Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 26, 1896)
THE COURIER. t ON THE WAY TO THE SEA. "Yes, tomorrow. And without a single regret. I've had enough of the north." The girl Hung out the words and cat looking over the stream rebellioualy. "And I'm a fool. I might have known,' I answered bitterly. The news of Fort Sumter's surrender had reached our little Ohio college and we two had gone down to the big rock by the liver to talk it over. And sitting there with the long line of water shim mering in the April sunlight and the early blue jayB cawing overhead, we had talked it over, talked it over all the afternoon, until it had ended in this, our first lover's quarrel. As I said, I might have known, known that this tall, fair girl of the south with tender face and wavy hair could never be anything to me. Her in herited sympathies, her southern home life, her father's position J.in Georgia yes, I had been a fool to imagine that love could surmount such a barrier. "And you will never come back come north again?" I a?ked slowly with a strange tugging at my heai t. "Never. And I never want to see a northerner." And her eyes confirmed her worde.though T believed in her heart they were false. Cut to the quick by her speech I sat silent until a sunbeam stole through the budding foliage and danced across my face vextiously. "J wish to God you had never seen the north nor I you," I cried in rage spring ing to my feet, '"but you have seen it and you shall see more of it. You shall see more of the northerners than you think, see them as you never saw them before, with your fields ravaged, your homes burned, your families scat tered; and I shall be one of those men of the north." And then I left her there, and walked back across the campuB with a sinking in my heart, little seeing then to what an end my threat would come. The next morning her father came a tall, stern-browed man with long black hair reaching down nearly to his square Bet shoulders. In an hour they went away. I saw them as they passed down the elm lined avenue. Tho fire had died out of her face but I dared not approach her now. As they reached the gate in the hedge, 6he paused, and turning, waved good bye to me with a sad smile on her lips. Then they disappeared on the other side, and I went back to my room with a lonely heart. For I knew what it meant and forever. "It has been ascertained that a guer illa leader is to be at his homo tonight.a plantation ten miles north. I have orders to capture him dead or aiive. As corporal you will report at midnight with twenty men equipped for the march." Atlanta had been taken and burned by Sheridan and the army was march ing on toward the sea. My regiment was guarding the lino of march against bushwhackers who were constantly rob bing baggage trains and picking off troops. Sotheorcerof tho lieutenant was no surprise. I thought little of it and went back to the interrupted read ing of my weekly letters from home and college. Our little party with the lieutpnant in command started soon after midnight and arrived at the plantation as day wad breaking. The men encircled tho house and the officer called out for the - inmates to surrender There was no re sponse. Then the lieutenant went up to the door. Meanwhile I ran down to the edge of the timber to a little log building standing out faintly in the !gloom. I thought it a hen house and .threw open the door. The light was very faint at that hour. I could see nothing in the darkness of the shed. Suddenly there was a move ment at my feet. A man rose to his knees directly befort me. Kneeling there on tha raised floor of the building, his eyes were looking into mine in a t'azed, helpless way. Lorg black hair fell down and blew fitfully about his shoulders. On the floor lay a rifle. Two pistols were in his belt. And I stood rooted to tho spot as senseless as the man before me. Tho darkness was just disappearing. A few lato stars blinked faintly in tho west. Tho trees were shaping them selvee indistinctly against the gray light which paled the east. One littlo bird began to sing and was answered far off in the woods. A solitary rooster crowed. The barking of a farm dog could bo heard in the distance. From tho house women's voices floated down to mo on the clear morning air. Tho figure before me stirred. His hand sought his belt. But that move ment aroused me. In an instant I guessed the