate had ridden to the cabin, said: "Leftenant. that mare is acting as if she knowed yon. If it's all the same to yon, I'll ride Miss Eldridge's Jack and you can stick to your own." The tears came to the eyes of the Union officer. He had already recognized his mare Fanny, who whinnied her delight at eight of him, bnt he resolutely kept his face averted, feeling that he could ask no further favors of his friends. "Thank you. Ackers. I shall never forget your kindness." The next moment the officer had reached the happy mare, who stretched out her silken nose, which was caressed and patted, as well as her graceful neck, the endearment ending by the owner giving her a kiss. Then all three vaulted into the saddles and away they went. Under the escort of the two Confederates and protected by the letter of Captain Trenholm no further trouble occurred, though the party were held up and questioned more than once. Winter had come, but its rigors were softened in that southern clime. Sherman was well over in South Carolina, his columns spreading devastation and ruin far and wide, but he had not yet . got to Savannah when Lieutenant Oakman reached the army and reported to headquarters. At a safe distance he bade goodby to Ackers and Masters, the former of whom promised to return the black horse to his mistress, many miles away in Georgia. The subsequent campaign of General Sherman is a matter of history. All know how he telegraphed the capture of Savannah as a Christmas present to President Lincoln, after which began his resistless sweep northward. on his way to join Grant, who was hammering the breath of life out of the famishing Army of Northern Virginia under the leadership of the great Lee in front of Richmond, and in the following spring the end came. The sun of the Southern Confederacy set forever behind the hills of Appomattox, and the Union was restored, mightier than before, to continue as long as grass grows and water runs. Throughout those days, when Lieutenant Oakman, who had been made a captain, recalled his experience in Georgia, he was frequently impressed with a feeling that it was his duty to send an expression of gratitude to Miss Eldridge fnr her immense kindness to him. Fi nally he wrote the letter, though, in the disturbed state of the country, he doubted whether it would ever reach her. It was written in February, in North Carolina, just after the battle of Bentonville and ran thusDkak Miss Ei.driuoe?Thanks toyour kindness in loaning me your splendid horse Jack, 1 was soon placed beyond all danger from pursuit. Then Ackers and Masters appeared at the right moment and, like the brave men they are, accompanied me all the way to my own lines. Ackers placed mo under additional obligations by returning my own animal to me and by taking your horse back to you. I trust that no accident befell him or Jack, for 1 could not forgive myself if you failed to havo your pony restored to you. If you will be good enough to drop me a line stating that he it with you again, it will be a vast relief to me. The times are so out of joint that this note may bo a long time in reaching you and possibly may fail to find you at all. I give my address below, so that if the spirit moves you to write me a few lines I think they will eventually come to my hands. It will be a great pleasure to receive such an expression from you. In closing I beg you to express my fervent thanks to Captain Trenholm for his chivalrous friendship, and I venture to hope that at no distant day 1 may have the pleasure of clasping his hand. Please say to him for me that one reason why we are pushing the war for the Union so hard is that the south is so full of glorious fellows like him that we are too selfish to let 'em go. They've got to stay with us. But there are a few things to which pen and words are unequal. One is to express my gratitude to you for your acts to which my life is owing. Probably 1 shall soon pass from your remembrance, but you can never be forgotten by me. One hoar after this missive had passed beyond his control. Captain Oakman began a series of frantic efforts to obtain possession of it again. "It is the most preposterons staff that ever was written," was his humiliating thought. "Those last lines are a virtual declaration of love! They are impertinent and unpardonable! They will make her despise me! She will give them no heed! I shall never dare look in her face again! What possessed me? V/Umuuiiu 4ui Nevertheless, some months later, a dainty missive wonnd its way in and ont of the wreck and remnants of the Southern Confederacy, and finally was opened by the trembling hands of the young veteran in his faraway northern home: Lieutenant Ledynrd Oakman (she didn't know of his promotion): Dkaii Sin?I thank you very much for your thoughtfulness in returning Jack, who, through the kindness of Mr. Ackers, reached me in dne time, much benefited, 1 think, by the outing which he received. I was glad to learn of your safe arrival among your friends without further mishap and trust that now that the unhappy war ia over you will find full enjoyment and happiness with your dear