The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-06-23
beneath my outer clothing, and determined

unsuspected by anyone, But | was doom.
ed to find out my mistake.
We were encamped not far from Chat.
tanooga, Tennessee. We were expecting
marching orders daily, and, lying idly in
camp, were glad of any diversion TO while
away the long hours, when, one day, a
strolling musician, an old man with long
white beard, and carrying violin in u
dilapidated case, was brought into camp.
He had been observed prOwliug around
and so had been "taken in,' as one of the
men laughingly remarked,
But, subsequently circumstances proved
that the "boot was on the other foot" /"
Worn out with inactivity, the boys, one
and all, welcomed the old fellow; and when
We found what exquisite music he drew
forth from that worn, old violin, we decid-
cd unanimously, that tho new arrival was
a grand addition to the camp.
But, once, caught him looking at me;
there was peculiar glitter in his steelly
blue eyes, which did not please me; an i'm
preston that we had met before, crept over
me, and from that hour became suspi
cious of him, and was ever on the alert
had turned in for the night. All
the camp lay quietly sleeping beneath the
clear, white, moonbeams; no sound broke
the silence, save the occasional challenge
Of the sentinel; and lay, restlessly tossing
on my rude couch, uneasy and filled with
a vague distrust, feeling that something
was about to happen.
The moon.rays penetrated my shelter,
and dropped in great, white patches on
the ground, before my bed. | lay with
my eyes fixed upon them; when, suddenly,
| saw dark shadow cross their whiteness;
then form drew cautiously near, and |
saw that il was our strolling minstrel.
But he was no longer bent and gray,
and, in that moment | found out two
things; that he hal obtained access to our
camp in disguise for some unlawful pur-
pose; and, also that my good memory had
not played me false; this midnight prowler
was the man whom | had struck, for as
saulting the young lady, some months be-
fore. In dash saw it all. He had at
tempted to rob her of her jewels; but
failing in his vile design, had secretly OBJ.
served my possession of them, and had
followed our regiment, and doggcd my
steps for the purpose of robbing me at last.
Something prompted me to close my
eyes, and feign sleep. felt the william
approach e-coser-closer-- then, sponge
saturated with chlorofOrm was held to my
uostrils; with quick spring bounded to
my feet and caught the ruffian by the
throat. Just then the sound Of the bugle
pealed through the quiet night, "boots aud
saddles With desperate wrench the
robber escaped me; and | was scarcely
aware of my own movements-found my
self in my saddle and, with the rest of the
command, on my way the scene of action.
Here We met the opposing army, and n
fearful battle ensued.
Through all that dreadful engagement,
| kept the pearls jealously guarded; it was
point Of honor with me and | would
neuer give them up. Such thoughts were
fitting through my mind when | felt n
strong grasp on my bride, and, glancing
down stood face to face with the pretended
old man, the would,bc robber of the night
before. At that moment | felt sharp
pain in my side, followed by numb, dead
feeling.
saw the red.hot torrent which poured
forth, aud knew that was wounded; then
lost consciousness,
was aroused by rough and hasty
touch; and, opening my eyes found my
enemy bending over me, his hands busily
rcmoying my outer garments, and | knew
that he was searching for the pearls.
Whence came my strength know not;
but with sudden mighty effort | seized
my saber, and struck him heavy blow
l saw him reel and fall baekward-and
then-onee more-l swooned away.
On my second return to consciousness
| found myself lying on hospital bed,
with kindly faces around me, My first
thought was of the jewels, and my heart
thrilled with exultation when found that
they were safe For many weary months
| lay upon my bed; and, during the inter-
val, the war ended. But my health was
very feeble, and when | was removed to
my native New York it was the general
impression that | had come home to die.
However that was not my intention,
and in the course of year / found my
self on the fair way to recovery. The
secret of the pearls | had never shared
with any one. They had been in my pos
session for the space of FIVE years, and yet
| had never really despaired of returning
them TO their owner.
About that time ii occurred to me that
a trip to Louisiana would be very benef-
cial to my health and SO, IN the year 1868,
| found myself once more in New Orleans.
My first step was to insert personal in
all the daily papers, addressed to Miss
Cecile Tremaine, and requesting her pres
ent address. But received no response.
Day after day passed by, and | was rapid
ly losing hope, when it chanced one morn
ing that / strolled into the printing Office
of friend, and stood watching the nimble
fingers of the compOsitors, among whom
were several ladies.
At length heard the foreman address
one Of the employees as "Miss Tremine. "
With wildly.thrObbing heart | cast u
furtive glance in her direction. Great
heavens it was she | was sure of it.
In few moments had acquainted my
friend with the facts, and my belief that
this was the young lady of whom l was
in quest He told me then of her power
ty, and that from one Of the first and
wealthiest families of New Orleans she
was reduced to earn her bread. He said
that there was no doubt that l was on the
right track, as she had already told him Of
the loss of her pearls. On the night that
/ had rescued her, she had been on her
way to dispose of them for her father lay
dying, and she had no means with which
to furnish him food and medicine.
He was dead now, and she, poor girl,
was all alone in the world.
will pass over my introduction, and
the astonishmeut with which she listened
to my story. Time had softened her as.
perity toward the yankees, aud, as
4 mouths flew by. she seemed 10 have quite