Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-12-16

MarI0W is MS name, Ohptdlu A1O"oAN
Marfew. He'll likely distinguish him.
self tomorrow And IL l mistake not
he's from this section"
AS the man spoke Mrs. Marfew was
approaching anxious to make In Iniries
concerning her husb band aud sons, and
distinc city hearing Howard's name men
toned she hastily informed the men
that she was the mother OF the young
officer and at that very place he was
born and reared. They gave her all
the information possible respecting him
and his father and brother, and depart
ing said that they would hunt up Cap
tain Marfew and inform him that his
mother desired his i'm 10 ediate presence;
hut such a message was unnecessary,
for the captain was as exceedingly anx-
ious to visit the house as those there
were to have him do so, but was too as
siduous with mis- duties to repair to them
sooner than he did, which was not until
nearly sundown.
In anticipation Of visit from the
long-absent son, his mother, Mrs. Sc
voy and the negroes had gone diligently
to work to prepare him 8 supper. The
supply of provisions was carefully ex-
amined and the choicest selected. The
chance for meat was poor, the chicken
ward having a few nights before been
robbed of every foul Of eatable size eX-
cept a Shanghai rooster Of surprising
longevity, and be was sitting on the
wood pile carefully pruning his feath-
ers preparatory TO ascending to his
perch In the ounce tree, when 1t vas
suggested that his flesh, although II
would likely defy mastication, would at
least render the table more inviting In
appearance; consequently Moke and
Loop were ordered to dispatch and
dress him in all possible haste.
While the meal was being placed upon
the table loud shout from Moke an
nounced the young officers approach
and caused the others 10 hasten Into
the yard A pale. haggard young man
in the thread bare uniform Of captain
was slowly coming across the yard In
the direction OF the house, Moke in a
broad grin and hat in hand walking OBJ
seouiously behind him. 1t was Howard
Marfew, but what a change had come
over him since leaving for the
war. The trials and privations OF
army life had indeed dealt sadly
with him. He was no longer the
robust looking young man of former
DAYS. All hurried to him with heart
felt expressions of welcome and sym
pathy, which were reciDrocated by
smiles and other manifestations OF de-
light, at once again being among them
at the old home. Arriving upon the
porch he dropped into chair and
surveyed the premises attentlyeiy,
evidently much saddened by the gen
eral devastation, for moisture hl'ed
his eyes and there was a decided tremor
in his utterances. His mother was not
long i'm taking a seat beside him, pro-
fuse with interrogations which were
vented in rapid succession.
''They are weIli," he replied 10 her
anxious inquiries regarding his father
and brother; "they are well, but have
not seen them for some time. We sre
not members of the same regiment now,
and consequently do not see much OF
one another as we formally did, and as
ne spoke he unbuttoned his coat and
fumbing into his breast pocket finally
drew from Il letter bearing evidence
Of having long been carried.
Here, mother, is something that
| father gave me months ago TO give to
YOU should our contemplated raid into
this section prove successful"
His mother instantly seized and tore
| IL omen and examined II with that
ardor natural to the wife and mother
| long separated from her husband and
children. II was quite lengthy
| epistle, chiefly interrogatory respect
| ing Farsef aDd the estate, and closed
with the prediction that hOstilities
would soon be terminated, and that In
case OF such an event the writer would
Immediately return home, where he
had long wished to be.
II am of similar opinion,
mother, remarked Howard, after
having looked over the letter." for
undoubtedly the Confederacy is on the
! ebn. We have done our best, but II is
doomed to fall. There are too many OF
them for US" -,
alt would be OF little benefit to us II
her independence were established" his
mother returned with sigh, "tor you
see that the slaves, with the exception OF
three. and a faithful three they are, are
gone: besides the place, l fear. Is ire
trivaby ruined" and she leaned for
ward with her face buried In her hands.
at is certainly In very deploraole
condition, mother; had no idea OF fad
ing it such complete wreck. wonder
! that the house is standing" and the
officers eyes filled afresh as be further
contemplated The panorama OF destruc-
ton spread before him.
"It's scan'ous de way dey's toe things
M heah, Marse Howa'd," said Moke
soberly: IAN all beca'se yuh an mastah
| Stephen fused L hep 'em fight I free
| us no-'count niggnhs. Use powahful
'cession niggah, Marse Howa'd, | is; an
ef IL didn't look bad TO one nlggah I be
ightln' gin all t'othah niggahs I'd jlne
yo' side dis very minute, Marse How
a'd."
The Confederate forced smile, but
made the negro no reply. he drew
| Richie to him and placing him upon his
| knee regarded him with interest. How
! the boy had grown and how handsome
he Wasl The child asked many questions
about the war which the officer answer
ed cursorily as be looked across the
wasted fields, but his inquiries were
| suddenly interrupted by the letter and
the envelope sliding from Mrs. Mar
few's to the floor. Instantly be
sprang down and picked them up.
There is something in here" be said,
bending the envelope which he handed
| Mrs. Marfew, who took from il an
old daguerreotype which she glanced
at with an expression Of great surprise
aud then slipped it into the envelope
which, with the letter, she placed into
| her pocket and resumed her converse