Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-12-24
A CHRISTMAS BOMB.
One EXplodes IN The Home Of q Rfoull-
nsnt Virginia Family.
AN ExPREssIONO OF
How a Federal soldier Showed His Appre-
citation Of the Tender Care Given
dying Comrsde.

There was an explosionW
The report was like that OF a cannon.
The old farmhouse was shaken to fits
very Foundation. window-panes were al
most shattered Everything was scattered
| pe,l-meil about the room The old-fasn-
toned walnut-tabie was blown to another
portion OF the apartment. Tho little old
poodle.dog that was duly ensconced In
the sheep-skln rug. shrieked out In agony.
and kept up a continuous yelping. as IL he
were suffering intense Internal agony. The
ancient-fsshIoned clock. which had licked
on the mantle for the preceding half-cen-
fury y ith %unvarying regularity. suddenly
stopped, and the glass door over the dial
few open with a vim. Everybody In the
horse was wild with excitement. Chaos
reigned in the big, old parlor whence the
rel ort came. and every face wore a look
OF utter hewilderment.
No one could account for the unexpected
report. and each countenance wore an ex-
preston that was terrible in its inquisi-
fivepc.s. For several moments there was
that stiffness that follows a frightfal ca
lamity. Only the bowling Of the unsophis-
ticated little canine broke the awful ST.
lence.
When this feeling had TO some extent
subsidized there was such an animated and
agitated chatter as had never before been
heard in that quiet and humble home.
Everybody ran about from room TO room
figuring what on earth had happened.
and each eager face told In a second how
ignorant its wearer was Of the truth
Yes. there was undoubtedly an exA
plcsion. One that It was feared was ter
rible in it's consequences. Aunt Dinah, the
cclored servant. almost tainted from
fright, and the others were white with
apprehension lest some one had been killed
or fatally hurt.
1t was so inopportune a time for such a
disaster. 1t was Christmas morning. that
precious forenoon which brings. or should
bring. Joy and peace, and happiness to the
heart Of every one. But. ah. what a sor-
row-stricken household this one was just
at this time. There were all sorts Of con-
lectures as to what the terrible noise
was.
IL was In the lays OF the recent war be-
tween the North and our dear. beloved
South. The home In which this state Of
CONSERVATION prevailed was that Of one
OF the ~best-known families In the valley
of Virginia. In 1t was always manifest
that true hospitality for which the people
OF the old mother State have always been
famous. The doors OF the old mansion
xUera aivvay a a far m fha Wpary eOiournpF.
and here the friend or the stranger al
ways found n welcome and comfortable
quarters. About two months before the
morning OF the terrible explosion, there
came to this farmhouse two Federal SOL
diers. The battle was going on not far
away, and these two tattered and weary
unlonists had struggled up to this cheer
ful-looking cOuntry-home TO beg nourish-
ment. one OF them showed In his coun-
tenance that he was weak and sick. The
good lady Of the house insisted that the
man with the sad face. the languid grey
eyes. and the thin. wan cheeks, should
come In and partake of a little rest. True.
he was fighting against our fair South
land: aye, her very husband and sons.
But this made no difference with that
pure Virginia heart. Here was a human
creature. who. IL was plain 10 see, was
suffering.
After a great deal Of persuasion, the
soldier entered the house and was pre-
vailed upon to lie down. He never again
arose. but two weeks later he passed away
In peaceful sleep to the land whence no
one returneth. All the tender nursing and
attention of that household did not seem
TO have any good effect upon the sufferer.
The glare Of doom was apparent In those
large grey eyes from the time they were
first observed In that old farm-yard. The
companion remained with him as long as
he could, and then returned to his regi-
ment to resume his warfare upon the
brave southern men. When an opportu-
nifty came he would go over To see how
his comrade was getting along. and, when
he went one bright Sabbath morning to
make his usual interrogatory about his
long-loved friend. he only walked into
that humble chamber to see the eyeiids
closed in death. and a serene smile man
Ting a cold and llfeless face. Two large
tears trickled down the cheeks OF the SOL
der az he stood beside the corpse of his
comrade. He had no words with which 10
express his gratitude to those dear ones
who had so tenderly nursed his friend
through his long illness, so he grasped
each hand In warmest appreciation "a ne
walked out TO arrange for the burial OF
his departed comrade.
Nv tAtA1 IVA WV AAaA RttEH@
away In that old Virginia farmhouse was
tenderly laid to rest In the family bury
ing-ground within view of the spot where
he entered Upon his last, long sleep.
But this did not END the matter with the
comrade. who returned 10 the thickest OF
the battle between Lees and Grants
armies. Although he fought long and
hard against tho very father n sons OF
that southern woman who had so faith
fssEI.s ..a..I anl r,get.sArn1 - fhA xua
OF his friend during his Illness. he never
allowed a day to pass that he did not
give that family the tenderest and purest
OF his thoughts. and endeavor 10 In some
manner repay them for their kindness.
At last he conceived a happy idea, and
early on this Christmas morning, while
Santa Claus. though very poor, was filling
the stockings OF his sleeping little chill |
dren. this good-hearted soldier OF the
Union could have been seen making his
way to that old-fashioned farmhouse
with a basket on his arm. What did that
basket contain? would be the question
that ore would naturally ask. Had the
paper-covering been removed the specta-
tor would have been frozen with horror.
1t was a bomb! :
An enormous continuance that from It's
size would have blown the home or this
humble Virginia family to atoms. Care
fully and cautiously the soldier carried
his awful burden along. After a long
tramp he reached his destination. But
then the question confronting him was
how TO get into the house and out with
out any one detecting him. After spend
ing some moments trying the windows 10
the apartments In which he knew no one
slept he found one OF those OF the parlor
TO be unfastened. Noiselessly he raised
the sash. and with great care he crept
into the big old parlor. and placed the
apparently deadly missile exactly under
the comfortable. He thought the family
would be very apt 10 congregate In that
apartment that morning to see the little
ones compare their pretty things that mad
been brought TO them by old Santa. He
knew, In his mind, that there would be
much commotion in that room when the
children began their gleeful dancing and
prancing over their toys and good things.
and tina this iarring would cause the
bomb to explode.
He was right. Soon after breakfast the
family cougregated in the parior. There
were the tender old mother, the three Ut
tie girls. two young lads, and old Aunt
Dinah. who Bad with uns xervfng fidelity
remained WITH her mistress ever since the
dreadful war began. without ever mani
Testing any desire 10 leave her. IL was q
bright and joyous scene. The little ones