Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1878-11-07
defence of his bleeding, threatened

country.
He paid Miss Morton visit at her
home and acquainted her with his
determination to be one Of those who
would respond to the call of his coun'
try. She urged no objections, but
told him it was the greatest sacrifice
that could be demanded at her hands
yet bade him 60 and assured him
that her prayers would follow him
amid the perils he would be called
upon to encounter; that she know
full we'll he would make no record in
the ranks that would disgrace him
self and that if fate destined that
should be their last meeting and he
tell sacrifice to his patriotism, she
would ever cherish his memory and
look forward to happy reunion in
the world of bliss above,
She gave him at parting locket
containing her likeness and lock OF
her auburn hair, which he recsived
as a talisman and gave her similar
one in exchange.
With promises to correspond as
regularly as the vicissitudes of a SOL
dier's life would permit, they parted,
he to 60 upon the battle field and
if fate should SO order it, spill his
hearts blood on his couLtry's alter !;
she, to perform the duties that oevol'
we'd on her in domestic and social life
and to cherish the memory Of one
dearer to her than her own life and
offer her prayers for his we'll being
and safe return.
At the close Of the three months
service he returned, but only to make
a short visit, as he had re enlisted ;
and for three years she received mis-
s!ves from him, which she promptly
RESPONDED to but then came an ac-
count of battle in which the name
of Chester Winthrop appeared among
The missing. Still she cherished tine
hope in her heart that they might
vet meet that Fortune, tho fckIe
goddess, would be propitious.
At last came the joyful news OF the
cessation Of hostiiities, and while the
sturdy defenders Of their country who
went forth from the vicinity in which
she resided returned to the embrace
Of their loved ones, she Was compelled
to Weld to the belief that he,on whose
arms she had hoped to lean in her
Journey through life, had gone to
swell the army Of martyrs who had
died in defence OF their country. In
the meantime her parents had died,
her two brothers, her seniors in age,
slumLered in soldiers graves, and she
was alone.
She disposed of her patrimony and
determined to devote her life to the
business of teaching for which voca-
tion her qualifications were ample.
Numerous suitors had sought to WOO
! her, but for all she bad but one an
swer, that her heart was buried with
her soldier lover.
She moved to the state OF Indiana
and in one of the northern counties
opened seminary for your5 ladies.
She purchased neat cottage, which
she furnished with taste and decora-
ted the adjacent grounds with flowers
trees and shrubbery, so that it had
the appearance of very Eden Of
beauty. Thi, home she occupied with
single servant, few years her sen.
ior, who had long been an inmate Of
her fathers family.
Here for years she dwelt, employ
ed in the, to her, delightful avocation
Of qualifying her sisters of the human
family for the high and responsible
duties of life. The vicissitudes thro'
which she had passed, it is true, Gas!
a somber hue over her ife's pathway,
bnt she sought to bury her sorrows in
her own bosom and forget Ler trou-
bles in initiating the example Of the
worlds Saviour in bcnelitting those
with whom she came in contact.
She was honored and loved by all
who formed her acquaintance and
those who knew her best loved her
most. She acquired an enyiable rep.
utation as au instructor and her
deeds Of kindness enshrined her
memory in many grateful hearts.