The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1916-05-11
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CHAPTER I.
On oooeSsl oesvieo.

o. ooeeisi ossviee.
Il Vas already gTevtAg ASsk whsa
the stasnton Battssy Of Horss artil-
very PstSrne1 YEARLY 70 camp after
hosss o. hard AslA drill. The nsa ever
eoose3sas that - evolution. however
eav1ol. was being overlooked by
-Sesosvall" Jackson. sitting sstrs1s
~ sasrsl % . little enineaos = the
let. his stern faes uarelisvs1 b. svso
tAs senblanes of . smile.
TAe winter Quartsfs Of the 6tauntoa
artillery we're slightly on the main
road end ] remained for some time
overseeing the care OF the horses b.
fore approaching the hut where the
aoncomnissiOned officers had mess.
We were all Of us still at the table.
discussing the incidents Of the drill.
when . lieutenant appeared suddenly
In the doorway.
Sergeant Wysttr he Inquired
briefly.
arose to my feet.
Here. sir" I answered in some sur
Prise.
"YoS are requested to report to
General Jackson at once: his head
quarters for tonight are at Coulter's
farm. On the dirt pike. You will ride
your own horss."
Five minutes later ! Was guiding
my own horse down the dark road.
bending low in the saddle. diseased
with . feeling that this mission.
whatever It might turn out to b.
promised change In my fortunes.
1t was an ugly path. rutted deep by
artillery wheels. and dangerous for
the horse. l was an hour reaching
the Coulter house. q double log cabin.
some hfty feet or more back from the
road. II was with some difnculty that
I msde my way through the obstruct.
ing guard to the steps. where an ofloer
took my name at the closed door. dis
appeared In . sudden blaze Of light
and l stood there silently in the
shadows waiting.
Ten minutes must have elapsed be-
fore the door opened again and
heasd my named called. 1t was .
rough appearing. commonplace In
terror. A sturdy FIRE burned in the
fireplace. and three lamps illumined
the scene, revealing the presence Of
fve men. among whom I instantly
recognized Ewell. Ashby. together
with Jackson. and his chief Of sta6.
The NTH occupant Of the room sat
alone In one corner. his face partially
concealed. revealing little other than
. fringe Of gray whiskers. Jackson.
seated behind table Uttered with
papers and maps. glanced up at the
announcement of the orderly. and I
came instantly to attention. my hand
lifted in salute. The generals stern
blue eyes surveyed me intently.
Sergeant Wyatt, staunton artil.
lery?"
Yes, sir"
How long, may ask. have you
been In the service!"
Since May, 81, sir"
"Ah! indeed. And your agef"
"Twenty-four. sir"
He made some remark aside to the
aide. who nodded back. and pointed to
q map before them.
You are younger man in appear
ance than ! had expected to see. SER
geant." Jackson said slowly. yet
have learned within the last year to
have confidence in young men. War
10 swift developer Of manhood Your
colonel speaks Of you In the highest
tArna opd tpfor~a ma that yo,, ar>
a native OF Green Briar county"
Our home was at Lewisburg. sir. /"
Then you are doubtless intimately
acquainted with that section?"
VERY we'll. indeed, general"
jackson sat motionless and in 81.
lsnce for what seemed q long while.
his grave eyes on my face. but his
mind evidently elsewhere. one hand
unconsciously crumpling q folded pa.
per. Ashby moved his chair, causing
It to crunch noisily on the floor. and
the commander aroused at the un.
usual sound.
by any possibility are you relat,d
to Judge Joel Wyatt?" he questioned
slowly.
HE was my father. sir. He has
been dead two years."
Il regret to hear It. Your mother
unless I am mistaken. was a FarQu
har. Of North Carolina?"
Yes. sir-she has returned to he,
old home"
THE best Of southern blood, gentle
men," he said smilingly. slancinE to
ward the others. but. with watchful
eyes instantly returning to scan me
Was she driven out of Green Briar
by the state Of unrest in that sec
toni"
In a measure-yes," replied
promptly. 1T was hardly safe for her
to remain there alone. The county ID
filled with Union sympathizers. and
roamed over by bands Of guerrillas
claiming allegiance with both sides
but sparing no one. At present,
understand. Federal troops have beer