The Brookhaven ledger. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1876-07-27
THE FATAL MISTAKE.

adventure, that if collected and pre-
served they would form volumes We
ing in romance with themost remarkable
works of fiction. Many of us doubtless
heard of, or perhaps even witnessed,
! events that at the time seemed to be
forever fixed in our memory, but which
we're soon forgotten in the various
scenes of war.
1t was during the winter OF lS63-6A,
while our division was in quarters,
. that I became acquainted with the in
cideuts of the following sad and touch
, ing story, having received the facts
from the lips of the unfortunate young
man who was the most prominent char
acter in it.
Shortly after we had received orders
to 20 into winter quarters, our diyislon
staff was augmented by the arrival OF
Capt. Frederick Mslgrave, q distin>
guished young cavalry officer, who had
at his own request been transferred
from the Western army to the army in
Virginia, and had consequently been
assigned to our staff. Being the adJu-
tant General on duty at headquarters
when he arrived, / was the first officer
in the division he met, and after few
/ moments conversation I was most favor
ably impressed with him. He had
/ brought lne letter of introduction
from mutual friend. and finding that
he was an entire stranger In our com-
mand, l invited him join my mess and
share my quarters. He accepted the
invitation with thanks, and in few
moments took his leave, to make some
changes in his dress before dinner,
which his hard ride over the worst pos
sible roads had rendered somewhat nee
, essary.
As time passed slowly by, with but
little relieve the monotony of camp life.
Malgrave and myself became warm
, friends. though his reticeLce and ap>
parently cold and naughty manner had
rendered him rather unpopular with
the staff generally. He was a clever
well-informed man, thorough soldier,
and had been noted for his courage.
zeal and ability in the army he had but
recently left. He did not, however,
seem to take any interest, outside OF his
daily duties, in any thing around him,
and rather avoided participating in the
pleasures and aynusements of his broth
ar officers. | neverthe ess grew very
fond of his society, and we used ere-
queutly to sit up quite late at night
conversing a5ouy the war and many
kindred topics. One cold rainy even
ing we were sitting alone before the
cheerful blaze of a log fire, when L no.
ticed that he seemed unusually sad and
low>spirited. had felt for some time
that he WAS suffering from secret sor-
row, and though Was anxious to know
what it was that darkened his lief, l.
had, of course, refrained from iudica-
ting any such desire. think he must
have been cognizant Of this fact, for he
suddenly aroused himself and said:
"Welbern, 1 fear you think me dull
companion, and wonder why l am al>
ways so gloomy; but am not the man
' once WAS, and have good cause for 1t
as 7 believe vou would readily admit. "
"Indeed, Malgrave," I replied. II
have never doubted it, nor have l had
auy intention of drawing from You your
past history"
81 know it; and as feel that you are
a true friend, I will tell You why l am
S so changed, and let you judge for your
self. have doubtless rendered myself
. disagreeable to the gentlemen with
whom 1 am associated, and l regret
e deeply that can not be more soclahle.
Nv story is short Que, and can not
: weary you great deal.
"You know" continued Ma'grave,
"that until 1 came to Virginia served
in the cavalry from the commencement
of the war, having originally enlisted IN
+ the company that volunteered from my
native county. About ten months since,
soon after had been promoted to the
= command of my company, was sent
by the commanding General on an ex-
} pedition to exterminate some bands OF
outlaws. mede up OF deserters and other
s desperate characters, who infested two
or three counties on the Mississippi,
e and who had committed SO many OUT
rages that it was utterly unsafe for
, traveller, or even small party to pass
through the country. Besides my love
of adventure, I had another, dearer mo
tive for liking this field of duty, for my
affianced wife, Edith Grathwood. resided
in neighboring county. and l hoped
> to pay her flying visit before return
ing to the army, having received per
? mission to do SO.
e .'Previous to the breaking out of the
war. shortly after I had graduated,
e spent soma three months in the city OF
Louisville, during very gay season.
: when scarcely nigh passed without
party or some other social gathering.
e It was at one of these that I first met
Edith, who was then attending large
: femsle school in that city. had hith.
erto prided myself on being proof
t against the wiles of the fair sex, and,
until saw her, had never been in love
!, but from that moment / felt the power
wo nan exercises over man. Once con>
yinced that I loved her, l devoted my
self assiduously to WINNING her heart
and before she returned home, hao
been made happy by the knowledgt
that my love was warmly re
2 ciprocated. She was one o
the most beautiful women ! have eve'
seen Of that rare type, a fair complex
ion With black hair and eyes and hel