The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1863-06-11

How is he now, Covincton ?"

How is he now, Covington p
The violet canopy Of heaven was
ablazc with the frosty sparkle Of innum
cradle stars that frosty October night.
and the pcarly crescent Of new moon
hung family over the horizon, as the
genial faced old salgeon pushed aside
the army blanket that formed the door
OF a rudely constructed hut of ever.
green's, among The pine forests Of Mary
land and entered.
a fire Of pine cones was burning in
the coarse impromptn chimney Of mud
and stnne-hurning with an aromatic
fragrance that prevaded every corner
ofthe cabin, and by its red, resinous
light, the old man saw figure stretched
on a single mattrass, and second per-
SON sitting though,fully by the broad
stone that served for hearth.
"Better, doctor, think" was the
reply Of this latter parsonage. throwing
handful Of cones on the embers, that
they may blaze up more cheerfully.
HE has wandered good deal in his
mind this afternoon, but seems very
quiet now. I have dressed the wounds
as you directed, and"
He stopped short, for the expression
~, ~ ~.
spoken words upon his lips.
"Doctor, you do not think"
"Covington," said the old man, quiet
~, "hc's gcing fast. Don't bore him
with any more d-aughts or lotions. He
may last until morning, but I rather
think he will drift out with the turn Of
the night You need not look SO ap.
pealingly at me, my boy-I can do
nothing more. I'm sorry, E,r he was
brave fellow aud good officer; but
there is no use in my remaining here 10
waste time, when l am wanted in forty
u:aces at once. BY the way-I'd almost
70 got tcn-,he mail came in while
was at headquarters, and here letter
for Dacrc; poor fellow, he'll never read
it -
H. tossed the square bit Of paper
upon the c"ve,let, close to the motion.
less hand tha, never stirred to receive
it, and was gone.
Covington rose, and leaned sorrow
fully over the face of the dying man.
Il was face chiselled in the most
perfect form Of manly beauty straight
features, dark blue eyes, shadowed BY
ligh,, languid lids, and curls Of silky
black hair, pushed away from the fore
head by the impatient hand Of fever.
The CHASTITY wounds in his side were
covered with the bcdclot',es, aud while
he lay there, one might almost have
fanciel him asleep.
As schoolboys-as youths--a. men,
they had been firm friends, these two
comrades; side by side they had chang
ed, on the marderous day Of Antietam,
and cow Hugh Covington was watching
the dying bed OF Charles Dacre, in the
lonely wilderness, scarce stones throw
from the battle ground where Dacre
had been smitten down.
As Hugh leaned down to smooth the
rough pillow, his eye fell upon the sup
erscrip,ion Of the letter left by the old
surgeon. He took it up, growing almos,
as pale ~ the white face below.
"Marian's writing-the letter is from
Marian = he gasped s',he love would
have given worlds to win! Of what
use will it be ~ the man who lies here
dying p
He held the folded slip of paper a
morent in silence-then bent once
more over the PROSTATE form Of his
companion.
"Charley-Charley Dacrc | Rouse up
minute, my boy! !" he said IN low
clear voice.
The dark blue eyes unclosed, and
stared vaguely up into her own; but
there was no light, no expression In
their gaze.
"They have brought you a litter,
Charley--a letter from Marian ~ urged
Coyington.-''See !"
"Marian-Marian." repeated the dying
man and then the heavy lids fell again.
It was but meaningless name in bis
dull ears now, poor fellowl
But An hour afterward "a Covington
sat gazing into the fire, his thoughts
hundreds Of miles away, the name was