Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-05-15

la lying between the James and the
York rivers. Somewhere to the north
Of Richmond between that city and
Washington was an army under Gen
eral Mcdowell.
One day an oficer wearing the blue
uniform of the United States and the
yellow shoulder straps of captain of
cavalry, followed by an orderly, was
riding amid the dust kicked up by his
horse midway between these two ar
mics. The hour was noon, the day
was hot, and the horses of both officer
and orderly were jaded. Coming to a
plantation In the center Of which stood
manor house bearing the architec-
tural marks of having been built in
colonial times, the captain turned his
horses head in between two stone pill
lars and rode up the lane under arched
trees, making straight for the stable.
There, dismounting, he strobe toward
the door, which stood open. A darky,
sitting on q barrel, arose as he ap-
preached.
Got any fresh horses in here, IN
cle?" said the captain.
bosses in dsr dat was pressed into de
sarvice OBJ de south'n men, and dey's
| all wohn out"
Cant help it. They've had some
rest since then, and mine can't go a
mile further"
Can be of service to you, suhr
asked a voice from behind the captain,
who turned and saw a gentleman
wearing clothes that, though they had
long before disappeared from the
north, were still in fashion among a
few planters of the south-a beaver
hat, high shirt collar with plenty Of
neckwear, a ruffied shirt, blue coat
/ with brass buttons and trousers strap
! ped down over his instep. There was
something In his thoroughbred manner
that made the captain ashamed Of 60
ing into his stables and taking posses
sion of his horses.
II am sorry to be obliged, sir" said
the officer in an apologize tone, ito
impress a mount for myself and my
orderly into the United States serv-
ice"
IF you will do me the honah, sub,
to stop with me To- an houah can give
you what you wish. My horses will
be ready by that time to do few
hours work. l am Thomas Randolph,
sub, and it gives me pleasure to vel
come you onto my plantation"
II am Captain Cartright of the til
United States cavalry. l certainly
need something to eat; but, being q
bearer of dispatches, 1 do not feel at
liberty to delay"
At the mention of the dispatches Mr.
Randolph's eyes took on a peculiar
look-a crafty look. Captain Cartright
was too hot and tired and hungry to
notice it or that the planter had any
object in his subsequent words except
in relieving that hunger.
I'VE haven't much to give you, sub,
said the gentleman; only some chick
en-, but my cook knows how to fry Il
deliciously, and some fine sweet pota
toes that melt in yo' mouth. Her cor
pone is also excellent"
Enough, sirr cried the captain. 'NC
man, famished as l am, can resis
that bill of luxuries. I'll dine will
you with pleasure. Let me see"-tak
ing out his watch-'it is now 1:
o'clock Do you think your horses viii
be rested by 81"
II think so, sub. This way, sub
Then to the darby, Pete, take the gen
tlemen's horses into the stable and Civ
them a good feed, and tell Sam to giv'
the captains orderly all he can eat 70
dinner"
Mr.. Randolph led Captain Cartrigh
: into the house and, asking him to b'
' seated for few moments in the draw
, ing room, left him. After some tim
he returned with a negro and said:
This is my own body servant, Jim
He will show you to room where yoI
will find the wherewithal fo' gettini
off the dirt of the road. When yo'
have done so come down, and Dime
will be served"
Jim led the way up the winding stair
case to a spacious chamber containing
an enormous four post bedstead will
curtains above and valance below ant
other furniture of a corresponding pat
tern. The darky poured water into I
| great CHlud DOWI ne CdpJdln Nui
2 buckled his belt, from which hung hi
revolver and saber, and threw them oil
a chair. Then he took of his coat
i rolled up his shirt sleeves and plunge'
his head into the water.
Jim took up the coat and brushed
carefully while its owner was splutter
5 ing in the water When Cartright hat
finished his ADDITIONS Jim stood holding
the coat ready to help him on with II
After this had been done the captain
| placed his hand on his breast poke
n and, feeling the envelope, was salts
fed that his dispatches were still Their
and with a refreshed look on his fac
q went downstairs.
Mr.. Randolph received him cordially
glancing inquiringly at Jim, who wa
coming down the staircase behind tn
Il captain. What he saw in the negro
face evidently pleased him very much
= for he renewed his attentions to hi
guest to such an extent that Cartrigh
:, began to suspect his host to be one 0
those Virginians who adhered to tn
Union cause. A darky announced tina
n dinner was ready. and the two wen