Pittston Gazette

              KSTAM.lSHEl) 1850. ' VOL. \LIII. NO. 5*. ) Oldest Newspaper in the Wyoming Hi lley. PITTSTON, LUZERNE CO., PA., FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER I, i8CKi. A Weekly Local and Family Journal. I «1.SO PER AN'Xl'M I IN -YDVANCE )wnpour ot rain, (Jen. lDee was a the rude log hut that served eiulquurters in earnest converit.l a cavalry colonel. dier he brought him a sweeping blow i CHAPTER XV. over the head with his pistol, \\ hk-h j 4 must attack. sent him reeling and senseless lo the j At dawn of the next morning the ground. i column moved. The weather was still active service during the campaign c 18«1. would be killed. At two BILL the bicyclist. Djiio, aiueuiiraii. j. ueiu iiitm aiugui& m the tents. I hear the children singing and the women sing of the stars, of Atair, Antares, Rigel, Aldebaran. Victory, and the song will never end. Well done! Home tomorrow under the black tent— iiome. On, Antares! Tbe tribe is waiting for us, and the master is waiting! 'Tis done! 'Tis done! Ha, ha! Steady. The work is done. Soho. Steady!" i as I In the winter of 1SC1 the two lonely women were gladdened by the arrival of a little girl, and in the joys of yon motherhood Janet found much all* tion from the sorrows arising i'r dreadful fratricidal war ltn'k ho reported at headquarters, rew himself down on the ground and pt us only a thoroughly tired man n a picked mau fur a special t great importance and equally To catch the two horses and knot their bridles to his own and to rille *ne pockets of the dead and insensible soldiers for valuable papers was the work of but a few moments, when he remounted and pushed rapidly forward. Hiding forward * inile, he efme to a commanding' position where he eon Id see the road he had just traveled. Iiis mounting he got out a small pocket glass and took a careful survey of the back track. lie could plainly with the aid of his glass the two bodies lying tn the road, and while gazing at them the relief guard came around the corner, which had been so nearly fatal to him. He could see that all was consternation in a moment. Without stopping to lose valuable time, he mounted and rode rapidly down the hill, calculating as ne went mat, no uad one nine ssiari, the relief guard wpuld send hack to camp and a strong party would pursue, gloomy in the extreme, but the cavalrymen were already beginning to be veterans, and cared very little for the elements provided they got a little glory along with the eternal marching, which they said was "Old Jack's" favorite amusement, and told each other stories about how he lay awake at night planning long marches to head the Yankees off without killing anybody. John rode at the head of the column, alert acd keen eyed. At nightfall they bivouacked on the roadside, having madesome thirty-five miles. The nest day, John, one of the captains aud three privates rode ahead of the column a couple of miles, as an advance guard and scouting party combined. They saw nothing to disturb them, and by four o'clock had arrived at the hill where John had first stopped after the skirmish. Leaving the three calx NYE'S EXPERIENCE OFF AND ON WITH He must be brave and A PNEUMATIC TIRE, is. Have you the mail 1 want?" ionel thought a moment before m the THE SECOND DAY CHAPTER XIX. In the spring of 180.1, the mother am: daughter after correspondence with tin absent soldiers decided to pay a vi; Virginia, as their soldiers could visit them; so May of that year fount them comfortably domiciled in Ki. mond and receiving occasional br visits from the men of the family At six o'clock in the morning, he was in the saddle, and from that until ten ■ k was in a rush of orders. At that ■ the fighting1 was getting warm, news from the right was not favor'i'he general sent John back with rs to a Georgia brigade a mile or so He Mow* tlie Lawn In the Karly Morning tve been impressed several times young man in B company. lie eadv- as a rock under tire, never I. never rash, but always in the ;:nk of an advance and one of the retire. 1 am not quite sure as to me, but can ascertain in a few ■S." An orderly was dispatched e captain of U company, who 1 then said anil Acq litre* a Tired I'eeling—The Fa- it to Latent Foe in nious ICitle of Liley and Heed—Nye's Rev. Myron W. Reed and James Whitcomb Riley one afternoon about the time of the publication of "Ben-Hur'' went out to dine with George Hitt of The Journal at Indianapolis and came home in the evening full of "Ben-Hur." They took a surface car drawn by a pair of moth eaten mules. It was quite a ride from Hitt's chateau to the Dennisou House, and so, as the car was unoccupied except by two colored ladies named Trask, who lived across the track—Eloise and Pearl Trask—they talked freely. Shortly after these two gentlemen got on the car stopped, and the driver went back to set a switch or recover his whip, but soon it moved on in the darkness, gaining speed as the grade seemed gently descending, till directly the Misses Trask began to giggle and look sort of apprehensively toward the front of the car. Mr. Reed looked, too, and discovered that there was no driver. Moreover, the mules were running away. a uli For a long time I would not be argued into getting a bicycle, for it is not suited to my time of life. Ir is not dignified for a man who has chatted with crowned heads to hump his back and Claw into the air with both feet and scoot across the horizon with wild eyes and a dis- [Copyright. 1**1. by Edgar W. Xye.] CHAPTER XVII, the rear to reinforce the right, and guide them. It was nearly noon Aim JOHN'S SORROW. when they arrived at the scene of the heavy lighting and found the right hard pVessciL (rosTlsrKn ) wardly showing' disapproval, in his secret heart was not a little x'roud that the boy of his training1 had shown such spirit. In the early part of the year John had been called to headquarters as he supposed for some risky scouting' expedition, which had been an unpleasantly frequent duty, and was handed an oilicial-looking envelope which, on being opened, was found to contain a commission to one John Uewson as captain of cavalry. Lie was much overwhelmed, being a modest youth, but took up the new responsibilities quietly, and in Jackson's famous valley campak n gained the reputation of being one of the best young officers in the service, lie had grown a yellow beard, six inches long, which made him look more than his age, and his bronzed face with erect and soldierly carnage made him a noticeable-looking man. CHAPTER XX. THE DUE I* Williams," said the colonel, what Lb thcnameof that tall  in your company who is so cjuiet, . si'ftn'i so resolute? 