The National tribune., 1889-04-25
HE NATIONAL TRIBUNE WASHINGTON c. THURSDAY

had laid down their lives, and Harrie sought
out the afflicted ones, with words of comfort
and cheer, till not soul in C-ville failed to
ask blessing on the bright head of Fred Aus
tins girl-wife.
Fred's bravery and courage had commended
him to his commander, and as one of his staff
he was winning honors every day.
On he went to Virginia; on with the great
Army of the Potomac; on through the Winter
of SO and "a; on to the battle of the Wilder
ness, and still with brave Gen. Meade; he had
no time to visit his home and all that it held
dear, and had only his home letters to cheer
him on.
Robin Grey had now become Captain in the
regiment of which Fred was the Colonel. Fred
knew that Robin carried Annie's letters over
the brave heart that belonged to the gentle
writer, and knew too that if the fortunes of
war spared them to reach their home, that
Robin would be his brother.
Then came the battle of the Wilderness; and
Fred, after day Of carnage and DEATH dusty,
covered with blood and the smoke of powder,
sought with the energy of despair for his friend
and brother At last, from under heap of
slain, he dragged him out-dead he thought
but no. he breathed, he lived
"Robin!" he said, Robin, speak to me! "
"Annie, darlingl" the white lips whispered.
"He shall be saved for her; he must not die"
thought Fred, and after hard struggle he
succeeded in carrying him to place of safety.
Fred wrote to Harrie: " He is badly wounded
the Surgeon says he cannot live; but believe
that good nursing would bring him through.
If you could only come with your strong young
spirit and quick comprehension, but l know
that Stella would be useless. And Annie
] wish that they were married--so that she
could come too. / know now how wise my
mother was when she advised our marriage.
She thought of this emergency, and, darling,
if the time comes to me / must see you. l
could not die without looking into your dear
eyes once more"
Kissing the loving words, Harre said to
herself: "What shall | do2 I'll ask mother;"
and, laying the matter before her, Mrs. Austin
at once proceeded to visit the Greys leaving
Harrie to tell Annie.
Mrs Grey was an invalid, and Stella, inherit
ing her mothers weakness, was utterly pros
trated with the news.
Mrs. Austin went at once to Harrie and
Annie when she returned They were talking
earnestly.
Stella cannot go, said Mrs. Austin, she is
good for nothing, and at any rate she ought not
to leave her mother"
Armies face was very pale, but there was
resolute compression Of her lips which was
ominous of some strong determination.
" l am going, mother" she said
40, Annie, you can't go alone; it would not
be proper for you, under the circumstances"
Under Just these circumstances it is my
duty to go. What do I care for the world, if
his life hangs in the BALANCED"
/ think she is right, mother; ! am getting
things ready" said Harrie, who had been rap
idly moving about the room.
Mrs Austin had learned to lean on that strong
will in this year of trial, and said not another
word, but silently helped to get her daughter
ready.
Annie reached the front in safety, and Fred
wrote:
"Annie arrived last night. Robin had been
very low deirious most of the time but just
as she came he opened his eyes and said;
WHERE IS ANNIE?"
"Here, Robin" she answered, and taking his
hand she stopped to give light kiss on his
forehead Then he rested her hand in his. She
never left him, and this morning his mind Is
perfectly clear. 1t was only through our GEN.
erals kindness that she was permitted to stay
with him last night, and Robin knew itwas not
customary
"He said, annie, cannot let you go: if you
were my wife, they could not separate us.
| Fred can't it be done?'
| Il thought it could, and it was She is now
with him, and will not leave him again until
! the end; or, God willing, the beginning of a
new life together"
| Days, weeks and months passed on, and Har-
| RTE. in her business costume" as she called IT..
/
| Crawford County was in better condition, and
no work had gone ON without her personal
supervision. Her wheat, corn and oats brought
/ the best prices in the market, and everything
seemed to thrive with the gir-farmer," who
! had won the respect OF the entire community.
| Her uncle had died suddenly, and to her great
| surprise had left her quite a sum of money.
She at once began to plan to free the place from
debt.
| "Harrie," said Mrs Austin, "you must not
! do it. Why should you not only give the best
of your life for u.s. but use the money your
uncle surely intended you to enjoy yourself"
And how could | enjoy it better, mother
dear? Oh, am so glad Now l can fix it all
up, so that when Fred comes home it will look
| lovely; just help me plan, that's ali | ask"
And she fairly danced for joy.
| Annie's husband had recovered, and she staid
near him. Then came the long siege of Peters
| burg, and at last on the 9th of April, 1865,
| Lees surrender.
A small cannon had been placed in the great
! yard of the farmhouse, and flagstaff raised by
| the citizens. Harrie had learned how to fire
off the cannon and its sullen boom had told of
every victory of the Union arms for nearly
| two years. Now, on the 18th of April, 1865,
| three days after the fall of Richmond, every
window was alight and the citizens marched
in triumph up to the farm, where Harrie was
| the joyous queen of the occasion; for there
/ under her care was tne cannon anu Ghe nag,
| without which no rejoicing would be possible.
"a telegram, Miss Harrie,' said her factotum,
old Billy who had never learned to call her
anything else. She hastily tore it open and
| read aloud;
Will be home this day week. FRED.
Cheer after cheer went up, and glad faces
were lifted to the dear old flag floating above
| them.
The happy day Fred promised came, and
with it all that remained of the 4" minute men
who went less than two years before to defend
their own borders from the enemy
Freds eyes wandered over the crowd that