Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-08-03

try road as far as the cabin. He heard
the lieutenant grooming and went in.
The canteen was out Of his reach and
his lips were parched with fever. lie
could not speak.
The lad ran back to Mrs. Van Meter
and told her about the suffering soldier
who wore the blue. Her heart was
touched and she FASTENED to the cabin.
Fresh water was secured and ii revived
the lieutenant. Then his limbs were
dressed and newly bandaged. Mrs
Van Meter sent the boy for n doctor
who lived some miles away. When he
arrived he said there was very little
hope for the wounded soldier unless he
had stimulants and none could be Sc
cured. IL didn't matter much, anyhow,
he said, for he had no interest in n
union soldier.
Mrs. Van Meter insisted that II was
her duty to save his life II possible. and
the next day she harnessed mule to
an old cart and drove to llurper's Ferry
TO get n supply of WHISKY and quininc.
The commander there heard her story,
said IL was entirely improbable, but ac'
ccpted IL because of her fransuc.3. Sne
did not hesitate to say she was the
wife Of a confederate soldier The
stlmulant gave Bclcll strength, and II
was not long before he was able TO sit
/ up His clothing was badly torn and
| blood-stained, and nothing suitable for
him to wear could be found in the
neighborhood. His regiment was at
Winchester, twelve miles away. Mrs.
Van Meter drove there and astonished
Lieut. Bcdelrs comrades by informing
them that ho was alive and on the
road TO recovery, she secured his port
manteau aud returned.
When Bedell had recovered sufficient
ly TO be about he entered into a con-
tract with farmer in the neighbor-
hood to secure the return of n team Of
mules which had been confscated by
his regiment in exchange for aid in
reaching the union lines.
Bedcll was hidden under jag Of hay,
and with Mrs Van Meter as the driver
he reached Harper's Ferry. The com
mandcr accepted the terms Of Bedells
contract with the farmer and delivered
the mules.
Having heard nothing whatever from
her husband for several months, and
hearing he was either in a hospital or
,, prisoner, Mrs. Van Meter was at a
loss what TO do. Lieut. Bedell de-
cided the matter for her by offering to
,, aid In finding her husband. lie entered
into communication with President
Lincoln, telling what Mrs Van Meter
had done for him. The president wrote
an order directing the officer in charge
of any hospital or prison to deliver tc
Mrs Van Meter any man she claimed
as her husband. Mrs Van Meter and
her little niece Joined Lieut.. Bedell in
Washington and they started on a tour
of the several prisons and hospitals.
They went through the prisons o
Ohio, New York and Pennsylvania
and finally found Van Meter in hos
pital. lie was emaciated and unabl,
TO stand. At Lieut., Bedell's expens'
he was transferred to private institu
tion, where in few weeks he recovered
sufficiently to warrant his discharge
Lieut.. Bedell took Van Meter and hi
wife and the little niece 10 his home II
Vermont, and they remained his guest
for several months. They then returne,
south and are now living in Berryville
a, Clark county, Va. Mr.. Bedell is hot
ID bling around on a crutch in his home.
- Ex-Congressmau John S. Wise Sc
~ cured Mrs. Van Meters address for MI
&c Chittcnden through Marshal McCor
> mack, a prominent citizen of Clar
county
~ ~ have written 10 Mrs Van Meter,
- said Mr. Crittenden, land her letter
~ show her to be simple Christia
:, woman. She writes that she did fc
Il, Lieut.. Bedell what her conscience sul
~ gested was right, and she Is happy
~ the knowledge that she saved his life
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