The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1888-10-05

the road they clattered, past the farm, over
the wooden bridge, then out into the level
road once moro IL was growing dark
rapidly. Low IN the east wero great banks
Of dark clouds through which tho lightning
flashed, and in the distance could be heard
the low rumble of thunder.
They reared dark forest that doomed up
before them.
Paul was "A brave boy, but he could not
help Glancing enxiously at the deep shadows
OF tho woods Mt the tall trees flitting by and
listening TO tho dismal echoes his horses
footballs awoke. Suddenly there came o
flash of lightning, and tall oak, shivered
from TOP to bottom, fell across tho pathway.
At tho same time loud clap of thunder
shook the ground and died away in low re.
vcrberations over against the distant noun.
tains
Paul's horse reared on its launches para
ly2ed with fear; then, trembling il every
limb, with wild neigh of terror, it made
flying leap over the PROSTATE tree and darted
down tho road with flying feet
Paul knew his danger, but he w;.s accus-
TONED to riding, and he chung to tho saddle
with his head bent forward on the horses
neck. To keep tho horse straight in tho road
was his object, and each moment bore them
nearer to their destination.
The dispatches must be delivered in time;
they wcro of vital Importance to tho army,
and tho boy was truo southerncr at heart,
ready to die for his country. He would dc
his duty; no ono should ever say he was
coward.
Suddenly tho rain began to pour in tor
rents, making binding sheet Of water. The
lightning flashes lit the wild scene from time
to time, and boom on boom OF loud, rum
bling thunder echoed among the hills
Onward the horse new, each peal of thun-
der lending fresh speed to his feet. On
through the rain, the darkness of the dismal
forest, with outstretched nec,;, quivering
nestrils, limbs trembling with fear.
Out Of tho woods into the open road again,
and Paul drew sigh of relief. Before him
wero the twinkling lights Of village. Up
tho hill he came and down tho long, narrow
street, tho iron hoofs striking fire from tho
stony pavement The shop windows looked
like patches of light in tho darkness, and he
could see the clerks run to the door to see
who tho mad rider was
AS hc left"the village behind ndfrajled
out into the'country again Paul heard tho
town clock s!owly Ginning seven. He had
ridden ten miles in the last hour. =.
Still the mad pace was Kept up rs tho horse
few past fields of corn, through low pasture
lands and by farm houses perched OH rocky
hills, over rustic bridges that creal;ed beneath
the beating hoofs up muddy hills and down
in low valleys through ankle deep water that
splashcd horse and rider from head to foot.
He must have been riding at least half an
hour longer, when at tho turn Of the road
Paul caught sight Of man on horseback.
1t was tho picket of tho Union cayalrymen,
who were resting and eating supper in
small cabin n few feet from the roadside
'Haltr' cried the soldier, as Paul came
galloping up. But the horse and rider dashed
by without needing the command. Tho
picket raised his pistol, there was q crack
and bullet whizzed by the boys ear.
The soldier started in pursuit and the rest
of the men ran to their horses aad darted
away after him. Paul heard theri coming,
heard tho heavy splash of their galloping
horses on tho muddy road. But the prrsucrs
wero soon left behind, and Paul sped on alone
through tho night.
just as he crossed the railroad track he
heard the heavy rumblng of the approaching
express, and the bright headlight burst in
view around the curve. With bound the
horse cleared tho track and sped onward.
1t was five minutes Of 3, Paul knew, for at
that hour the train was due In few min
utes moro he was at the station, which was
eighteen miles from his homo.
As no left behind him the long line of light
from tho car windows the horse began to
slacken his pace, and his rider could hear tho
heavy breathing that was the first sign
of exhaustion. He galloped still, but it was
in labored way, and Paul could sec that
his strength would not last much longer, so
no pulled in the rens q little. The horse
relapsed into a swinging trot, and Paul sat
upright in the saddle.
Tho storm was now past, and the dark
clouds driftcd by rapidly before the rising
wind, leaving the drenched landscape flooded
with silvery moonlight. Paul could see tho
corn lying PROSTATE in the flooded fields, the
meadows cleaning in tho watery light, with
tho overlooking brooks that washed over
them, and now and then fallen tree or
overturned fence.
The horses trot grew slower and slower.
Paul could feel tho trembling limbs totter Us
they staggered onward. The heavy breath
ing grew shorter and quicker, the smoking
TANKS were covered with foam, and from
tho distended nostrils trickled n tiny stream
of blood.
One mile, two miles, they crept on. The
trot relapsed into walk, tho walk into a
stagScr Then, with u loud half neigh, half
ErO1u, inc cxuuuSbeu unlflul lcll 10 INC
ground dead.
Paul sprang OF as the horse rolled over and
set out down tho road at n run. Up and
down hill, splashing through the streams, he
hurried, with but one thought in his mind
to deliver the dispatches III time. For moro
than mile he ran, but his exertious hogan
to tell on him and his legs began to weary.
Once hc slipped and fell, then sat for 81 mo-
ment breathlcss, but lie sprang up and hast
ened forward
His strength was beginning to fail him
when before him lie saw light twinkling in
q farm house. With tho energy Of despera-
ton he ran forward and opening tho door
fell PROSTATE in the room.
A woman who was Uniting near crib
screamed at tho sight of tho boy drenched to
the skin, spattered with mud and sprinkled
with blood, J. ing on tho floor, but soldier
in the uniform of Confederate colonel
sprang up from tho chair in which he sat
smoking, and lifting up the helpless form,
laid it tenderiy on a sofa.
''Oh, sir" sasped Paul, Jerking the dis
patches from lis pocket, 'tcko these, take
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