Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1883-06-08
day in some Cd World village, SO ami
mated was the thronped street. and

and velvet had given out; hats and
bonnets were of all shapes and no
shapes, all home-plaited, of wheat
straw; Did silk stocking legs fg-
ured as well fitting gaunt-
let's, and the more stylish
wore shapely glove, of chamois-skin,
which had known the good effects of
soap and water, since it used to rub
the family silver. Trim feet were COW
cred with haHd-knit stocSings, the cot
ION having been spun in the Winter
evenings, when reading was scarce for
want OF new books, and letter writing
scanty because of 10 cent stamps, and
sociables few because there were no
beaux and no refreshments to be ha!;
stout leather shoes, of village msnufac
ture, were laced over those primitive
hose, with heels the farthest possible
removed 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 not bullets.
This was the picture presented by
the long, struggling main street, as
LanderdGle awaited the soldiers, that
bright Summer day.
Cary Brook, however, was not lend
ing herself to this good work OF cater
ing, sle seemed to be devotipg herself
to the esthetic instinct of the soldiers,
for the adornment of her dainty self
occupied an unusual time. And yet
Colonel Bird, fthe One Hundred and
First Mississippi, was not in the diviS-
ion which was to pass through Lauder
dale that day; but when does not
pretty girl think that her lover may
''happen alone" Oh, if you knew
what funny clothes We wore in those
days! And if you could believe what
queer duds! Cary's dress on that par
ucular morning was of homespun cot
ten-that Is, woven in the country, S15
a yard, ten yards to dress; total $3.50
1t was new and fresh, fitting her "sllm
elegance" as Howells says, "as the
sheath of the flowers fits the flowers"
Blown lengths of hair ornam mented Der
shapely head with lavish beauty, but
no girl is satisfied with natures adorn-
ing, and the long blockade had brought
C4ry's stock of pretty things to the
lowest ebb. The white frills were
freshly crimped, and throat and wrists
responded to their becoming effect;
"but oh, for a touch of colorp sighed
the girl with true instinct, for the SOM
berish dress needed it.
Why there, to be sure, were the
oreville roses, climbing right against
her window. Lorg clusters of small
hDwers, white, shaded with many va
rieties Of pink, all in one bunch, and
so sweet.
Half an hour later Cary stood at the
front gate, with the Grevllle roses in her
hair and at her throat, IS intent upon
rationing those dear, dirty fellows as
chief of commissary. But they we're
tremendously hungry, and after the
last bite that could be found in the
house had been given out, a straggler
came up and asked for breakfast.
sob, Pm SO sorry" said the girl
"We shall have to keep fast day as
1t IS, but | would keep two at time
if | only had nice breakfast for YOU"
The soldier took off his old SLOUGH
hat, and made such a low bow that
Cary turned again to look at him.
80 what regiment do you belong?"
she asked.
81 am just from the Lynchburg hes
pital," he replied, "and on my way to
join the One Hundred and First Mis-
lssippi."
The rose suddenly bloomed in Cary
Brooks cheek, and she came out into
,he road.
Then L must shake hands with
you," she said. IL love every man in
the One Hundred and FIRST Missis-
aippl!"
And Pm sorrier than ever not to
have a breakfast for you," cried the
girl.
"li you would give me your roses"
he said, with a gallant grace, 81 should
not miss the breakfast"
She unfsstened them quickly, both
clusters, saying archly, "Wlth one con-
dit'ol-that when you reach the regi-
ment, you will take them to Colonel
Bird with my conphmen 8"
"On my honor as q rebel" replied
the soldier, again bowling low, and car
rying off Cary's bright flowers.
"Now, l call that skillful dodge"
he Chuckled, as he FASTENED after the
troo u. at will no. be perjury to
break an osth sworn on non est. and
having no honor as a rebel; so may
keep the roses and clean conscience.
May the kind fstes give me chance
to tell that pretty rebel some day
that she gave her roses to Yankee
spy"
The next two weeks witnessed many
a rapid march and countermarch, and
LiGG erda'e held its breath while the
dust of its streets blew first upon gray
coats and then upon blue. Meantime
our lavisher of the roses had gotten
safely back to his own place and bis
own coat, and early in July entered the
little mountain town with Hunters
army. The gaia look it had worn two
weeks before was gone, and a sullen
expression marked its countenance
No women were to be seen, boys were
kept carefully in doors by anxious
mothers, and men had sudden ac-
cess of feebleness, leaning on canes and
halting In their gait in a way that was
very comical to one who remembered
their alertness two weeks before.
Two hours after his arrival our quon-
dam Mississippi man rang Mrs Brooks
door bell, and was answered by that
mat on herself, with an air of dignified
defiance. After a great deal of trouble
in pt rsudng her to allow him 10 see
her daughter for moment only, and
i. her presence, Cary was summoned.
Again The soldier bowed low before her,
this time removing blue cap instead
of the old slouch, ana returned her
withered but carefully preserved roses
'I beg leave to restore unlawful
gains" he said: Il did not reach the
One Hundred and First Mississippi,
but l have never doubted that it has
the ablest commander in the Confed-
crate srmy-and the most fortunatew
Wne-eupon the soldier showed that
he had practiced retreating.
There came time when it was Col
onel Birds luck to reach Lauderdsle
with MS Mississippi regiment. The
Greville roses had faded, and Cary
could only find October leaves with
which to crown her radiance. Colonel
B ri was more than satisfied with the
result; he claimed q kiss for every
smile or favor given to others during
his long absence, and this brought out
the story OF the Greville roses and the
so-called Mississippi soldier.
"Bat there is one comfort, Edmund"
said pretty Cary, tired of her lovers
uprosrious laughter, II didn't give the
rascal any breakfast"