River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1886-03-04
4 STORY OF THE CIVIL WAR.
BY LOUISE GRAVES.

Of respected Virginia parSon.
We will rest here tonight, boys
said the leader, who was a mere youth,
yet the only one of the party wearing
shoulder straps. " It's twenty miles
or more to our lines at R. and
know you are all tired. Hello!
The exclamation brought the parson
20 the door. He started at seeing
swarms of blue coats on his well-kept
lawn. for heart and purse We're n the
command of the Confederate troops.
The officer, observing the reverend
gentleman : pallOr, and attributing il
to fear, FASTENED to assure him that
their errand was not one of bloOdshed.
Calm yourself. sir. No harm shall
come to YOU or yours, if YOU treat us
we'll We ask for food for ourselves
and horses. and the privilege of occu-
plying your lawn tonight.
Mr. Wood. the clergyman addressed,
was tall. scholarly looking person,
with keen dark ewes. His extreme pal
Tor. Capt. Latimer now saw, was due
to i'll health.
Il will not say you are welcome,
be rejoined in a melancholy voice;
''but the exigencies of war place my
self aud my property in your hands.
1t is needless for me to say work your
will"
"Dismomt, boysr' cried the cap
tain as he sprang lightly from his jad-
ed steed.
There was general dismounting
and lettering of horses; when the ami
mails wants were supplied from the
goodly store in the clergyman stables,
the tired troops followed their COM
mander's example aud ilocked to the
house. Spacious rooms. elegantly
furnished, met their view. They had
been trampinc for mon ms. tent for
shelter. oftener not even that; meal
mere, there, anywhere; and now they
had come to plenty, especially as that
pituAN uttphStA ~ tllC ipNs AittlS WIN
der that scant ceremony was observed.
Headed by their commander, they had
brought forth the goodly contents Of
the larder, and these not being ENOUGH
raw supplies were put in pot and pan
to cook.
In the midst of all this hubbub. such
as the old house had never before
known. there came sudden pause.
What is it?'' said Harry Latimcr.
who was devouringa huge chicken pie.
Elbowing his way to the door, he
paused and Involuntary removed his
cap. All the men crowded forward
amid profound stiffness. A young
woman. slim, graceful, in her long
riding-habit. stood on the veranda
steps. holding the superb animal from
which she had just dismounted. At
sight of the occupants of her home the
/ indignant color came to her cheek, and
her dark eyes proclaimed what she
+ thought of the intrusion. Flinoing the
/ bride to a wooly-headed domestic, who
was pecring around the corner of TIE
house. she walked with firm step to
the door. There her father, who had
followed Capt. Latimer, met her. \
/ spasm of pain crossed his face.
'Catharine, YOU should have been
4 spared this. Blind that | was not to
/ have sent YOU 10 a safer place before
this" he murmured, as he drew her
through the open window to the draw
/ ing-rooOm.
+ Dear father, you have needed me
/ at home. Do not fear for my safety
F Surely, if these men be our enemies.
/ they will respect adefenseless woman,
turning an appealing glance on Harry,
who stood by, an abaShed spectator.
as indeed did all.
For months they had endured hard
ships untold with few of the refining
+ influences of life. They were ready
/ .or danger. for any recreation which
might fall in their way, but at sight of
/ this beautiful Young woman asking
F their protection, each would have
served her as Loyalty as his own sister.
Waving the men from the room, the
commander addressed the young lady.
/ who was the clergyman ; daughter and
/ housekeeper.
do not fear he said in his manly,
straightforward way. The necessity
of war compels me to provide for my
troops from the supplies of the country.
/ A grim necessity it seems to you, but
believe me, no further harm shall come
+ to YOU or YOURS through me-
She bowed her head in grave ac-
acknowledgements.
"Catherine!' came her father voice
family
The excitement had been more than
his feeble frame could bear, aud he fell
senselesS 1T his daughter feet.
What shall do?" she cried piteous-
". turaing to Latimer, stunned by the
ghastliness of his look; then her pres
ence of mind returned, and together
they applied such remedies as were al
hand.
Lattimer at once ordered his troop:
to move OF TO town, on the outskirts oi
which was Mr. Woods villa. Ere the
servant returned with physician. the
stricken man showed signs of return
ing consciousness; and when the port
IL practitioner came, Harry deemed il
prudent to withdraw.
Catherine Wood accompanied him Il
the door She extended her hand
which the young man grasped cordial
. ".
Though my fathers foe, shall mo-
forget your generous treatment of Us.
she said. raising her clear eyes to his
Perhaps she read too much admira
ton there. for she dropped them i'm
mediately and released her hand.
Thank you, was his only response
and mounting his horse he was sOoI
on his way to the town.
1.-THE next morning Latiner rode ovel
again To the Wood ;. Catherine, whC
had quite recovered her bloom, receiv
ed him cordially.
s.My father Is in no dagger: it wa
bat fainting tit, she said; but he j
so feeble that he must still keep hi
room. and after yesterday excitemen
it would not be best for me to mention
your call this morning"
Latimer was only too glad TO avoiC
unpleasant topics, that he might EMO,