The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1912-05-24
THE DISPATCH
BEARER
A Story For Memorial
Day
By Captain F. A. MICHEL

IL was tne summer OF lSb2. General
Mcclellan was moving up the peninsu-
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 officer wearing the blue
uniform of the United States and the
yellow shoulder straps of a 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 a barrel, arose as he ap-
preached.
Got any fresh horses in here, un-
clef'' said the captain.
'No fresh bosses, marse. Got two
hosses in dar 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 l be of service to you, suh?"
ocla1 x-Oipa from hn1in1 IN,
who turned and saw a gentleman
wearing clothes that, though they had
long before disappeared from the
north We're still In fashion among a
few planters of the south--a beaver
hat Il high shirt collar with plenty of
necliwear. a rufiied 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. ''to
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 fo' an hOuah can give
you what you wish. My horses will
be ready by that time to do a few
hours work. I am Thomas Randolph,
sub, and it gives me pleasure to wei
come you onto my plantation"
II am Captain Cartright of the -th
United States cavalry. 1 certainly
Il e. l,,,N 1lsy,
bearer Of dispatches, l 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 1t or that the planter had any
object in his subsequent words except
in relieving that hunger.
I'VE have1rt much to give you, suh,"
said the gentleman; -only some chick
en-, but my cook knows how to fry 1t
derciously. and soaps fine sweet pota
toes that melt IN y0 mouth. Her con
pone is also excellent"
Enough, siTr' crted the captain. mo
man, furnished as I am, can resist
that bill Of luxrnfea I'll dine with
you with pleasure Let me see'-tak-
ing out his watrh--1t is now II
O'Clock. Do you think your horses will
be rested by 2r'
II think So sub. This way, sub"
Then TO the darby, -Pete, take the gen
tlemen's hocses into the stable and give
them good feed, and ten Sam to give
the captatn's orderly an he can eat TO
dinner"
Mr.. Randolph led Captain Cartright
4 into the house and, asking him to be
seated for few moments in the draw
! ing room, left him. After some time
| he returned with a negro and said:
This Is my own body servant, Jim.
1 He Will show you TO room where you
will find the wherewithal fo' getting
off the dirt of the road. When you
have done 80 come down, and dinner
will be served"
Jim led the way up the winding stair
case TO "A spacious chamber containing
an enormous four post bedstead with
curtains above and valance below and
other furniture Of a corresponding pat
tern. The darky poured water into n
great china bowl. The captain un-
buckled his belt, from which hung his
revolver and saber, and threw them on
chair, Then he took off his coat
rolled up his shirt sleeves and plunged
his head into the water.
Jim took up the coat and brushed it
carefully while its owner was splutter-
ing in the water When Cartright had
finished his ablutions Jim stood holding
the coat ready to help him on with 1t.
After this had been done the captain
placed his hand on his breast pocket
and, feeling the envelope was salts
fed that his dispatches were stlll there
and with refreshed look on his face
went downstairs.
Mr.. Randolph received him cordially,
glancing tnqulringly at Jim, who was
looming down the staircase behind the
captain. What he saw In the negros
face evidently pleased him very much,