ones in the north. My brother, Captain Trenholm, asks me to send you his congratulations and good wishes. He joins me in saying that if ever in the future inclination should lead you to visit the south, now sitting in her sackcloth and. ashes, you will be welcomed at the home of General Eldridge, where we can promise that your visit will be more quiet and lass exciting than the former one. Very sincerely, Aniff b ffr nninniL Captain Oakman actually gasped lor breath. Then with a rapidly throbbing heart he reread the precious letter. "Captain Trenholin, her brother!" he repeated. "How can that be ? Impossible! And yet that is what she writes. What can it mean?" In his bewilderment and mystification he turned the letter over. Lo, on the other page was the inevitable female postscript: P. 8.?It has occurred to me that you may be puzzled by my reference to Captain Trenholm as my brother. When General Eldridge married my mother, she was the widow of a banker named Trenholm of New Orleans. Her only child was a boy, Wager. She therefore is the mother of him and me, though General Eldridge is my father, but not the father of Captain Trenholm. In law I suppose we are half brother and half sister, but you will agree that I am warranted in insisting that such a noble, brave man is my full brother and shall be such so long as ho and I live. A. E. When Captain Oakman finally grasped the height, length, breadth and depth of this momentous truth, his feelings were "peculiar." and I am sure the reader will grasp the height, length, breadth and depth of that statement. CHAPTER XIX. CONCLUSION. The wooing and winning of Miss Adele Eldridge by Captain Ledyard Oakman would form a delightful story -4 i? i. u 4-z-v OX lmexi, uui ill ib uul our puxjsuoo uu dwell upon it. In dne time he fonnd the necessary pretext for journeying southward, and when he presented himself at the heme of General Arthur Eldridge he was warmly welcomed by the old veteran, his stepson. Captain Trenholm. the latter's mother and lastly by the young lady herself. One piece of good fortune was in the hands of the ex-Union officer. He possessed abundant means. His southern friends, like the vast majority in that section, were impoverished by the war. Oakman could not offer them pecuniary help, but he did persuade Captain Trenholm to join him in a business venture in which the knowledge and experience of the ex-Confederate formed a fair offset to the capital invested by Oakman. Then, too, a valuable iron deposit was located on the plantation of General Eldridge. which, being developed, soldier, before he was aware, found himself in comfortable circumstancea And then the wedding followed in due course. But several years passed before the happy husband dared to tell the happy wife the secret of that first visit of his to the old plantation in Georgia. It is a fact which may not be generally known that among the most valuable epies in the south were numbers of northern women who went thither and engaged in teaching when it became clear that war would soon break out be iween me eec wuus. This statement was made to me by General Sherman himself, and in my sketch of that great Union leader I have given a typical incident as it fell from his lips. One of the most daring and valuable female spies was Marian Harriman, from New England. As has been stated elsewhere, she secured an engagement as governess and companion in the family of General Eldridge, with the real purpose of gathering information for the Union armies. General Sherman knew her exact location, and when he started on his march from Atlanta to the sea and approached her neighborhood be detached Lieutenant Oakman and one of his scouts to communicate with Miss Harriman and bring back whatever she might have to send to him. Previous to the visit of the officer, Sam Borland, the scout, apprised her of the situation, so that she was expecting the visit of the lieutenant. The two knew each other when they met. and it will be conceded that they played their parts well. The woman was so bitter in her sentiments' that she was rebuked by Mrs. Eldridge and her daughter. She refused to remain under the same roof with the Union officer, which was a convenient arrangement, since it gave her the opportunity she needed to carry out her farreaching schemes. She made her home with Mrs. Benware and her sister, they being the only two persons in that section whom she trusted with her secret. Thus located only a few miles distant, she was able to meet Oakman now and then secretly and maintain a perfect understanding with him. Her well known sympathies enabled her to gain the confidence of several of the Confederate leaders, from whom she obtained valuable information. She proved her nerve by riding a considerable distance to their headquarters, and through arts intuitive with her sex she wove together in the form of drawings and memoranda on the sheet of paper that which Lieutenant Oakman declared Gleneral Sherman would pay a fortune to obtain. The chief difficulty with the female spy was to get the paper to the Union commander. It was imprudent for her to undertake