The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1895-08-08

- AoOOS
MISTAKEN IDENTITY.
AN INTERESTING CIRCUMSTANCE OF
THE LATE WAR.
Two Horses that Looked IS One-The
Doctor Identifies and Receivers a
Stolen Horse that Turns Out Not to
be His After ALA Story that
Points a Moral.
EDITOR GOLD LEAF:-The follow
ing extraordinary coincidence of the
late war will, l dare say, be OF interest
to the juvenile readers of your valuable
paper, and it may perhaps be the
means of calling the attention of
others Of maturer years, to the impor.
tance of being ever mindful of the
spiritual injunction expressed in the
words "swear not at ALL"
1t was the second year of the war,
when the division of the &. S. army,
under command of the lamented 1t.
Gen. Leonidas Polk, had gone into
winter quarters near Meridian, Miss,
that young Virginia assistant Ser
geon. Of the Generals staff, who was
the fortunate owner of two valuable
saddle horses, had determined to find,
it possible, more comfortable winter
quarters for his favorite horse, Rob
Roy, dapple bay Canadian pony,
perfect symmetry in form, beautiful in
style, and peerless in gait and action.
Indeed throughout the army, where he
had been known more than a year,
Rob Roy was the admired Of all ad-
mirers. 1t had been frequently re-
marked by good judges of the equine
that his equal could not be found be-
tween the St. Lawrence and the Rio
Grande.
While the gallant young esculapian
had the matter of Rob Roy's welfare
under consideration he received a
message from an old uncle, a we'll to do
planter then residing near Canton,
kindly offering to take care of one or
both Of his horses during the winter.
As a matter of course he was not tardy
in availing himself of the offer, and
Rob Roy arrived safely at his destina-
ton on the following day, but un-
fortunately he very soon tell into the
hands of thieves. The following week
the doctor received this letter from
his uncle conveying the unwelcome
news:
'sDec. End, 1862.
My DEAR il regret exceedingly
to inform you that your horse and two
of my most valuable mules, were stolen
last night from my stable. have sent
kilograms to the police of Canton,
Vicksburg and Jackson, as their tracks
went in that direction. l also sent
ads. to the leading papers of those
cities and have strong hopes of over
taking the thief or thieves. I hope
this will find you all we'll. Tell my
boys they must really write oftener.
Their mother is very feeble and con-
stantly uneasy about them. They will
receive box by express tomorrow
and your aunt desires me to say that
your name is in it. Sincerely,
Your UNCLE.
The doctors horse had been stolen
nearly month and he had given him
up as lost, when we'll equipped regi
ment OF cavalry from Kentucky arrived
and joined General Folks command
They had hardly dsmomted wher
several friends of the doctor hastened
to headquarters with what they sup
posed to be most welcome news
that his lost charge was beyond al
question, and no mistake, in possession
of a Lieutenant Preston of the cav
airy regiment. The doctor lost ne
time in seeking an introduction to th'
Lieutenant and his Colonel, both o
whom he was pleased to find were
gentlemen. He very soon introduced
the subject of his mission, and aftel
seeing the animal, was most thorough
ly convinced that it was Rob Roy
Lieut.. Preston had purchased him a
Bardstown, KY, and had paid for hin
, two hundred dollars in gold, his Col
onel and twenty men Of his command
being present at the time and wer
then present to testify to the fact, ant
moreover the Lieutenant drew from
his pocket bill of sale with age G
horse and pedigree annexed. Th
doctor produced the letter OF his uncl
E showing the date when the mules an
horse were stolen, and all agreed tn
e rogue had ample time to reach Bard:
{ town.
: Bear in mind there were more iha
: a hundred men of Gen. Folks CON
|" q mand present who were willing t
l. make oath that this was the identic:
i horse the doctor had lost.
a The doctor proposed they shoul
l. all adjourn to headquarters an
hear the Generals opinion an
g that of his staff The Gener;
a very willingly came out followed b
d his entire staff, and examined the hors
He had been great admirer of Ro
Roy and had mounted him more tha
| once. "Let me see him move dow
the road hundred yards if yo
J, please said the General and as II
t horse came up on his return
remarked in dignihed manner tn
it was "decidedly wrong to swe
under any circumstances, and parti
. ularly dangerous to swear TO hors
= but if tha, is not the doctors hor
!: We have all known we'll for more tha
z a year. | am certainly more mistake