Richland beacon., 1888-11-03
A BRAVE RIDE.

by the side of n little stream, III
the shade of an oak tree, Paul lay
watching the cork bobbing up and
down on the water at his feet. Far
off in the distance misty haze hung
ike veil over the dark mass oftrees
on the mountain side. Over the
fields of yellow grain swept gentle
breeze, waftin" from the distant
meadow the soothing swish OF the
reapcr's scythcs and the drowsy
clack of the clumsy farm wagons ms
they toiled up the long hills, laden
with the golden harvest.
The quiet rustling of the leaves,
thu subdued sound of the distant
reapcrs' call, the low dronin@ OF
bees mingled into Il soft drowsy music,
and Paul's eyes closed involuntarily.
The cheerful tune of the supper horn,
the whir of n lark's wings close to his
car and the sudden splash of the fish
ing pole into the water We're unnotic-
ed.
This was the first summer of the
civil war. North end South were
ablazc with enthusiasm; the country
WAS full of marching regiments, and
troops Of cavalry with singing buglcs
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 after
noon, and no one that looked at the
peaceful farmhouse and the busy
slaves harvesting in the fields would
have imagined that few miles away
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 the pasture, tinkling their mel
low bells dreamily as t hey waded in
he brook. The reapers; with their
scythcs across their shoulders, came
homcward across the new mown
meadow, singing some low, sweet
lullaby of old slavery days.
Presently there was sound of
horses feet on the hard pike road
Closer and closer it came, and the
loud hoOf beats awoke Paul from his
slumbcr. He raised himself on his
elbow and peered through the tall
gInss to sec who was coming.
Suddenly loud yell broke on the
still evening air. Paul sprang to his
feet. Over the top of the hill just in
front OF him dashed four Confederate
horsemen, their horses reeking sweat
and fecked with foam. Almost mt
their heels charged halfa dozen Union
cavalrymen. Three pistol shots rang
out simultaneously, and one of the
Confederates threw up his arms,
seeled for q moment in his saddle
ID then fell on the dusty wayside.
? rest dashed forward, with the
On men close in the rear.
own the rocky road, enveloped in
n cloud OF dust, they went, urging on
their tired horses with shouts and
turning to fire on the foe, who sent
laden messengers whizzing past their
heads. So pursued'and pursuers gal
loped out of sight, leaving the poor
fellow MORALLY wounded by the way
side, with his faithful horse standing
near.
Paul sprang over the low stone
fence and approached the wounded
man.
The Confederate courier, for such
he w3s, lay on his side, one hand sup
porting his head and the other
! clasped tightly to his heart. His
face was CHASTITY pale, the dark eyes
quivcred, his breath came slow and
painfully and n violent tremor shook
his frame. From n wound near the
right temple n little stream of blood
trickled slowly down, staining the
gray jacket and settling in n crimson
pool in the road.
Paul knelt by his side, raised his
head tenderly and rested it upon his
knrcs. The man closed his eyes for
a. moment, then opened them and
fixesl them on Pauls frightened face.
"Oh. sir" gasped Paul, family, sis
there anything | can do for you?"
Nothing, nothing, murmured the
man. "lt's all over with me now"
and he pointed to the wound in his
forehead.
Let inc run to the house and get |
something for you or have them
bring you up home on n wagon"
pleaded Paul, as he wiped away the
blood with q handkerchief.
No, no: let me lie here. l haven't |
long to live" he gasped. "But the
Yankees will soon return and they
will find my dispatches on me. They
arc ipr~prtant ones and had to be
10y 10 o'clock tonight, or
Nd lose the battle to-
BY be sent, sir?"
kious to relieve him.
e to take then-at