The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1870-08-25

In the afternoon or that same DAY received
orders to start at once to New Orleans on some
business of Gen. Ripley's hastily made my
preparations to start and, while the clerks
were preparing papers for me, visited Lieut..
Scott and told him was going to his ! home, ONE,
elated that he could send home, and hear so
directly from there $50 he gave me half
g. dozen commissions to execute among his
friends.
I was absent from Richmond four weeks,
Upon my arrival, reported at Gen. Ripley.s
office. and was informed that he was not IN
town, but would be in next day..
Il then went down to his residence, and en-
terinp the house went direct to the library,
where all the letters that came for me during
NV absence were always placed. The door
which I opened made no noise, and, without
closing it, I started across the room, but halted
in astonishment-for there before me, seated
side by side, were Alice Ripley and Lieut..
Harry Scott, g. S. A. They appeared so deep
ly engaged in conversation that they did not
notice my entrance. In the name OF wonders !!
I thought to myself, how is this? A rebel OIL
Ger in this stern old puritanical Generals IL
brary with his daughter.
turned to leave the room, when Miss Rip
ley noticed my presence, and sprung to her
feet with CRY of surprise. She evidently did
not expect any one to see her here, thought.
She was reassured when she saw who the In
truder was. In a few minutes went up town,
accompanied by Scott.
CHOW is it, Scott" said I, Chat you are free,
and at Gen. Rpley's?"
ssWell, in answer TO your first question, am
on parole; rs to your second question, may
say I visit Gen. Ripley's because-well, be-
cause like his daughter"
'I need not ask if Miss Ripley reciprocates
the like; but about the General z"
sI 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,
could to bring them together. My reason was
this: Capt. Burns was suitor of Miss Alice,
and the one which Gen. Ripley had decided
she must marry, whether she wanted to or not.
This Capt. Burns cordially despised, and !
determined that if 1 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
to be there too. Thinking themselves secure
from interruption, they indulged in sweet non
sense so interesting to lovers, so foolish to any
one else. But, very unfortunately for their fu,
ture peace, their loving glances were seen and
their loving words overheard by one who from
that moment became their bitter foe-that was
Capt. Burns. He did not disturb the lovers,
but reported to Gen. Ripley, and the result was
that when Alice came home she was met by
torrent of reproaches from her father and
strict command-"Never to speak to that vile
rebel again." He was also kind enough to in
form her that in one month she would become
the wife of Capt Burns, wealthy officer, and
Con Rinlev's very dear friend
Time passed away rapidly. The prepara-
tions for Alice's wedding had been going on
for some time, and now it only lacked three
days of the time appointed. Meanwhile the
lovers had not been idle, as on the 22d of De-
cember Lieut. Scott came to me with request
that astonished me-
'I am going to run away with that old Pu-
ritan's girl, and want you to help me-"
Assisting rebel officer to elope with my
commanders daughter was serious piece of
business, so did not readily comply. But my
hatred of Capt, Burns, and my desire to battle
his plans, and thereby save the beautiful Alice
from life of misery, decided ME. therefore
told the anxious lover that would do what l
could to aid him in his plans of love and re-
renge. He loved Miss Ripley, and he owed
Capt. Burns no good will.
The programme of departure was quickly
made. I was to secure pass for a gentleman
and his sister to leave Richmond and cross the
Ohio river. Then l was to assist Miss Ripley
out of her fathers house, where she was almost
a prisoner, and escort her to carriage which
Scott would have in readiness near by. The
first part of my mission easily executed. The
time of departing was set for midnight, De
cember 23d. On the morning of that day 1
received an order to go at once to town twen-
ty-fiYe miles distant, and YVES not expected
back before next morning. was back in
Richmond, however, by 10 P. M, 23d, as told
Scott I would be. went at once to Gen. Rip
ley's house, and fortunately gained admission
of my presence, and also that at midnight l
would escort her from the house. l then Sc
creted myself to await that time.
Alice's room opened into the same hall which
the library did. At the end of this hall was
door opening into the garden. At the appoint
ed time Alice came into the hall, and we start
ed to the door; just as we reached it, the libra
nv door opened and Gen. Ripley came directly
towards us. There was no light in the hall
except what came from the open door of the
library. AS the General approached us, we
crouched in the corner behind some coats
which hung there. Gen. Ripley paused mo-
ment at the door within three feet of us-then
opened the door and passed out, locking the
door ON the outside. Escape from that door
was now impossible; neither could we go out
at the front door, for sentinel stood there.
The only way left us was to 60 into my room,
and thence into the street through window.
We passed back by the library door, and saw
Capt Burns there, smoking cigar, and no
doubt thinking of the happiness that awaited
him on the morrow. We did not disturb his
meditations, and in fifteen minutes Alice was
beside her lover and leaving Richmond. When
passing through the hall, Miss Ripley dropped
a letter which she had received from Scott.
An hour after her departure, Gen. Ripley pick
ed up this letter and read it. Enraged at its
contents, he sought his daughters room, to
find that she was gone. Immediately the house
was aroused. The General at once came to the
conclusion that she had left with Lieut.. Scott.