Mississippi Democrat. (Hazlehurst, Miss.) 1875-1???, 1875-12-01


merTier winter, and never had she
seemed more gay and thoughtless.
"The Butterfly still r. sald Annie's
friends, shaking their wise heads, a.
they watched her laughing face
and light dancing figure-lovingly
In spite OF their iault finding.
But the sunshine was soon 30 be
eclipsed for the Butterfly" In the
spring when his grand home was
glorious with bloom and beauty,
| Col Hunter, Annie's father, laid
down life's cares aud passed over
peacefully to the other side of the
river. The summer was a sad one
30 the inmates of Myrtle Hall, and
grici pressed ON the devoted wife's
heart 80 heavily that she, too, laid
down the burden Of life.
Old Christmas woocd in vain fer
the merry times he was wont 60 see
IN the lofty rooms OF Annie's home.
Death held grim sway there, and the
pleasant chamber that usually wei
coined Christmas with wreaths Of
waxy misletoe and festoons of scar
let-berried holly, now held mourning
badges for the dear mother aud mis-
trcss, "not lost, bat gone before"
Annie and her husband settled
quietly IN the large house, and after
two years, the gloomy pail Of mourn.
ing was lifted from the young wite's
brow, and she was crowned with the
holy name Of mother" Myrtle Hall
once more had an heir, and be ruled,
IN his tiny way, from the least little
darkcy that touched his dainty robes
with revercnhal fingers when he was
carried out on his third birthday TO
view the assembled slaves, 20 his
proud father whe owned those slaves.
But the little lord gave place, on his
fourth birthday, to a mIniture Annie,
who soon became the pet ofall.
When little Annie's blue eyes gag
ed ON her fourth natal day dark NUT
terings were heard, aud the gather
ing war clouds threatened 60 burst
over the devoted South. Harry Sill
vcrton's brown eyes flashed with pa.
triouc fire when the first naughty
challenge went forth, aud his own
faithful wife buekled on his sword
with trembling fingers, bidding MIN
"God-speed" n he rode forth AT the
head of a small band Of determined
men.
oh, those dreary, awful years that
followed! Annie's slender hands
worked rapidly for her loved one
fighting 50 desperately for forlorn
hope. The splendid rooms were be
rcit Of their rich carpets 10 make
blankets for the scantilysupplied
soldiers, while loom and spinning
wheel took the place OF harp and
piano. Willingly did our "Butter-
ny" deprive herself Of the luxunes
20 which she had never until now
been a stranger; tear up her splen-
did carpets, sell her rich Jewels, wear
homespun dresses and give up her
thoroughbred horses for the use of
the cavalry.
.
The years 90 by. Annie sits alone
in her large, lonely house, wishing
and longing. That brave heart i
beating warmly for the absent one
who comes not. The large planta-
tons are grown mp in brown straw
with few poor mules grazing for
lornly about while the large house
and negro quarters wear a mourniul,
deserted look. OF the quondam
slaves, but one (Annie's old nurse)
remains faithful 20 her the rest have
made q grand rush for ~freedom."
Poor creatures how much better of
are they nowY
Little Annie and Harry (who IL
now a fine boy Of twelve) tease their
mamma and @Auntie Rach" TO tell
them when papa will come back.
"Soon, now, darling, mamma
hopes" and Annie hides her face In
the golden locks Of her youngest
born. to conceal her rushing tears.
She has not seen her husband for
four years. The days pass wearly
on, when one day a one-armed, ono
legged man, clad in rusty, tattered
gray, limped slowly up the grand
avenue where stately carriages were
wont 10 roll. Bat now the graveled
walks are weed grown, while the
gates hang loosely on their hinges,
Fifteen years ago
aoh, God, IL Is too much !" and the
poor old cripple sank down on .
broken rustic bench, for thought had
overcome him.
Fifteen years ago to-day he had
ridden up this. avenue TO carry of
the flower OF Myrtle Hall and crown
her Awife." Now, what had he
brought herf Gray, hairs poverty
and shattered frame, while one leg
and arm lay buried In the soil of old
Virginia, enriched with the blood Of
thousands Of brave men.
40, mamma, seei who ~ that old
man out theref" and Annie drew her
mother 10 the window. aAhi now