Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1867-10-04
THE SUIT OF ARMY BLUE.

never dare do such thing without let
ting me know of it. lie knows that |
would not endure IT,"
"You may believe it or not as you
please. sister, said her brother Harry,
l"but saw him with my own eyes in 5 suit
Of army blue, and nota shoulder strap nor
even asergeants stripe to distinguish him
from half million others a soa ',ai
Mary said nothing. but turned hauehti-
ly away, while In her heart burned angry
fires against John Edmunds, her beiroth-
cd husband She was baughty beauty
that heshould have enlisted assa common
soldier was more than her pride could en-
dure; but worse than all, he had not men
toned the subject to her since one night,
months before, when she had with all her
persuasive psts induced him to remain at
home. she wa@ expecting him that even
ing, and she arrpyed herself as tastefnlly
as possible and went down into the parlcr
TO await his coming. She was treasured
when she saw him in his usual dress, and
they chatted merrily for d while, and then
John said: 4i-in
IL am a soldier now, Mary, dear; will
you not bid me God speed and send me
away wearing your colors?'
The color all died out of Mary's lips
and cheeks as she asked
"Why have you waited until now, be-
fore telling me?'' sa -eel ~
Because loved you So and | knew
that If you tried to dissnade me as you
did before, that | should yield j could
not stand it longer, Mary. Our country
is in great need, and why should ], more
than another, fail in her hour Of trial?"
"And what position do you hold?' ask
ed Mary. Surely with your wealth and
inhuentiai relatives you might obtain al
most any Office you desire.''a a %" ~'.ai
John smiled. 9if eoati
"Thbse are the very reasons, Mary,
Why | desire no office. Ny private for
tame Is sufficient to support me in case Of
atcidenty aud thought that if I enlisted
as private, perhsps some Of my Friends,
the same And, Mary, you know ,hut-ny
lack of experience aud military training |
am unfitto command" l3i-sIf53 s-s
lie spoke earnestly and anxiously, for
he saw Mary slip curl scornfully; aud
when lie said, 'do you not agree with me,
Alary?' she said hauehiIly-
''Sinee my wishes were not consulted
before, my opinion can be of but little
value now, but this much | do say, will
never be the Betroihed of private soldier;
and she took the heavy gold ring from
her finger and held it out to him. ~
Tears filed his eyes, and be took her
hand. .
"Will you not re consider this, Mary?
| think you viii regret this step, for
know you love me. ----'.--- ,'','...
My decision is made" said&ho proud
ly, Il will neveE reverse it. l bid you
good evening"
Good b., then, Mary; God bless you"
aud with heavy heart John Edmunds
left the house Mary threw herself upon
the sofa aud wept bitterly, but her. pride
did not relent. '. i.- q
In weeks time John left New York,
and became one Of the thousands compos-
ing the Grand Army of the Potomac.
Months passed and Mary seemed the
eayest of the gay. She plunged deeply
into all the gaieties around her, and strove
to bsnish every thought of the past.
Again betrothal ring encireled her en-
ger A gray haired banke was her lover
now. and royalty did she queen it in her
circle of friends; but within the innermost
chambers Of her heart was enshrined an-
other image. aud she followed the march
of John Edmnnd's Regiment with anx-
ious thought. wondering if be had forgot
ten or forgiven her. lgtii ttef.
Time passed, and her wedding night
came, aud with great pomp she became
the wife of James Waldon, with hall =
million. The festivities were at their
height when some one behind her,said,
not thinking the words would reach her
ears aUa .
"She is a beautiful creature. but perfect
" hesrtless. Do you know how she serv-
ed John Edmunds, turned him off because
he enlisted as private soldier, and now
she has married this old man. | don't
envy him his bride. beautiful as she is.
Poor Johnl | saw he was at Chancellors-
vile, aud he is reported missing. won-
der il her heart would thTob bit faster,
il she should hear it,
just then stir took Place, and turning
round, the speaker saw the bride had
tainted She soon recovered, however and
murmuring something about the heat OF
the room, requested Mr.. Walden to lead
her to her own room. Begging to be left
alone for short time, she threw herself
upon q sofa aud wcpt as if her heart was
breuking, while the words o i,
r. "0h, John, John, the only one ever
loved. has IL come 10 thsY | had hoped
that, though we we're separated you would
have a-ongland happy life, but now
and b1rying her face iniher hands she
remained so until MIR. Walden returned
10 cohdact her aguin to the parlcr She
went laughingly, assured him that her
trning iudispositiop was all passed, and
none could read under the smiles with
which her lips were dressed that her heart
was almost breaking under its weight Of
unfcrgiyen wrong doing stgi
Let us now follow John Edmunds.
During tho height Of the battle Of Chan.
celorsvile he was wounded in the arm,
and shortly after iu the leg. lie manag-
ed through great exertion, TO crawl little
off from the battlefield, where, overcome
by the effort he tainted and lay for long
time insensible. Whom consciousness ro-
turned he knew by the silence that tho
battle was over.
rhe evening wind lifted the damp hair
frem his forehead, and cooled the fever in
his veins. lie attempted to rise, and sue.
ceeded in dragging himself short dis
tance Tin he reached shaded lane, lead