Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-09
A BRAVE RIDE.


Of an oak tree, Paul lay watching the cork
bobbing up and down on the water at his
feet Far of in the distance misty haze
hung like veil over the dark mass OF trees
on the mountain side. Over the fields Of
yellow grain swept gentle breeze, waiting
from the distant meadow the soothing swish
of the reapers' scythes and the drowsY clack of
the clumsy farm wagons as they toiled up
the long hills, laden with the golden harvest.
The quiet rustling Of the leaves, the sub
dued sound of the distant reapers' call, the
low droning of bees mingled into a soft,
.irowsy music, and Paurs eyes closed involun-
tarily. The cheerful tune of the supper
horn, the whir Of larks wings close to his
ear and the sudden splash Of the fishing pole
into the water were unnoticed.
This was tho first summer Of the civil war.
North and south were abiaze with enthusi-
asm; the country was full Of marching regi-
ments, and troops Of cavalry with singing
bugles at their heads would dash through
quiet village streets and speed away in the
darkness to the distant battle field
Very quiet it was this sultry afternoon, and
no one who looked at the peaceful farmhouse
and the busy slaves harvesting in the fields
were two armies ready to begin the terrible
drama Of war; The shadows Of the old stone
fence and dusty alderberry bushes heightened
across the road. The COWS came slowly up
from tho pasture, tinkling their. mellow bells
drealnily as they waded in the brook. The
reapers, with their scythes across their
shoulders came homeward across the new
mown meadow, singing some low, s3eat lul-
laby of old slavery days.
Presently there was a sound Of horses feet
on the hard pike road. Closer and closer it
came, and the loud hoof beats awoke Paul
elbow and peered through tie tall grass to
see who was coming.
Suddenly loud yell broke on the still even
ing air. Paul sprang to his feet. Over the
top Of the hill just in front of him dashed
four Confederate horsenen, their horses
Yeeking sweat and fecled With foam. Almost
cavalrymen. Three pistol shots rang out
simultaneously, and o:s 81 the Confederates
threw up his arms, rcele6 for moment in
his saddle and then fcn On the dusty wayside.
Tho rest dashed forward, with the Union men
close In tho rear.
Down the rocky road, s1Feloped in 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 pu1suers
galloped out of sight, leaving the poor fellow
nortally wounded by the wayside, with his
faithful horse standing near.
Paul sprang over the low stone fence and
approached the wounded man.
Tho Confederate courier, for such be was,
Ii IL 1t &. 4
and the other clasped tightly to his heart.
His face was CHASTITY pale, the dark eyes
quivered, his breath camo slow and pain
fully and a violent tremor shook his frame.
From wound near the right temple little
stream of blood trickled slowly down, STAIN
ing the gray jacket and settling in crimson
pool In the road.
Paul knelt by his side, raised his head ten
derby and rested it on his knees. The man
closed his eyes for moment, then opened
face
ooh, SIR" gasped ra1l, family, ''is there
anything can do for youl"
sits all over with me now" and he pointed
to tho wound in his forehead
"Let me run to the house and get some
I
home on wagon" pleaded Paul, as he wiped
away the blood with his handkerchief
mo, no; let me lie here haven't long to
soon return and they will find my dispatches
on me. They are important ones and had to
be delivered by 10 O'Clock tonight, or else
we would lose the battle tomorrow"
Couldn't they be sent, sirf" queried Paul,
anxious to relieve him.
There's no one to take them-at least, no
one I could trust" murmured the soldier.
And besides, the distance is over thirty
miles, and the Yankees are before u On the
road
A bright thought struck Paul.
81 viii take them, SIR" be said quickly.
'STo whom are they TO be deliveredf'
"Col. Raynor, Forty~third Virginia cav
airy, at Rockville But could you really I'M
dertaks such ride-thirty-f miles in four
hoursS' and the dying soldier looked an1
ioEsly at Paul
Eyes, sir; promise you 1 viii do il, i" An
swered Paul bravely.
The man pointed to his vest pocket. Psnl
drew out from it blood stained packet Of
dispatches.
The man was very near the end now. With
grateful smile at the young face bending
over him be whispered family:
''Thank you, oh, thank you-you will save
the men Tell them why could not coma
Send my watch to my mother, whose address
is on this letter Tell them bow died-aud
bury me bsre-here."
The eyes closed, the hands dropped, the
bead fell back, and the brave courier lay
dead by tho roadside. Paul spread the cav
ally cloak over the still form, thrust the dis
patches in his pocket, sprang on the waiting
charger and started down the road.
twas now abou. 9 O'Clock. II be wished
to keep his promise there was 10 time to lose
Should BIO go home first, it would be delay
and perhaps they would nc. let him 60 at all
So he determined to start Immediately. BE
called O negro man who stood IN q field near
BIZ, telling him to ruu to the house, inform
the family Of what had happened, and have
the soldiers body cared for Immediately.
Than touching the Gerry horse With his heels,
be dashed of down the rood
The horse, blooded animal WIN arcnrng
neck, slender limbs, plunged forward as If
stung and swept On at ha-d gallop Down
the road they clattered, past tbs farm, over
the wooden bridge, then out into the level
road once moro It WIS growing dark
rapidly. Low In the east were great banks
of dark clouds through which the lightning
dashed, and in the distance could be heard
the low rzmhle Of thunder.
They nearad dark flores. that doomed up
before them
Paul was a brave boy, but be could not
halp giancirs anxiously Q. the deep shadows
Of the woods, at the TIL trees fitting by and
listening to tie DISMAL echoes his horsss
| fookfanA swukA 6uddeolY them cana .