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

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awsy, she smilinely lifted her hat and
bowed to the soldiers; bat she could
not help but hear. .tI wish I could
have caught. that horsel'' ,.sBoys,
never say Virginia is not worth fight
ing for againl" and similar express
sions, rs sheirode off.
{ They proceeded soma distance in
silence. ;. Ellen, first spoke saying,
laugh ely, ,1"I think we ought to be
acquainted after this. May T be so
bold as to inquire the name of my
preserver and protector"
s'To be sure, " replied the young
soldier, turning with pleasure to his
companion. 'sMy name is Gillespie,
Harry Gillespie. Apretty name and
a handsome fellow, thought Ellen, but
she did not say it.
"You are Miss Early, believe, I"
continued Harry, ''but I am not so
fortunate as. to know your given
name"
s'That is quickly told,' said she,
with smile, "It is Ellen. 1 see
from those bars on your collar, you
are an officer; one, two, that means
first lieutenant, does it not?''
tsYou are right"
: efWe1l now, Lieutenant, said the
fair girl, recovering her color and
spirits, eve are becoming acquainted,
may I ask you another question:"
ga thousand, if you wish.''
"Thank- you, but one viii do, at
least for the present. What is the
meaning of that pretty rosette on
your hat? Does it signify that you
are member of some mystic order
of Southern knight-errantry?''
ooh, no, that is only palmetto, the
emblem of our State. The rosette
was made by my sister and placed on
my hat before left home.
eyes, I remember now, you are
from South Carolina; and that is the
Palmetto State. You are called the
palmetto boys; have heard much of
their courage and gallantry, and I
have to-day had an evidence of both.
Harry scarcely knew what to reply
to this delicate and fattering compli-
ment, but ventured to say that -he
hoped the favorable opinion she had
formed Of them would not be lessened
by any occurrence in the future.
This pleasant conversation was soon
by their arrival at the
little river, where they met old Bosen.
That worthy had watched the wild
flight of Toney across the valley with
the greatest consternation and alarm.
He loved his beautiful young mis-
tress, and, coward as he was, would
have died any time to save her life.
Feeling that he was, in great degree,
responsible for the present cotastro-
phe, and seeing how powerless he was
to aid her, he could only wiring his
withered hands in the anguish of his
heart and indulge in those pathetic
lamentations for which his race is
His Joy at seeing Ellen
safe and sound was only equal to the
fright and grief he had felt. s.Bress
God A'mighty!" he exclaimed, chow
glad I is, Miss Ellen, to see you alive
and not hurt. Oh, Lord, eff you had
bin, de old man would have died, for
certain"
"Well, never mind now, Daddy
Bosen," said Ellen, taking Harry's
hand and leaping to the ground,
"here, take Toney; he has been very
naughty, but has found master in
this gentleman. You must not beat
him, you know father will not allow
that
eyes, l know dat is de boss order,
but eff de old man had his way, he'd
lash you, you wenomous looking
rascal, till you'd have yourself better
next time" and the indignant old
African shook his fist in Toney's face.
That redoubtable champion was quiet
now; he had had his spree, and ap-
peared to be perfectly satisfied.
$50 along, Bosen,'' said Ellen
again, ''and don't be talking to the
horse as if he was reasonable crea-
ture. I have relieved you Of that
care, my gallant knight she con-
tinued, turning to Harry, ''but must
still burden you with myself"
81 would consider myself for
tunate knight indeed, if ] never
had to bear more disagreeable bur-
den,'' lie replied, as he took her hand,
and, leading her across the foot-log
that spanned the stream, they pro-
ceeded up the smooth and grassy
road, that led through the rich and
purple blossomed clover, toward the
house, chatting gayly and pleasantly
as they went along. They would have
made u fine picture for painter, rs
they walked leisurely up that road,