The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1885-12-23

daisies, far away.
g Hallow -Een," repeated the Scotchman.
"Well, know who my wife is to be, if l
live to come home; but why don't some
other man take the opportunity ?" He
might have been in jest or in earnest, but q
strange thought came into my mind. If my
true love was true to me in Heaven might
she not come to me ON this night, to assure
me of the fact 1t was not in my mind that
[ should ever love again, WOO and win, or
marry but | longed to catch one glimpse
of the girl ON whom the golden gates had
closed, shutting me out. If spirits could
return to earth, she would visit me, and
why not now?
"Pll try the spell, y said, rising to my
feet
The Scotchman laughed
Don't open your eyes until the ninth
lap" said he, "and wish hard until you
do it."
Then ran up the bank; took few
steps, came to an old wooden gate and en-.
tered. II was clear night
could see every leaf and branch of the
lingering autumn foliage, tho black names
upon the white tombstones, and the white
steeple of the church about which they
clustered. / remember the faint smell of
some night-blooming flower, and the cry of
a night-bird in the bushes.
All by itself, in the middle of great
grassy plot, stood white stone-a little
shaft, engraved with few words. Kneel.
ing down, | read them. II was the grave
OF the wife OF year. No filter place for
the spell which had almost made myself
believe would bring my darling's spirit to
me. closed my eyes, placed my hand up
on the chain, and solemnly encircled the
plot nine times. Then l suddenly opened
my eyes. tall, slender young figure
stood before me. 1t was dressed in black.
Its hair, curling and very fair, fell to its
waist 1t stared at me with splendid, velvet
black eyes saw ON its breast small
golden cross. II was face I never could
forget, but it was not the face of my lost
love. approached it slowly. 1t put out
its hands, warding me off.
=" In the name of Heaven, don't touch
me ~ it cried
Then my foot slipped in the tall, wet
grass. | fell, struggled to my feet, and
looked about me and saw nothing. Nor
did careful search reveal any living crea-
ture near me. went back to the rest be
wildered. They questioned me. | owned
had seen woman. But no ono desired
to test tho truth of All Halloween stories
that night. A few hours after this we had
forgotten everything but that we were SOL
diers.
do not intend to write about the fight.
Any one who has lived long enough knows
too much of that already.
had no fear of death. A great sorrow
had deprived me of that but it seemed for
a long time that l bore charmed life. 1t
was in the last battle of Virginia that was
wounded and left for dead upon the field.
suppose | was unconscious for q long
while. Then had strange dreams, curious
visions-all the phantasies of fever and
starvation.
Out Of them l came for few moments,
to see bending over me the figure of my
Halloween mystery.
The slender figure and black dress were
the same, and the long fair and golden
cross, that swung from her neck by rib
bon, touched my breast as she bent low
Above oil, knew the splendid eyes, and
the expression of tho pink young mouth
and round chin. But this was living
woman, no ghost
Give him little more brandy, Pete" 1
heard her say, "a few drops. There, it
helps him again."
black hand lowered over my lips. I
tasted the liquor.
Can you carry him on, Pete ?" the girl
said
81 kim" said Pete; but it goes agin me.
HIS Yank I'm Souf."
" You're a Christian, too, aren't you,
Pete" asked the girl.
81 hope SO, Miss Katy" replied tho
negro.
Then remember you must forgive your
,nemies," sail the girl. Garry him in
Pete obeyed.
was nursed very carefully after this by
this same Pete, and slowly came to realize
my surroundings.
1t was in an old Southern mansion, bat
tered out Of all recognition. Carpets were
gone, worn out as horse blankets long be.
fore; windows were shattered. There was
q bullet hole in the head of the bedstend ]
lay upon. Pete told me the story Of tho
and son, under its roof when the war COM
menced, but both had fallen. The mother
was also dead.
And all de no count niggers run away"
said Pete. "Seems 1 was de only one dat
had sence enough TO do what 1 had oughter.
staid to protect Miss Katy. She's all
OATS left. My wife and me stayed. All de
rest is gone" ...-.--
As soon as l could l paid my respects
10 the young lady. l thanked her ardcntly-
as, indeed, had reason-for her hospital.
ity. Size answered me very coldly, but
apclogized for having depended on Pete
for medical advice.
!" TO tell any one that you we're here
would not have been safe OF first" she
said. Now it is different
She turned aside. saw that she strug-
gled with tears. This war meant two diff
ferent things to US, and her father and
brother had died but all that could have
been said TO me would not have altered two
facts.