The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-12-27

Capt Mosely had the camp searched,
but without result, and in a little while
everybody knew that the lad was de-
serter During the morning Private
Chadwick had long talk with Capt
Mosely. and the result was that no
immediate arrangements were made to
send guard after little Billy.
Meanwhile Aunt Sally was growing
weaker and weaker Sometimes In her
troubled dreams she imagined that lit
tie Billy had come, and. at such mo-
come, and laugh as heartily US ever.
But, for the most part, she knew that
he was still absent, and that all her
dreams were futile and fieeting
Nevertheless, one bright morning IN
the latter part OF December, little Billy
walked into his mothers humble home.
weary and footsoTe. Aunt Sally heard
his footsteps on the door sill, and, weak
Us she was, sat up In bed and held out
her arms TO him. Her dreams had
come true, but they had come true too
late. When little Billy removed the
support OF his arms, in order to look at
his dear mammy's face. she was dead
The JOS OF meeting her son again was
too much for the faithful and tender
heart.
All that could be done by kind hearts
and willing hands was done by MIS-
Mary and the neighbors. Little Billy
shed no tears. The shock had benumbed
all his faculties. He went about In "A
daHed condition. But when. the day
after the funeral. he went to tell Miss
Mary good-by, the ineifable pity that
shone In her face touched the source
OF his grief, and he fell TO weeping MS
he had never wept before. He would
have kissed her hand. but she drew Il
away. and, IN he strengthened himself,
tiptoed and kissed him on the forehead.
With that she, too, fell 10 weeping. and
thus they parted. But for many II long
day little Billy felt the pressure Of soft
and rosy lips on his forehead.
He sold the old mule that had served
his dear mnInmy so faithfully, and this
gave him sufficient money TO pay his
way back TO camp on the railroad. with
some dollars TO spare. As good fortune
would have II, the first man he saw
when the train stopped at the station
nearest the camp was Private Chad
wick. Little Billy spoke TO his friend
with as much cheertulncss as he could
command.
I'm mighty glad to see you. old
man." said Chadwick. II knowed In
season that you are certain 70 come
back-and. sure enough, here you are.
You've had trouble, too, Well, trouble
has got n long run and n hard hand,
and amt never saw the human bein'
that could get away from Il when II be-
gins 10 feel around for .'em."
YES" replied little Billy, simply.
"Iil never have any more trouble like
that I've had"
tits mighty hard at first always" re.
marked Private Chadwick. with Sigh,
but It's mighty seaFonln'. The man
that amt the better for It in the long
run amt much OF n man. That's the
way put II down"
Am ! deserter. sure enOugh?"
asked little Billy, suddenly remember
Ing his position.
wei, It's mixed case" answered
the private you've gone and broke
the rules and articles of war-I reckon
that's what they call EN-. You took
Dutch leave. The Cap said II you didn't
come back In ten days he'd send n file OF
men after you. and then your cake
would "a been all dough. But now
you've come back OF your own free will,
and the case Is mixed You are bound to
be arrested. All that's been fixed. and
that's the reason I've been comm
to train every day sence you've been
gone. wanted to arrest you my
self"
"Then I'm n prisoner" suggested lit
tie Billy.
That's about the size and shape OF
IT," replied Private Chadwick
His tone was 30 emphatic that little
Billy looked NJ him. But there was u
kindly light in the privnte's eyes and n
pleasant smile lurking under his mus-
tnche; 70 that the young fellow thought
he might smelly go back to his griet
again.
When they arrived Mt camp Private
Chadwick, with great show Of fierce
iornuilty. led little Billy to the guard
tent. and there placed him In charge Of
n newly-made CORPORAL, who knew so
little of his duties that he went inside
the tent, placed his gun on the ground
and had long, familiar chat with the
prisoner.
After the camp had gone 10 bed Pri.
ynte Chadwick relieved the guard and
carried little BIlly to his own tent,
where Captain Moscly was waiting.
This rough old soldier gave little Billy
d lecture that WAS the more severe he
cause II wag delivered In n kindly tone
At the end he Informed little Billy that
the next day squad of picked mon
from the cOnFcript camp was TO 30 to
the front In charge OF Private Chad
wick. the enemy having shown u pur-
pose 20 make n winter cHmpaiRn
would you like to Eo2" the captain
asked,
Little Billy seized the captains arm.
Don't fool mel" he cried. III I'm NJ
TO no. let me go. That's what I'm long
Ing for"
The captain felt about In tho dark for
little Blliy's hand and Etaspcd II. you
shall GO" he Rnld, and walked from the
dark tent into the starlight outside.
The nights are long 70 those who sleep
with sorrow, but. after all. the days
come quickly, as little Billy soon found
out The next morning he found him
self whlrilng away 10 virginia, where
some cruel business was on foot The
days went fast enough thcH ana the
railway train. with lie load Of soldiers.
puffed ana Bnortud m II II wished to 10
fahtcr. too but II went fast enough
lust fast enough 10 liz switched on to