Young Captain Jack; Or, The Son of a Soldier

by Jr. Horatio Alger

  CHAPTER XVI.

  COLONEL STANTON'S VISIT.

  The Federal regiment went into camp up the road, but a short distancefrom the Ruthven home. The coming of the soldiers filled the wholeneighborhood with alarm, but it was soon evident that Colonel Stantonwas a strict disciplinarian and did not countenance any pilfering, andthen the inhabitants became more quiet. In the meanwhile the Confederatetroops had departed for parts unknown. But another battle was not faroff.

  Attached to Colonel Stanton's regiment was a young man named HarryPowell, a surgeon, who was a nephew to Mrs. Ruthven, although the twohad not seen each other for years. Powell was a fine fellow, and wellliked by all who knew him, the single exception to the case being St.John Ruthven, who was too much of a sneak to admire anybody sofree-hearted and manly.

  Harry Powell had drifted to the North several years before, andestablished a practice in Philadelphia. He was thoroughly opposed toslavery, and when the war broke out lost no time in joining the Federaltroops, much to the horror of his two aunts and his cousin Marion. Asfor St. John, that spendthrift said it was "just like Harry, who had nohead on his shoulders, anyway."

  On the day following the arrival of the Federal troops Old Ben wasmaking his way to his cabin for some things, when he ran across ColonelStanton on his way to the Ruthven mansion. The colonel was accompaniedby Harry Powell, but the young surgeon now wore a heavy mustache, andfor the moment the old colored man did not recognize him.

  "See here, my man. I want to talk to you," began Colonel Stanton, as heheld up his hand for Ben to halt.

  "Yes, sah," and Old Ben touched his hat respectfully.

  "Did I understand that this is the plantation of Mrs. Alice Ruthven?"

  "Yes, sah."

  "Why, it's Old Ben!" cried Harry Powell, striding forward. "Don't youremember me, you old rascal?" and he slapped the colored man on theback.

  Old Ben stared in astonishment for a moment, and then his ebony facebroke out into a broad smile.

  "Bless my soul, if it aint Massah Harry Powell!"

  "Of course it is, Ben."

  "Yo' is so changed I didn't know yo', sah."

  "I suppose I am changed, Ben. Is my aunt at home?"

  "Yes, sah."

  "Good. I want very much to see her."

  Old Ben shook his head dubiously.

  "Massah Harry, yo' aint gwine an' joined de Yanks, hab yo'?" hequestioned.

  "Yes, Ben; I am fighting for the old flag."

  "Yo' aunt an' Miss Marion will be wery sorry to heah dat, sah."

  "I presume so. But that cannot be helped. I did as my heart dictated,Ben. I want to see all colored folks free, as you are."

  "Dat would be wery nice certainly, sah, but--but----"

  "It was too bad we had to fight, you mean." Harry Powell looked up. "Whois that coming?"

  "Dat am Massah Jack, sah?"

  "Oh! Why, when I was here before he was nothing but a little shaver."The young surgeon raised his voice. "Hullo, Jack! come here."

  Wondering who it was who was calling him so familiarly, Jack cameforward. He started back upon seeing Harry Powell, and in a Federaluniform.

  "You!" he cried.

  "Yes, Jack. Come, won't you shake hands with me?" and the young surgeonsmiled good-naturedly.

  "Well--that is--I don't like to shake hands with a--a Yankee," stammeredJack.

  "Oh, so you object to my uniform?"

  "I do, Harry. Why did you join the Yankees?"

  "Because I thought it best. If you won't shake hands with me as aYankee, won't you shake hands as a cousin?"

  At this our hero's face relaxed, for he had always liked Harry Powellimmensely.

  "Yes, I'll do that," he said, and they shook hands warmly.

  "And how is your mother these days, Jack?"

  "Quite well, but a good deal alarmed."

  "She need not be alarmed because of us, Jack. Is that not so, ColonelStanton?"

  The colonel bowed. His manner was so pleasant that Jack felt more drawnto him than ever.

  "You are kind," he said. "I thought all Yankees were brutes."

  "They are far from that, Jack. But I was going to ask, can I see myaunt?"

  "I suppose so. But she'll be hurt to see you in that uniform."

  "Never mind, I'll risk that," rejoined Harry Powell.

  Old Ben continued on his way, and Jack and the others walked toward theRuthven plantation. Then our hero ran ahead, to tell Mrs. Ruthven of thevisitors.

  "A fine, manly young fellow, Powell," remarked Colonel Stanton, when heand the young surgeon were left alone.

