Daily tobacco leaf-chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1890-1895, 1890-04-22
THE Colonies SONS.
oontinued From Fo.,th Paae.

wrong the war involved, to his race, its
issue meant slavery or freedom. For
himself that was nothing, but he knew
that many others were not so we'll off
as he; that many of the stories,
told in whispers over the cabin fire of
oppression and cruelty were true, and
he was borne down by the necessity of
judging of a great question by larger
standard than his own personal expert
ence.
mot for me-" he said over and over
to himself, "GOd knows freedom can't
do nothing for me with old marster
an Marse Dick to look to, but pears
lax I'se bleedged to go an fight for all
de pore an he'ples what is groanin' in
slavery"
But still he fingered on, unable to
decide between his divided duty. His
love and loyalty to his master babe
him stay, but his sympathy with the
oppressed of his race urged him on
ward. At last, however, he appeared
before the Colonel and told him of his
decision to go.
"What, you too, Tom ?" exclaimed
his master bitterly, "why / would al
most as soon thought of one of my
own boys turning traitor.n And then,
after pause, "What will your Marse
Dick say when he hears that you are
fighting against him ~
Tom threw out his hands in q gest
ure that was pathetic in it's protest
Don't say dat, Marse Cun'nle," he
implored humbly, "don't say dat. !
don't want to go, but hit pears lax
can hear de wimmen weepin' for de
M Ia uyO pta nj
mothers mOanin' for de chillen dat
was tore from dey arms an carried to
de auction block, an Use bleedged to
60 an fight for dem what can't fight
for deyselves."
Somehow Toms leaving seemed to
break the last link that bound the
happy old times with this present
that was only state of agonized anX
iety, when the country was full of
wild rumors and men asked each other
with blanched faces what was the
news.
Finally there came q day when a
terrible battle was being fought so near
the Colonel fancied he could hear the
distant roar of the cannonading, but
that was only because he knew that
somewhere in that awful carnage Dick
was flashing about on his sorrel mare,
leading, God knew, what desperate
charge. He knew how, in another
battle, Dick had rallied the remnant
of his brave company, and riding at
the head with the reins between his
teeth, with one hand grasp'ng
his sword and the bullet riddIed flag
in the other, had planted his colors on
the enemies batteries and saved the
field.
But to-day the Colonel's heart mis-
gave him. All day he and Alice had
paced up and down the long avenue of
oaks with faces white and rigid with
fear, all day, and now it was night,
and still they walked up and down in
silence they dard not break. Hour
by hour wore on. God of heaven,
what of the battle? Will no message
ever come? Who were victorious
Listen. What is that? Horses feet
on the high road-a messenger riding
fast and furiously with only time for a
word or two, The Colonel's lips can
hardly frame the question, they trem-
BILE so.
The battle % LOST
"Dick ?" "Fell at the head of his
company, hero to the last" and the
messenger sped on.
The Colonel reeled and would have
fallen--that old heart trouble veXed
him still-except that Nanny caught
him in her strong old arms and ten
derby laid him down. Alice gave him
one quick glance, perhaps envying
him his momentary forgetfulness, and
then turned swiftly toward the shrub
berries. Dick was wounded, perhaps
dying, and she would go to him 1t
was nothing that she must go alone
through the night; she would have
gone to him if it had been through the
flames of hell. She, to knew the Sc
cret of the hazel thicket where the
horses were hidden out. More than
once since Tom left she had been there
to feed them, and now with feet to
which fear lent swiftness, but which
never once stumbled on the rough
pathway, she sped toward them. She
caught her breath with something like
sob as she hurried ou--if only the
mares were safe she might yet reach
Dick in time ! In the thicket it is so
quiet her very heart stands still in
fear, not leaf stirs. "Nita Patsy ~
she calls softly. A low whinny an
swers her. "rhey are safe, thank God,
thank God" she may reach Dick yet,
they are so swift, so true. With fin
gers that tremble at their task she UNI
fastens the halters and laying hand
on either name leads them to the
stable, where light road wagon
stands. 1t is the work of few min
utes to harness them to it; anxiety
and love have made her little hands
strong as steel. Not tear dims the
brightness of her eyes-there is no
time for tears now fterward, if any
thing has happened to Dick, there will
be the balance of lite to weep and
mourn in, but now there is something
to be done. She springs into the wagon
and would give the horses their heads,
but dark figure stops her.
Little Missy" says voice, "don't
go by yourself. Think bout de night
an de road an de lonesomeness, an
take ole Jake with you !" and without
waiting for an answer the faithful old
man climbed in beside her old Jake
who had been half bed-ridden for
years, but who forgot his age and in
tirmities in his sympathy with his
white folks"
Alice never knew how that terrible
ride was made. 1t seemed to her all
the agony of life and death was con-
centrated in those weary hours she
felt herself grow old and gray with
sorrow, and yet the trivial incidents
and details of life came back and
forced themselves upon her until she
wondered vaguely if she could be GO
ing mad. How the horses sped on
ward through the night, What was it
their hoofbeats seemed to say on the