The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-11-28

Perhaps it would have been better if Allie had kept her post of inspector gen. eral, for 1t is certain that afkeF the young folks were less e their own devices, they mus, have planned mischief very rapidly, as han an hour later John entered the sis- ting g-roora with one arm clAsping Amys waist, and Hai and AsiiaiS following sGis in the rear
 Marching up to his mother he gave Q military salute, and said, half jocoSely, half earnestly: Give us your blessing, mother, we ave all going to be married at eight o'clock tonight"
 "To-nightr' Mrs. Gray echoed in sur. prise.
 "Yes, tonight. We've looked at the subject cn all sides and think it best"
 But the girls are so young, and it." her lips trembled; "ii they should be killed, ye, it were ,housand-fold better If the worst must come. to be widows with their right to bear their names-to mourn for them-than to be simply sweethearts who must hide their griet John drew the brave little body closer to nim and gave her hearty kiss,
 There were no more objections urged and the boys" donning overcoats and hats went out to engage the minister and procure icenses-the latter no very diff cult matter at any hour, where the town clerks office was merely an old.fashioned desk in peighbor's sitting room.
 As the clock struck eight the arrange ments were complete, and in this h,sle low -ceiled sitting room of the old firm house two couples were joined for lie e- nw lAatk xwk,~k akA.xtA 10 kA l.. six days the bridegrooms must return to the fatal bat,le6elds of the south But for to night they put aside all thought of the future e--reveling in the perfect happiness of the present. 
 That was twenty-one years ago; and where are they all now
 Allie IS tAe wife of wealthy New York merchant, and in her elegant home is dressing dolls for her own little six year. old Millie.
 ihe old farmhouse with her mosheT - who, although she has nearly reached her three score years and tea, performs her daily duties almost as bTiskly as twenty years ago.
 But there Is another member of the household now, whom we did not meet on that Thanksgiving day, a tall, fine looking youth of twenty. who makes you think for moment that time must have stood still all these years strongly does he resemble the handsome young older-bridegroom of that rhanksgivi wing eve. But alas for the youths bright hopes There Is grave in old Virginia, near Petersburg's fatal rifle. pits, that holds the last earthly remains of the bi ave young soldier. There came a day in tn al long g-centested siege when A group Oi four soldiers: Hal, John and two com rades, were standing carelessly convers- ing John at the moment teiiing ono Of his humorous stones there was the hiss of shell, a sudden exolosion-aud John wAs standing alone unharmed, while the rema of his brother an comrades were scattered around him, and two months rom her wedding nj sht Miliie found her. self widow.
 And John is the Rev John Cray now the pastor Of one of our mos, q ,urishing country charches. The shock of Hal's sad death wrought great change in all his thoughts and feelings. and upon his return from the army he immediately commenced his prepar Ations for the min. istry.
 The same earnestness and enthusiasm which characterized bis love of fuu in the old days is shown in his professional york now, and he has been very success. fal in his pastorate. There Comes to the surface occasionally, even now, enough of the old humor to remind ono of "Or. derly John " of the old Twenty. first Con- nec,icut
 And Amy-is still the bright, loving little Amy of old. A few lines of care are in the pleasant face. a few silver threads amid the dark locks; yet seem ingly unchanged since she dressed Allies doll on that memorable Thanksgiving day Nov she does the same work for another-her Amy's Amy--for there Is a little granddaughter in the family, or, as John will tell you in his old humorous style, "a third edition of the Harpers, in muslin covers."-Exehangs