South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1880-07-30
Romney, Hampshire County, West Va, July 80, 1880.


and with her husband drifted from
place toplace. Mr.. Somers was dead,
aud his widow on the Somerton Plan
tation, saw herself deserted by all her
slaves except Tony.
III stay with You, Ma'am on ac-
count of Missy he said. He had no
affection for the lady herself, but he
put aside resolutely all plans for lis
own advauccment-hc was an intelli-
gent, ambitious fellow-to attend TO
the comfort Of q peevish, querulous
old woman. Owing to his care, she
never suffered many Of the privations
to which 50 many other delicate
Southern women were reduced; but
before the first two years of the war
bad expired, Tony laid his old miss
tress by the side OF her husband.
No news could be conveyed TO
Blanche Of her mothers death, and in
fact, Tony did not know where she
was. Postal communication at that
time was very uncertain, and months
sometimes elapsed before letters
would reach their destination and
what was worse, not more than one In
ten ever reached the persons to whom
they were addressed.
Tony knew, though, that Colonel
Wilson-Mis5y's husband-wasin the
Virginia Army, and he would pore
over The army news in the few news
papers which iWnd their way to the
little village near Somerton, in hopes
OF hearing something OF them.
In the meantime, Somerton, heavi-
" morigaged, was sold by some Of the
impatient creditors. Tony had been
very fortunate, and had accumulated,
by two or three speculations, and by
hard work, also. handsome sum of
money; and as the place was sold in
lots OF one hundred acres, he purchas-
cd the homestead lot, with all the
buildings and their contents.
4 declare, Tony, you're lucky to
get the old place. said one of his
friends. But why didn't you buy the
southern meadow lot A.? It's twice rs
good soil as the old place
q had my reasons was the short
answer.
u suppose yon have heard that
Col. Wilson is killed p
'Killedr exclaimed Tony. Then
what's become Of Missy p
But his informant knew nothing
moro. Tony spent weeks in trying
to set further rews, but failed in all
his attempts. lie then decided to go
himself in search Of Missy Cor he
dreaded to think what her condition
might be, widowed and among stran
gers,
] cannot enumerate the difficulties
which opposed him at every step in
MS search. lie was sometimes dis
trusted by the Confcderatcs, and once
having stayed within the Federal
lines, re came within All ace of meet
ing the death Of a spy. At last he
reached Richmond. and though the
death Of Colonel Wilson was there
confirmed Tony could hear nothing
OF his widow. Some Southern gen
tlcmen became Interested in his story.
and joined in the quest, but for weeks
it seemed a hopeless one.
That's faithful fellow said Ma
ior Crane, one day, to DR.. Dorr, the
surgeon or lis regimont, IS Tony
passed them. lies been here ever
So long. hunting mp his missy, Col.
Wilson's widow, it appears. We
can't hear anything of her, and she's
probably dead
Wilson, Wilson, repeated the sur
geon L have Il patient By that name :
bat IL can't be poor Wilson's widow.
This woman IS in the last extremity
OF poverty, and don seem TO care
whether she lives or dies. But, now
! think of il, She IS q woman Of rofh-
ed manners, and has evidently seen
better days. She hardly speaks a
word, though; bG, shc must have
boon beautiful when We'll. Has q
splendid boy; buf cvou he docsn I
rouse her from her apathy. No, II
can't Dc Wisou's widow
cob well. IL will do 10 harm FOR
Tony Go see her. Suppose you take
him with you at your next visit
Tina. is now said DR.. Dorr. look
'ng ut bis watch. Call him, and be
can 80 wi,h nc. She won't notice
lin, anyhow Her condition is crit
Ical, but It's possible ir she could be
reused, She might be saved.
Tony, with IBIS heart beating f1ri-
ously, followed DR.. DoTr to q misera-
bic tumblcdown cottage IN the sub
urbs Of the city How could bis
Miss bc the inmate Of such q cabin ?
1t was impossible, lac thought, aud
whcn he entered tho darkeuc1 room.
nc glanced almost ind.hcrently at the
sick womau, who was lying on n bed.
with her face turned from the door.
but there was something in tho a.
titude. in the prol1sc waves of brown
hair which covered the pillow, that
made his heart almost stand still. As
he drew nearer. her mock t~aa uq-ff,,