The Sweetwater enterprise. (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1869-187?, 1871-01-26

always claimed her as his little sweetheart,
and Madeline was not averse to the dis
tinction, for Percy was a noble boy, him
self as true and brave as Madaline was
true and beautiful. When she returned
from Maryland, altradiant with her beau
ty, and rich in her intellect, she was sur
prised to find that her boyish lover had
grown to be quite a large man. But the
nOblenesS of his nature beamed as brightly
from his manly face as it did from his
bOyish eye. And when the ~gladness that
suffuscd his heart at her coming burst
forth int joyous expression, her heart drank
in the draft with u pleasure as deep. The
maturity Of years ratified the iance of
their childish love, and without any spe-
c'al announcement it was we'll understood
that Percy Brooks and Mndalino we're some
day to be married. Your uncle was as
proud Of Percy as he was of Madaline, and
loved him too as | love you, my littl3
dcars." And here Aunt Miles voice
softened, and a tear dropped on the golden
hair of Belle, who had leaned it in her lap.
"But the war came-your uncle offered
his sword, and it was a bright sword, made
l%ustrOus with faithful service in Mexico,
to Gov. Harris, who was proud to accept
it. A regiment henored him with its COM
mand and he was ordered to Bowling
Green. Percy went with him. The his
tory of the campaign is too sadly known.
When Donaldson fell, the army fell bcck to
Nashville. Only a day did it stop there,
and then retreatcd to Decatur. | was at
LaVergno when it passed. l remember
how sadly your uncle gazed at his b%eauti-
full home as he rode by at the head of his
regiment. There was hardly a fearless
eye in the house even the negroes we're
sad, and waved their blessings after him.
1t was the last time that he was ever to
see that home, and the last time that our
loving eyes were to behold him again.
Percy was with his company, and march
ed by with a proud tread, but we all knew
that he 100 carried q leaden weight on his
soul.
The next day the last struggling file of
the Confcdcrates had passed, and close up
on their retreating steps came the exult-
ant foe.
The first that came was a troop of scouts
not yet embOldened by a certain security,
they behaved themselves with respect, if
MT with friendlineSs. But these we're soon
followed By others. A detachment of in
fantry was sent to occupy MurfroesbOro,
and in an evil hour its commander, Col.
Long, turned aside at La Eergne and or
dered refreshments at your uucle's house.
\ repast was spread by the servants and
the Col. was invited to help himself. In
an i~nsolent manner he inquired if there
were no ladies in the house, and why they
did not doign to preside at the table. The
servant replied that Mrs. Daudrise was i'll,
and could not leave her room.
"But Miss Dandrigo, the beauty of La
Vergne, why is she not here 2" The SER
want stamnered some excusc for Madalino,
but the ~insolent wretch would have no Gx-
cuse, aud demanded that she Immediately
appear and entertain him, as Il Union Off
Ger should be entertained.
With a trembling step poor Madeline
obeyed the summons, but erheart shrank
from the presence with q nameless dread.
A something spoke to her soul and told
her that the witheriug curse of her life
was then about to be lifted over her
destiny.
Col. Long saluted her with an impudoDt
stare, which, however, as it caught il her
native lovelincss, sUftoned into Il duwn-cast
expression, which would have passed for
respectful admiration, hud such a nature
as his been susceptible to such an emo
ton. 81 guess Pm speaking to Miss Dam
drige," he SAID, after a moments embar-
RAISING silence.
Madaline bowed.
"ALd | guess yer think me kinder
gumptiOus in wanting you to set at the ta-
bic while | eat my dinner"
Madalinc very frankly confessed that
she did.
"But yer see, Miss, that Pm a Union
officer, and my rank must be respected"
Madaline politely waved him to be seat
ed, while she sank into a chair at the foot
of the table.
The Colonel appreciated the viands, and
with that rapacity for which tho Union Of
icers we're SO famous, he devoured enough
to have satisfied a hog.
All the time Madaline shrank like a
frightened dove close to her seat. She felt
that she was in the presence of a monster,
and ~shuddered least his brutality might
in a moment be aroused. At length the
Colonel's appetite was glutted, and he be-
canc vivaciOus.
"This lisa mighty purity place O. yern,
Miss Danridge. l guess it must have cost
lots o. money!"
Madeline bowed, and the Colonel con-
tinued.
"These is tarnation fine 6xins yer have
on the t~able-genuine silver, too, Amt
they ln and he balanced a salver on his
thumb as if to estimate its worth.
The interview was becoming intOlerable
to Madaline and she arose to 60.
"What, yer amt agwine u reddy," the
Colonel i%nterpOsed.
"Pleasc slr, excuse me-" she pleaded
"my mother is quite i'll, and have re-
manned away from her too long already"
swell, yer can 60, but as expect to be
stationed at Murfreesboro for some time,
[ shall come to see yer again."
Madeline hurried from the room and
was soon sobbing on her mothers breast.
Col. Long ordered the servants to col
lect the plate and transfer it to "head.
quarter wagons" He then l%eisurely trav.
ersed every room in the house, except
your aunt's sick chamber, and then as a
means to secure all the booty to himself.
he ordered a guard detailed to protect the
lady's property, as he pretended. ..
From that i'll fated day Col. Long was
q, constant intruder upon tie family. Al
first we supposed it was the booty he wa,
after, ard we could tolerate his visits, but