The National tribune., 1901-06-06

there was of my escaping. 1t seemed
small, indeed. The COlOners headquar
ters were in house standing on the brow
of a hill. about a quarter of mile from
the road which wound along the bank OF
the river. Between the house and the road
were pitched the tents of his detachment
of soldiers, who would be certain to cut
off my escape.
| felt that | was in n desperate Situa'
tion, but resolved to make the best of it
Perhaps all would be well yet. | certain
ly resembled George yelling very much,
and | had good reasons to assign for my
presence for | had managed to appro-
pirate letter of Mr. Buffers to George
while in the latter's room. and ascertain
ing from it that he knew that George was
q Lieutenant in the Confederate army. l
had managed to fall in such Il way as to
injure my right arm quite badly, and now
carried it in sling.
1t was fast getting we'll under treat
ment | was administering, but / felt 1t
furnished n good reason for the leave OF
absence, which l would claim to have.
rs that yours?' asked the Colonel,
showing the picture.
You mean is it of me, do you not?''
1 asked, forcing smile. But how did
you get it?"
Il will tell you" said he, dropping into
his chair, evidently satisfied with my re-
ply. Il have a nephew who Is Ser
geant in
What. Serg't Brownel?' 1 exclaimed,
for l had heard George speak of him.
Yes" said the Colonel; 'and Will was
his picture So this is Lieut.. Wellin. I.
Well, | am happy to meet you" and he
extended his right hand, which | grasped
cordially with my left.
$50 you injured your hand and got a
furIOugh, eh?" said the Colonel.
"Yes." l replied; but it's doing nicely,
and | hope to soon return to my COM
mand."
MAY be you're better off here" he re-
marked: 'but l suppose you are like all
young fellows, anxious to be at the front:
81 think it our duty to be there. sir, if
we are able"
''Yes, yes; to be sure. Well, Lieuten-
ant, / am sorry that my men interfered
with you. although am glad to have met
you. | guess you will have to accept my
hospitality tonight. and tomorrow | will
send an escort with you to prevent further
hindrances."
Thank you" l said; "dOn't trouble
yourself about the interruption. ] realize
how needful it is to be careful these peril
Gus times
"Yes, it is" he said 81 hope you will
not be badly put out by the necessary
delay"
"Oh. 1 shall not 1 replied MY uncle
does not know that l am coming, and it
will only cut my visit short one day"
'Wel, then. we will make the best of
it" said the Colonel, rising and touching
a bell, telling the servant who answered
the summons to bring dinner for two.
1t was soon served and proved to be an
excellent repast, to which l. at least, did
full justice, after my long ride.
l spent a very pleasant evening with
the Colonel smoking and chatting on nu-
merOus topics and gaining much informa-
tion of the different movements cOntem-
plated by the Confederates about Rich
mond.
After breakfast the next morning. the
Colonel faithful to his promise, ordered
my horse brought and detailed a squad,
the same one that had brought me yes
terday. to accompany me.
The Corporal was much more civil, hav-
ing been informed who l was by the
Colonel, and | had quite a pleasant ride,
arriving at the Butler estate about I
O'clock
was little bothered about my meeting
with Mr.. Butler, whom / had never seen,
but thought / could trust my judgment
In the matter of recognizing him.
An old man was sitting on the porch.
reading, as we rode up to the house. and
] at once decided that he was my uncle
to-be, 4 decision which was Immediately
confirmed by the Corporal. who said
"GoOd-day, Judge: I've brought yo' yer
nephew"
''How do you do?" / said.
''Gcorge, by all that's good" exclaimed
the old gentleman. jumping up excitedly
and hurrying toward us.
Careful, uncle, | said. as he started
to seize my hand: 81 am a cripple"
you don't mean that those cussed
Yanks shot you," he exclaimed.
"Oh, no." / answered. Its only
sprain; but it gave me a chance to visit
you"
"WeIl. we'll; am glad of it: but you
must be tired and in need of refresh
Inents. Here, joe" he called to the negro
put the gentlemans horse away and
feed it."
Well. good-by Lieutenant" said the
Corporal, preparing 10 go.
'GOod-by," answered. "TeII the
Colonel | got here all right"
Hold on. said Mr.. Butler. authori-
tatiyely; you're not going yet. Just put
yOur horses up and come in. and the cook
will give you some refreshments, you and
your men,
Nothing 10th, the Corporal obeyed.
while | followed Mr. Butler into the house.
II was a large, rambling affair, built
in the old colonial style. and had spacious
well kept grounds.
j found the interior very attractive and
felt that under other circumstances
would enjoy a sojourn there very much
After lunch of bread and butter and
cold meats and n dessert OF fruits and
wine. we repaired to the porch TO smoke
and talk
OF course, Mr. Butler asked me many
questions about the Wellings and about
what the Confederates were doing at
Nashville and the vicinity, which / was
prepared TO answer
Mr.. Butler was a rank Secessionist,
and il required all my will power to force
myself to listen in apparent agreement to
his bitter denunciations of 1.-The Lincoln
Government"
He showed me part OF his fine estate
that afternoon, and learning that | was
anxious to visit Richmond, he said that
we would go up the next day. At an early
hour the next morning the family car
riage drew up at the door. and Mr. But
Ter and ! got in and were driven to the
nearest railway station, which was II
miles distant.
'We will be back on the o'clock train
tomorrow, Joe" said Mr.. Butler to his
coachman. Return for us at that time. -
"All right, sab" said the negro, as he
drove away.
We found the train well filled with SOL
diers. but Mr.. Butler was well known and
we were at once given seats.
He introduced me to everybody as his
nephew Lieut.. yelling, as he did later
In Richmond.
AS the train drew near the rebel cap
itol could see on every hand the immense
preparations the Confederates had made
to defend it.
The whole country seemed girded with
fortihcations. Every approach 10 the city