Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-12-23
brief matters of especial interest to the


| tain received his wound and Ii hac
healed so nicely under the care of Doc
| tor Cheenway that the officer concluded
to make an effort to reioin his regiment,
which, according to the papers, he sup
posed was in the Shenandoah Valley.
A prolongation of his immurement, be
was positive, would do him much
greater injury than the hazardous and
| fatiguing journey necessary for him TO
make In order to reach his regiment,
but the trip he would gladly undertake
for the sake OF once again being at
liberty.
One morning when his mother and
Mandy went into his room to put it III
shape and to deterge his wound he in
formed them of his intention.
1.-THE time has come for me to leave, p"
be said with some emphasis, as he
Strengthened up from his redundant
position over the table, upon which he
had spread o pocket map Of Virginia.
''This sort of life is sapping my very
existence, so | must go; shall go to-
night See TO my clothes, Mandy; fix
up one OF my old corduroy suits that |
used to wear while hunting and sur
veying. My uniform and sword | shall,
of course, leave behind, as they would
betray me. Prepare me some provl-
sions-some sandwiches-provide me
with a pint OF brandy, aud then you
rest assured that shall reach the VAL
ley in short time-perhaps in less
than week."
His mother and Mandy objected to
what they regarded as a very unwise
notion on his part, but finding him In
eXorable to all entreatieS TO have him
remain few days longer, they went TO
work arranging his clothes aud prepar-
ing as many sandwiches as he could
conveniently carry.
At supper he ate heartier than he had
at any other time since receiving his
wound, declaring that he had never
felt bstter 10 his life, and that his con-
templated journey would, because OF
his long and close confinement, afford
him considerably more pleasure than
might be supposed. The prospect OF
soon again being with his comrades In
arms filed him with pleasing antici-
pations. He felt. he declared, like
long-caged beast OF the menagerie
about TO DO returned to its haunt In
the Jungle, and each movement be-
came more impatient for the time de.
cided on for him to take his departure
TO arrive. He dared not expose him
self at the window, but the rudy light
that pierced the shutters and blinds
told him that the sun was At last set
ting, and that the time for his depar-
ture was near at hand.
He unfolded the map upon the table,
aDd carefully noted the different routes
that he had traced with his pencil, but
it was not until ten o'clock that he de.
cided which one to take. He then at
tired himself in his corduroy suit, filed
several large pockets with sandwiches,
bucked on his revolver, pocketed a
bottle of brandy, the map aud COM
pass, and after repeated farewells Sc
cretly left the house, accompanied by
Mandy.
A little difficulty with which he was
obliged TO contend at the outset was
the crossing OF the river, half mile
distant, where a canoe was kept, and as
the current was somewhat swollen, and
the Captains strength not fully re-
stored, Mandy, under the impression
that TO no one other than herself could
be entrusted the duty Of seeing that he
crossed In safety, volunteered to 90 TO
the river for that purpose.
So stealthily and circumspectly did
the officer aud the aged slave pursue
their course, that they were quite
awhile In reaching the river. Before
emerging from the wooded bank they
paused aud listened. Occasionally a
faint sound resem bling far-off voices
reached them. They were not GER
tain what IL was, and con-
tinued to listen, fearing that
the soldiers were aware OF their
movements and were in pursuit, but
finally 1t ceased and they ventured
noiselesslY to the canoe.
at is not so swift as l feared" the
Captain whispered as he proceeded to
unfasten the canoe. ''your assistance
will not be required, Mandy"
In moment everything was ready.
Tho Captain shook the old negroes
baud.
Farewell, Mandy" he said just loud
enough TO be understood. II hope that
peace is not far off, and that we shall
return home before long TO remain"
"Fahwell, young mastah," stammer-
ed the old slave emotionally. II hopes
God II p'otec' yuh on dis trip an in the
battles, too"
Nothing more was spoken. The Cap
tain took his seat in the canoe and
made long, noiseless stroke that shot
him out on the dark stream. Mandy
stood watching the silhouette that he
made until it faded in the darkness,
and then she listened anXiously for the
grating Of the canoe against the oppo-
site bank. 1t was but short while be-
fore she heard it; she also heard the
Captain cropping through the weeds
and bushes that fringed the stream
! and knew that he had landed safely.
/ She turned with sensation OF awe
and fastened through the little strip
of woods and out into the broad field.
The moon had just arisen, and as
she occasionally came from behind
the black banks OF spring
clouds and strung grotesque shad-
ows across the fields, the negro
recoiled 10 alarm. not knowing but that
those figures were soldiers 10 quest Of
her young master; and whenever rab-
biz started before her or whippoorwill
cried near at hand she was afraid that
she would fall In faint.
1t was not long before she reached
the orchard, and q sense OF comparative
security came to her relief when she
found herself under the shelter Of the
friendly trees that blended Their branch
es and blossoms into one vast canopy;
but her feeling of safety was of only a
moments duration, for she had pro-