Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-12-23
CHAPTER VIII.
CLOSE QUARTERS.

Captain Marfew spent very restless
night; he slept but little and was visited
by such horrible, vivid dreams that 1re-
Quently he screamed so loudly as TO
cause Moke, who occupied a pallet In
corner OF the room, TO spring to MS
feet in alright. The result was that
he remained in bed all the follow
ing day, but owing TO the intense pain
caused by his wound he found no rest.
Several simple remedies were employed
to relieve the pain, but proved unsuc-
cessful, and in consequence another
miserable night was passed by the I'M
fortunate captain. TWAS then decided
10 employ a physician, although such
move was greatly dreaded
for fear OF arousing suspicion
among the soldiers. After much
talking and thinking respecting what
physician TO call, Doctor Cheenway,
whose home was few miles distant,
was decided on. This doctor was a Sc
cessiouist of the fire eating brand aud
In consequence had suffered several
months incorporation in Camp Chase
an indignity that had greatly Increased
instead of diminishing his ardor Tor the
Southern cause. Well the captain
knew that he would be perfectly safe
politically, at least, If not profession
ally-under the charge Of this country
doctor, whose contemplated visit, IL was
decided, must be made late at night
lest otherwise il might eOgender
trouble, and TO this effect Mrs. Marfew
pencied a note which she gave Moke
with the repeated injunction TO hand 1t
to no.one except the doctor In person.
DR.. Cheenway was found In his Office
He put on his glasses and read the note,
and a look of utter establishment came
over his wrinkled vsage. He asked
Moke numerous questions, and after
again reading the note tore it in small
pieces which he dropped into the waste
basket. Then going TO the desk he
hastily penned a few lines, which he
sealed and handed the negro with the
request that he be particularly cautious
with il.
At twelve o'clock that night, after a
laborious tramp over hills and across
fields, DR.. Cheenway was secretly ad-
mitted at Brook Falls. He and the cap
tain shook hands and conversed awhile
in subdued tones, and then the wound
was examined. The doctor tossed aside
the homemade pOultice with that air
of disgust with which some members OF
his fraternity infaIlibly regard
the remedies OF others, though
they may be more efficacious than their
own, aud applied one that he was posi-
tive would soon prove beneficial, aud
after little more talking and prom
Use to renew his visit, left as secretly as
be had been admitted.
The remainder Of the night Captain
Marfew rested much better than he ex-
pected. Once only he became restless,
and then he arose and sought relief in
walking the floor. Once be partly open
ed a shutter and looked out into the
beautiful starlight night. A few fires
were glowing among the Notifications
and at different points the shadow-like
figures of the sentinels were plainly Wis
ible. Over the blooming orchard he
saw the great black barn-whieh the
Federals had converted into a hospital
with light streaming from the cracks
and the Joints, and heard the voices OF
the surgeons and the nurses and occa-
slopally the means Of the unfortunate
sufferers, TO whom the night offered no
rest. A short distance away, yellow in
the starlight, there was broad streak
OF clay, underneath which lay the slain
OF the fight His eyes dwelt sadly on it,
while his thoughts reverted to the hap
py DAYS of his childhood, when he
romped with his playmates on that self
same spot, with nothing to suggest the
horrible carnage destined TO be enacted
there; aud he supposed 1t not at all i'm
probable that some of those plsymates
rested under that yellow belt stretching
across the field, or else lay msngled In
the barn hospital, writhing and groan-
ing under the cruel knife Of the sur
geon.
He had long since grown callous TO
the horrors OF war. Once only before
could be remember having been affect
ed by them, and that was at Manassas,
when war was comparatively new TO
him; but the dreadful sensations which
be had experienced there again stole
over him with twofold magnitude. DE
closed the shutter, and after walking a
minute longer, lay down and slept
soundly until daybreak.
The doctors remedy had had a
soothing effect on the officer, but be
was still very pale and weak. He par.
took very heartily Of food and declared
that at the rate be was improving be
would soon be able TO take the field
again. Already he began TO tire OF his
confinement, and to yearn for the ex-
element and activity of camp-life and
battlefield. be sought solace in read.
ing, but of that be each time soon
tired, and throwing aside the book. lay
back 10 his chair with a yawn and be-
moaned his helpless condition.
The fear of his being made prisoner
so long as he continued so cautious had
almost forssken him, but IN the after.
noon Moke, while strolliDg idly about
the camp was taken aside by young
Neeks
81 have inst learned" be whispered
10 the negro. "that it was reported that
a man was seen late last night at one
of the upper windows. and under the
impression that il was Captain Marfew,
or some other confederate, party will
in short time thoroughly search the
house. Go at once aud tell your mas
ter to lose no time In hiding himself as
securely as possible! Don't lose a
Secondr'
Moke walked rapidly away,
and on reaching the orchard
where be could not be observed by
the soldiers, bounded toward the
house with the speed of bounded detr.
and was soon st the door Of his young
masters room. The officer was lying
upon the bed half asleep.
ssQuick, Marse Howa'd. quick!" the
oaoro axclaimed impIoringlv. oDe sol-