Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1871-06-30

With her fingers she traced out possible
chances for escape. and found them worth
less. Suddenly she laughed mcrrlly, answer
ing to his thought.
sYou needn't be exIltant yet, sir, if YOU
arc almost sure. Doubtless you think you
have me trapped, just as your General Grant
iaucics our Lee is securely netted. Bat
sce nv way 0ut-GRd so does Lee! I'm not
cheekmated yet, and your army plans viii
prove quite as futile as your hopes of winning
this game see, | can move so, and then.
taking your pawn, I'm-whyi | thought /
could move this way Fairly beaten. sir :;
! It's no use But you won't find our old war
nor so easy to checkmate, If | am conquered
and since 1t can do no harm now I'll tell YOU
what nice little blunder your Sheridan has
made.-He feels very sure that Lee is re-
treating toward Danville: but tomorrow
morning Will sec our forces safe beyond the
Appomattox, and you will find you must
| play another game before you win. Lee and
ms staff icere our ioclcome guests last nigh =
'Thc general was startled and amazed, but
wisely kept from betraying his surprise, aud
answered as if very weary;
'Oh please let Us forget the army Just now
II Grant has made mistake, it's not my
busiress, and You can't imagine what a de-
Light this evening has been 10 me. shall
never forget it : and when tie conflict is
over, | shall hope TO renew our acquaintance.
We leave at such an early hour that | shall
not see You again. 50 must say my goodbye
with my thanks -
I'm sure am equally your debtor gra-
ciously replied the lady 1t is not often
that | meet gentleman now, and for your
sake | shall think less bitterly of our con-
querors. Good night
Little cared the general Just then for mil
itary rule. Always favorite with Grant,
he risked little with the rude waScning
which he now gave the sleeping chieftain,
and his information was whispered iu low
hurried tones. Grant thought q moment
His plans had been carefully matured he
had thought his information certain but if
Lee had really passed the previous night at
that very farmhouse, he could not be aiming
for Danyllle, and the lady's story must be
true. Meanwhile General Babcock stole
quietly out, silently reused messengers, sad
died horses, and carefully marked the ap-
pearanee Of things about the Enclosures. Il
was evident that larger party than theirs
had stayed there recently, for the soft earth
was dented and torn with the tread Of
horses feet everywhere, and the refuse Of
their feeding was scattered on all sides,
Returning to the house, he found Grant
with dispatches ready and then mounting,
with but two companions, he rode away to
find Sheridan. | fancy that was a ride
worth taking under the stars with the ST.
hence Of midnight round him in an cncmy's
country, bearing the orders which would, he
battle that had so suddenly smitten the
land and watching with straining eyes for
the first outpost of Sheridan's forces.
Challenge and countersign were rapidly
given and exchanged as they passed the
pickets: and Sheridan was reached in time
Greeley in his history, briefly saysof the
preceding days pursuit: This was q mis-
calculation and then adds, pursuit was re-
sumed by all haris on the morning of the
Sth-thc second and sixth corps, under
Meade, moving north Of the Appomattox or
directly in the trail Of the enemy, while
Sheridan uRdec7red rs to Lees making for
Danville, led his cavalry to head him of
from Lynchburg, his only remaining refuge.
lie does not tell Us h0r Sheridan was unde-
ceiyed, but these were the facts in the case.
Ny fancy had eagerly followed the story.
| was intensely interested, and you may DE
sure that | asked whether General Babcock
ever met the lady again, and if she didn't
try to
Stab him with her angry eyes.
The colonel laughed, and answered that il
was no part Of bravery 70 invite destruction.
he presumed the general never cared % re-
new that acquaintance.
Then wanted 70 know If I might repeat
the story TO the dear public and this is my
proof that he didn't say No