The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-28
CHAPTER vi.
CONVhIESCENClG.

CONNhI.ESCENCF.
Aunt Marcio's diagnosis of Licutcn-
ant Oakman's case was accurate The
comparatively slight wound gradually
grew more angry and intlamed until
his system WAS atirc with fever and his
suifcrings were intense He walked the
floor two entire nights. stepping softly
lest ho disturbed the sleeping ones who
could give him no moro than their SYM
pathy. and he rested only when nature
succumbed
The fact that the old colored woman
forctold uncrringly every phase of his
case kept his confidence in her at par
LII her crude way she explained that
tho bullet. which ranged along the fore
arm under The sleeve Of coat and shirt,
, had carried some of tho cloth with it,
and 1t was this foreign substance that
was still within the wound which caus-
cd the irritation Until that was re.
moved by her treatment tho inhamma.
ton and pain would continue. but the
mischieyous substance would be exudcd
at somo hour on the fourth day, after
which his Improvement would be rpid
AND 1t came about precisely as she
eald, Indeed the relief was so marked
: that. as he expressed it, tho change was
liko heaven itself
a strong man desires to be let alone
when he is suffering Words of sym.
pathy do no good and generally are a
bore Lieutenant Oakman was glad that
Mrs EldridSc and her daughter under.
stood this truth and forbore intrudiny
upon him The effort to show the cour-
tesy and gratitude duo them would
have intensified his pain
But there were dclicacics sent to his
room. accompanied by kind wishes
borne by Aunt Marcic, that were the
sweetest Of balms How these people,
reduced to the most painful degree of
poverty. could furnish him with such
delicate and nourishing food was in
conceivable to the guest. All the slaves
had run OF excepting Pete his wife
and the boy Rastus The plantation
had been going to waste for Il long time
and 1t would seem that the production
was not sufficient for the srstcnance of
one person
And here were mother and daughter
accustomed 20 lives of refinement and
luxury. besides the three servants. none
want, though the poverty of attire. the
substitutes for genuine tea and coffee
and the mea%cr fare itself spoke clo.
qucntly Of the painful change of condi
tons
1T Is probable that this exemption
from the distress that came to thou
sands OF other homes was duo to q yari.
ETY. of causes as is known. the section
lay in the very heart of the Confedcr.
acy. where. until the visit of Sherman
and his army. the real presence of war
was not felt Although the men at
tached to the plantation had long since
gone TO war taking the most valuable
horses with them. Pete and his wife
were able to give more help to the
women than would be supposed Their
love for the mistress ana her daughter
led them to Il self denial that no one
besides themselves suspected
Since Lieutenant Oakman was not
ailinS in body and the arm which he
carried in Il sling was mcnding rapidly
there was no call for him to stay within
doors The second night on which he
walked the floor was tho most wretchcd
OF his life. a drizZling rain fell steadily
through the dismal hours. and the pat.
terin& on the roof. tho endless driDpinp
of the caves. the soughing of tho wet
branches drove him almost frantic, but
with his sudden release from anguish
the autumn sun burst forth in splendor,
as if rejoicing with him over tho blessed
surCeasC from misery
Stirring news had como to the Union
prisoner From some cause General
Sherman made an abrupt turn to the
northward in his line of march. thus
leaving the Eldridge plantation IL good.
ly number of miles to tho south. This
was an enormous relief to 80 officer
who knew too well the plundering pro.
clivitics Of many of his countrymcn.
which led them to regard everything
worth taking as Legitimate spoil He
dreaded IL visit from them. though cx.
pecting it, until he learned of the
change in the line Of march Several
squads Of cavalry had been seen hover.
ing in tho neighborhood, but they van.
lshcd without molcsting the women.