Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-02-25

NOT SO BAD"
hand when they, too, would have to be
made amenable to the laws of war.
1t isn't week since one of them ran
OFF with one of our prisoners here, and
you know what trick was played by
DR.. Chilton's daughter"
And now indeed did Benton's face
begin to burn, a thing the captain
and the silent listeners were quick to
note.
You have your receipt for your
prisoner, l presume. Then I'll not de-
tain you further, only-come this way
We've got to question your friend Jen-
nings next and so saying the captain
led his visitor through a second room
where at crowded desks a score of
clerks were writing. When do you
go to the white house?" he suddenly
asked.
Il don't know. l expected to learn
here. But l hoped to have time to get
refreshened up a bit, and | need
new"
Nonsense, You look as though
you'd just stepped out of a bandbox
in that uniform. Ask Mr.. Stone 20
come here" be added, to a statuesque
soldier at the door.
THE uniform may be all right. but
what | need is sash and side arms"
said Benton, still weighted with the
traditions Of his regular" regiment.
Never mind them, The president
never notices what a man wears or
knows what he himself has on.
1 suppose he wants 70 hear what you saw
and heard-and something about the
Chiltons. for they seem to be in hot
water. All, Mr.. Stone, what time was
Mr.. Benton TO report to the white
house?"
| Il was to bring him over as soon as
he arrived. sir. Is this the gentleman ?"
| And young man in civilian garb
| bowed courteUusly. Then, with
1 promise to return, as there were mat
! tiers on which Gen. Thomas wished to
! question him, Benton hurried away.
1t was not vet nine o'clock but al
| ready half a dozen carriages were
halted along the semi-circular drive in
( front ~of the mansion. and number
| or pallid, anxious women and grave
Visaged men were gathered about the
/ beautiful. colonnaded portico. Through
the waiting group the messenger swift
| ly led his charge. Mr.. Stone led Ben
ton to long window facing the river
and the heights of Arlington beyond.
left him there and disappeared. A
| moment or two later that door opened.
and the two secretaries did not even
rise or discontinue their work A tall.
| bony, man, with brown. sunken cheeks
1 nrlln -tr.fI f,,yr ~,
ling coat tails out of the way. the
| president unhinged somewhere about
the middle and dropped on the edge
| of the table
Laying his long, lean hand on Ben
tons knee, he ben, earnestly toward
him. Il need TO know all you can tell
me about DR.. Chiffon and his family"
said he. Some Of our vehement. war
to-the-hilt people are practically de-
handing the arrest of a southern fam
| lily here TO he dealt with in precisely the
same way certain Virginians propose
to deal with the doctor and that
spirited daughter of his. No harm as
yet" for here the Young soldiers face
had blanched and his eyes filed with
dread and anguish. NO harm. that
is Have we further news this
morning." he turned and asked the
busy secretary at the nearest desk.
fitting the while one long leg over the
other and clasping the bony knee with
both hands. Your general gave us the
particulars of your escape so far as
you had told him, and it is noted that
| you In no way reveal the names CI
those who aided YOU, but now
| What is it, Mr.. Nicholay?" for witt
solemn face, the cont lential secretary
holding an open letter in his hand
now stood at the presidents elbow
Mr.. Lincoln TOOK the paper, knitted his
| brows and began TO read.
1T came from the secret service
Mr.. President. not ten minutes ago.
said the secretary. Col Baker, l be
/ lleVe, is in the ante-room."
Benton felt like gripping the arms OF
his chair, for the room seemed swim
ming as the president looked quickly
up. Not so bad" said he, IF we car
only take care of them here They
nave simply banished them-fathel
and daughter. both"