The palmetto herald. [volume] (Port Royal, S.C.) 1864-1864, 1864-06-09

living on a faded lounge, with the old
man whose hospitality l had shared sit
ting by me. A candle, standing on
table, gave feeble light, which made my
face seem spectral in the little look-giass
just opposite.
In a moment comprehended the sit
uation," and inquired, nervously, d
"Where are my comrades? Have
they all gone ?" - -
Yes, an hour ago" 80 80.
s.And left me here all alone'?" Then
in moment | added, bristling, And
among enemies?"
"AIl alone, Sir, but not among en-
emies. They didn't know, perhaps, you
were not with them. 1t was dsrk, and
they didn't move in much order Then,
as ii to reassure me, he continued; {" But
you neednt be afraid, Sir; weil take care
Of you" -.
become of him?" .
81 cut him loose and let him 60 some
time ago; it wouldn't have done for any
of the neighbors to have found him pick
eted before my door. No doubt he has,
followed the others" 'sFs sFSsS'
Here was fix indeed. Left alone,
blind, with singing pain in my face and
eyes, with not loyal man, probably, IN
all the town, liable at any moment TO be
taken out by some gang of rebel canni-
balls, and hung up, or quartered, Or
buried alive. [ had started to ride
through the bowels of the Confederacy to
Baton Rouge, but / was likely only to
ride into the bowels of some rebel Hades.
The old man evidently comprehended
my thoughts.
"Dont give yourself any. uneasiness, !"
he said. !" We haven't forgotten the old
flag in this house )" and q glow came over
his face, "and we will be glad to keep
all harm from one of its defenders
janet"
"Here, father.." and q moment after
the daughter stepped into the room. |
looked at her more carefully now that |
was likely to be her guest for a season.
She was a round, rosy little body, with
clear black eyes and thick wayy hair fall
ing over face, and soft, CHEEKY tone in
her voice that was like music. ;. z, =
"Jane," tire old man said, as she came
into the room, where is the fag?"
She slipped out moment, and then,
coming softly back, held out to the
father a little flag with all the stars upon
it. He fondled It a moment.
"We. have kept it Sir, he then said,
hidden away out of sight for two long
years. i look at it every morning before
I go out; it keeps fresh in my heart the
memory of the good old times before
treason had tried to blot out its stars.
You see, friend, you will be safe with us
if you will only keep out of sight.
Well, l ,cas safe for time-safe from
the rebels, civilians and soldiers, swarm
ing all round US, but not safe from the
little mink, Jane Weston, who sat with
me every afternoon in the little upper
room where they had slowed me away.
NV eye was too much inflamed to permit
of my reading, so Jane read to me an
hour or so every day. OF course very
soon fell in love. ! hadn't any thing
else to do, IN fact; and If I had been ever
so busily employed, / couldn't have kept
my heart from making what ''raids" it
pleased on its own account. Jane saw
at last what state was in, and grew shy
and reserved. But was too old cam
paigner to be alarmed at that. just
took her one day in my arms told her l
loved her from the crown of her head to
the sole of her foot that wouldn't ever
fight another day for the Union if she did
not consent to be my wife; and, strange
IN 4bv the shy little creature oyercOmin9