1 menu the oii ulj'-hajrcd, frcckled-faced lad." .t is the best mau in my com- John Elewson is his name." '(.'apt mptly reported The fedenals had developed unexpected strength and were lighting desper- About five o'clock in the morning John stepped out of his room into the yard and was immediately accosted by Henry Gregory, who had been waiting anxiously for him to appear. Henry showed in his haggard appearance the effects of a sleepless and anxious night. John on the contrary was cool and fresh looking as if he had slept well. Janet was clear out of bounds in her indignation at Jolin'b brutality, as she was pleased to term it. John, not being a mind-reader and meeting only cold looks, conscious that he had used reasonable prudence in the matter, at once put into execution a plan which had been forming in his mind during the morning. He packed a small amount of clothing in a valise that could be strapped behind the saddle, put the rest of his belongings, together with one hundred dollars in gold, in his trunk, which he locked and left in his room. ately John stopped a few inomeats to DC*i' how matters were going1, when he saw CqL Gregory's regiment make a desperate charge on a body of the c;.i my who had just repulsed a similar but pan.v What do you know about him?" ■ed the ireneraL ) o of another regiment. They "Not very much He came to my house just before the war broke out from somewhere in the south, seeking hospitality for a day or so, as there was no were met with equal resolution and for a few minutes all was eonfusion and stubborn fighting. Then the superior weight of the enemy began to telL The Texans commenced giving ground, very slowly at lirst, but with constantly accelerated speed. lie saw the colonel and Lanvale making frantic appeals to the men not to retreat, lie saw, and groaned as he saw it, the colonel and his horse go down, and shouted joyfully as the next minute he saw the gallaut colonel on foot, cheering on his men. Ue felt that his wicked wish about Laiivale was likely to be gratified* and all in a moment the wickedness ot it came to him. Tie tingled with shame down to his very toes and in a second his resolution was taken. K D "I suppose you know, John, that nothing short of a duel will satisfy Lanvalo," said ilenrv. 1 r '  "I understood that before 1 knocked him down last night, and went to bed with my mind fully made up to kill him." m in the vicinity, and we were of • ghs-i to have him, as I live away from the main roads and do not see many travelers. lie was quiet, gentle spoken, well informed, th£ best rider I have ever known, had a fine old hound, and that wonderful little horse he rides, both of which seemed to have a human affection for him. lie talked but little about himself, said that he was burn in Alabama, but had lived several years in Texas. At our earnest request his visit was lengthened into several weeks, and when I organized my company very much to my surprise he joined and is by all odds the best man in the company." i!;'rv The pastor made about two strides of eight feet each and found himself at the dashboard of the car, the lines dragging along the track and the driver a mile back looking for his whip. Going to where the colonel was enjoying his pipe on the veranda, he frave that worthy the second shock of tiie day by the abrupt announcement that he had decided to leave Texas. One night in June he found himself in Richmond, having been sent in fr.»ui the front on special duty, and tinding he could not get away that night went uround to.the hotel to get lodging. Sitting in the hotel lobby he saw Lanvale walk in, accompanied by another officer. The lobby was crowded and they did not noiyt- John, and stopped quite close to hinnau that he could not fail to catch a partVJf the conversation. "That is just what I have come to see you about; I argued nearly all night with Lanvale. 1 have shown him that he ■w as the aggressor, and have told him that he was no match for you, that you are a dead shot; but I believe if he knew it was certain death he would insist on meeting you, the fellow seems absolutely crazed. He has come here by my invitation; you are a member of our family, and if he should come to harm here 1 could never forgive myself, and 1 want you for the sake of our famdy to spare a •rr t i The Misses Trask screamed as the car now and then returned to the track with a cruel shock, and Mr. Riley, extending his head through a ventilator at the top of the car, exclaimed "Help! help!" twice in rapid succession. The colonel was profoundly stirred "What on earth possesses you, John? I had supposed you the most peaceable lad in the country, and here you are shooting people almost on sight, and not satisfied with that, you want to pull out entirely. You must be bent on making trouble." ON A PXKOIATIC TIKE, The Texans who had previously been repulsed were reforming their shattered ranks close to him. Throwing off his cap and drawing his sword he rode up to them like a flam- torted mouth like that of one who has tried to eat with a souvenir spoon to excess.Mr. Reed, holding his hat on with one hand, reached twice for the lines beneath the car, and twice the off mule most put the pastor's eye out with its impressionist tail. At last Mr. Reed succeeded, and scorning the brake he slapped the nigh mule across the person with the lines, and waving his broad hat in the air Lanvale was speaking "You think him faithful and trustworthy?" queried the general. "1 think it a shame that a lot of old fellows who are already half dead "No," 1 said, ''I was born too far back to pick this up. I can uever ride the wheel in public successfully." I tried one of the tall kind once, because it looked so graceful, and it not only threw me in such a way as to drive my spectacles up my nose quite a long distance, but it followed me up and stepped on me and lay down 011 me and got one of its cold, hard treadles in the bosom of my bicycling jacket, where my lunch was. him." "As I seem to be making trouble here, and my conscience acquits me of blame, 1 have concluded that perhaps it would be wiser for me to get out of the way and let things quiet down." "And stand up to be shot at by a crazy fool who first insults me, and because 1 punish him then wants to kill me. I will make no such promise." "I would stake my life on his honor," warmly responded the captain. but that by the time the pursuers could get to the point where the skirmish had taken place he would have live miles ptart. "THERE IT IS." JOIIN KODK AT THE HEAD OF THE COL- UMN. should have all the good places. There is my respected father-in-law, old Greg' i ri centaur. ory, is our colonel, while 1 have to trudge along as a captain. I wish the old fool would get disabled and I think I could get his stars. Men of action ought to be to the front" In a voice that rung like a bugle he shouted: "Men, shall our comrades be destroyed before our ej'es and our help b • withheld? Let every brave man follow me." "Well, captain," said