The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-07-01
CHAPTER XxIII.
THE UNION SAVED

I caught the troops Just as they were
entering the city. All that we could have
wished for was accomplished. The whole
territory was surprised and defenseless.
and hundred miles OF railroad fell into
our hands. Machine shops, rolling stock
in abundance telegraph and all other
paraphernalia for operating the line We're
among the trophies. and on the morning
after the capture the men who had been
employed under the direction OF the Con-
fedcrate government went 10 work for tho
United States.
And now followed a rest for three
months, a longer stay I'm one place than
any l experienced during the war. IT
would have been the most delightful had
Il not been for my estrangcment rom
Helen Stanforth. Though i was welcome
at her fathers house, though the family
apparently became attached 70 me,
though Jack and Buck loved me rs i
loved them, Helen remained obdurate. In
vain / sought 20 soften her by those at
tentions with which men seek 70 entrap
a woman's heart. She would net even
treat me with Indifference. ] was 10 her
a renegade TO the south, an unpardonabie
offender.
reported the case OF Captain STAN
forth to the general and secured from
vide his time between his fathers house
and the Rutland plantation with his IL
ancee Jaquolue. who soon nursed him
back TO health. Captain Beaumont was
brought 70 Huntsville under guard, aud
interested myself I'm securing for him
an early exchange, which, after hearing
OF Jacks engagement. he was extremely
anxious TO obtain. He was passed through
the lines 10 Chattanooga, Yowing that he
would give his life TO the Confederacy IL
he could find a Yankee bullet TO assist
him. He was too manly and chiyalrous 20
cast the slightest blame on Jacs. for his
disappointment.
One morning / took my friends from
MIR. 's-excepung Heen-into
headquarters and introduced them 10 the
general He was aware OF our coming and
had directed that the outlaws should be
brought before him at the same time.
Are these the men?" he asked.
Eyes, general" ] replied.
TO an officer OF the guard he said:
take them away. don't wish to see any
more of them"
Jaquelinc, who had heard these words
once before, when they were applied 70
me, and consequently knew what they
meant, turned pale. She begged the gem
erai to spare them. He shook his head.
Impossible. They are the crowning bar
barity Of war"
but. general. that one" pointing to
Captain Ringold. ''he helped US"
'Ah / had forgotten that" Then, turn
ing TO Ringold
IF set at liberty. how long will you re-
quirc 10 get out of my lines?'
II will go at once"
"Go, and IL you are seen about here af-
ter tattoo this evening you will follow
your men"
The reprieved man sprang toward
49, NJ
From this moment am changed
man." he said TO her, 'and your bright
eyes and kind heart have done IT," In
another moment he was gone.
Captain Stanforth was soon exchanged
and before leaving TO join his regiment
was united to Jaqueline Tho wedding
took place at the Rutland plantation Tho
groom did me the honor 10 request me 10
act as his best man, Jaqueline doubtless
having Influenced his choice. | gladly ac-
cepeed, hoping that. since Helen was TO
serve as first bridesmaid, our being
thrown together might heal the breach
between us. Ten minutes before the ccre-
mony Jaqueline was strumming Ginger's
banjo and ten minutes after she had be-
come a bride was standing on the rear
gallery tossing presents ~ crowd OF
black people below whose upturned faces
indicated the alteration in which they held
their young mistress.
l was disappointed in my hope that the
festivities would thaw the obdurate heart
OF the woman / loved. She remained cold
even when her hand was laid on my arm
before and after the ceremony. Later.
finding her apart from the others. l APP
preached her.
Have you not one kind word for me?"
asked.
mot one. ] can respect n northern sol
dier, not a southern man who wears the
blue"
BE II as you wish"
Mounting my horse, / rode back 20
camp with a heavy heart.
The advantage gained by our force at
Shiloh and our own bloodless conquest OF
northern Alabama were not vigorously
followed up. The enemy withdrew 10 Tu-
pelo. Miss. where ne formed new army,
which early IN the fall marched under the