Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1853-01-20

| my HNitN
| Outside of the old elm, and clos
travelled road, Ada stood and looked
on her lover while the distance ias
widened between them; she saw
him turn in his saddle and wave hii
handkerchief, and she replied by ;
like signal. Horse and rider became
more and more indistinct, and ther
passed from her vision; the sound o
distant hoofs fell upon her ears anc
died into silence, but her attitude re-
mained unchanged; her extended
hand still held aloft the signal that
lfiuttered in the wind, and her eyes
were still fixed down the road her
lover had taken, long after every
trace OF him had been lost.
Her mother, watching from the
window at her only child, called,
"AdaIn
The statue-like figure stood un-
moved, still gazing in the distance,
and upholding the banner of love.
"Adal dear Ada!" said her mother
in louder tone.
Ada started as from a dream, and
slowly returned.
Weeks passed away, and no ii
dings were received of George
Ada had lost the buoyancy Of spirits
that once animated her by turns,
and the girlish look | have spoken of
was no more seen in her counte-
nance. She was not depressed or
gloomy, but only softened into a
sweeter grace
Eventually letter was received
from George, a long and loving
letter, full of those details OF his
new life which he knew Ada would
value. He was pleased with his
brother officers, and with the daily
improvement in discipline Of his regi-
ment; his health had remained vigor-
Gus, and he expressed the belief that
the duties Of his new vacation had
been acceptably performed.
Weeks passed again, and another
letter was received. A battle had
been fought. George gave graphic
sketch of the engagement, in which
he had taken an active part. The
contest was a severe one, and manV
on each side had fallen; but not.
withstanding his great exposure, he
had passed through the tragic scene
without a wound.
A young man from the same town
with George and who was in the
same regiment, wrote a letter to
his parents which they sent TO Ada
for her perusaI. She there read of
Georges gallant conduct in the
action; ol his kind attention TO the
wounded after the engagement; and
of his ever active benevolence, win
ming the love and admiration of all.
Weeks passed again, until a longer
period had elapsed than ever before
had interviewed, and still no letter
came.
A rumor was circulated that an
other battle had been fought, that
Georges regiment had suffered Sc
verely, and that several officers had
been killed; but no one could trace
the story to its source, and it died
away.
Ada became nervous, and the very
night before this rumor sprang up,
she had been reused from her slum-
bers by a voice which uttered the
word, "Adar' but that one word
was spoken in Georges voice and in
a tone of affection so impressive as
to drive sleep from her pillow during
the hours that preceded her rising.
Strange, that unrealities can APP
pear so real.
1t was certainly time to hear from
her lover and Ada thought each day
that before the morrow news would
come. E
One morning, as she sat by the
window where she had gazed so
intently upon George on the day of
his departure, the scene OF that
morning presented itself with vivid
ness, and she transfixed with wonder
to see her lovers form before her,
looking at her as be had looked on
that day OF their separation, and
with that smile full of noble sweet
ness, that gave such beauty Of ex-
preston to his lips, when his heart
was most full of noble thoughts
The vision departed she knew not
how.
Ada must have been very nervous.
Before she had time to reflect on
this incident, she was startled by a
knock at the door, and by hearing a
mans voice making inquiry for her.
An officer entered the room, who
introduced himself as the friend OF
George, and informed Ada that he
had obtained leave of absence to
convey message from her lover.
"George is deddl" she exclaimed.
"He died in my arms" was the
reply.
The officer then narrated all the
circumstances; the desperate engage
menf. The fatal wound lie rand