The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1886-09-09
The THREE LOVERS.

We had camped for the night by 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
at would be before we could refresh and
fortify our empty stomachs and appease
the hunger that had deadened our strength
and killed the enthusiasm of past days.
We had done battle at Gettysburg, every
man had been a 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 follow up the advantage he
had gained. We longed, prayed, hoped in
vain for Hancock, Sickles, or Doubleday,
or cool yet impetuous Stannard, to lead
us on and then and there crush out the
fearful strife; but it was not to be; the
timid Meade, ever cautious, was doubly so
nov. He knew Lee was all broke up"
his ammunition gone, his army huddled
together, demoraliZed i'll that little horse
shoe bend of the Potomac; the swollen
river on one side, hills on the otner he
would have been easy game to bag; all
along the roadside of his retreat we had
found it strewn with sick and wounded,
dead horses, and abundant arms. Their
eight 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
Ais regiments had not dozen rounds, and
could get no more. Nearly all his artillery
WAS without ammunition. These facts
were known to Meade and his men, and
were discussed by the soldiers every day
that Lee lay cooped up at Meades
mercy, his retreat cut off by the
Potomac, which was running banks
full at the time, and pontoons swept away.
The timid Meade refused to attack Lee;
staid right there four days. Then his boys
stole lumber yard. made RATS and hoated
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
had several engagements, and now, after a
fierce battle and forced march to this
place, We bvouacked 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.
I'll tell one. After 1, you 'uns."
Many laughable stories followed. We
filled our pipes and lounged around the
Come, Charley, spin us q yarn" said
Robinson to our sergeant.
ayes, let us have one," chorused the
pipe filled mouths.
IL 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
dews; the rich Cypress the poor, and-and,
well, only conquest Of lovely woman and
stolen love is sweet, and glorious, and last
ling, worthy the candle, all else, taught"
Except conquest and virtue of ones
self, said the clear, low voice of Sergeant
Charley.
"Hd" cried several pipe-flled mouths.
'"Two opinions"
"Or ones principles, " said Charley
by Marsp exclaimed Dick, chat was
nobly said, and L believe it, but give us
story, Charley, me bye"
AS Charley told it, 1 tell it to you. To-
day retain the impression made, and will
till / cease to be.
well, boys am not much of story
teller. l am not one of the windy, talking
kind. You know l won my diamond and
,chevrons' by acts, not words. Tonight l
am filled with an evil presentiment"-an he
cast his eyes heavenward. We did the
.erebus; low mutterngs of thunder, borne on
q light breeze, came TO our ears. "The infu-
ence," he continued, dis strong, and L will
sneak about myself. / feel that there are
but few rounds of breath in my cartridge
box of life. Why / have been so distant,
reserved, and reticent toward you all, is
mot from pride or thought that / was too
good for earth; the cause and wherefore
you will know when / have finished my
story. Back in Vermont among the mount
aims green, near the town of Montpelier,
often visited friend of my fathers.
He had two sons about my age. / think
they were the best and truest hearts l ever
met loved them both. / was the son of
a hardy, honest lumberman 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 was
u model type of health, and versed in the
arts of fishing, hunting and woodcraft. We
spent our time away from home, seeking
new fields and streams. What glorious
times. What happy days among the noun
tains, on the lakes, in that gem State of
vermont. After all, boys, happy times
and days bring clouds of trouble and sor-
row. Mans life is like the glow of sunset,
clouds all seem serene and beautiful, 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 fendest hopes, the proudcst, brightest,
dearest wishes are crushed beneath the
cruel iron heel of fate, aud wrong may
reign triumphant, and innocence stngger
blinded and bruised through n wilderness
of despair. Through the tangled labyrinth,
brstling with sharp thorns of poverty. of
kindness, and full of agony, the world goes
on lust the same, and We live TO fight
and suffer tomorrow. Yes, there is q
woman in the story, boys, and such o