Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1868-05-09

t0iing, trembling, uo"os' -, tNs buv-
ard ;nJieence. crime and shame oy tns ou'
a.. ~ b,ar TO support such men -
es..o.aa the 18th annual convention OF re-
'ai..ar ctIice holders and seekers OF the
p up.'oat OILEB.
THE OLD SOLDIERS DARLING.
had waited long beside the little farm |
yard gate for the evening stage from,
which was to carry mo to Woodville. The
sad silence of the summer evening weighed
heavily upon my spirits. ! was not happy
when left my little chamber, and a. ! set
upon the broad stone steps. watching the
lights of sunset dying in the western sky,
and listening drsamily to the subdued low
ing Of the cows that came slowly down the
billy pasture to be MIXED, my face grew So
Der and my eyes were almost ready to over.
flow.
Before I disgraced myself in my own
ewes. by any such show Of weakness,
heard tho stage wheels rafting down over
the mountain road and buried down to the
end Of the little green lane to BE- in readi
ness for it.
There was only one occupant beside my
self, an old gentleman, whose soft blue eyes
anu ROOu uotutSO omISe Wou NY HS"ss -
once. lie WAS apparently between fifty
and sixty yeprs Of age. with . gallant air,
and erect soldier like bearing, that was
fully explained, when saw the small gilt
bands upon the uDdress uniform he wore.
HIS sivsry hair hung in short curls around
his forehead and neck, a we'll trimm' d
beard and moustache Of the Same hue add
Cd to the look Of manly self reliance in his
face.
"rhose who love you, and whom you
love, must be very happy | thought to
myself ~ met the frank, uncloudsd gaze
Of those honest eyes. and received the as
sistance offered in rendering my seat more
comfortable
Some writer has said me woman can
Withstand the siege Of handsome uni
FORM" plead guilty to this amiable week
ness Of my sex, and confess that l prefer
spau lettss and eagle buttons to oil civilian
Embellishments, while commanding figure
and free, military step carry my eyes on
tirely away from the STOPPING forms and
shambling walk Of the business men OF our
large cities.
SO, when the gallant officer, willing to re-
llcve the mono.ony and embarrassment Of
our forced journey, talked TO me with the
kindly freedom he might use towards a
young child, did not put on airs Of woman
hood but responded as freely, and listened
with unfeigned delight when he recounted
Some of the stirring scenes in which he had
been engaged.
To hear Of tho gallant May, whose soldier
like figure had won my childish heart, from
the lips of one vs. no had fought by his side
to hear Of Scott and Taylor and Worth
, aud Wool-to listen to tales Of Pslo Alto
and Resaca do Ia Palma-of the siege oil
Monterey and the battle of Buena Vista,
was indeed a treat and | WAS unfeignedly
sorry when the stage dashed up to the
door Of the Woodville Post Oflies, and oul
pleasant ride was at IN end.
, NV new friend looked out Of the window
and then took his cloak upon his arm.
almost home no said, with cheer
full smile. that would have made that home
, most bright and cheerful.
And you, young lady, may ask if you
stop in town ~
.sOnly for the night" answered. "My
seas on here has expired | have said good
by to the little farm house where | have
been boarding, and to morrow sees me on
{ my way to New York
"Ah ?" He looked thoughtful for mo
: ment. Was the same thought stirring III
his breast tina. we two should have met be
tore
! II am very Sorry" he said, after thai
short pause, that 1 am not to have the
pleasure of seeing you again. We garrul
GUS old men like good listener, you know
he added with kind smile.
"lhe You reside here now ~ | asked.
"Only for little time. | an on fu,
Tough now, and am going to meet my wife
who is spending the summer with some OF
her relations hero"
Shall confess it | felt for a moment
wrcnged and dsfraudcd when he spoke that
name | felt as If tina, unseen wife had rob
bed me OF something which should have
belonged to me For the frat time | had
met some one whom could love with blen
ded affection, respect and ideal worship
, and him forever. l heard . sigh ~
sarcastically 1T my folly.
. We were sile mt fer time, and then he
, took a card from tiny silver case, and
. gave it to me. read the name.
"Major Leslie Undsrhill, U. 8. A."
"wiil you favor ne with your own
name ~ he askad.
R1v0 utuu C1Iu IN teSuIus
"Mary-Msry," he said, and had never
loved my name half 90 we'll before. why
that 10 my favorts name above all others,
always said l would marry Mary. But
my wife's name is Katrins."
What Was there in thai simple speech
that should make me blushi l could not
tell, but blush did, 10 the roots Of my
hair.
The stage rolled away from the office, aut
stopped before . handsome stone honss
standing brck from the road. Lights wcr,
bsxing in all the windows, and Oh the wild,
portico gay group were standing. Fore
most among these | saw . stately, black
eyed woman richly dressed in purple vel
vet, with single diamond spar kling on he
forehead, that seemed to burn into my
brain.
He rose from his seat, and held out BIZ
hand.
I'VE may never meet again, my child,
he said. very kindly, but shall not forge
our pleasant ride. Give me one hswe
from yerr hequst IN memory ofis."
gave him one - the fairest rosebu,
there, and saw him hide il within his vest
, "And VIVA, shall leave you for .oker
', Of tho old man 2" he continued gazing d-eI
down into my eyes.
An eagle button, torn away by some &C
, cdsnt, hung suspended by one frail threac
from his coat. pointed to that.
at viii remind me. mere wildly thar
anything else of YOU
He placed it in my hand with gratfet
, smile.
at has been where he bullets raneG
like hail, my child. Good bye, and il v,
/, mover meet again. God keep you"
depressed my hand and srrang out frou
! the coach. saw him 60 out to the laugh
ing group, ane heard the joyous welcom,
: they gave him; saw that stately lady bcno
: her proud head as he kissed her hand with
oil the g.llantry of a knight errant; heard
her call him my dear husband" and then
sank back into the cushions rs We drove
away, and thought how lonely and forsaksr
| had always been while to others were Civ.
i, en- sucA welcomes and such frierds. And
. 90, among those he loved, left him, and
, went out into the great world alone.
Tarec years passed away. Ny grand.
father, who, in life. bad never even given
mo Kind word jiei and loft v,,a M st vsss