The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-04-05

a right to my opinions, like other people ?"
ssIf they were your opinions Warren, the
motive You have assigned would be discred-
liable; but fear you have not told me that
which influences you the most.
s'Why discreditable, / should like to know"
because an enterprise is unfortunate OF
may be so. does not affect the principle
involved. You have said you had Abandoned
the Southern cause for the reason that it is
doomed to defeat"
81 did not say that was my only reason"
"You intimated as much"
am not satisfied with the objects of the
secessionists."
"Ihave heard you speak differently. Other
reasons than those you have assigned have
influenced you. Surely, Warren, you could
not bring this great distress upon us all for
light cause, or for none at all. Tell me, in
pity, what has changed you So" and she cast
upon him look SO beseeching and distressed
that it melted even his iron heart to pity;
and in o tone softened from the hard, finty
accent in which he had previously spoken, he
replied to her,
"That cannot do, Mildred, but that am
changed, you perceive. My Judgment nor
reason have experienced a thought in relation
to the war different from those you have SO
often heard me express and yet shall espouse
the Federal side in this quarrel. shall throw
into the scale whatever of talent or intellect
have. do it from motives you can neither
appreciate nor understand, but which buoy
me up in the hope that on that side may be
able to strike blow which those who have
injured me will never cease to feel"
"That is the motive then, Warren, REVENGE?
and against whom? Oh, that should live to
hear you utter It'll Has the memory of your
feud at last welded you to life of dishonor?
Warren, had such high hopes of you, and
nov they are blasted. l thought would yet
see you eminent among the defenders of your
native land--to hear your name spoken in
praise by the good and great-to see you the
recipient of, a mothers blessing, fathers
prayer, while my own weak hands, although
trembling and nervous, would yet possess the
strength to grid you for the field-my heart,
while yet afraid and sick with apprehension,
would feel conscious pride in my brothers
nobleness. And when the story of the battle
was read, how my very soul would have
glowed and burned with pride aud gratitude
to see your name among those who fought
and lived, or died, that we might become a
nation; and now, alas alas! has it come to
this p and the young girl shook with the
violence of the emotions that wrung her
breast.
/ Let not those who are unfamiliar with the
opinions ofthe people of the South at the COM
mencement and during the war, blame Mildred
Hayes. Her ideas were those of her people
and section. Earnest conviction in the sem
timents she expressed were not uncommon.
Men and women alike entertained them, and no
greater igpominy could assail any one than a
suspicion Of treachery to the cause, or an aban
donment of principle. They knew there was
no such thing as an honest conviction of error.
Enthusiasm and ignorant prejudice did not
| lead to secession. Revolt was long conte m
plated and entered upon at last after mature
consideration and earnest belief in the justice
of the cause they adhered to. No one. there
FORE could plead precipitancy.
/
Mildred Hayes emotions on hearing her
brothers ayowal were not unmaidenly and
indicate. She was actuated in all she said
by Spartan devotion which would have
sealed her enthusiastic faith and love of coun-
try, if required amid the blood and flames OF
the stake. Over her gentle heart pity for human
suffering held no dormant reign. Keenly alive
to human sympathies, that gentle blue-eyed
girl was meek and lowly in her Christian faith;
and yet away down deep in her heart were
hidden springs that gushed and sang with the
tenderest fraternal love. But with all this
she was proud--not as the world has it, but
proud of her family hneage-of their stainless
faith and honor, that never knew reproach.
To sensitive nature like this, when the
circumstances and the times are considered,
the detection or rather the apostacy of her
brother, was humiliating in the extreme, and
carried the conviction to her heart, that not
outstanding all her love of country and
sympathy in its struggles for freedom, that the
ban of disgrace would be on her family.
"Yes, Mildred, young Hayes resumed after
along pause, "itis revenge. cannot endure
the humiliationst to which have been reduced,
without at least attempting their redress.
feel this more than all. phate to laban-
don my political faith--I love the South
love her cause, and the one object of my
hearts ambition once was to fight beneath
her banner. But that is past now-yes, it is
past; but OH the shame, Milly-I feel the
shamel" and the white ashen face was turned
so that she could see the writhing muscles
and the temples that throbbed in anguish.
can honorable career would be your best
yindication, Warren. Never was lost esteem
regained by plunging deeper into error. !"
"It may be as you say, Milly, but the same
banner can never shield Dick Bartrele and
myself We can never be co-laborers in the
same cause; and when we meet it must be as
enemies. / could not rest in my grave with
out my revenge tell you, Mildred, it is the