Bad Hugh

The old colonel, who was a native of Virginia, did not know exactly

where he stood. "He was very patriotic," he said, "very, but hanged if

he knew which side to take--both were wrong. He didn't go Nell's

doctrine, for Nell was a rabid Secesh; neither did he swallow Abe

Lincoln, and he'd advise Alice to keep a little more quiet, for there

was no knowing what the hotheads might do. He'd heard of Harney's

threatening vengeance on all Unionists, and now that Hugh was gone he

might pounce on Spring Bank any night."

"Let him!" and Alice's blue eyes flashed brightly, while her girlish

figure seemed to expand and grow higher as she continued: "he will find

no cowards here. I never touched a revolver in my life. I am quite as

much afraid of one that is not loaded as of one that is, but I'll

conquer the weakness. I'll begin to-day. I'll learn to handle firearms.

I'll practice shooting at a mark, and if Hugh is killed I'll--oh, Hugh!

Hugh--"

She could not tell what she would do, for the woman conquered all other

feelings, and laying her face on Rocket's silken mane, she sobbed aloud.

"There's pluck, by George!" muttered the old colonel. "I most wish Nell

was that way of thinking."

It was time now for Rocket to go, and 'mid the deafening howls of the

negroes and the tears of Mrs. Worthington and Alice he was led away, the

latter watching him until he was lost to sight beyond the distant hill,

then, falling on her knees, she prayed, as many a one has done, that

God would be with our brave soldiers, giving them the victory, and

keeping one of them, at least, from falling.

Sadly, gloomily the autumn days came on, and the land was rife with war

and rumors of war. In the vicinity of Spring Bank were many patriots,

but there were hot Secessionists there also, and bitter contentions

ensued. Old friends were estranged, families were divided, neighbors

watched each other jealously, while all seemed waiting anxiously for the

result. Toward Spring Bank the aspersions of the Confederate adherents

were particularly directed. That Hugh should go North and join the

Federal army was taken as an insult, while Mrs. Worthington and Alice

were closely watched, and all their sayings eagerly repeated. But Alice

did not care. Fully convinced of the right, and that she had yet a work

to do, she carried out her plan so boldly announced to Colonel Tiffton,

and all through the autumn months the frequent clash of firearms was

heard in the Spring Bank woods, where Alice, with Mug at her side, like

her constant shadow, "shot at her marks," hitting once Colonel Tiffton's

dog, and coming pretty near hitting the old colonel himself as he rode

leisurely through the woods.