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

| BY the sido Of q little stream. in tho shade
Of an oak tree, Paul lay watching tho cork
bobbing up and down on the water at his
feet. Far Off in tho distance a misty haas
hung like veil over the dark mass of trees
on tho mountain SIDE Over tho fields Of
yellow grain swept gentle breeze. waiting
from tho distant meadow tho soothing swish
OF the Yeapers' scythes and tho drowsy clack of
tho clumsy farm wagons rs they toiled up
tho long hills, laden with the golden harvest.
| The quiet rustling Of the leaves, tho sub
ducd sound of tho distant reapers' call, tho
low droning of bees mingled into soft,
drowsy music, and Paul's eyes closed involun-
tarily. Tho cheerful tune of tho supper
horn, tho whir of a larl's wings close to his
ear and tho sudden splash Of the fishing polo
into the water were unnoticed.
| This was tho first summer of the civil war;
North and south were ablaze with enthusi-
asm; tho country was full Of marching rcgi-
ments, and troops Of cavalry with singing
bugles at their heads would dash through
quiet village. streets and speed away ign. tho,
darkness to the distant battle field. sssy
/ Very quiet 1t was this sultry afternoon, and
no ono who looked ut the peaceful farmhouse
and the busy slaves harvesting in the fields
would havo imagined that a few miles away
wero two armies ready to begin the terrible
drama Of war. Tho shadows of the old stone
fence and dusty alderbcrry bushes lcngthened
across the road. The cows camo slowly up
from the pasture, tinkling their.mellow bells
dreamily as they waded in the brook. Tho
rcapers, with their scythes across their
| shoulders, came homeward across tho new
mown meadow, singing some low sweet lul-
laby Of old slavery days.
Presently there was n sound Of horses feet
| on tho hard pike road. Closer and closer it
camc, and the loud hoof beats awoko Paul
from his slumber. He raised himself on his
elbow and peered through the tall grass to
SEQ who was coming.
! Suddenly q loud yell broke on the still oven
; ing air. Paul sprang to his feet. Over the
top of tho hill just in front Of him dashed
| four Confederate horsemen, their horses
| reeking sweat and flecked with foam Almost
| at their heels charged half dozen Union
cavalrynen. Three pistol shots rang out
| simultaneously, and ono Of the Confederates
threw up his arms, reeled for q moment in
| his saddle and then fell on the dusty wayside
| Tho rest dashed forward, with the Union men
| close in tho rear.
Down the rocky road developed in n cloud
| OF dust, they went, urging on their tired
| horses with shouts and turning to fire on the
| foe, who sent leaden messengers whizzinG
| past their heads. So pursued and pursucrs
| galloped out of sight, leaving tho poor fellow
| rortally wounded by tho wayside, with his
faithful horse standing near
Paul sprang over the low stone fence and
| approached the wounded man.
The Confederate courier, for such no was,
| lay on his side, one hand supporting his head
,x,I% la ntl, ,obt - l.,
| His faco was CHASTITY pale, the dark eyes
! quivered, his breath camc slow and pain
| fully and violent tremor shook his frame
| From n wound near tho right temple little
| stream of blood tricked slowly down, STAIN
| ing tho gray jacket and settling in crimson
| pool in the road.
Paul Enelt by his side, raised his head ten
| derby and rested it on his knees. Tho man
| closed his eyes for a moment, thcn opened
| them and fixed them on Pauls frightened
| face.
"Oh, sir" Gasped Paul, fsintly, ais there
anything can do for your
Nothing, nothing" murmured the man.
"Its oil over with mo now" and he pointed
| to tho wound in his forehead.
''Let mo run to the house and get some
thing for you or have them bring you up
horne on q wagon" pleaded Paul, as no wiped
mo, no; let mo lie here. haven't long to
live" no gasped. "But the Yankees will
soon return and they will find my dispatches
on me. They arc important ones and had to
! be delivered by 10 o'clock tonight, or else
VIC would loco tho battle tomorrow"
Couldn't they be sent, sirF' queried Paul,
anxious to relieve him.
There's 10 ono to take them-at least, no
| ono / could trust" murmured the soldier.
| "Ard besides, the distance is over thirty
miles, and the Yankees ore before us Oh tho
| road"
A bright thought struck Paul.
II will take them, sir" ho said quickly.
"To whom are they to be delivercdY'
"Col. Raynor, Forty-third Virginia cav
| airy, ut Rockville But could you really un
| dertakc suc,i n ride-thirty-fve miles in four
! hoursg' and the dying soldier looked an1.
| iously at Paul
eyes, sir; promise you will do it," an
swercd Paul bIavely.
The man pointed to his vest pocket. Paul
| drew out from it blood stained packet of
dispatches.
The man was very near the end now. With
a grateful smile at the young face bending
over him he whispered family:
"Thank you, oh, thank you-you will save
the men. Tell them why could not come.
Send my watch to my mother, whose address
is on this letter. Tell them how died-and
bury me bere--here."
The eyes closed, the hands dropped, tho
head fell back, and tho brave courier lay
dead by the roadside. Paul spread the cav
airy cloak over the still form, thrust tho dis
patches in his pocket, spraag Oh the waiting
charger and started down tho road.
II was now about O'CLOCK. If he wished
10 keep his promise there was no time to lose.
Should he 60 home FIRST, it would be a delay
AMI perhaps they would not Let himg go at all.
So he determined to start Immediately. He
| oailad n ,,oo,o i1on who etood N field naar.