The Mineral argus., 1884-01-17
A TALE OE THE LATE WAR.
From Our Continent

&lAl4 AlOuilLatAAcg was ADtAA C1AAF CAN
June day of 1864, for the soldier boy
were ~eoming-the ones in gray-an
they would Of course be very hungry,
condition that had become chronic wit
confederate soldiers by that time. The
were to march rapidly through the town
and whatever hospitality was to be show
them must be in a sort o%fpassover form
So the town-folk we're making busy prep
aratioDs to waylay the regiments on thu
street with bread and meat and coffee
rye coTee!-anj b lttermilk, and black
berry wine, aud home-brewed ale.
You would have taken it for market
day in some Old-World village, so ANNA.
ted was the thronged street, and with peo-
pie in such queer costumes. The digni-
fed matron and the doucest maid wore
complacently furniture calico Of the
most startling patterns; gray and blue
domestic" was made to fit slender
w&ists, whose ante belIum silk and vel
vet had given out; hats and bonnets
were of all shapes and no shapes, all
home-plaited of wheat straw; old silk
stocking legs figured as well as fitting
gauntlets, and the more stylish wore
shapely gloves of chamOis skin, which
had known the good effects Of soap and
water, since it used to rub the family
silver. Trim feet were covered with hand
knit stockings, the cotton having been
spun in the winter evenings, when read
ing was scarce for want of new books,
and letter-writing scanty be-
cause Of 10 cent stamps, and sociables
few because there were no beaux and
no refreshments TO be had; stout leather
shoes, of village manufacture, were
laced over those primitive hose, with
heels the iarthest possible remove from
French. Men were c~onspicuously abb
sent, only old men and boys representing
the sex, except where some sleek publ
can managed to put a government office
between himself and hot bullets.
This was the picture presented by the
long, struggling main street, as Lauder
dale awaited the soldiers, that bright
summer day.
Cary Brook, however, was not lend
ing herself to this good work of cater
she seemed to be devoting herself
to the esthetic instinct of the soldiers.
for the adornment Of her dainty self oc. |
an unusual time. And vet Col |
onel Bird, of the One Hundred and First
Mississippi, was not in the divis-
ion which was to pass through Lauder
dale that day, but when does not a pref
W girl think that her lover may chap
pen along" Oh, ityou knew what fun
ny clothes we wore in these days. And
you could believe how %serenely fine
we felt in the queer dudsl Cary'sdress
On that morning was of homespun cot
.on-that is, woven in the country S15 a
yard, ten Yards to a dress; total $3.50. |
Ii was new and fresh; fitting her "'slim
as HOwells says "as the
Inc ath of the flowers fits the flower"
Brown lengths of hair ornamented her
head with lavish beauty, but no
yirl is satisfied with natures adjoining,
ind the long blockade had brought
stock of pretty things to the low
,st ebb. The W lite frills were freshly
and throat and wrists resoond-
ID to their becoming effect; but oh, for
touch of c~olor!" sighed the girl with
rue instinct, for the somberish dress
needed it.
Why there, to be sure, were the Gre
lille roses, climbing right against her
Long clusters OF small flowers,
white, shaded with MANY varieties of
link, all in one bunch, and so sweet.
lldli I'LL uOAI idAGI AdIN HlOOu db LilE 1
ront gate, with the Greville roses in her
lair and at her throat, as intent upon
-ationing those dear, dirty fellows as a
thief of commissary. But they were
tremendously hungry, and after the last
tie that conld be found in the house
ad been given out, a straggler came up
nd asked for breakfast.
"Oh, Pm so sorry" said the girl.
We shall have to keep a fast day as it
!, but / would keep two at a time if l
My had a nice breakfast for you"
The soldier took off his old SLOUGH hat,
made such a low bow that Cary
urned again to look at him.
ITO what regiment do yon belong?"
he asked.
81 am just from the Lynchbnrg hos
ital, I" he replied, "an1 on my way to
lin the One Hundred and First Mis-
The roses suddenly bloomed in Cary
cheek, and she came out into
be road.
Then l must shake hands with you,n
said. II love every mar in the One
hundred and First Mississippi"
And Pm sorrier than ever not 10
ave a breakfast for you" cried the girl.
III you would give me your roses"
said, with a gallant grace, ''I should
lot miss the breakfast"
She unfastened them quickly, both
busters, saying arclly, "With one con-
Iition-that when you reach the regi-
nent, You will take them to Colonel
Bird with my compliments"
"Oh my honor as a rebel" replied the
again bowling low, and carrying
IT Cary's bright flowers.
Now, | call that a skillful dodge" he
huckled, as he fastened after the troops.
1t will not be perjury to break an oath
worn a non est, and having no honor
. b so l may keep the roses and
rlean conscience. May the kind fat es