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

ing to his home, he did not disdain
the quiet and useful pursuits of the
farmer, but could speed the p1ow or
handle the sickle, as well as he could
WELD the pen or the sword. He was
not content to be idle, and soon be-
came an ornament of his family and
society, and a useful citizen Of the
community in which he resided.
At the call of his State, he had
buckled on his sword in defence of
what he believed to be q just and
good cause, A.. -. -.
On reaching the mansion, Harry
was thinking Of returning, when
Ellen said, "Walk in, lieutenant,
and take seat on the piazza-it is
more pleasant here than in fhe parlor
at this hour Of the day. Father, I
see. has not yet returned; please ex-
cuse me just one moment" And the
happy girl tripped into the house to
take off her riding dress and hat.
She returned directly, neatly and
simply attned, and taking a chair,
seated herself near Harry, and endea-
vored to make him feel perfectly ut
home.
1t should be remarked, just here,
that not the least of Ellen's charms
was the fact that she appeared to be
entirely unconscious Of her peerless
beauty. Harry had admired her per-
son, and he WAS now no less charmed
with her agreeable manners and con-
yersation. Free from affectation or
constraint, intelligent, polite and
affable, frank and friendly, without
being rude or familiar, her gentle
department and kind bearing made
you at once feel that you were in the
presence of one of those lovely and
gifted beings who always shed the
sunshine of JOY and happiness around
them. The young officer had been
accustomed through life to the socie-
ty of beautiful and lovely girls, but
their Establishments and charms had
hitherto had but little effect upon
him. His heart was still whole, and
he had never been seriously disturbed
by the tender passion. But his sus-
ceptibihty and resolution were about
to be put to a severer test than they
had ever before undergone. Would
he still be proof against Cupid's
darts? We shall see.
Some half an hour passed very
pleasantly away, when Ellen said,
laugh]ngly: 81 think, Lieutenant, we
ought to have some refreshment after
this mornings exercise. Let me see,"
she continued, rising and going into
the house, ''if I cannot find some
thing"
She soon returned, bearing a large
waiter, filled with the choicest .luxu-
ries of the season-there Tere some
slices of fine white bread and huge
ball OF golden butter, tu1ublers OF
large, luscious cherries, and disk of
beautiful Strawberries, covered with
cream and sugar, and tianked by
pitcher of cool milk. Placing the
waiter on a small table in front of her
guest. she said, apologetically, clam
sorry l have no nice cake and wine
for you, Lieutenant; but the house is
empty this morning"
81 will hear no apology in the pre-
sence Of this table, Miss Ellen
Harry replied. "You could not have
pleased one who has been living for
months past on hard bread or slap
jacks and salt meat, better. And now
you will please me better still if you
will help me to demolish this castle of
good things
"You will lead the assault, my good
knight, said she, playfully, |'and I
will follow
Harry did not need n second
p-ompting, and with such viands to
spice their pleasant chat, the time
flow rapidly.
"Is it not rather early for strawber-
ries and cherries in Virginia" re-
marked the young officer. as he help
ed himself to them for the second or
third time
EYES, replied his companion;
''the Strawberries grew in the warm
house, and the cherries are q very
early kind. The trees stand on the
South side of the garden, where the
first warm suns of spring strike them;
and then, you know" said she, with
an arch smile, eve are an Earth
people, and ought to have early
fruit"
ITO be sure" rejoined Harry,
laughing; Il did not think of that. 1
had almost wished the name might
be changed, but for the present [ will
repent of my wish
Ellen looked at him with q puzzled
expression Of conntenance, and a
slight blush suffused her beautiful
face. Harry noticed it, and it sent a
thrill Of plaocura tLro,,c,b a,,or,, GJ.,,