Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-10-16

go over 70 the stable and see about my horse"
the steps, wheeling out husky greeting
She is too old to hurt anyone" said Jimmy.
Z" Is she yours?"
No. sir. Tips mine Listenl" he exclaimed, as the
sharp yelp OF dog again broke the stiffness That's
TIP He goes off and runs rabbits all by himself"
Perhaps he is after fox"
No. sir; Tip won't fox"
running fox a rabbit"
No. sir"
"Wel if he is trailing rabbit he does not bark con-
tnually but if he is after fox he does; SO you can
always tell if you listen carefully"
smile
After this there oa.f followed long during which
Jimmy, how long have you been living here?"
Not very long. We refugeed in North Caro-
Ina the first part of the war. Then we came back to
Spottsylvania County while father in prison Why,
we Just came here after the srender You remember
when Lee just had to srender7 he asked looking up
into the strangers face.
The boys mouth, usual quivered he uttered the
word srender, but the man did not appear to
peak After pause he REPLIED Yes remember as
he arose and started toward the stable
.. III show you the way" said Jimmy
When they entered the stable the big gray horse
greeted his master with soft little chickering's
,-Oh, he knows you without even loolngl" exclaimed
Jimmy, in tones expressing delight and surprise.
he looked with anxious sympathy at a saddle-galled
place the horses back
Jimmy had climbed up on the side of the STALL and
also looking with much interest Suddenly he ex-
claimed: Il know what's good fos that! Some stuff
down in the bottom of the chalybeate spring"
He pronounced each syllable OF the word chaybeae"
very clearly, for it was newly learned word, and he
proud of his ability to it.
Why yes; the iron in it ought to be healing How
Oh, just little way; I'll show you" Jimmy replied,
jumping to the ground and quickly opening the stable
door. " Let me lead him." he added
Hadn't You rather ride him, Jimmy?"
Yes sir he replied in rather shy but pleased tones
All right, said the man, he swung the little fell
low up the horse Therei Sit farther back so vout
will hurt that CALLED place Now III lead him and
you tell me in which direction to go"
Down the road there, just the other side of the
ieePond' SAID jimmy pointing in that direction as
The boy was happy he cupped his bare legs close
around the body of the horse and watched the square
shoulders of the man who walked slowly ahead He
thought him exceedingly nice and kind and his feelings
IN regard to The spurs were not nearly intense The
desire to ask If they real silver though strong
but he felt that perhaps would not be polite he said
After they had gone some distance Jimmy exclaimed
There's the spring." Then he slid quickly to the
ground, and without other words kne down and bar
ing one arm dipped out of the bottom of the spring
That is what You put his back" he said. "Just
lay it right 1t doesn't hurt it just feels coolD
The directions were quietly obeyed, and the horse
made no movement save slight CULVER of the skin,
Uncle Jake says that doctors can't make any finer
MEDICINE than this he said, as he scooped up another
well Jimmy. am very much obliged to you. and
I'm sure that my horse is Also said the stranger as
they started on back to the stable
In the meantime the saddle left by Uncle lake near
the horseback had attracted the attention of young
man as he came through the front gate. After looking
turn over with his loot and he did so three bright
brass letters" r. T. L"-greeted him. He looked
pricky thrill ran through him. wonder if be"
he SAID Suddenly some convincing feeling seemed to
hl his mind and then he almost ran to the house On
reaching the steps, he sprang up them two at a time
and entered the hail. where he met Mrs. Claverly.
/ Mrs { laverly-" he began, and stopped
is it, Charley7"
do
eral Lee is here Ills voice husky with excitement
General Leel Whcre?" But without waiting for
toned paror and exclaimed in soft suppressed tones to
group of women sitting there:
What makes them think SOP" asked thin gray
haired woman, she hastily arose
Why, replied the young man, his tones now quite
by the gate" " " 0N 49,
There he now" said one of the proup eagerly
:" at least, suppose that it is he"
Let me see. said Mrs. Clavery, going rapidly to the
window. saw HIM once atthe Greenbier White, and
1 am sure that would know him. Yes il is he! she
exclaimed. as she looked at the man coming slowly
across the lawn talking earnestly the barefoot boy at
his SIDE HIS thoughts were completely occupied by
what he was saying that until he was quite near the
Inn did ne see the group on the porch and his face
flushed slightly as he realized that they were there to
greet nm Lifting his hat, he assembled the steps with
barred head Mrs. Claverly walked quickly forward,
and extended her slim white hand
General Lee, / believe?p
60 s ss, madam he replied gravely he bowed low
At the sound of Lees name Jin,my's eyes grew round
and hiled with establishment. For brief moment he
stood gazing up at the stately old soldier whom every
one was greeting then he backed slowly away until he
reached the door. There he stood another moment
seeing nothing but his hero
Suddenly he turned and dartee down the long hail.
up tne stairway, and into his mothers room.
Motherl he exclaimed in breathless wonderment
motneri General Lee is downstairs. and he is just
splendid, and-er-mother, he's just exactly like any
This story is based upon the personal experience of
one who related it to the author