American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1869-03-06


the breaking out of the war, [ had
sent all my valuables, with consid-
cradle amount of money, to Europe;
and as no army had ever been in
the neighbor hood, everything was
much as it had been.
Home again, but though the same,
everything seemed changed. [ was
restless, and soon wearied of every
thing. If | tried to read, fair face
with yellow hair and blue eyes
floated above the page. l thought
of nothing, I dreamed of nothing
else. Knowing how foolish it was
to indulge this passion, l sought to
Danish it by mingling constantly in
the gay society of the neighboring
town. Flattered and smiled upon
by so many lovely girls, try as l
would, it was impossible to love any
of them. Finally l resolved to go
to Virginia and seek the fair girl
who so continually occupied my
thoughts.
Arriving in the town of B,
near which the battle was fought, /
secured boarding house, and the
next day l walked out into the conn
try in the direction / thought Mr..
Evans house stood. l soon came to
the house, and, as l walked up to
the front door, 1 caught sight of
Lilly, sitting near an open window,
singing and sewing. My heart beat
tumultuously, as l rapned at the
door. My lady was still in the pa
rent nest :; but was her heart still
free? That was momentous ques-
ton, but had but a short time to
ponder it. Light footsteps approach
ed the door, and in a moment more
1 stood face to face with the only
love had ever known. Fancy me,
if you can, looking like bashful
schOOlboy-me, a man of the world,
actually trembling before little
country girl. A very awkward bow
I must have made. But very short
time sufficed to restore my compOs
ure, and, following the lady into the
house, said:
you do not recognize me, Miss
Evans, yet l should have know you
anywhere. After the battle fought
near this place, do you not remem-
Der soldier whom you kindly fed
and warmed, and afterwards sent
away on horse! l am thu soldier,
come back to thank my preserver.'
She looked at me bashfully for
awhile, and then said, 'Oh, yes, l
remember you perfectly. I am so
glad you got away safely
How her sweet voice thrilled my
heart 1 sat talking with her for
some time, and then her mother,
coming in, looked surprised to see a
stranger, but gave me a kind vel
come, on being told who l was. Soon
after l went away, having received
an invitation 10 call again.
Every day l met Lilly Evans
often going to her home, and spend
ing hours in her sweet society, some
times meeting her IN her walks in
the pleasant woods near the house
How happy was I, when l first saw
| the pleased look light up her face
when l would meet her suddenly
One evening | called and requested
her to take a walk with me, as tht
, evening was so lovely. Mrs. Evan.
said: Yes, Lilly, go and walk :; i
$ will do You good. You sew too con
s stantly.'
So we started off, chatting gaily
" for she was not reserved now.
: described 70 her my Southern home
I surrounded by sweet magnolias.
n told her how gloomy home seemet
}. to II e. now that my mother was dead
J. Have You no sister, no brother
/ she asked, in voice of sympathy.
e NO one but myself! There ar
l. none to watch over me in sickness
( and soothe my sorrows! All alon
h in the wide world! Don't you pit
q me very little 2 I said, takin
d her little hand III mine.
}. She turned her head away quickly
IT but not before I caught sight of th
% tears in her eyes; a I'd her voiC
u trembled as she said, oh, yes, il
IN deed l do
er Still holding her hand. 1 said sof
E. ly, Lilly, won't you make my lionel
b. life happy? You only can do it.
al never loved any girl but you. Lill.
say that you will not send me bac
le to my desolate home without hop
IL Tell me, darling, wont you try an
r, love meP
III She did not answer, but the lit
~ hand still nestled in mine, and
e. ventured to draw her closer to Il
L heart AT last she raised her swe
a eyes to my face. and | was satisf'
I'd to read there my answer.
mt obtained the sanction of her p
IT. rents to our engagement, and wh'
ne the first snow lay upon the ground
m bore my bride to a warmer cline.
ha