Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1888-12-13

That night Hooker took new position.
The next day the battle ragged with renewed
fury.
As General Hooker stood leaning against
q pillar of Chancellorsville House cannon
ball crashed against it and hurled him
senseless to the ground; and for moro than
an hour the Northern troops fought with
out leader. But Winthrop saw none Of
this. He was riding in hot haste on the
road to Fredericksburg, seeking for aid
from Sedgwick.
Nor had he far 70 go, for that gallant
General had taken Fredericksburg, and was
now dinging himself on Lees rear, at tho
moment that the Southern forces were
forming for grand attack. The tide of
battle turned on the newcomers, who were
driven across the river, and the army of the
Potomac withdrew to its old camping
ground.
It was during the heavy march in the
night that Harry Winthrop, in command OF
the rear-guard, worn with the two-days'
fighting and loss OF sleep, istlessly followed
his troop along the dusty highway. By
his side rode his friend and comrade Frank
Barclay, who was even in a more exhausted
condition, for not only was he half dead
cut on the arm and the faintness consequent
on much loss Of blood.
"Cheer up, old fellow" Harry said. at
fectlonately. eve shall soon be under can
vas again, and long rest will put you ell
right''
81 don't know about that, - was the cheer
less reply. "Of course don't think that
this little scratch I've got is going to be my
death blow, but I've clean lost heart and
" off fhor hr,i,s
at home. A man with family carries a
heavy mortgage on him when he goes
a-soldiering."
You are worn out and discouraged
that is all, - Harry claimed, while his COM
panion relapsed into moody silence.
They were approaching part Of the road
which lay at the edge of deep ravine,
weeds and scrubby bushes. Every now
and then they had passed some struggling,
foot-sore infantry man, who had fallen out
of ranks. and was dragging his weary
limbs along as best he could. 1t was just
such a figure as this that they overlook as
they reached this dangerous spot in the
rugged road. It was not utterly dark, for
the stars were out, but it was not light
enough to distinguish the uniform the man
wore: in fact, Winthrop never gave him a
second thought beyond turning his horses
head q little to the left so that he should not
tramp1e on him.
AS they got abreast of him the man
turned upon him, grasped the bride OF his
horse, and the fash Of the pistol blazed
straight at Harry Winthrop's face. In
stinctlvely he stopped to grapple with the
assassin, end the action saved his life, for
the bullet plowed through the housings of
his saddle and buried itself in the breast Of
his comrade, who fell with a groan to the
earth. Poor Barclay his premonitions were
soon realized.
In an instant the murderer flung himself
down the steep declivity, and though a
score of brave fellows dashed recklessly
after him, he was lost in he darkness.
Ere he left the fatal spot Winthrop's eye
CHANGED to rest on little glittering object
lying on the grass. He picked it up, and
found it was portion of gold watch
chain-twO long antique links, curiously
wrought, and doubtless OF foreign work
manship.
"This mute witness against the man who
did the foul deed,'' he muttered, 'sshau
never leave me till have avenged Door
Barclays death"
How well he kept his pledge the sequel
shows.
Meanwhile, in the Confederate lines the
pssans of victory were hushed for the walls
Of sorrow, for Stonewa1 jackson, the idol
and hope Of his people, lay stark in death,
shot down by his own troops, who mistook
his escort for Federal cavalry. Better had
the South lost a whole army than the man
whose magical name was such tower Of
strength to their cause.
Of course, Winthrop knew nothing of
this. He had, however, troubles enough of
his own to harrass him. Ever before his
eyes were the figures of Barclays wife and
children crying to him for vengeance. That
the poor fellow had died in his place he
never doubted, and the consciousness of
that added to his agony.
He did all he could to mitigate the dis
tress of Barclays loved ones, sending them
every relic he could find of the man they
mourned for, and commencing their tempo
rary necessities to his father, whom he
knew would right royalty fulfill the trust
Still the days crept by and no CLEAN of
light came to penetrate the mystery.
Once, it is true, he thought he was on the
eve of a discovery. He had been talking
with number of officers, and had just
babe them adieu and was fastening to his
quarters, when one of them, Major Nc
Donald, hurried after him and said:
"One moment, Captain Winthrop. if you
please. Have you any objection to showing
me the links CT that watch-chain you found
on the spot of poor Barclays nlurders'
"None in the least,'' Harry said, as he
drew 1t from his pocket.
The Major scanned it narrowly and his
face flushed.
"Do you recognize it?'' Winthrop asked,
eagerly.
81 certainly do" was the sharp response.
The pattern is the fac-simile Of one I
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