The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1913-01-17
cHAerERxxv.


tfuvoling. / must have shown my late
ilLness greatly. for the few l met, Do
I tramped slowly onward. mostly sol
1fors. gazed at mo curiously. az n they
mistook mo for the ghost OF some
de4d comrade; and doubt not my
paio fnce. yet bearing the deep imprint
o. pain. with the long. untrfmmed hair
training II. and the blood-stained,
ragged uniform. the same wore that
nercs day Of battle. rendered me an
object OF wonder.
AN through those long. weary win
ter weeks | had been lowering be-
tween life and death In an obscure
hospital ut Richmond. The moment
the door was opened TO permit Of my
paBaing forth into the world again, I
sought eagerly 10 discover the present
station Of my old comrades In arms,
yet could learn only that the cavalry
brigade with which had formerly
served was In camp somewhere near
Appomattox Court House. On foot
and moneyless. I set on alone. my sole
anxiety to be once more with friends;
and now. at the beginning Of tho sec
ind day. was already beyond Peters
burg. and sturdiiy pushing westward.
A. the road swerved slightly to the
left, passing through grove OF hand
some trees. came suddenly opposite
! large house Of imposing aspect A
group OF cohfederate oficers stood in
ponverse beside the gate leading into
The open driveway. and a. paused
moment. gazing At them and wonder
Ing whom had better address-for I
recognised none OF the faces fronting
uls--ohe among the group turned sud.
denly. and took . hurried step in my
direction. a. though despatched upon
an GRAND Of importance. He was q
tall. 'slender man. wearing long gray
moustache. and no sooner viewed
.his face than recognised him az
having been one OF those officers pres
ent in General Lees tent the day
we sent out with dispatches. He
glanced at mo curiously. yet with no
sign OF recognition. but before be
could pass I accosted him. tAt5i
Colonel Maitland" said. you
dOubtioss remember me I am seek.
ing my old command; would you kind.
" inform mo where II may be found!"
He stopped Instantly at sound OF my
voice. and stared At me In odd be-
wildermsnt; but my words had al.
ready reached the ears OF the others,
and before he had found an answer
another voice spoke sternly What 10
all thisf Who are you. sir7 What
masquerade puts you into that parody
Of . captains uniform
I turned and looked into the fiush.
Cd. indignant face of General Lee
IL 10 no masquerade. sir" l an.
swered. instantly removing my hat;
IT q the rightful uniform Of my rank.
greatly AZ regret It's present condi-
ton"
where are you fromf"
II was discharged from st. Mary's
Hospital in Richmond day before yes
tsrday. and am now seeking TO reJoin
my regiment"
Surely" he said graveiy. II have
seen your face before. To what regi-
ment were you attachedf'
- 'Thb 9TH Virginia Cavalry"
The buzxing Of voices about me In
stantiy csascd. and General Lee took
step nearer.
"The --th virginia. You were q
oaptainf Surely this "a not Philip
WaynAfr 'tAf SAs -
god6epiy surprised was his tone. 20
uncertain his recognition, scarcely
knew what to answer. Had lost my
very IDENTIFY was this all dreamf
Il am Captain Wayne. Troop 9TH
virginia"
He grasped my hand warmly be-
tween both his own, and his kindly
face lit up instantly with rare smile.
Captain Wayne. I cannot tell you
how greatly rejoice at your safe TO
turn. We certainly owe you an apol-
ogy for this poor reception. but you
were reported az killed In action
many months ago. doubt not Colo
mel Maitland truly believed he looked
upon ghost when you first accosted
him"
For the moment I was unable to
speak. 90 deeply did his words affect
me.
Il fear. Captain Wayne" he con-
tinued gravely. yet retaining my hand
within his own. THAT / must bring
you sad news"
Sad news" Instantly there came
to me the thought Of my widowed
mother. Mot from home. Il trust,
sif7'Sl 4 Nv l)Ak1s ~ otli'
NO." with great tenderness. your
mother. believe r9mainH well !; yet
the words ! must speak are neverthe-
less sad ones. and must prove a severe
shock to you. There is no --th vir-
ginia"
mo til Virginia." echoed, scarce
able to comprehend his meaning. mo
--th virginia. beg you to explain.
sir; surely"--and looked about me
upon the various uniforms of the sorv-
loo presont-''the war has not yet
ceaaed-we have not -qurrsnderedr