The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-03-18
Select Storp.
NORTH AND SOUTH.
STORY FOUNDED. ON PACT.

The sun was pouring Hood OF burning
fays upon the parchcd earth. 1t was
noon-tide on a hot July day in the sum
msr Of '63, Everywhere throughout the
beautiful State Of Virginia was seen sor-
row and desolation; the foot prints Of cruel
civil war were traced wherever the eye
could turn.
A quiet cottage stood back from the
toad-side, its vine.covered porch refresh
ing It's inviting shadow, No beauteous
hnryest-feld stretched out before ones
eaze to gladden. the heart with plcnteous-
ness, but the uneultiyated land spoke sad
state Of household and country. All was
barren, oil was uncared for save this tiny
cottage; and before its door the summer
lover bloomed, and grove Of young pine
trees gave a grateful cooluess and pleasant
&iss3e.
At this hour, when man and animal
were seeking refuge from the heat Of the
day an officer in the national uniform
might have been seen slowly riding up the
foad. His face was pale, his bearing dis
zpiri.ed and weary. Catching glimpse
Of the white cottage, faint smile lit up
bis features, and. riding up to the little
gate, he dismounted and tied his horse.
II answer to his knocking, an old colored
woman cautiously opened the door, and,
pefceiviug that her visitor was soldier,
deprecatingly exclaimed,-
Now marster, do you go long? No
body here but jist lone women, and muffin
TO spare to eat IT.
Well, aunty," said the young man,
faintly, "you speak plainly, to be sure; but
| could not move on if | would; / am both
tired aud i'll. But give me glass of milk,
and / will rest here awhile in the shade"
/" Well, said the old woman reluctant
b"I suppose 1t must be so; but deed,
'taint much fuder to dc next house. Mrs.
Vernon is i'll, aud Miss Elsie ain't no great
friend to blue coats"
90 Aunt Lucy !" exclaimed a rich clear
voice. "When did Miss Elsie ever refuse
reffeshment to one SO exhausted as this
psor man appearsG" And young girl
sprang to the door just in time to help
Aunt Lucy lead the fainting form to an
arm-chair near by.
She threw cold water over his brow, and
chafed his uerveless hands, thinking, the
rhile, "my enemy because my country's
foe; but he has noble countenance"
In minute he had revived sufficiently
y drink the glass of water presented to
lin by the now attentive servant, who,
laking her cue from her young mistress,
nas now very much interested in his COM
brt.
{" must apologize for intruding upon
Ypur kindness, said the young officer.
MY regiment is about two miles away in
he woods below; our supplies have been
cut of, and, not having been well for some
days, concluding needed better food than
The coarse army fare, | started of to find
.some farmhouse near by, where / could
purchase some provisions. 1t seems but
fhinly settled, and riding further than l
Intended, the heat overcame me. How
ever, | shall not remain longer than neces-
sary, and ! beg, Miss, you will not let me
disturb you at all; your woman tells me
5ou have sickness in your household"
eyes" answered Elsie sadly, my moth
er is suffering invalid, and, with the ex.
ception Of our two servants, We are alone.
My father and brother are in the Confed-
erate service" (Her face aushed) "But
you must have rest and refreshment. l
cannot permit you to depart while you are
30 weak and faint" And Elsie cast a
compassionate glance at the strangers pale
face.
Elsie assisted Aunt Lucy to spread the
little table, and they soon had simple
ropast in readiness, composed of milk,
bread aud honey.
I" 1t Is a sorry refreshment, " said the
young girl, regretfully, shut all we can
offer you. Our land has been laid waste;
we have no one to till what remains, and
very little stands between us and actual
want"
Fl Her emotions being beyond control, she
hurriedly left the room, and shortly after
he heard her voice in an outer room con-
versing with the old woman. The plain,
cooling food was just what the young man
needed, and as he partook Of the food be-
fore him his mind dwelt admiringly upon
his young hostess.
al do believe" said he, II never saw
swceter, sadder face Such perfect brown
eyesl What rich, sweet voice am
sorry she looks upon me as an enemy"
GIancing around the room, his eyes fell
upon photograph album. Rising, he
opened u, and huriodly ran over the pages
until his eyes fell upon the picture of Ell
sic. How different from the original