The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1864-05-06
Forahe Virginian. =.
LOVE VS.. P PATRIOTISM.
A TALE OF THE WAR.
ny. o. x
CHAPTER r.
BY,o.K x.

our story epens.- Several OF the States 0r1gl-
: nally, composing the Union, foreseeing for
themselves nothing in the future, but oppres:
sion, had after mature deliberation, severed
the bands that had connected them, With the
Federal Government for almost fourscore
years. Virginia, in the exercise Of her. wont
ed prudence, hesitated .btflre taking the inn
! portant step. All eyes were anxiously fixed.
upon the Old Dominion. The Governments
was using threats, brides and fattering tU-
prevent the secession of the ancient common:
wealth, while several-of her younger sisters
were awaiting the result Of her deliberations
before dissolving.tliSir own connection with,
1.-THE Union. 1.-THE Richmond Conventionsthes
contest was, bitter and piotracted between
t those who were in. favor of adhering to the
old Union and the advocates of Immediate
sect ssien. s.. + ~ Ia
Amongst the many who anxiously watched
the proceedings ofsthe Richmond Convention,
in all parts ofsthes country, both North and
! South there was not one who was more deep
~ Interested, -and to whom the suspense was
more painful than Oetayius Warren, then a
student at B. College in the aourishing
town Of G -----ss IN one of the Northern
States. HI. was thesson Of "a wealthy and in--
teiligent Turner who owned several valuable.
estates in one Of the most fertile sections Of
Virginia. His father DESTROYS of giving him
the adyantageeof a thoronghly scientific edu
cation, had sent him to the best schools OF his
own state, and finally, through the advice Of.
a distinguished and much respected friend,
sent him, at the age of twenty,1to B
College. $50
1 Tie father Of Oetayius, admiring and ap.
preciating The beauty of virtue had spared
no pains to educate the heart as well as the
head IF his son. His moral training as wells
as his intellectual was sound and thorough;
and he went forth fronl-the paternai roof ric
in the possession of those. inestimable prinei
PIES of virtue. for the lack Of which. no-
wealth or talents can compensate. His father
was also an ardent admirerof arepubliran
ggsyernnaent aud deyoutly attached to Yir-
GINA. lie had for marry years seen the Signs
of the gathering storm, and i'm order TO fit
his son for an honorable course of action
wheH its fury should burst upon the county
he endeavorcd to impress him with sense of
the value Of the privilege Of sci government, i
and to inspire him with love for his. native
State. So frequently did he discant upon the
priceless salueof liberty and so glQriously
did he dwell upon the wealth and greatness
of Virginia, and upon the wisdom and virtues
sof her many distinguished sons, thai. the
heart of young Gstavias was fred with .pntri.
.otism almost from his,yery infancy.
! The house Of his father was frequently the
resort Of all able and distinguished gentlemen,
and many and eloquent were thetribuies paid
beneath this roof to liberty and sNirginia, TO
which. Octayius was ever an Interested and
attentive auditor 70 such teachings and as
sociatipns as those he owed those yirtuons and
patriotic impulses which So strongly intln
senced his after life. s - -.
: 1t was With many regrets that Octnyins
Lott 1aa oh
hood, his devoted parents sand afectionate
brother and sister and the companions of his
early studies and boyish sports for residence
among strangers. But he lorged to fiji him 4
self for life of honor and usefulness and
possessed an Unsuitable thirst for knowledge
and this rcconciled him to the thought IF |
leaving his home and friends. But it was not
without q severe struggle that those friends
-could consent to give him up to go far away
into 9. strange land, as it seemed to them Re-i
ing 66edient aud studietls he was thesidol Of ,
his parents and teachers, and being gentle, |
kind and magnanimous he was the pride. OF |
his gentlesister and affectionate brother, and
of his adnliring companions and acquaintan-1
,ces. - !
The day of his departure atlength arrived,
and he busted himself with making the neees-
sary preparations for setting out upon his.
JouTlicy A1lS stIuuk Wst5 Il tdCked WittE III
clothes and a few select books, anon gst which |
vas a morocco bound biblethat his Thought /
full aud christian mother had placed there
UroA the & ,leaf was inscribed in her own t
hand writing, "a mothers gift to an obedient (
son, Many were the gifts bestowed upon
him by loving friends as mementoes Of esteem /
and affection. Although he was about 10 bid /
farewellto many loved and cherished objects +
howas calm and cheerful. The parting was.
tender and affecting in the extreme, and not
until he pressed the hand Of his mother and /
bid her adieu did be permit a tear to fall He
did not cease to look back upon the old home-T
stead until borne out Of sight by thu coach in I
which he took passage to the nearest rail way
station. S. -
& Octavius Warren personal appearancs.wa
extremely preppssessing. He was tall and Z
gracefully formed. Ills eye was a dark Ii.
auid blue, and his silky, brown hair clustered
around s forehead of intellectual mould His
wore an expression Of dignifed +
sweetness that betukened clear and vigorous
intellect, and q serene and yirtuous dispose
tion. His department was modest and unas-
Stunning. His manners, voice and conversar
ton were so winning that he never failed to- /
secure the asteeno Of those With whom he as.
sociatea. 80
Having arrived at college, he passed q
creditable examination, and entered at once
with his wopted arder upon his studies. His I
prepessessing rnsnAers ind amiable dispoef
ton. and his flevotionsto study OF once sscuy
ca hiza tht aver ana sEteeTn os his tutors and :