Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1894-02-15

~
THE LITTLE BLACK BOY WENT
had come he was taken to a deserted
cabin, where his leg was amputated
and his hand dressed The next morn.
ing the order came for the army to fall
back. Lieut. Bedell was unconscious
and too weak to be moved. The sur
geon said he could not live more than
twenty-four hours. His comrades left
a eanteen of water by his side. and
joining their regiment marched away.
Some little distance from the cabin
lived young woman, the wife of a
confederate soldier named Van Meter.
/ The foragers of the army had taken
nearly everything of value about the
little farm. Her niece. child of ten
| years, and a little black boy were her
only companions. When the soldiers
had gone the boy went down the coun-
try road as far as the cabin He heard
the lieutenant groaning and went in.
The canteen was out of his reach and
his lips were parched with fever He
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 it revived
the lieutenant Then his limbs were
dressed and newly bandaged. Mrs.
Van Meter sent the boy for a 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. 1t didn't matter much, anyhow.
he said, for he had no interest in a
union soldier.
Mrs. Van Meter insisted that it was
her duty to save his life if possible. and |
the next day she harnessed a mule to
an old cart and drove to Harper's Ferry
to get supply of whisky and quinine.
The commander there heard her story,
said 1t was entirely improbable, but ac.
cepted it because of her frankness. She
did not hesitate to say she was the
wife of a confederate soldier. The
gave Bedell strength. and il
was not long before he was able To sit
up His clothing was badly torn and
1lood-stained, and nothing suitable for
him to wear could be found in the
leighborhood. His regiment was at
twelve miles away. Mrs.
IAN Meter drove there and astonished
lieut.. Bedell's comrades by informing :
hem that che was alive and on the
Dad TO recovery. She secured his port
lanteau and returned.
When Bedell had recovered sufficient.
7 to be about he entered into a con-
ract with farmer in the neighbor-
God TO secure the return of a team of
lules which had been confiscated by
is regiment in exchange for aid in
,aching the union lines n
Bedell was hidden under jag of hay.
nd with Mrs. Van Meter as the driver
reached liarper's Ferry. The COM
ander accepted the terms of Bedelrs 5
'ntract with the farmer and delivered
lie mules
Having heard nothing whatever from
n husband for several months. and
,aring he was either in hospital or (
prisoner, Mrs. Van Meter was at a v
IS what to do. Lieut. Beden de-
led the matter for her by Offering to
IN finding her husband. He entered
10 communication with President
ncoln, telling what Mrs. Van Meter
d done for him. The president wrote =
order directing the officer in charge
any hospital or prison to. deliver To
> Van Meter any man she claimed
her husband. Mrs. Van Meter and
little niece joined Lieut.. BedeD In
ishington and they started on a tour
the several prisons and hospitals.
hey went through the prisons Of
10, New York and Pennsvlvania
finally found Van Meter in a hos
al lie was emaaiated and unable
stand At Lieut. BedelTs expense
was transferred to a private institu.
n, where ina few weeks he recovered
hciently to warrant his DISCHARGE
ut Bedcll took Van Meter and his
e and the little niece to his home in
mont. and they remained his guests
several months. They then returned
tn and are now living in Berrvville.
TX county, Va Mr.. Bedeu IS hob
e around on erutch in his home
gresham John : Wise So
81 Mrs. Van Meters address for NJ
-tendcn through Marshal McCor
4, prominent citizen of Clark
ntv
have written TO Mrs. Van Meter +.
Mr. C1ttenden, and her letters {
her t. b simple Christian
nao. She writes that she did for
II Bedell what her conscience sug.
ed was right and she is happy In {
knowledge that she saved his Hfa~ {
I. Advertiser. :