the general, smiling in his kind way, "I see the young1 man has your good opinion, and thai inclines me favorably toward him. I want an exceptional man for exceptional service. In fact, I must get important dispatches to Gen. Jackson at soldiers there, with the horses and instructions to halt the column, John and the captain went forward afoot, proceeding with great caution. They discovered .the pickets at the spot where the skirmish had taken place, and also that there were now five men on duty. This was the pivotal point of the whole surprise. This picket must be captured at all hazards, and without noise. he cried "Well, John, I know you of-old, and when you talk that way it is no use to argue, but 1 want to say if you kill Kichard Lanvale I want you to send another bullet through my body; I cannot face the world if you kill that man." Mrs. Gregory had come out on the veranda as John was speaking and was stricken dumb with amazement. The idea of John's leaving them had never entered their minds; he had become a part of the institution, he had al'vays been amenable, obedient, obliging, industrious. Little by little the colonel had shuflled off responsibility until the practical management of the plantation was in the young man's hands, and he had been faithful to the uttermost. The Gregorys knew in their hearts that wKHtt f.hAv tcorf chnu-ina '•On, Atair!. On, Rigel! What, An tares, dost thou linger now, good mule? Oho, Aldebaran! I hear tliem singing in the tents. I hear the children singing and the singing of the stars, of Atair, Antares, Rigel, Aldebaran, victory, and the song will never end." He rode rapidly and steadily, determined not to give up the captured horses, which were good ones, except as a last resort, lie neither saw nor heard anything unusual, as he was traveling through a thinly settled mountain country, until about noon. He rode up to the bummit of a mountain of considerable height, which had cost the horses an hour of hard toil to surmount, when he stopped for another survey. By the aid of his glass he made out a strong party which had stopped in front of a mountaineer's hut some four or five miles to the west, rightly judging that they had stopped for information, and would learn that he was ahead. He coolly sat down, ate a sparing lunch, gave the horses a bite, refreshed himself and the animals from a sparkling spring near by, changed over to one of the captured animals, to rest his own faithful horse, and made a final start, saying to the horses as if they were human: "Now, boys, no more stops until we see Geo. Jackson's headquarters." While John had long since made up his mind that this was the inevitable result the actual knowledge that Janet was lost to him turned him sick at heart and he went to his room like a drunken man. He passed the night in an agony such as only a strong man can suffer but was ready for duty next morning, with his mind fully settled that there was notliing left but to do his duty, like a man and to take such desperate chances as would result in his being speedily knocked over. Without waiting to see the effect of his'words he started forward, His sudden nnd striking appearance and stir- once." But with a pneumatic tire and a low wheel there is less danger of shortening the spine and finding vertebrie in your shoes when you undress at night. The pneumatic tire is blown full of air, being a tight rubber t ube encircling the wheel. Riding on air that way is great sport, especially to the witness. It is like running a lawn mower. The hard expression on John's face softened as he looked at the saddened countenance of his once boyish friend. The colonel and captain both looked very grave, and the colonel voiced their, ring appeal electrified the emotional southerners, and with a wild yell the regiment, broke into a double-quick. The distance was short, and in a few minutes the little column broke into the federal ranks with irresistible weight. Everything went down before them. The retreating confederates seeing help at hand rallied and renewed the charge, and in five minutes the fedurals were in full retreat. As the car passed the corner near where The Journal office was Mr. Riley again extended his head through a new place in the roof which he had made with his silk hat and ejaculated hurriedly: "Help! Help! Help! Will no one derail the car and save us?" sentiment by saying: The two men, after discovering the situation, walked rapidly back to where the column was halted and reported the facts. "Well, Henry, I suppose I will have to let him off to gratify you, but it is only on condition that there be one exchange of 6hots." . "It is almost certain death, general. One hundred miles through a country swarming with federals." "I know that, gentlemen," and the General's voice was sad, "but in this cruel business good men must risk their lives for the cause. Send me the young After conference with the colonel it was ajfreed that the captain and John should each take ten men, dismounted, one squad to work around the hills and pot between the picket and the camp, the other to come up in front, and when John's squad came around the corner from the direction of thecamp.the other squad were to show themselves, and it was thought, finding themselves so outnumbered, the picket would surrender without fighting. "All right," said Henry, joyfully, will leave him in your hands." v-ic v'W-c *"p~a days it would all wear awav "When does he want to have this entertaining performance?" said John. things would move h1ods f in the I have a large colored gent who exerts himself for me at a reasonable price, and I saw him from my study pushing the lawn mower one bright June morning till I could not stand it any longer. He pushed it from him as he would a watermelon., it was so easy. He kept singing something about like this: But his cry was drowned by the roar of the car and the remarks of Mr. Reed as he slapped the off mule with his slouch hat and exclaimed: channel. They did nut know that the lad was carrying a heavy heart, and that he really welcomed the opportunity which presented itself to try a new field of action. A long discussion followed. argument and entreaty waa tried, but John was not to be moved. The most he would promise was to let them hear from him occasionally, but leave he would and that at once. An offer of the colonel to give him money was promptly declined: he had enough of his own to last him a year. He bade them all farewell except Janet, with whom he requested a few words in private. To her he said: "I am going away, have you anything to say to me?" man." Hiding up towards the war department he passed the house where Mrs. Gregory and Janet were boarding. They were both standing in an open window, Janet with her little girl in her arms. Notwithstanding his changed appearance