The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1888-08-25
"Miss Anna.
Or, The pct of IA Confederate SOLO ..r
"A story Of the Ynr.

Coffee had just been served and the
room was filled with smoke and that
genial after glow of pleasant. reminis-
cent talk that always follows good
dinner. and especially dinner where
old friends have met old friendships
been revived aud old stories told.
These men have been comrades in
war, and served under the same flag,
held the same political opinions and
suffered the same losses Each had
told his story, when our host turned
toward me and said:
well. Harrison. we are waiting for
your story"
Harrison smiled deprecatingly. gazed
into the fire. and then began the
following. in his soft Southern drawl:
Well ms story happened when wo
were la G eorgia. just outside OF
Marietta. aud our mess consisted OF
SIX men-two Georgians. one Ala
bamian. Virginian. myself. and n
Creole. with beautiful face and a
tenor voice that would charm the birds
from the trees named, singularly
enough. Orphec. We became very
tuneiul set under his inspiration. and
exchanged musical information with
. much generosity. Our favorite air
was that famous camp song. 'TentIng
on the Old Camp Ground" You
should have heard us sing it. Orphce's
tenor. my barytone. and the three
other fellows Ginning In softly, until
the very pine trees stopped whispering
10 listen and the fire burned softly in
admiral on. aud war somehow did not
seem so hard and cruel Well one
dark night we were sitting around the
fire. discussing with unwearied en-
ihusiasm the prospects OF the cause,
when we heard irregular footsteps
outside, and paused IN our talk 10
listen.
You can turn in here until further
orders, said our Iieuienant's
CHEEKY voice, aud minute afterward
short. thickset man entered. He
made an apologize little bow, shook
himself like dog. and. taking oil his
large wideawake. disclosed dark,
square face, with shy dark eyes, blue
black hair and wide firm mouth. He
smiled ienderly, giving an air OF great
sweetness TO an otherwise sombre face.
He sat down ON q blanket, Turkish
fashions, quietly hoped he was not dis
turbng us and then dropped his eyes
meditatively on the ground. Silence
reigned. We were too disconsolate TO
be polite. and so listened uneasily TO
tho slow indcfnite STRINGS OF the wind
through the teees. when suddenly new
sound arose. rs OF stealthy, uncertain
footsteps coming nearer and nearer.
Tho new conner pricked up his ears,
and his face wore an expression almost
approaching guilt. "A spy" was ms
first illogical conclusion as / role TO
my feet and waited expectantly.
The flap of the tent stirred slightly,
cautiously; the wind rose and swept
the darkened landscapes; the rain
poured down with a rush. ms II to give
tragic significance to what was about
TO happen, for-something did happen
1.-The Hap was suddenly pushed as de,
and goat walked in and went straight
10 the stranger, who received her with
an indcscr babIe tenderness OF look aud
GESTURE.
"A rum go" said the Virginlan
under h breath.
We all agreed. but contented our
selves with staring at the strange spcct-
acle of man and goat fonding each
other with uncouth marks OF affection.
After n whilo we resumed our old lazy
positions aud silently awaited futher
dovelopemeutS The littlo man signed
tho goat to remotc spot. where she
lay down. and then turning toward us
said, rs IL taking up an unrcpresscd
thought: You SOC. boys. | could not
help IL 4 Mamie would follow me. |
have been good to her and she remem.
bercd u. had To- leave home secretly
10 escape her. and all through the jour.
ncy felt like sruondlc. and now
well. here she il"
He stopped abruptly without waiting
for comment. aud lay down with a
short good night. l Law awake sever
nj hours after the others. wondering
idly as TO the probable tie which bound
tho new conner To the goat but arrived
at no solution. From that night Par
sons and his goat became subject Of
never ending speculation To the mess.
tic was very quiet and unoblras We.
never rosentine. although conlr.vlng 10
evade impcrtincnt questions aud bearing
everything with good nature amount
ing TO stupidity. As for the goat she
became the hapless butt Of the whole
division. Wo called her dcrislyely
''Miss Anna" treating her with ans
amount OF mock consideration that
made Parsons eyes fairly gllslcn with