The daily morning journal and courier., 1894-09-01


 suppers beside the eampfires.
 had risen from my seat on the old stone wall abutting the road to return to my tent with Dennis: but at that moment saw two faces which Set my little body a-trembling.
 One was the dark face of a man Of Latin blood. Jolted from side 10 side by the heavy wagon. he was wheed- ling and scowling and haif-supportins as best he could the slight figure Of maiden. The other. when the violence of the wagons jolting had for an in- stant tossed her curls aside. knew was the face of Beatrice.
 "Ye have n bad chili." said Dennis eurtly. tuning toward the tents. Come along. Little Buttons. an we'll bate that agy with drop O th' rale right sortn'
 In the moment his back was 10 me. had sprung Into the open end of the wagon behind the one containing Sig nor Bellini and Beatrice. q wagon filled with singing and wailing negroes; and in another moment Sergeant McGee and the pleasant camp of Battery D were shut from sight by the blinding dust Of the road.
 All roads may be alike to the mad ness Of youth: but the road that led 10 the possible rescue of this helpless girl was the only one then open on earth 10 me.
 All the transport wagons belonging to General sherman had been rapidly re- turned. The last few which were being hurried forward belonged to the enemy. could see. from occasional glances as We passed. the guards. done with their sad work. deploying into squads and the squads gradually forming in dark blue masses for impatient return 10 the friendly environments of their own camp.
 The point of truce was soon gained. Here cavalry from both forces had been stationed. The formalities of their final separation were trifiing. As the flag of truce was furled. the hostile flags moved in opposite directions. With grim salute and right-about faces. the soldiers of each flag fell into march, ing order and went their separate ways. Our wagons were shortly be- yond Hoods outlying pickets; and here suddenly realized that I was Union soldier. in full uniform and without warrant inside the Confederate lines!
 l do not think that this startled me at first. It simply spurred me to act ion. I remember that my instant i'm pulse was to in some manner change my apparel.
 Some of the blacks were stupid from drink, and effecting this was not diff cult. With one I exchanged my hat, with another my jacket, with this one my padded artillery vest and with an other in the darkness. my tidy artillery trousers.
 Hardly had this been done when we came upon a belated refugees camp, outside of Hoods main lines, but close under the Confederate advance re- doubts. Here a few hundred humans night, beside small stream. Some were dejectedly munching scanty food; but most had fallen spiritless or from exhaustion beside their pitiably meager belongings where the wagons had hur- riedly left them.
 Noticing these things but with my at- tention fixed upon only two human be- ings followed the latter to the edge of the stream beside an abandoned camp fire, where, after almost threatening injunctions for the girl to remain where bidden, the Italian left her to make provision for food and for the night.
 In an instant I was beside her ex- citedly whispering,
 Beatrice!-Beatricew
 She was not even startled. She seemed merely listening as in a dream for surer token of kinship and affection in the half aspirited calling of her name.
 Beatrice!-Beatrice!'
 I bent close to her wan and haggard face.
 "Oh, God! Have one of you come at last?"
 Yes, yes, yes!-from your father. Hush! Here, see this picture he gave me. Read the words with it. will take you from this william to him."
 She sprang to her feet. but gently though instantly forced her down.
 "No, no! Not now; Not until a few hours later. Seem docile and obedient to Bellini. Can you swim?"
 "Yes, yes!"
 "Are you brave?"
 "After to-day there is little to fear"
 twill you obey me implicitly to reach your home?"
 "To the limit of my lifew
 'Then, when you are certain your black devil of companion and the camp are asleep steal to the bank of the stream. Move fearlessly down stream, until you meet me. Bellini is Remember!'
 do not remember how long I waited for Beatrice; but, sure of her bravery and prudence as she was unquestioning of my loyal guidance, these were the only calm and certain hours I had known since our forces crossed Etowah.
 I knew she would come; as she did l [ knew that the approaching stealthy were hers. knew that the l unseen felt near me was that of Bea- l trice; and 1t was the happiest moment l of my life when her outstretched, grop- ing hand grasped mine, and without | even a whispered word, we stepped l softly into the placid stream together-I two children, seeing through blindness, going forward as in the broad day by night, upheld in their infinite innocence and ignorance by infinite trust and 'aith!
 What were my plans? I had none.