Iuka reporter. (Iuka, Miss.) 1888-1894, 1888-11-01

John could not fight against his prin-
ciples, and when Henry informed him that
he would certainly be conscripted into the
Confederate army. and compelled to fight
Or die, he did what he never could have
been persuaded to do under any other cir
substances, hide away.
AS his two friends were of his opinion
and inclination, they shared his cave hos
pitality with thankfulness.
The seventh day of March came, and
early in the day our friends began to hear
the roar of artillery, and as thunders rever-
berated from hill to hill, our friends, in
their retreat, knew that terrible battle was
raging.
When night came the noise ceased, but
ut the break of day ii once more began, but
with redoubled fury. The ground trembled
and small particles of stone ratified from
the sides of the cave in which were our
friends.
The battle of Pea Ridge was being fought
In the evening two 1.-the female figures
entered the cave.
John?"
Lille! Laural" he exclaimed, how does
It come that you are here and at this late
hour2'
Come, we can go now," was all she said
and they prepared to depart As they went
toward the plantation the ladies' told of the
battle and its disastrous consequences to
the Confederate forces.
They are retreating toward Fayetteville,
said Laura, land Henry only had time to
stop and say good-by. He remembered
you with his regards"
Little did they then think that it would
be three long, weary years before they
would again see the face of their loved
friend and brother.
John and his friends held consultation
IN the mansion that night. 1t almost broke
the hearts of the fond mothers TO be separ-
ated from their two faithful sons, but men
tight and women weep" in war.
John told the ladies that here was a chance
to safely pass through the lines North, aud
that it would not do to longer remain,
unprotected, in such turbulent country,
and that he would, on the morrow, get
passes for them.
After you are once through, go to Uncle
Norton's, in Ohio. John suggested, land
he will assist you in buying such home as
you may desire. There you will be uiet
and unmolested.
am so grateful to get away from these
exciting scenes, but it is terrible to leave
my son here!" the poor mother said as the
tears trickled down her sorrowing face.
Two days later the Eddles and Arno
ladies left the State of Arkansas forever,
J ohm accompanied them safely through the
lines, and returning joined his regiment at
Fayetteville.
1t is now a little mora ahan three years
since we have seen 90 d.. May, The
month of flowers. has come. We now find
ourselves in q thriving little city in the
State OF Ohio. We go up one of those
lovely shaded avenues, where some Of the
incest cottages in the city are found, and
we come to one of the most spacious and
elegant ones ON the street. Here we stop.
Hank! That sounds like musicl We will
step in. Thus it is that we find ourselves
once more in the presence of our friends.
What God hath joined together let no
man put asunder."
We are just in time to see John Eddles
and Laura Arno step from under the mas
sive, flowery marriage bell and receive the
of their friends. Henry
Arno and the lovely Lille now step forward,
and we again behold two more of our friends
=" bound by the letters of love, and, as the
pastor slowly and solemnly asks the bless
lngs of heaven on their heads, we heartily
say. "Amen."
1t is with unspeakable pleasure that we
see the smiles of joy on the faces Of the
mothers of the happy couples as they low
lngly kiss the quartette.
This happy day has made all recollections
Of former trouble fade away, and they do
not look day older than when we last saw
hem.
There is Sylvia, looking with unfeigned
Joy upon the great happiness of the young
people before her, but occasionally look
Of pain fits across the dark face.
1t may be that she is thinking of the past
of NOBLE minded, brave negro, who was
buried on the Eddles plantation, down in
Arkansas. during the eventful times of 81.
Yes, there in corner are our friends,
in trouble, William Gum and
Sim Dorm. Their faces are wreathed in
smiles, and they are 80 finely dressed they
seem disguised.
Perhaps that is why we did not recognize
hem sooner.
While they are all SO happy and content
ID let us leave them.
We have now only one more place to
visit, aud then we are done.
A few years since we were passing
through Northwestern Arkansas, and we
stopped at a private cemetery, few rods
rom the Wire Road. Near one of the
,raves was massive tablet, and carved on
ts face was this simple inscription:
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. ............x
/: To tho Memory OF