The National tribune., 1888-09-27

were falling ere the order came to report his
regiment at indianapolis for discharge. After
a rough trip from Morganza Bay across the Gulf
to New Orleans Col. Taylor took early op-
portunity to write Mrs. Colby of his order of
discharge, and that he would visit her imme-
diately thereafter.
The Sd of January, 1885, was happy day to
the officers and men of the 200th Ind. when at
indianapolis they received their final discharge
and pay, and with happy hearts took their
several routes for home and friends with the
consciousness of as proud record of war as the
veterans of any army since the dogs of war
had been unclaimed in an infant world.
Col. Taylor took flying visit to his home,
where an old mother and a loving sister had
been watching and waiting for his coming for
four long years. My mother, my sister, thank
God / am home again" and winding an arm
around each, he kissed the falling tears of joy
from each until his mother said: Children,
lot us kneel and give thanks to Him who does
not let the sparrow fall without His will" And
as they knelt each uttered a fervent prayer OF
thanksgiving for the great boon of peace to the
country and the safe return of the son and
brother.
At the tea-table that evening he turned to
his beautiful sister, and, with glance at his
mother said;
Mamie, you haven't told me of that man
yet"
''What man?"
"Why, that man that every girl of your age
looks upon as the beau-ideal of manhood"
"Ha ha, brother, l have no image of that
sort yet; for if the war had robbed US of
you, mother could not spare me- and then l
expected if you got through safe some Southern
woman would finally rob us of you; therefore
L but why that blush2 Have l guessed
your hearts secret?"
"No-yes. Well, sister, mother, there is
Southern lady that love wildly and yet l do
fcl,o hnun ro.1f hot
ever; but ] will know soon, for l shall start
South in the morning to lay my love at her
feet and ask for hers Mother and sister, | ask
your prayers for my success, for | know if she
consents to become my wife you will love her
as daughter and sister Mother, Mamie, have
! your blessings in this2"
g Yes, son; man of your age should take
wife, and | know she must be good woman
if you think So"
Brother, go and plead your cause of love
with her, and tell her your sister waits to wei
come her to your home"
The next day telegraph dispatch informed
Mrs. Colby that Col. Taylor would reach De-
cherd Station, Tenn, the following day at or
before noon.
"Say, you Sam, you bettah hurry wild dat carri-
age, fur if yo' don't get to Decherd fore Majah
Taylor gets dar, Misses'H pull de wool all outen
yer head"
"G'long now, Dinah, Sam alters gifts dah"
The whistle gave the signal to stop. The
brakes creaked on the iron wheels, the brake
man, in the unintelligble pronunciation of all
railroads, yelled "Dard," when Col. Taylor,
with some misgivings whether his telegram
| had reached its destination, and il so, whether
| she would come or even send for him, stop
| ped on the platform of the railroad station
| at Decherd. As he was the only passenger that
| got of, he was easily identified by Sam,
who, with hat in hand, stepped up and said
g Is you Col Taylor, sah?"
Yes, sir; / am"
You is, sab; well. sah Mrs. Colby sent de
| carriage for you, sab"
"All right, Uncle; Wen get my baggage, and
then / am at your service"
| A drive of some eight Or ten miles to the
| southeast, with the lofty Cumberland Mountain
to the right, and through the beautiful valley of
! Elk River, whose houses and farms were much
| improved by the one year of peace since the
tramp Of the last squadron within its borders,
| was calculated to put Col. Taylor in the best OF
humor with himself and all the world; and
yet a feeling of doubt would now and then fit
through his mind as to the reception that
would be given him by the woman Of all
others he believed to be the holder of his future
happiness.
Between his musings and the quaint negro
garrulousness Of old Sam, the road was
soon measured OF, and ere he knew it the
carriage was going up the shaded drive from
the public road to tho house, and looking
forward he saw Mrs. Colby on the veranda
awaiting his coming. The carriage was stopped
at the steps, and with bound he alighted al
her side and with hearty grasp of her tremb-
ling hand he said as she led him into the
house: Mrs. Colby, the last time We met you
were bound by great grief and l by the
duties of war. / am free from the one; are you
relieved from the other?
" Yes, Col. Taylor; one should not nurse
| their prpf a alVyaVg and I ASSN re Won that yoIIl
coming has frightened the sunshine of this
day very greatly TO me-"
"Oh, l thank you Mrs Colby for these words
You cannot know how they fill me with JOY
and hope hope that at no distant day you
will consent to become my wife; for love you
and ask you TO become my wife; and seating
her on sociable and himself by her side and
encirling her waist with his arm he said, Deal
May, come to you with my mothers blessing
on my mission; | bring my only sisters love t
you and she bids you welcome into our family
and l offer you the only love | ever felt fo
woman. Please don't say no, but if not yet, thcr
bid me hope; Just one word of assurance that
have not waited in vain for the day that shall
see you my wife"
Col. Taylor, this is not unexpected, tbougl
it comes with haste and vehemence that be
long only to young men and women; and ye
2 tbs the more pleasing to me- for | believe i
is the spontaneous Outburst of an honest
| loving ncdTG. nau lnOuBnI GHaU men ant
women could love but once; but rememberin
{ the last act of my dying husband, and remem
bering also that there has been an undefnabl
@ something in my heart from the first time me
you that has often prompted my thoughts t
. turn upon you, / believe, Colonel that | ca
. honestly say love you, if not quite so vehe
t rnently as my girlhood's first love- yet a
strongly and with better understanding of
wife's duties and relationship to a loving hu:
e band. Yes. my dear, love you, and will
Q your wife at as early a day as you may desir
. and / can get ready"
Q "Thank you, dear May" and throwing bot
3 arms around her he drew her head to his bosoI
, aud sealed their vow with lovers holy kiss.
a 1t was an early morning ceremony at tn
! Buena VISTA" with but few neighbors an
S intimate friends in attendance, that made Co
4 j. j. Taylor and May Colby husband and wifi
+ SCIENTIFIC CHAT.
4 1t has been discovered that a large portion