Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-08-14
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THE PRIDE OF THE REGIMENT.
BY MARY l. PURRINGToN.

\ Conc with me, dear reader, to the good
! ly city of B, for wish to present
TO your spiritual eye my poor herones.
| Twas in the summer of IL, just at the
lime when the spongy earth was rapidly
absorbing the blood of hundreds Of patri
otic hearts; when our national wrongs
were being washed out with human gore;
when communities, neighbors and families,
were divided into feuslal strife.
'Twasan Eden like morning that small
band OF rebels reined up in front of the
Russell homestead, and asked for refresh
Inents for man aud horse. And Aunt Ellen
/ Russell received the strangers courteously,
laying before them with her own easy, al
fable manners, bountfui repast urging
them to partake Of the food with perfect
freedom from rest aiut. She. be it known,
! reader, wes strong minded colohist; her
husband was then away with Marlon's
/ troops.
Amt Elen's only companions, save the
/ farm aborers, were the two daughters Of
her husbands brother, Albert Rasse, who
was cruelty bntchered some three months
before our story opens, by band Of devil
hearted tores-mHrdered while defending
bis sick wife from insult Eva Russell sur
vived her husband but two short days;
aud then folding her arms across her
breast, she fell asleep From the moment
of her parents death, Blanche Russell was
changed being. AT the sight OF horde
of tory troops-squads Of the demon
hearted soldiers often passed in that direc-
tion when out on their foraging expedi-
tions-her fury became almost ungovern-
able.
While compelled to stop in the room
with the lawless set-when they were ma,
king merry over the contents of Mrs Rus
sells lsrder, for she dared rot refuse them
tood-Blanche Russell would pace up and
down the floor, with her hands working con-
vuISively, her fierce black eyes emitting
flashes of fire, and the white foam would
actually gush out between her cleDched
teeth. Oh, she was fearful looking sight
Ella, her sister, was very different, but of
her anon.
Three DAYS before the rebel troops bad
arrived at the homestead, band OF tories
had rested there day and a nislat O.'~]
4 f5fanches over-wrought soul hao been tax
ed to its utmost strength to bear. One of
the cowardly tories, noticing her fletful-
ness, and being tight on old wine, had ap
preached her and thrown his arm around
,, her waist Quickly seizing the fire poker,
that stood by the CRATE, the dauntIess girl
dealt the miscreant heavy blow which
fclled him to the floor. In a moment he
rose and swore he would kiss her-the IT,
gress-to punish her for her impudence.
: Blanche sprang aside, saying, as her face
: grew whittier and whittier, in a voice clear as
= the ring of a metallic vessel
0 zone step forward dastardly coward,
d and by the God in Heaven I'll lay you
i dead at my feet"
"Ha! ha! my tigress, you are getting
o desperate! Look at her, comrades isn't
=. she handsome?' and the tory kept un-
steadily advancing.
ID He came near enough for Blanche tc
: catch hold Of the epauette Oh his shoul-
der; and OBTAINING him thus with tht
g strong, flexible fingers of her left hard
u with the other she drew from her dress
.e and presented to his breast, a beavyedoubl
IS barrced pistol. g
le Ella shrieked and fled Blanche stoot
at immovahIe, with her finger on the trgge
e, aud her great wicked eyes fixed on tn
us captains lace with anything but friend
Is, Is expression. The tory commander slun
y, back, his cowardly knees beating fear
'h lively tattoo.
oil "D-n me what a she-devil p gaspe
ut the crest fallen ruffiln, as he sidIed TOWARD
lis the door. "Look out for the claws OF til
re beast! the -hc-rebel tigress! h
= shouted as he lunged toward his horse
ca Once mounted he rode off, swearing ven
~ gcance on the Russells.
er Well, well, reader, do forgive me
Ell did not intend to keep you out of doors
long; please walk into Aunt EIlen'e no
az and l'l introduce You to all hands and Il
- cook.
,rs Here is Mrs Russell, John Russell's wi
It's maybe you've heard o! him as being OF
he of Marion's most faithful scouts-this
ne she, and don't you like the look on h
les face The expression on her features
me eloquent; they tell of the female soidie
n so to speak. She is fine looking lady
'ur forty, with kindly sounding voice, and
on merry twinkle in the fuh grey eve.
'ioC The little beauty standing close to b
/, is her niece, Ella Russell, aud her espec
Iter favorite. Let me draw her likeness in in
VII, She is small and graceful, with limbs ron
Ahu dcd to perfection, the expression of b
or ewes kept their color so variable that 0
IN moment they seored light blue, then b
'ere zel, then, perhaps, at times, they wor
cry appear to DC of the most intense blacl
and her face was very mild with features
y a fault'ess mould her long golden hair hu
as in natural curIs, extending almost to
one waist, when not looped up. Let me a
IS to to this sweet, full, baby mouth, W
non warm red lips, ever varying in expressi
! It aud know the readers (the gentlem
lght ones of course) will rnsh up to sh;
life hands and kiss her, while the envious
the male portion will treat themselves to d
lned of raw pouts, eaten at leisure in some
mote corner.
one Now Blanche advances, and startled
hten spite of Yourself, you shrink back,
are observation-disclosures we are not suppos
the reader coward-but awe struck is
/. word that won't wound your tender
spring, pride. To use an uncouth phr