The weekly Butte record., 1862-12-06
The Patriot Girl.

occupation was to attend TO their focks, and
bear the scant produce of their little farm 10 q
neighborng market-town. Ella, ike the wild
flower, had grown and bloomed in obseurity,
adorned and beauti6ed by the unerring hand
of nature She had known but little of the
world until the trump of war sounded over the
country, and echoed discordantly amidst the
darkest reeesses of solitude; and when in con
sequence OF her inquiries. her father was oblig-
ed 10 tell her of the distracted state of her
native land, the Indignant blash and the high
heaving of her bosom proclaimed how much
she felt for her enterprising sovereign and the
brave people that were arrayed to defend his
dominion.
f" Heaven grant us victory exclaimed she,
in the patriotic enthusiasm of her soul; l
would, father. that nature had made woman
strong enough to fight"
The old man only smiled a reply, and, kiss
ing her rosy cheeks, bade her keep out of the
sight of the soldiers.
This caution was scarcely needed. Ella
knew where TO find one on whom she could
gaze, and be gazed upon for hours and who,
though not dressed out in the trappiogs of the
military, was more to her than all the world
beside. She was soon on the mountain slope.
watching her herds, and listening to the mel
low notes! as they flowed from the pipe of
Adoph, fine featured young man. who sat at
her feet, gazing tenderly upon her smiling face
That hair of yours Ella said he, laying
down the instrument 4 would give the
world for one little lock :" aud he ran his fin
gers through the glossy tresses as they hung
luxuriauty around her finely moulded shoul-
ders.
The world is not yours to give. Mr.
Adoph,' said she archly; but do you only
love me for my curls which you are always
praising?"
Il love you for yourself. dear Ella, but
these rich ringlets, which might grace a queen
l almost idoze them, and yet you refuse to
bestow upon NE one little tress.''
Have not reason? Were to give you
lock, l might never see you again for then
you would have your idol by you, and should
be forsaken. No, Adolph, first prove yourself
worthy of the gift, and then you shall not only
have tress, but my hand, too, if you desire it ,
Tell me how to become worthy of so ines
timabe a gift exclaimed the enraptured
youth; and l will follow the path you shall
point out"
There it is" answered the maiden, point
ing toward Breslau, and looking her lover fix
edy in the face.
And what am l to do in Breslau p?
Join the brave men who are struggling for
our liberties, and tenfold shall be the love of
Ella"
y slight blush overspread the face of young
Adolph, and kissing the band of the fair shep-
herdess, he turned away, and was soon lost
among the deep recesses of the valley.
There was more courtliness in the last salu-
tation of Adolph than generally falls to the lot
of the untutored and robust mountaineers of
Silesa and Ella thought, as he wended down
the narrow defle, that there was more dignity
in his mien than she had ever before observed
She scarcely dared ask herself who he was
for he had been but short while among the
shepherds, and no one knew aught of his birth
or profession but every one loved him for his
generosity and nobleuess of spirit.
My hair" said Ella to herself, as the youth
vanished from her sight Il will dress it for
his sake. They say it is rich and beautiful
All how freely would destroy each ample
tress, and scatter it upon the winds, did be not
love to smooth it with his fingers"
Months rolled away, and Ella watched her
herds alone and in sadness. for nothing was
heard of Adolph, and the demon of war con-
tinued to spread his desolation over the land
1t was proposed to raise sum by contribution
among the inhabitants of the mountains TO be
placed in the general fund and appropriated
to the use of the intrepid defenders of the king.
When the father of Ella was called upon for
his proportion, he had nothing to give, and
the warm-hearted girl then, for the first time,
felt the want Of wealth.
Father, let US sell our focks," said she
e we will be amply repaid in the freedom we
shall enjoy; and, when peace comes again, I'm
sure l can work for you"
No, my daughter answered the old man,
" our country requires no such sacrifice; we
must not deprive ourselves of the means of
livelihood
Ella reflected for long while, and formed q
thousand plans for raising sum of mouey
worthy Of being given in aid of the patriotic
cause; but all her schemes were impracticable,
aud she even wept in solitude for her inability
to serve her country.
Would that these locks were wires Of gold"
exclaimed she. running her fingers through her
clustering tresses as they dallied with the wind;