  "Yes, he has turned out a first-rate lad, colonel."

  "I presume, were he older, he would be at the head of a regularConfederate command, instead of being at the head of this boyish HomeGuard."

  "Undoubtedly, sir. But I am glad he is not in the regular ranks."

  "Why?"

  "I should hate to fight against him, sir."

  "I see. Well, this war has brought brother against brother, and worse.To tell the truth, I heartily wish it was over, myself."

  In a few minutes more Mrs. Ruthven appeared, her face full of sorrow. Asshe approached Harry Powell, the tears stood in her eyes.

  "My dear aunt, how glad I am to see you, after this long separation!"cried the young man impulsively.

  "Oh, Harry! Harry! How can you come here in that uniform?" she returned.

  "Let us speak of that later, Aunt Alice. Allow me to introduce you to mysuperior, Colonel Stanton."

  Mrs. Ruthven looked at the colonel steadily, and he bowed gravely. Eachsaw that the other was of good blood and breeding. The lady of theplantation dropped her eyes.

  "Colonel Stanton, courtesy bids me say you are welcome, but--I beg youto consider that I am a Southern woman," she faltered.

  "I hope, Mrs. Ruthven, you will not look upon me as an enemy."

  "Are you not in arms against my country?"

  "Against your section, yes, but not against your country, madam. I fightunder the flag which belongs alike to the South and the North."

  At this Mrs. Ruthven shook her head sadly.

  "I cannot agree with you, sir. But let that drop. May I ask the news?Have our troops been hopelessly defeated?"

  "I cannot answer you, Mrs. Ruthven. Our side has won a battle and theConfederate troops have taken to the mountain side. They may engage usagain before long."

  "Your troops are encamped but a short distance from here, I believe?"

  "It is true."

  "Are we to consider ourselves as prisoners of war?"

  "By no means, Mrs. Ruthven. I am informed that your house is somethingof a hospital. Let it remain so."

  "Thank you."

  "You certainly did not expect ill treatment, did you?" went on thecolonel curiously.

  "You seem to be a gentleman, I must admit, but I have heard such storiesof violence and rapine that I have some reasons to be apprehensive."

  "The stories are in most cases baseless and without truth. I hope youare not prejudiced enough to think that Federal officers are destituteof honor and humanity. Every true soldier, no matter under what bannerhe draws his sword, respects a lady, and would be the last to injure orannoy her."

  "I can believe that of you, sir, but you are an exception."

  "I cannot accept the compliment. I know many of my brother officers, andI am glad to say that what is true of me is true also of them."

  "But your President, Mr. Lincoln, I am told is a cruel monster, intentupon the destruction of the South."

  "You are sadly misinformed, Mrs. Ruthven. There never beat a warmer,kinder heart than that of Abraham Lincoln, I know, for I have seen himand spoken with him, and I know that no one sorrows more over thestricken homes and bloodshed of this unhappy strife. He is misjudgednow, but posterity will do him justice."

  "I cannot believe it. If he deplores the evils of war, why does he notend it at once, and order his hordes of Yankee invaders to throw downtheir arms?"

  "Beca
use the life of the nation is at stake. I do not wish to speakseverely of your leaders. They are actuated by a mistaken sense ofright. Amid the clash of arms, Reason is silent. We are fighting, notagainst the South, but for its best good."

  "You plead well, Colonel Stanton, but I am not convinced," answered thelady of the house.

  At that moment Jack came up again, bringing Marion.

  "Marion!" cried Harry Powell, and ran up to her.

  "Harry!" she returned, and put out her hand to him.

  "Will you shake hands with a Yankee?" he asked. "Jack was ratherbackward about doing it."

  "I am always ready to shake hands with my cousin," she returned, andblushed.

  Colonel Stanton was then introduced, and a minute later Harry Powellasked about St. John Ruthven.

  "Is he in the ranks, aunt?" he questioned.

  "He is not," answered Mrs. Ruthven, and drew down her mouth.

  "He cannot leave his mother," put in Marion contemptuously.

  "Evidently you think he ought to go?"

  "He is a strong, able-bodied man. I would go, were I in his place."

  "So would I," put in Jack.

  "Then he isn't very patriotic."

  "Oh, yes he is--in words," returned Marion. "But in deeds----" Sheshrugged her pretty shoulders, and that meant a good deal.

  Colonel Stanton and Mrs. Ruthven entered the house, followed by Jack,and presently Marion and the young surgeon found themselves alone in thegarden.