Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1864-02-19
MARRYING A SOLDIER.

MARRYING A SOLDIER.
BY MILLIE MOORE
Miss Martha Morris was "set down" by al
persons who knew her by sight only, as "a
quite good looking girl" but among her more
intimate friends, there was something about hel
which possessed more power of attraction than
mere personal beauty. Living in the city un-
til she had attained to the age of sixteen, she
had had the advantages of education and rein.
ed society, and at the age of twenty we find hel
an accomplished young lady. The pure coun-
try air had ripened into full bloom the roses in
her cheeks, and when engaged in lively con-
lversation, her parted lips displaying two rows
of white, regular teeth, her large, dark eyes
sparkling and bright, and her whole face glow
ing with animation, she was really fascinating.
With all her young friends in the country, as
well as in the city, she was a universal faVorite
and no circle was deemed complete without
her. The young men admired; the young la
dies all loved her; but though she was kind
and agreeable to ALI e, the young men
she encouraged none; and though she was
twenty years of age the most pryiDg of neigh
borhood gossips had only just come to the con-
clusion that she had a slight preference fol
Clark Walters, young man from the city, who
was in the habit of spending few weeks, now
and then, with his uncle, whose handsome
country residence was situated but one short
mile from Mr.. Morris This inference had been
drawn from the fact that he had twice walked
home with Martha from singing school and once
from church, and his visits, on weekday even
ings, were rather frequent. But these gossips
and tale-bearers were ignorant of the fact that
the young people had been playmates and firm
friends from early childhood, and so they made
the most of it.
About this time came the Presidents first
call for troops, and now another feature not
mentioned in my brief description of the hero
inc of this simple sketeh-her invincible patri-
otism-shone forth. The young men shrank
from her biting jokes and sarcastic remarks
about towards" and the like, and two thirds
of the young girls in town fell in with her opin-
ion on that subject, aDd agreed to make the place
too hot to hold all towards
"Why don't you enlist?" said Martha to
young Walters one beautiful moonlight even
ing, as they stood together beneath the great
locust trees that shaded the gateway. l.8.
"Me'' exclaimed the young gentleman address,
ed "Oh, / have no intention of setting myself
up as target for rebel marksmen, for thirteen
dollars month and found; have no inclna-
ton that way assure you"
"Some ofthe noblest and best young men of
my acquaintance have gone, not for thirteen
dollars a month and found" merely, but out of
pure patriotism, said Martha, speaking slowly
and with emphasis. s,s
"Indeed! replied Clark, with careless laugh
"and perhaps you are Warrington some one of
them?"
"Perhapsi must confess am a little ro-
mantle, and made up my mind long ago new
er to marry any one but soldier" A short
pause followed this speech which was interrupt
ed by Clark; 81
"Would you be really glad to have me go,
now?" he asked.
His companion turned slowly around and fix
ing her dark eyes full upon his face, she said
firmly, Il should have great deal better opin-
ion of you. for you would only be fulfilling a
duty you owe to your country, adding, quietly,
as she turned toward the house; 81 would ad-
wise no one to enlist unless they could do it out
of pure principle, though" est.sa
That day, two weeks, large handbills were
posted on the corners of streets and other con-
spicuous places, announcing war meeting at
the village on the following Thursday evening
Thursday evening came and so did the people,
and the old town house was filled to overflow
ing with the youth and beauty of the place.
The meeting was, as is usual in such cases, all
excitement and interest, and was continued un-
til quite late in the evening Just before closing
an officer present arose, and remarked that the
invited all who wished to lend helping hand
in the suppression of this, the worst rebellion
ever known, to come forward and put down
their names at once. Our heroine involunta-
rily cast look at young Walters, who occu-
pied seat on the opposite side of the house.
He had risen to his feet and without SO much
as glance in her direction, walked forward
with firm step, and there was strange look
of determination on his face, as he took up the
pen and wrote down his name with steady
hand. Twenty other young men followed his
and amidst repeated cheers for the
young volunteers, the meeting broke up
Young Walters walked home with Martha Nor
ris that night, and though they conversed but
little on the way, he thought the tones of her
voice We're more kind and gentle than ever be-
fore. They paused together as they reached
-he gate. Martha was the first to break the sill
snce that ensued.
81 hope you may never have reason to regret
he step you have taken tonight, Clark, she
said. "That your motives are perfectly pure
or so doing, l am quite sure" she added half
% herself
That | am not leaving home, friends, and in
short all | hold most dear, to go into the army
Is private for the paltry remuneration it viii
oring me, you will readily guess. he replied
u a tone of half reproach. "No. ! have con-
L i
hink l shall, regret it..
81 shall always remember you in my prayers,
aid Martha, ''and in the mean time | hope we
hall hear often from, and of you"
81 shall endeavor prove myself worthy of
he thoughts you may bestow upon me in my
lbsence," answered Clark, "and shall be hap
)y TO correspond with you" f
Shall we not see you again?" enquired Mar
ha. aa.. e.,t -
"I think not as must return to the city ear
y in the morning. The regiment leaves next
week."
so soon!' exclaimed Martha in real sur
rise. Il thought they were not to leave for a !
month at least"
THE order is rather an unexpected one,
nut it is now positively certain that we are to
cave next week, so, you see, | have but little
ime to prepare myself. Eleven O'Clock |
low, as live" he added, drawing out his
7atch. sIaf
"Is it so late?" said Martha, drawing her
hawl a little closer about her shoulders as she
poke. rls.ar
Just so, and must be going soon, for l am
ot particularly early riser, and l shall be
nder the necessity of getting up tomorrow
lorning."
She held out her hand to him mechanically.
Ie took and held it in his for some minutes.
Farewell my dear friend he said; Il have
tleast the satisfaction of knowing that shall
ot be entirely forgotten by you"
He drew her to him as he finished speaking,
nd before she could release herself, he had
issed her passionately twice, and then turned
way without word. Martha was so overcome
" her surprise, that she was unable TO utter a
yllable, and leaning her head against the gate
illar, she watched him as he walked proudly