The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1888-11-10
CHAPTER ".

THE STORMING or FREDERICKSBURG.
Winter was late that year, the sun shono
on those Virginia hills with the warmth of
n Northern Indian summer, though tho
nights were crisp and cold. The dawn OF
the l2th of December had hardly broken in
the clear gray sky than an orderly sum-
monCd Harry Winthrop from his tent couch
10 repair 10 the headquarters Of his COM
mauding officer
al have sent for you, Winthrop" said
Colonel Lichficld, gravcly, "o' n matter Of
life and death; for this dispatch must reach
General Burnside, who has succeeded Me-
Clellan and now lies in front of Frcdcricks-
burg, within twenty-four hours"
"And you wish me to carry it, sir"
81 do. II is a service of no mean danger,
which dare not intrust TO younger sol
dicr. You have sixty miles to ride over
hilly country with the woods full of tho
enemy. Be wary lad; ; do not nccdlcssly run
into danger, kand above every thing, de-
liver your dispatches into the Generals
own hands"
"And start at once, srl'
"Ncs, W ut even an orderly. Say, arc
you well m, cdln
"No better horse than mine i'm the regi-
ment, Colonc was the proud reply. my
ldNNNI NlN'l AtiH llbUl lilt htNN an VI Niip
Blue Grass lands of Kentucky
"Wcll, you will have TO try his mcttlo
to-day; so, now, be OF, and luck so with
YOU"
There is nothing so inspiriting TO soldier
as being employed ON special duty, with tho
conviction that he has been selected for IL
rs n compliment to his skill and daring. Ac-
Cordiugly Harry rode away with a light
heart and n longing desire for further dis
tinction, though occasionally thoughts OF
home would flit like shadows across tho
bright landscape of his present prospects.
He could sec his mother wipe her glasses
and read the story of his rapid promotion; no
could fancy sister Ncll's eyes sparkling with
enthusiasm at the kind words the Michigan
newspapers had used in describing gal
liant raid he had shared against Mosby's
mon, and he could hear the trcmulous words
OF his father: "My boy Harryr
The country through which he jourueycd
was wild and romantic enough. As far rs
he could he avoided villages and crcpt
along the rugged lanes of the endless
woods, guided only by n pockct-compass
aud tho ncvcrf failing instinct Of locality
which is essential 90 good soldering. But
these dctours heightened the journey sad
ly, and the long rest Of midday beside u
mountain stream had greatly delayed him,
60 that the shadows Of night were closing
over the short day, when he approached
tho worst part of tho road-a stony path
leading through glen, whose frowning
hills were clothed In sombcr trees.
A little 10 hrs left he saw twinldiug a
light in n cottage window. Should he press
ON in uncertainty trusting 20 his usual luck,
or seek information at the humble dwellings
Either alternative was fraught with
danger. suddenly the deep baying ot a
dog was heard and in n moment the cot
tagc door was opened and an old woman,
shading the light Of a candle 10y her hand,
pCcrcd into the darkness, while masu0
bounded from her side In fierce fury down
the slope TO where his horse was standing.
a moment moro and the crack Of n rife
rang In tho air, tho kissing bullet snapped
the branches Of trees close % Harry's head
In front of him. up the dark road. he saw
the glimmor Of lights and heard angry
voices. lie turned 10 fec. but the road be-
hind him was barred. for the tramp ~
horses hoofs was coming I'm mad haste
upon h m. One chance alone lay open 10
him--to make dash down the bed of a
Htle stream. which Law between him and the