Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1886-09-25
The THREE LOVERS.

We had camped for the night by a clear
stream. Our flies" were stretched and
we hurried to the water to battle our tired
limbs and swollen feet Now we lounged
around the Campfire, wondering how long
t would lie before we could refresh and
tortlty our empty stomachs and appease
The hunger that had dcadcned our strength
ard killed the enthusiasm of past DAYS.
we had done baltic at Gettysburg, every
man had been hero. We had whipped
Lee, and knew he was badly crippled and
without abundant ammunition. We had
among ourselves argued and wondered why
meade did not fol ow up the advantage he
Dad gained. We longed, prayed, hoped In
vain for Hancock, Sickles, or Doubleday,
DIT cool yet lmpetnous Stannard, to lead
us Oh and then and there crush out the
fearful strife; but it was not to be; the
hmld Meade, ever cautious, was doubly 30
now. lie knew Lee was all "broke up,"
ais ammunition gone, his army huddled
together, demoralizUd in that little horse
shoe bend of the Potomac; the swollen
river on one side, hills on the other, he
would have been easy game to bag; all
along the roadside of his retreat we had
found 1t strewn with sick and wounded,
dead horses, and abundant arms Their
night was rapid, but fatally interrupted.
AS Byington said: Lee had exhausted
nearly all his ammunition in three days
battle and could not replenish." Scores of
his regiments had not dozen rounds, and
could get no more. Nearly all his artillery
was without ammunition. These facts
we're known to Meade and his men, and
were discussed by the soldiers every day
That Lee lay cooped up at Meade's
mercy, his retreat cut off by the
Potomac, which was running banks
It'll at the time, and pontoons swept away.
The timid Meade refused to attack Lee;
stald right there four days. Then his boys
stole lumber yard, made RATS and t1oated
over the river at their leisure. Good Uncle
Abe said Meade reminded him of an old
woman trying to shoe her geese across the
creek" AS soon as Lee was across, then
came the hot pursuit by Meade. We had
mad several engagements, and now, after
fierce battle and forced march to this
place, we biyouacked weary and hungry.
awaiting 'salt horse and hard tack, and the
repetition of tramping and foolish, vain
sacrifice of life.
well, boys" said Sergeant Dick, "if we
can't eat, let us feed the ear with stories.
III tell one. After l, you 'uns."
Many laughable stories followed. We
filled our pipes and lounged around the
Oi'ou'tC culONlu5 ourselves.
Come, Charley, spin us yarn" said
Robinson to our sergeant.
"Yes, let us have one," chorused the
pipe-filled mouths
81 know of none" said the sober Charley,
In his low tone.
GIVE us something ex tempore," said
Dick. II suppose all are alike; nothing
good; all fade; glory and fame are like
laWS. thn rich Orrrncc fh,. moan opJ o,J
we'll, only conquest of lovely woman and
stolen love is sweet, and glorious, and last
ing, worthy the candle, all else, taught"
Except conquest and virtue of ones
self, said the clear, low voice of Sergeant
Charley.
"Ha!" cri several pipe-filled mouths.
1.-TWO opinions"
Cor ones principles, said Charley.
by Mars" exclaimed Dick, "that was
molly said, and l believe it, but give us a
story, Charley, me bye"
AS Charley told it, tell it to you. To-
day retain the impression made, and will
till l cease to be.
well, boys, | am not much of story
teller. am not one of the windy, talking
KIND. You know | won my diamond and
cheyrons' by acts. not words. Tonight |
am filled with an evil presentiment'-a and he
cast his eyes heavenward. We did the
same, and noticed that it was black as
erebus; low mu t,rings of thunder, borne on
light breeze, came to our ears. "The intlu-
ence, he continued, "is strong, and 1 will
speak about myself. l feel that there are
but few rounds of breath in my cartridge
box of life. Why have been so distant
reserved, and reticent toward yol all, is
not from pride or thought that l was too
COOL for earth; the cpuse and wherefore
you will know when l have finished my
Story. Back in Vermont among the mount
aims green, near the town of Montpelier, |
often visited a friend of my fathers.
He had two sons about my age. l think
they were the best and truest hearts ever
met;1 loved them both. / was the son of
hardy, honest lumbelman in Maine.
They were of a wealthy aristocratic family,
and they were imbued with the same
views and principles or opinions as
their parents. They loved me because l was
a model type of health, and versed in tho
arts of fishing, hunting and woodcraft. Wo
spent our time away from home, seeking
new fields and streams. What glorious
times. What happy days among the noun
tains, on the lakes, i'll that gem State of
Vermont. After all, boys, happy timel
and days bring clouds of trouble and sor-
row. Mans life is like the glow of sunset,
CloutlS ali boSll berene anu DeautlIul, yet
back down below the horizon, there wait
ing, are dark clouds, with wild winds ready
to hurl themselves into the sunset cleaning
and destroy all its beauty and serenity. SO
our fondest hopes, the proudest, brightest
dearest wishes are crushed beneath the
cruel iron heel of fate, and wrong may
reign triumphant, and innocence stagger
blinded and bruised through wilderness
of despair. Through the tangled labyrinth,
bristling with sharp thorns of poverty, of
kindness, and full of agony, the world goes
on Just the same, and we live to fight
and suffer tomorrow. Yes, there is
woman in the story, boys, and such
woman" He paused moment in deep
thought, then shook himself together and
continued: 81 cannot describe her to you.
can only say Mary of Scots always came
to my thoughts as gGzed into her beautiful
eyes and face; her fe lures were finely cut,
her eye roguishly, .aughingly beautiful.
Her hair of golden brown, worn
long, tied with blue ribbon, her
form fully developed, willowy, and
graceful, Edith Warren ives as beau
Msul as woman could be. She was,
ieved, frank, truthful, and unaffected.
know, boys, when love first sets in we
through a glass darkly The tide is