The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-11-09

NJ. tbrec miles nom bert, 70 guard
the TOAD now l and this Will be unneces.
sary ! need him Ind bis men. fOr 3 9a,t 9
will soon Be fought. Ride there % quickly
"a possible ask for Lieutenant Diack-
stone, give him this packet, receive nis or.
ders, and fep5tt here. The cotntersisn Is
Buraosne, bit think ydu will haSe no
need OF ft.D This was given In brief mill
tary style. Then he laid his hand upon ner
head and said, "God bless ana preserve
thee, my child. Thou art over young ana
fAir for such work now Co." -.
= AT this moment Rachel sprsng away,
trembling and excited, yet determined,
with Gods help, TO do the work allotted TO
her. In half an hour she Was on horse
back, gailopihg towards the crossroads.
She was about half way there when sne
heard che duh, heavy trampipg Of many
feet, as Of men marching. Gould Lieuten4
ant Blackstone, then, have decided 70 march
on and Join bis commander Sne was
about to ride on, and ascertain the truth,
when she caught a glimpse OF something
red. This was enough to suggest britisn
to her mind her heart stood still but she
was not to give up without an enort 70
save herself. With one bound she cleared
q low fence on her right; slid of her pony,
and turned him loose, hoping not 10 De
seen. In few minutes the tramping came
nearer where Rachel lay; she heard .
voice exclaiming, "By Jove, III help my
self to that horse !" The large drops
started on her forehead, and she could
hear the quick beat of her heart. Then
came another voice of angry command,
SILENCE in the ranks! march on"
So she was saved in ten minutes more
they were all out Of sight, and she was
once more galloping on. After short
ride she found the cross-road; the woods
on each side and the hills beyond an
swered the description of the place she
sought. She turned her horses head into
a narrow bridle-path which led through the
tbickest wood. She saw no one j; no SEN
tinel demanded the countersign she was
prepared to give; again her heart sank.
Had they been captured3 She hoped not ;
she rode on deeper into the wood, which
was becoming more and more tangled at
every step. Suddenly a deep voice babe
her halt, and man seized her bride. He
started back, seeing it was q lady. Rachel
began eagerly, 81 must see Lieutenant
Blackstone. / have orders for him." "The
countersign,'' said the man doubtingly.
She gave 1t Immediately; then unhesita-
tingly he led her to the lieutenant, who,
after hastily reading the order, said,
L" Madam, can you let General Washington
know and my men will be with him be-
fore dawn tomorrow ?" To this she
assented and in an hour she found her
self once more in the place where she had
left General Washington. But instead OF
the commander-in-chief Lieutenant Capon
stood waiting for her. "Miss Morebury,"
he said, advancing to meet her, (" / am re-
ioiced to see you safe; the General sent
me to receive your report" and he smiled
at the idea of this fair girl reporting to
him. He listened attentively as she gave
her message. "Miss Morebury, If you will
allow an almost stranger to offer his advice,
would beg you now to think Of rest for
YOURSELF" He drew her arm within his,
and continued, as he seen her home, "You
have done nobly; many women would have
failed, but you" "Here we are at
home" interrupted Rachel, hastily; "will
YOU come inn" Impossible" he said,
land" he added, his clear voice sinking
low with the intensity Of feeling, "pray
that this coming battle may be success.
Our troops, our people need it." Holding
out his hand, he said, "Will you bid fell
low-soldier God peed?" Her little hand
was instantly laid in his. He raised it to
his lips, and left her.
The battle of Germantown was fought.
All Americans know how 1t ended. 1t was
not the success that had been hoped Tor.
After the battle the British retired to
Philadelphia, and there passed the winter.
Washington with his troops fifteen miles
from Philadelphia. While the pitiless king
of the North swayed his sceptre, and the
snow and ice lay thick on land and tree,
their suffering was dreadful. But when
spring, with her gentle rays, unbound the
frozen streams, hope revived, and they
once more entered the field to battle for
their country's freedom.
To Rachel the result Of the battle was q
hard blow. She had confidently looked
forward to victory. Let US take look at
her home. 1t is evening; cheerful fire
burned in a huge chimney place. Rachel
is on stool at her mothers feet, who is
rolling bandages, piling them up in bas-
ket at her side. Henry, the second son, a
lad of thirteen, lies on q rug before the
fire, his head on the shaggy back OF ia
vorite Newfoundland. Mr.. Morebury is
talking eagerly ofthe all-engrossing theme
the late battle. "My DEAR" he said to his
wife, "the temporary hospital is full; l
think we might help nurse some poor
wounded soldier"
"Certainly," said good Mrs. Morebury,
who seldom did anything but echo her hus-
bands opinions.
sand Miss Rachel, if / find good look
ing young man, you are not to fall In love
with him and march off and leave me"
said her father laughing.
"That is just what Ray will do" cried
her teasing brother, delighted to call the
blush to her cheek.
at will do nothing OLA loud knock
interrupted her, the door Of the sitting
room was thrown open and an officer en-
tered, covered with mud and blood"
"Imust indeed apologize" he said family,
i" for presuming on my very slight &C
auaintance with Miss Morebury for this
intrusion"
"Not at ALL" said Mr.. Morebury, "You
are most welcome, come in; you seem TO
need refreshment."
"I am wounded" he said family, sink
ing on the sofa. All sprsng forward. He
was tenderly raised and carried TO bed,
physician called in, and all done that was
possible for his comfort.
Day after day slipped by. Rachel nursed
him, cooked for him, read to him. And
he, Door young man, lost hts heart with
her blue eyes and bonnie brown hair.
Some six weeks after his arrival, when