The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1862-08-20
Selected Storp.
THE DESERTER.
CoxE here q momeu. please"

We had only glmmer of light in the hos
pitsl, for the cots were nearly all empty. Mos
Of our wounded had been cent home; but the
moon was full, and poured its white stream o.
radiance right down on the face of the man
who bad spoken to me.
| "What is ii YOU want? " asked.
81 don't like to be alone | feel rather
strangely"
"You are excited what is the matterP"
| The thin, keen features of the man wore M
eager, restless expression his black eyes shone
| fercely.
"rm a deserter, you know. This wound
troubles ME little You don, ,hiuk desert
ed from cupidity, do you?"
Really, | know nothing about it. You are
not well tonight I shall give you something
queting SO that you may sleep"
"No, no, just stay here a moment.
leave me-"
lie looked so eager that sat down on hi,
cot, felt his pulse again, re-arranged his band
ages, and placed his pillow more comfortably.
Your touch is ss gentle a womau's," he
said, gratefully, sghug as he spoke. II as still
little while, then rose to order his medicine,
but he grasped me by the hand and drew ,ae
down again by him.
This moonlight reminds me of the night |
came near losing my sword arm. | was Lieut.
enant in Louisiana regiment. We had pret-
ty hard brush with your fellows, and found
myself face to face with the toughest subject
you ever saw. Twice thought myself gone
our cartridges were out With great shout OF
Liberty and Union J." the Yankee came at me
with II sabre, cutting cash in my arm that laid
me low. Fortunately they had to fly just then,
or should have been in the other world when
came to my senses, was all gone with just
such glure of moonlight IN my eyes as shines
tonight was very weak aud consuming with
thirst, and not especially thankful to my brave
comrades for leaving me thus. You must know
that joined the army without a spark OF love
for secession: not jot Of principle in the uIat
ter - purely from the love of adventure, and
with my French blood tngling at the thought OF
"la glore." have had different teachings
since so you need not be hssty in thinking me
very contemplate. Glory has been the dream
of my life."
Pale, wasted as he was, the young Lieutenant's
face had a strange fascination on it. Now his
eyes cleaned again. his proud mouth was trem-
ulous with feeling that, of course, was yet in
comprehensive to mo. tried to make him be
silent; but so intense Vas his desire to speak
that found it best to lis'cn calmly - best for
more reasons than one lite WAS low in the cha
ice, perhaps my listening might sweeten its last
few drops.
"Yes glory has been bright dream ever
since | could listen to old stories OF my ancps-
tors in other lands, where our name was proud
one, name have tried to keep with honor
Well, woke in the moonlight with dim sense
of concern for my generous friepds who had
left me to my fate, and very urgent desire to
get water so managed to crawl through the
woods, sometimes risug to my feet only to fall
again, though had tied my handkerchief round
my arm to stop the bleeding. l recoliected
passing farm house before the fray, as well AS
| could, made my way for it. was fortunate
though alarmed, the occupants were sccust TOM
ed to danger, and kindly took me in. For
some time was very i'll; drring my illness our
regiment was ordered of; indeed the Federals
had gained possession of that part OF the couu
try. No one molested me, tor the family was a
poor Union one, who had been robbed of near
| y all their valuabes, but who, notwithstanding
our ill-treatment, did not make known my ref
uge. need no; tell YOU how kind they were,
] H.. 4, / 81 u.
derly woman, boy of fourteen, and a young
woman in the family. From the time that first
opened my eyes after the delirium of fever, un-
ill - no matter for tme - but kindness and
tenderest care from both, but principally the
younger woman, greeted me. | can see her
great dark, sad eyes, looking now at me. Dien
how beautiful, how tender, how full Of love.
Love, did say alteration What life was
hers Poor Nina, poor Nina She was the
! daughter OF ole Of the most Influential, proud,
est merchants in New Orleans - her mother q
quadroon slave. The father died one day with
apople1y without adjusting his property, leav-
! ing Nina slave. Too proud, too good, toe
beautiful. She fed, for her mother had already
named the price - three thousand dollars.
| gusshed my teeth At the sccursed institution -
abe taught ms what was fighting TO perpetu
ate. She, poor Nina, not even then safe from
pursuers. l can not express to you ho~ gentle
and tender was her care of me. can only tel
you that il inspired the deepest love" The u
valid raised himself on one arm, flashing dark
er, deeper than ever were his black eyes -
noble brow, white and thin to spirituality - the
pr I'D lips Quivering with pain and passion
Again tried unavSiling to soothe him - he
must have felt the strong tide of life ebbing, bu
IL seemed only to nerve him on to speaking.
~ had left in New Orleans rare beauties, my
own cousins, proud, elegant women; l have
frittered time away over soulless creatures
have believed myself in love with these moths
gtittering, gaudy, vain beings but never had
loved truly till saw Nina. You do not know
what It cost me to confess this sven to myself
!, who had dreemsd of glory all my life, | whit
had proudest Of blood in my veins - TO Low,
woman tainted with African ineAgel fee
wild - the room swims = hush, you must list
en-! NinA's voice was rich with melody, but /
became torture. Her gentle, healing touch dis