Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1873-04-24
A QUARTER RACE.
BY AUTHOR OF "sALrrp WITH FIRE"

a QUARTER RACE.
BY AUTHOR OF "sALTED WITH FIRE"
The close of May, in the year o
Grace and hard fighting, 1862, found me
Julien Willoughby Tremonte, a higl
private (for stood six feet two in ml
stockings) in the Kirkwood Rangers
Haskill's Regiment, down in the vicini
ty of Yorktown, on a scout of mucl
Importance and some peril-for it viii
be remembered by the chronologica
reader that McClellan's invincibles wer,
then marching on Richmond in ordel
to make that famous retreat across tn,
Chickahominy, few weeks later.
had been Gin" ever since December
1860; and numerous "hairbreadtl
scapes" from perilous places-where
no doubt, a better fellow would have
been ,~knocked into a cooked hal" that
generally being the reward OF
merit in those degenerate days-had
contributed, with certain native hard
ihood and recklessness, to make me
rather enjoy tight place than other
wise; so was trifle more careless
than was altogether compatible with a
reasonable care for that portion of my
anatomical structure so dear to a hang
mans hands. As said before, 1 was
down on the Peninsula, with headquar-
ters at Whitehall, and my scout was
was over, for the next day was to go
to Camp Gary, to report.
The setting sun was casting long
shadows before me as rode up to the
modest domicile of Mrs. Carrutters,
where l contemplated spending the
fragment that remained of the evening,
and summing myself in the eyes of her
fair daughter, Isabelle, whose attrac-
tions had much to do with nv willing
ness to seout ON the Peninsula.
Miss Isabelle was standing in the
vine-elad porch, and as 1 rode up, 1
thought a fairer picture the sun had
never shone on. A snowy robe draped
her slender form, crimson ribbon was
twined amidst her clustering dark curls,
and knot of crimson roses glowed at
throat and waist. I sprang from my
horse and fastening him near the house,
Joined the fair lady with all possible ex-
pedition.
"You are just in time. to partake Of
our rejoicing, Mr.. Tremonte," she said,
holding out her hand, as 1 approached.
George came home this morning on a
three days leave, and brought Archie
Hunter with him. .-7.
aGeorge," was very. handsome
brother, but Archie Hunter was cous-
in, of whom was decidedly jealous,
and cloud the first fell instanter upon
lme. wrm@5g anbEEFa
After little commonplace discourse
Miss Isabelle proposed that we should
go into the parlor, where the boys were,
for of late she had been very chary OF
tete-a-tetes with me. Hunter and Car
rutters soon plunged me into discus
sion of "the situation"
Supper was ere long announced, for
Mrs. Carrutters knew, from past expe--
rience, that all soldiers share Dugald
Dalgithy's penchaat for provisioning
the garrison.
Ample justice was done to the very
appetizing display of "provant;" and
then some music from Miss Isabelle's
fairy fingers, and few games of cards,
filled the time so pleasantly that twelve
O'Clock came much sooner than it had
the least business to do.
As the last stroke fell upon my reluc.
tant ear, l rose, and began to make my
adieus, when George interrupted me by
Insisting that I should remain -, : :
"Grammercy' for your court 'U.a 10 :, "
sir, but have made it rule y" ~ ,
sleep in houoe while out on ~.
and lam so we'll seasoned nov ''
find the sky as pleasant a bed alt Fl
as want"
"Why, my dear fellow, you run nj
risk in staying; you admit yourself
thar there is not single Yankee thi
side of Yorktown, so there is no danger
Isabelle, persuade him."
"Mr. Tremonte does not need me Il
assure him how very glad we would b.
to give him nights lodging; but
would rather not persuade him, if HI
fears the least danger,'' replied the art
full young female, giving me most ir
resistably pleading glance from he
long silken lashes. The lips did no
say "stay," it is true, but the eyes sait
as plainly as eyes could say, don't 60,
and I answered them, saying lightly:
| There, Miss Isabelle, you have turn
ed the wavering scales. When ever di,
a Tremonte fear danger?"
"Oh, Mr.. r.Tremonte, don't let care
less phrase tempt you to incur any risl
to disprove it. l mover could forgiv
myself If anything was to happen to
Gen. Gary's favorite scout she addet
after a pause. ana RI Az
"Fair lady, dear my life must be
since 1t is worth care from thee"
answered, with an earnestness of glanc
and tone that deepened the bushes II
her cheek. She turned with pretty
gesture, and l laid my hat upon the tn
BILE and resumed my seat.
II had staid to please her, Miss Is
abelle saw no reason why she shoul,
tstay to please me, for as soon as my de
cision was made, she disappeared, an
!, saw her no more that night. Whel
: we retired, it was late, and as ha
been in the saddle all day, gladl
threw my weary corpus upon the down
white bed, and soon was sleeping tn