North High School - Polar Bear Yearbook (Des Moines, IA)

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Betty, as she put the last tempting morsel of food into the basket. Somehow, amid Aunt Sally ' s pleadings and threats, Betty Carr got started on her dangerous journey. She trav- eled with the Morrisons for seven long miles. This brought her within half a mile of the Northern troops, leaving six miles for her to travel alone and she must walk it, too. By no other means could she reach her father. Bidding her fellow travelers good-bye, she set off the next morning bright and early on her tedious journey of six miles. She planned to be with her father by noon, if every- thing went all right and that would leave her the whole afternoon and evening and the next day. Thanksgiving, to spend with him. And how she would talk those few hours, for they seemed few to her, of home and everything but w ar. On the morrow they would forget there was such a thing as war and suffering, forget all their troubles and sorrows, and have just one day of bliss and happiness. As she trudged along the highway she stopped twice to listen. She was sure she had heard the sound of horses ' hoofs, and she had, for it was not long until a man on horse back rode up behind her. It was a Yankee soldier. Sorry, miss, said the man, removing his hat, orders from headquarters say I must bring you into camp. But, sir, what have I done to be treated thus? replied the bewildered girl. You were seen passing the outskirts of our lines. We could not let you go without investigating whether or not you are a spy, he said, becoming impatient. Betty gave in at last. Well, if you insist, I suppose I must go, but on my word of honor, sir, I am not a spy. She mounted behind the Yankee at his command and thus it was they rode into the ranks of the Northern army. It was Betty ' s first glimpse of the interior of a Yankee camp. She was half frightened at the idea of facing the gen- eral of such an army. But as such thoughts passed through her mind, the soldier drew rein in front of a good sized 79

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BETTY ' S THANKSGIVING. Lillian Larsen. OULD there ever come a time when there would be no war? When everyone would love his neighbor again? Betty Carr heaved a sigh as she closed the book she had been reading and gazed absently into the roaring fire. In these terrible times brother fought against brother, and father against son. Betty had been engaged to Lieutenant Warren, a northerner, but when the war broke out he had gone North to take command of his regiment. As Betty ' s father was a colonel in the Southern army, and a true, loyal Southerner, he was bitterly opposed to the engagement. Thus it was that Betty had sent the little ring back with a formal note of explanation. And the day after tomorrow was Thanksgiving. What a lonely one it would be! Her father w as stationed some twelve or fourteen miles away. There would be no one there with her but her old colored mammy. Suddenly she started up as if a bright idea had struck her. Oh ! Aunt Sally, I am going to fix up a tempting dinner, although we haven ' t much, and spend my Thanksgiving with father. ' ' Why honey, am you done gone crazy, don ' t you know you all have to pass de Yankee lines? Why chile, de ole skunks would shoot you jes as soon as look at you, ex- postulated the old darky. But I have fully made up my mind to go, so just come with me and help me prepare the dinner, said Bci ' she led the unwilling servant into the kitchen. But how am you all goin ' to get there, chile? ques- tioned Aunt Sally, as she hustled about the kitchen. Well, I am going with the Morrisons and their family in the wagon. They are going more than half way, then you see, mammy, I can walk the rest of the way, and I shall be awful careful when I pass the Northern lino, smiled 78

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aS5«THE ©MCLE?9li tent over which waved, in all her splendid glory, the stars and stripes. The soldier dismounted, helped the girl down — turned and saluted his general, I have brought her, sir. So I see, replied the commander scrutinizing the girl from head to foot. Now, my young lady, all you will have to do is to give us the plans of the Southern army stationed some five miles from here and after that you will be free. ' Sir, replied the indignant little southern lady, I am no spy, I have no idea as to how the army is stationed or what their plans may be. I am Colonel Carr ' s daughter and was on my way to spend Thanksgiving with him. This basket I have with me contains the simple but wholesome dinner my mammy and I prepared. Pretty good story, my little lady. You might be Colonel Carr ' s daughter but how am I to know that you are not a little rebel? General Carter answered. By taking my word, sir, Betty said. Oh, surely you won ' t detain me any longer. I do so want to get to spend this evening with father. The General ' s face now wore an expression of determi- nation. You will stay here, miss, until you tell what I have demanded. Betty trembled from head to foot with anger. Sir, I told you once I knew nothing of the southern plans and as sure as there is a God in heaven, I am speaking the truth. Besides, General Carter, if I did, I wouldn ' t be traitor enough to tell you, even if I suffered the penalty of a spy. Everyone looked aghast and bewildered at Betty as she stood there erect as any soldier with the fire of anger show- ing in her eyes and her cheeks flaming to a deep crimson. At this point a young officer came up and as he glanced at the girl, he gasped. It was Betty Carr ! He saluted the general who said, Lieutenant Warren, take this young lady to the tent next to yours and see that she is well guarded. Turning, Betty faced her former lover. Then she picked 80