truth. I had found the guerilla captain. Of all the deeds of my soldier life I love the least to think of this. But it was life or death to mo then. His pistol was out of the holder. And then. Tho muzzle of my gun was against his shoulder. I was looking him straight in the eyes, and I saw him grow pule with terror. Then, holding my breath, I fired. And a woman's scream came down from the house. The guerilla captain fell back in a huddled heap, and I turned to see two white-clid figures with streaming hair and outstretched arms come flying across the yard followed by the whole line of men. . As the troop reached the shed, a per fect turmoil arose. The men were as mad, shouting and swearing and yelling, and fighting with each other in their frenzy to reach tho captured leader. The women were clinging to tho lieu tenant and praying for mercy. My deed had stunned me motionless. Th;n in the contusion some one forced a gun be tween the logs and fired another shot, and the crowd fell back a little. But that second shot was the signal. The dead and wounded back in camp came up in the minds of the soldiers and crowded out all mercy. There was sil ence for an instant and then another rush at the hut. Inside the man had dragged himself to bis knees and was shouting again and again, "I surrender! I surrender!" But the lieutenant and I could do nothing. We were as helpless as the women before'us. We threatened. We prayed. We struck down their weapons. Wo hurled the men back by main force. But no human being could have controlled them then. Ihey were as wild beasts, insane with fury.fighting over some prey. Again and again they forced their guns through the chinks of the logs and fired at tha man. They got him down on his back- and he lay there writhing in blood, but shouting despair ingly. "I'm your prisoner! I surrender! Don't shoot a prisoner! My God! My God! My God!" Suddenly the man appeared in tho doorway straight as an arrow. His long black hair was one clot of blood. A pallor spread over the stern features blackened with smoke and powder. His eyes were tho eyes of the dead and rest ed upon the women. Tho sight frozo the troops into silence, and like coward ly wolves they turned tail and ran for the road. For a full moment tho figure Btood in tho doorway. Throwing up his aims ho lunged forward to the ground and doubled up in a spasm. There was a rattle in his throat. His teeth clicked tight. Then, with a jerk he straighten ed out stiff and motionless. Up the road the lieutenant was col lecting the men. The women wero hanging over the dead body, pressing back the blood clotted hair from th forehead, and tenderly kissing the pale lips. The full round face of the tun was just appearing above the eastern hills. In its light I saw- those faces dis tinctlyand one, a tender, tearstained face whose memory hed been in my heart for years. Then it all came over mo. And, leaving her there with tho dead in the early morning light and bright ness, I too turned into the road, silent as tho men beyond, and fell to running, I know not why. II. G. Shedd. Second publication December 19. NOTICE TO CREDITORS. In the County Court of Lancaster County, Nebraska. In the matter of tho estate of William J. Johnson, deceased. To the creditors of said estate: You are hereby notiheJ, that I will sit at tho county court room in Lincoln, in said county, on tho 1st dav of May. 1897, and again on the 2nd day of August, 1897, to receive and examine all claims against said estate, with a view to their adjustment and allowance. Tho time limited for the presentation of cliims. against said estato is Bix months from the 1st day of February, A. D. 1997. and the time limited for tho payment of debts is one voir from tho 1st duy of February. A. D. 1897. Notice of this proceeding is ordered published four weeks successively in The Courier, a weekly newspaper pub lished in this state. Witness my hand and the seal of said county court of said county court this 5th day of December. 