National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-12-24
A SAD CHRISTMAS.

n ShD IHhlo MASS
Written for THE REPUBLICAN.
The suddost Christmas | ever spent was in the
winter of 1862. Called by important business to
one Ol the Southern States, and likely to be de-
tanned there some time, decided TO- visit relatives
living I'm Cnstlcvillc aud pass the holidays with
them, and TO Caslleyille went This town was
fair type of many Southern towns at that time
Located IN n beautiful and fertile region. 1t had
been the home ofwenlhty and influential families
for several generations. Their descendants had
the prominent families in tue place were
connected either by blood or by mar.
felt IN certain degree In all the Others. The
society was refined aud cultivated in marked de-
gree, and TO find noble young mcn and spirited
women was the rule and not the exception. as is
usually the case In small towns remote from the
metropolis. The dark cloud of war was hanging
over the land. Anxious parents loving wives, and
throughout the South, for almost every man who
was capable of benting arms hnd hastened To obey
to the cause, had gone because II Nus rather the
fashion to do so. Among the number who had
marched to The tap OF the drum from Castle
Vile was Lieutenant james Black. His father,
Judge Black, was one of the wealthicst aud
most popular citizens, and james was his only
son. A year before lac had been united in mar
riago to Miss Nellie Mccullough II lovely and
beautiful girl, and one in every way worthy TO be
his wife. Possessing cheerful disposition, Il kind
heart, aud winning manners, she had endcarcd
herself TO every one in the town. Lieutenant
Black had purchased II small cottage ut the time
of his marriage and fitted L. up ~ the most COM
Portable manner for his bride. Nelly, like other
Southern girls, had looked into the mysteries Of
housekeeping, and when hc.Decame mistress of
the pretty cottage took great pride In making IL ns
attractive ms possible to her loving husband.
THE HAPPY YOUNG WIFE
was almost heart broken when her husband an
nounced his intention of Joining the army, and
tried in every way TO induce him to abandon the
idea, but In vain. Leaving her In the care of
trusty servants, and located within call of his
fathers mouse, he went awny. After few months
1.f tlnf,,F tfttI
ment was ordered TO join Lees army, and a short
time aerward occurred the bloody battle of Freder
icksburg, which sent mourning into many houses
mcnt Lieutenant BaS fell badly wounded aud
was carried to the roar and aiterward TO II hosp-
tai, where he fingered for days, hoyering between
life and death. Loving hands did all In their
power for the sufferer and ut times IL seemed Us
though their efforts would be rewarded but ut
sat by his bedside he calmly passed away.
1T WAS CHRISTMAS EVE
in the old town of Casteville but OH how sad.
The young bride Of year ago was lying in her
beautiful home in an unconscious state. Early In
the evening she bad heard the measured tread
Of those who were bearing the lifelcss remains Of
her husband to the home he had so recently lcft,
and with wild shrek she sank Into her mothers
arms and knew no more. Before midnight the
feeble wall of an iniant was heard, and
of the mother took It's flight unto the
unknown shore The sun rose the next morning
over a stricken town. for Southern people have
ever found, but when II comes into their midst ut
such Il time and In such form the whole town
seemed to feel IL. No Christmas bells rang out
ioyously on the morning mir, no friendly greetings
and happy smiles were exchanged us is usual at
this holiday season.
A SAD PROCESSION FOLLOWED
the remains OF the youthful couple to the little
church yard and gentle hands laid them away in
the final resting place. soon after left the town,
and occasionally heard Of the welfare Of the
little orphan girl, of how she struggled for life of
the deep interest every mother Of the town seemed
TO take in her. of how she grew in beauty, of the
JOY she was TO the grand parents, OF her intel'
gCnce and winning manners, and, when she be-
came older, of the bitterness in her heart toward
the North, which she insisted had deprived her Of
both iather ana mother
| Eighteen years have passed away since that sad
| Christmas eve and again am in Castleyillo; but
| time has wrought many changes aud 1t Is not the
| Castevile of old. a railroad has been extended
| TO the place; Northern capital Northern energy,
and Northern industry have infused new life into
| the old place; new homes have sprung up, new
| streets have been opened, and there Is a whrl
| and rush OF business ON every side The smoke
| the sharp scream of the locomotive show that
| wonderful strides have been made In the way OF
business. The times, too, have changed.
INSTEAD OF A DEsoLATING WAR,
| sending sorrow and dread and mourning into
| otherwise happy homes, the white winged an
| gel OF peace hOveB over the land, ana Joy, hope
ad h Pr0,PenS nave AVE- tagen 6ne pGGe OF sorrow
| TINT time have become the settled citizens upon
| whom devolve the cares and responsibilities OF
| the day. The former leading citizens have either
passedaway or have become the gray haired grand.
| sires, The little children have grown up TO man
hood and womanhood and everything, seems
changed. Attracted by the promising outlook ofthe
| town becoming great business centre, and
| charmed with the climate and social advantages
| many Northern families have taken up their
abode there. Conspicuous among the new .comers
| was Frank Hamilton young man Of Intelligence
and great excellence OF character. He was born
| on the rocky coast of New England, and reared IN
| u comfortable home, but like most of the young
men Of that region started out carly in life TO dc
| for himselt lie chose
THE PROFESSION OF CIVIL ENGINEER,
and in the pursuit OF his business was first led Il
Castleville. Finding so much attractive about 4
and an excellent opening for young man, he de-
olded to remain and make il his permanent home
| and agreeable, and IL was not long before he be
came iavorite in the social circle, and no pleas
ertainment given by a young lady of th,
place he frt saw Nelly Black, the littl,
orphan girl, now budding into beautiful woman
| hood. No one could look upon her graceful form
| her smooth white brow with its wealth OF golden
brown hair, or look into her son hazel eyes with
| out admring her, and when TO those charms wer,
found added an amlable disposition u kind heart
and gentle manners they soon learned to love her
In u few weeks
PRANK WAS HER WILLING SLAVE,
aud in n few more sought TO win her hand bll
Nelly was rather disdainiul of her new admireI
and conhded to lady friend that nothing woulI
induce her to marry Yankee ort love any on
|
ladies, though, she soon learned that when III
North, in the guise Of n handsome young man
possessing education, culture, and wealth, come
knocking at the citadal guarding the heart OF
|, Southern or any other maiden there is DANCE
ahead, This case proved no exception to tn
general rule, and after a brave struggle she grace
| fully Capitulated and acknowledged him as he
capior. II was rather more difficult task TO gail
the consent of the grand parents to the marriage
for Nelly was the joy and the light of their home
and in some measures filled the place of the sol
they had lost. Love, however oYercOmes all OBJ
staCes and as they could urge no objection
against the character Of the young man. when h
promised that Nellie should remain with then
they gave their consent.
AND 80 TONIGHT IS CHRISTMAS EVE,
and Nelly is 10 celebrate her birthday by maxim
| Frank Hamilton the happiest man in the stat
Of. The stars are shining brightly in the blu
canopy overhead, IN hundred homes the light
are cleaning, and merry groups are preparin
pleasant surprises for loved ones and little chill
dTen are whispering lOgetheTOf the treasures SAINT
Claus has in store for them. The fine old mansio
of Judge Black Is one blaze of light the spaciou
rooms have been made beautiful with wreath
OF holly and bright flowers, relatives an
friends, youth and beauty have gatheTe
in, and are courteously received by Judg
and Mrs. Black, merry greetings are exchanged
| nd all ta hViu wit