The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1870-08-24

aLholS Ills lliclluS.
l was absent from Richmond four
weeks. Upon my arrival, l reported
at Gen. Ripley's Office, and was inform
ed that he was not in town, but would
be in next day. .
I then went down to his residence,
and entering the house went direct to
the library, where all the letters that
came for me during my absence were
always placed. The door which 1
opened made no noise, and, without
closing it, I started across the room,
but soon stopped in astonisllment-for
there before me, seated side by side,
were Alice Ripley and Lient. Harry
Scott, c. S. A. They appeared so deep
ly engaged in conversation that they
did not notice my entrance. SIN the
name of wonders ~ l thought to my
self, GLOW is this? A rebel officer in
this stern old p1ritanical Generals
library with his daughter"
turned to leave the room, when
Miss Ripley noticed my presence, and
sprung to her feet with cry of sur
prise. She evidently did not expect
any one to see her here, thought.
She was reassured when the saw who
the intruder was. In a few minutes /
went up town, accompanied by Scott.
elbow is it, Scott" said /, "that you
are free, and at Gen. Ripley's?'
"Well, in answer to your first ques-
ton, I am on parole; as to your second
question, I may say l visit Gen. Ripley's
because-well, because l like his
daughter"
81 need not ask if Miss Ripley re-
ciprocates the like; but about the
General"
81 have not taken the trouble to
ascertain Gen. Ripley's mind upon the
subject" replied the Lieutenant.
During the next two weeks the two
lovers, Alice and Harry, had met often.
I did all l could to bring them together.
My reason was this: Capt. Burns was
a sutton of Miss Alice, and the one
which Gen. Ripley had decided she
must marry, whether she wanted to o,
not. This Capt. Burns I cordially des-
pissed, and determined that if could
prevent it he should never marry Alice
One day Miss Ripley was at the
house of one of her friends, and Lieut.
Scott happened to be there too. Think.
ing themselves secure from Interrupt
tons, they INDUCED in that sweet
nonsense SO interesting to lovers, sc
foolish to any one else. But, very I'M
fortunately for their future peace
their loving glances were seen and
their loving words overheard by one
who from that moment became theil
bitter foe-that was Capt. Burns. He
did not disturb the lovers, but repor.
ted to Gen. Ripley, and the result was
that when, Alice came home she wa!
met by torrent ofreproaches from he
father and a strict communicative,
to speak to that vile rebel again." HI
was also kind enough to inform he,
i that in one month she would becOm,
the wife of Capt. Burns, a wealth,
officer, and Gen. Ripley's very dea
friend.
limo passed away rapidly. The pre-
parations for Alice's wedding had bee
going on for some time, and now it on
lily lacked three days of the time ap
pointed. Meanwhile the lovers had no
been idle, as on the 22d of Decembe
Lieut.. Scott came to me with reques
that astonished me. "I am going
: run away with that old Puritan's cir
, and 1 want you to help me-" Assistin
I rebel officer to elope with my con
4 mander's daughter was serious piet
9 of business, SO did not readily con
s ply. But my hatred of Capt. Burn
t and my desire to battle his plans, an
4 thereby save the beautiful Alice fro
: a life of misery, decided me. Their
y fore told the anxious lover that I wou
e do what could to aid him in his plar
s of love and revenge. He loved Mi
: Ripley, and he owed Capt. Burns !
II good will.
u The programme of departure W
'' quickly made. 1 was to secure pa
Il for gentleman and his sister to lea
l. Richmond and cross the Ohio rive
II Then was to assist Miss Ripley o
~ of her fathers house, where she "
" almost prisoner, and escort her to
. carriage which Scott would have
. readiness near by. The first part
IL my mission l easily executed. T
&c time of departing was set for midnig
/" December 23d. On the morning
. that day I received an order to go
. once to a town twenty-five miles d
tant, and was not expected back beft
!, next morning. / was back in Rio
~ mond, however, by 10 p. NJ, 23d, as
told Scott would be. l went at OF
'o to Gen. Ripicy's house, and fortunate
gained admission unobserved. ma
az aged to notify Miss Ripley of my pr
III ence. and also that at midnight VOL