The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1895-11-21


George Clarke was about as miserable
as it is possible for man to be, anG
he was making preparations for re
moving to the west when the call was
made for troops to repel invasion. He
enlisted and has served faithfully thus
far
Has he heard from Ellen Darrel
since he has been in the army?" asked
Pendleton.
Not directly from her." replied
Stackpole, though he has heard con
cerning her several times. She is
represented by those who have seen
her as being sorrowful and grief
stricken, mere shadow of her former
gay and happy self. Captain Clarke
shakes his head and presses his hand
upon his heart. Tor he is not sure
whether she mourns for him or for
Byron Beaumont"
But" said Pendleton, what is this
sudden change"
''Ah," interrupted the other, here
comes our captain now. Listen Bill:
We discovered, only few days ago
that Byron Beaumont was captain OF
cavalry in the rebel army, and he is
now connected with Ewelrs corps.
Clarke saw him yesterday, and strove
to get near him. aud he will continue
to strive until he meets him. He will
cross swords with him if he has to
pass throutih fire and water to do IT.
Now you know ALL
As Stackpole ceased speaking,
Capt. Clarke rode up and dismounted.
He was young man, not more than
five and twenty, but he was every
inch a gallant soldier, and his men all
loved and honored him.
"Come boys" he cried, as two or
three of his commissioned officers
came mp, you must hurry up your
mess pans, for the ball will open very
soon. We are going across the river
to day"
And go across they did. 1t was a
day of hard fighting on both sides,
and many deed of bravery was done
by both Union andConferdate soldiers.
Captain Clarke fought when there
was fighting to do, and many of his
men wondered why he clung So dang
erously near to the Rebel lines when
there was no need of it, Once his col
onel sent an orderly tobring him back,
and twice he would have been captur-
ed but for the bold and daring inter
ference Of his men under command Of
Lieutenant Stackpole. All day he
sought for Byron Beaumont, and he
had not found him. He had seen him
twice, but not within reach.
In the evening, after the pickets
had been thrown out, and while men
were busy on both sides in searching
for the wounded, Captain Clarke aud
Lieutenant Stackpole walked out
towards piece of woods where their
company had been posted once during
the day in search of a missing man,
They had entered, broad mule path.
and were gazing carefully from side
to side, when they heard deep groan
close at hand, and very soon they
found q dying man lying at the foot
Of large tree. Stackpole lowered
his lantern and found the sufferer to
be a swart-faced, dark-bearded man in
the uniform of a captain of the Rebel
cnvalry.
My Godr' calculated Clarke, 1T i.
Byoon Beaumontm
WHO'S that?" asked the wounded
man, in husky, gurgling tones.
Are you not Bsron Beaumcnt?"
'Yes-I am Captain Byron Beau
mont. Water. water! In Gods name
waterw
Clarke had spirits and water in his
canteen, which he had brought with
him in case of need, and he stopped
down and gave the man to drink, after
which he raised him to sitting pos
ture against the tree. The Rebel
revived somewhat beneath the infiu-
ence of the generous beverage, and
then sought to know who it was that
had found him.
DO you know me?' asked Clarke,
who had taken the lantern, and now
held it so that the light shown upon
both their faces.
The man uttered quick oath, and
his stout frame shook.
You are George Clarke! l saw
vOu in B"
Yes. sir, am George Clarke; ard
you saw me in B"
And if you live you will so back
there?"
Perhaps 500
You will see Ellen Darrell-Oh,
sweet Nelly~
Captain Clarke could not speak.
This man was, then, really her lover
"Give me another drink. / am
thilsty-dying And l must seno a
word to Nelly"
Clarke would have cared for a dy-
ing dog, and he would not refuse a
dying mau, He gave him drink
again, and presently afterwards the
Rebel said, his voice growing weaker
and weaker:
See Nelly for my sake Tell her
that believe | did my duty to the
last hour. If | have been mistaken.
God forgive me. Tell her thst | fell
in battle, with my face TO the foe.
She and my mother viii both breathe
more freely whed they know l am
dead"
Your mother" gasped Captain
Clarke, laying his trembling hand up
on the dying mans shoulder.
Yes. Those who were once. my
friends in New England have long
thought me dead. and you need not
tell my story to the world If there is
a slab erected over my grave let il
bear the name OF Byron Beaumont
Charles DarTel has been dead to the
world a long time"
And you.are Charles Darrell Mel
ly Is your sister,
Sweet Nelly. God b less her
And my mother, too. To see them
haE e braved more than death. They
loved me both; [ think Nelly woulC
have died for her outcast brother"
you will see them. Tell them
Tho ,glorl kal haap cnaol-irar rx-,r