Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-11-17

Indignation, and narrowly did he es-
cape court-martial for the hot wrath
OF his reply. He demanded a court of
inquiry but to no purpose There was
little evidence but his own. He con-
tinued to serve with Wadsworth, who,
from having been more than half in
clired at one time to share Stanton's
views, had now reasons of his own for
differing radically with that tremen-
dous power, and took up the cudgels
Tor Fred in his vehement fashion, and
might have gotten into serious trouble
OF his own had it not been for tbs, shot
the wilderness. Then Benton was
transferred for time to the headquar-
tiers OF the cavalry corps, and rode
with Sheridan to Yellow Tavern,
where the plumes Of Stuart went down
at last, and the brilliant leader of the
southern horse was borne away to
die within the walls of the weeping
city, and here it was, after Yellow Tav-
ern, Fred Benton had one of the odd
est, yet most opportune, meetings Of
the war.
1t was a soft, moonlit night in May,
Three confederate officers, endorsed
and captured, had been brought to
Sheridan's camp fire near the Rich
mond road. and il one of these Ben
ton instantly recognized young Win
ston, wearing now the braid of major
Of cavalry. The recognition was mu-
tual, and Benton's well-filled flask was
brought into requisition at the instant
Benton saw the Virginian was in deep
chagrin. A question as to Louns.
berry's whereabouts was all that was
needed, and Winston launched at once
Internal luck, he SAID. For months
three men had been nounding that fel-
low to get an accounting from him on
a matter that-that-well, Pelham's
sister had been engaged-at least be-
lieyed herself engaged-to Lounsberry
ever since early in the war, yet in
January came the announcement of his
approaching marriage 10 widow of
wealth and social position in Charles
ton. He had tricked Maud most damn
ably, said Winston. and Lloyd Pelham,
the very young fellow who was so near
ly killed trying to save Lounsberry out
there near Gainesville, a captain now
and only 20, had been trying to get a
fight out Of him, and SO had Jack Chill
ton, but Floyd had the best claim, and
now Lounsberry had actually been
nailed. He had come to Stuart with
dispatches and Pelham had slashed
him in the face with his gauntlet A
meeting had been arranged for to-mor-
row morning. He, Winston. was Pei
hams second, and would almost give
his parole, were such a thing possible
back to the confederate lines and bring
that fellow to book.
you owe him grudge as well as
Maud Pelham's kinsmen," said he.
Sooner or later he's got to fight or
funk. can't be there to second Pei
ham. and now there's no telling when
any of us can get at him.
Why not Chilton?" asked Fred.
"Chilton!" and Winston flushed with
embarrassment Chiffon has just
been sent away on-other duty"
with his wounded leader and kins-
man-to Richmond" hazarded Fred
Mo-" was the hating reply. In
feet Winston could not say whittier he
had gone.
1t seemed long indeed before any
Of those who owed Lounsberry a
drudge were enabled to get at him"
But there came time, and not to those
that wore the gray, but to Benton, still
serving with Sheridan.
Grant had crossed the James and in
vested Petersburg, when to shake him
loose, if possible, by the old device of
soaring Washington, Early was sent
down the Shenandoah valley, with 49,
Geo men and orders to stir up Mary
land. Stir accordingly he did, until
the arrival of the Sixth corps from the
James and the approach of the Nine
tenth. Then Early harked back,
leaving just few of his men cut off
by sudden rush of union cavalry,
one of these young captain of his
own staff. an almost invaluable Off
Ger. So, this warm August even
ing, as Benton came riding down
from scout among the beautiful
heights that border the valley on the
east, he stopped his horse at the public
trough and caught a glimpse of three
forms that had stopped short at sight
Of the blue-jackets and, after mo-
ment's hesitation, had turned back the
way they came. One, an elderly clergy
man, gave his arm to a gentlewoman
evidently bowed with care and sorrow.
The third form was that of girl, slen-
der graceful, and in her walk there
was something vaguely familiar to
Benton's eyes, even before he noted
that she wore a drab felt hat, broad
brimmed and feathered. Benton fol-
lowed to the corner, and saw the girl
enter the gateway of an unpretentious
little home, while the other two walked
slowly on. Quickly he crossed the
street, followed along a hedge of rose
bushes, turned sharply through the
gate, and face to face at the trellised
porch met the girl whom he had first
ceap cauntariDo alonp that loafv eide