National Republican., 1885-11-28
CURIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES.

Time of the great rebellion. Washington
was crowded with soldiers. Camps were
in the city, and camps circled 1t about,
while beyond these were numerous forts.
One summer afternoon / went forth, as
usual, on horseback, to present my re-
spects to nature and to breathe little un-
military afr. Passing plcturesquely sltu-
ated collection Of tents, was so pleased
with the view that l stopped in the road for
the purpose of sketchng IL, and, so en-
gagged, had become quite Interested, when
o rough voice suddenly thus intruded on
my dream OF beauty:
"Where are you goingn
~ don't know. Everywhere
Which, indeed, was the truth, for my ride,
n mere ramble, had no particular destina-
tion.
"Queer," replied the soldier; paused
tory style:
"Where did you come FRONT"
"The city"
"What are you doing with that paper and
pencilW
"Sketching."
"The camp2n
"The camp.n
"Then you are my prisoner. Come"
Here was young artist surprised and
distressed But i could only obey, My
captor, with ready musket. kept near me.
Presently he said
''I'll take that paper"
And he did, carefully putting 1t in his
pocket.
Soon we were among the canvases, where
/ was conducted Immediately to the COM
mander, accused Of being a spy, and my
pencil-work produced against me.
The officer received the charge In very
extraordinary manner, namely, with hearty
laugh, cordial grasp of my hand, and the
one emphatic word: "Nonsense."
Glad to find II so, though yet somewhat
confused, for even to be suspected at that
| time, and under such circumstances, might
| prove perilous, / knew not what to say and
was silent. Not so my unexpected COM
| panion, who simply remarked. Gan right,n
TO the attendant soldier, thus dismissing
him, then addressed me:
"Did you ever know certain Clarence
WilliamsSn
OF course knew Clarence.
How the uniform, and few years Of
military service, change a mani We had
been old friends, daily associated, till the
war began, when he disappeared, to reap
pear now hero, and my rescuer. A pleas
ant hour went by within the tent, while we
recalled the past, were confident of the
present, despite all its threatenings, and
hravely predicted In the near future "The
| bnibh. Ouo ihbtpuiublc4
rode away from the camp far happier
than when l entered 1t. But who may
claim security any time In this April-day
life of sunshine and raiIf
A few miles had been added to my rural
journey. No one was near me, or no one
visible. Suddenly single, sharp report OF
gun discharged, and / was wounded. A
ball had pierced my shoulder. Whether
the act was by design or accident, and who
my assailant, never ascertancd. Enough
for me at the moment the knowledge that,
with my handkerchief was endeavoring to
stop the flow of blood--perhaps my life
was passing on its current-perhaps-
Call 1t "mere poetry" with as much con
tempt as you please, use the word "chance,'
II preferred: but l am q true believer IN
some mysterious law that brings about the
introduction Of soul to its congenial
destined soul, that unites two lives for thit
world and for all worlds.
1t was beautiful home In which found
myself, and beautiful
The story is told. Yes, have finished
my writing, Emma. 1t is a holiday now
and am yours-yours ever