The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1866-05-17
A Touching Tale for the Times.

p8S, IN the pStliily sOesy ol-SA esa'SoSAA>'
there dwelt in blissful' 'quietude two young
creatures, who, though their complexion
resembled the glitteiing ebony were
blessed withs hearts as pure in feeling as
the.i .icicles of. the Arctic. From the earii-
esfchiIdhood this Ethiopian Paul and
Virginia conceived for each other the
tenderest affection.
Hand in hand they rambled through
the forest of cane. From the same stalk
they imbibed the delicious juice Of the
sncculent plant, and with the same spoon
fed nsits daintiest Of fprodncts. No cruel
master forced them to the weary field OF,
toll. The ruthless overseer, hard hearted
though he was, felt touched at the depth.
and purity of their regard, blindly passed
over their many acts of juvenile thought
lessness, and mercifully spared their soft
young backs from the pittiless lash. AS
the years rolled on, Paul became endow-
ed with all the noble qualities of the
Young man glory in his strength, while
the blushing Virginia. bursting like the
flower into; fuller loveliness, expanded
to a blooming, fascinating womanhood.
The guile less love of childhood warmed
to passion, as the cool morning melts in
the brilliant lustre Of meridian. The
ranblings by gurgling water brooks, the
sweetness Of the evening walks in the
moonlight, no longer brought that en-
chantment, as in the early days when the
clear depths of their yet lucid souls were
first touched with thetroublngs ofstrange
joy. Marriage, that silken band thai
forever would make them bone OF each
others bone, and flesh of each others
hesh, was tho only soothing balm that
would ease tie painful achings of those
devoted hearts. S
The venerable parents were consulted,
and with smiling faces and merry jokes,
four willing alternatives were given ito
the blissful pair. The cup of happiness
was filed to overfowing. AL earthly
desire was at an end. Alas alas "The
best laid plans Of mice and mon, gang ait
aglee"
Grim-visaged, war, bursting with all the
hot blood of party spirit and sectional
hatred, descended on the peaceful land
like thunderbolt; thousands of happy
homes were desolatod, the air was filed
with the walls of the afflicted. Buckling
onshis armor, Paul boldly placed himself
in the ranks.
Who shall describe thewoeful parting?
Who can picture the pallid, fearful, faint
ing, heart-broken Virginia; the proud,
but despairing Paul Who can number
the vows Of eternal fidelity, the cries OF
keen anguish, the wild burst of woe, that
heaven witnessed as they tore themselves
apart.
Into the thick, of it, through swamps
and miro and bloody fields, over breast
works and batteries belching forth their,
leaden hail, amid the cheers of the vioto-
rious, the groans of the wounded, the
shrieks of the dying, for three long years
the brave Paul marched. No fatigue was
too arduous, no suffering too appalling for
that sturdy hcart. Virginia lived within
his. breast, her name was breathed by the
parched lips, and he was strong again.
Three long years of suffering, and dove
eyed Peace spread her snowy wings over
the unhappy land.
All, what was the joy that reigned
within his bosom? With what delight
did the war-worn veteran lay down his
well-used fireiock, to depart for the home
of his childhood. Time had wrought
many changes, but what timo could
change Virginia?
With q paIpitating heart Paul landed
in the Crescent City. Another day
would transport him to these loving
arms Oh, luckless wight Faithless
HeIens were not limited to the age in
which Troy fourished or fell.
On an excited race TO the Paymaster's
Office, who should cross the path of the
bewildered soldier but the identical Vir-
ginia, mirable dictu accompanied by O
stalwart son of toll, bearing within his
arms a miniature copy of the fair en-
slave. The crushing intelligence soon
found voice.
For years she had long and anxiously
waited his return. AS bulletins arrived
containing the dread particulars of bloody
strife, her loving breast burned with desc
lating anxiety.
Hundreds of his comrades returned
triumphant, yet he came not.
In o moment of despair, another suitor
presented his dusky proportions. She
refused-he came again; she reflected !;
the admirer still pressed his suit.
aWhen a woman stops to consider she's
lostw Her fate proved the truth Of the
aphorism.
With the spirit Of another Gissipus, the
noble hearted lover forgave his more for
tunate rival, and with tears of affection
ate regard accepted the invation to visit
his residence. Smothering his great sor;
row, Paul like another Enoch Arden, de-
termined at once to surrender all claims;
and to the end of life to play the devoted
friend Of mis- family,
aMan proposes, God disposes." Scarce
had a fortnight passed. over the then