The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1883-12-05
The loonshine of Ants.n nsIInn

4 as ~ sttF NAt<Is InS lEpI&0y A1ds
/ Dir. Wide, you should hare seen Il BE-
fore tie VAR" II he had said the lady
vas old, or an elderly one, perhaps Ne
might believe he spoke the truth; but
the young ladies Of the present time do
not remember much about the moon
shine of ante.bellum days. There are
still some badly reconstructed old ladies,
however who do remember, and 70 them
the moonlight on the water, or on any
other object IS not 50 beautiful rs in
those happier days.
/ know lady, now the wife Of a
noble hearted man, and the mother Of q
lovely family. whose minu, for some
years after the war, was elouded By
melancholy verging on insanity, pro-
eiuced bv the sudden loss of friends,
killed in battle. Her affianced lover,
and two brothers were slain the same
day; also, other friends whom she had
known from her infancy. Though time,
the great soother Of sorrow, has healed
those early wounds, and other ties have
taken the place of those so rudely sew
cred, can any one suppose the moonlight
casts the same romantic glamour over
the waters of her life, IS IN those youth
ful happy days, "before the war.
/ Another, the representative OF large
class. some Of whom still remain-a
widow, whose heart was broken, and
whose life was forever darkened by the
war. She was young and lovely, the
idol of her gallant husband, possessed
Iof every pleasure that afiuence, honor,
and social distinction could confer. But
all this was changed AL lost when her
husband was killed while brayely Lead
frts his regiment in battle. His heart
was pierced by a rife ball, and after the
battle was over he was found by q friend
prone unon the ground where he had
/ fallen. bnt with look calm and quiet,
he seemed to be only sweetly sleeping
| AIasi he was dead. Over his inanlmate
form bitter tears were shed by his ioV-
Iino comrades. They dug his grave by
the 6tful light of the moon, and at mid
niobt hour committed his body to the
! earth. marking the spot with piece OF
throLen gun carriage, they bade hlm
last farewell. and with fearful eyes and
acbin, hearts. took again the line OF
march, On the day the young wife
heard the sad tidings, the joy OF her
! life ceased One tie only, bound her to
iife-the infant, fatherless boy, thus
| left to her sole care. For her, the years
have dragged their slow lengths along,
| filed with toll and care, yet she hopes
the hour of reunion, and patiently
awaits the end.
There is in my memory the picture OF
a perfect family circle, as 1t existed pre-
yious to the war The house, itself no,
| BILE mansion, hallowed by the joys ana
sorrows of its inmates, the associations
and traditions of many years. Inc
/ father, widely known, and honored IN all
/ the country; the mother, stately, sweet
/ voiced, grew haired lady, loved by all
| who knew her. Four liant sons, and
the same number of lovely daughters.
| Nothing marred the harmony OF this
| happy family, not a shadow clouded
it's peace and prosperity. But, at the
opening of the war, the sons, with one
voice. responded to the countrys call.
Then this gentle mother, with Spartan
fortitude, blessed her sons, and with
i words of tender affection, and gentle adj
mouition. sent them forth to join the de-
Tenders of the country. She bade them
remain pure and upright, and not permit
the hardening influence Of warfare to
demoralize them in any manner; adding
many other words of sweet counsel
without a tear she bade them adieu
She would not unman them by such dis.
play of weakness, but she never smiled
again. Her youngest son, a brign'
blue-eyed boy, babe her keep, her cour
age, saying he should no doubt soon re
} turn with the rank of MaJor-Generai
and that she should spend the evening
: of her DAYS basking in the reflected
T glory of her distinguished son. But n(
] such fate awaited him; He was klllet
early in the war. Another OF the broth
j ers met the same fate not long after. 4
n third suffered weary months of captivit.
: and sickness, and at last died far iron
J, home amid scenes of utter priyation an'
!, wretchedness. The fourth indeed, re
e turned nj the close of the wal, havIn!
won by gallant conduct high position
q in the army. Only one came back =
;. comfort the breaking heart OF tn
n mother! She seldom spoke OF her be
S reavements, but once she said to
c friend. al sit in my desolate home an
y listen for the voices shall never hea
? aqaiu. for footsteps that will never rt
Is turn. Alas, my brave sons! From thei
e infancy 10 manhood, ever heard thel
d footsteps coming and going throug
n these halls, and on these stairs, an
st listened with Joy to their merry voices
IS Rnt il is all over: though still hste
sr every weary night and day, know the
d can never. never come again. But IN
e sorrowing. longing heart of the motht
u il now at rest, death has released OF
{, more stricken soul, that found all thint
ut changed by the war.
er These are but few instances, and Al
e. from being the saddest changes pr
~ dnced nv the war. Years must elaps
V and most of those who lived at the clio
en of the war must pass from exister ce D
sc fore the South can be thoroughly reco
N structed.
,ir II is we'll that peace ard prosperi
Ial ara restored to our country, and tn
ny The bitterness engendered by the war
rs, nassinr away. But though wounds M.
lg be healed. too often the scars RENAL
lrs There are wrongs that can never
al forgotten. Where are the thousands W
ad vent forth with streaming banners
Inc to the sound of martial music, ana WI
OF hearts full of hope, never to retui
md But, they are not forgotten; many
ac- the faithful hearts that still cheTlsh IN
md memory. But time has brought tn
lou constant ones self command, and co
es- nosure of spirit. They struggle
ust bravely through life. The demands
business. of society, or other duties I
quietly discharged, and few know
Silent sorrow, that will not let tn
bury their dead out of sight.
this Though the glorious deeds OF the I
ter. On heroes of the war may be comm'
Iold GRATED in 'storied urn, and anlma
yen- bust. :" vet the voice of fame cannot re,
title 70 them ''life's heeting breath.
.nts even their ashes are dear to Us stlll.
life It was the great loss of life, far m
the than the loss of wealth and power
BILE. changed all things with the people OF
the south. How many still mourn for
own precious life thus rudely destro!
own 0ne weeps for the loss of a son, ano'
.hey of father. husband, or brother,
sun. sleeps in some nameless, unknown ST
ians far away. On that grass grown mot
they perchance, some strangers hand
,yer. Mace a floral offering. But her q
.aly. may never plant one flower there
onIe nlnek from thence one yerdant spray
tins cherish for the sweet sake OF the q
oun- but unforgotten love, MIipik
4 his MComb Citg, Mss.
ome
ms N vcarwsrds be full Of truth.
oTEselnsei. Il tindiy feelings reign
49, n, eoed 10 all. and let ysuE s.sAsies
.ssr Lave blessings N their tAan. AN.
nd If Satan seeks by winsohe Nliss
IL. 70 FIJI YOU l. .fe with wee,
W Z. a : tlff "