New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-03-12

present of that honor. My orders ex-
tend to the command, which broke camp
this morning and is now on its march to
Charleston.
"Oh, what are we to- do? We felt so
safe while they were near US.
The remark burst Involuntary from
Miss Stead, who blushed and cast down
her eyes as if conscious of having said
too much for maidenly propriety, but the
smile of acknowledgment on Colonel
Washington's face gave way to look of
grave anxiety as he replied, ''No lady Of
Carolina shall ever need defender while
man of my command is left TO draw a
sword; but we have news of movements
on the enemy's part which require our
presence nearer to the city, and l have
advised that all non-combatants who can
possibly move into Charleston should do
SO at their earliest convenience. Perhaps
we may meet there in few days"
A momentary pallor had oversplead
Miss Elliott's face, but it was succeeded
Immediately by proud flush as she said
at is true, then, that General Clinton has
left Savannah and is moving on Charles
toni"
''Such is the report, and fear we are
badly prepared to meet him."
1--WE have righteous cause, and God
is on our side, replied the brave girl,
with flashing eyes. Governor Rutledge
has issued call for all men not in ser
vice to take up arms, and the whole upper
country will swarm down to meet these
hireling British"
$50 we all hope and expect; aud if
they are only in good time. the.e will be
no fear of the result"
Fear? Who fears these upstart baron
cts and their insolent soldiers? Oh, how
I wish women could fight! If the men
can't drive them back, let US take tho
field, and Clinton shall never set his foot
in the streets Of Charleston;" and tie
brave little beauty looked as if she meant
every word she said.
"The men can not fail to be heroes
when the eyes Of such women are upon
them," exclaimed tie gallant colonel,
looking with amused admiration at the
lovely face all aglow with patriotic excite
ment. "But you must let US do the
fighting, Miss Elliott, while you cheer
and support US with ysur smiles and
your prayers. Peyton, what do you
think would be the result of charge
BY squadron of ladies upon Tarleton's
Legion?"
Il can't answer for Teleton," laugh
ingly replied the orderly, who had Just
entered the room, "but 1 am afraid I
should throw down my arms and desert
in the face of the enemy"
"You are an ungallant fellow. Peyton,
to hint even that the ladies could ever be
your enemies"
'Oh, do look there cried Miss Stead
with a silvery laugh, and pointing
through the open window, ''shall we
take the issue of that struggle as an
omen?"
The whole party rushed to the window
and looked out on the lawn. A brilliant
redbird, the proximity of whose nest per-
haps had fred his timid heart with cour-
age, had made savage assault on blue
jay, the colors Of whose feathers were
strikingly suggestive Of the Continental
uniform. For moment the two combat
ants huttered in angry strife, and the re-
suit seemed doubtful, when a female
few from her nest in the
shrubbsry and drove them both inglo-
riously from the field.
THAT settles the matter" exclaimed
Colonel Washington, laughing gayly,
Governor Rutledge calls out the la
dies, I shall throw up my commission at
once, and retire in good order to the Sc
cvrity Of private life"
perhaps, then, Lieutenant Peyton
would succeed to the command" reioined
Miss Elliott, glancing archly a. the young
orderly.
II am almost sorry that your corps has
not been organized, Miss, for I might |
hen consider myself gazetted for promo
ion, and claim my ieutenent's commits
sion over your signature" The young
nan spoke in tone of gay badinage, but |
4 shade Of annoyance came over his fea-
lures as be added with slight bow, II |
I'M only plain Mr.. Peyton as yet
Il beg pardon" said Miss Elliott, "but |
thought lieutenant was an ensign's |
proper title
''lf Peyton were the ensign of the |
roop, his Office would be a sinecure,"
aughed the colonel, ''seeing we have no |
tandard for him to carry"
''Tou surely don't mean, colonel, that
our gallant corps fights withou: colors:"
aid Miss Stead.
"Why. we can not use those that we
aptured from the enemy, and fear our
ady friends will be unable to present us
With a stand until the war is over and silk
becomes more plentiful.
Miss Elliott's eyes flashed with sudden
impulse, and the color deepened on her
heck as she eagerly asked, Would you
AIRY so poor little flag as q Carolina
irl can present to you? Many a good
night has gone into battle with no richer
tandard than lady's scarf"
eff Miss Elliott will honor my command
y intrusting her kerchief to its keeping,
swear to fly it in the face of Tarleton's
.egion and defend it to the last drop of
" blood"
"Then let this be your fag," cried the
oble girl with a burst of enthusiasm
hich echoed that which rung in Colonel
tones. A large fauteuil,
overed with heavy crimson silk, embroid-
led with raised laurel leaves, was stand
g near. Miss Elliott seized, as she
Joke, the scissors from. her work-basket,
I'd in moment had cut out the rectan-
liar piece which covered the back and
fered it to her distinguished guest.
'ashington bowed low with courtly grace,
Id touched his lips to the fair hand
hich presented it, while young Peyton,
rried away by the excitement Of the
oment, sprang to his feet with a cheer
hich started the wild birds from the
rubbery: Colonel Washington, claim
e right, by Miss Elliott's commission,
carry that flag into action, and swear
at it shall never be stained with dis ,
NOR while Waiter Peyton has right 8
nd to grasp its staff.
''Take it, my boy" said the colonel in !,
voice tremulous with emotion, land !,
ard it with your life. With Gods help !
, will make that flag terror to the :
emies of our country. Miss Elliott, &C.