Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-09-07

:
your pardon. Chess. = he said bis coun-
tenance expressing the utmost contrition.
beg your pardon, old boy. Upon my
word | thought that was amusing you. :
You can't be so well. How does the
wound feel to-dayg 4 have forgotten TO
ask you, in running on with my foolish
ness He sat on the bed and caressed
Chester's hand with a..tendcrness thas
contrasted strangely with his ftrmer lew
ity and a6dn.t0ned. r rfst !. -
The surgeon has been here to- day,
Abb, and think be is in doubt whether
he can save my hand. watched his
countenance closely as he. examined the
wound, and think that it had an ex-
preston which was ominous of the knife,
Good Heavens how that little word
pierces me, as though it were the horrid
dnstrument itself ALL me. IN
Abner would have offered some words
of hope to his friend, but he was 30
shocked at first that he lost his SELF pos
session for moment, and his hesitation
weakened the effect of his, attempt to re-
assure Chester, who was toe acute MOTTO
perceive it. a ...a
" Never mind, Abb, it may be all right,
said Chester, who saw how disturbed
his friend was. GO to dinner now, and
tell me ,~hat the people say about the Lit.
tie Napoleon's change of base" L
know you'll make some fun out of it, and
don't let proverbial modesty keep you
from retailing it to me when you come
back. Lock the door after you, too, or
about fifty fellows will be here, to tell me
how many of my friends have lost their
arms and legs.
Abner. got up to go, and was leaving in
very different mood from that in which
he came, when his countenancs bright
enss '.Oh Chess, Il forgot to tell you,
-sheh shere, be exclaimed. -s.5. me
~ She i? cried Chester, his face light
ing up in turn, as nc raised himself on
his elbow. By George I'm glad to
hear it. Do you knew, Abb, I'd suffer
amputation with great deal more equa-
nimity it / thought that-well 60 along;
r. get your tisaHer, and eome baek-s.y
! Abner looked rather puzzled. I don't
understand you, Chess, he said. I
know that you will have her heartfelt
sympathy when she hears of your being
wounded; but il may finish your bro.
ken sen ntence, don't see how her not
regarding-you-her not regarding what
have no idea-yoa will have to under =
/ go--can make you any more resigned to
J.. why, it's the most natural thing in
the world, that; but who are you talking
about?. af
Il thought that you would understand
from the emphasis gave to the word
why, Lucy Gwynn, to be sure
| 'Oh! groaned Chester, falling back on
the pillow. ...-..... M.
He did not observe Abner's quiZZical
look rs he said: I'm sorry it isn't the
right one, Ches; but whoever she is, if
she's the sort OF girl that believe you
would care anything about, she'll lovc
you as long as there's any thing left of
you, or she's no true woman. Make your
self easy about that, and don't tell me
who she is. The one meantis in town,
and Pm going down to see her this eve
ming I'll tell you all about it when l
come back. Now don't bother yourself
! about surgeons. and instruments, and
} such disagreeable things. Think about
her until | return, and don't drink up
} that bottle of Johannisbefg you've got
under the bed as soorf as pgo out
Abner seemed to be very much pleas.
i ed at this allusion to a hypothetical bot
tie, or at something else, for he. wen
; down stairs whistling There's nothing
! half 80 sweet in life as loves younl
! dream Is .-sa@ 80
4 Johannisberg Chester murmured.-
: And the panorama of the 'old Rhine
: seemed to pass before him. How vivid
Q y he saw the shining river, and the
steamers, with the up-turned faces of th'
: tourists, who scanned cliff, and tower
= and sunny slope, where the vines fut-
, tered in the genial sunlight, and who's
y reflected hues the revolving wheels min
u gled into forms Of strSlge beauty. H'
s saw Heidelberg, as he had left it but
z year ago, with the swallows twitterini
). around the old tower; in imagination, b
;e heard the merry throng of student
!, planning their summer tramps to Swit
lr zeriand and the Hartz, whilst he, file
o with harasSing apprehension, was pre-
10 pairing 10 make an uncertain journey
,e his native State, +, add his efforts I
those of his wronged countrymen-t
i, exchange the joyial company Of the bu
: chen for scenessof strife and suffering
le AS he reflected, he sunk into a. qu,
it sleep, and his souvenirs became more VII
h id in bis dreams
h. - 80