The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1865-08-28

MIN on the SuOulOeI.
.s1n brown study, Karf?' said the
baron.
tsI have enough to think about"
returned the soldier. ''I'm getting
old, and one thing troubles me-
eWhat's that, my good fellow?"
'sWhy, you see, baron, I'm not
alone here"
stNot alone?"
..No, sir; I-have-I have a little
child here
FI never knew you were married,
Karl"
''Nor was I, your honor. For I
always thought an antry soldier
ought to- be in marching order, and
never have more baggage than he
could carry In his knapsack. No, no;
the child i% none Of mine.''
"But it is related to you,' said the
baroness
1T is my grandchild, madame, re-
piled the soldier, fixing his eyes on the
lady; "and the child OF as brave a man
as ever faced the fire of the enemy.
He might have been q field marshal
for the matter of that. L saw him at
Obcrstadt, when the hussar went down
to charge the cnemy's light cavalry.
Faith, madome, they made daylight
shine through their ranks. Their
curved sabres cut them up as the sickle
does the corn. saw him, the girls
father, madame, go into the affair with
the hussars; but he came not out safe.
1t was pitiful to see his uniferm all
dabbled with blood, as he lay on the
ground, and to see his pale lips quiv-
erlng as he prayed for water. I gave
him the last drop in my canteen, and
swore I'd protect the child
The baroness, whose eyes were
filed with tears, turned to her hus-
band and asked:
''Shall we not give shelter to the
child of II brave man?''
The baron nodded, and the propo-
sal WAS accepted by Karl, who retired
into his cottage, and Immediately re-
appeared, bringing forth a beautiful
girl of ten, with fair hair and blue
eyes, and a form of graceful symme-
try.
ga girl i! nonsense ~ said the baron
in a tone of disappointment. But the
baroness folded the child in her arms
with rapture. The child responded
to the caresses OF the LADY with equal
aruor.
SO the little Adelaide was soon do
mcsticated in the castle, which her
frolic spirit filed with gayety. The
baroness renewed her youth in gazing
upon hers. and the baron never scoltlcd
iler, even when she took the pipe out
Of his mouth, OF rummagcu among his
parchments.
AS she grew up to womanhood she
became more serious and thoughtful.
She Was anxious TO learn everything
touching her father, but on this sub
ject the baroness could give her no
information and Karl. her grand
father, seemed equally averse to- speak
ing of it. When hard pressed he
promised to speak out at some future
time
One day she was summoned in great
haste to the cottage of old Karl. The
old man had suddenly been taken i'll.
and required the presence of his grand
daughter. 1t was evident at Il glance
that he was on his death bed.
"Adelaidc," saisl he ''forgive me
before / die, that may die in peace. ;"
"Forgive you, dear grandfather :?
Am | not deeply indebted to you 90
81 should have reposed more conf
dence in You. 1 should have spoken
to you about your parents.
'My father % asked Adelaide.
''Was Il brave and good man. But
of your mother-your good mother
che WaS-'
Here Il spasm interrupted his utter
ance, and he lay back on his pillow,
gasping for breath. After Il brief
space he seemed to revive again, and
made strong efforts to express himself,
but his breath fciled him. He mo-
toned to Adelaide to fetch him writ
ing materials, and while she hell, IL
sheet of paper on book before lin.
l.