Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1888-02-22
a Georgia Rolnance.

In 1861 there lived in the lower part OF
;hia county. near Sandy Ridge Post Office,
an cid lady by the name OF Swann, and with
her granddaughter, Miss Elaine Marston,
a most lovely girl of l6 summers. Adioin,
ing their home was the plantation of Judge
Miller, tho wealthy father OF handsome
young Harry, the devoted sweetheart eff the
beautiful Elaine. Harry wss two years her
senior, and when the order for all Of Geor-
gia's sous between the ages of eighteen and
fifty years to go to tee front came, he at
once began preparation with all the ardor
and enthusiasm of the Southern youth of
that time. His last parting was with his
little sweetheart as he fondly called her,
and his promises to return and make her
his bride were sealed by many pure kiss
Of love and tender embrace. For while
letters-etters full of tenderness icve and
devotion-came, filling the heart of Elaine
with Joy and brightest hopes of the fnture.
Suddenly they ceased, and then comes one
written by friend telling Of the capture OF
young Harry, the braveet of the brave, and
OF his incarceration in q Yankee prison.
Months of sorrow and anxiety follow, and
then comes the sad news Of his death
brought by come Exchanges" from the pri-
son in which he was confined. The grief
OF Elaine YES terrible, but the young heart,
however fondiy il may love, however Bit
tery it may suffer seldom breaks, and in
few years the image of the handsome
Harry was but dim shadow, and the sen-
dor, delicate girl had developed into hand
some, charming woman. She had many
admirers, and on December Is. 1859, eight
years after the departure OF her boy lover,
Elaine Marston stood at the altar to be.
come the vito of one OF Henry county's most
respected citizens. Recently man in the
disguise of an old tramp passed through
Hampton and inquired for the home OF
Mrs. --~. He found tho place, beheld
the face Of hia once promised bride, bright
and happy with toe love OF G DEVOTED hus-
band, bright sud interesting children, and
the many comforts OF beautiful country
home, and returned here 10 take the cars
for his home IN the far West, not as tramp,
however, but as handsome gentleman,
stout and hearty, and with only few silver
hairs upon bis temples. He told us of his
life in prison until the close OF the war, of
the false report which reached him of the
marriage of Elaine before his release, which
nearly drove him mad of his wonderful
success in life ia California; and last, of the
report brought across the continent that
Elaine did not marry ill 1869, and was now
widow, the latter part o! which he did
not llnow TO be fass until he begged bread
n her door. lie Gays be will never
visit Georgia again; that his people are
dead, his hearts best love seered and with
cred, and nothing remains for him but to
90 forever from the scenes of his childhood
ana the land o. his birth, to spend tho re-
mander OF his life as best he can, in honor
ing the God vino gave it. He has many old
comrades in arms in this section who will,
doubtless, recognize in Harry Miller one Of
the many brave boys sent out By our dear
old country to fight for honor, our freedom,
and our homes.-HamptOn Times.