Richland beacon., 1875-07-24

Hangs on the rose bud top, and knowing il
Must b. anon exnaIcl, for sorrow shrinks
Itself into tear
The rays of the rising sun fell like
halo Of light, and seemed to rest
like blessing on the barred head Of a
soldier Of perhaps five and twenty.
lie stood aioof from the groups, scat
tered here and there, some playing
catds, some jesting, while all awaited
the approaching train, that were to
bear them onward.
His thoughts were far removed
from the busy throng around him,
and were doubtless sad, for he stood
with arms folded, and eyes cast
moodily down, until aroused by a step
and cheerful voice, wien exclaimed:
What is it Harold ?" What, old
boy, has thrown a dampcr over the
most cheerful spirit in our brigade
Has one of Gcorgia's fair daughters
stolen the heart Of our gallant CUlOnei.
For shame. Harold, ! will bend a
knee, only to the bright eyes OF dear
old Mississippi ;" and Claud Bay
mond placed his hand on the shoulder
of his friend, and looked with mocking
gaiety into his troubled face ; but the
dark brown eyes raised to his were
deeply troubled, and his voice husky
with feeling, as he replied:
"Claud, would give ten years OF
nv life to be free man two weeks. "
Forgive my trihing, Harold. |
did not know you were troubled
can't you get furlough Z" was ask
ed after a moments silence.
81 would not apply now, when we
are likely to engage the enemy any
day. Claude you have heard NE
speak of Evalyn Norton? her father
moved to Memphis in SO. | received
letter from Eva. last night, that she
managed to get through the lines.
Her father is dead, and she will be
forced to leave the City on account OF
her rebel principles. which she has
never hesitated to openly avow. She
wishes to go to her aunt, who is
living in Charleston. Oh! were |
only free to offer her the protection
she so sadly needs; or could be as
sured of her safety. Or! Claude,
when will this bloody carnage, that is
destroying so many homes, laying in
waste our once beautiful and prosper
GUS country, cease? | am "sick unto
death" of the misery it is dealing out
on every hand; and long to breathe
once again the sweet balmy air OF
peace"
"What, you sick? sick of the hom.
age paid the most gallant Col. in
Braggs army2 You! the idol Of
your men, and a lion among the
ladies-God bless their hopeful loving
hearts. Cheer up, it will turn ou,
all right, you will be brigadier yet
before we whip the anks-Mrs
Gen. Gordon-how proud the fai
Evalyn will be of that appellation
Why man, just think Of the advan
tage you have over me, a poor devil
minus a single heart to care whethe
or not | sleep beneath the sod-ther
is no bright eye TO drop for me tea
or kind hand to place flower on m
grave, should | chance TO stop a
enemy's bullet. Yonder comes th
train; in two hours we will be
Marietta"
"Say Harold, I am going to loo
out for my destiny to-day"
81 hope you will find her; tai
care Claude, Cupid will repay wit
usury your mcckeries Of his powe
/ bet two to one you will be hen
dict frst-lhe vcrriest captive ev,
chained"
Claude lifted bis hat with bow.
= "Done, arrows as piercing as cupid
must rebound from marble surfaC
fear I am proof against the wiic
cries Of love-but tell it not. thi,
would enjoy an awakening. | q
going 70 take this Seat near the do
(tbey had entered box carr and 10,
out for the advent of my 'Titania."
1t was a custom of the ladies
the South to gather from miles aroul
to see and cheer the passing armic
and the ladies oe Marietta were n
exceptions to this rule Many Fl
one watched with eager eye the q
preaching train, and showered ki
words and bright flowers on the bra
soldiers. who were so nobly fghti
for their homes Bright eyes gre
brighter as husbands, fathers a
brothers were recognized and welco
ed Claude and Harold were strange
but they too had boon watching t
fair faces that thronged every avail
BILE avenue Of approach.
IL say Harold, am almost d
couraged, the train is leaving and
have not yet foundry Jore he
dis!," broke off Claude as 5eau,i
bouquet fell in the hat, on his Il
He caught it up, there was a ca
attached, on which was write
'For the bravest soldier in the ca
CEcIE BURNEss
Claude sprang to his feet, and ho
ing the flowers aloft, made a grace
bow, while he scanned the sea Of fa
to catch, if possible, a recognit
from the donor For an instant
little white hand was raised. lie
ing far out, Claude got glimpse
pair Of laughing eyes, almost conc'
ed by mass of golden curls, as
train bore him onward.
"One woman oblivious 10 stars ;