The Dawson journal., 1883-04-05
Tale of the Late War.

OF 1914, Tor the soldier boys Werc coming
the mes in gray, and the would of course
bc very hungry, condition that had be-
come chronic with confederate soldiers by
that time. They were to march rapidly
through the town, and whatever hospital
lty was to be shown them must be in a
sort os passover form. So the townfolks
were making busy with preparations to
waylaY the regiments on the streets with
bread, meat and coffee-.ye coffee land
bustermilk and sorglI Il molasses ginger
cakes, and blackburry wine and home
brewed ale
You would have taken it for market day
in some old world village, so animated
was the thronged streets and with people
in such queer costumes. The Gignified
matron and the doucest maid wore compli-
Gently furniture calico of the most start
ling patterns gray and blue domestic was
made TO fit slender waists, whose antebel-
ium silk and velvet had given out; hats
and bonnets were of all shapes and no
shapes, all home plated of wheat straw;
old silk stocking legs figured as well-ftting
gauntlets, and the more stylish shapely
gloves of fcllanlois skin, which had known
the effects of soap and water, since it used
to rub the family silver Trim feet were
covered with hand knit stockings the cot
ton having been spun in the winter even
ings, when reading was scarce Tor the want
OF new books, and letter writing scanty be-
cause of ten cent stamps, and sociabes few
because there were no 5caux and no refresh
ments to be had; stout leather shoes, of
village manufacture, were laced over those
primitive hose, with h els the fartherist
possible remove from French Men were
conspicuously absent, only old men and
boys representing the sex, except where
some sleek publican managed to put
government Office between himself and
hot bullets.
This was the picture presented by the
long struggling main street, as Lauderdale
awaited the soldiers that bright summer
day.
Cary Brook, however, was not lending
herself to this good work of catering; she
seemed to be devOting herself to the aes
thctic instinct of the soldiers, for the adorn-
ment of her dainty self occupied an unusu-
al time. And yet Col. Bird, of the 101st
Mississippi, was not in the division which
was to pass through Lauderdale that day;
but when does not pretty girl think that
her lover may happen along Oh, if you
knew what funny clothes were worn in
those days And if you could believe
how serenely fine they felt in the queer
duds! Cary's dress on that particular
morning was of homespun cotton-that is
woven in the country, fifteen dollars Il
yard, ten yards to dress; total one hund-
red and fifty dollars. 1t was new and
fresh, fitting her slim elegance, as How.
ell says, as the sheath of the flower fits
the fiowers.' Brown length of hair orna-
mented her shapely head with lavish
beauty, but no girl is satisfied with natures
adorning and the long blockade had
brought Cary's stock of pretty things to the
lower ebb. The white frills were freshly
crlnped, and throat and wrists responded
to their becoming effect; ''but oh, for a
touch OF solor !" sighed the girl with true
instinct, for the somberish dress needed
it.
Why, there to be sure, were the Gre
vile roses, climbing right against the win
dow. Long clusters of small white, shad-
ed with many varities of pink, ali in one
bunch, and 80 sweet
Half an hour Cary stood at the front of
the gate, with the Greville roses in her
hair and at her throat, as intent upon ra-
tioning those dear, dirty fellows as chief
OF commssary. But they were tremend-
ously hungry, and after the last bite that
could be found in the hose had been given
out, strsggler came up and asked 70.
breakfast "Oh, Pm sorry" said the CIR
I'VE shall have to keep fast day as it is,
but would keep two at time if only
had nice breakfast for you.
The soldier took off his old sloucbed
hat and made such a low bow that Cary
turned again to looked at him.
ITO what regiment do you belong ?'
she asked.
Il am just from Lynchburg hospital, :"
he replied, ''and on my way to join the
1O1st Mississippi"
The roses suddenly bloomed in Cary
Brooks cheek, and she came out into the
Then must shake hands with you, "
she said, Il love every man in the 1O1st
Mississippi"
"Ahl" said the soldier with quick per-
ception of the fact of the case, 80 much
the better for the 101st Mississippi"
And am sorrier than ever not to have
breakfast for you," cried the girl.
IF you would give me your roses, he
said, with gallant grace, 81 should not
miss the breakfast"
She unfastened them quickly, both clus-
ters' saying archly 'With one condition
that when you reoh your regiment, you
will take them Col. Bird with my compli-
mentsy"
'On my honor as a rebel, )" replied the
soldier again bowing low, and carrying off
Cary's bright flowers.
Now, l call that skillful dodge" he
chuckled as he hastened after the retreat.
ing troops, 'It will not be perjury to
nreak an oath sworn on non esl, ami