The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-02-06
" MORNING. AT ONE DOLLAR AND FIFTY CENTS PER YEAR.
BIDDEFoRD, MAINE, FRIDAY MORNING,


abandoning his first idea, greatly to Bessy's
relief. "No, didn't nuther. "Good land!
here they be, in my gray waistcoat pocket.
Well, I am glad. I'll have to step spry
though, If calculate to over.ake your moth.
er, before she gets to the meetin' house, Bes'
sy, hc added, as his foot was on the thresh-
old, 'sif you're really feared O. burglars, I'll
give up the Thanksgivin' sermon, and stay
long with you."
"Oh, no, father indeed it is not necessary"
said Bcssy, earnestly; 81 am not at oil
afraid"
And closed the door on the deacon's broad
shoulders just as Charles Mcllen emerged
from the sheltering folds of his retreat, with
face Of comic dismay.
al was very nearly uncarthed that timo"'
he exclaimed, with peal of merry laugh.
ter. "Supposo he had taken it into his head
to prosecute that search, and hauled out a
young man instead of pair of spectaclcs
Don't look so solemn, Bessy."
leave me, Charles" pleaded tho girl
"lcaye me, you have no right here"
"But haven't any idea Of going" per.
sisted tho young soldier" ut least not yet.
Listen to me, Bessy.-my own promised
wife,"
al am listening" she said, half turning
away her head, yet making no effort to with
draw the hand which he had taken.
"Bcssy, have not yet told you why l
am here to-day. The fact is, that l have
been away from my regiment quite long
enough. The trifling wounds received n
few weeks since are entirely healed, and l
am going to try my luck once more az a
soldier. Bess, l must march tonight"
"To.night?'
The fair head dropped with low bitter
cry; the tears rained fast upon his soothing
hand.
"To-night! he repeated. / may never re-
turn, Bessy, and would have the right to
call you trife before I go. 1t would bc such
strength, a comfort to me! Will you de-
ny me this the last request may ever maker"
| should fight the better for knowing that
my precious wife at home was praying for
the absent husband. Bessy, may | 60 to the
battlefield with this buckler about my
hearth"
And when she lifted her tear-drenched
eyes to his he knew that the prize was wOn.
"But, Charles, when"
"NoW, dearest. Go with me; we'll place
it beyond the power Of earthly hand to break
the bond between our two hearts.
The fitful w.hurries of the morning had
settled down into good old-fashioned storm
drifting, drifting, in white binding clouds
around the farmhouse on the hill, folding
the old stone fence in ermine wreaths, and
ridging the roof trees with alabaster. But
within the pine logs blazed cheerily on the
hearth; and the deacon, sitting in their
genial glow, listened complacently to the
hollow moan of the wind among the forests.
In the shadow beyond, Bessy was musing,
her cheeks softly flushed and her eyes full Of
dreamy light.
"Bessy," quoth the deacon, STOPPING to
replace log which had fallen apart in a
shower of bright sparks. "l've something
to tell you, daughter. Mark Vernon had u
talk with me this mornin' arter meeting"
"Well2" she said, quietly, shade Of pal.
lor creeping over her face.
"And he wants you to bc his wife, Bessy
the mistress of his store.housc and broad
lands. What do you say, my child"
III cannot be his wife, father. l am mar.
ried already"
married !" repeated the deacon, vaguely.
"To one, father, whom have already
given up to his country. became Charles
Mellen's wife while you were absent, this
morning; and he has left his bride TO do q
man s behest, to die, il need be, for the old
flag which he loves better than wife, or home,
or life itself! Father, forgive mo; for l
have only you and my mother left to COM
fort me now
Poor little Bessy? her short.lived cour-
age gave way to burst Of tears; and when
she lifted her wet eyes from the old mans
knee she knew that she had not plead in
vain.
"Bessy," said the deacon, after few
moments pause, "you've done rash thing;
yet can't somehow find II in my heart to
blame you. as perhaps ought to do. I've
always maintained that the men who 60
forth 10 defend the Union deserve to be re-
warded with the richest treasures Of our
hearts and homes, and its too late now to 20
back from my word. Cheer up, my girl
And thus il was that the soldier wooed
and won his bride on THANKSGIVING Day.
n-.--..z f,ont~;h,koJ ~ kho