its delivery, and the visit of Oakman to that section, therefore, was to secure it from her. It will be understood that when he was captured in the home of Mrs- Benware the call was a close one, not only for himself, but for Miss Harriman. Had the all important document been discovered, it inevitably would have been traced to her, despite every effort of the young man, and it often happens in time of war that the sex of a spy does not render her an "immune." The legerdemain used on that occasion would have done credit to the late Herrmann. Lieutenant Oakman passed the document to Miss Harriman, and she, in the most natural manner conceivable, stood just behind and at his side, denouncing him in scathing terms. And the feat was accomplished under the eyes of the squad of irregular guerrillas, eagerly seeking an excuse for taking his life. Mrs. Benware, failing to see the lightninglike transfer, groaned in spirit over * the seemingly fatal misfortune. When the moment came in which a doubt thrown upon the alleged handwriting of Captain Trenholm by Miss Harriman would have insured the shooting of the prisoner, she interposed by declaring unreservedly (though with painful regret) that the writing was his. That assertion saved the lieutenant for the time, bnt. as has been made clear, his captors were "irregulars," who manifested a determination to hit upon some pretext, as in the venerable incident of the wolf and lamb, for thrusting him off the earth. He was still iff great peril, and only by a desperate rush could he gain a possible chance of saving himself. It has been shown what he did, and it remains to add that Miss Harriman took good care not to indulge in the privilege of her sex and scream until the signs of return Several years passed before the happy husband dared td tell the happy wife. ing consciousness on the part of the half strangled soldier warned her that it was prudent to do bo. , "By this time," said Captain Oakman, in recalling the incident, "I had begun to feel that I was the meanest man between the Atlantic and the Pa- , cific." "And why?" asked his wife, turning her eyes reproachfully upon him. "They say all is fair in love and war, | and I know that both sides employed , hundreds of spies. I had no compunc- ( tion in turning off to your plantation to obtain what Miss Harriman was prepar- , ing for us. When, however, I saw how i thoroughly you trusted her and the advantage she was taking of your confl- , dence, my conscience troubled me" j "But can a spy be successful through employing any other means for gaining information?" "I presume not Such waB the reply 1 I made to the upbraidings of my better nature. I shut my eyes and kept at it until the time came when I could stand 1 it no longer." "When was that?" "After your brother stood alone in front of the men who were thirsting for my life and held them at bay, and you came forth and made me take your horse and use him in my flight. I felt 1 as I galloped off in the moonlight that I was a despicable wretch without the first spark of gratitude.. Miss Harriman 1 had betrayed your confidence, but she could not bring the betrayal to full fruition without my help, and I was 1 giving her that help at the risk of her life and my own. True, I was in the 1 uniform of the Union army, and therefore it might be claimed technically that I was not a spy, but that made my meanness the more atrocious. I was taking advantage of the trust placed in me by your brother. Unable to provide me with an escort, he did everything in his power to save me from danger and annoyance. "Well, to cut my story short. I turned off from the highway and rode straight to the home cf Mrs. Benware. where 1 Miss Harriman had left the letter for me. though she herself was absent I made sure that the document was the right one and then threw it into the 1 fire and waited until it changed to ashes. Then, with the help of Acters and Masters. I reached oar lines, and the incident was closed, so far as I was concerned." , "What became of Miss Harriman?" asked the wife after a moment's silence. "She left the sonth at the close of the war. Since she has no intention of ever , returning.-and the war is over. I have no hesitation in telling you her secret She was paid a generous sum for her services, and I suppose what she did may be looked upon as legitimate. All Al I _ 1116 bHIIJtJ, UUWCVCi, lb lO au uupicaoauk recollection, and I am snre, wife, that , you despise her." "I do." "Why?" "Because she consented to become a hypocrite. And what can be more des- 1 picable than such a person?" 