The weekly standard., 1866-03-03
ORIGINAL STORY.
For the Standard.
WOMAN,s INFLUENCE.
BY MIsPAH.
By MlsPAH.

country of the Old Dominion State.
He wes evidently from a distance, for
he was trayel-stained, and his steed
reeking with sweat. That he was a
stranger might have been discovered
from his frequently pausing, as if un-
certain which route to take. He was
. rebel soldier and on important bust
ness, for he bore dispatches from Gen.
Stuart's headquarters to Col. L., who
was stationed with his command at L.,
q village to which he was fast approach
ing
Col. L. received Harry Percy-for
that was the name of our traveller
with evident marks of esteem and re-
spect. After examining the dispatches
and making some inquiries relative to
his journey and the news from the en-
emy, he advised him to go few miles
into the country to spend the night.
"Go to MIR. Stacy's, you viii receive a
cordial welcome. for they are staunch
rebels and true friends to the soldier.
Harry Percy approached the impos-
ing mansion of the "staunch rebel"
with feelings Of reluctance, for expert
ence had taught him that the posses
sors of such mansions did not often
feel disposed to extend warm well
come to the dusty gray uniform, minus
bars or stars. But fortunately for
him Mr.. Stacy met him at the gate,
and, without q moments pause, in
yited him to dismount and spend the
night with him, for said he, "I love to
have the soldiers stop with me. It is
like shaking hands with my youth, to
hear them talk of their military ex-
Ploits. ] was once a soldier, my
friend. and yoo cannot love Lee more
than did Old Hickoryl But come
In, come in, know that you are tired
and your horse needs attention. Here,
Bill, take this horse and see that you
rub him down well and give him plenty
to eat You said your name was
Percy7 all right, come in and I will
introduce you to the ladies and give
You up to them. They take care OF
the soldiers" They entered the large
hall and turned to a room on the left,
which was the library. Here they
they found two ladies, who were intro
duced to Harry as "my daughters,
Mrs. and Miss Stacy" The elder lady
was about thirty; she was tall, ele-
gantly formed. and very dignifed. but
with q sad, sweet expression about her
mouth that showed she had warm,
loving heart.
Harry soon found that Miss Stacy's
name Was Minnie. "Ahs" thought he,
'can anything be sweeter than Minnie
Stacy, unless it is the beautiful, fairy.
like creature who bears itP" She was
lovely maiden of eighteen. small in
stature, with the tiniest foot and hand
and large bsoHn eye. that seemed tc
mirror forth her pure soul.
Supper was announced soon after
their entrance, and Harry was invited
into the next room, where he found 0
table filed with Confederate Injuries
But his heart was too full for him tc
enjoy the bountiful repast set before
him. The kind reception, the gentle
words, the home-likA scene, touched 0
chord in his heart that vibrated pain.
fully-for he was an exile from his
western home" and this evening he
felt the separation as keenly as he did
the first month Of his absence. To al
this was added pang of remorse-bu,
we anticipate.
The evening was spent in converse.
ton and music, for the ladies were
very accomplished as well as intelli
gent In the course of conversation
Harry learned that Mrs. Stacy had Wis.
tied bis native city, and knew severa
OF his acquaintances; this seemed 1
link binding them together. he had
felt drawn towards her from the first
and though Afinnie's exquisite beauty
had captivaied his boyish fancy, Mrs
STACY had taken possession OF his bet
ter nature, and he had premonitior
that she was to be his s'good angel.
He retired 10 his rooms feeling more
Ike himself than he had done since
hls departure from his fathers roof
The heartaches and the persisted
>iream." which had followed him hks
aphantom. were gone; but as be laJ
down to rest . sharp. cutting pair
aoized him, and be remembered. fol
the first time that evening. that be had
not been weis for several days
His sTAaxa xwae kwoxsnIa9- and waGyUSza6