The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-12-20

all. He continued to serve his gun and
fire it as rapidly as he could. Shot and
shell from the federal be. .eries plowed
up the ground around him, but never
touched him. Presently Vll man
with long brown beard rode out OF the
smoke and ordered little Billy to re-
treat, pointing, as he did so, to the
bristling line of federals charging up
the hill.
Take hold of my stirrup." said the
tall man. He spurred his horse into
rapid trot, and little Billy trotted by his
side, nightly helped by holding on to
the stirrup. In this way they were
soon out of it, and in little while had
caught up with the main body, which
had planted itself couple of mi
farther back, while the brigade IN
which little Billy had fought was hold
ing the enemy at bay.
Little Billy's face was black with
powder, but his eyes shone like stars.
He knew now that never again would
danger or the fear of death cause him
to finch.
what regiment do you belong tor"
asked the tall man, as they went along.
"None," replied little Billy, simply.
Then he told how he was just from a
conscript camp in Georgia. When they
arrived at the confederate position the
tall man called to an officer.
This is my rear guard" said he. "See
that he is cared for" Then TO little
Billy: "When this affair blows over.
,.,I Vai.
He needs a courier, and you are the
man."
AS there was no sign OF fight the
next day, little Billy went to Gen.
Stuart's headquarters and was ushered
in. That famous fighter, who happened
to be the officer who had noticed him
the day before, took him by the arm
and introduced him to his staff, and
told how he had found him serving a
gun TO retreat.
This was the beginning. Little Billy
became courier, then an aid, and
when the war closed he was in COM
mand of a regiment. His recklessness
as fighter had given "a sort of roman
tic color to his name, SO that the news
paper correspondents found nothing
more popular than some anecdote ABOUT
Col. Cochran.
His fame had preceded him to Hills
borough, and ne had n queer feeling
when the older citizens, men who had
once awed him by their pride and their
fine presence, took off their hats as
they greeted him. The most demon
strative among those was Maj. Goolsby.
"You are TO como right 10 10y house,
colonel. You belong to us, you know"
This was Maj. Goolsby's greeting, as
he olung to Col. Cochran's hand. lit
will be great surprise 20 Mary. She'll
never know you In the round world.
Why, you've grown to be "a six-footer."
So there was nothing for Col Coch-
ran To do but 80 go 10 the Goolsby
place, a fine house built on hill beyond
the old church. The major wanted
e. give his daughter n surprise, and
so he carried Col. Cochran into the par
Ior, and then told Miss Mary that one OF
her friends had called to sec her.
The young lady went skipping into
the parlor, and then paused, with
frightened air, as she saw n six-foot
man in faded uniform rise To meet
her.
Miss Mary" said Col. Cochran, hold.
ing out his hand.
Are YOU She paused, grew
white and then red. and suddenly
turned and ran out of the room, near
ly upsetting the major, who was stand-
ing near the door.
why. what OFT earth's the matter ."
he cried. "Wcll, IL this don't beat
Did she know you. colonel"
colonel, griiniy.