The Tarboro' southerner., 1868-08-20
The Tarb0rO' SOutherner.
THURSDAY, - AUGUST 20, 1868.
From the Literary PaStime.l
"At Ch!mb0razO."
TRUE sKETcH-BY MRS. S. J. NJ.

the words were heard distinctly ABOVE
the clatter, as slowly and noiselessly
over the warworn rails the "eveuing
train" approached the Capital of the
Southern Contederacy.
We glanced in the direction of the
speaker, and saw fair woman, lovely,
not in beauty Of stature and symmetry
of form alone, but every shade of ex-
preston that fitted, like soft shadows,
over her face. She wore an air of pa
tient suffering and endurance touching
to behold.
1t might have been the solicitude of
friend, or the curiosity Of a travelling
acquaintance, merely, of one who had
looked upon that speaking face so ma
ny hours that had prompted the ques-
tlons thus answered.
CAT Chimborazo !! ah, yes" and he
who had evidently been the questioner
asked no more.
1t was very common, then, TO meet
with persons who had friends there
but, in this case, it seemed as If the
very soul of the speaker had been ut
tered in those simple words, and the
beholder instinctisely felt that father,
husband or brother whoever she sought,
her all, was "at Chimborazo.'
Yet there was no sign of regretful
emotion there, no lack of frmness in
the outlines or expression of her face.
Such women were not rare then, In
those years of strife, those weary years
of tears and prayers-of hopes born
but to decay. They would live or die
for the cause they loved or in living
die. iuasmuch as they gave all that
made life dear.
She sat in silence, motionless as a
statue, and as breathless almost, her
slender hands clasped nervously to-
gether, lying upon her lap, while her
soft hazel eyes cast restless, imploriug
glances, as, more slowly still, the cum
brous train appeared to move the near
er we drew to our destination.
At length the spires Of the besieged
city cleaned in the fiery rays of the
setting sun, then, beneath US ran the
seething food of the James, and amid
the hustle of an arrival the tagging
wheels stood still.
Then a marked change passed ovcl
the f; ce Of the stranger, a quick flush
overspread her cheeks, and she gaspeC
as for breath But instantly, the rosy
flush reccded, and left her, if possible
paler than before. She arose from he
seat slowly. auu With With ffa..tsring steps
+ as though 10 --o,,lI hava placed al
those weary miles a gain between her
self and the certainty, now near a
hand; that certainty which might b
: more terrible than all the tortures o
of suspense she had endured
Her hesitation was soon overcome
She nerved herself, as for some drea
E ordeal, stepped upon the platform, an
l was lost to view amid the throng.
There had been battle. All day il
dull re ar had been heard above tn
hustle of the streets--all day long
f valiant band had stood at the gates {
: the beautiful city and defended be-
with their lives from those who sousf
her dishonor and now the ghast
sight of wounded and dying men gree
ed the eye at every fcotstep, as the
were borne within h. spitable dool
opened to receive them, or imprompt
hospitals hastily fitted up for their II
ception.
Amidst the throng of vehicles Of e
cry description, and pedestrians reel
lessly hurry to and fro, carriage SUI
denly paused full in the glare Of
street lamp, and the driver leaued fro
his seat toward the window, as if Fl
{ instructions.
"ChimboraEo
Again that clear voice, so thrillir
in its tones, was heard in reply, and tt
c pale face and large earnest eyes wei
visible, for a moment, IN the brig
light-then the carriage moved swift
and disappeared.
We saw her no more, but picture
her, as we have seen others, tnrnll
from the kind physician or attendar
who would fain have syoken words
coincidence or cheer, and, with NUT
appealing CLAN, Q murm, the ward al
number oIly, as if the name OF the P
tent would bring her face to face WI
some terrible reality. We saw her,
imagination, as she followed her gui
through long rows of narrow couche
and shudder crept over her as S
drew near an empty cot, lest the who
of WHICH had seemed such weary Y
as those few yards-should termins
beside it. She had almost forgot,
st the Intensity of her auguisn, that eve
pale sufferer there, was to one lovi
10 heart at least, as dear as the one S
sought, and every "vacant couch ca
its shadow over desolate home.
Was there "yacant couch,' on
Y or still form, perchance, to greet /
longing eyes, or did an eager pal
face brighten at her coming?
We cannot say. She was but c
:. among naDy-hoY yast, alas, the nu
- Der, who sought "the hospital" W
I'd. trembling feet and fainting heart, VIII
those who were denied the blessed pr
ilege Of ministering in person to
dear ones there, were present in
), spirit. The silent watches of the nis
were peopled with their prayers:
II The pale moon and the twinkll
"a "a stars came forth, and the city, spr'
like a fair picture in the valley bell
and on the opposite side of the hi
grew bright with its myriad CLEAN
lights. The never-iailiug breeze t
swept "the heights gave life to tn
whose hour had not yet come, and c.
ID tho fararnd hrou of manu fa]