Janet recognized him, and a startled exclamation from her arousing hiin from his abstraction he looked up and saw them, lie turned very pale and his heart stood still, but raising his cap he gravely saluted them and rode on. Col. Gregory had secured another horse and rode up alongside John to "At your convenience." CHAPTER XII. A WAR INCIDENT. "The quicker the better; it is already light enough to see. I will meet you down by the bayou bridge in ten minutes." say: "God bless you, John, you have saved us all; but Henry and Lanvale are both down. I don't know how badly thev are hurt." . "Well done! Home tomorrow under the black tent—home! On, Antares! On, Aldebaran!" In ten minutes John reported at headquarters, saluted and waited instructions.With that they parted. At the apnninted time John was at the Diaae named, about half a mile from tbe house, with his rifle in hand, and in two or three minutes the other two young men appeared, Lanvale carrying Henry Gregory's rifle. "These dispatches are to go to Gen. Jackson, who is now somewhere in the lower valley. It is a very dangerous journey and your life will be in your hands; it will require both courage and shrewdness. If you are successful 1 will see that you are rewarded, but if you have any hesitation about it, I will find another man." John's heart smote him as he thought of his wicked wish toward Lanvale, and Shell I U- called when de great day come. Or shell I hide my hade in shame? Shell I jine de hosts dal wail and gum Dennis is my Christian name? It was a grand sight. The plan worked beautifully. The picket were startled by eleven wellarmed confederates appearing between them und the camp as if they had come out of the bowels of the earth, and demanding instant surrender,and the next moment a like number made a like demand from the other side. i f" c H -V i And the green grass rolled like a fragrant cataract over the machine. I couldn't write because the sputter and buzz of that lawn mower and the hymn, or whatever it was, kept wooing me to the window, and I couldn't get two ideas together to save my reputation. Finally I gave up my job and went outside. It looked even easier out there tiian it didt from the house. At daylight the next morning, this gallant boldier rode up to the picket outside of Gen. Jackson's lines, anil, when challenged, replied: "Courier from Gen. Lee with dispatches for Gen. Jackson."Janet turned to her mother quivering with excitement. Those who have followed the oourae "Mother, that was John Hewson." {' fD i V {■ i . iSciEP - i vV r::^^ ft of this hfcjtury have read to little purpose if they have not discovered that John llewson was that rare specimen, a plain, downright, simple-minded man of great singleness of purpose. He surprised both the young men by the exhibition he now gave of his character. "Walking up to Lanvale, he said: "That fine, soldierly looking officer, John Ilewson? Impossible, my dear." John had listened respectfully and attentively—he replied: "I have no near relatives, general: my life is of but little value to me or anyone else, and to risk or lose it for my country is all it is now good for. I do not tight for reward, and will be fully repaid with your approval."He had come fifty miles since his last halt, riding all night over the roughest roads in Christendom, a dismal, cold rain falling steadily. When escorted up to headquarters he had to be lifted from his saddle, and would have fallen but for ready hands. The soldiers on duty were good men, but four to one was too much odds and they surrendered at discretion. "Indeed, mother, 1 ain not mistaken I knew him in a moment, in spite of lii great beard, and he knew us, but evi dently not care to be friendly." "I do not know that I have, unless to wish you a prosperous trip," in a very formal tone. "I have a word to say. You are captivated with Richard Lanvale. 1 am no backbiter, but he is not trustworthy, and you will repent the trust you put in him. You will never see me again unless trouble comes to you and you need me." The regiment then moved up to that point and set a trap which resulted in the capture of the relief j'uard a little later. ••You may go down to the garden, Alcibiades,"' I said, "and weed the succotash pines awhile. I will finish mowing the lawn." Further discussion was interrupted by the entrance of Lanvale, who had to report for duty that morning. When the news was told him, he utterly poohpoohed the whole story. The idea of that plebeian being a captain of cavalry "Mr. Lanvale, you came here yesterday a stranger, and went out of your ■way to insult me, which I resented. I am now cool, I have no enmity towards you, and no wish to.kill you, and I ain willing to let the matter drop where it is." "Spoken like a soldier, but, my lad, you must not under-value life. It is the (rift of God, and is not to be lightly thrown away, and in this emergency your life may prove of great service to your country." The poor horses,as they were led away to be cared for, staggered from utter weakness. Tliey now had a clear road to camp, and it was dark. Removing all surplus equipage, and riding slowly and quietly, in half an hour they were within one hundred yards of the camp, which was snugly situated on a little field of some twenty acres, with great camp fires burning brightly In open spaces in front of the tents. I took off my rich dressing gown and hung it tip on the doghouse; took off my reversible cuffs and put them on the tail of a beautiful, ornamental iron dog which stands 011 the lawn, and started in. The general se«ing John's condition had the orderly to givo him a pint cup of strong, hot coffee- from the supply making for the headquarters breakfast. He gulped down the scalding but reviving drink, and rising to salute, handed the general his dispatches, who took them and ordered the young man off to rest. 