Delaware State journal and statesman., 1862-01-21

dreams, lived far away and there were
none but his college friends to bid him
goodbye when the day for his departure
came, and he was ready to start, leaving
not without a lingering regret, the old
dog-eared books, the study-gown and
smoking cap, of all his luXuries taking
with him only his dear old meerschaum.
No wonder that he was silent and thought
full, as the long train slowly moved of,
amid the cheering of the men, the waving
of snowy handkerchiefs and the fearful
farewells of loved ones For with all his
eagerness and enthusiasm, he had thought
well of the step he was taking, the per-
sonal risk, and the possible duration of
the war. He knew, too, that there were
dear ones at home, who would think of
him often; a sister, who would catch all
the flying rumors, and bewilder her little
head with masked batteries and recoDnois-
sances in search of tidings Of him a
father, whose sympathies would be more
than ever enlisted, now that his only son
was.
His company was attached to a regi-
ment, and they went into camp. Fortn-
nately, their colonel was not mere splen
dor Of gold lace and crimson sash he
was man of military education, earnest
in the canse, and determined to make sol
diers of his men So Charlie soon tasted
the sweets of a soldiers life, the hard
bread, aud harder board to sleep on, the
wooden shirt and ponderous brogan and
the old visions of graduation, and literary
renown, that came to him in his little
chamber, as he sat among his books, gave
way to dreams of glorious deeds in battle,
the thunder of cannon, and the clashing
Of swords. And letters came from home,
from sister Carrie, full of anxious inqui-
res as to his health, and questions abont
how he looked, how he liked it, etc end
ing with wicked little joke about Fan
ME B, and her Irritation with lieu
tenant of the Home Guard In reply, he
told her that she might possess her soul in
peace in regard TO his health, for he was
g tongher'n a billed owl;p he described
his uniform, voluminous in trowsers and
scanty in coat-tail attempted IA mildly
iOcOse remark in reference to Fannie'S
Irritation, and made melancholy failure.
Beside the manual of arms, the culinary
manual was taught and one day Charlie
was taking u lesson in dish-washing, when
merry ripple of laughter caused him to
look up from his task. To his surprise,
he saw the paternal Marsh blandly smiling
on him, with sister Carrie on his arm, con.
vused with girlish laughter at Charities
awkwark energy. The old gentleman af-
terward made the acquaintance of the
colonel, and while they were discussing
the warnews, Charlie was busy answering
Carries many questions, telling her all
about those two chevrons on his arms, and
endeavoring to impress her with the dig
nifty and responsibility sustained by the
third corporal. And then the package
was opened, and the toilet-case and
needle book brought out and the cakes,
confectionery, iellies, and other delicacies
so we'll adapted to the frail stomach of u
soldier. Last of all cnme Il little some
thing wrapped in tissue paper.
Here's something, said Carrie, that
Fannie sent you to remember her by
You haven't forgotten Fannie 2 As il
those violet eyes were not always haunt
ing him-on guard, washing dishes, drill
ing, everywhere.
oub WHY ubn NOh lOOh AT ~ ~ >
pretty, and send her your compliments !"
just then the drum beat,
Time for dress parade = exclaimed
Charlie, and he rushed into his tent to
equip himself Some of his mess-mates
said they saw him quickly press something
to his lips, and then as quickly drop it in
: to one of the capacious pockets of his
trowsers. The next morning, a little ro-
settle appeared upon his breast, and it took
so much of his attention during drill that
the captain threatened to order him tc
r wear it on his back.
= Very few were the words of advice that
his father gave him as he was about to re
turn home.
Serve your flag A mist came be
fore his eyes, and he said no more.
And Charlie went back to his drilling
4 and dish-washing
: Captain, l don't think / am wei
= enough to go on guard to-day
why, boy, you never complained be
fore. What's the matter?'
! ! Nothing serious, / guess. l was il
u the rain last night, and caught cold. Billy
e Reed was taken sick on his post, and
relieved him.
!, Well, go to the hospital
: This was said in light tone, but there
was n cloud upon the captains brow whel
Il he turned away for he was somewha
skilled in physic, and Charities flushed
S face and bright eye did not suit him a
all. The rest is soon told, Charlie
: disease was what the learned call plearo
}, pneumonia, and its hand was laid upoI
y him with eyertightening grasp. In vail
!, did the good old doctor exhaust his skill
u in vain did rough hands, but hearts warn
= with womanly tenderness, minister to eve
ry want
T. 1t was quiet Sabbath evening, abou
> two months after he had enlisted, whe
!, he lay upon his cot, rational for the frs
X time in many days Beckoning to hi
], side his attendant Billy Reed, who ha
q scarcely left him since he had been take
h sick-he whispered family:
- "That rosette."
y 1t was placed in his hand, and he locke
= at it for long time in silence. As Ii
= gazed upon it, its cOlOrs seemed to call t
y his mind the proud emblem of our com
= trys glory, and he repeated many times
oil almost inaudibly, the closing lines {
le brakes immortal poem:
" Forever float that standard sheet,
III Where breathes the foe but falls before as
lie With Freedoms soil beneath our feet,
1y Aud Freedoms banner streaming DER us
Then, turning his eyes upwards,
DSAh-- - he heard the silken rustling of i
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