Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-04-30


as there shall be history Of this war
the Rock Of Ch. .lkamauga."
CHAPTER XVIII.
| A SINGULAR CEREMONY.
Laura Maynard, after long period
| of solicitude as to her Observation-Disclosures
ed at home by temporary illness Of
her child-had at last found IL possible
to go and seek him. She had arrived on
the morning Of the news OF his appoint
ment and at once sought General
Thomas headquarters. There she had
been informed Of the status, and mes
senger was at once sent for her husband.
Leaving the tent where Maynard had
first been plunged in despair only to be
| elevated to q condition Of mind border.
ing on ecstasy, tho two sought hotel,
| where LARA could be made comfortable
till the next day, and there passed the
time in going over the period since they
had parted and rejoicing at the outcome
Of tie singular complications which fate
had been pleased 20 bring down upon
the husband.
But all meetings must have an end,
and at last the husband, departing, rode
| to his tent. There he found q messenger
waiting for him.
"'Flag Of truce wants to SEQ you on
the picket line, sir. "
| Without dismounting, the newly
created general rode in the direction OF
Mission ridge and met ''the flag" at it,
base There stood mounted party Of
| Confederates, one Of them bearing q
white flag, headed by an officer, a son
Of the south who spoke every word az
though it Were OF momentous impor-
tance, never omitting the word "sir "
"Are you Colonel Maynard, sirT'
II am, or at least was l hardly
know what am just now. l should not
be surprised to be informed that was
to command all the armies Of the United
States.
| The officer looked puzzled.
"I AM the bearer, sir, Of q message
from Corporal Sir Hugh Ratigan. He is
to be married at o'clock this evening
at General Bragg's headquarters on Mis-
sion ridge"
"The devil no is!''
THAT is his intention. sir. He desires
your presence. "
| Whom does he marry"
Miss Caroline Fitz Hugh"
81 have been more surprised ut other
announcements, confess. don't won
der he invites me to his wedding, since
helped him to wife. "
"Shall transmit your acceptance ot
the invitation, siri"
'On one condition.
"Please name 1t, sir.
81 fear il will be unacceptable to
Colonel Fitz Hugh, who will doubtless
be the host or one Of tho hosts. He will
not likely yield in matter Of etiquette
which / must insist on. "
Colonel Fitz Hugh cannot be present,
sir. He is now in your rear with our
cavalry completing the starvation ol
your army in Chattanooga by destroying
your lines Of supply"
| Him Twas not aware OF any hunger
in our ranks Indeed my request Is
knowing that your own larder in the
Confederacy is not exactly abundant;
that the horn Of plenty is not buryiag
Won like Herculaneum under the ashes
of vesuvius; that the blockade
"The blockade is not effective, sir, y
interrupted the officer stiffly.
HAS somewhat reduced your wine
cellars, my condition is. say, that ]
may be permitted to bring half dozen
cases Of champagne for the wedding
feast"
IT assure you, SIR, that it Is not nee
essary. We are getting cargoes OF wine
from Havre by a regular line OF steam
ers. It is your own mess tables at Chat
tanooga that are doubtless bereft OF bev-
erages, owing to the fact that our Gen
eral Wheeler Is circus riding in Ten.
nessee, leaving no road or railroad open
''Do you consent that shall bring
the wine?"
at do, sir, but shall claim for the
host, . general officer related to the
bride, the privilege Of supplying al
equal number Of cases. "
agreed. I will meet You here at 9
O'Clock this evening, when you can con
duct me and my party to the place where
the ceremony is to take place. You may
say, if you please, that shall consider
the invitation extended to my wife.
whom I will bring with me-"
eve shall feel highly honored, sir,
at Mrs. Maynard's presence. Am l tc
infer, sir, that your wife has been able
to reach you over the burned bridges
and trestlework in your rear."
"She has found no difficulty what
ever in joining me. :"
Maynard failed to add that Laura had
only come few miles to meet him.
"Good day, sir, said the officer, rails.
ing his hat. II shall expect You at y
"Good day. Twill be Oh time"
And each rode away in the direction
of their respective camps.
| Maynard's offer Of the wine had come
about in this wise: Jakey, during the
previous week, had been investigating
such empty houses as he could find II
Chattanooga and had loaded himself
down with knickknacks, such as chins
ornaments, pictures, crockery, cutlery
including even daguerreotypes. On ont
occasion he thought he had discovered
box of muskets. This he reported Il
Colonel Maynard, whom he persuaded
to 20 with him to . cellar near by ant
make search for concealed arms Th'
muskets were found, besides half doz
en- cases Of champagne, which had doubt
less been there since the beginning o
the war.
Upon leaving the picket line May
nard rodo to the house where he hat
seen the wine and secured It for tn
evening. placing guard over It The'
he went to the hotel and bade Laura sc
ready to attend wedding
There was CONSERVATION In the Con
federate camp when the officer returne'
with the information that the Yanke
had tried to blum him By claiming tn
privilege Of bringing champagne witt
him. and that b had claimed ths sish