River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1883-03-01
THE ROSES OF WAR.
A Tale Of the American civil War

ing between the Blue Ridge and the Al
legheny mountains, was early astil
one June day of 1864, for the soldier
boys were coming-the ones in gray
and they would of course be very hun
cry, a condition that had become chroni,
with confederate soldiers by that time
They were to march rapidly through
the town, and whatever hospitality was
to be shown them must be iii sort o.
passover form: So, the townfolk were
making busy preparation to waylay the
regiments on the street with bread and
meat and coffee-rye coffeei-and but
termilk, and sorahum molasses. gingei
cakes, and blackberry wine, and home
brewed ale.
You would have, taken it for market
day in some old world village, 50 ANNA
I'D was the tlironged streets, and will
people in such queer costumes. The dig
nifed matron and the, downcast maid
wore complacently furniture calico of the
most startling patterns. gray and blue
domestic was, made to fit the slender
waist, whose ante bellum silk and velvet
had given out; hats and bonnets were Of
all shapes and no shapes, all home-plait-
ed of wheat straw; old silk stocking legs
figured as well fitting gauntlets, and the
more stylish wore shapely gloves Of
chamois skin, which had known the
good effects of soap and water, since il
used to rub the family silver. Trim feet
were covered with hand-knit stockings
the cotton having been spun in the win
ter evening, when reading was scarce
for want of new books, and letter writ
ing scant becaus of ten-cent stamps,
and sociablities few because there were
no beaux and no refreshments to be
had. Stout leather shoes, of village
manufacture were laced over these
primitive hose, with heels the farthesi
possible remove from French. Men
were conspicuously absent, only old
men and boys representing the sex, ex-
cept where some sleek publican man.
aged to put a government office Between
himself and hot bullets.
This was the picture presented by the
long struggling main street, as Lander.
dale awaited the soldiers that bright
summer day.
Carrie Brook, however, was not look.
ing herself to this good work of cater
ing; she seemed to be de3oting herself
to the esthetic. instinct Of the soldiers
for the adornnient of her dainty self oc-
Bird, of the 10lst Mississippi, was not
in the division which was to pass through
LanGerdale, that day; but when does
not pretty girl think that her lovel
may happen along" Oh, if you knew
what funny clothes we wore in those
days! And if you could believe how Sc
renely fine we felt in.the queer buds
Carries dress on that particular morn
ing was of home-spun eotton-that is
woven In the country, fifteen dollars {
yard, ten yards to "a dress; total, one
hundred and fifty dollars. 1t was new
and fresh, fitting her "slim elegance,
as Howells says, as the "as the sheath
of the flower fits the flower
Brown length OF hair ornamented hel
shapely head with lavish beauty. but nc
girl is satisfied with Natures adjoining
and the long blocade had brought Carrie
stock of pretty things to the lowest cub
The white frills were freshly crimped
and throat and wrists responded to theil
becoming effort; but oh, for touch Of
colorl" sighed the girl with true instinct
for the somberish dress needed it.
Why there, to be sure, were Grewille
roses, climbing right against her window
Long clusters of small flowers, white
and shaded with many varieties of pink
oil in one bunch, and 30 sweet.
Half in hour latsr Carrie stood at The
front gate, with the Greville roses In he
hair and her throat. as intent upon en-
tertaining those dear, dirty fellows as a
chief of commissary. But Trey were
tremendously hungry, and after the las
bite that could be found In the house
had been given out, a straggler came VI
and asked for breakfast.
"Oh, Pm SO sorry" said the girl.
I'VE shall have to keep fast day as j
only had nice breakfast for you"
The soldier took off his old slouchet
t,and made,such low bow,that Carrie
turned again to look at him.
10 what regiment do you belong?
she asked.
~ am just from the Linchburg hos
pitaI,D be replied, land on my way tx
Join the 101st Mississippi"
The roses suddenly doomed in Cary
Brooks cheek, and she came out into
the road.
''Then must shake hands with you, y
she said; II love every man in the
lOlst Mississippi
And Pm sorrier than ever not tc
have breakfast for you, 'cried the girl
you would give me your roses.
he said, with a gallant grace, Il should
not missthe breakfast"
She unfastened them quickly, both
clusters, saying archly. with one con
dilion-tbat when you reach the regi-
ment, you will take them to Colonel
Bird with my compliments"
''0n my honour as rebel" replied
the soldier again bowling low, and carry
ing off Carreir's flowers.
Now, call that skillful dodge, "he
chuckled, as he fastened after the troops
ut will not be perjury to break an oath
sworn on a non est, and having no honor
as rebel, ! may keep the roses and
clean conscience. May the kind fates
give me chance to tell that pretty reb-
el some day that she gave her roses to a
Yankee spy"
The next two weeks witnessed many q
rapid march and countermarch, and
Laudertlale held its breath while the
dust of its streets blew first upon gray
coats and then upon blue. Meantime
oltr rayisher of the roses had gotten
coat, and early in July entered the little
mountain town with Hunters army.
The gala look it had worn two weeks be-
fore was gone, AMI a sullen expression
marked its countenanee. No women
were TO be seer, boys we're kept indoors
by anxious mothers, and men had sud-
den access of feebleness, leaning on canes
and hating in their gait, in a way very
eomical to one who remembered their
alertness two weeks before.
Two hours after his arrival our quon-
dam Mississippi man rang Mrs. Brook 8
doorbell, and was answered by that
mHtrun herself, with an air of dignified
defiance. After great deal of trouble
in uersuading her TO allow him to see
her daughter for moment only, and in
her presence, Carrie was summoned.
Against the soldier bowed low befor g
her, this time removing blue cap in
stead ofthe old slouch, and her with
cred but carefully preserved roses. !.
II beg leave to restore unlawful gains,
he said; 81 did not reach the l0l stMiss-
issippi, but / have never doubted that 1t
has the ablest commander in the Con-
federate army-and the most fortunate!'
Whereupon the soldier showed that he
had practiced retreating.
There came a time when IL was Oolo-
mel Birds luck to reach Lauderdale with
his Mississippi regiment. The Greyllie
roses had faded, and Carrie could only
find October leaves with which TO crown
her radiance. Colonel Bird was more
than satisfied with the result; he claimed
a kiss for every smile or favor given to
others during his long absence. and this
brought out the story of the Greyllle
roses and the so-called Mississippi sol
der