The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-28
A STORY OF GENERAL LEE.

stars as they floated slowly TO the ground,
and brown chestnuts cleaned satin-like
through their gaping burs: while over all
there rested a dense stiffness, cut now and
then by the sharp yelp of dog as he
scurried through the bushes after a rabbit.
Surrounded 10y this splendid autumn
beauty stood Mountain Top Inn. near the
crest of the Blue Ridge in Roekfish Gap. its
historical value dating from the time when
Jefferson, Madison. and Monroe, after a
long and spirited discussion in one Of its
low-ceiled rooms, decided upon the loca-
ton Of the University of Virginia.
On the porch of this old inn there now
sat little boy, idly swinging a pair of
sun-tanned legs. Occasionally he tickled
IN old liver colored hound that lay doing
In limp heap; but being rewarded only
by tnothless snaps at very long intervals.
he finally grew tired of this amusement,
and stretching himself out on his back. he
these dream times, when he let his
thoughts loose. they always bore him TO
the very same field, and here his fancy
painted pictures with the vivid eolors of a
boys imagination: pictures so strong that
they left him flushed and tingling with
pride; again, pictures that brought a cool,
choking feeling TO his throat; and at times
pictures that made his childish mouth
CULVER and droop. Among all of these
thought scenes, at intervals there
would stand out the real ones, scenes that
were etched Oh the clean walls of his
memory IN everlasting strokes.
He never tired thinking of that first
morning-that morning when all the world
seemed gilded with sunshine and throbbing
with martial music His grandfather had
lifted him up on one of the big gate
posts TO see the soldiers march by. With
mingled feelings of admiration and child
ish envy he had watched them drill for
many weeks, but they hid never seemed
such real, grand soldiers antil now, as they
came marching by with quick. firm steps,
keeping time TO the clear staccato notes
off to real battlefields. Ii was
all SO beautiful. splendid, and gay-the
music. the soldiers. the people, the hurrah-
ing, 1t stirred his senticnt little body
through and through with a kind of Joy,
and he thought it so strange that his moth
er's ewes were full OF tears.
Just few days later he had listened ca
gerly TO the sharp, cracking sound of
guns and the rumbling thunder of cannon
so near that the air seemed to vibrate He
and another little boy had stood and talk |
ed in high, quick tones, Dragging and pre- |
1icting breathlessly the result of the bat |
lie as they used the term .'our men"
Finally they climbed tine tallest oak on |
he lawn and strained their young eyes |
o see which was "geStin' whipped =
A little while after this he remembered |
ollowing his father through the long hos
'ital ward. Over the first bed he saw him
toop and loosen the white cotton band
ges of a wounded man. On the next mar
ow cot there was a slender boy of fifteen.
Who lay with clenched hands watching the /
work. of the surgeon. Then they passed
Woman. who was gently bathing the fore
lead OF man whose soldier days seemed
likely to come 10 an early end.
Some weeks had gone by. when one day
lie followed a party of men to Marye's
Heights. Ii was a short time after the
'attle Of Fredericksburg. A light snow
lad fallen the night before. which the
Wind whirled and sifted about the dead.
n way that made them appear TO be
Once a sharp gust blew the
now of a body lying on his face, and the
oys eyes filled He scarcely needed the
ak of the men with whom he had gone
lis thoughts were held fast by the awful
Gene which lay spread before his youn,;
yes.
How often since then had the boy pic
nred himself grown man, seated on Just
UGH fine horse and following Lee! Il
as always Lee; in his dreamlairi through
he heart of the battle he always followed
en-. Robert Z. Lee. his hero, whom he
ad never seen. but whoa he had car
led halo-crowned ia his heart ever since
e could remember.
And then the very saddest day in his
fe had come-the day when the first news
Lees surrender lay heavy on the hearts
the household. For while he had fol-
'wed his mother as she went silently.
18th closed white lips, from one duty to
mother. Finally be went out to seek com
'rt from Uncle Jake. whom he found sit
ng with his back propped against the |
de of the corn-crib. drawing little quick
uffs of smoke from his pipe.
Uncle JOKE" he said, Lees just had
s'render."
Yes, honey. ] done heahud bout hit"
nd as he looked into Uncle Jake's little |
I'd. watery eyes. he saw no comfort there {
nd turned away. Then Uncle Jake said
cry tenderly: "Nuyvuh you min, son:
you had ben uh grow'd-up man you'd |
whipped um sho. Tine Jake gw!ne tub !
Seven months had gone by since the war !
ad ended; STILL on this October afternoon
: the boy lay stretched out on the porch
the old inn, he dreamed his boyish !
Teams OF romance and heroism
suddenly his attention was attracted BY {
le sound of hoofs. and turning his head S
: saw man riding slowly down the road {
new arrival at the inn was always most I
teresting. An eager light came into the
,y's eyes as he watched the rider. who s
Nv near enough for him to see how Ir1n- 4
he sat in his saddle. The man seemed
very part Of the strongly built horse. h
hich carried him with an ease that in r
Gated long habit. !,
wiry little negro had also seen the ap +
oaching horseman, and was now hurry a
g across the lawn 10 meet him u
May l spend the night here, my man." a
ked the stranger.
'Yessuh-yessuhi" answered Uncle Jake n
lickly, and opening the gate he stepped
It and caught the bride near the bit.
the horseman swung out of the ereak- | II
g saddle to the ground.
Uncle Jake, take the horse around 10
e stable!" called out the boy. who felt q
at the honors Of hospitality rested on O
m, there being no one else in sight Then |
ran briskly down the walk to meet the :
ranger. who extended his fine. strong
nd with a little smile, and said very =,
ndly:
How do you do. sir?'' 81
I'm well" replied the boy.
And what is your name?"
Jimmy" q
Jimmy? Well, Jimmy is nice name" n
said. Then he turned, and still held
e boys hand as he watched the little old !;
gro, who stood with his head under the 81
uptoeing and straining in his o'
ort to unfasten the grth. Finally, when
succeeded, he flung the saddle on the ol