Mower County transcript., 1892-07-27
y holiday. I've got to run into Rich
smond. Come with me. ]. need your owl
ike countenancA &c, lxeen rna y,rn,,arlu

John was heartily glad to accept the
Il Invitation, which he knew was made in
kindness to him. He had plenty Of hu-
NOR IN his composition, but the respon-
sibilities attaching TO his position, anx-
tety about the Gregorys, from whom he
had not heard In a year and more, and
the wear of constant hard service were
telling on even his iron frame, and he
was glad to get a few days relaxation.
He had been in Richmond several
days, and had been SO kindly enter
tained by the good women to whom
Stuart had introduced him, laughingly
adding that ''they must be good to him,
as he was an orphan boy under his
sare, that he was feeling much bright
u, when, one morning. stepping out OF
bis hotel, he almost ran into Gen. Greg
ory's arms. The two men shook hands
hard, as men will do, when feeling is
uppermost For a moment neither
could speak. John recovered himself
| first.
"Henry?"
ssSleeps at Chickamauga," sadly in
terrupted the general.
"Mrs. Gregory and Mrs, Lanvale?"
"At home, both well in body, but sad
ty distressed
John saw that the general was very
much grayer, and seemed to have aged
greatly, and he felt keenly for the be-
seaved father. AS neither Of them had
taken breakfast, they went in together.
John learned that the general had come
into Richmond on military business and
would only be there 81 couple Of days.
They had long and anxious conference
together. The general had hunted up
| the federal lieutenant and had written
| out his statement before witnesses, and
| this statement he had sealed and sent to
! his wife only to be opened in case of
| mis- death. .,.
| He was vastly pleased that John had
| done so well in the service, and when
John rather sadly said:
! "While it is, of course, a personal
| qualification, it does seem hard that
these things should come to a lonely
man like me, to whom they can be OF
| no possible benefit, and miss so many
good men who have homes and families
| to share in their honors."
"You are wrong about that, John.
These things have not come to you by
chance, but because you have earned
| them. You have more friends than you
Imagine, and you are member of my
family, in affection, if not in blood, and
If we lose sight of you again it will be
| your fault, not ours"
Johns eyes glistened, but he said
nothing, only in his heart there was
deeper thanfulness than when he re-
eeived his promotion.
Just before they parted, after arrang-
said to him: II am going to say to you
what would not say to any other per
son. 1believe our cause is lost; but we
can yet do our duty. The chances are
that neither of us will survive this desr
perate struggle, but if I fall, and you
escape, leave my wife and daughter to
your care, and do this knowing it is a
heavy burden to put on a young man.
but you have no other ties and know
can trust you"
The young man was deeply touched
IF God spares my Life, your wife and
daughter shall be to me sacred charge:
but hope we shall be permitted to
work together for their good"
II hope so, but fear not" responded
the general.
The general went bis way and John
returned to his command
Then came the terrible year, 1864
Everywhere the conflict became more
desperate. The confederates, vastly out.
numbered, fought with the sullenness od
despair, winning fruitless victories at q
bloody cost in men that could not be
replaced. At Trevillian's, John won bis
colonelcy, and grew in favor steadily
with his superiors and with his regi.
ment. To look at his bronzed face,
| grave mien and heavy beard, no one
would have supposed him the mere boy
In years that he really was.
He maintained desultory CORE.
spondence with Gen. and Mrs Greg.
ory, but was grieved to the heart after
Hoods disastrous winter campaign ia
learn that Gen. Gregory was desperate.
~ wounded at the battle of Nashville
and had fallen into the hands Of the
enemy and died in hospital He wrote
Mrs. Gregory tenderly and pathetically,
telling her Of his last conversation with
the general, and assuring her that she
had still son left. The heart-brokeu
woman wrote him in reply q letter
which he never got, praying for hia
safety and longing to see him.
CHAPTER XIV.
1865.
John Hewson, colonel Of cavalry, was
one Of the paroled prisoners at Ap
pomattox, and, as the young man slow
" travelled toward Texas, he realized e
the full the bitterness and desolation o.
this fratricidal war.
The faithful Selim, like his master
had come safely through fifty battles
and within five weeks after the sur
render John rode up to the Gregory
homestead Two pale, sad wome1
dressed In black were sitting on the ve
9 &, & 4,