'lne opening 01 tne sentence naa angered the girl beyond measure. That the ke«n eye of the despised and rejected lover should have so promptly discovered the rising interest, as yet almost undiscovered by herself, was too hard to bear. was utterly absurd. They had made ;i mistake and a polite man had spolcen to ,them because he saw they hail Mistakenly recognized him. "That is fair," put in Henry. "I will do my best, general." In a few minutes, John, with the dispatches safely stowed away in an inside pocket of his coat, equipped with three days rations for himself and a small sack of grain for his horse, started on the perilous expedition. But why go on? Every man with a soft muscle or 1 wo has tried these things to get up a glow. I did not do anything more or less than other men have done who need exercise and gorge themselves with it in an hour so that they can't bear the sight of it any more forever. Lanvale, whose face was swollen from the effect of John's blow, looked ecowlingly at John's impassive and Henry's eager face as he replied: CHAPTER XVIII. TT1K SEVLN DAYS' BATH ES. The colooel made his final dispositions, and gave instructions to take as many alive as possible, had the bugler blow a charge, and went thundering down upon the camp. UK RODE LIKE A CENTAL'S. "When I am in trouble I shall not call on Mr. John Hewson, and I will not remain to hear you slander a better r-:lu than yourself." She turned and left the room. John mounted his-horse and rode away in deep dejection, watched by the whole family except •!..net. When he got to the turn of the p 'ad where ho would be out of sight of the house, he straightened up in his saddle, turned and took a long look at the group on the porch, waved his hand and passed out of sight. The battle of giants had begun. John had been attached to the general's staff, and during the first day's fighting hat' seen 'much hard service. About tei o'clock that night, after seeing to his faithful horse, he was standing by he .remembered how' gallantly Lanvale was battling when he lost saw him. A MORNING MOW. "I did not come here to receive or make apologies." I think they went past the car stabler eight times, and it is said that those same mules never ran away any mors since that. You can leave them standing at a crossing now while you go away to Siberia, and when you come back they will be there. CHAPTER XIV. SOLDIERING WITH ASHBV. As his duty did not ••all him there, and there was a lull in the fighting, he rode back, looking for IJenry and Lanvale. 11c found Henry and a little Irishman lying side by side. Ilenry had spitted the Irishman with his sword, and in return had been run through by thu Irishman's bayonet. Both were seriously, it not mortally, I mowed a place as big as this morning's paper, I think, a small rosebush and a rubber doll, when I began to see that the sun was rapidly removing the shade from the lawn and putting it over on the north side of the house. "Very well," said John, as he turned away. Shortly after starting the cold rain began to fall steadily, but the faithful beast went forward at a rapid pace, and by night fall had covered twenty-five miles of the journey. When it grew too dark to see, he turned aside, found a sheltering rock, gave Selim a handful of grain, and ate a bit himself, had Selim to lie down under the shelter of the rock (a trick he had taught him in happier days),lay down beside him and fell into sound sleep. lie was awake by four o'clock, fed and watered his horse and started forward again. The rain was still falling in a fitful way, and the air was chilling in the extreme, but the young man absorbed in his thoughts ahnost forgot the warring elements. He had ridden forward an hour or more, and the somber light of a sullen day was creeping over the rugged hills as he rode to the top of a long hill and paused for a moment looking down a long and narrow valley in his front. As he stopped the shrill blast of a morning bugle-call resounded through th» valley and rolled up the hills, and he knew that in front was an armed force. He knew also that it must be a hostile In alt the annals of war, there was perhaps never a more complete surprise, which in one way was good as it saved useless waste of life. Henry expostulated with Lanvale, but to no effect, and finally, very much aggrieved at his new friend, he stepped off twenty-five paces and placed the young men in position. As be stood by John's side he said in an undertone: "Let hun off as light as you can." John ate his breakfast, threw himself down on a rude couch and slept until three o'clock. The general, though anxious to talk with him, would not allow his sleep to be broken, but left instructions to give him his dinner when he awoke, and send him to headquarters.camp fire indulgidg in a tin cup of f coffee, tnade of the genuine articl The federals hardly made a pretense of rallying and in ten minutes all was over. day captured from the retiring federals, when an orderly rode up, and reported that a Texas brigade, had lost its way, and needed a guide. The general looked around at his weary staff and said: "Capt. Ilewson, you seein the least fatigued, please guide Gen. Wheat ley's brigade round to the right, and have them report to Gen. Smith." John moved off promptly, but with much reluctance in his heart. I mowed down the old rusty arches of a forgotten croquet set and got mad eight times and started a tumor at the place where I rested the handle of the mower against my person. The hotter I got the less I knew, I aimed at first to just fool with the machine awhile and quit, but as 1 went on and overheated my judgment I mowed down a bed of mignonette and some tuberoses that were just beginning to bear. Below I give a poem addressed to my farm during the late dry spell which visited our place: On the federal side, only about ten were killed,some thirty or more wounded and something like Gve hundred prisoners. The confederates lost one man killed and five wounded. hurt MIDSUMMER ON MY PLACE AT A GIVEN POINT, AND LOOKING TOWARD ROAN MOUNTAIN BETWEEN THE STANZAS. "I shall put a bullet through the top of his hat, just to show him what a backwoodsman can do." About half-past Cliree he reported to the general, nothing the worse for his tremendous journey. A little way off Lanvale was lying insensible. He hail been cut down by a saber blow from ki field officer and nothing but his cap had saved him from instant death; as )t was, he had an ugly wound which mSglit prove fatal. John saw them safely in the hands of the field surgeon. Refit a hasty note to Col. Gregory detailing the faets and rode away to the left where he expected to find the general. Col. Gregory turned to his wife, who was crying quietly, and with suspicious moisture in his eyes said: "There goes a lad who will make his mark in the world," to which Mrs. Gregory responded in the most irrelevant manner: "I feel like I had buried one of my children." Henry said nothing, but turned and shook his fist in the direction of the room where Lanvale lay, which fully expressed his feelings. Henry stepped to one side and counted slowly. Oh, the sweet potato's swelling on my upright farm. And tbe sourwood blossom feed* the bee. And Elias with his strong right arm Scoots the moonshine maker up a tree. "I see, young man, that these dispatches are dated noon of the 21st; this is the -3d. At what hour did you leave Gen. Lee's camp?" The colooel with his usual impetuosity tried to before most man in the rush. *Dut John clung to him Like a chestnut burr, and when the skirmish was o?er, A ah by patted him on the shoulder, as he laughingly said: "My lad, they shall not make rae a general for this unless they make you a captain." "One, two, three, fire:" As the last word left his lips, both rifles