The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-07-13
IODIGIN.AI..l |
lOnIG GINAI.
ELLEN EARLY.
A Tale of the late War.
BY e. ). d.

n Tale OF Cne late war.
BY z. J. D.
CHAPTER Ill.
When Mr.. Early returned to the
mansion, Ellen met him on the We
randa and made him acquainted with
her mornings adventure. He was
greatly surprised at his daughter S
imprudence, and displeased with the
old servant for permitting her to
mount such wild and unruly young
horse in his absence. But as Ellen
continued her graphic account of the
affair, and described the trooper-like
manner in which she sped across the
valley, charging the sleeping soldiers
and making them grasp their guns
and look for the enemy, the grave
features Of the old gentleman relaxed,
a smile overspread his face, and he
exclaimed, "Just like you; I always
thought you would be the heroine of
some fairy tale. But are you dealing
in fact or fiction, my daughter?"
"Literal fact, father; and the half
has not been told;;" and she went on
to speak of Lieutenant Gillespie; how
he fearlessly threw himself before the
frightened horse, and saved her life
at the risk Of his own, and then po-
htely attended her home, and what q
generous and noble gentleman he
was.
Yes" said Mr.. Early, ''those Ca
rollnlans are as generous and gallant
as they are brave and reckless. ] met
General Gregg to-day, and he appears
to be perfect embodiment of honor
and gentiity. Whatever may be
their political heresies, one cannot
help but admire them. I suppose
the young officer is rice-eater?''
Il do not know about that, but he
is fond of strawberries and cream, :"
said Ellen, smiling.
'You treated him, then?'
Eyes, to the best had; was sorry
l had nothing better for him
THAT was right. You cannot be
too grateful to him, for he certainly
did you great favor"
But what can you mean by rice
eater, father? I never heard that
term applied to gentleman before. :"
ooh! that is only nickname for
the South Caroinians. Why didn't
You invite the young officer to stay
to dinner?"
.I did invite him, but he was COM
PEELED to return to the picket post.
You know those soldiers act under
very strict orders. But he promised
to call again in the morning, on his
return to the camp, when you can
form his acquaintance and thank him
Tor his kindne to your foolish
daughter.
II shall certainly meet him with
pleasure, and if lie had not been
pleased to call, should have sought
him out and convinced him of NV
gratitude. But now, let us have
some dinner, my darling," he con-
tinued, stroking Ellen's curly head,
FOR l am very hungry" And they
went into the house, where. for the
present, we must leave them.
On the following morning, by the
time the sun darted his bright beams
over the valley, making the dew
drops on the wheat and clover look
like SO many glittering diamonds and
spangles of silver, the soldiers were
in motion. A company from the
camp passed the house on their way
to the picket post, and it was not
long before the one that had been
there came marching back through
the valley, their polished rifles
cleaning in the sun light. When it
came up, the captain was seen to
doff his hat to Lieut.. Gillespie, rs
that officer opened the gate and
walked with manly step toward the
house. Ellen, her beautiful face
radiant with happiness, met him at
the steps and introduced him to her
father, who stood at her side. Mr..
Early gave the young officer a cordial
greeting, expressed his pleasure at
meeting him, and thanked him for
the important services he chad render
ca to his daughter. Harry assured
him that he had done nothing more
than any other gentleman would have
done under the circumstances, and
that he felt he was already amply re-
warded by the pleasure OF their ac
quaintance. he hoped they would
not feel themselves under anv obi
cations to him.
''You will allow us to feel grateful
fhn1l0h will unY, po1 o,,