The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1864-05-11
e1AIA1h from the Continental, for May
A PAIR OF STOCKIGNS.
rRoM THE ARMY.

sG o PROM THE ARMY.
KATE was sitting by the window. ]
wss sitting beside her. 1t may be well to
state here that Kate was young lady,
and that I am q young gentleman. Kate
bad large, lustrous dark eyes, which
just then were covered with fringed,
dropping eyelashes. She had braids of
dark hair wreathed around her head, a
soft pink color in her cheeks, and rose
bua mouth, womanly, fresh, and lovely.
Kate wa clad in . pink muslin dress,
with tiny white ruffie around her white
throat. She was armed with four steely
needles, which were so many bright
arrows that pierced my heart through
and through. Over her fingers glided a
small blue thread, which proceeded from
the ball of yarn 1 held in my hand
Kate was knitting stocking, and
surely, irrevocably she was taking me
captive already felt myself entangled
bythosc small threads.
We were the inmates Of boarding
house. Kate WAS new bOarder. had
known her but a few weeks.
The evening was warm, and took up
palm leaf fan, and famed her. She
thanked me. / looked at her white
hands, gliding in and out under the blue
yarn; there were no rings on those
fingers / thought how nicely one would
look upon that ring finger-a tiny gold
circlet, with two hearts joined upon it,
and on the inside two names written
hers and mine. Then / thought OF Kate
rs my wife, always clad in pink muslin
dress, always with her hair in just such
glossy braids, and knitting stockings to
the end Of time.
"Kate shall be my wife, said to my
self, in rash pride, rs famed her more
energetically. 1 did not know that the
way to a woman's heart was more intri-
cate than labyrinth but had the clue
in the blue yarn which I held in my hand
i little knew what I undertook Kate
was shy ms . wild deer, timid as fawn,
with an atmosphere of reserve about her
which one could not well break through.
"For whom are you knitting those
stockings, Miss Kate ?" asked
"For a soldier, Mr.. Armstrong" she
replied, her eye kindling with patriotism.
'sIf will be one OF the Home Guards,
and stay and take care Of you, will You
knit me pair?''
.sNever. feel abundantly able to take
care Of myself I wish you would en-
list. Mr.. Armstrong. When you do, I
will knit you apair."
1T would be almost worth the sacri-
hce,'" replied.
Sacrifice! Would you sacrifice your
self for pair of stockings? Have you
not patriotism enough to offer yourself
upon the altar of your country? If 1
were q man I would enlist in moment,
though I had ten thousand q year, and
wife and seven children"
/ will confess to you, gentle reader,
that I was not such craven as l appear
cd. The fires Of patriotism were smoul-
dering in my bosom, and l needed only
a spark from Kate's hand to light them
into life and action. Kate rose and left
the room, her cheek glowing with spirit,
and l sat and famed the chair where she
had sat. for few moments. 1t was too
bad to break up the delicious tete-d tete so
soon. hf .'es
fingered In the parlor after the gas
was lighted, but she did not come. put
on my hat, and went out. 1 would en-
list. had meant to do so all along. l
had managed my business in reference
to 1.-THE only drawback was the thought
of Kate. How pleasant it would be to
remind her of her promise, and ask her
for the stockings and herself with them
Visions Of tender partings and interest
ing letters hoated around me at the
thought. -
There was meeting in fremont Tenn
pie in aid Of recruiting. Flags hung
dropping from the ceiling, bands of
music were ineattendance in the galleries,
and distinguished and eloquent speakers
occupied the platform. do not think
their eloquencc had much to do with. my
action, for had resolved beforehand.
I went forward at the close Of the meet
ing, and signed my name to the roll as a
Massachusetts, volunteer. A pair of
hands in the gallery began the thunder Of
applause that greeted the act. / looked
up Kate was there, clapping enthusiast
cally. But who was that tall fellow in
uniform by her side, with tremendous
mustache, and eyes which flashed brighter
than her own. He, then, was the soldier
for whom she was knitting the stockings.
The rest of the meeting was blank to
me.
watched and followed them to the
door of the boarding house. l hid my
self behind lamp post, as they paused
on the steps. She turned toward him,
her face all aglow with feeling.
Good by, Frank. Take good care of
yourselk TN glad to have YOU enlist,
but 20 sorry to lose YOU" and tears
trcnfbled I'm her eyes
GOOD by Kate, darling; and after the
war Is over, I will come home and take
care ofmy bird" and he turned away.
.'Sio,s Frank ea
'sWell, birdie?'
THOSE are not at words to dismiss
soldier with. Here, Til give you
wstchword. Think oft, Frank:
~x~sgi,ss up sho~sh The grap.sAos may s.ssls
Or the thick thunder cloud over you burss.
sssaa ~ srscAfs aSsAAr1 = ~ sasss., G
Lissis sAaR hara - tAsagh dsi.e their woess ~
"Brave words. Kate. You deserve =
kiss Tor tAsm." 1t was given. I turned
away In desperation, and walked onward.
not caring where went Policemen
watched me. bu9 the lateness Of the -Four
made no di6erence 10 me. could have
walked all night At length came to .
bridge. The noon w:s shining Upon
the ripping water. It looked cold and
dark, except where the ripples -wera.
There wonld bs . panngs. and then ths
Wator Wou1d low On ovNr my hend WIN