The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1879-11-20
An Arkansas Romance.

gives us the facts of a very interesting
"Auld Lang Syne' affair, with a senti-
mental terminus of recent date.
just about the time that war was de-
clared with Mexico young man named
Henry Lauring and young neighbour
ing lady, Miss Vena Waldron, became
engaged. When the trumpet of war
sounded young Lauring, conceiving it
to be duty he owed to his country,
babe his affianced 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 re-
turn.
After the fall of the City of Mexico, a
man named Ralph Mitchell approached
Lauring and stated that he had left Pike
County subsequent to Lauring's de-
partlre, and that Miss Waldron had
died few days before his departure.
The young soldier was desperate, and
when the troops ''came marching home
with glad and gallant tread" he was
not with them. Having, in a moment,
been transformed from an ardent SOL
der to a reckless man, he left the army,
there he went to Spain, to England, to
Austria, to Prussia and to France.
When the late Franco-Prussian war
broke out he entered the French ranks,
and at Metz was almost fatally wound
ed. When he recovered the war was
over, and, remaining in France until
the Russian war with Turkey, he re-
paired to Russia and Joined the army,
though an old man. With detachment
of troops, while attempting to cross
the Danube, he was shot through the
lungs. For long time he languished
in hospital, and finally recovered.
After the Mexican war, and when
Ralph Mitchell returned to Pike County,
he called on Miss Waldron and sympa-
thetically told her that her lover,
Lauring, was dead; that he strayed
from the camp one night and was killed
by band Of scouts. The girl fell
speeches. to the floor. When she re-
gained consciousness high feversprang
up, and for months she tossed on bed,
caring nothing for her surroundings,
and dreading recovery worse than
death. After long illness she recov-
cred. Mitchell, who was very attentive
to her in her sickness, called frequently
in health. One night while the moon
was shining, while the pale moon shone
on the face of a paler girl, Mitchell told
her of his devotion.
1--WE have known each other from
children" he said; "we have lived as
neighbors. You know me; my father
and mother. l love you with depth
only known to a burning soul. Will
you be my wifc?''
"Mr. MITCHELL" the girl replied, II
respect you highly; but am engaged
to another"
"But he is dead.'
"The engagement is not. It will be
consummated in Heaven"
els there no appeal from your de-
cision?''
None"
"Then will tantalize you the more.
Lauring is not dead. My love for you
caused me to deceive him. told him
that you were dead, and, with a yell
of despair, he left the army. / did this
through love-"
Another long illness followed this
When a strong constitution again came
to the rescue of a life, Mitchell had
married a neighboring girl.
Years went on, as years inevitably
do. The girls father and mother sank
beneath the clay. The girl lived with
her brother. The civil war came on.
The girls brothers children grew up
and married. In a small house they
lived. There were vines in the yard,
and among them the once beautiful
woman sat and unused. Summer and
winter came and went. The love-
killed woman had read every book in
the neighborhood. The birds 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 still
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 totter-
ing walk, stopped at the gate and asked
- XE, Wo1dr0yn 1ivod there Mise Wei