exploded. Lanvale staggered, but John did not move. Henry ran to Lanvale, and found him unhurt, but that John's bullet had gone through the crown of his hat, so close to his head that the concussion had momentarily staggered him. He had missed his mark entirely. The foolish man was not satisfied, but insisted, as he put it, "in shooting it out." Henry carried this decision to John, who took it very coldly and informed Henry that he would break Lan vale's right shoulder next time. He found the Texans a quarter of a mile away, resting and waiting fur a guide. He reported to the general that he was detailed to guide them to the "ight, some five miles away, whereat the general swore a mighty oath in his intense disgust, but finally found voice to say: "Lead on, young man; I presume that the intention is to walk us down to a state of humility that will make us fit subjects for killing tomorrow.""About two o'clock, general." "What is your name?" "John Ilewson, company II. the Virginia cavalry." "Virginia born?" "Alabama, sir." I would have mowed down a trainload of fresh air fund children if they had come my way, but that's nothing. Anybody would do that,if they had ever met a fresh air fund outfit alone on the road. Oh, the sun shines hot on my blue grass lawn. And the mule goes on mighty sad. For my upright farm is a dark Venetian red. And the eating C lav is lookinc miehtv bad. [TO tDE CONTINUED ] John rode along in a deeply despondent mood. Every rod of the rutty road, every tree and stump was as the face of a familiar friend. It was like tearing a sturdy young sapling up by the roots, but this young man was made of sturdy stuff, and having once decided there was no retreat. When the confines of the plantation were reached, lie got off his horse, sat down on a log, and it is no derogation of his manhood that he shed bitter tears. While sitting thus despondent, he felt a cold nose on his hand, ami on looking up was met with sympathizing looks from old Hector, a favorit* hound, who had lDeen skulking along i few hundred yards behind, but beeinj il "Cx / .V CHAPTER XVL A GLANCE BACKWARD. For my lawn is as red as the Sandy Bottom road. "Weil, Private Ilewson, you are a good rider, few men could have made the trip in the time. By the way, how did you come in possession of two extra horses, with federal equipments?" After John's departure from Texas the Gregory family settled down to the usual hum-drum of plantation life. An Englishman, who was weary of life, determined to put an end to his existence. He called his servant: Too Liite. Well, that's the same way I rode the bicycle, only I concealed myself while practicing. Then I went at it ou rainy days. It was in the barn. I enjoyed it some, though at times I knocked the rafters a little to one side with my head. I soon learned, too, to carry in one hand a heavy club with which to knock over the machine .whenever it hopped on me while I was down. And the peach busts open on the bough. And my long parch-ed well at the back of my abode Wants a cold, damp towel on its brow. Lanvale, crippled by his wound, remained an inmate of the house for six weeks, and being on his good behavior succeeded in completely captivating Janet. A few weeks after his recovery he roue up to tne house on« aay ana made a formal request of the colonel for his daughter's hand. The co'onel had been prcparod by his wife, who was cognizant of the situation, and they had long and anxiously conferred upon the matter. Neither CoL nor Mrs. Gregory fully trusted Lanvale, but their daughter's happiness seemed bound up in him; they knew nothing about him of a positive character except his passionate temper. They were not mercenary people, and cared little for his financial standing. The result of their conference had been a reluctant conclusion to throw no obstacles in the James, I am going to throw myself "Spoils of war, general; little skirmish on the road, and here are some papers I took from the owners of the As the general tfas splendidly mounV ed this struck John as a pretty strong figure of speech, but he said nothing except to ride ahead at a steady gait. As he rode forward the colonel'ol the leading regiment addressed him as to how the day had gone in that quarter. out of the window It never was so droughty since prior to the war. force. If anybody calls, vou will tell him Very good, sir When the apples got so wormy on the tree. And it puzzled you all to know what they was The men were placed in position, and again the ominouB words rang out. There were two sharp reports almost together. Lanvale uttered a curse and dropped his rifle. John wavered a moment, but the next moment was erect and assaring Henry that he was unhurt. Henry turned to Lanvale, who after dropping his rifle walked a few steps in a wavering sort of way and sank to the ground, just as Henry got to him. Lanvale's second shot had been aimed at John's heart, but had missed a little, going through his clothes on the left side, just breaking the skih. John had shot Lanvale squarely through the shoulder, breaking the bones, making a wound not necessarily dangerous, but ugly and troublesome. The valley was a mere open gulch and but the one road, following along a swollen mountain brook. The hills were covered with a dense timber growth and it looked impossible to skirt the horses.". that 1 am not at home. for. Except a gnurly death to you and me. "Living or dead?" The next moment there was a ritig. A friend looked in. "One dead, one insensible." Next I learned how to repair my wheel if the pneumatic tire got punctured and let the climate out. You carry a little kit of things, gum and things, also a plumber's furnace by a strap over your shoulder, with your vest pocket full of charcoal, and then when your pneumatic tire gets a hole in it and looks like a pink tight in the hands of the sheriff you get off the wkeel at the roadside, and the children of the district school come and stand by vour side while you fix it. But the banks may bust 'n do the money cciv ters harm, I reck not a low neck clam. For I am content on my upright farm. And that's why I seem like 1 am. "Ah! I see;" and, turning to a soldierly-looking man near by, he said, in an undertone: Before he had finished speaking, John recognized Col. Gregory's voice, but controlled his feelings and answered quietly anil in a natural tone of voice: •Is Lord X  within?" L»np in the valley Nd time was to be Pointing to the window, the valet replied, "He lias just gone out, sir!"