Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-09-06

"Well, I dare say you are surprised, but
not more so than 1 am. Mamma is always
being seized and carried away with notions
and this is the latest-to bundle me up and
rush off to this deserted village. No doubt
it is all intended for my moral welfare; but
I can't see it in that illumination. Jack Full
ton will be in despair. But Sara," she rat
tied on, never pausing to take breath, "do
come in! Mamma is lying down and we
can have tete d.tete. have perfect bud
get of latest intelligence for you"
"No, thank you, Fannie. 1t is 80 late
must hurry home. How were Ada and her
husband when you last heard2"
"Oh quite well-as much like pair of
turtle.doves as ever. We we're to look for
them, but Rupert Darlington never stays long
enough in camp to give even his superior Of
fcers chance. He always was as selfish as
could be-but beg pardon, Sara He was an
ancient admirer of yours, l believe, though
that's all over now, since he is captured by the
fair Mississppian. Do come in and let ME
read you the particulars of the wedding, in
Ada's last letter. It's better than novel;"
She ran toward the gate, and opening it,
went out to meet Sara. But Sara was gone.
Gliding swiftly away, scarcely conscious of
motion, feeling nothing but blind instinct to
escape from all eyes, and die, if die she must,
like the wounded stag, in solitude and alone.
Through the grey dusk she fed noiselessly
yet rapidly, her face rigid as carved stone,
and eyes looking steadily forward fixed on
futurity," yet with the dead calm of despair ;
On through deserted grass-grown streets, past
tenantless houses; under shadowy oaks-at
last, into the home where nothing but love
could greet her, however shorn of youths
brightness and cherished hopes. But who
can endure even those fond eyes at such a
moment Sara felt that she could not. When
the door of her own room was at length
closed and locked, she fell upon the bed; and
darkness, deep and prolonged, fell upon the
tired eyelids; weary heart and racked brain
found respite in unconsciousness.
How long she lay there Sara never knew.
When she again opened her eyes the sun was
just setting long level rays streamed across
the room and fell upon her face A gentle
hand lowered the shade instantly.
Don't, aunty! Let me see it as long as
can. October sunsets are so lovely"
She raised herself on her elbow, as the
shade was again lifted, and gazed for several
minutes upon the autumn landscape. Then
with sigh, fell back upon the pillow.
81 am not i'll, am I, aunty"
"No, my darling, but you are quite weak,
and it is better for you to lie still for awhile.
Will you not drink this glass of wine? Your
papa desires it."
Sara obeyed without a word and closing
her eyes as the sun sank below the horizon,
she spoke no more.
And now the record of this blighted life
grows to its close. There is no need to enter
into details; how day after day the end came
nearer, and the troubled dream of life fled
at last with the dawning of Eternal Day.
Sara rose from her bed with cheek more pal.
lid and figure more fragile; otherwise there
was no perceptible change in her appearance.
If her father and aunt heard Of Rupert's
marriage, they did not allude to it, only Sara
felt the increasing tenderness and solicitude
of both as the result of that knowledge. Mrs.
Taylss- s-asd-ls...a..sshAas- shas.lss-assssa
moned back to Richmond by the sickness and
death Of favorite cousin and so Sara was
spared the trial of hearing further particu-
lars of the affair.
Winter came on, and amidst the disastrous
and rapidly eliminating incidents of that ia
tai time, not even gossiping neighbors found
leisure to dscant on what might otherwise
have excited their curiosity-Sara Howard's
strange decline. Each day the dark pail
lowered more fearfully over the devoted land
even individual sorrows seemed trivial COM
pared to the overwhelming calamities, which
came, as sorrows always come, "not singly,
but in battalions."
Mr.. Howard seemed painfully engrossed
with bulletins from the principal seats of in
terest- Richmond and Atlanta. His erect
figure, contrasting so strongly with his now
snow-white hair and beard, had hitherto al
ways been among the first gathered around
the village office, awaiting the opening of the
mails But as time went on and hope began
to wane, the staunch old patriot sat by his
freside, strong even in despair, and awaited
the last inevitable blow.
1t was thus he sat in his study one morning
near the middle of April. The windows were
opened, and the perfume Of hyacnths filled
the pleasant, sunny room. Sara reclined up
on lounge, and her aunt, busily engaged in
knitting, sat near. A servant had just entered
and placed on the table beside his master a
package of newspapers. Mr.. Howard open
ed them slowly one by one, g glanced at the date
of each as if searching for the latest-then
suddenly exclaimed
"My God 1t has come at last"
Sara did not speak, she knew but too we'll
what those words meant. Miss Howard sat
with blanched face and quivering lips. There
was silence, eloquent as that which always
accompanies intense emotion, and Mr.. How
began to read in faltering tones the brief ac-
count of the last scene in that tragedy which
neither actor nor spectator can ever forget.
He read on in low rapid voice, as if hold
ing in powerful check some feeling which
must shortly overpower him. The blue veins
in his temples were knotted like cords, and his
breath came heavily as he drew nearer the
end
HEADQUARTERS, A. N. ", April 10th, 1865.
After four years ofarduous service, marked by
unsurpassed courage and fortitude, the army. of
Northern Virginia has been compelled to yield to
overwhelming numbers and resources.
need not tell the survivors of so many hard
fought battles, who have remained steadfast to the
last, that have consented to this result from no
di>trust of them; but feeling that valor and de:
voton could accomplish nothing which would
COMPENSATE for the loss that would have attended
the continuation Of the contest, have determined
to avoid the useless sacrifice Of those whose past
services have endeared them to their countrym men.
BY the terms of agreement, officers and men can
return to their homes, ana remain tneTe uIIll e&-
changed.
You will take with you the satisfaction which
proceeds from the consciousness of duty faithful
ly performed; and earnestly pray that merci-
f,,If NoI, will tn h1pSSinp