The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1886-05-27
RECONSTRUCTION.

Two girls sat on broad veranda OF
a Southern hotel. while q fine, soldier
Unlocking man passed slowly by.
Look, Esteller' exclaimed the
younger of the two girls. II dare say
there is a true Southerner who fought
for the Lost Cause
YES" said Estelle. land there is
your brother Tom, and he is bringing
the stranger here"
Both the girls fluttered little. then
settled into feigned Inconsistencies OF
any approach, until they were reused
by Tom Vaughn's introduction of his
friend, Colonel Dalton. Tom informed
them the Colonel aud he had come up
on each other at the American Legation
in Paris and had ''done the Continent"
in partnership. They were fast friends,
therefore. and delighted to meet, especi-
ally in this out-of-the-way watering
place. where the Vaughn family were
stopping for the sake Of Toms health
''lost in the Internal swamps of Ala
bama during the war"
In less time than have taken to
write it all four We're chatting socially.
"Ah, the South is not what it was!"
ventured Camille, at the first oppor-
tunity. what with the war and its
consequences, we are sorry sight in
deed"
Camille here is regular fanatic"
explained Tom. "'Pon my word, l
don't believe she knows the war is over,
but means to fight it out to the bitter
end"
yes" cried Camille, rising to the
full glory of four feet eleven, in cloud
of white organdie; "and if the men of
the south had had the spirit of their
sisters they would have been fighting
yet But truce to this! Colonel DIAL
ton, may show you our birds?" And
the two were gone, leaving Tom on the
veranda to make indolent love to his
fair cousin Estelle
As time passed the gallant Colonel,
always pleasant companion, was
thenceforth welcome in the Vaughns'
exclusive circle. Camille fell to the
Colonels care in their walks, drives
and they came to be on excellent terms
with each other.
During the war there had been an en-
gagement near the old town and many
Confederate soldiers had been buried
there in a cypress grove, which tender
hands had since cared for. Colonel
Dalton and Miss Vaughn had been walk
ing in this grove and sat down to rest
on a rude seat. The melancholy notes
of the mocking-hird came up from the
fragrant woods, and Camille, quite tired
and saddened by the place and its as
sociations, spoke softly:
Il would rather be buried with those
fellows than live to know my country
defeated and her poor-spirited sons for
getting their allegiance.
Colonel Dalton took her hand gently
and told her that this was the fortune
of war. The South had fought bravely,
but had been outnumbered. That
when partisan spirit should be lost, in
the march of time and progress, impair
tial history and the hearts of the people
would do justice to the brave upholders
of the ''Lost Cause
Candles tears had gradually ceased
Il h. 10
passively in his.
Colonel. you never told me what
division you we're with, nor where you
fought"
There was a pause; then he spoke,
slowly and firmly:
Il was Union officer in the Army
of the Potomac. l fought in the
Wilderness, at Gettysburg. at Pittsburg
Landing, Antietam. ] starved for nine
months in Libby Prison, and was al
most cut to pieces at Vicksburg."
"Great heavenr' cried Camille; ''you
were Yankee soldier?"
II was,' said the Colonel calmly,
"and loyal in thought and act to the
Federal cause"
There was long silence, and then
she timidly asked, "Were you in Ken
tucky?"
mo; never in Kentucky during the
war;
"Well, am glad of that" and she
drew long breath; ''then we can still
be friends. But I must always hate
every Yankee that desecrated the soil
of my native State. You have been
very gentlemanly and very kind" she
faltered, but of course we can never
be quite the same again-though
thank heaven you never fought in dear
Kentucky
Colonel Dalton bowed. Whatever
is your pleasure shall be my duty" he
answered stifHy.
Camille shivered and said she ought
to be in out of the evening dew. Sc
the Colonel gave her his arm and they
walked silently home. AS he turned tt
leave her in the hall she stopped him
''Of course it is SO different now, be
cause you are Yankee. Still you
| How stupid he was not to notice thu
poor child's confusion, not to notice
her quivering lips and her timid hesita
ton, in such marked contrast with he1
usual manner!
But he only bowed and said
'Your friendship is very dear to me
! Miss Vaughn; but, trust me, will re
spect your peculiar aversion"
."He might have apologized for be
ing nasty Yankee" sobbed Camille
in her own room, little later. .'Evel
when limited that I might be able t.
overlook it because he had not helpe,
to desecrate dear old Kentucky, h
didn't seem to care whether did o
not"
| After this there was a coldness be