The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1863-04-01
THE ANGEL or THE DEPOT; OR
WHAT CAME or A KISS.

The great depot was crowded. The -th
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 had backed
into the building, and the engine was
shrieking impatently. The regiment had
filed into the depot, and, as tho soldiers
rested for moment upon their arms. fond
friends gathered around, and the words of
parting were spoken. There were tears
and sobs, and blessings there were wiring
ing of hands, and wringiug of hearts
Wives Were parting with husbands moth
ers were parting with their sons sisters
were bidding goodbye to brothers
aud fathers were speaking the last words of
caution and care. II was a season of pain
tul anxiety for the departing ones were 20.
ing away with their lives in their hands, and
the Offering upon the battle-altar might
speedily be made.
Corporal Walter Evermond leaned upon
his rifle, and gazed upon the scene. No
one came to kiss him-none to bid him
farewell Not over onc-aud-twcnty was
Corporal Walter Evermoud. lie had u
fresh handsome face, and bright pure eye;
and his frame was one of those marvels
wherein magnificent physical structure is
developed with a small body.
i declare" said the Corporal, wiping a
bit of moisture from his eye, 81 am glad
that have nobody hero to weep and sob
for me. Yet" ho added, with longing
look, " it would be pleasant to bear away
one parting kiss But shan't get it,"
"Tll kiss you if you'll let me ? +"
Walter Evermond felt hand upon his
arm and the prettiest face he had ever seen
beamcd upon him with smile.
"lll kiss you sir!" And the girl placed
both hands upon his shoulders, and pressed
her lips upon his blooming cheek.
THANK you! Bless you"
"FdH in! FdN IN :"
The Corporal pressed the hand of the
beautiful girl; gave one more look
into her beaming face, and then fell
into line and ere long the cars rolled out
from the depot, bearing the volunteers to-
wards the field where patriot duty called
them.
In little while the train was out of sight
around the turn, and the throng of friends
gradually dispersed.
Nellie, I'm astonished at you"
" Astonished at me-" repeated Nellie
Preston, looking up into the face of John
Gainsiord, who walked by her side to a
carriage.
Yes, How could you do such thing p"
Such thing as what ;"
" AS to kiss that fellow at the depot
Goodness gracious What were you think
ing of?
6 was thinking, replied Nollie, with a
perceptibe flash Of feeling, that he might
be poor notherless, sisterless boy, who
had no one in the world to love him"
Z" And so you thought you'd love him, eh ?"
81 love all those brave, nob.o men who
have gone ont to offer up their lives for
their country's weltare," said the girl,
with deep emotion. "a never knew how
well loved my own brother until | saw
him go away to-day. hope God will keep
him, and return him to us in safety"
Did you notice" said Mr.. Gainsford,
after pause, 4" that your behavior caused
considerable remark ;"
I'D rather you wouldn't say anything
more about that, Mr.. Gainstord."
You are ashamed of it, eh?"
an, ashamed of you, sir. You need
not help me. 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
John GainSford.
have made up my mind that | will
net be his wife was her prompt reply.
have no wish to urge you, my child"
:" do not love him, father; aud should
prefer to have no more intimacy with him
| never liked him. He is umkind to his
poor sister; and he might he uuknd 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.
lie knows GainsfOrd, well and has no re-
spect for him."
The Judge kissed his child, and the mat
ter was settled. Gainsford was the son of
one of his oldest friends, and thus the init
macy had commenced and he had been
willing for his daughters sake to try the
young man but he felt a sense Of relief
now the trial was over.
George Preston, the Judges only son,
had gone AZ Captain of Il company and the
family watched anxiously for the news that
was to bear to them intelligence of the |
-th Regiment. By-and-by intelligence
,ame. The regiment was at Poolesvilo. |
The regiment was at Balls Bluff! The |
regiment had been under fire nearly the
whole of that terrible day and a fearful |
lavoc had been made in its ranks. Where |
vas George? Oh how anxious was Nellie |
Preston now More than ever before did |
The know she loved her brother.
Ha! Good news. George is safe. The |
Judge came home with an evening paper,
md handed it to Nellie, pointing with his
niger to the paragraph she was to read.
She read as follows:
Captain Preston, after being exposed to
! merciless fire for four consecutive hours,
vas one of the last to swim the river. He
lad made his way down the bluff, and was
assisting some of his wounded comrades,
when the enemy came pouring down upon
lim lie was surrounded, and would have
,een slain, but for the heroic bravery and
levotion of sergeant of his company.
The sergeant whose name was Walter Ever
nond, seeing the Captain in danger, sprang
0 his side, and with his revolver shot
Iown three men who were pressing upon
lin. When they gained the water Captain
'reston had received wound in the shoul-
Ter, which rendered it impossible for him
0 swim but Evermond did not forsake him.
The noble fellow clung to his captain like
'rother, and succeeded in getting him
afely over the river. We are happy to
tate that Captain Preston's wound is not
dangerous"
so! Heaven bless that noble sergeant !"
j culated Nellie as she finished reading
he account.
And her father joined her with his whole
oul.
Late in the evening curious thought
worked its way into Nellie Preston's mind
he wished the man who had saved her
'rother's life SO braveIy had only been
orporal And she wondered where that