Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1886-09-23
Lieutenant Charles
MOnteal.
BY GAIT. JAMES MoNTFoRD.

teal said the Colonel, and as my niece
is To leave me in the morning, will re.
late hls story. 1t may convey moral
to her.
Il will give attention to your story,
uncle, and not neglect the moral, re-
turned the young lady and the Colo
rel prepared TO begin.
The lieutenant was several years
younger than myself, being about
twenty six at the time. He was tall,
and straight as a dart his face was
handsome, but wore rather mournful
expression, usually quite Byronic, the
ladies said.
Il would occupy too much time to
relate the manner we became acquaint-
ed. lie did me several signal fayors
during the time of our intimacy.
Charles had formed an unfortunate
attachment for young lady, the
daughter Of a Southern planter, whom
he had met in New Yo,k prior to the
breaking out Of the war.
'lle told me all about it in one OF hi S
melancholy moods. and l recollect the
circumstances very well.
sHe had seemed successful at first,
and although Miss Angel, as l shall
call her, had made no engagement with
him, they understood each other well
enough and her father did not seem
ayerse to their union. Monteal was
wealthy, and his morals unohjection-
able.
But suddenly "a change came o'er
the spirit of his dream so he told me.
There was to be fighting. Charles was
interested, as all young me1 should be.
Unfortunately, Mr.. Angrll was also In
terested, and the young lady inclined
toward her fathers faith.
'One evening Monteal allowed him
self to be drawn into an argument with
the old gentleman. the latter cast some
reflections upon the Government, and
both gentlemen became warm.
1T was violent time, and before the
interview was over Mr.. Angel had
given the young man to understand
tha: his acquaintance was no longer
desired.
Charles told me the two days that
followed were the most miserable or
his life, and, knowing his disposition, L
believed him.
The Angels were preparing to re-
turn home Monteal sought and OBJ
tained an interview with Miss Angel
during her fathers absence from the
house.
Before he left she admitted that she
did not hate him but he was assured
that her fathers consent WAS necessary
to obtain her for his wife, and this he
despaired of gaining.
while he was endeavoring to 'see'
Mr.. Angel, he suddenly migrated, car
rying his daughter in his train.
Then the young man wrote letters
but the replies he received were not
pleasant. He learned that the lady's
brothers were collecting regiments, and
when the war broke out i'm earnest
Charles Joined tie Blues cut Of sheer
desperation.
soon arterward | made his acquaint-
ance. and gained 4 knowledge Of his
story.
'One day in May. 1862, he saw the
young lady once more. She had come
to the residence of friend dwelling
fifty miles or so from our station.
Charles had requested this, and she
cared enough for him to consent.
He never told me what passed at
the interview. though, as he had been
so frank in the former account, | ex
pected it.
He was very melancholy the mex
morning, however, and I could guess
how matters were going, and my ideas
were confirmed by the following song
and its explanation
"'Our women have hung their Ilarps away,
| And they scowl on your brutal bands,
While the nimble pOniard dares the day,
In their brave, defiant hands,
why do you sing that p l demand
ed.
1T was sung to me last night III
replied, 'and will haunt my memor!
until my dying day. Isn't this a terri
BILE state of affairs p
Then he left me, with a sorrowfu
shake Of the head.
I saw very little of Monteal for th'
next three weeks. Several times
tried to rouse him from the state o
apathy into which he had fallen, but al
in vain.
AT last our duty carried US into tn
neighborhood of Mr. Angel, and l say
that his proximity to the woman h
loved made decided impression upo
the Lieutenant.
"Fearing some accident, l scarcel
knew what. watched him closely. l
the meantime we were skirmishin
continually with separate bands c
| N