The Dawson journal., 1883-11-08
MAisRIED HER CARRIACE
DRIVER.
BY W. NJ. s.
BY W. NJ. s.

"Ahl sir, that is Miss Bentor
a rich Georgia heiress, worth
cool hundred thousand in cash
besides negroes by the hundred
| am not easy taken in by a prett,
face, but | confess that I am deep
ly interested in Miss Benton"
Il wish you success, Colonel
but what is it about the prisol
that seems to have so much at
traction for Miss Benton? Sh,
comes down often the last few
days"
"She is visiting the unfortunat,
young Capt. Anderson, whom yo,
remember is under sentence to b.
shot for trying to desert. He is
half brother of hers, and an or
phan."
The above conversation tool
plac between two officers at the
barracks in Richmond, Va, in the
fall of 1864. In those barracks
were confined q number of Con.
federate soldiers, for different Of,
fences, among whom was Capt
Anderson, who, on receiving intel
llgence from home that his mother
his only living parent) was dy-
ing, applied for a furlough and
failing to get it, attempted to "run
the gauntlet" and go without one,
but was arrested, court-martialed,
and sentenced to be shot.
Three days later at Miss Ben
toms hotel:
"Do I understand you to say,
Miss Benton, that you accept NV
proposition on conditions?"
That is exactly what I said,
Col. Baker"
"Then be so kind my dear Miss
Benton, as to name your condi-
tons, and if it is in my power to
comply with them, rest assured
that | will do anything consistent
with the honor of gentleman to
clasp this beautiful hand and call
it mine"
ooh! my dear Col. Baker, how
can | ever pay the debt Of graft
tude [ owe you for this promise
which | know you will ful6llp
Then casting upon him a loving
lingering lock OF her deep blue
eyes, she said: "These are the
simple conditions uron which
accept your offer: Manage some
way to release my poor brother
from prison and let him go home
to our poor mother, who cannot
live much longer"
But" said the Colonel, after
meditating a moment, 81 do moi
see how l can do that I would
be held responsible for il, and il
might place me in an uncomforta-
bic position"
"Ah, yes! uncomfortable indeed
I thought you loved me Col. Ba.
ker, but I see that [ have beer
cruelty deceived" and throwing
back the pretty curls from the fail
face, and catching the folds of hen
rich satin dress, was about leaving
his presence when the Colone,
detained her, and hastily promis-
ed to arrange with the young Cap,
tain a plan for his escape.
In the evening OF the same day
on which Col. Baker swore ale
glance to the cause of Miss Benton
he and comrade were in conf.
Dental conversation, as follows:
'Did you say, Colonel, that you
had about captured the Georgia
heiress?'
Il did, sir, and I tell you thf
game is worth the chase. She is
perfect angel and has money
enough to fit us up a superb par,
adise, but l came very near max
ing a miscue of it, for l tell yor
she feels that her beauty anc
wealth are a great power, and Sc
they are, but Of the two, give mC
the wealth and when we are mar
ried 1 shall soon give her to IN
derstand that she can boss tht
beauty, but that [ shall boss thu
money"
Don't be too confident, Colonel
for you know there is many slil
between the cup and the lip an(
it may be so in this case"
"Never fear, my dear sir, [ vii
manage that. I do not think tina
| have lived to be forty six year
old without knowing how to sue
cessfully manage a little low
affair.""
Two days later Col. Baker call
ed upon Miss Benton, and imme
diately asked: "Have yo1
seen your brother the escapes
prisonerY
"Ohl my dear Colonel, (extend
ing her hand) you know not hoy
grateful ] feel towards you TO
securing his release from that hor
rid prison. 1 have furnished hir
with a complete disguise and h
is now far on his way to Geo1
gia." >.
"Well, I hope he will succeed i
reaching home in safety, and no'
nv dear Miss Benton, | have a
great risk succeeded in fulfllin
my part Of the contract, and al