—So- wasted, and he at once decided to attempt to steal around the camp. Turning to flie right he plunged into the thicket, where he dismounted and throwing lus reins over the pommel of the saddle struck out afoot with the horse following like a stepping as lightly as a cat. After two hours of exhausting toil, be came into the road Home two miles below, the camp, and "A gallant soldier, CoL Ashby." "Indeed he is," responded tho lionhearted Virginian, "and I would like the best kind to capture him." The colonel started violently at the sound of the young man's voice, and said, hastily: 'Your voice sounds strangely familiar to me, and yet you must be a stranger to me." ilix Request. John caught this conversation and flushed with pleasure. frrqTpa- Al XJ ' ■'~k w  } V T ' A— _ A 22? The general read the papers hastily and knitted his brow. Turning to John he said: "I will need you again shortly. In the meanwhile, 1 shall at once recommend you for promotion to a lieuten- "Not a stranger to you, Col. Gregory, as long as I have memory. I am John Ilewson." f '•:? A Slight Error. J9 ft An tip town church has recently undergone great alterations, and during the course of the work a lot of old wood was accumulated which was perfectly good for kindling purposes, but was not of much account for anything else. The superintendent of the building; thinking to have the wood removed at the least possible cost, started about to dispose of It by sale. Accordingly, picking out a nice, smooth board, he inscribed it as follows: ''Wood For Sale by the Load." I am not of a mechanical turn of mind, and so I could not find the hole where the air had escaped when I broke down. When you puncture your tire, you blow into the valve, and then, if you look soon enough, you will deftly discover the air in the act of escaping. Then you heat a piece of pneumatic pelt and solder it on as soon as possible. I outside, as he supposed, of the pickets, lie had ridden perhaps th*ee hundred wa v The colonel reached out his hi:nd in the darkness and grasped the young man's as he spoke in a voice shaken-with feeling: yards, when, turning around a sharp spur of the hills, he came onto a picket post of two federal soldiers, within ancy." The colonel met the young man pleasantly, had a long and friendly talk with him, and got from him a promise that he would make his home with them, which promise Lanvale was in no way reluctant to make, as he quickly saw the solid advantage to accrue to him from the arrangement. There being no apparent reason for delay, the marriage took place in two months. John walked up to where ileiiry, who had cut away Lanvale's coat, was trying to staunch the flow of blood, and told Ilenry to do the best he could, while he went for a doctor. "Indeed, general, I am not seeking "I presume not, men of your stamp do not seek it; in times like these it naturally comes to them." promotion." "My lad, my lad, I am glad to see twenty feet of him, who detected him as quickly as lie saw them, and confronted him with the sharp demand: you. j I feared I should never again see you. And you have turned soldier, too. I told the folks at home that you were solid metal. With what command are you serving?" x* In an hour's time, which seemed an eternity to Henry and the wounded man, he had ridden five miles and brought the doctor back vjth him. He then went up to the house and sent down a team to haul the sufferer up to the house, and walked into the dining room where the family were at breakfast, uneasily wondering what had become of the young men. He sat down at the table and ate his breakfast rapidly, but with usual appetite, telling the family that the others would be there in a few minutes. "Who troes there?" John returned to quarters, awaiting orders. I did not realize till I was 11 miles from home, at the bottom of a live mile bill in a bed of sand and "hit a-raining," how hard it was to find a pinhole in a rubber tire by watching for the place where the mean temperature is escaping. CHAPTER XIII The general took Col. Ashby into his inDer Clen, and held an earnest conferenee with him. fortunes or wax. "1 aua at present attached to the corps commander's staff." "For the luv av hivven, Mary Ann, The board had been exposed only a short time when some wag saw the chance for u good joke and changed the letter "a" in the word "load" to an "r," and for days the sign stood out in front of the church reading: "Wood For Sal a by the Lord."—Philadelphia Record. John wan one of those men, who without being brilliant or showy, had an activity of body and steadiness of mind which often stood in good stead of more The young couple took a wedding trip down to Galveston and the coast, spending a month or so, and during the trip Janet received several shocks, but in her then state of infatuation and blind fondness the imnressions ouicklv faded away. "Then you are a commissioned ufli- pbw.it are vi z doiii?" "Whist, Moike! It's manicarin me nails I am." "I see from these papers that these men belong to an Ohio regiment, which I had supposed to be with the command in my front. Evidently they are quietly detaching reinforcements to their people in West Virginia. Now, could not you make a dash with your regiment and cut off these people, and thus discourage them from enlarging the experiment?"cer?" "Captain." "Jerusalem! but you are climbiny. I knew it was in you, lad. but i did nC t know It could so soon get out. Well. 1 am glad. I did not think this te rrible war would ever let me feel glad ..in, but I know now that I have some natural feeling left. Hut Henry and my son-inlaw are both in my regiment, and you must see them before you go back to headquarters." "U!io! Whin yo finish tliot hand, ye can manicure me boots."—Truth. As night came on and the children had to separate and go their several ways toward home I gave up the idea of repairs, carefully concealed the machine in a swamp and rode home on the running of a farmer's wagon, on which I sadly pinched myself several tithes, which hurt me exceedingly. HE WAVED HIS HAND howy qualities. In the present emer- hls master apparently troubled oould not resist the temptation to come up and show his feelings. genoy he grasped in a moment the desperation of his affairs, and promptly recognised that his only chance was in They settled down on the plantation, Lanvale ostensibly devoting himself to his profession in the town, to which he rode daily, but in reality devoting his time to gambling, drinking and politics. Hard Work The sight of the dog did John good. He patted his head and the horse on the nose with his hand as he spoke: "Well, well, Hector, you and Seliin and I can face the world together." utter recklessness. I has an uncle who has taught liC r lu open and *hut his crush A littli The Composer of "After the Ball." He answered tbCs challenge with the lint. The other evening, however, he aiDi« jjifd with an Ordinary ou. Suddenly he saw the child coming with his 'it w ■ Ik liat wrinkled like an accordion. she said, "thisone is veiy ii id to sit on it, but I can't (lian half shut." -Tit-Bits. "Harris, the composer of 'After the Ball,' will make over $100,000 out of his song before it gets through its run," said a music dealer. "I know this for a certainty, for I have figured with him on the matter. Harris, unlike many other composers, realizes that the only way to make money is for the composer to publish it himself. He iearned from the experience of others. The composers of 'Listen to My Tale of Woe'and 'The Song That Touched My Heart' would have been wealthy men on these two productions alone if they had had the foresight to take out copyrights in their owu names. Finishing his breakfast he called the colonel to one side and briefly explained what had happened. Just as he was finishing Ids story, which had filled the colonel with such unbounded astonishment that he had not been able to speak, the wagon drove up. In a moment the whole place was excitement, during which John got on his horse, rode out to the fields, and passed the forenoon hours supervising the work and doing some heavy thinking. "A friend," and as he uttered It let his hand fall to his belt where hidden under his great coat was a trusty re- nsual'word The black-bearded cavalryman's eyes sparkled In a month every negro on the place hated and feared him for his brutality and tyranny. And it was not a very long time before Janet knew that she was tied for life to an exceedingly common lump of clay. His fine appearance and showy qualities hid a nature thoroughly coarse, overbearing and brutal. I.ike most women she undertook to make the best of a bad matter, and clung to him with a devotion worthy of a better cause. Did you ever ride 011 the "reach," or the "bolster," or the "hounds" of a lumber wagon seven or eight miles in the noontide heat with your feet hanging down and gouging large holes in the road? It is equal to a straw ridu among asylum acquaintances. The dog barked joyfully, the horse neighed as his master mounted, and John Hcwson passed away frotn the placfi he loved most of earth, and which he was not to see again for loiif and weary years of toil and turmoil? of blood and strife. "1 only wait your commands, general, and am eager for the fray." volver. John noticed that the kindly man spoke rather constrainedly of "my sonin-law," and felt in a moment that the colonel was disappointed in his son-inlaw.hard 11I1CH I've i "Advance, friend, and give the countersign," was the next sharp demand. I'.v this time his hand was on his re- The general looked at him sadly, as if he saw the untimely ending of the heroic life, but said nothing. After a few momenta' thought, as if his mind was made up: "Gen. Lee writes me mat i can retain tnis courier ior tne present, as he would probably not return in safety, the country becoming more dangerous daily. You will take him as guide and start with the dawn; I reckon the distance at fifty-five miles; by forced marching you might strike them about dark the second day, as they are not likely to move until the weather clears. I hope that you will be able to give them a genuine surprise." get it more volver Drawing1 and cocking it was the work of a moment. Striking spurs to his horse, lie took quick aim at one uf the federal soldiers and, as he fired, shouting "there it is," his horse bounded forward. The soldier at whom he lired fell heavily from his horse, shot through the head. The second soldier had lired almost simultaneously with John, but the suddenness of John's movements disconcerted U's aim, and the ball grazed the young man's temple. Cefore he could fire again John was alongside of him, and even in that moment of hot conflict, reluctant to take life, instead of shooting the sol- Wouldn't Do For the Buftltiess. Referring to rules and vehicles, I am reminded of the chariot race in "Ben- Hur," Everybody remembers his wonilerfnl picture and wishes that he had been first to write it. Everyone calls to mind the speech of Ben-Hur to his steeds as they flew around the course; how he kept his temper even when Messala gave the Jew's beautiful horses a cut as he passed them, with his "Down, Eros! Up. Mars." But when the moment, the supreme moment, arrived, Ben-Hur, when all else was silent, addressed his horses: "Impossible, colonel. I must report at once, as soon as the duty is donC won't do at nil Grot Tiie boy you recommended CHAPTER XI. As they rode along the colonel got by dint of hard questioning a pretty accurate record of John's adTenturesafter leaving Texas, and in return gave John a succinct account of everything that had transpired and exacted a promise from him to visit his wife and daughter in Richmond after the campaign was Cnstoi'ier- What has he been up to? Chi r 1 gave him a sign to stick up. "Take an instance in Pittsburg. In IStW Henry Kleber composed a piano piece, 'The Rainbow Schottisch,' and gave it to a publisher who agreed to pay a royalty. The piece had a great run—over 1,000,000 copies being sold—and it is running well yet. Instead of receiving $300 a year royalty, as he has every year since the publication, Mr. Kleber might have made his fortune on this little piece. Harris produces a copy of 'After the Ball' for 4 cents. He makes 15 cents clear on each copy sold to musio dealers. "—Pittsburg Dispatch. It was the fall of the fateful year 1801. The southern states had seceded from the union; bloody war was raging throughout the land; Bull Run had been fought; Gen. Lee was in command of the confederate forces in western Virginia, and was about opening up what was perhaps to those engaged the most dismal campaign of the war. "All the Delicacies of tilt Season Will Be Found Inside," and he pasted it on the garbage barrel,—New York Herald. CHAPTER X. JOHN DISAPPEARS. In the spring Texas passed the seces-D- sion ordinance, war broke out and everything was excitement. Col. Gregory, notwithstanding the earnest remonstrances of his family, accepted a colonel's commission, Lanvale became a captain in the same regiment and llenry Gregory a lieutenant in Lanvale's company. The regiment was ordered to Virginia, but did not see much John came in at noon and found a ■very gloomy atmosphere. Henry had fully explained everything, and, while the colonel and Mrs. Gregory were compelled to admit that he had acted with moderation, yet they were so inconsistent as to feel that he might have done even better. The colonel, while out- The Doctor's night bell rings furiously at 2 a. 111. As John rode back to headquarters his mind was in a maze of thought, out which he evolved only one definite idea, and that was that he hated Lanvale and over Ashby went out joyfully to give the necessary orders and in a few minutes all was bustle. Well Doctor (head out cf the window)— On a gloomy dfcy, heavy with chilling mists and threatening every moment a Shrill Voice From Below—No, imbecil—ill!—lutruusuciuit. "On, Atair! On, Rigell What, Antares, dost thou linger now, good horse?