The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1864-01-27
THE REBEL OFFICER.


Toward the close OF a beautiful day, du-
riog the. invasion OF The Nsrsh BY the rebel
army superior officer OF that army present
ed himself at The door OF one OF The most ar
risiocralic residences OF the place: and re
pectlul.y begged bowl OF coffee for sick
companion. The lady of the house hast
eued TO prepare ii. and presently he rece:V.
ed at her hands large pitcher oi the re-
ireshins beverage.
He pledged himself TO return shortly, and
the lady, impelled by curiosity. resolved TO
discover whether he was truiiiul, or wheih-
er il was presext tor resaliug himself win
luxury. She saw hin take ii TO oil officer
whose pale counlenance aud stoopng fig
Gre she had noticed, and who drank oil
cop alter cup, as if his thirst was uHquench
able, until the pitcher was drained. I'm
nlediately her visitor larHei 10 bear back
the borrowed articles, aud on reaching the
kdoor he said MAY God oless YOU lor your
! kindness 10 a suffering man. He is fee bic
and almost exhausted and you cannot
know how much this has comioTted him.
He offered con- pehsstlon, which was re-
fused He fingered as if wishing an inyi-
,a,iou TO tarry and Immediately come young
ladies' whose curiosity 10 see "a splendid
rebel officer" outweighed their tear, ap-
peared on The threshold, and among them
little girl OF three years. Al the sight OF
her, the sad face OF the confederate bright
ened, aud extending hand, he said, Sis
sy, lett little girl at home, just about
your size, and she could sing very sweelly.
Can you sing 2"
'sYes, sir"
s'wouIdul you like to sing me song
for my lillle girl's sake 2"
Mamma said you were rebel, and had
come here 10 shoot as anc burn our house"
80, no, nay Iistle dear, couldn't ihink OF
shooting you,n he replied with evident en-
baFfassment. i will take care OF you, ,insIead-'
"WnI you 2 Iher will sing you my
incest new song aud regarding him as d
worthy friend she placed her hand IN his,
aud, looking up INTO his lace with childish
confidence, began to sing, with hsping ac-
cents
s.The Uaion forever, hurrah, boys, hnrfah !!
Down with The traitor, up with the slaf,"
with as much assurance as though she had
known he admired The sentiment His
face look on lis former serious, absiracted
look, aud be seemed unconscious that she
had ceased until one of-the ladies inq quired
II he would iasor them with singing He
consented to join in that grand old hymn
which can never die, aud he reserenIiy
uncovered his head while ihey sang,
BE thou, oh God exhalled high"
aud The iulIness, aud richness, aud exqui-
site melody OF his1ones can never be ior-
gotten by that little company.
He took leave of the party, bot, as if hav-
quired :e"WiIl one Of you ladies obIige me
by exchanging a postage stamp, for wish
TO communicate with my sister in Washing
ION, which cannot de with my stamps or
currency.
lady promptly assented, and received
the curiosity, and on discovering traces OF
his High Mightness, Jeff Davis perched il
on The Zip Of her fiCges and eyeiug II as.
kance inquired IN The sancy spirit o! mis-
chief which her beauty and grace guaran-
iced her, "WiII it bite ?'
aNo it's warranted not to bite" he said,
smiling al The oddness Of The question.
How long are you rebels going to stay
here a'' she continued.
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