The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1892-06-07
Story Of ContoderQt8 Times,
By MRS. w. Fl. FELTON,.
The rain was falling in torrents. A thun-

derstorm had succeeded close, s,ltry day
in the middle of June in the year 1859, and
the rain continued for hOursa flood that
raised creeks and branches into raging
streans-Ihat tioated off fences, trees and
washed away the newly plowed soil into
Eullies and rayincs. Ii was approaching
nightfall when a knock was heard ut the
front door of Il north Ge, gin farmhouse.
The master of the house was away-had
gone to the country town and was delayed
by the midsummer storm. The mistress
had been i'll. was just couyalcscing. a
servant answered the knock, and a stranger
was heard to ask ii he could stay all night.
When the servant returned to the farmer 5
wife she directed her to say that the gem
tleman OF the house was from home, and
she could not entertain travellers, because
she sick.
she listened for his reply, because her
room opened into the hall and the CONVERSE
ton with the servant wo-
man at the front door was aud
lille. The deep, musical voice of the strarg
or also attracted her attention. TAere
was culture, good grammar and youthful
tones in his inquiries. There was polite
ness il his accents, and evident good breed
ing.
at any rate, please ask the good lady
to allow me to ROMAN in the hall until it
ceases 70 rain, because l am thoroughly
drenched and feel chilled from riding SO
.far in the storm. ] Will first lead my horse
10 shelter and then shelter myself inside
the house il she will permit me-
The farmers wife gave the desired con-
sent, and her generous, warm heart prompt
ed her to have the fire mended in her own
apartment and then allow the visitor to
warm and dry himself at her particular
hcarthstona Her invalid condition induced
a considerable care for others, that might
have been checked by providential con-
siderations on natural suspicion under 9th
er circumstances.
When the stranger re-entered the hall
the servant requested him To go into her
mistress's bed chamber, where he found
the conyalescing but still feeble, lady on
q sounse near the cheerful fireplace, with
lis ssEeEons supply Of glowing coaas and
4
trust. my dear madame, / do no2 dis
/ turb you by this intrusion" we're the first
words of greeting, as tall, slender young
gentleman, evidently not yet attained TO
his majority, approached her, hat IN hand,
and with a bow that would have done cred
it TO Lord Chesterfield himself.
Certainly not was the reply. For
bid that my late sickness should make me
so selfish and hardhearted rs 10 deny you
n shelter from the storm out OF doors. Since
the war We have been frequently com
peIlcd to turn away travellers, and felt
unwilling to risk my health i'll this matter
by attempting to look after your comfort.
Sit down and warm Yourself My nus
band Will return very soon. haYe you
Travelled very far:'
Nearly forty miles. madame, and l
have ridden the last fifteen III this down
pour. that will certainly raise the water
courses if it continues through the night.
I am frank to Tell you, ] regret this very
much, because ! am in haste; and every
hour counts with me, replied the young
man.
My horse is weary" he continued, ''and
] must reach Tennessee day alter tonor-
row. if possible; and L trust your husband
will take me in
Tor some moments there was nothing
said, until the lady remarked, You look
too young to be burdened with care, and
You must be on pleasure Jaunt-perhaps
YOU are going home to see your mother
NV hoy is away. and | know he would be
glad to he coming home to his mother-and
his mother would count the hours that
would bring him. You may he sure.
Lady, my mother is dead. ! wish to
God | had Z mother to 20 to. | am getting
away from ali the relatives | have-there
is Il price on my head. Georgia IS too near
South Carolina; | am fleeing 10 Tennessee,
were the impaSsiOued words of the speaker.
"SYhen you mentioned your boy so tenderly,
/ resolved to tell You my story, and then
YOU can decide upon our longer acquaint-
ance. May l tell You; are YOU willing TO
listen 10 a poor orphans storyt | have but
few friends. and your pleasant face re-
minds me of my dead mother.
The iaGv's voice was tremulous with emo
ZION as she answered: Certainly you may
tell your story. but, before You contlde III
me, / desire to say to you that | feel no
hesitation In giving you shelter, since
have seen your face. Proceed, and take
x~I,r time. for 4lr husband never turned a
Srorthy person rom our roof in all our
Thank YOU. my dear; it is sweet to
know that can SIT down under Il roel .uI :
one that will not harm me, for am but 4
NOV. in wears. however old in experience. |
I,.as horn in lower South Carolina; and am
1bp only child of my parents; My 1aIhcr
and his elder brother inherited large pan
tations from my Grandtathef. thcle oohl
80 n large family; has two grown
Ionohters. still unmarried; son older than
,,I-InIf and two little ones. aged WE'VE ana
fourteen, son ana dauentGr. Cht +i IL IL
+,erv wealthy man. or was before the war.
fTa has large planting interests now. My
FHthar volunteered among the hrst soldiers
,rbo left South Carolina. He was SPLEEN
did officer, and vas killed at seven fl mes
SFa+ber was SO shocked by his death that
~ health broke down. She died about SIX
months before the war ended. was so
desoIate. 50 lonely, that l ran away, from
nv guardian, who was my uncle. and Went
e. Virginia an act ! do not defend. but one
I stiIi believe was natural and filial for
ionged to see the battle, field where, my
father died. and. if possible: get his body,
hr ,nght home. Uncle promised it should
~ lone at some time, but he seemed i'll
Sifferert. and l was anxious. Mother had
TInnty of money, and so had l, at that
t;me,
~ had hardly reached my fathers regi,
mont before an agent of my uncle followed
me. | was willing to return if fathers re-
mains were carried too; bat refused to &c
otherwise. The agent went back, and,
nresnme. he gave Il sorry account of me
y Tor was left to my own counsel until sur
Nrender when l went home with the boys
/ was then sixteen years old hired some
bring it to South Carolina. with us. l re
solved to see his face again il
possible. He was a blonde, fair-haired man