Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1916-01-13
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49, = seS WAAsSA 0Uo1S0Ib "a t00 0SA00SVu
artillery were slightly OF the main
road and remained for some time
overseeing the care Of the horses be.
tore approaching the hut where the
noncommissioned ofllcefs had moes.
We were all OF us still ct the table.
discussing the Incidents Of the drill,
when q lieutenant appeared suddenly
IN the doorway.
Sergeant WYATT" he Inquired
briefly.
I arose to my feet. a
Here. sir" answered in some ear.
prise.
= You are requested to report to
General Jackson ct once; his head.
quarters for tonight are at Coulterss
farm. on the dirt pike. You will ride
your own horse"
Five minutes later I was guiding
my own horse down the dark road,
bending low in the saddle, obssssed
with feeling that this mission,
whatever it might turn out to be.
promised change In my fortunes.
Il was an ugly path. rutted deep BY
artillery wheels, and dangerous for
the horse. i was an hour reaching
the Coulter house. q double log cabin,
some nifty feet or more hack from the
road. II was with some diMculty that
Imade my way through the obstI1ot.
Ing guard to the steps. where On of1cer
took my name at the closed door, dis
apps~ted In q sudden blaze Of light
and ! stood there silently In the
shadows waiting.
Ten minutes must have elapsed be-
fore the door opened again ana 1
heard my named called. It was q
rough appearing. commonplace Ia.
sterior. A sturdy fire burned IN the
fireplace. and three lamps illumined
the scene. revealing the prssence Of
I'VE men. among whom instantly
recognized Dwell. Ashby, togsther
with Jackson, and his chiek pf skafl.
The NTH occupant of tie ropm ~
alone In one corner, hts .flcs partially
concealed. revealing little othsf than
T. fringe Of gray whisksrs Jacksen.
seated behind Q table Uttered NTH
papers and maps, glanced up Ct tic
announcement Of tho orderly. and I
came instantly to attention. my hand
lifted In salute. Tho geuerals starr
blue eyes surveyed me intently.
Sergeant Wyatt. staunten sst3i.
isry!"
''Yes. cir"
How long, may I ash. have -
BEEN In the service7"
Since May, 81, oil"
All! indeed. And your agef's
Twenty -four, SIR
He made some remark aside 10 the
aide. who nodded back. ana poipte6 10
9 map before them.
You are q younger man IN appear.
ance than had expected to 80, Ger.
& geant,H jackson said slowly. yet I
have learned within the last year %
have confidence in young men. War
q . swift developer Of manhood Your
colonel speaks Of you IL the highest
terms and informs mo that yeu aJe
native Of Green Rriar county,
Our home was at LewishstrG sir.s :
Then you are doubtless lntim4Aely
acquainted with that seeteAi'
very wen, indeed general"
jackson sat motionless and - q.
lence for what seemed . long willie,
his grave eyes on my face. but his
mind evidently elsewhere. one hand
internationally crumpling Z folded p,
per. Ashby moved his chair. causing
It TO crunch noisily on the door. md
the commander aroused ct tho %,
usual sound.
"By any possibility are you related
to Judge Joel Wyatt?" he questioned
slowly.
He was my father. sir. He has
been dead two years"
Il regret to hear It, Your mothsr.
unless am mistaken. was . FArau,
har, Of North Carolina7"
ssYes, sir she has returned 10 her
old home"
"The bet Of southern blood esntls.
men," he said smilingly, Sia1eipg to-
ward the others. but with WAtehfnl
eyes instantly returning ID sean me.
WAS she driven out Of Green Brian
by the state Of unrest Ia that Sec
4 tion?" ia
I'm q measureyes." I.aleplied
promptly. ut was hardly safe for her
70 remain there alone. The county d
filled with Union sympathissrd. and
rcamed over by bands Of ssasfillas.