The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-01-14
Searching Mrs. OWNS House.
BY ORA LANGHORNE.

BY ORA LANGHORNE.
At the beginning of the war, there lived in s
quiet, cid fashioned Virginia town, a widowed
lady, the fond and indulgent parent of severa
beautiful daughters, the eldest OF whom hal
| married all army officer, and usually accompa
MED him in his wanderings or when he wa
stationed at u fre ntier-post though at tht
time this true story begins, Col. Gowen hat
resigned his commission in the United States
army, and gone to Richmond to offer himsel
to the Confederate authorities,
Mrs. twin was an amiable person, in deli
cate health, often confined to her room; while
her lovely daughters, being left to the guidance
of ''their.own sweet will spent their time as
best suited their tastes. They were all fond Of
music, painting and reading, and spent care
less, happy life amid such pursuits, or in visit
ing their many friends; for the pretty, light
hearted girls, with their bright ways and gentle
manners, were general favorites, and seemed
to carry sunshine wherever they went.
When the war began, and their good broth
er-in-law, of whom they were all very fond, as
well as many of their young friends and lovers
entered the Southern army, they became devo-
ted adherents OF the cause, and lamenting that
they were forced to stay in place likely to be
invested with Federal garrison, loudly pro-
tested that if one of the hated s'Yankees'' ever
entered their house he should rue the day that
he dared to do SO.
The Federal troops had not been long in pos
session Of the town, before the luminosity of
the Misses Gwin, who had too much viyacity to
be quiet long in any circumstances, began to
manifest itself. The sisters, whenever seen on
the street, wore conspicuously the Southern
colors Tiny Confederate flags were ostenta-
tiously Haunted from windows or doorways !;
but if a Federate soldier drew near, blinds and
doors were suddenly closed, and the house pre-
sented a dreary and deserted appearance. As
the young ladies expected, and no doubt hoped
not many days elapsed before Federal officer,
lin full uniform, approached the Gwin mansion.
and having rung the bell, announced that he
had been ordered to seasch the house, A gen
tie looking girl, with bright eyes, rose-tinted
cheeks and graceful form, appeared at once,
and spoke to the officer with such winning
courtesy, in such silvery tones, that the young
soldier, who looked a very son OF Mars, with
his long sword and military accoutrements,
while his large whiskers added to his stern
manner, might have intiInidated the most de-
faint rebel, fundamentally bowed low before
the blushing girl, as she told him her mother
was sick, unable to leave her room, but her
elder sister would receive him in the parlor up
stairs, would he allow her to show him the
way? Feeling that he could as soon make war
on Hebe as on this gentle creature, the officer
followed her up the stairs, walking with some
difficulty, as the hall was very dimly lighted.
and into drawing room, which seemed to be
handsomely furnished, though it was so dark
that he could scarcely discern the features Of
an elegant looking woman, who advanced to
meet him; but as his eyes became accustomed
to the faint light, Il vision OF loYeliness seemed
to dawn upon him
"a daughter of the gods, divinely tall
And most divinely fair"
If Hebe had ushered him in, surely here was
Venus herself waiting to receive him, and he
almost forgot his errand as he gazed in admit
ration upon the beautiful creature, who waved
her hand gracefully toward chair, asking him
ito be seated" she was obliged to represent
the head of the family, mamma was so much
indisposed. Capt. McKensie took the seat in
dcated and was about to frame some apology
for his intrusion, when his chair spreading its
four legs in as many different directions sud-
denly gave way, and the valiant defender of
the flag measured his length upon the floor
1t was a little awkward getting up again, en-
tangled as he was with lis sword, and it was
so dark he could scarcely find his hat, which
had dropped from his hand as he went down;
but the fair Miss GWin seemed so overcome
with regret, she made so many apologies, she
begged to be allowed to assist him; the servants
were SO careless, thai chair had been broken a
few evenings before, when her little sister had
y.
would romp; would he not take another feat
and forget the unlucky incident? The Cap
tain could not do otherwise and was again,
seated, when again his chair, apparently just
realizing that it was a quadruped, and had q
right to stretch its legs, gave way, and again
Capt. Mckensie lay prone upon the carpet
with his ''back to the field and his face to the
foe." This time his ire was moved aud rising
with flushed countenance, he would have ia
Ion, y1nau nf ho lo6i hut
the fair girl who had admitted him advanced
SO quickly, she was SO grieved, both sisters
were so panied, those llorrid children should
never have another party really it was too
bad ]; a white hand was extended to assist him;
for an instant little palm as soft as velvet
touched his own, and the Captain was morti-
fed. The elder sister was too much mortified
to express her feelings, but the younger one
insisted she knew such a brave officer would
overlook a mere accident he had not yet eg-
planned his mission; this time he must let her
choose a seat for him. and she rolled forward Il
large comfortable arm. chair, which looked as
if it would disdain such saucy tricks as its igh-
ter companions had played upon our doughty
Captain, who seemed but half recovered from
his discontinue but the pleading tones OF
this syph were irresistible, and with llaueh-
ty bow and determination this time to tell
his Grand, having first surveyed the chair with
a critical and suspicious glance, our hero de-
posted himself upon it, and was promptly as
before transferred to what was certainly not to
him "a bed OF roses,'' though by making a
great effort as he felt the chair give away, he
managed to come down very hard, into a sit
ting posture, in which attitude he glared fierce
ly at his tormentors. Angrily rising, with as
much dignity as he could assume, the irate
warro, informed the young ladies, both OF
whom had sunk upon the sofa, and covered
their faces apparently overcome with shame,
though their forms quivered with suppressed
laughter, that he saw q deliberate insult had
been intended, and he should at once report
the manner in which he had been treated at
headquarters; perhaps they would hear from
him again. Striding to the door, the Captain
flung it open and entered the hail. though here
he was compelled to walk Carefully, .sWhy
did these confounded rebels keep their houses
so dark?" But the Captains nerves, already
shattered, were destined to receive another
shock, as low snllen growl REACHED his ear,
and turning hastily in the direction from which
it proceeded. he was Startled to perceive the
lurid light OF pair of fierce eyes, which glared
upon him, as large grizzly bear, with wide
open mouth and savage tusks, advanced slowly
towards him. The Captain forgot his inaigna-
ton for moment, as he auickened his steps
to the head of the stairs, and sprang down the
first flight, turning instinetiyey, as he reached
the landing, to look again at the frightful beast
who was close behind him, and as he turned
was about 10 spring upon hirl. Clearing the
steps at q bound, and yelling that the house
was filed with devils, the gallant Captain
rushed into the street, and scarcely slackencd
f. L =