The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1864-06-17
For the True Northerner.
Love and Glory.
BY MARY Il. MORSE.

At the battle OF Donelson, a prisoner
who had received u mortal wound, told
the following story:
81 am native of Pennsylvania. Sew
eral years ago, | removed TO Tennessee.
While there | became acquainted with a
Southern lady. She was high spirited
girl, intelligent, of good education, wealthy,
and moved in the highest circles of socie-
ty. | loved her, and sought her hand
We were plighted, and our nuptials were
about to take place when the war broke
out At heart felt the enormity of this
wicked rebellion, but knowing the pecu-
liarities OF my affianced and her bitter
hatred of the north, / almost dreaded to
meet her, and when | did meet her, it
did prove as | expected. She was rank
rebel. "What is to be done, Della 2"
said l, after a long pause, our views do
not harmonic in this natter "What
do you intend to do 7" she asked. "Noth-
ing" replied |, with some misgiving. 81
can never lift my hand against the best
Government the world has ever produced,
neither can turn against the people of
the South, whom do respect, aud who
are the kinsmen Of my Della. | must be
honest in this matter, and leave more
beigerent ones to do the fighting" Ten
derby as | said this. | noticed she was
agitated, and her eyes almost flashed fire
as che answered: "But you mast do
something" "What can [ do under
such peculiar circumstances said l.
-" Can't you fight for the country that
protects the glorious South-that gives
you wealth, love and happiness ?" she
said earnestly. Would you have me
turn traitor, and destroy the very Gov
eminent that has given me all theseY'
said |. Traitor" she exclaimed, wildly.
6" Is he traitor who fights for her he
loves? Traitor indeed Can you not
fight for me, William Then you are a
traitor in the worst sense of the word.
was nettled, and my face showed it; but
love conquers everything, even loyalty,
and | said sternly: "Delia, would it add
to the welfare of the South if it should
gain its independence Would it add to
your happiness ~ 1t would" she re-
piled. "The only respectable par; of the
country would then be rid Of the sneak
ing, meddlesome north +; and, of course,
/ should be happy" +" We DO not see it
alike, said l. Do | understand that you
wish me to become traitor for your sake
and fight in the ranks of the rebel army
against the Government of my nativity,
which has never done ought but shower
blessings upon me 20 Yes" she said
passionately, +" Rebel army, if you please
to call it so. Listen to me, William. 81
am your affanced we are plighted, and
we love each other as you say, as none
ever did before. This ! do not deny;
but | love my country also" Is not this
United States your country" said l. Then
why wish to destroy it Z" No. she
part Of the country that deserves the name
of United States See here, | have a
proposition to make you" "Go on"
said |. " do hot believe you are a
coward" she said, tenderly, "but l want
proof of your devotion to me, and the
land | love. You can get commission
| will see that you have one. Will you
go Here is my hand my heart is
yonra, and shall go with you and be to
you testimony of safety in all danger"
Gould you marry traitor, Della 2" /
asked, for l could not get rid of shat
blighting idea. " Don't call yourself
that, William" said she, kindly Il am
pliehted to you, and as soon as you can
prove yourself worthy of mo and my
country, we shall be one but if not ="
Never" interrupted /. 90 You have
guessed it. William" said she. GONE,
forget the harsh name Of traitor, and 20,
will you Z" This was said with the most
intense tenderness, and throwing her arms
around my neck, she lavished upon me
food OF kisses. (" Won't you go, dearest,
for my sake 2" My mind was made up.
| could not leave her, and under the im-
pulse Of her fervent kisses, forgetfu of
the circumstances, replied firmly: a
will, Della, ard God protect me from
traitors fate, and save you from remorse
if | am lost" With the warmest pro.
testations Of love, we parted At that
moment would have rebelled against the
world for her sake.
The next day | had Lieutenant's
commission, and in one month MY reward
came. / knew it would, for | deserved
it. Oh, faithless Della In one month
she was married to another. | did not
weGp-l did not upbraid myself, for ]
then knew that she induced me to go that
she might obtain that other. Remorse
aud despair took possession of me, and |
determined to die. | sought the thick
cst of danger, and wan;only threw myself
in the most pcrilous places. But fate
seemed to mock me. could not die.
But to-day, thank God, fate has favored
me, and death will soon blot out this en-.
ormity of my life
That night the Lieutenant was buried,
and one sad heart, at least, throbbed with
pity for the erring but unhappy soldier.
| But what of the faithless and heartess