Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-11-13
An Arkansas Romance.


gives us the facts of u very interesting
"auld lang syne" affair, with n senti-
mental terminus OF recent date. Just
about the time that war was declared
with Mexico, n young man named Henry
Lauring, and n young neighboring lady.
Miss Vcna Waldron, became engaged.
When the trumpet of war sounded,
young, fiery, impetuous Lauring, con-
| ceiving il to be IA duty owed TO his coun-
try, bade his aflianccd goodbye and be-
| came soldier. They were devoted to
each other. and when the young man
left the young lady vowed that she would
never marry If he did not return. Aftcr
the fall of the City of Mexico, a man
named Ralph Mitchell approached Laur-
ing and stated that he had left Pike
county subsequent 10 Lauring's depar-
turc, and that Miss Waldron had died Il
few days before his departure. The
young soldier was desperate, and when
the troops, "Camc home with glad and
gallaE. tread" he was not with them
Having, in a moment been transformed
from an ardent soldier t0a reckless man.
hc left the army, and embarking went to
Cuba. From there he went TO Spain, to
Austria, Prussia and to France. When
the late Franco Prussian war broke out
he entered the French ranks. and at Metz
was almost fatally wounded. When he
recovered the war was over. and remain
ing in France until the Russian war with
Turkey hc repaired 10 Russia and joined
the army though an old man. With IA
detachment Of troops, while attempting
to cross the Danube, he was shot through
tho lungs. Fora long time lac langui.hcd
in hospital and finally recovered. AZ
ter the Mexican war. and when Ralph
N.t.I.,f 4.
called on Miss Waldron, sympathctically
told her that her lover. Lauring, was
dead, that hc stayed from the camp one
night and was killed by band of scouts.
The girl fell spccchless To the floor.
When she rcgaincd consciousness "A high
fever sprang up. and for months she
tossed on bed, caring nothing for her
surroundings, and drcading recovery
worse than death. Aftcr a long illness
she recovered. Mitchell, who was very
attentive to her in her sickness, called
frequently in health. One night Mitchell
told her of his devotion. I'VE have
known each other from childhood" he
said; 1--WE have lived as ncighbors.
You know mo; my father and mother.
| love you with depth only known to
a burning soul Will you be my wife,"
Mr.. MITCHELL - the girl replied, Il re-
spcct you highly, but | am engaged ia
another But he Is dead THE en-
gagcmcnt Is not. 1t will be consum-
mated in heaven" "Is there no appeal
from your dccision?" None" Then
| will tan;alizc you the more. I.auring
is not dead. Ny love for you caused me
to deceive him. told him that you
were dead. and with despair lac len the
army. / did this through love" An
2 L. L.. H.. E.rf ! 1
q strong constitution again came 10 the
rescue Of life, Mitchell had married a
ncighboring girl. Years went on. as
years inevitably DO. The girls father
and mother sank beneath the clay. Tnc
girl lived with her brother. The civil
war came on. The girls Brothers chill
drcn grew up and married. Not the
girl, tor she was advanced In years In
"A small hous" they lived. There were
vines in the yard, and among them tho
once beautiful. woman sat and unused
Summer and winter came and went.
! The lovc-kill'd woman had read every
book in the ncighhurhood. The birG4
sang. and the rabbit sprang from his
damp. snow sprinkled bed. But old
songs and old memories still swept the
harp-strings of heart once young and
ardent. One evening last week Miss
| Waldron sat among the vines in the
yard. Her brother was gone TO the mill.
An old man. with long beard and with
tottcring walk. stopped at the gate and
asked IL MFR. Waldron lived there Miss
Waldron invited him i'm. lIcapproached.
and when he had reached the vine
covered porch, sank down on 4 chair.
tho one Miss Waldron had vacated, and
| buried his face in his wrinkled hands.
"Old gentleman. Miss Waldrun said.
"can do anything for you2 You look
so weary That voice" the man cx-
claimed. "Ncna, don't you know me
| Henry has" 4 shrek. and the old
man stopped and lifted the form of an
old woman from the floor. When the
| brother had returned n couple Of old
lovers walked out into the beautiful
peace OF night. The party walked along
the road, each hand clasped within the
other. Opening n gate they turned into
AN inclosure. They stopped at a mound.
Bend over. Henry, and see if you can
read the inscription" Henry leaned
| over. and Strengthened up. said: 1T Is
the grave Of Ralph Mitchell" In lit
! tie log church not far away pleased
minister pronounced Henry and Nena
man and wife. Nature says that their
lives will continue but few years
/ longer; true sentiment says the fcw
years will be happy oncs.-Lialc Rocl
/ GIzcfis.