Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1901-06-19
CHAPTER wv

Ool. Richard Somers dismounted and
Took refuge upon the veranda OF a
little cottage that fronted a cross
road near Mechanicsville while his ar
tillery Numbered by and numbered
IN position to face the enemy. Men,
horses and officers were worn out with
fatigue and hard fighting and eager
for an opportunity to snatch a 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 Inequalities to
the officers who began TO swarm into
the yard. Clinging to her skirts was
little girl of six or seven wears.
whose fair complexion, blue eyes and
silken cuYls bespoke a patrician par
entage, Ft;t whose frail figure and in
cessant cough gave evidence of a
fatal weakness.
Her ma is done dead. sab" said the
old woman. respectfully, when Col.
Somers hurriedly questioned her con-
corning the family. IAN her pa left
70 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 Quit"
whey we gOih' move, sab? Don't
know nobody any better off'n we are
Toun' hyah. Marster tell me to STAY
right hyah. an | goin' ter stay hyah.
whey YOU started" Somcrs had other
things TO think about, and turned
away. Very likely the movement next
day would carry them beyond the cot
tage, and the danger was not press
Sng 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
able in the best rooms after the man
ner 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 the porch
for a moment, his thoughts reverted to
the cherished memento in his locket
the worthless message of love which
had so mysteriously reached him. 1t
was just one slender curl-the curl
that nae touched his cheek. he was sure.
and with il a name. They were enough;
m
more wildly the scenes OF that dark
@ned wing-room, nor have told him
more eloquently that within the ex-
cited city there was one heart which
held no hatred for him. IT was no hour
for dreaming. and he reused himself
TO the present. Around him were con
tending hosts Of doomed men, the spir-
81 Of war lowered over the rude camps
and death lurkcd in the shadows. eager
for bis harvest. From the distance. the
echoes Of dropping shots came family
20 the ear and presently what seemed
80 be small Volley This volley
claimed his attention and that Of the
Junior officers. and he had ordered
sergeant up TO inquire as to the cause.
when he sound Of rapid hoof-beats ap-
preached upon the road and i'm the dim
light a. he waited frightened horse
pursued by half dozen troopers. sped
~. Presently the men returned lead
ang The captured animal and CARRYING
5ts late rider. The latter was youthful
and clad in confederate gray. which
wss drcnched with blood and covered
with dust; for the wounded rider.
clinging desperately to the name Of
the horse as be lay extended upon A.
neck had finally fallen and been
dragged until the weight stopped tho
runaway. The face Of the unfortunate
fellow bad escaped. and so young and
so fair was if, even the hardened sol
diers we're touched
He insists upon seeing an officer"
said one OF them. Claims 20 have Sc
2rcts TO tell"
place him upon the porch and call
purgeon. Where did he come from2"
bo@sEs vas strangely affected.