Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1865-05-27
TALES AND SKETCHES.
TsEss sOusrpARlse-aszsEEbls.


ington. Mirrors and antique picture frames
we're wreathed with them windows wero
garlandcd, and even the very gobets-sav-
ing sufficient number to accommodate the
excited gucsts-werc made to serve the pur-
pose Of Ysso. The long table with its snowy
cloth, the side board, and the parlor orna-
mcntal-picce, bore a score Of their fragrant
ornaments, yet queen above them all, was
the pure white boquet syringas and white
thorn blossoms that lay upon the dressing
table in one of the ncatest little boudoirs in
New England.
What stir! what tumult what run
ming here and there what a pattering OF
slipperea feet up and down the stairs what
flying of nimble fingers among bits of rib
bon and tarleton and illusion And why
not? Sweet Lucy, The only surviving child
Of the widow, was that morning to marry
Capt Edward Burnett, q young and hand
some officer, who had already distinguished
himself i'll the Union Service.
Lucy is not handsome but very pure and
lovely in her bridal dress of pearl white
gauzy texture, loopcd up here and there
with boquets Of the fragrant syringa while
among her golden curls peep out the white
vicct and moss rosebud just opening its
petals to the light.
And Lucy looked dreamily happy that
morning, yet aStonshngly indiherent-so
that the bridemaids protested-to her own
personal appearance. She had not once
raised her eyes to the mirror before which
they were turning from one side to the other
as if she were but moving wax figure,
placed there 70 show the advantage the
gauze and laccs with which they were adorn-
ing her
A light rap is heard at the door
"This Is Edward--let him come in" said
Lucy, the lightest preceptible flush mount
ing her checks at the well known sound
"0hl nj, no!' chined half dozen voices
mot till this loop of ribb6n is fastened and
the veil properly adjusted"
But Edward did come in, though he
paused for moment on the threshold to
contemplate the loYliness o.! the group. The
next instant he was hy Lucy's side, rumpling
veil ti.snes, ribbon, and flowers in one con
fused mass rs he caught her in his arms and
pressed his lips to her now burning cheeks.
"GooGness me - ooh my" "Did you
ever ~ "1'he bea- p the Hottent0t to swal-
low her at moulhiull !" and various other
excamations of disgust escaped the group
of bridemaids, who looked with dismay on
the havoc the spnbrrrt but still handsome
captain was making Of the bridal tincry of
their pet Lucy.
~ beg pardon, ladies, but couldn't re-
sist the temptations" said Edward there
Lucy, shake yourself, and you'll be just rs
new. Who shall say the beauty of bird is
not enhanced by rultling its plumage ~
Just at this moment Mrs. Stonington en-
tered 10 say that "the guests had all arrived
and that the minister was getting impa
ticntn
D. IN N-,,t . s,il n ard
resigning his bride elect to her uncle, who
was to give her away.
While the ceremony was beng performed
a silent prayer goes up from the heart Of the
widow and tears drop thick and fast upon
her furrowcd checks, for her home Will now
be desolate indeed and when at last the
two are made one the mother presses her
daughter to her bOsom-hOw hers no more
forevcr--on lcny moaning sob, which she
tries to repress, escapes her, and she feels
that the light has gone out from the hearth
stone when the carriage containing the new
ly married couple rolled away from the
door.
A month had passed. Captain Burnett's
absence having expired, he joins his regi
ment taking his young bride with him
much against his Better judgmcnt-to that
desolate portion of Eastern Virginia which
was soon after the scene of a terrible battle.
But though he presented camplife and
marches in their dreariest aspect to her, her
reply was:
"Where thou goest | will CO. Had l
thought you would refuse to let me bear
you company in your perils, l would not
have married YOU
"Lucy dearest, how can delicate form
q, p,l,, 1,
many hardy soldier sinks under and then
to subsist for weeks on the hard, dry, often
times repulsiye tood-what a change from
the delicacies you have been nurturcd on. y
"Let me but try, Edward; ! am strong
and brave and healthy, and will cheeriully
bear all the prvations you mention, nay,
more so | may be you companion.
And thus it was that the brave captain
yielded to his young wiies entreaties.
The bride was for some time charmed
with the novelty of camp-liIe, and while
listening to the stirring beat the drum, as
the different companies went through their
drills, she almost wished herself g "htavc
! soldier boy" No prouler sight had her
eyes ever witnessed than that of her gallant
husband as, at the head of his brave band
of cavalry, he set ont for the battle field.
| "And am to be left behind r. she asked
rs Edward sprang from his saddle and en-
| tered the tent TO give her parting kiss.
"Certainly dearest. What could we dc
with woman on the battlefield 2"
II feel as if l could fight, too Edward
Pray let me accompany you"
''Not for the WIDE world can l consent
Some i'll would most assuredly befall you
and you would be, at least, but stumbling
block in our way. | have given Stanton
the charge OF affairs here, and until return
or you hear from me, follow implicitly hi
directions Should | iall, dear Lucy" auC
his voice trembled slightly, 'go back to you
mother without delay"
Lucy's eyes were dim with tears, but sh
soon wiped them away to watch the littl
band which her husband led as they gallop
ed across the wide plain. ...- .".
The battlefield was not far distant, ant
soon size heard the roar of artillery. Th
loud booming Of cannon and the iiendis
Kissing of the shells, that sped tiercer tina
thunderbolts through the air set her nearl,