18SG. S. I'. COCHRAN, Jan 9 County Judge. Third Pub Dec.2G. SHERIFF SALE. Notice is hereby given. That by virtue of an order of sale issued by the clerk of the district court of tho Third Judicial District of Nebraska, within and for Lancaster county, in an action wherein Sarah Waters is Plain tiff, and Fabien S. Potvin, et al., Defendant. I will, at 2 o clock p. m on tho 12th day of Jan uary, A. D., 1897, at the East door of the Court House.in theCity of Lincoln, Lan caster County, Nebraska, offer for sale at public auction the followios described real estate to-wit: The east half of the northeast quar ter of section twonty-eight (28), in town ten (10), north of range six (G), east of the 5th P. M., in Lancaster county, Ne braska. Given under my hand thiB 9th day of December, A.D.. 189G. John J. Trompen, Sheriff. Jan. 9. Fourth publication December 20, SHERIFF SALE. Notice is hereby given that by virtue of an order of sale, if sued by the clerk of the district court of tho Third judi cial district of Nebraska, within and for Lancaster county, in an action wherein Union Central Life Insurance Company is plaintiff, ahd Thomas Sewell et. al. defendants, I will, at 2 o'clock p. m., on the oth day of January, A. D. 1897, at the east door of the court house, in the city of Lincoln, Lancaster county. Ne braska, offer for Bale at public auction tho following described real estate to wit: The southeast quarter of section thirty-five (.15). the southwest quarter of section thirty bix (HG), nil in township eleven (ID. north runco five (5), east of the Gth P. M., in Lancaster county, Nebraska. Given under my hand this 4th day of December, A. D. 189a JOHN J. TROMPEN, Jan 2 Sheriff. Uader new management MERCHANTS' HOTEL OMAHA. NEBR. rAXTON, HUI.KTT DAYKNTOBT, Proprietors. Special attention to atate trad, fc-aea i Third pub. Dec.'JG. SHERIFF'S SALE. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, THAT by virtue of an order of sale Issued by the clerk of the district court of the third judicial district of Nebraska, within and for Lancaster county, in an action wherein August If. Edgren is plaintiff. and Lincoln lodge No. '.So, lndependant Order ofGrod Templars et al.. defendants. I will, at 2 o'clo-.k p. m., on the 12th day of January, A D. 1897, at tho east door of tho court house, in the city of Lincoln, Lancaster county, Nebraska, offer for sale at public auction, the fol lowing described real estate, to-wit: Lot thirteen (13). in block one hun dred and one (101), in the City of Lin coln, Lancaster county, Nebraska. Given under my hand this 9th day of December, A. D., 189G. John J. Trompen, Sheriff. Jan 9. THE TIME TO SUBSCRIBE. The old newspaper saying, "now is the time to subscribe," was never more true than at present. The times are so full of incident, so many important national and state affairs are shaping themselves for a change, that no one can afford to be without a metropolitan daily or weekly. The St. Louis Republic, the greatest democratic newspaper, is mak ing a special offer of its daily and Sun day paper for three months at 81.50. It is 86 a year by mail. The Twice-a-Week Republic is sent two times a week 104 papers for only 81 a year. In addition to all the political news.it prints every day a spread of general news and features not equalled by any other paper. ratal trarelera. Farnaai atreet eleattts Mil pus tta door to and from ail sans f MB AIERICAN EXCHANGE NATIONJII BANK LINCOLN, NEB. M. RAYMOND. President. S.H.BURNHAM. Cashier. A.J. SAWYER Vice Proaidon D. O. WING y Alstnt Cashier CAPITAL, $250,000 SURPLUS $25 000 Directors -1. M. Raymond, S. II. Burnhaai C. G. Dawes. A. J. Sawyer, Lewis Gregory N 7. Snell, G M Lambertson. D O Wing. 3W urnam. MM n m our ROOT! TO THE Come and See Us V. O. Towttsxxd, F. D. Corwkx, G. P. & T. Agt. C P. A T. Aft. OK S- Louis. Ma 1201 WANTED SALESMEN. We want ono or two men in each county to take orders for Nursery stock, and are willing to pay well for cood work. Wo agr to REPLACE FREE anything that dies from nat'iral causes. We also have a choice line of SEED POTATOES. Give us a trial. THE HAWKS NURSERY COMPANY Milwaukee. WU. CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS HOL- The Burlington will on December 21 and 25, also on December 31 and Janu ary 1, 1897, sell round trip tickets to points within 209 miles at one faro and a third. Tickets good to return until January 4. 1897. Take advantage of this and visit your friends. J 1 G. W. Bo.n.nell, C. P. & T. A. KAYEYOtf Bore Throat, funpi tm. Toi flAMWt AfWlCa AoKmTVIIj Inr Boat. Halr-raUlEa-f Write COS vw- n .BBJWomie TeaaMc r prwu oi Wanted-An Idea ggsss Protect your Idea : ther may bring- you wealta. Write JOHN WEDDEKBURN COfittent A" Bey. Washington. D. C, for their $13 Drlaa oSor a '1 list of two bondrad InresUons w- i