Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1857-11-11
tgron the Atlantic Monthly.l
SALLY PARSONS DUTY.
(C0ncIuded.)


Lang rolled the inseparable quid in
his cheek, and slyly drswled out,
well, if ye must, ye must. l ant
a-goin' ter stand in the way of yer doc
ty'
Sally was too far away to hear, or
she might have smiled.
Uncle Zckicl and Aunt Poll we're to
be told and coaxed into assent no
very hard task for George Tucker was
a favorite Of 'Zekiels and now he had
turned rebel, the only grudge he had
ever owed him was removed he was
too glad to help him in any way. Aunt
Polls sole trouble was lest Sally should
take cold. The proprieties, those gods
Of modern social worship, as well as
their progenitop, the improprietics,
were unknown to these simple souls !;
they did things because they were right
and wrong. They we're not nice ac-
cording to Swift's definition, nor in the
mode Of the best society, but they were
good and pure; are the disciples and
lecturers Of the proper equally So!
sally's simple preparations were
quickly made. by nine o'clock she
was safe on the pillion behind Long
Snaps, folded in Aunt Polls red jo-
seph, and provided with saddle-bags
full of comforts and neccssaries. The
night was dark, bnt Sally did not feel
any fear; not Tam O'Shanter's exper-
icnce could have shaken the honest
little creatures courage, when George
filled the perspective before her. The
way was lonely; the hard road echoed
under the old cart-horse's hoois many
a black and dcsolate tract OF forest lay
across their twenty miles ride; molc
than once the tremulous shrek OF a
scrcech-owl smote ominously on Sally's
wakeful sense, and quavered away like
q dying groan more than once a
mournful whippoorwill cried out in
pain and expostulation, and in the
young leaves a shivering wind forebod-
ed evil but they rode on. Presently
Sally's dropping head rose erect; she
land her hand on the bride. Stop,
Long" said she. 4 hear horses feet,
and shouts
Look here..' said Long, after a mo-
mcnt's. listening, there's breakers
ahead, Sally; let's hcayc to in these
ere piny bushes side O the track; its
pitch dark, mebbe they'll go by
lie reincd the horse from the road,
and forced him into group of young
hemlocks, which hid them entirely
from passcrs by. Just as he was well
ensconced, company of British caval-
ry rode up, broken and disorderIy
enough, cursing and swearing at the
Yankees, and telling to unseen ears a
bloody story of Concord and its men,
Sally trembled, but it was with indig-
nation, not fear, and as soon as the las,
hoot-beat died away. she urged Long
forward they regaincd the road, and
made their way at once to George il
Lexington.
Is 1t well to paint, even in failing
words, such emotions as Sally fought
with and conquered in that hour! Who
ever has stood by the bed of speech
less, hopeless, Unconscious human being
IN whom their own soul lived and sui
fered, will know these pangs without
my Interpretation. Whoever know.
them not need not SO anticipate. l
Sally had been less woman, nigh
have had more to say but she was on
~ woman, and loved George, so sht
went on in undisturbed self-control, ane
untiring exertion, to nurse him.
The doctor said he could not live
Long said he was booked for Dav,
Jones; the minister prayed for 'our dy
ing brother';-but Sally said he should
live, and he did. After weeks of pa
tient care he knew her; after NOR
weeks he spoke,-words few, but prec
ious and when accommodating months
brought to the battle-felds of Americ,
redder stains than even patriotic bloot
had splashed upon their leaves,-whe,
one nation began TO hope. and another
to fear, both hope and fear had shaker
hands with Sally and said goodbye
She was married to George Tucker, and
with the prospect Of a crippled husband
for life, was perfectly happy; too hap
Ply not to laugh, when, the day afte1
their wedding, sitting on the door-sil
Of the old Westbury homestead, with
George and Long Snaps, George said
Would you ever have come to tax,
care Of me, Sally, if I'd a been shot OF
the side OF the reg'lars!'
Sally looked at him, and then look
ed away.
I Expect she'd a done her dooty,
said Long Snaps dryly; and Sally
laughed.