Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-08-02
A CIVTL-WAR STORY.

a TWILL WA8 STUkY.
The moonlight shining down through
the tree-tops made delicate filigree patterns
on the soft green sward. The summer air
was thick with the odor of roses and honey
suclzic, mingled with the sweets of apple
and cherry blossoms and the subtle scent
Of the aspens.
On the little veFanda-this light and
odorous night-sto0d two persons in the
flush and beauty of perfect morning life.
The young man wore straps across the
loyal blue of his uniform, his pulse thrill
ing with wild ambition to raise still higher
in the Union army, his fine head thrown
back as his powerful lungs inhaled the dis
filling sweetness Of the night. His form
his manner, suggested the 1.-THE and match
less war horse eagerly seeming the fray
With a strange blending of love and alb
stracted thought he held the hand of his
companion in his own. And Bessie Arm
sTong5 was not one of those long, soft,
white hands of which the average girl is so
pitifuilY proud because of its nerveless and
idle beauty. OF Bessie it could not be said
that she was one Of our Fathers lilies
that " toll not, neither do they spin"-for
she believed that God gave every faculty
and member for use in this world
All never a talent OF hers would lie use
less, let what trouble or distress that might
come upon her. Her face was not strictly
beautiful, but 1t had Il character and energy
"a flashing, changeful expression that
would hold an irresistible charm when
mere beauty had faded and departed like a
withered rose.
BE careful, VIII" she was saving. land
do not think that because you have not
been wounded that you cannot be- There
are bat very few charmed lives on q bat
tletied. DO nothing rash. and, as much as
possible restrain Richard He was always
headsTong and hard to guide"
i viii remember, Bessie; and ! am glad
TO see how coolly you take Dicks going.
Why, | expected Mysteries at least, and he
smiled down upon her.
Mysteries are useless when we meet the
inevitable VIII, | have learned that Be
sides the shock To my mother is 80 great
that have to be cheerful and appear not to
C;Irc-thal is not much"
Brave little woman" he answered.
you would make a fine soldier ifonly you
could enlist"
" Oh, Win ~ and her clear voice tren-
bled, % might not enlist, but then have |
not been drafted into the service; for do |
they not also serve who watch and wait ? |
Sometimes, Will in my lonely monotonous |
WgiIS, I envy the soldier in active service. !
tie knows all the time how the tide of bat |
tie turns, while we at home, in sickening |
suspense, know nothing, and dread every |
fOrebG!ing sound"
Al this moment buoyant whistle came
sharply cutting through the perfumed still
ness
b .ss;e shivered
1t is Dick, she said
les, returned her companion; and we |
have only twenty minutes more ere We |
must run TO the station"
Wait moment, said she, until tell |
mother
Are you going, Bessie? | don't like to |
have YOU out alone"
have no fears; you know that do not |
believe that am alone, was her trusting |
reply, rs, with hat and shawl on, she walked |
down the path, holding, on the one side, |
her only brothers hand, and on the other,
that OF her promised husband.
She would never forget that June night |
fearful faces were grouped together in the |
station; men and women were running up |
brcathiess from all directions for the sol |
cinn painting Of heavily laden incoming !
train could be distinctly heard. Hundreds |
and hundreds going down to their deaths !
~ thousands had gone before. You know !
how ii all looked.
On one broad veranda of a southern
Pi'i!lte' mouse IhTee or tour persons are
N'"'nS ia seemingly luIe ana aIihlcss con-
'eI II 9l' l'i:,
i'. ''.''"l lI''i7I'oila tIeeS rise III Plclu-
u. III 80 NpG!lu INC mousse, anu you
- ~ 'lie 1'Juetill nus over
grown neei'Fea s"aTlhlng with their uusKy
900 III "i4. consists the rlcheS Oh Don
oGoaNl4ah, lis arabic manners 10 the
o9ys III pIue coh!tr'n what IS SAD OF ms
Union sympalhles. Butas you look sharply
oeyohd 'hls beautiful only daughter OF his,
E .u VIII ne SURPRISED 10 recognize captain
WIZARD stone ana Lieutenant DICK Arm
S',0''s'
,llailoIuS .hat way "hite on some EN-
pa79s LOT lhe!r General, lew weeks prevl-
Gus TO the time OF which we tell you, in
view oi me general reputation OF Sebastian
IN Ih'~e parts, they sought the needed rest
a'a ISAeSuiheht Tor themselves ana their
''sS's
MS ",'S me commencement OF the spell
which iS.oes Sebastian threw around our
heroes Br'Quiui rs cream, with those
peculiar S''t brown eyes that betrayed no
t'aio.s creole blood IN the family, her soft
ne -''"f' N"'cg' hif hgure, graceful ana |
pt,l'lt Us panther, and the subtle lntangl-
ore magnetism OF her manner, would take
G Slp every susceptible untaught nature
2 3 rs She had won kingdoms and glory
from men o2lore,
.HIo she dailied with both her most
ml-..'s 5 5., ana most seductive man
neFS were Iaglshed upon Lieutenant Arm
Sf 1,i' rather IMAM on thereticent Captain.
a.. ~, go pS vas lGartered for the time
III 2e''lsl'ln s. awaiting marching
U.,i1t'' : Us. now was one OF those omlnous