The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-03-28
THE OLD CHAPEL.

Look out Tor Ioad. IL H'uS' ie"o
somewhere"
Tom SandersOn looked al me doubtfuiiy,
then at Horton, who sank weailly down
upon convenient stump
II am sure that saw light just now
mot far off-ycs--theTe it Is again.
II see it," rejoined Tom, in visible re-
Lief.
''Do YOU think you can walk that far,
Uoftons We can help you.
Horton glanced az the light. with a
nttle help-yes. 1t Is hardly quarter
of a mile away Imust reach shelter be
fore my ankle becomes TOO much inilamed.
1t is certainly very painful. y
Horton lifted himself from the stump,
and. resting upon my arm set off toward
the light ..o
1t was the 10th day Of December, 1871
a pleasant. hay, Indian summerish De
cember Horton. Tom Sanderson and
myself had started out from Washington
with the double purpose OF shooting quail
and visiting the battlclelds between Bull
Run aud 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 Il
Young fellow possessed by an intense de-
re to view the locale Of scenes in which
his youth prevented any share. may as
well saw that We were all three New
Workers. happening by the merest chance
IN Washington az the same time. we
sert our wagon back to Fairfax Court
House and set Off, with fow!ins 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 proves than the excess OF
game Good fortune lured us on until
the short December day ended Ill fort
une began when nightfall overlook us,
with endless ragged and bushy ield5 ON
one side and a stretch OF slim Young pines
on the other To add 10 our perp!exity
Horton had given his ankle wrench,
which made every step II torture. Tom
bolted forward impetuously. The light
ives the first sign Of a habitation visible
since MONDAY.
'Hurah. major Here's road at
last" lie shouted back TO me.
THANK HcavenH' muttered Horton in
voice Of intolerable suffering. Reach
Inc the comparative smoothness of the
road Jar progress became less laboilous.
The LIGHT glittered through an open door
NOT far in advance.
1t seems roOmy place remarked
as we approached
suddenly horton stopped short Good
God! It's the old chapel" he cried out
~ a shriil, unnatural voice.
What chapel mann What do you
meanN
lie had dropped the support of my arm
the anguish Of lis ankle seemed to van
ish--le bent forward and stretched out
both arms-his eyes seemed staring from
their sockets terror, amazement and
helpless, fascinated horror plainly blended
him roughly,
You are ont OF your senses, Horton.
What chapel repeated.
Don't YOU remember the Union chapel,
where Mosby attacked us-and-and--
where-wherc Blake was killed: Don't you
see the crossroads? Don't you see thems'
He clutched my shoulder iercely and
pointed 10 the house, which became
vaguely familiar
Are YOU sure?n | asked, taking as
much Of a survey Of the premises As the
starlight permitted.
sure? / haven't seen it since that
night. but am-sure-sure, " he retorted
grimly.
Come Il, major, shouted Tom from
the doorway. TITS all right; he says we
can stay Wen have broiled rabbit
and some corn bread"
.tStoy bopaS uarafl acboa1 Horton I'm
shocked cxpostulation. For Gods sake
not here"
Imoved on. Horton limped after me
reluctantly az far as the door.
1t was an abandoned crossroad chapel,
now occupied by negro work hand, who
was in the midst Of cooking his supper by
blazing ifre in the great fireplace We
were tired; the building was dry and COM
Portable and redolent Of frying bacon and
steaming coffee.
'Stay and weccum, gentlemen. l kin
soon brile you couple O them rabbits
en- bake q hoe cake, Hospitality urged the
man.
"Wait Is there no house nears" In
terjected Horton excitcdly.
"Lud! no. sah dc nighes' house Is five
good mile away on de shot road, en- dem
folks Is from de MORT, ell won't hey no
pusson to stay wild EN-"
1--WE can try" eagerly insisted Horton,
making q step forward and breaking oil
with tone Of distress,
THAT settles it," retorted Let me
help you"
Stop again interrupted Horton,
shaking himself free of my hand and
speaking in an inexplicable voice of sup
pressed agitation. This is-the-very
night
so it is The 10th Of December-th
very night Blake was killed. hadn't
thought OF it, but, " added impatiently,
'have done with your objections. / am
starving"
Tonight of all nights he muttered
to himself, while helped him up the sim
gle steep sep. We soon had supper. The
man, who proved himself TO be q capital
cook, seemed 10 feel it his duty TO be en-
tertaining
you see, mas,ah, I'm from Culpeper,"
he informed us. ''I'm gettin' out slaves,
en- dcre haint nowhurs else To- me to stay.
De thu'ch haint got er good name roun'
heal, but haint seen muffin yit," and
the man rolled himself In blanket aud
slept the sleep OF toiler.
Horton, what We're you saying about q
fight herc' Tell 1t while I smoke, will
your carelessly asked Tom when OH
pipes were alisht.