1 "Nothing, and for a time I was one. " "No. never! Or." added the wife, with a twinkle of her fine eyes, "if you were, you repented in time, and then, i too. hypocrisy is sometimes pardonable i in a man. but never in a woman, for < his motive may be commendable, while hers cannot be. " i "Spoken like a woman, and like the truest, best wife either north or south i f the late Mason and Dixon's line." < THE END. I glisccltancous Reading. WORK OF THE FIRE FIEND. General Wade Hampton Burned Oat of Hoase and Home. Columbia Record, Tuesday. The residence of General Hampton, just east of the city, was burned to the ground this morniug between 2 and 3 o'clock. mi ty i ne names were discovered by the sleeping inmates by reason of the smoke and beat; but luckily in time to save themselves as well as some of the furniture and household effects. The aged general bad been unwell for several days and bad to take to bis bed. He was unable to walk and bad to be carried out of the burning bouse by colored men who bad been aroused. The people in the neighborhood were aroused as quickly as possible, and they assembled and gave all the assistance in tbeir power; but it was evident from tbe beginning that the building was doomed to destruction. Tbe fire originated at about the same place it did twice recently?kitchen part?one of which incipient fires the aged warrior himself stopped. This morning tbe first thought was to get bim to a place of safety. He was carried out and placed in a chair at a safe distance away, where be sat and witnessed tbe flames slowly destroy his dwelling and much of its valuable contents. The neighbors in the meantime were saving furniture and succeeded in carrying away a considerable portion of it. The general bad a very valuable library, tbe collection of years. Every effort was made to sAve as many of these books as possible; but many of great value were lost. The fire may have been of incendiary origin, though it is thought that more likely it originated from a kitchen fire. A colored woman had been ironing in the place * during the afternoon and it may have caught the building from a defective chimney. The greatest sympathy was expressed by everybody over the serious loss to tbe general, and some enthusiastic old Confeds immediately began talking of building him another house, showing tbe deep regard they have for their old chief. Tbe fire was first discovered by the general, who saw a light which at first appeared to him as being the break of day. He hobbled to a door and found the whole house ablaze.* Among the losses were some valuable historical and personal papers kept in a desk. The library consisted of about 6,000 volumes and some of the books destroyed cannot be replaced. Among them, wnn ?n printed a lew years after the invention of the printing press. The general had a very valuable English saddle which he used throughout the war, and which he prized very highly. This was lost. About 4,000 books were saved, they being stored in another building close by. Much of the family silverware was lost. In a trunk were family jewels. It could not be taken out; but water was poured on that portion of the bouse constantly and tbey were 3aved with comparatively little injury. There was not a cent of insurance. General Hampton is living temporarily in a small house on the premises. Chestnut.?Mr. Joseph Jefferson attributes the introduction of the word "chestnut" in its slang sense to the late William Warren, the veteran comedian, of Boston. "There is a melodrama," says Mr. Jefferson, "but little known to the present generation, written by William Dillon and called "The Broken Sword." There were two characters in it?one a Captain Zavier and the other the comedy part of Pablo. The captain is a sort of Baron Munchausen, and in telling of bis exDloits savs, 'I entered the woods of Colloway, when suddenly from the thick boughs of a cork tree'? Pablo interrupts him with the words, "A chestnut, captain ; a chestnut." 'Bab 1' replies.the captain. 'Booby, I say a cork tree." "A chestnut," reiterates Pablo. "I should know as well as you, having heard you tell the tale these 27 times." "William Warren, who had often played the part of Pablo, was at a 'stag' dinner when one of the gentlemen present told a story of doubtful age and originality. ^A chestnut," murmured Mr. Warren, quoting from the play. "I have heard you tell the tale these 27 times." The application of the lines pleased the rest of the table, and when the party broke up each helped to spread the story and Mr. Warren's commentary. And that," concluded Mr. Jefferson, "is what I really believe to be the origin of the word 'chestnut.'"?N. Y. World. Writing on the TbAin.?Travelers ou railroads have long hoped for the invention of an appliance which would enable tbem to write without difficult on board a train in motion. A German railroad has just beeu equipped with au appliance which is said to work well. It ig a board suspended from the ceiling by strong, but elastic cords, which not only prevents vibration, but the swinging motion of the car is not communicated. A small charge is made for the use of this swinging desk. The shops in Paris for the sale of fuel by retail are almost as numerous as the bakeries. They are always Deat; and the wood, coal, and kindling are arranged in a most artistic manner. The wood is piled so as to show the evenly sawed ends; the samples of coal are arranged in glass dishes; and in some of the shops, where orders are taken for the wholesale places, wood is arranged in the windows and decoruted with growing moss and ferns. Indeed, the chief aim jf the French shopkeepers is to make ms shop attractive.