The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1861-08-13

from the Colonels quarters. Flags in.
Vulnerable waved from tents, and officers
arrayed in blue broadcloth, with shining
buttons, tripped quickly to and fro
Something unusual was on the tapis, per.
haps an unruly secesher had been caught,
and was about TO be made an example Of,
or home sick youth had broken guard,
and struck out his tallest licks for home.
But, no; a party of excursionists from
Mt. Pleasant, situated about twenty. five
miles west Of here, had come with the
amiable intention of paying us benight-
ed heather visit. Through the gate,
and over the ground, they poured, in a
long, continuous stream of young and
old, short and tall, men and women, girls
and youths. Some carried on their arms
huge baskets, which our voracious appe.
tites, sharpened by the wear and tear oi
masculine beef for two weeks, readily de-
tected as conveying smell that could
proceed from nothing else but fried chick
ems, currant jelles, and other nice fixns.
Of course the wind could not resist 50
tempting an opportunity to blow, and
blow it did, with force and fury that
that venerable parsonage, the "odest
inhabitant, never saw surpassed. Dust
rolled triumphantly through the passages
and into the tents, converting the immac-
ulate whiteness Of the ladies' collars into
a pepper and salt color, and interfering
in most audacious manner with their
favorite hoops. Faces, which but an
hour ago could rival the lily in purity,
were reduced to dubious grey, while
silks and satins no longer cleaned and
rustled in the sunshine.
"Ah then and there was hurrying to and fro,
And gatherings of istress."
Not TO the battle field, however, but to
the old fair building, there to mourn, and
counsel themselves over the wreck of di.
lapidated hoops, broken parasols, and the
mutablity of things in general. kind
ly offered to assist rosy damsel with
her shawl, just out of pure benevolence,
you know, but her d" lovyer." great,
strapping fellow. looked daggers at me,
and intimated that my services were not
needed. Concluded that they weren't,
and sloped. But despite these inconve.
niences, they appeared to enjoy them
selves, and i'll their interest in our behalf
soiled silks, crumpled muslin, and all
other discom forts, were forgotten. 1t
was a joyful meeting between many.
Mothers embraced sons, and pulled out
from the deep recesses Of their pockets
many little keepsake. Fathers tried to
be appear grave and dignifed, but the
moistened eye and husky voice betrayed
them. Sweet angels in calico would re-
cognize among the soldiers cousin or
brother, and rushing forward with cry
of delight bestow on them hearty kiss.
And lovers there were who exchanged
any quantity of les dour year. This was
the hardest of all 10 bear. Our boys
could take the double quick for half.a-
day, and never tire sleep on straw, and
rise in the morning ready to do or dare
as much as any other men, but to see so
many bright eyes and smiling glances,
and know that none of them were intend
ed for us. was too much for our nature.
AT least SO | felt, as sought my bunk
and vainly endesvored to compose my
mind to read tract which some an xious
friend had left me, entitled a. The Way
to do Good" Read for few moments,
and came to the conclusion to 60 and di-
vide my tobacco among the boys, as
most of them were out. and | wanted to
do little good. But help mightier
than mine had come 10 save. One Of the
boys rushed up to me, half frantic, with
a splendid cake in his arms, to which was
appended a note. requesting him to dis
tribute il among the Guards. Yes, the
good folks of Independence had again
taxed their generosity, and here was the
fruits. Butter and Cheese, Cakes and
Pies. and other things too numerous to
mention, were brought to light. Last.
but not least, came tobacco, and the way
the boys shouted and poured forth thanks,
was a convincing proof that they had no
particular ill-will toward the donors. We
had royal dinner for that day, at least.
Cake and Cheese was placed at each
plate. with now and then a dish Of vel.
low butter. The sergeants kindly voun.
teered 10 act rs walters. and when every
thing was ready, and the word given TO
charge. you ought TO have seen the firm
and intrepid manner with which they
came up 10 the board and demolished the
eatables. Many thanks. also, for the pa
pers. They were refreshing as a shower
upon the desert. Even the love stories
Of the Ledger proved quite interesting.
and served to while away many weary