The Colonel's Wife — page 185: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

178 GENTLE, WHITE-WINGED PEACE. - Unable to reach the woods, because of the presence of more soldiers in that quarter, as a last desperate resort they entered the house by means of an open cellar window. After all, this turned out a good move, for they discovered the larder of the planter’s home, and with the charming assurance for which escaping Yankees were noted, proceeded to help themselves. In the midst of their tepast who should alla in upon them but an old aunty, who happily was so utterly paralyzed at sight of the intruders and the in- road they had made upon her supplies, intended for the Confederate officers, that she was unable to make a sound for a full minute, and by the end of that time they had explained who they were. ‘‘Laws, Kurnel John, don’t youse knows old Aunty Chloe? I done thought youse dead an’ gone afore now,’’ was the exclamation that almost took the colonel’s breath away. He led the grinning negress closer to the munidow: and recognized one who had catered to his wants while at Lyndhurst. . ‘The discovery thrilled him. — ‘“Tell me is Miss Mollie alive and well?’ he asked. ‘‘She am dat,’’ was the prompt reply. “Where is she?” | ‘“‘Not berry. far away, I reckons.’? ‘In this house ?”? ‘“Yep, marse kurnel.”? He was amazed at the hand of fate that had directed him here, and delighted it may be set down as positive, though the mystery of her sudden dis- | appearance from the hospital caused him some un- easiness. ‘“T must see her. Aunty, can you keep our secret ?’’ “Don’t know ’bout dat ar—dey may call for de — wittles you uns got away wif. I kin try mighty hard. comicbooks.«