The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1893-06-02

vile guards did great service and were
badly cut up at Gettysburg in July,
1868. They We're reoreanized and took
part in the bloody engagement of the
Wilderness in May, 1864, and that
battle was the last Of Walter Weston,s
service. He was badly wounded and
he not only narrowly escaped capture
by the enemy but his life was saved as
well by a private whose name he was
never able TO learn. II was one OF the
remarkable and terrible experienceso of
the war.
BY some mischance Col. Weston was
Z cut off from hiscommand and suddenly
found himself alone. Us he Thought,
and within the lines Of the enemy.
His horse was shot from under him and
he was just being set upon by three
confederates when assistance suddenly
came 10 him in q most unexpected
manner. A private soldier from some
other regiment. as the colonel could
see by his uniform, and who had evil
IDENTIFY been caught alone as he had
himself, came rushing up just as he
had turned to engage his adversaries.
A saber cut from one of them had on
the instant disabled his right arm,
when the stranger, with dubbed gun,
rushed in between him and the attack
ing party, and, with the utmost
bravery, and with strength almost
giantlike, laid all three of the enemy
in the dust, While II seemed ages to
Col. Weston, II was all really done In
moment, and the private had seized the
bride of confederate's horse, helped
Col. Weston to mount and was trying
to mount behind him when the man he
was saving saw him suddenly reel and
fall to the ground. The horse, at that
instant, gave bound away and Col.
Weston never saw his rescuer after,
nor could he. with the utmost en-
deayor, ever find ont who he was.
Col. Weston's escape was nothing
short Of a miracle. In the very heat
of that second days fight ON May o, the
horse he rode carried him right into his
own lines, but he reached there in a
fainting condition, and was at once
sent home to Eastville. Having recov-
cred he made diligent search for the
soldier who had saved his life at the
cost of his own. but 1t was of no avail.
He took up his law Study again, gradu-
ated and was admittd to the bar. Be
fore beginning his practice, however, ut
the advice of his father, he made trip
abroad and had only returned short
time before the opening of this story
and had opened an office in the city.
He had not even yet had his first client
and little did he think who his first one
would be.
Decoration day had been appointed
as a national holiday, and the patriot
ism of the people of Eastville led them,
as usual, to make much Of the occasion.
Judge Weston had always been called
upon for the public speaking at such,
events, but this time It was 10 be the
young lawyer who wasIto deliver the
address and eulogize the soldier dead.
1t was to be a great day, and the old
judge was in something of fever of
expectancy to hear his sons grafton.
The entire Weston family, help and all,
excepting little Ethel, went to the
cemetery to see the graves decorated
anu 10 near the speeches. Inc young
miss could not get over her grief at the
destruction OF her flowers, and had NO
heart to do anything but hover about
the pillaged conservatory, picking up
the remnants here and there rs she
could find them. This led her out into
the grounds and there she had an expe-
rience which had good and bad results.
af
Old Sampson, the gardener, went as
in duty bound and heard his young
master talk and then, not caring for
the rest, took his pleasure IN walking
about the grounds. He had strayed
off TO secluded part OF the country
when suddenly he came upon a young
lad whose hands were full Of flowers
he knew we'll
"Ahai you young thief, have
caught you, hayeI And so the Judge
was right with his joke after all.
j II am no thief Let go Of me, said
the boy, for Sampson had grasped him
roughly by the arm.