, 1864-08-04
A STRANGE EPISODE IN
TIE LIFE OF A SOLDIER.
From the Detnot Free Prcss,1

Iffom the 1ttrlOk Free Pfess.l
At the first battle Of Bull Run there wa
a soldier by the name Of Wilaon, who, like
many others ION that memorable occasion,
walking or rnther running for several hours
he became very much tatigued, and after
taking good precaution that there were no
rebels either within sound or sight, he lay
down to sleep By the side OF a fence, and
slept swaetly and soundly during the night.
Late In the morning when the sun was near
midnoon, he woke to find himselfin strange
mics Of the country. But the demand Of
hunger soon sifenced the voice Of prudence
aud caution. Seeing stately mansiou on
hill In the distance, surrounded By beautiful
parks and meadows, orchards and cvergreeus
artificial fountains and natural streams of
show that It Was one of the first class old
Virginia Plantations, the home Of courtly
elegance and refinement.
Our soldier tired with a weary step and
a falnting, furnishing heart, knocked ut the
door Of the mansion. He Was cordially r.
eei1ed, for the old Virginia planter was faith-
fal among the faithful few, He remained
long enough to recruit his wasted energies
and get Information as to the most direct
route to Washington But the name Of the
young soldier was not forgotten by the plant
tr, nor his manly bearing and genial temper
dment~ The soldier reen1isted in auother
regiment, and at the second battle Bull Run,
WAS severely though not dangerously wound
ed. He was aiken to the hospital at Wash
ington. nfs old xVigtni. friend learned of
his illness. He sent to the'hospitl i and OBJ
stained an order for permission to take him
to his own home. He Was removed, when
through the kindness Of tho planter aud the
attentions OF his daughter the young man
gradually recovered. 4 tender r. gA1d sprung
Ha+T $hA Id
soldier, and to cut very short the turn the
story In such cases made aud provided, usaully
takes they were betrothed. Tho soldier return
ed to his Northern home on furlough. While
here be learned Of the sudden and severe In
disposition OF her who was soon to become
his bride He hastened to her side, aud bur-
led her corpse. The old man before many
weeks had elapsed told the young man that
be intended to make him Ills heir, that be
had no children left, and no relatiVes. ex-
cept those who were In rebellion, and that
he should now share with him his estates.
He at oEce gave him deed to considerable
property N chisagS9:t Ihs S9aog man fsT sn
Babylon combined, and found that his little
Chicago fortune would realize the handsome
sum Of SoQO, coo, being offered $50 COO for
single block to which he had fallen heir to.
But this is NOT all In the strange and event
ful story. The old man has but recently died
leaving I'll bis fortune to this young Union
soldier, which Is now known to be over
fS00, 900.
This "ower true tale'' we knew will sound
like fiction; but had not the facts come to
Us we'll eutstantfated, We should not have
given them publicity. 1t certainly illustrates
our theory that TACT is more remarkable than
fiction. To young men, single men, NC
Would saJ, enlist Ia the armies, even rs our
young soldier friend did, aud you will thus
Insure from US, your stay ut home neighbors
and friends, our lasting gratitude for having
removed from Us the unpleasant sensation Of
L drift, and yeu may stumble upon just such
4 fortune as that Of our friend.