The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1870-04-25
a TALE o. THE WAR.
TRUTH STRANGER THAN FICTION


an Garth than arc dreamed Of in our ev-
cry day philosophy, no ono of reasonable
intelligence will refuse to believe. That
there are spiritual influences surrounding
us, which have occasionally made manifest
to, though not understood by human per-
cc,tious, seems truth established by many
curious coincidence, Frequent cases Of
this kind have como to my knowledge; but
none more incxplicablc than the following,
related by gentleman of high standing.
WHO was himself personally acquainted
with the circumstances of the case and the
parties concerned.
In 1853. Lieutenant A., young
and gallant officer Of the Confederate army,
became engaged to Lillian b., dasgter Of
Judge d. Of Georgia. young lady of
more than ordinary beauty and intelli-
gence. She IVES remarkable for peculiar
Ha. .
ssnsi,ivenc,s to what arc called nervous
Influences" such as effects Of tho weather,
cfmusic, ofscencry. &C.; and though new
cr really ill was always Of delicate health.
In appearance she was fair and fragile, and
in disposition gentle and afisctionatc, be-
Ing wholly devoted to the young officer
whose, wife Sue lad promised to become.
In the last interyicw between the lovers,
when, alter a peterborough, Lieutenant A .
was hastily recalled to his regiment, bado
his bcirothed adieu, lie remarked that he
did not know when they should again
meet, as there vas some sharp battles in
prospect.
Tho young girl, looking up earnestly
into his eyes. replied:
"Ifyou arc wounded Harry, and wish
nc obclwi.h you, send for me, and IHiv
eon'e.Hs i4;f
''l,ut suppose 1 shall not DO able to send
for you, Lillian /"
"CaR me |" she answered, half smiling,
set half in earnest; "call me, for believe
that | should lear your voice frsm the
ends Of the earth"
Her lover, and the mother and sister
standing BY, smiled attts couceit; yet i
appeared soon forgotten BY them, and wa.
not after this day alluded to. ~
AS thcyoung officer had predicted, ase-
rious Of hotly cont sted battles followed, in
which ho was reported to, have fought with
distinguished gallantry. And then the
regiment to which be belonged was re-
movedfrom Virginia to South Carolina,
and was stationed at Columbia when the
news Of sherman's ,ear approach caused
them to fall back, and finally retreat.
On The night Of The evacuation of Co.
lumbia BY the Confederate troops, Lieu
tenant A, wrote hasty line to his be-
tfothed, cntrusting il to q messenger who,
proceeding directly to Georgia, promised
to dclivcrit before many days should have
elapsed. This promise was fulfilled and
Eve days thereafter the note was placed in
Lilian's hands.
Sho was seated in the vine-coyersd pi;-
azza Of her fathers plantation residence
when the welcome missire was received.
Hastily pursuing its contents she read it
again slowly. and then plased it quickly
in her mothers hand.
"Ie is safe" she remarked, in lew,
tender voice. "And now that our army
las surrendered, there will 10 no mere
battles, and he will soon DO with us again,
After while the April morning became
chill, and she arose and retired to the par
lor. Tho windows wore open, and they
heard her playing low, pcnsive strain.
Suddenly the music ceased, and the next
instant Lilian's face appeared at tho win.
dow, the checks flushed, the eyes startling
and eager. -
"Honryl" sue cried broatlle,sly.
"Whero is Henry, mother?'
"lYhat do you mean, Lillian q asked
her sister, wondcringly.
us Henry here? ! beard linn call me-
"Yod are dreaming, my Child, Henry
Is not hero." 2-s ~ ~ f@
She locked around anxiously, and shad-
ing her cyeswlsh her hand, gazcd toward
The west.
''IIo must be bore" size sud, with
trembling excitement, lie inthegarden
or down in the meadow. I heard him CALL
Tue triees and from that direction y i
The family, and even some Of tile SER
wants accompanied her as she proceeded
hastily to the garden, calling, "IIcnry!
where are youy' fas as
III. ~. = ~. a..