Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1864-05-06

J Dy AeaNon ~ 10 Jcssle avery ANU
il was for this poor, nameless, lily-faced
boy that she spurned my love- and he
threw the little miniature at his feet, and
ground all semblance Of female beauty
from beneath his heavily armed heel.
Water! o, God will no one give
me water? {? am parching, dying, was
still the piIiful, pleading cry wrung by
fearful agony from the lips of the wound
ed man.
water? Yes, you shall have water
when it rains Parch, roast, die, fool!
The sooner the better, and Jessie Avery
shall be mine
Water wat
But the plea fell upon ears that listen
ed moi, and the captain turned away, Red.
handed revenge bad full possession of his
soul, aud had he not been sure that death
would soon free him Of his fortunate RI
val, it might have b IN that murder
would have prompted his hand to ac-
celerate the end.
what, Walt Elmer, and dying ex-
claimed a bluff old sergeant, as he near
/ ly stumbled over him. by thunder !
this wont do. His mothers darling, and
her only child
Water water'
Yes, boy, yes Here it is, if the
wbiskey hasn't got the best Of it, but it
can't hurt you, any how and be held
bis flask to his comrades lips.
George Thompkins, sergeant, / am
dying
NO you aint, and you shan'i"
Tell mother that II
The old soldier, who had seen death in
every form, on the wild fields of battle
in Mexico, brushed a tear from off bis
weather-bronzed cheek, and cut the sent.
ence short by lifting Elmer as if be bad
been child and bearing him away.
Captain-now Colonel Barber (for be
had been promoted) returned to his ma
tive village covered with glory-and
pride He had but to open his arms to
have any of the girls fall into them save
one.
rs it-can It be true that Walter Ell
mer is dead-died on the battlefield 2
asked Jessie Avery, the first time they
met, faltering at every word.
Certainly, saw him myself
Then God help his poor, widowed
mother, and--and-'
And? You were going to add some-
thing, Miss Jessie ?
'And-take-him home to glory
You seem deeply interested in bis
fate
'Yes-yes--I was-wss,' and she fell
fainting at his feet before he could save
her.
Edward Barber remained for months
in the neighborhood, recruiting bis sadly
thinned regiment; but it was long before
he again put himself in the way Of meet
ing Jessie, who, grown to a shadow, with
blanched and etiolated cheeks and form,
seemed to be fast becoming too ethereal
for earth. She was waiting-only wait
ing till the shadows had grown little
longer, for the voice of the angel that
would summon ber to join him she loved,
in the land where strife is unknown and
the battle drum is never beat. Well the
discarded suitor knew that she mourned
bitterly, But time he thought would dry
her tears, and he could yet gain her con
sent to be his wife.
Seated on a low stool by her mothers
side, when the shadows of an autumnal
evening had gathered tbictly around,
and the leaves whirled in eddies through
the cherry shaded lane she was trying TO
read the blessed words of promise lined
upon the pages of holy writ, but could
not for her tears. Were not the shad-
ows lying dark and tbs dead leaves fall
ing thickly upon Ajs lonely grave?
'Father, there is somebody at the door;
will you go and see, please ? she said
suddenly starting up.
Every sound was terror TO her now,
and her parents petted and bumored her
every whim, deeming that she would
soon pass away from their mortal vision.
Yes, daughter, yes. It's some Of the
neigbbors girls I'll be bound,' he said, as
the knock was repeated more loudly,
and he hobbled to the door.
Does Mr.. Avery live here ? asked
the gruf voice Of man, who, as the
light flashed upon him, stood revealed in
the dress of a soldier, and with the stri-
pes of a sergeant glittering on his arm.
yes, yes; I'm Ralph Avery. What
do you want, my good man =?
Good Well, do believe I've done
nne rnod dend in my long. useless life.