Sturgis advertiser. (Sturgis, Dakota [S.D.]) 1887-1???, 1888-11-22

every Union man, and he gloried in 1T; but
had he known with what a throe of anguish
this news was received by me his impetu-
Gus nature would have forgiven all the past,
and he again would have been the suppliant
/ lover.
went about the house with Dyes strained
toward the hills for the first white wreath Of
smoke which should herald the approach of
the evening steamer. Finally. upon the
clear noon-day air the shrii whistle sound
ed. The little hamlet was alive in an in
stanf. The leyee was crowded with men
women and children. while the negroes
stole surreptitious chances around the cor
ncrs OF fences and corn-cribs. The boat
rounded to the shore as the company went
marching down the single street with its
red and white silken banner, the work oil
fair secession hands. floating in the sun
shine. Men OF pronounced Union senti-
ments were conspicuous by their absence
and strange quiet WAS over all. stood
upon bluff which commanded view oil
the whole scene. knowing that my figure
would be thrown In silhouette against the
clear sky, ASA background. Ny pride came to
my aid and made no moan. / thought that
Raymond would relent at the last and send
me some token OF reconciliation. but he did
not. In anticipation of this. had formed q
rosette of red and white ribbons. which.
with long, floating streamers. had fastened
to the top OF my parasol. / held it closely
to my side. watching the boys as they
stepped on board. some laughing and Jest
ing. others furtiyeiy brushing away the tears.
and all leaning over the guards to repeat
some last message. Raymond Kenneth stood
in the bow of the boat, distinct as the
smoke-stack itself, with his arms folded
taking no part in the general leave-taking.
l felt that his eye was upon me. but there
was no sign to reveal what emotion was
passing within. The band struck up gay
march. the gang plank was withdrawn. and
the Loaf swung out to resume her way down
the river. and still he stood there motion
less.
Almost as he was being carried out OF
sight. brought my parasol in view. and
waved the Confederate colors aloft. | saw
him brace himself more erect. then a
wave Of his hand with the military
salute. By this time the boat was fairly
turning round. and he was lost to view
Not till then did my courage give way. /
sank down among the reeds In the broad
sunshine and covered my face with both
hands. The townspeople wended their
way back to their accustomed business or
pleasure. while the heavy throbs of the
steamer. as she plowed through the waters,
seemed like the bursting OF some agonized
heart. sat there through the long sum-
mer afternoon. watching the shadows grow
ing longer and deeper, and at last the full
glow. Of the setting sun lay all about me.
turning the waters to molten gold, and
where they lay in shadow, all was dark and
gray. I see my life in this picture. There
Is the gold OF my vanished youth; there.
and my hearts love has gone
down in its track" ! watched the golden
glory fade away and the gray shadows that
came creeping on. and soon the slender
curve OF the new moon stood over the dark
ened waters. The dampness OF early night
servant came searching for me. Her first
words we're:
Miss Jessie, have ben hun tin for We
all ober de place. Yere's a letter Massa
Raymond done sent by little Jake. but
'clar to goodness couldn't find We nowhar.
l grasped the paper. In the twilight
read these words:
go to my death, Jessie, for you. Had you
said one word my resolve had been SHAKEN. God
knows you are more to me than fame or life
itself What is life to me without you? There
is not even the soldiers hope OF glory One
name to add to the list of dead, or missing, that
is all. For the sake of the old days. Jessie
send me some token as charm in the hour of
danger. 1t is all I shall ever ask ct your hands
RAYMOND.
Here was his old impetuous self again,
still ignoring all rebuffs and fiingine his I'M
availing love at my feet. All! il he could
have seen me at that moment. have seen the
passionate kisses which l bestowed upon
this inanimate piece of paper, he would
have foresworn all hope OF glory, indeed.
Not word of this did dare breathe to
my father. AS was seated on the veranda,
before retiring for the night. he referred to
fled with the best government on earth let
them tryto overthrow it. They would soon
find an end to their Boosting. He little
knew. at that moment. that in my hand lay
the little red and white rosette which l
had detached from my parasol, seeking the
first opportunity to send 1t to my hot-head-
ed lover as the 'tcharm in the hour OF dan
GER"
In a few days came the news of the open
ing conflict OH Missouri soil, in the battle of
Boonville. Ny father was triumphant.
Lyon had routed the State forces. Only
which those battles entailed can know the
agony which endured during the succeed
ing days until a message came by the hand
of little Jake" 1t was this:
Your token lies over my heart. We lost
Camp Jackson. but we whipped the Home
knight will yet win his bride. RAYMOND"
In the enlistment OF Southern troops in
Missouri there was little OF the pageantry
OF war to captivate the senses. There was
nothing to distinguish the officer from his
subordinates save bit Of red flannel or a
piece OF cotton cloth fastened to his
shoulder.
The sultry days Of July were full Of fore
boding to the Union men. The disaster at
Bull Run had given outspoken brayado to
the secessionists. knowing that the greater
part of the force under Lyon. opposed to the
State forces. was composed OF three months
men, whose term OF service would soon ex-
pire. NY father was no halfway Union
man. He announced his intention of going
with squad Of Union men to offer their
lives. il need be, to save Missouri.
It was no time for tears. We must pre-
pare what was necessary for his departure
that very day. Again the shrill whistle Of
the steamboat sniote our expectant ears.
and my father came in to say farewell.
Il am going with you. father
You, child? What can you do? It's no
place for women"
But 1 am going. father. Where there is
fighting there must be nurses. am go
ing"
The morning which opened upon the
bloody battle of Wilson's Creek found me in
charge of u department OF hospital supplies.
while nv father was commissioned as Sur
geon. Only the God of battles might fore
tell upon that fateful Friday what should be
the outcome. The desperation Of despair
nerved the intrepid Lyon after SigePs de-
feat, knowing as he did the unequal force at
his command. Ny father, seeing the need
of men, seized the musket of a fallen sol
dier and entered the ranks. but. alasl only
to be carried hither and thither as the two
| armies swayed from point to point. until the
order came at last from the Federal side to
retreat.
The dead and wounded lay where the
battle had ragged the flercest. My father
had not been seen since morning. ! begged
to be allowed to 60 within the enemy's lines,
under flag Of truce. to discover him. ii
possible.
It was strange sight at that stage OF the
ground. but ] quailed not. My resolve was
fakan IN NV father WAS no more would