Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1899-09-13

were entirely forgotten. IL was Charlie
Cady, my old chum and the best friend
ever had on earth. Charlie and had
met ut college. When our school DAYS
were at an end. we settled in the same
city and rOomed together His friends
were mine; mine were his.
In all ways but one our habits. tastes
and inclinations were alike The excep-
tion was political He had been born
and raised up north. while my first
glimpse of the light was through the
magnolia trees in Dixie. This difference
of opinion did not disturb our relations.
however. Nothing could have done
that. While both of us were headstronR
and determined on the question. neither
for an instant doubt the sincerity or
honesty of purpose of the other So il
came about that when the sections
called upon their children to come To
their aid Charlie Loyalty shouldered
gun for his and ] as dutifully did the
same for mine. We parted in sadness
but only as friends can part. At the
end of the line, his duties being ended
temporarily. Charlie at once made his
way back to me. and / shall never for
get his greeting. He grasped my hand
with such fervor and emphasis and
pulled me To him and hugged me with
such terOcity that speech was cut of the
question until his aiiecti0nate demon
straticns bad partially sub,ided He
looked me over from head 10 feet. and
l never knew him To laugh more heart
lily.
''Jim. said he. finally catching his
breath, this thing of busting up the
United States government isn't as soft
snap as its cracked up To be. is it2'
"No. captain
Charlie IL YOU please"
We'll, no Charlie il isn't. Least
ways. I've discovered il ism I my forte.
If you can yet me some place where ]
can hoe potatoes and eat square meal
every week CT two. shall be perfectly
content 10 i.i this government go right
along dom, business at the old stand
the balance of my days"
We held half an hours conversation.
devoted mostly to matters and things
pertaining 20 our earlier and better
days. asked about Marion DAYTON.
Was she alive. and if 50 did he think
she could ever forgive me for running
off south and kicking up such a row
that Charlie was compelled To 90 and
capture and lock me mp To make me be.
havey Marion Dayton What delight
full memories were aroused at mention
OF her name. We used 10 call her our
sweetheart. though | some way felt she
was more Charities than mine. being a
northern girl and of loyalty so pro-
nounced as 10 he with her religion.
She WAS as kind, as gentle. as gracious
girl as ever walked in the sunlight
And mentally as bright and witty as
she was gentle and gracious. 1t was re-
freshment To be in her company. even
TO be where one could now and then
look into the peaceful lovable face Of
the dear girl How natural it came to
ask Charlie what she would think Of
my conduct.
"Why certainly. shell forgive you.
Jim. Marion couldn't harbor i'll feeling
against anybody, much less you or me.
Jim. You know that as well as l do.
But enough Of that just now. You
will go north in few days. Ny com
mand will be in charge and hope to be
able To arrange matters so that if you
VIII NSltC ~ ntiAUNt III luluit lDGIG
will be no great difficulty in the way Of
getting yOu out of this pickle. Just
keep your own counsel, obey orders and
trust 10 me.
He pressed my hand and was away
AS he disappeared | made n mental re-
solve to the effect that Charlie Cady-
well, that Charlie and Marion were the
best and dearest people in this world Of
sin and sorrow.
Ten days later we We're in a north
ern prison. One morning an orderly
came in and beckoned me 10 follow him.
In an outer office l was put through
the form of swearing on my honor as
soldier that until properly exchanged
(Which hoped would be never) would
not attempt To Overturn the United
States government, and the door to
freedom opened for me. On leaving my
escort placed note in my hand. 1t
was from Captain Cady. informing me
that he lay Ill in st. Louis and asking
me 10 call ON him. | lost no time in
complying with the request. That even
ing ! sat by his cot, fOrgetful of all my
misfOrtunes in ministering to his com
fort. Campaigning had broken him in
health 1t was plain to see that unless
he could be relieved from duty he was
not long for this world. l was therefore
glad to learn that his application for
discharge had already been filed and
passed upon favorably and that as soon
as the surgeon deemed his removal safe
he would be restored to private life and
his friends. For month remained
with him. Overjoyed at the end of that
time to emerge from the hospital with
my dearest friend on my arm. All that
he now required was quiet and rest.
With funds which he furnished was
a hopeless financial wreck hustled
around and secured apartments in n
private family on clean. quiet street
in the west end and we settled down to
a resumption of an easy antebellum ex-
istence. l had written for the press be-
fore the notion seized me to 90 out
with grim visaged war and whoop up
things, and had little difficulty in Sc
curing employment.
Charlie gained health and strength
daily, meals were coming with monOt-
l 10 o,.,S 70 oil