Huntington advertiser. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1874-1921, 1875-10-28
MiScell lanoO1S
Written 10; III" Huntington Adver.i-e
EVERARD BRIGHT.
pN nrIIn EI nRIllCE
BY OHIO ELDRIDGE.

How often it has been resd AM
how seldom believed that Truth il
stranger than fiction" Those that
follow the wierd tancies of an authori
brain and become deeply distressed
or highly elated at the remarkable
trials of the characters, are very sapl
10 remark, "ah! we'll lis a yer,
readable tale, but altogether over
d,ne,' when in reality, if the cur
tain was lifted and they could peer
into the trials aud conflicts. successes
and despairs of the vast life tha'
floats constantly around them, they
would see in a moment that the truth
will ofttimes be strange than the
most fanciful productions. The fol
lowing Incidents are but simple facts
to which the writer acted seconda
~ part, and are given without any
coloring whatever. The names OF
the parties have been changed but
the scene is faithfully given.
was n member of All Ohio Regi,
n,ent of Infantry and had been some
twelve months serving Uncle Sam,
when | became acquainted with
Everard Bright. We were soon al
most inseparable companions and ii
ALWAYS has seemed strange that he
should have chosen me, mere boy
for his companion. Bright was Il
proposes ing, well educated man,
about twenty seven years of age. 81
lent, melancholy almost to gloomi
ness, deep thinker and, at times q
splendid talker. On the other hand
| was all life aud full OF CAB, at times
rlnning on for hours with my trltiing
talk, 10 which my friend would only
reply with a quiet smile. Perhaps
because loved so well to talk waf
the reason he chose me from 50 many
for his companion and confident.
Ii was in ono # his moods for talk
ing that he told me part Of his lite
history. Il" had been admitted to
the bar ard had commenced the
practice OF law III n village in In
diana when he first met his tate III
Annie Lamar. He Was poor man.
with nothing hut his uncertain pro
fcssion to enable him to live, while
the girl he so pissionate'y loved, and
as the sequel will show, so passion
atelv loved him, WAS rich in this
worlds goods. Annie was aD orphan
living with her Uncle, the bother "i
her mother, who had taken her when
a child and given her a home ard AT
the same tine taken care OF her pro
ocrty. When she first met Evcrard
Bright, she was but sixteen years ol
age, but in mind a perfect woman. -
Judge Whit had NJ children OF ll'
own and his family consisted Of An
uie and William Stafford, son oI
Mrs. White lay a former marriage. -
Itwas icr Uncie's as well he, AGnt
wish that William and Annie should
marry as soon as they arrived at .
suitable are, bu, Annie early showed
An aver,ion to Young Stafford ard
Displayed will Of her own, and open
" avoNed that marriage with hin
would not only he di,tasteful bu,
perfectly obnoxious. After he- meet
ing with Eycrard Bright. she resol'
cd that nothing should deter hen fron
following her choice and marryIn,
the man she loved. And 81 1t wa
settled between them, and in n yea
they would he man and wife. A a.
how many cha@ges may a year blln:
forth: how many hopes may be blast
: ed. H. less than three months afie
their betrothal. our country MAS r n
with civil war, and amor the tir-
that donned the blue to peril his j
, for his country Was Everard. Ii
; had enlisted a. a private. had, Will
a sad heart, pressed his Annie's ha",
last adieu and was away through
III = smoke and carnage Of Fort Don
el>on aud Shiloh, and was now lay
ing at Helena, Arkansas, awaiting
, orders of ION To Nicksburg." From
the time he had enlisted, nc ha'
) heard nothing from his betrnthed, 2l
though he had frequently written It
her, and. as last resort, to her In
Gle, who replied promptly that An
nie Lamar and William Stafford ha'
been married nearly year. AL
this hal made Bright the mofose
melancholy man knew.
Come, | will show you ali / hav
left of the castle 30 fondIy reared.
He led the way into his tent, an
taking small packet from his tnap
sack, placed it in my hands. o
opening it found dried rose buc
a lock of bright curling hair, and
picture of the sweetest face eve
saw. While | was looking over thes
m mcntoes of his buried happin's
nv friend sat With his head bowe
upon tls hands in an attitude of IN
utmost detection. At lat, lsIng. !
replaced the package quietly, remar'
ing, "She has been forced to MARI
the ulan that she detosted. Go
help those that have brought this mi
cry upon us"
But ] must hasten my story.
The battle of Champion Hills ha
been lost and won, ard the tired 81
diers were still on the march ait
y the retreating foe. Tae grnund vi
= literally covered with the dead a!
+ wounded, who were Icing rapid
: gathered 10 the hospital ~ the gray
Already the large dwelling hous
. that had been converted intoa a hu;
~ ,.:.e -.,,,1 u,.S tillad IN Oy,