The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-01-17
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signs of having been we'll built. Not far from
1t the lrrcgularity of the snow indicated tho
ruins OF an old homestead.
1t looked as if the barn was deserted, Ger
talnly It's surroundings were as cherries and
as llicleSs as any imagination coUld picture.
Captain GallcSDio decided 10 Investigate In
addition to satisfying his curiosity he might
find forage for the horses. lie and his men
vonturod slowly down the road and through
the field. No footsteps could be seen not
sign of life was visible; not sound broke the
dreariness of the place.
But soldiers are naturally suspicious. The
brayest are often the most cautious Their
experience makes them SO.
Gallespio was no exception to this rule He
was always willing TO risk his life if there was
recompcnse for the courage, but lie was not
the officer TO lead his men into trap.
Suddenly bit OF smoke was seen curling
from side opening Of the barn.
Galleepic anticipated danger. IIe lost no
time to prepare for it. Word was sent back
for all men who could be spared from tho
horses to come up afoot. The path made by
the first party enabled them to arrive in short
time.
Then Calespie led his men towards the barn
They felt that trouble was ahead. Scarcely n
dozen steps had thoy1dvanced when the barn
door slowly opened,
All the men came to a halt to await devel-
ments' Their carbncs were ready for any
emergency
They expected few compliments from
Ih'SbN' IHt9 certainty ulu llOt look IOr WnQt
AS the door opened plump figure in petit
coats came out. 1t belonged to a good old
colored woman. She put up both hands, as
II ghost had confronted her, 1t was a sur
prise on both sides
But what a strange incident was to DO re-
vCaled!
Gallespie advanced to question her. but she
h0d no timo to answer him.
.'Be you doctor?" she asked in anxious
voice.
"a doctor?"
eyes massa. My missus am in dar, 'en O
child am jest been horned Oh please, massa,
ain I you a DOCTOR"
1t did not require many seconds to summon
the surgeon of the command, and in very
short time no was at the sick lady's bedside.
Or course there was romance connected
with the episode, aud of course the men very
soon knew it, 1t is unnecessary to tell the
story in detail, for its general interest shows O
devotion that impressed every soldier in the
command and stamped the experience indeli-
bly, upon every mind.
The lady was the honored wife of the colonel
OF a Louisiana regiment. He had been engaged
in the savage fight at Cedar creek on the 10Th
of October, and in the midst of the battle,
while supporting Kcrshaw's division, received
dangerous wound.
News of the sad occurrence reached the de-
voted wifo IN her southern home, 1000 miles
away, and, although she was unfit to travel,
she heroically travcrsed the distance in order
to aid and comfort the man She had sworn to
love, and whom she did love with all the fer
yenGy Of her soul.
Some of his comrades had carried him away
from the field OF battle in hope that he might
be able TO reach his sunny south; but the
wounds were moro sefieits ttd11 trey first sup
posed, and tho continued loss of blood had told
heavily upon him. Tho effort to get him over
the mountains through this gap was unsuccess-
full. He was growing weaker all the time and
as they passed the barn II was decided to rost
him there for few hours
But he never became strong enough to be-
moved Life seemed to hang by mere thread,
and every day promised to be his last
His wife and Sister and the old faithful ser
want arrived in time to care for him in his ast
hours, and they did it with that tenderness
and beauty that make women tho mnisterina
angels Of the world but he was past their
minstra;ions
a week before the arrival of Gallespie's
party the colonel had died. and tho two con-
ioderates who had remained with him dug the
grave wherein his remains were sorrowfully
laid to rest
After the burial the excitement of tho war
compelled the two soldiers to join their com.
mand The ladies and the old servant were
left alone
Then the snow came down and cut them of
from all communication with the world
Toleave the ladies in the desoate place was
out OF the question so we soon had q stTetcher
for the SICK mother and accommodation fot
the sister and the servant. Our little caravan
moved slowly, and every man in tic command
We'd with every other man in his attentions to
our precious burdens. When we reached
Winchester the littlo family was placed in the
hands Of some good people named Goldsbor.
Ough, who took the best Of care Of them.
saw Mr.. Goldsborough few years ago.
lie told me that his family was stl on inti-
mate terms with the Louisiana ladies', and
that the boy born in the barn. as the Christ
child had been one thousand eight hundred
aud 6iXty-tour years before was a wealthy
youth, and that, being French, the family had
called him Noel Luray Perseyal