Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-11-05
CHAPTER XIV.

Col. Richard Somers dismountcd and
took refuge upon the veranda of a
little cottage that fronted cross
road near Mechanicsville while his ar
tillery Numbered by and unlimbered
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
hsd e..sc-es Spon ,as memorable
seven days fight which was to swing
around Richmond and leave a bloody
path to Malvern dill. The cottage
seemed deserted, but presently an
aged negress made her appearance
from somewhere and pathetically at
tempted TO extend it's Inequalities 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
silken curls bespoke a patrician par
entage, but whose frail figure and in
cessant cough gave evidence of
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
TO 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 goin' move, sab? Don't
know nobody any better off'n 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, and 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
# 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
eer of old campalgners ana preparer
for the short rest which he so much
needed.
Somers had made the necessary dis
positions and, left alone upon the porch
for moment, his thoughts reverted to
the cherished memento in his locket,
the worthless message Of love which
had so mysteriously reached him. It
was just one slender curl-the curl
thathad Eouche ed his cheek, he was sure,
and with ut n anne. They were enough:
no words could have summoned up
more wildly the scenes of that dark
ened wing-room, nor have told him
more eloquently that within the ex-
cited city there was one heart which
held no hatred for him. 1t was no hour
for dreaming, and he reused himself
to the present. Around him were con-
tending 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 dist ance, the
echoes of dropping shots came family
to the ear, and presently what seemed
to be a small volley. This volley
claimed 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 ap-
preached upon the road, and in the dim
light as he waited frightened horse,
pursued by half dozen troopers, sped
by. Presently the men returned lead
ing the captured animal and carrying
its late rider. The latter was youthful
and clad in confederate gray, which
was drenched with blood and covered
| with dust; for the wounded rider,
ciinging desperately to the name OF
the horse as he lay extended upon its
neck, had finally fallen and been
dragged until the weight stopped the
runaway. The face of the unfortunate