Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1901-07-25
CHAPTER Ky.

CHAPTER XIV.
Col Richard Somers dismounted and
took refuge upon the veranda of
little cottage that fronted a cross
road near Mechanicsville while his ar
tinery thundered by and unlimbered
IuS position to face the enemy. Men,
horses and officers were worn out with
fatigue and hard fighting and eager
for an opportunity to snatch few
hours of rest. The two great armies
had entered upon the memorable
seven days fight which was to swing
around Richmond and leave a bloody
path to Malvern Hill. The cottage
seemed deserted, but presently an
aged negress made her appearance
from somewhere and pathetically at
tempted to extend its hospitalities to
the officers who began to swarm into
the yard. Clinging to her skirts was
a little girl of six or seven years,
whose fair complexion, blue eyes and
BillIen curls bespoke a patrician par
entage, but whose frail figure and in
.cessant cough gave evidence of a
fatal weakness.
'Her ma is done dead, sah," said the
old woman, respectfully, when Col.
Gomers hurriedly questioned her con-
,cerning the family, AN her pa left
So you-all come; done come yistiddy
an go right back to town. He don't
stay hyar anyhow"
~But that child must not remain
here; she is in danger every moment.
You must move out!"
E<Whey we goin' move, sab? Don't
know nobody any better offn we are
roun' hyah. Marster tell me to stay
right hyah, an goin' ter stay hyah.
Better tex yo' folks an move on. sab,
whey you started" Somers had other
things to think about, ana turned
away. Very likely the movement next
day would carry them beyond the cot
tage, and the danger was not press
ing at the moment. In the morning
the child might be sent to the rear
If necessary, and tonight he rather
welcomed the adjuncts of refined life.
He had use for the old woman, for
he was but recently out of hospital
and somewhat spoiled by nursing. He
made himself and officers comfort
aale in the best rooms after the man
usr of old campaigners and prepared
for the short rest which he so much
needed.
Somers had made the necessary dis
positions and, left alone upon he porch
for a moment, his thoughts reverted to
the cherished memento in his locket.
the worthless message of love which
bad so mysteriously reached him. 1t
was just one slender curl-the curl
that had touched his cheek, he was sure,
and with it name. They were enough;
no words could have summoned up
more wildly the scenes of that dark
eued Wingroom, nor have told him
Enore eloquently that within the eX-
cited city there was one heart which
held no hatred for him. 1t was no hour
far dreaming, and he reused himself
Go the present. Around him were con-
teGding hosts of doomed men, the spir-
1T of war lowered over the rude camps,
and death lurked in the shadows, eager
for his harvest. From the distance, the
echoes of dropping shots came family
20 the ear, and presently what seemed
60 be a small volley. This volley
claimer his attention and that of the
junior officers, and he had ordered a
sergeant up to inquire as to the cause,
when the sound of rapid hoof-beats APP
preached upon the road, and in the dim
light as he waited a frightened horse,
pursued by half dozen troopers, sped
by Presently the men returned lead
iag the captured animal and carrying
ats late rider. The latter was youthful
aud clad in confederate gray, which
was drenched with blood and covered
with dust; for the wounded rider,
cliuging desperately to the name of
f&le' horse as he lay extended upon it's
neck had finally fallen and been
dragged until the weight stopped the
rurAEvay. The face of the unfortunate
fellow had escaped, and so young and
so fair was it, even the hardened SOL
GisEs were touched.
"Hs insists upon seeing an officer -
sASS, que of them. Claims to have Sc.
,rreEE 30 tell"
~Place him upon the porch and call a
acrgeon. Where did he come from p
,Somers was strangely affected.