Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-12-24

IN the world, who. clad In dirt-coiored
gray, when diminishing could hardly be
neeu compared with the black sIIhouettes
that the Union soldiers made on the field.
Ordering n regiment TO form to the
left and rear n a double line OF Skin
mishers to hold the front he drew of his
little army In perfect order. and posting
the artillery In n gap through which the
turnpike ran threw out his line to left
and right on the steep activities, and
presented a front that the enemy only APP
preached once.
SO quickly did all this happen that be-
fore i could take one look at Billy and
mount my horse our skirmishers cam by
us, facing about and firing as they re-
treated. They had struck the tent and
put 1t In a wagon. but there lay Billy
and the girl kneeling by him. The next
instant the long line of Federals came
forward. shouting and firing. The wagon
and the surgeon and the ambulance
dashed of at a gallop, and, leaping on
my horse, / turned his head TO the rear.
He needed no further hint, but rushed
down q slope on a run across a little
slash and scrambled UP the steep hill,
where our line was reforming. just In time
to avoid the re-opening fire OF our own
men.
CAPTURED 1T.
Our young commander, who was as cool
and wary In retreat as he wa rash In
attack, retired slowly before the Federal
force and allowed them TO occupy their
former post at Fayette, but in September
he captured IL with nearly all the garri-
son, for which he was made @ ~brigadier-
general
All this time Major Aston had not
been heard from except that some of the
.n,,rt,-, at~fo xyhA bod relations I'm the
Federal lines heard a lurid story of the
wrath of old Manson when he found his
laughter at a feld-hospital nursing a
rebel. The newly-made general had ig-
nored Bllly's unfortunate slip, as he con-
sidered that IL had ~precipitated the cam
paign that resulted to his own benefit.
AS the first snow OF December came
over the southern n of the Ale
ghanies and began to spread Its desolate
white mantle over the beautiful region
known as "Burke's Garden" General Lo-
ring was sitting in his tent RECALLING some
Of his staff with tales Of his travels In
the East, as he loved to do. and he was
In the midst of a description or the sera-
Clio tina was the scene Of Don Juan's
adventures, and explaining that the walls
were decorated with the colored hlustra-
tons of Byron's poem, when an orderly
entered and announced that W deserters
had just come I'm.
every we'll" said the General. bring
them In. AS I was saying, there on TWO
walls are these pictures of the favorite-
what's her name?-Zuleika, and Don Juan
and Johnson at the camp OF Suwarrow'
with the girl in disguise"
Here they are, General" said the or
Derby, and throwing back the maps OF the
tent he pointed to two ragged ana ue-
jected figures in the stained remnants or
blue uniforms. one n young nan WIN
thin. unkempt hair and beard, the other
a boy in equally forlorn habillments re-
lieved by q blanket closely drawn around
his shoulders.
''NYelI. who are you and where did you
come from?' asked the General, posing
himself to discover some important piece
of information.
slowly taking off his ragged cap and
putting back his uncombed hair the elder
stranger said in a low, deprecating voice:
General, don't you know Billy
The General was subject TO sudden hts
Of anger. and perhaps thinking that MS
dignity, which he held with extreme mill
tary precision, was being trihed wlth' ne
said in a deep bass voice like the gro"l
of a tiger:
'Bnly whoT'
Another short pause and the tattered
stranger said with a comically SAD at
tempt at a smile:
"Billy Aston"
The General rose slowly and. approach
ing the former Adjutant-General, TOOK MIN
by the shoulders and turning him around
examined him critically. Then, thinking
of the contrast between this wretched oo-
iect and the former brilliant ornament
OF his staff, he burst Into a laugh mat
was echoed by the other officers as they
hold Of Billy and alternately en-
him and bantered him..
Take him out and wash him ana De
particular about It, and then, Billy, III
hands," said Loring. "But see here,
who's hat other one?'
HIS WIFE.
The "other one" looked more pitiful and
abashed than Billy. and with bowed head
the inquisitive glances bent on
him. -.
t,mid COMPANION. said with the first touch
dignity and courage that he mad mus
tered:
.oThis Is my wife, Miss Helen Manson,
who saved my life and gave me freedom
hut n thousand times more than That she
gave me herself"
At this pathetic turn OF the scene oll
Ioring. who was a bachelor n the soul
gallantry, rose, and. tenderly putting
his hand on the young lady's head, SAID:
my dear young lady, this IL really the
most beautiful thing I have ever Wit
messed I'm all my travels in the East or
in our own country. and L am proud 10
nave a part In II. Let an old felow give
Won his blessing, and I'll be your father
,,nt1-well. l expect to catch your real
father. but will forgive him everything
for your sake" And tenderly conducting
the disguised bride TO the door OF the tent
no directed one of the stan to call a
female servant and hitch up the mead
quarters ambulance to take the couple 70
n private house near by.
DISTINGUISHED.
1t would be impossible for me 10 DO
20 the story she told OF the rescue
from prison and the dangerous ana weary
In getting through the lines.
Loring would not rest until he got
BILLY promoted, and he distinguished hlm-
I'm the southern campaigns with John-
ston. ..
After the surrender he came wandering
hack TO Virginia, not knowing whether ne
had any home or where 10 ma MS Whe.
Rut when he came to the house he saw an
nId Gentleman rolling n baby-carriage.
nHeIo." said the old gentleman, is that
you. Bily?'
"Why, Mr.. Manson" said Billy, jump
Ing OFF his starved horse.
'We've got your pardon and saved your
sale the old fellow, and, he
slapping Billy Oh the back; you
rascal. you made my daughter a rebel,
/ forgive you. for you've made me a
Srardfather." PAGE MCARTY.
Chamber of Commerce Opening.