Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-05-23

AFRICAN materially sobered of his grin, and
staring after her with an expression of semi
nerceness, as If he half mediIated doing some
thing wickeder still.
MIS- hlley saw no cause to repent of her
resolution. She had gone over but eioht mr.
ten of the weary stretch of miles when an
army teamSter overlook her, and gave her a
seat among his powder kegs The ride how.
ever, was rather change of exercise than n
rest to her, for the road was frightiully bad.
From the teamster she learned that the Forty-
ninth pennsylvania was not within twenty or
thirty miles OF the spot where it was when her
son dated his letter, but had moved to or near
place called Sullivan's Pass, taking their
wounded with them. The communicative
driver furthermore informed her that he was
to stop eight miles short of this latter place.
and he declared, after lie had heard Mrs. RS
story, that if he were not in the employ of the
government he would see her clear to the
Pass himself, free of charge.
The next foot journey Of the resolute wild
ow was eXllausting in the eXtreme-rocks,
gullles, marshes, and, above all. the inevita-
bic and omnlpresent tanglc of laurel brush
wood lay across her path and obstructed her
feet at every step. Supporting herself by the
thought that her boy had passed over that
way, she persevered and struggled through
10 nnd alas, on arriving, worn out with fa-
nguc, at the place she sought only ashes and
the scattered debris of departed army The
regiment had been gone two days
But the persistent woman was not to be dis
couraged; Resting herself awhile, she set
about looking for a team, and after sometrou-
bic she procured Il man, at a large price 70
take her in his cart to the regiment where her
boy belonged, As they came within the lines
they were hailed and fired on by picket but
escaped harm, and in due time the flags and
whlte tents OF the torty-ninth appeared around
the spur of a mountain,
stopped by the sentinel at the camp line.
she Inquire for Patrick Riley, the drummer,
boy, and was told that he was not there. That
was all tine soldier knew about it. Whether
he was dead or alive he did not say, She was
not to be put off, and a corporal of the guard
was summoned, who passed her within the
camp, and she FASTENED forthwith to make in
qulrles OF the colonel himself
(Which way did you Gomez" said the coll
mel.
''By the Plummer road"
'Gou passed your boy within half n mile
l left him with ali my wounded at Verrico's
Station, to be taken off to Harrisburg as soon
as they are able. | think you'll find him
there He was badly hurt in the arm"
with all possible dispatch the widow drove
back the Plummer road to Verrico's Station.
A company OF soldiers were placed around a
long, rough-lookng house with flag on it,
and she knew 1t was the hospital A guard
stopped the horse long before they reached
the building, but Mrs. Riley snatched the whip
from the driver and dashed the terrified beast
up to the very door in spite of all opposition
where, springng from the cart, she pushed by
the sentinel as quick as thought, and without
stopping to hear the epithets of ''hag" and
She ueVil that were shot after her as she
passed IN. she stood, in another second. in the
very midst OF the wounded soldiers.
Patrick Riley! I" she called out almost ont
of breath, and looking all about her as if afraid
her senses would deceive her. There was no
mlstaking the quick, downright tone of widow
Rliey Ii the boy was there he would certain.
ly answer.
ana tmaiRfb hYeed neaqS IF bic eifer stirred, and
rushing towards it, the faithful woman saw
her poor little drummer sitting up, but so
chlnged that none but his mother would have
known him.
Poor Pat you've had sorry time, that's
clear" And here tine wonderful energies of
the mother which had kept up so long as her
child was to be searched for, Goods angels
bear up with their hands the strength of moth
ers in such emergencies gave way now that
her child was found, and she sank down al.
most fainting upon the straw pallet before
her.
''Lonk up, mother, and don't we feel bad
I'm all right" said the piucky little fellow.
''My arms hurt s0't shant drum no more
but now you've come feel like could lick
all the rebels with one handl"
Mrs. Riley soon recovered and set about
nursing her boy.
She came in the nick of time, for his arm
had just been amputated, and he was some
what feverish. Probably his mothers care
was the only thing that saved him. In a week
he was able TO 90 home with her; and just as
the November winds began to blow, Pat took
his old place by the cracking fire in the log
house, among the Upper Alleghanies, and
told his brother and sisters his story of the war.
John and James are still in the army, as
noble soldiers as ever carried muSkets. Mrs.
Riley shows them the same free, fearless, un"
calculating love that she exhibited in the case
of the slain husband and the wounded young
drummer-a love that can sacrifice generous
ly, but not till it has struggled dutifully. She
has passed through hard experience, and it
has made her better woman, though her re-
ligion is of the blunt, positive kind, and she
makes Susan tell the absent boys, when she
writes, to trust in the God Of their mother,
and ''never doubt but He'll see to EN-"