Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-07-17
A MESSAGE.

| 1t was the SIZING OF 1866. Nnjor
| Moses was carrying gold bullion to de-
liver to the Fedeal authorities stationed
in Augusta aftei Lees surrender. The
war had confusednen' ideas, Ynd the SOL
i diers, who we're unpaid, swore that the
! gold was as much theirs as any ones. In
front OF the angy crowd swaying round
/, the side track where Major Moses had
/; switched OF the teasure car stood keung
soldier. his arm n a sling, who woe the
! epaulets Of an Inferior officer He was
tramping home ftcr tho surrender, for he
had been with Ice in Petersburg and
helped to form that thin, gray line''
which Kept Graft at bBy during that ter
rible winter.
He was heartsore and desperate, but his
dark eyes flashed as he heard Major Moses
say firmly:
1T is my duly to deliver this gold to
the United Stacs government-the gov.
eminent which has conquered us-and T
shall do 50. Tie law as well as our hon.
Or
Here q ragged little drummer boy began
to pound his d.um, drowning the rest OF
the sentence. The crowd, scizing the
treasure car, began pushing it toward the
depot, but Major Moses, who stood in
front of tho train, leapcd forward, spranR
into the doorway us it rolled along and
drawing his sword, cried, 1t is intrusted
to me to deliver, and I will defend it with
my life!"
The car soon reached tho depot, ana
there two or three officers came to Major
Moses assistance. They appealed to the
honor, the patriotism, Of the crowd, but
they appealed in vain
Ihe gold belongs to us! ~ the soldiers
cried. We have fought and bled for the
south, and we will not let you hand it over
70 the Yankees and leave US here to
starve''
Shall we 60 to seek for our wives and
childreny+whose homes are in ashes, empty
hnndedY cried the young officer with the
sling, who seemed to have fallen naturally
into the position of ringlcadcr, in u voice
whose passion and desperation thrilled
across every heartstring.
Followed by the desperate, hungry, con
quered crowd, he sprung upon the treasure
car
Major Moses had advanced, sword In
hand. swearing to plunge it into the first
man who entered, when the young officer
caught the naked blade. Major Moses
eyes fell upon his epaulets.
sHoldfa he said. IL am one and you
are 1nany,ss but your rank sir, indicates
that you are gentleman and your wound
that you are a gallant soldier. appeal to
you in the name Of that spirit of honor
which belongs to all brave men to assist
me IN She discharge OF my trust and your
oountry's.
The young officer was silent a moment,
but he was conquered.
must, I suppose" he said at length,
and turning to the crowd he said: boys,
am one OF you-as poor as hungry, as
hoIneless-but we have not lost all Let
us still keep our honor as brave men, 2
Sprlnging down, he went about from
group to group until he quieted them.
Then returning to MINOR Moses he saluted
and said:
"Sir, you can now continue your trip
to Augusta in safety. They will rot dis.
turb you again.
With q farewell glance of pity for those
whose garb rcscmbled his own he turned
and left the crowd. Many of them NUT.
tered angrily as he passed. He sat down
under Il great Pine up which jasmine
had clamborcd, bearing long arms full of
beauty and fragrance far up it's stately
height But he fecdcd neither the radiance
nor the loneliness about him as he drew
from his pocket q stained, worn letter and
began to read it aloud:
DEAR JAcK-Do come at once. We are In
actual want OF food, and baby is ill
He read no further. His voice broke In
MS throat in great sob.
God help you, Nellie, If you are walt
Ing for help ut your husbands hands! Oh
my God! had two, but have only one
left to fight the enemy, poverty, from our
home, II we have u home yet Oh, Nelliel
My poor Ncllic!''
With groan he flung himself down
ward upon the pine needless his head upon
the arm of the hand which clutched the
letter convulsively
A slight noise aroused him, and looking
up he saw q mounted Union soldier, q
mere boy, who held small shot bug full
OF something. He had evidently observed
the entire scene, for u suspicious moisture
dim,ded his brave blue eyes
Hello, Johnny Rcb!' he cried. Home
sick? Two got to go home toto New
York--and have just got my pay, but
guess you need it more than 1 do. can
get some OF tho boys to help me out" and
he threw the bag of gold ut his feet.
The rcbel rose to his full height and,
picking up the bag, extended it to the
Union soldier.
Do you think" he asked scornfully,
that I, who have refused to take gold be-
longing to us, will touch this?''
X guess you'n have to, returned the
boy soldier, his blue eyes flushing one
merry glance into the disdainful brown
ones. SO long!' he cried as he put spurs
to his horse and gallopcd away
The young officer, after moments
hesitation, put the letter in his pocket and
whispering softly, 'For Ncllie's sake"
went on toward the blue mountains where
his home lay i'll ashes and where Nelliu
waited for him, with softcned thoughts for
the enemy who had conquered 60 Qsner-
ously. .
1t takes a fine nature to DO nobly con-
qucred-to bury in the grave of q past IL
sue all bitterness and hard feeling.
This true story was related to me by ono
OF Atlanta's most successful merchants
and as write the last words the small
soft hand OF his beautiful daughter and
heiress Is laid upon my arpl.
want you to send n message for mo
IN your story" her sweet voice cntreata
want you to tell That blue eyed soldie.
that welcome is always waiting for him
in one southern homo US well rs in the
heart of that officer, the nucleus Of whose
fortune once lay in the little canvas bag
no f1llny "a nv far Co,