The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-01-25

is not wonderful, we repeat, that she cap
tivateI Frank, and that their hearts were
blending their shades and colors into one
brilliant stream Of lovely light.
About fortnight from the time we left
Frank in the reverie, Amelia and her
brother, youth Of fourteen, had enjoved
the evening by pleasure ride to the Salt
Springs, not far from her fathers man.
sion. AS she rode up to the gate, she
recognized Frank, seated by a window in
the parlor, who instantly came out to
wait on her while dismounting.
When she saw him approaching her.
she anticipated him by lcaping hastily
from the pony, and playfully ran up the
steps; looking over her shoulders, cried
" Frank, you are ever slow; like wait
er to be all action not one Of pour plod-
ding, lame, dali order" His countenance
remaining firm, with slight tinge of dis
appointment he replies:
am for action, under the banner of
my country. Amelia, must leave You,
and perhaps, forever"
What now, Mr.. Nebulosity 2" snor-
tive'y replied the confident girl; "have
yon got into mystification 2"
Nay, Amelia" added he, Neptune
hath seen the lion grapple with the ca
gle"
"What," exclaimed she, with sur
prise. His brow somewhat CONTRACTING
he replied
Congress has declared war. The
President has called for men. Read
this" whercon he handed her a scrol
containing the list of volunteers, who had
pledged themselves to the cause Of their
country. Her eyes eagerly ran over the
list, while she scarcely heard herself read
as follows:
"We pledge ourselves, as the Salt
Spring volunteers, TO the service OF our
'oantry, during the war.
FRANK ELvANE, Capt"
Then succeed the names of other Off
GERS and privates to the number of eighty
seven. When her eyes caught the sight
Of his name, she dropped the scroll, and
tottering towards him, hystcrically sob
bed:
"Will you-can you leave me Z"
"My country calls. | must obey. In
one month, | shall depart for Richmond,
to enlist in the United States service"
How longl" family enquired she.
"A soldier knows no time. For life
or victory" responded the Captain.
"Ah, then, | do not hold dominion
over that heart. A plume and a glitter
ing sword can attract beyond Amela's
power"
Mot So" sternly replied the young
officer; 1" | am an humble lover Of my
c~untry, for my Amelia's sake. Can you
iO'c udilOI, VI u CONdTu
"Why leave me voluntarily, then I"
said she.
"'Tis not voluntarily" interrupted the
Captain; curse the cause that induces
the necessity. But you, l will adore,
though len thousand lions, as fierce as
Cerbcrus, roar around me-"
Animated somewhat by the enthusiasm
Of Franks last speech, she became consci-
Gus that she had not doffed her riding
habit; hastily repairing to her own apart
ment we will leave her, no more to find
her, the light-hearted sociable Amelia,
whose presence gave an idea Of the purest
eontentment. Frank remained until morn
ing. Time fed swiftly tlIe hour FOR his
departure was Fastening on, but it brought
no quaIms with it, beyond The separation
from the idol of his heart.
How he left her, time, the unerinV
chronicler, will deyelope. His conduct on
this occasion, will, 10y generous mind,
be overlooked, when we find at that dav,
persons who were engaged, especially in
that section were regarded as man and
wife; and what in other persons would
have been gross violation Of morals,
was in them an allowable privilege.
AS Captain Of the Volunteer Corps, he
was actively engaged in making prepara.
tons for the march to Richmond, to en-
list under General Jackson's division.
Young, brave, and endowed with
good share Of fortitude, he made but lit
tie ceremony in taking leave Of his rela-
tives. In due time he was on his march
to the place Of general rendezvous there
to await the order Of his Commander.
We do not design to follow this brave
youth throughout the various priva-
tons and tolls, incident to a soldiers life !;
YET, to his honor, be it said, he was In sew