Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1878-05-02

mission.
The hospital to which she had been direct
3D. as the one mentioned in the paper from
wich Mr.. Give had copied the extract, was
considerably beyond the outskirts Of the city.
Msry's heart beat fast, as she stopped before
the gate; and alighting from the carriage,
she rang the bell, and waited considerable
time, in a state of indescribable anxiety, for
an answer to her summons.
A porter at length appeared, and partially
opening the heavy wooden gate inquired Of
her what she wanted.
"Isn't this Confederate Hospital!" she
timidly asked.
"Yes'm-didn't you see the name written
up on the outside ?" was the somewhat gruf1y
uttered rejoinder.
II did not notice it. I have come to see
wounded officer who is here. Can I be admit
ted at this hour ?" she continued.
"Nom not at any hour. Ladies amt ad-
mitted into this 'ospittle at all; it's against
the rule"
Mary was discounted by this blunt recep.
ton, which was certainly not encouraging to
her hopes.
"At least" she said, appealingly, "you can
tell me if the officer I am looking for is in
there"
Il reckon can, if you'll let me know bis
name" was the answer.
Colonel Dacre-.Colonel Brentwood Dacre,
of the -th Regiment" t."
"Of what Statef'
"South Carolina"
The gruf porter unceremoniously shut the
gate, and left her waiting outside while he
went to make inquiries. After keeping her
for some time, he returned, looked out as be-
fore, and blasted her expectations with one
brief sentence.
"No such name in here"
"Not in here ? He has been removed,
then?"
"There's no such name on our books at ALL
I reckon you've come to the wrong place."
What is the name of this hospital ?"
"Its written up outside, just as plain as
can be-Cedar Grove 'Ospittle, Miss"
"That is the one Colonel Dacre was report
ed to be int was in the newspapers.
"Can't help it-newspapers was wrong
There's 'ospittles enough in and about Rich.
mond. I expect you will find him in some of
them"
He seemed anxious to get rid of her; but
Mary still fingered.
"Are you quite, quite sure that he is not
here2" she asked.
"Of course I'm sure" said the porter, impa-
tiently and this time he manifested such
papable desire to shut the gate that she
turned away, and Immediately heard it slam
med and locked behind her.
II hope they are not going to be as rude as
that everywhere" thought poor Mary, as she
re-entered the carriage, and the horses heads
we're turned again towards the city. Her
coachman, a coloreo man, seemed quite to
sympathize in her disappointment, and was
willing to 20 wherever she directed him. But
as she was quite unacquainted with the place,
she was obliged to read out to him the various
localities described on her card, and allow
him to seek them in the most convenient order.
The hospital she reached next was very
large and fine one, and her inquiries were
met with extreme politeness, though, unhap-
PLY, the result was again unsuccessful. COL
onel Dacre had never been taken there, nor
did they know anything of him.
1t would be useless to 60 into all the par
ticulars of her wearisome quest, which last
ed through the greater part of the day.
Suffice it to say that after every hospital had
been visited, and every inquiry made, she
was as far as ever from obtaining the infor-
nation she wanted, and was forced to return
to the hotel disappointed aud heart sore, and
quite overpowered by the prolonged fatigue
and excitement she had undergone. She was
suffering from a violent headache, and pains
in her limbs, and though she had eaten moth
ing for many hours, she could take no supper,
except cup ofhot tea and morsel of toast
which an obliging chambermaid brought up
to her room. Rest was absolutely necessary,
if she desired to avoid fit of illness. She
could not even think, for her brain was tired
out with thought.
"Perhaps can find out something to-mor-
row." she sighed out disconsolately, as she laid
her head on her pillow; and before FIVE min.
utes had elapsed, she found respite from her
cares in the sound and dreamless sleep which
comes to youth, and which, in her present
fatigued state, all her aches and pains were
powerless to keep at bay.
She slept until late on the following morn
ing and awoke considerably refreshed, though
with a remnant of headache still hanging
about her. The friendly chambermaid, a
good-tempered negro girl, brought up on a
tray tempting little breakfast of snowy bis
cult, thin-cut ham and hot coffee, of which
she partook with some appetite, feeling much
the better afterwards for having done so for
she was really suffering as much from the
want of food as anything else. This meal
over, she asked to see the landlord, and when
he came, told him of her difficulties, and asked
if he could suggest what it would be advisable
for her to do next.
The landlord looked doubtful. cit seems
a queer case, Miss" he remarked. "1fhe was
reported in the hospital, why he ought to be
in the hospital, that's all. And if he isn't
there, why, he must be-somewhere else.
That is to say, ifhe's anywhere above ground,