Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1866-12-28

She thanked me. I looked at her white
hands, gliding in and out under the
blue yarn; though how nicely one
would look upon that ring fnger-a
tiny gold circl-t, with two hearts join
ed upon it, and on the inside two
names written--hcrs and mine. Then
l thought of Kate as my wife, always
clad in pink muslin dress, al.
ways with her hair in just such glossy
braids. and knitting stockings to the
end of time.
Kate shall be my wife, I said to my
self in rash pride, as famed her more
encrgstically. did not know that the
way to woman's heart was more in.
tricate than a labarynth; but had tho
clue in the blue yarn which / held In
my hand. 1 little knew what I un,
dertook. Kate was shy as wild deer
timid rs a fawn, with an atmosphere OF
reserve about her which one could no,
well break through. #
For whom are you knitting those
stockings, Miss Kate?' l asked.
For soldier, Mr.. Armstrong; she
replied, her eye kindling with patriot
ism.
'IfI will be one Of tho Home Guads
aud stay and take care of you, will you
knit me pair?'
Never. 1 feel abundantly able te
take care of myself. wish you would
enlist, Mr.. Armstrong. When you do
l will knit you pair
1t would be almost worth the sacri
fice,' l replied.
Sacrifice! Would you sacrifice your
self for a pair of stockings? Have yo,
not patriotism enough to offer yoursel
upon the altar Of your country? If
were man, Iwould enlist in a moment
though had ten thousand year, an,
wife and seven children
will confess to you, gentle reader
that was not such craven as l ap
pcared. The fires of patriotism wer,
smouldering In my bosom, and l need
ell only a spark from Kate's hand :,
light them into life and action. Kat
rose and left the room, her cheek glow
ing with spirit, and l sat and fame.
the chair where she had sat, for few
moments. 1t was to bad to break up tn
delicious tete tete SO soon. aE
l fingered in the parlor after the ga
was lighted, but she did not come.
put on my hat and went out. woult
enlist. l had meant to do so all along
l had managed my business in refer
ence to 1.-THE only drawback was tn
thought of Kate. How pleasant 1t woe
be to remind her of her promise, an,
ask her for the stockings aud hersel
with them! Visions Of tender parting
and interesting letters floatcd aroun,
ME at the thought.
There was meeting In Tremon
Temple ip aid ofrecruiting. Flags hung
dropping from the ceiling, bands Of mu
sic We're in attendance in the galleries
and distinguished and eloquent speak
ers occupied the platform. ! do no
think their eloquence had much to d.
with my action, for ] had resolved be
forehand. went forward at the clos,
Fof the meeting. and signed my nam,
to the roll as Massac chusetts volunteer
A pair Of fhands in the gallery began tht
thunder Of applause that greeted thu
act. Hooked up /; Kate was there, clap
ping enthusiastically. But who was
that tall fellow in uniform by her side
| with tremendous moustache, and eyes
which flashed brighter than her own
He, then, was the soldier for whom she
was knitting the stockings. The rest
of the meeting was blank to me.
watched and followed them to the
door of the boarding house. hid my
self behind n lamp post, us they paused
OIL the steps. She turned toward him,
her face all aglow with feeling.
Good bye, Frank, she said to him.
Take good care Of yourself. Pm glad
to have you enlist, but SO sorry to lose
you,' and tears trcmbled i'm her eyes.
Good bye, Kate darling; and after
the war Is over, ] will come home and
take care Of my bird : aud he turned
away.
Stop Frank
We'll birdie?'
Those are not fit words to dismiss a
soldier with. Here I'll give you n
watchword. Think Of it, Frank;
"Never give up! though the grapeshoi may
or the thick thunder clouds over you burst,
Little shall harm you, though doing their
worst" ..
Brave words, Kato. You deserve a
kiss for them IT was given. As for
myself turned away In desperation,
and walked onward, not caring where
went. Policeman watched me, but the
lateness Of the hour made no differenceto
me. l could have walked all night
At length came toabridge. The moon
was shining OH the ripping water. 1t
looked cold and dark. except where the
ripplcs were. There would be a plunge
and then the water would flow over my
head. Why not? | did not know ] had
loved her with such devotion. 1t was
all over now. She belonged to another
My foot WINS OH the rail. i thought
then of the name had signed to the
roll. No, Jacob Armstrong, you have
no right to take the life you have given
to your country l turned away to-
ward my boarding place, full of bitter