North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1863-11-04
Selttt Storp*
THE ANGEL AT THE DETOT;
OR, WHAT CAME OF A KISS.

The great depot was crowded. The -
regiment was about to leave for the seat of
war, and it was known that the brave fellows
were going where fighting was sure to come.
The cars bad backed into the building, and
. the engine was shr'eking impatiently. The
| regiment had filed into the depot, and as the
soldiers rested few moments upon their
arms, fond friends gathered around, and the
words of parting were spoken. There were
tears and sobs, and blessings; there was
wringing of hands and wringing of hearts |!
Wives were parting with husbands moth
ers were parting with their sons sisters
were bidding goodbye to brothers and fa
theirs were speaking the last words of eau
tion and care. II was a season of painful
anxiety for the departing ones we're going
with their lives in their hands, and the offer
ing on the battle alter might speedily be
made.
Corporsl Walter Evermond leaned upon
his rife, and gazed upon the scene. No one
came to kiss him-nonc to bid him farewell
Not over one.and- twenty was Corporal Ev
ermond. He had fresh, handsome face,
and bright, pure eyes; and his frame w as one
of those marvels wherein magnificent phys
ical structure is developed with small body.
' / declare" said the Corporal, wiping a
bit of moisture from his eye, am glad that
| have ncb ody here to weep and sob for me.
Yet" be added, with longing look, "it
would be pleasant TO bear away one parting
kiss2 But shan't get it,"
"Tll kiss you if you'll let me-"
Walter Eve rmond felt hand upon his
arm and the pre:tiest, sweetes, face he had
ever seen beamed upon him with a smile.
"rll kiss you, sir ~ And the girl placed
t 9th hands upon his blooming cheek.
"Thank you Bless you -
Fall in! Fall in m
The Corporal pressed the hand of the beau
ulul girl, gave one more look into her dream
ing eyes, and then fell into line and ere
long the cars rolled out from the depot bear
ing the volunteers toward the field where
patriot duty called them.
In little while the train was out Of sight
around the curve, and the throng of friends
gradually dispersed.
Nellie. I'm astonished at your'
Astonished at me 2" repeated Nellie
Preston, looking into the face of John Gains
ford, who was walking by her side.
Yes. How could you do such a thing 2'
Such thing. as what p
GAS kiss that fellow in the depot. Good
ness gracious! What were you thinking
off,"
81 was thinking" replied Nellie, With a
percept,bIe flush of feeling, that be might
be poor, motherless, ss,erless boy, who
had no one in the world to love him."
"And SO you thought you'd love him, eh 2''
81 love all those brave, noble men who
have gone out to offer up their lives for their
country's welfare !" said the girl with deep
emotion.
81 never knew how we'll | loved my own
brother ill | saW him go away to day. |
hope God will keep him, and return him to
Us in safety"
"Did you notice." said Mr.. Gainsford, af-
ter pause, that your foolish behavior
caused considerable remark %
"Pd rather you wouldn't say any thing
more about that, Mr. Galnslord."
"You are asha of it, eh 2'
81 am ashamed Of you, sir! You need
not help me. l can get into my carriage
alone" ...
Two days after this, Judge Preston came
home looking very thoughtful. After tea he
called Nellie to him, and asked her if she
had made up her mind to be the wife of
Gainsford.
have made up my mind that | will not
be his wife % was the prompt reply.
81 have no wish to urge you, my child -
81 do not love him, father and should
prefer to have no more intimacy with HIM.
| never liked him. He is unkind to his poor
sister, and he might be unkind to me-"
You are right, my daughter and am
now free to confess that am pleased with
your decision. Almost the last thing your
brother said to me before he left, with his
company was, that he hoped you would not
make John Gainsford his brother in law
He knows Gainsford well, and has no re-
spect for him." a.
The Judge kissed bis child, and the matte r
was settled. Gainsford was the son of one
OF his oldest friends, and thus the intimacy
commenced and he had been willing, tor
his daughters sake, to try the young man,
but he felt sense of relief now that the tri-
al was over.
George Preston, the Judges only son, had
gone as Captain of a company ; and the fami-
ly watched anxiously for the news that was
to bear them intelligence of the movements
of the - regiment. By-and-by intelligence
came. The regiment was at Poolesville.-
The regiment was at Balls Bluff! The reg
1 hod homp y,udor Gro ha vwhoto If M