Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-06-24


and tenderness. The soldier sighed as he re-
placed the trife. and going to the door of his
tent gazed out into the darkness
The evening was mild and calm andthe dark
ness almost penetrable. Scarcely sound dis
turbed the sleeping camps, and as the enemy
across the Potomac were believed to intend no
hostile demonstration, the utmost precaution
had not been taken to guard against surprise
AS Jack stood gazing into the darkness sue
cession OF flashes lit up the gloom and the sharp
report of small arms broke the Stiffness
"Helle! here's for fun" exclaimed Jack as he
rusbee for his accOutrements. The long roll
called the men into line, and In a few moments
the regiment was prepared to receive
the enemy. Being one of the officers at hand
Lieutenant Horton Was ordered by the colonel
to go forward with detail of men, and ascer-
tain the true state of affairs. Our pickets were
refreshing, the firing being answered by stray
shots rom the enemy; no Judgment of their
numbers could be formed, but our panic-stricken
pickets reported them to be ten thousand
strong. at least. Horton determined to keep
cool, and ascertain for himself the number Of
the enemy. He had had little experience of
lighting as yet, and his position was by no means
pleasant one In this manGuvTe his excellent
Judgment was proved, for after studying the
situation as long as it was prudent he fastened
to the Colonel and informed him that the force
consisted Of not more than a regiment of infan-
try moving directly for the camp.
A hot skirmish ensued, the fight lasted for an
hour or two. The Representation closed with
the retreat of the enemy on whose heels Lieut.
Horton, whose fighting blood was up, hung
with tendency that astonished his brother Off
GERS Jack braved danger with a GOODNESS that
was amazing, and directed the fire of his men
where it would do the most good. 1t was his
ambition to capture somebody or something
and he did. confederate captain and two pri-
Yates who were ''surrounded' by himself and
one of his soldiers. But Jack, fired by this sue
cess Eashly pressed ahead for more human plum
der. when he was laid low by bullet through
the shoulder.
Jack Horton was the hero of that night. and
was mentioned In the commanders report for
his GOODNESS, correct judgment and unfiinching
bravery. 1t needed just such an occasion as
this TO bring out what was In the man; but
Jack was modest, and didn't presume he had
done more than he ought. His wound was
painful one, and in a few days he was on his
way to ROckdale, where the reports of his
achievements had preceded him. Jack couldn't
help feeling little curious about how Miss
Abbie would greet him If he CHANGED to meet
her He hadn't the remotest idea of calling on
all his leisure moments were passed. even in
those invalid days, in the study of military tao
tics. He did not want to be made a lion Of
did not pretend to resemble that noble animal
In the least SO he stayed at home and studied
his books.
Just before his return to the army he attended
fair at ROckdale in aid of the soldiers. The
young ladies were the principal attractions at
this, as at all falrs and among the young ladies'
none were more attractive than Miss Abbie Lat
ham, She drove remarkably successful BUSH
ness at the flower stand, one of her principal
patrons being Mr.. Joseph Staples, who pur-
chased at least half her stock, and distributed
1t with lavish hand. He had not gone to war
but had. at least, and without cOmpulsion, hired
SUBSTITUTE His patriotism was ardent as he
leo hy1ff 49,
glorious attractions nearer home.
Certainly, Lieutenant Horton could but
pay his respects to Miss Abbfe. His face was
paler and his form had become more trim and
manly than when she last saw him. His features
Abbie noticed. bore an expression of sadness
and suffering; he moved without awkwardness,
and all the young ladies declared him to be the
handsOmest soldier in the hail. He won the
sword that was voted for. on this occasion, as
he deserved to. Jacks heart throbbed little
as he met the gaze of the young lady; but if he
felt any emotion, it must have been slight; she
was very busy with her customers and espec-
tally with her wholesale patron, Mr. Stables:
yet: as the lieutenant babe her good evening
and turned away. he saw her eyes droop and a
faint blush steal over her cheek For two old
friends. so long separated, the meeting was de-
cidediy cold and formal, and Jack felt chilled to
the marrow.
v.
III tiiC ctuiiLS ettitS VI the next Two wears
Horton bore his full share-at Fredericksburg.
charlottesville, Antetam. Gettysburg, the
wilderness, down to Cold Harbor where at the
head of his regiment he fell desperately wounded
IN the terrible and unsuccessful assault on that
stronghold.
He was conveyed to the hospital at Wash
ingtcn in seemingly hopeless condition, with
several wounds, each of which was dangerous.
The nurses moved among the wounded men
IKE angels OF mercy. Some Of the soldiers
lay IN stupor some were ravng in delirium,
and others dying in agony. For DAYS Horizons
life hung on thread, his fevered brain mer-
cifully rendering him unconscious of suffering.
AS ne awoke one morning, soft and gentle
han0 was soothing his brow, when the damp
ness indicated that the fever was broken. He
urea 10 open his eyes. but was too weak speak
he could not; and many hours passed before he
could discern what was around him. Since the
night OF the Cold Harbor fight his life had been
blank: He remembered nothing. And now
he saw before him the physician, and the nurse
with sweet, pale face, that looked familiar.
but he could not recall the name of its owner.
Again trying to speak, the surgeon kindly whis-
perez, Keep perfectly quiet, and all will be
well, and the female attendant at his motion,
withdrew.
The next morning his dim vision dlscerned tho
same pale and anxious face; and q CLEAN of
wondering inquiry passed over his countenance
as he gazed upon her. At last he feebly Whis-
pered: "Where am 1 ?"
sin the hospital and with friends" she gently
answered.
He would have spoken more but she with
drew: The next day he was stronger, and he
asked, where have seen your" At a sign
from the physician, the nurse answered:
AZ your Old home: Don't you know me?
I'm Abbie Latham, You are getting better
now, and will soon be WELL"
jack was strong enough to begin to collect
his thoughts, which were, of course at once
concentrated on his nurse. He improved won
derfuliy under her care, and one bright morn
ing occurred the last conversation we shall re-
cord IN this romantic sketch.
Miss Latham was sitting by the side of his
cot. arranging bouquet. The wounded man
had begun to feel like his old self. and permits
sion was given him to converse all he desired.
How long have you been in the hospital,
Abbie?" p''''
more than ayear," she replied in sweet.
wOmanly voice.
JACK thought he had never beheld fairer
creature. II she was beautiful as a girl. the
scenes she had witnessed had touched and
chastcned all that was loveable and womanly in
her nature. She was no longer a girl-she was
tender, thoughtful woman.
"fou have saved my life" said Jack, his eyes
filling with tears.
mo, no. Your strength has triumphed. 1