Clarksville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1865-1867, 1867-01-04
smseIves to slay their unsuspecting vic.

'ne"eeiveS 70 say tnelr unsuspecting VIC
tins. 10 r8Hi 6as fe.i4- 81 - )
Collecting my scattered senses, soon SET
tied down to q peace basis and paying my
desoirs with tolerable composure TO the hap
py couple, gave place to.the eager throng be-
hind me. Refusing for various reasons, the
entreaties of my friend to be introduced to
sundry damsels of her acquaintance, who
were pretty and so rich, retired to a corner
from which observation became an amused
and interested locker on in Vienna r'i
Ny eye rovcd over the. brilliant scene,
The flashing Of jewels, the fiutter of laces
And odors of tropical musk;
Men and women, most beautiful faces,
And eyes of tropical dusk, ~
mingliug with the witching blue of the
Northern CLINE, untik at last, like weary
bird, 1t returned to.the figure of the bride
and resting there. Something in her quiet,
dignifed bearing, and happy trustfal face,
was refreshing to me, and, unconsciously, /
scanned her whole person. What struck me
particularly, as inwardly y commented on the
tasteful elegance of hefaitire flor am some
what OF a'connoisseur In such matters,) was
the absence of all jewels. Instead Of the
bridal pearls, single highly FURNISHED star
caught at her throat the light fall of lace
that covered neck and shoulders. My cpri-
osity---for plead guilty to the weakness
was aroused to fathom the origin of a fan
cy, for wearing such an ornament on the
most eventful day Of a young woman's life,
and musing upon il, my thoughts took an
other direction. The camp the battlefield,
the hope OF promotion, and the dawn of Q
day, when too, might wear q star, eugross-
ed me 90 entirely that forgot time and place
and was only aroused from my reverie BY
light touch on my arm, and the sweet voice
of the bride In my earsaying: ......
al shall not allow you to make statues in
the corner any longer, Mr.. W; IL you will
not join the dancers, at least do homage to
me. Iintend to throw aside etiquette for a
while and sit down in this alcove with
you, for l wish-to ask few questions con-
fcerning my friends in Dixie." s~
Was ever mortal man deaf to such an ap.
peal II Is needless To say that complied,
and through the Introduction of many mu-
tual aequaintances, soon regarded myself on
a footing sufficiently intimate to inquire the
history Of the alone STAR 1f ~
She hesitated upon hearing my question,
then, lowering her voice, said. o" In this
land of the free and home of the brave, to
name one Of the Souths great chietains in
tones of praise is treason; but since you are
a true son of hers, will venture to relate
to you the story connected with this pre-
cious relic of Stonewau jackson and how IL
came into my possession. timsht 7ph OFT
"Soms months ago, while visiting the G..
tai sx ott t;<x, 81
one Of the patients who had been brought
in the day before. He was a young man.
apparently about twenty years Of age, and
although almost wasted to skeleton,
his broad open brow, delicate high bred
nose, and general air Of refinement indicated
thathis was no mean lineage. The beauti-
full brown eyes followed all my motions with
such yearning beseeching expression, that
was irresistibly drawn to his bedside. Of
fering him an orange to cool his parched
tongue, and seating myself beside him, I
inquired into his condition. "Will yon
bathe my head, as mother used to do" said
he, "and then talk to met is long time
since have heard a sweet low, voice, like
yours"
Taking out my cologne, did as he bade
me, talking in an encouraging, hopeful man.
ner, meanwhile, until by degrees he revived
little and told me his history. l
al am aVirginian," said he and his wan
cheek flushed with pride; tiny home is on
the banks of the,Shenandoah, and was one
Of the first to answer the bugle ndte when our
fair valley was invaded. jackson was my
leader, and belong to the Stonewall Brigade.
Although only an humble Lieutenant, I had
hos he Ia I'M has L..
hold a generals commission in any other
corps. jackson was my hero; for him
would have scaled any height, undergone
any hardship, and since his death have
scarcely cared to live, save by the faithful per-
formance of my duty to assist in winning
fresh laurels for the brigade he loved so we'll .
lie then went on to tell me that he had been
taken prisoner six months before, and accus.
toned to an open life in the open air, the con.
finement of prison had undermined his
health, and the home sickness and despair Of
"hope deferred" preyed on his mind until a
slow fever ensued, which was then draining
the strength from his veins. OF course all
this was not told at once, but at intervals in
answer to my questions. Finally, fearing
the excitement would prove injurious, en-
joined quiet and rest, and bidding him good
bye, with the promise TO return again next
day. t Aq-r..fs 10
For a week. at the same time every morn
ing attended my " Virginia boy" and my
entrance was the signal for the Frightening OF
the sad, hopeless eyes. Sitting by my side,
with his thin hand clasped in mine, he would
relate many little incidents of his campaigns
with jackson, always dwelingon the famous
LII xEL H..
pour forth a tide of rccollections of the noun
tain home, of the dear old father and mother
whose pride he was, and the fair haired sister
who so fondly awaited his return--his horse
and dog, and thousand minor details
Of the sweet home life so dearly treasured in
his heart. But shuddered 10 mark how fast
his life was ebbing away, and wept at the
thought of the sorrow that would soon fall
with crushing weight upon that abseu,
household. 'f
Upon the seventh day ! was shocked by
the distressing change which had taken place
in his appearance, that peculiar palor and
contraction Of features always the herald oi
death, having settled upon his countenance
No glad smile greeted me as approached bis
tcot, but only faint pressure Of the hant
as bent over him. "Will you not taste thi:
cooling drink have prepared for you?"-
said |. 49, ~sf
"No, dear lady" replied he In . fain
voice, and then continued, painfully labor
ing for breath, "Save 1t for some one else
am dying. The surgeon would not tell m,
just now when ! asked him, but | feel th
death damp on my brow. | am not afraid
for am soldier, but II is hard to die alone
never again to see my native mountains, an,
feel the cool air fan my cheek-never agaiI
to hear my fathers blessing, or receive m,
mothers good night kiss. Win you not d.
me one more fayor--write to my mother?
assentcd, and drawing forth paper an,