The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1864-08-02
A PAIR OF STOCKINGS

Kate had large, lustrous, dark eyes,
which just then were covered with firing
ed, dropping eye lashes. She had braids
of dark hair wreathed around her head
a soft pink color in her cheeks, and a
rosebud mouth, womanly, fresh lovely.
Kate was clad in pink muslin dress,
with a tiny white rufie 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 glid-
ed a small blue thread, proceeding from
the ball ofyarn l held in my hand,
Kate was knitting stocking, and
surely, and irrevocably she was taking
me captive; already felt myself entan-
gled by these small threads. .a
Wewere inmates ola boarding house.
Kate was new boarder. had known
her but few weeks.
The evening was warm, and / took
up palm-leaf fan, and famed her.
She thanked me. / looked at hel
white hands, gliding in and out the blue
yarn; there were no rings on those fin
gers, thought how nice 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 as my wife, always clad in a 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" l said to
myself, in rash pride, as famed hel
more energetically. did not know
that the way to woman's heart was
more intricate than a labarynth; but
had the clue in the blue yarn which ]
held in my hand. / little knew what
/ undertook. Kate was as shy as Q
wild deer, and timid as fawn, with
an atmosphere of reserve about her
which one could break through.
"For whom are you knitting those
stockings, miss Kate" / asked.
"For a soldier, Mr.. Armstrong she
replied, her eyes kindling with pat
riotism.
''IfI will be one ofthe Home Guards,
and stay and take care of you, will you
knit me pair?"
"Never. i feel abundantly able to
take care of myself l wish you would
enlist Mr.. Armstrong. Then l will knit
you pair I h
at would almost be worth the sacri-
fice," l replied.
Sacrifice! Would You sacrifice
yourself for pair of stockings? Have
you not patriotism enough to offer your
self upon the altar of your country?
fl were man, l would enlist in a
moment, though / had ten thous-
and a year, wife and seven chill
dren."
Twill confess to you gentle reader,
that was not such a craven as lap
peared. The fires of patriotism were
smouldering in my bosom, and / need
ed only spark from Kate's hand to
light them into life and action. Kate
rose and left the room, her glowing
with spirit, and sat and famed the
chair where she had sat, for few mo-
ments. 1t was too bad to break mp the
delicate tete-a-tete so soon. .r rl
/ fingered in the parlor after the gas
was lighted, but she did not come. /
put on my hat and went out. would
Il would enlist. | had meant to do so
all along. / had managed my busi-
ness in reference to 1.-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 and interesting
letters foated around me at the
thought. ......., ...-.r.. ......,...
There was a meeting in fremont
Temple in aid of recruiting. Flags hung
dropping from the ceiling, bands OF
music were in attendance in the CALLER
les, and distinguished and eloquent
speakers occupied the platform. L do
not think their eloquence had much to
do with my action, for I had resolved
beforehand. / went forward at the
end of the meeting, and signed my name
to the roll as a Massachusetts, volun-
teer. A pair of hands in the gallery
began thunder of applause that greet
ed the act. Hooked up; ;Kate was there
clapping enthusiastically. But who
was that tall fellow in uniform by her
side, with tremendous moustache,
and eyes flashing 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
boarding house. 1 hid myself behind
a lamp post, as they paused, her face all
aglow with feeling.
"Good bye, Frank, Take good care
of yourself. Pm glad to have You en-
list, but so sorry to lose you," and
tears trembled in her eyes.
"Good bye, Kate, darling; and after
the war is over, will come and take
care ofmy bird" he turned away.
"Stop, Frank" fa
"Well, birdie?" hd
'eThose are not fit words to dismiss a
soldier with. Here I'll give watch
word. Think of it, Frank:
Never give urI though the grape shot shall
Or the thick thunder cloud over you burst.
Stand like rock in the storm of the battle,
Little shall harm'you, though doing their worstl"
"Brave words Kate. You deserve a
kiss for them" twas given. turned
in desperation, and walked onward
not caring where / went. Policemen
watched me but the lateness of the
hour made no difference TO me. /
could have walked allnight. Atlength
l came to bridge. The moon was
shining on the ripping water. 1t look
ed cold and dark except where the rip
pies were. There would be . plunge,