The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-07-11


look back to the pleasant time I have
spent with you, RS the happiest mo-
ments of my life''
There was q pressure. of hands,
simple act Of ceremony, and usually
an assurance Of friendship, but some-
times revealing deeper feeIng-and
he was gone.
AS Lieut.. Gillespie recrossed the
valley on his way back to his COM
pany, his heart was filled with new
aud strange sensations. The sun
seemed to shine brighter, the fields
looked greener and fresher, and he
appeared to be all at once lifted up
into higher and nobler sphere Of
existence. But novel and unusual as
were his emotions, they were by no
means disagreeable or unwelcome.
His duties, which before were so irk-
some, now seemed light, and the fu-
ture was bright with hope. What
could such pleasant and elevating
feelings portend? Was he in love?
If he had not been q novice in willy
Cupid's arts, anu had never felt the
sweet harbingers Of his presence, he
would not have asked himself that
question. He could not have mis-
taken the symptoms. But Judging
from the past, rejecting how often
he had been proof against the fasci-
nations and Establishments of the
tender sex, he doubtless secuted the
idea that in the short space of few
hours he had been entangled in the
silken meshes of love. Not he. All.
Harry! others have reasoned from
similar premises, and they have been
swept away like frost-work before the
morning sun!
When he reached the picket-post,
he was surprised to find the company
drawn up as on dress parade. As he
came up, the captain, talented
young man, who was wit as we'll as
O wag, approached him, and taking
off his hat with great Difference and
respect, addressed him in the follow
ing strain:
'tLieut. Gillespie, it has been made
my pleasant, duty to greet you on
your return to this post, and to con-
vey to you, in the name of the COM
pany here assembled, their hearty
thanks for the admirable and gallant
manner in which you rescued bean
tiful young lady this morning, from
what seemed inevitable destruction,
and conducted her to her pleasant
home. That you fingered a few
hours in that bower of beauty and
refinement was both natural and pro-
per, and the man that would blame
you for it would be destitute of the
ordinary sensibilities Of our nature.
By your gentlemanly and meritorious
conduct i'll this affair, you have in
creased that high regard which We
have entertained for you, and have.
reflected honor on our company and
the Palmetto State
knowing the Captains goodness of
heart, Harry expected n cordial greet
ing; but this flourish of rhetoric took
him somewhat by surprise. Collect
ing his scattered thoughts, however
as well as he could, he replied:
Captain, to know that 1 possess
your confidence and esteem, and that
Of my comrades-in harms, has ever
COSAA w LIZ o. oOuACC VI StCllS1I, GuU
to be assured that in performing o
simple act of kindness and politeness
[ have merited your appreciation, fills
me with pleasure. If, in doing what
l considered nothing more than my
duty, l have conferred any honor on
my company and State, am happy
and proud to know it. It is reward
enough for me to know that 1 rescued
from imminent danger one of the
most beautiful beings [ ever beheld;
and after escorting her to her home,
found that her intelligence and kind
hess of heart, and her graceful man
ners and accomplishments, were only
cqualed by her beauty. That I lin
gercd there a few hours is not sur
prlsing to myself, and I am glad it
does not surprise you. And now
| would say, in conclusion, that l
have only leave of absence from the
mansion until tomorrow morning;
and if in future 1 should not be al
ways present at roll l-call, I hope will
not be reported and put OH extra
duty"
This well-timed speech was re-
ceived with laughter and applause;
the generous Captain took Harry
hand and shook it cordially; and the