The Patriots of the South (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1906. Excerpt: ... POSTLUDE THE PATH OF DUTY TO THE END I BEGAN this veracious chronicle with the picture of Robert Lee, and I close it in the same way. Twice before death came to crown the end of that great life Grafton and his wife saw the general. The day after the meeting in Richmond, Grafton, in doubt, like many a young Southern soldier, as to his future course, went to Lee, from whom he had been wont to receive orders, and asked advice. Ariadne was with her husband, and they found Lee in his home in Richmond. They had last seen him together by the grave of an old friend. As they stood before him now it seemed as if they were confronting the grave of Virginia itself. His face lighted as he saw them. "My dear child," he said, taking Ariadne's hands in both his own, "the end of the war has brought you together. I never had a chance to thank you for that magnificent ride in the Wilderness. There is no reward I can offer you now, save to tell you what you already know, that in your husband you have one of my bravest, most devoted, most able soldiers. He stood high in the Army of Northern Virginia, and there was much bravery, much devotion, much ability, displayed there." "I know what I have gained, General Lee," exclaimed Ariadne, her eyes brimming with tears. "And no one can know what happiness has come to me, General, except for our country," said Grafton, quickly. "You are well mated," said the general. "And now you know that we are all poor, but won't you let me help you a little on your honeymoon? You see, I knew both of your fathers, and..." He took out a pitifully small roll of bills, greenbacks. There were perhaps ten dollars in that roll. "I will divide with you," he said, smiling as if the absurdity of his poverty was the only thing that affected him. Grafton put...