Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-04-23

A request was ssnt up 70 neauquaI-
ters for permission to take Colonel May.
nard and two children to Ringold and
to visit the recent field Of battle by the
way. While the party were waiting for
o reply Maynard was introduced to
number of Confederate officers, and the
story getting round that he had saved
the life Of Confederate emissary, the
sister Of Colonel Fitz Hugh, he soon
found himself an object Of interest
There was little disposition to inquire
into the right or wrong Of his act The
service was quite sufficient, and the de-
posed colonel was us highly honored
among the Confederates as he had been
condemned by his comrades.
Permission came for Colonel Fitz
Hugh to take the party forward, leaving
the escort at Rossville and taking Colo
mel Maynard : parole not TO divslge any
thing he might see to the Union COM
manders, a useless provision, for there
was nothing Of importance by the way
| for him To see.
1t was singular party that crisp Oc-
tober morning, canteriDg down the
Chattanooga and Lafayette road, the
recent bone Of contention, toward the
now deserted battlefield. Maynard and
| Fitz Hugh rode together at the front
Then came Jakey and Jennie, both
mounted like the rest, while troop Of
Confederate cavalry formed the escort.
| The two colonels talked OH everything
except what was uppermost in their
minds Fitz Hugh several times at
tempted to guide the conversation upon
Maynard's service to his sister in order
that he might make proper acknowl-
edgment, but Maynard, foreseeing his
intention, always made some remark by
way Of thwarting him.
There are the heights from which
you shelled the reserve marching 10 our
relief" said Maynard, glancing TO the
left.
"And here our men found themselves
near this coveted road, over which we
are passing, when the fog lifted on Sun
day morning, replied the other.
Now we come To the horseshoe
ridge Let us ride around It's base From
what the little girl has told mo fancy
she lives on the road leading 10 Reeds
bridge"
"My pop lives down thar, " said the
child, pointing to "a cabin amile below
them.
Leaving the Chattanooga road, they
a
ridge, soon striking third leading 20
Reeds bridge. When they came to the
house pointed out by Jennie, a man was
sitting on the fence. or one section ~
it which happened not 10 have been
taken for firewood like the rest, whit
tling stick. Catching sight Of tho child
as the party rode up, he went 20 her,
and taking her in his arms covered her
with kisses. The mother, hearing tho
exclamations. rushed out and repeated
the fathers caresscs.
The parents expressed as well as they
were able and III their humble way their
thanks TO the rescuer Of their child, and
the party proceeded on their way.
"Goodby, Jennie" said her friend
Jakev as he rode of.
"Goodby.
"Ef ye'll write me letter, I'll make
y doll outen a corncob. know how
ter make EN-.
II can't write"
"Waal, I'll do it anyhow. Yer a
purity nice young un ely air only gal. "
Riding over Reeds bridge, the party
passed through the gap in the ridge be-
yond. and descending the east slope soon
struck road leading to Ringold. They
rode into the town about noon and soon
drew rein before the house where Cor
poral Ratigan lay wounded Fitz Hugh
and Maynard dismounted and entered
together, Jakey bringing mp the rear IN
the hallway, her eyes large with aston
ishment at seeing her brother in com.
pany with Colonel Maynard, stood Caro-
line Fitz Hugh.
II the brother had failed in expressing
his thanks To Maynard, the sister sue
ceeded, but not by words. She grasped
Maynard's hand. when suddenly, for
the first time since her escape, "a full
realizing sense of the terrible end she
had so narrowly escaped swept over nor.
She was looking her gratitude, with all
the intensity Of her expressive eyes,
when her formal brother said:
Caroline. Colonel Maynard suffered
disgrace OH your account. II is proper
you should know how much We owe
him.
This information was too much 70.
even the strong nature Of so resolute
woman. She burst into passionate
food of tears.
"For the first time since it itoccurred,
said Maynard gently, II am satisfied
with my act. What is the opinion Of
men to me beside the consciousness Of
having served so admirable woman!'
Fitz Hugh threw open door near by
and led the way through 1t into "a room
where Corporal Ratigan, his ruddy locks
contrasting with his pale face all the
whiteness of his pillow, looked i L-'1
with the same astonishment u Mis-
Fitz Hugh.
why, colonel" he exclaimed, "are
20 prisoner
"No came by the courtesy OF Colo
mel Fitz Hugh to deliver this lstter,
which think is for you. Are you Hugh
Ratigar:"
"Oi am"
"Sir Hugh Ratigan?"
"No; Inc father was Sir Thomas Rat.
igan OF County Cavan, Ireland.
"Perhaps there have been changes
and Maynard handed him the letter.
The corporal took it and looked first
1t the black seal and then at the band
writing, which he recognized at once as
his mothers, and read. ITO Sir High
Ratigan, United States Army, Tennes-
see. y. S. A."
"Me brother is dead" he said sol
smnly apd then tore open the envelope.
The letter advised him, as he suppos-
I'd. of the death Of his elder brother,
and as the title and estates Of the fami-
" descended to him he was adjured to
20 home and attend to his affairs.
"Is it as We supposed?" asked May
ard
"It is Dim Sir Hugh true enough.
Ne brother, God rest i'm, is gone. :"
"Ne sympathize with you at your
brothers death and rejoice with you at
your own inheritance. said Fitz Hugh.
All in turn took the corporal by the
hand.
"You must 60 home at once," said