Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1873-10-31
gales AND gAttBsa.
-xWTFEsS SfisfORT:


three ye srs--that 1 called her mine but
looking upon the past, tremUi6 to think
what might have been, had her presence
never frightened my life and taught me my
duty.
1t was Just before the late war between
the North and South that 1 became the
wife ofa navy olRer.. He was many years
my senior, but IL was union of hearts for
all. lie was reserved and dignified as be-
came his position, l was gay and light
hearted almost to frivOlity, think now.
He often pleasantly chiaed me, for my
gayety saying ought to settle down now
had got such an old-fashioned husband.
But knew he was most pleased when /
was most cheerful, SO accepted his child
ing in the spirit in which they were admin
istercd.
o At the breaking out of the war my hus-
band was ordered 10 L., q small station
erected for the emergency, there to take
command of n vessel being fitted ont for
service in the Mississippi squadron. or
course accompanied l. was small
town of no note until the was converted it
into a noval station, thus bringing labor
and money to it's inhabitants. OF the So
ciety the less said the better.
There were quite n number of officers sta
who, with their wives, made up our society.
We were constantly resorting to ways and
means to kill time. There was one family
Of some preteutions In the place who fire.
quently joined our circle, and at whose
house we were quite as frequently invited !;
but owing to my husbands retired habits,
we ourselves seldom went.
This was not altogether satisfactory to
one of my temperament, and when | would
hear the officrrs' wives talking over these
festivities, / longed with all the fervor of Il
child to participate in them.
You are burying yourself alive one
would say and another add, You arc az
old as your husband now.' And Mrs.
Stanhope, the wife of a surgeon, once ad-
vised me to go without him 'other ladies
do IT, she added. But my pride and COM
mon sense forbade that. l had always
considered it wife's duty to respect the
wishes Of her husband. and l was a little
surprised that Mrs. Stanhope, lady at
ieast fifteen years my senior, should thus
advise me.
One night the officers were to give ball
on board the boat then in my husbands
command. IL was the first regular ball
they had given-the previous entertain
ments were merely social parties. Ar
quite a grand affair for that out-of- the-way
place. nm TO-, .....
My husband had not altogether approved
of the measure, although he had consented
to it. ''fhaHg.
You will surely attend, remarked as
he expressed his disapprobalion. 1T being
on board your own vessel, it would hardly
look well to stay away
Yes, | will go; but, Clara, l heartily
disapprove Of such festivities at time
when our country is so overshadowcd with
war;
The evening of the ball ut length arrived q.
All so far had been entirely favorable, and
a delightful time was anticipated.
The dance had already commenced,
when an orderly came in search of my hus-
band. There had come dispatch ordering
my husband to report at M at once.
Il leave you in charge Of Lieutenant Nor
ris, he said, as he impaired the news to
me, at the same time bowing to the Lieute-
nant who was with him.
Il accept the trust he replied graceful
ly. gCl-l.a
L shall probably be back the day after
tomorrow Mt the farthest,' he continued,
and bidding me good bye, We parted.
Lieutenant Morris was the Oldest officer
in the squadron there except my husband.
He was unmarried, very affabei in his man
ners and upright in department, and a uni
versal fayoritc.
Flushed with gayety, Ientrred into the
enjoyment OF the hour with q keen relish.
You are fine dancer, Mrs. B. said my
companion as he led me TO Il seat after q
quadrille. How is it you have never at
tended our little select dances before p
INV hnsho nd InaS NOT npinU than, 7 y,
swered.
is that a sufficient reason p he asked in
a halfwhisper.
i think so,' replied a little haughtily
Then you are no champion for woman S
rights. he answered gayly.
is it fair TO judge me by that p
Perhaps not. But see they are going to
waltz. You waltz, do YOU not p
Not often, and | must beg to be excusd
tonight
lie bowed and went to seek another part
ner, and soon saw him whirling down the
cabin with Miss Chesbro, nece of Cover
nor Vests
To say that was pleased with the en-
tertainment and the attentions | received
would but express very family my delight.
was charmed, intoxicated with it, and
loyal as was, scarcely gave one thought to
my absent husband, who, at the time |
sought my state-room, was riding fearlessly
the storm midnight in obedience to orders
The day on which my husband had ex-
pected to return came and passed, and the
next also, still he came not and / though
accustomed to disappointment of this char
acter, grew restless and uneasy.
To return the compliment Of the officers
Governor West had issued invitations to a
ball. to be given at his residence just one
week from the night of ours.
A number Of the elite from the neighbor-
ing city had been invited, and the affair
promised to be a very brilliant one.
This may be thought very short time in
which to prepare for. a ball, but it must be
remembered that the vessels were daily ex-
pected to leave the station, and there was
no time to spare.
'Of course, you will go, said Mrs. Stan
hope to me.
Il am undecided, replied. 'Ifmy hus-
band returns, it shall be as he says. If he
does not return | hardly expect to CO.,
But you are in my charge said Lieu
tenant Morris, 'and /, as your guardian,
shall insist on your going
stop! Lieutenant, as L understand it, ]
was only put in your charge for that eve
nipU , n warai pla vfitlIu