Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-03
THE OLD CHAPEL.


somewhere
Tom Sanderson looked at me doubtfully
then at Horton, who sank YEARLY down
upon convenient stump.
81 am sure that | saw light Just now
hot far Oif-ycs-thcre it is again"
Il see il" rejoined Tom, in visible re,
lief
do you think you can walk that far,
Horton? We can help you"
Horton glanced at the light. ''With a
little help-yes. 1t is hardly 4 quarter
of a mile away. / must reach shelter be-
fore my ankle becomes too much indamed.
1t is certainly very painful"
Horton lifted himself from the stump,
and, resting upon my arm, set off toward
the light.
It was the 10th day Of December, 1870,
pleasant, hay, Indian summerish De-
cembcr. Horton. Tom Sanderson and
myself mad started out from Washington
with the double purpose of shooting quail
and visiting the baitlefelds between Bull
Run and the capital. Two Of us were
veterans, who had served through the
war and for many month fought,
marched and bivouacked in this now
peaceful region. Tom Sanderson was @
young fellow possessed by an intense de-
re to view the locale Of scenes in which
his youth prevented any share. | may as
well say that we were ali three New
Workers, happening by the merest chance
in Washington at the same time. We
sent cur wagon back 10 Fairfax Court
House and set OF, with fowling piece and
game bag To tramp over these historic
shooting grounds. Nothing charms the
city man like successful cunning
The days trophies, of course, proved
rather our prowess than the excess Of
game. Good fortune lured US on until
the short December day ended. Ill fort
une began when nightfali overlook us,
with endless ragged and bushy fields on
one side and a stretch Of slim young pines
On the other. To add TO our perplexity
Horton had given his ankle wrench,
which made every step a torture. Tom
bo!ted forward impetuously. The light
WAS the first sign Of habitation visible
since monday.
"Hurrah major! Here's road at
last" He shouted oack TO me.
Thank Heaven muttered Horton in
voice of intoleraDle suffering. Reach
ing the comparative smoothness of the
road, our progress became less laboriouS.
The light glittered through an open door
not far in advance.
1T seems a roomy place." I remarked
as we approached.
Suddenly Horton stopped short. Good
God! It's the old chapeln' he cried out
liz shrill, unnatural voice.
What chapel, man? What do you
means"
He had dropped thu support Of my arm
the anguish of his ankle seemed to van
ish--hc bent forward and stretched out
both arms-his eyes seemed staring from
their sockets terror, amazement and
helpless, fascinated horror plainly blended
in his aspect at that instant. 1 shook
him roughly.
You are ont OF your senses, Horton.
What chapcl?'' | repeated.
Don't you remember the Union chapel,
where Mosby attacked us-and-and-
where-where Blake was killed? Don't you
see the crossroads? Don't you See them?'
He clutched my shoulder tiercely and
pointed to the house, which became
vaguely familiar.
Are you Sures" | asked, taking as
much of survey OF the premises as the
starlight permitted.
Sure? | haven't seen it since that
night but arl-sure-sure," he retorted
grimly.
Come on. major" shouted Tom from
the doorway. IT'S al right; he says we
can stay. Wen have broiled rabbit
and some corn bread"
stay here? Here?n echoed Horton, in
shocked eXpostulation. 'ror Gods sake
not hcrer'
moved on. Horton limped after ne
reluctantly rs far rs the door.
1t was an abandoned croSSroad chapel,
now occupied by q negro work hand, who
was in the midst OF cooking his supper by
n blazing fire in the great fireplace. We
were tired; the building was dry ami COM
Portable and redolent of frying bacon and
stcamng coffee.
"Stay and weccum, gentlemen. | kin
soon brile you a couple o them rabbits
en- bake hoe cake, - Hospitality urged tho
man.
wait. Is there no house near?" in
teriected Horton eXcitedly.
"Lud. no, sab; de nighes' house is five
good mile away on de shot road, en- dem
folks is from de mort, en- won't hev nc
pusson TO stay wild 'em."
I'VE can try" eagerly insisted Horton,
making step forward and breaking eff
THAT settles it," retorted. LET me
help you
"Stopr' again interrupted Horton,
shaking himself free of my hand and
speaking in an inexplcable voice of sup
pressed agitation. This is-the-very
night
so it is. The 10th Of DeCember-the
very night Blake was killed. l hadn't
thought of it, but," L added impatiently,
"have done with your objections. l am
starving"
Tonight Of all nights he muttered
to himself, while helped him up the sim
gle steep step. We soon had supper. The
man. who proved himself to be a capital
cook, seemed TO feel it his duty TO be en-
tertaining
''You see, mastah, I'm from Culpeper,"
he informed us. Pm gcttin' out slaves,
en- dere haint nowhurs else To- me to stay.
De chu'ch haint got er good name roun'
heah, but i haint seen muffin yit." and
the man rolled himself IN blanket and
slept the Sleep of toiler.
Horton, what were you saying about
fight here' Tell it while | smoke, will
your" carelessly asked Tom when our
pipes were alight
"Tell it,, shouted Horton. like one sud-
denly Weakened in alright. II can't tell
it, he added. controlling his voice with
an effort. ''The major was in the brush.
I'll go out and smoke; this place is
sitting"
With evident suffering Horton hobbled
out.
Hes done for remarked Tom. give
promised him TO GO on TO Fairfax Court
House for the wagon as soon as NY pipe