Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1864-04-06
THE REBEL OFFICER.


rebel army, superior officer of that army
presented himself at the door of one of
the most aristocratic residences of the
place. and respectfully begged bowl of
coffee for a sick companion.
He pledged himself to return shortly,
and the lady impelled by curiosity, re-
solved to discover whether he was truth.
fnl-or whether it was spretext for re-
calling himself with luxury. She saw
him take it to an officer whose pale coun-
tenance and stoopingrr6gsse she had no.
ticed, and who drank off cup after cup,
as though his thirst was unqucnchablc,
until the pitcher was drained. Immedi-
atcly her visitor turned to bear back the
borrowed articles, and on reacking the
door he said, May God bless you for
your kindness to u suffering man. He is
feeble aud almost exhausted, and you
cannot know how much this has comforted
him"
He offered compensation which was re-
fused He fingered as if wishing an iu-
vitation to tarry, and immediately some
young ladies whose curiosity to see u
splendid rebel officer, outweighed
their fear, appeared on the threshold, aud
among them, little girl of three years.
At sight Of her the sad face of the con-
federa1e frightened and extending IA hand.
he said. Sissy. | left little girl at home
just about your size, and she could sing
very sweetly. Can you sing?"
:" Yes. sir"
Wouldn't you like'to sing me song
for my little girls sake?"
Mamma said you were rebel, and
had come here to shoot us and burn our
houses"
"Uh no, my little DEAR | could not
think of shooting you" he replied, with
evident embarrassment, " will take care
/ of you, instead"
-" Will you? Then will sing you my
incest new song" and regarding him as IA
worthy friend, she placed her hand in
his. and. looking up into his face with
childish confidence, began to sing with
lispiug accents:
The Union forever, hurra boys, hurra
| Down with the traitor, up with the star
with as much assurance as though she had
known that he admired the sentiment
His face took on its former serious, alb
stracted look. and he seemed unsonscious
that she had ceased, until one Of the la
dies enquired if he would favor them with
singing.
He consented to join in that grand old
hymn which can never die. and he reve.
rently uncovered his head while they
sung,
Be thou God exalted high"
and the fullncss, and richness. and eS-
quisite melody of his tones can never be
forgotten by that little company.
He took leave of the party but. as
if forgotten himself, enquired Will
one of you ladies oblige me by exchang-
ling postage stamp. for | wish to COM
mnnicate with sister in Washington.
which | cannot do with my stamps or
currency
[ A lady promptly assentcd and rcceeiv-
ed the curiosity. and on discovering traces
of his High Mightiness. Jeff Davis, perch.
ed it OH the tip of her finger. and cycling
it askance. inquired in the saucy spirit
of mischief which her beauty guaranteed
her, " Will it bitc?'
mo. i. is warranted not to bite" he
said, smiling at the oddness Of the qnes-
,tion.
"How long arc you rebels going to
stay here?" she continued.
! "Are you in haste to have Us 60? We
shall protect you as carefully as'your own
army would do" ai
Peihaws so. but VIC don't need pro-
lection, and that is not the object Of your
coming" d pae f'a
4 "We propose to make tour of the
North partly on business and partly fol
pleasure"
well. bnt how long will it take to ac-