South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1876-04-07
o L ID IT O NJ
OR,
TIE HIDDEN TREASURE.
From The Charlottesville Chronicle.
sr Z. C. N.

1t was in the evening of beautiful
Spring day, towards the close Of the late
war, that company Of several persons
might have been seen seated on the por.
tico Of handsome residence, situated
In enc Of the lower counties of Virginia.
The party consisted of Col. Goodwin,
his wife. and their only daughter, Ada.
who were watching intentIy the approach
OF n Confederate oiiic'r, as he rapidly
drew near the house. Col. Goodwin
was widely known rs one of those hear
ty, good old Virginia gentlemen who,
being wealthy, was fond of entertaining
largely. He was, however, more exten.
sively known rs an intense secessionist,
and devoted TO the cause Of the South.
hence his residence was frequently be-
sieged by many weary soldier, none
OF whom were ever turned away empty
handed. The advancing officer, there
fore, was almost UNDECIDED, yet his hasty
approach caused the party to be attract
ed rs something unusual
This is Col. Goodwin. | presume"
enquired the rider, as be suddenly rein
ed up before the door and saluted the
party.
1t is, sir; won't you get down and
take supper" replied the Colonel in his
usual genial tone.
Il thank you, sir, but only wish to
give notice of the near approach of the
Yankees, who will probably visit you be.
fore morning. l would advise You sir.
to remove your family and valuables to
safe place, as your house will most
certainly he destroyed and yourself
made q prisoner"
Indeed and are they so near as
that?' replied the Colonel with some
surprise.
Not more than ten miles of. sir; We
are the advanced picket. and are falling
back from superior numbers" So say.
ing, with another salute to the ladies',
lie turned and rapidly rode off, but not
before Ada had slipped parcel OF meat
and bread into his hand, as she noticed
his weary look, and became guilty of
one OF her usual little acts of kindness.
"" ell. my dear" said the Colonel, as
he turned TO his wife, after watching the
officer some moments in silence. this
seems quite serious, and we had better
prepare in earnest this time for the
enemy"
but we have been so often deceived
by these reports" replied Mrs. Goodwin.
YES. but l cannot doubt the word of
that officer. rs | could see by his face
that 1T was too true. ! fear we are de.
feated.' Thus the old man sadly re-
pied as he went within, after giving
some nasty directions, and with orders
for old Tom to he summoned at once.
n lew moments after the shufilinp
ieet oil old Tom were heard at the libra
~ door and trembling knock given,
as lie paused in respectful silence, until
The voice oil his master babe him enter.
Tom was the old family servant Of the
Goodwin's, and was supposed to have
been brought over from Africa-at least
so the old negro always avowed. lie
was devotedly attached to his old mas.
ter, with whom he had been raised from
a child. and was by him always consult.
cd as one of the family tlpon all impor.
tant occasions. and his views highly re.
7pected. On the present occasion Col.
GOODWIN had summoned the old negro.
not with hopes of much assistance, but
to unburden his mind in the deep trouble
before him, and to receive the old SER
wants sympathy.
Take seat. Tom" said Col. Good
win, rs the old man kent STANDING in
respectful silence. We'll. Tom. the
ankees are upon TIA, and will bc here
tomorrow; what are you going to do?"
wv hat yom gwine to do. Mars Will
LAM replied the old man earnestly.
IL expect to stay at home, Tom, and
try to save my house and property: |
don't think they will trouble an old man
like me; but | suppose you will now
leave us, as you will he free"
Me 20 wild de Yankees me leave nv
ole Missus and Marster! No. dat I
amt No, Mars William. ef you stay.
den 8toy wild you. don't want TO he
free. Thus replied tie faithful old ne.
gro earnestly and sadly. evidently hurt
mt his masters want Of confidence.
Col Goodwin could hardly suppress
n tear ut the old servants devotion. and
felt satisfied he had one in whom he
could trust.
well, well, Tom, | was afraid Won
might he led away by these young nc.
groes who arc longing for the Yankees
to come, but | am glad 10 sec YOU will
stand by us. Now, Tom, can YOU bclp
me save anything, as most likely thew
will burn the house,"
The old negro sat in deep thought for
some time. at last breaking the silence
IN a low tone:
MARS William, You jes hab Nil do
hngs you wants saved all put together
IN a box, an when | come to de window
tonight 6n knock, you jes hand 'en ont
TO me; but don't say nulfng bout il
Narster, fur desc young niggers are
watchin' everybody. DIT dey is"
II was twelve o'clock at night. the
busy hands Of Mrs. Goodwin and Ada
had at last prepared everything accord.
ing to Toms direction, and the signal
being given. the box Of valnables was
silently consigned 10 him from the win.
dow. Though wearied aud saddened.
the family could not sleep. but contin.
ucd to SIT in silence, watching the grey
dawn OF morning as 10 broke tho eastern