Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1889-12-26

dtHusctlS Nillld4t. nave no iQeA OF the
heart-acheS and heart-breaks, the many
terrible uadedies connected with that
word. WAR
Upon my returning it was my expecta-
ton to learn that Margery was happily
settled in the home for which she had al
ways longed, but | found hopeless man
lac. My sister told me the whole sad
story
Ill the wedding preparation were conf
pleted and at last came the welcome news
that the much longed-for missive, contain
ing a leave of absence, could be obtained
at headquarters on the next day. group
OF brother officers were to accompany them
to the little church in which they were to
be quietly married.
After bidding her good night. his
last words were Be on the lookout.
dear, and when you hear the sound of
wheels be sure that am coming to take
You home.
The dawning Of the next day was all
that could be desired, and long before the
appointed time Margery was standing at
the window. must have flowers said
she, and at her throat she pinned gay
bunch of the sumac and mountain ash ber-
ries, and then going into the meadow back
of the cottage, she hastily gathered a bunch
of autumn flowers.
My sister says that She never before
saw such an expression as crept over Mar
gerry face as she stood in the doorway
listening for the sound Of wheels. 1t re-
minded her of that place in the Bible
where Elijah stood waiting for the chariot
to take him home; she wondered if his
face did not wear just such q look of joy
full yet solemn anticipation.
Suddenly sound broke the stiffness
it was not the merry cracking of rapidly
turning wheels not the joyful laughing of
the officers, and when the turn in the road
was reached the mournfu sound was sue
ceeded by more ominous stiffness. They
were not wholly unprepared for the unus-
ual appearance of Zeb, Col Marsden S body
servant. His face wore such a frightened
expression that my sister fastened tomeet
him, excaiming: why, Zeb, what is
the matter? Where is the colonel? For
an answer the negro threw himself on the
grass, moaning and sobbing. oh ! can t
tell, Missy Margery, ] can't tell Missy
Margery.
She finally learned from him how the
party of officers had encountered a band Of
guerriIlas. and in the skirmish that re-
suited Col. Marsden had been killed 'Dey
had to go back to warn de camp and tole
me to take keer oh de kmnel.
Poor Margery must have heard Zeb' 5
story, for when they reached the house she
has unconscious, and before night her
brain was raging with the fever from
whose effects she has never recovered.
The remainder of the landlady's story
was told in few words.
Col. Marsden friends came for his body,
and upon learning Margery condition,
placed in the hands of our pastor a sum of
money sufficient to supply her wants for
many years. for the doctor told them that
it was very probable her reason would
never be restored.
God in his mercy blotten from her mind
the whole terrible tragedy. and she was
again like a little child. happy when the
birds were singing and the flowers bloom
ing. Year after year all memory of Col.
Marsden seemed forgotted until the sumac
began to crimson the mountain sides, when
she would seem possessed of spirit of UNI
rest, and until the frosts came ever listen
ed to the sound Of ne long-eXpected car
riage.
After hearing the story Of Margery my
heart was filled with thankfulness for the
| home and many dear friends belonging to
me. even though they were distant, and
all home-sicBness had vanished ere ] open
ed the schOol-hOuse door ON the morrow.
Nv scholars were like others, idle and
mischievous at times, but their good quail
( tiles predominated and | soon lenrned to
love them.
How wildly all the bright faces float out
I of the past but the chief among them are
! little Con Dawson, my jolly Irish hoy. and
1 Hattie Hosmer. with long fine curlS float
1 ing over her shoulders.
After hearing all the recitations it was
nv custom to spend the last half-hour IN
discussing the leading events Of the day
. or in telling them some of the Old stories
which all children delight to hear. One
evening when in the midst Of that de.
! iphtful romance. king Arthur and HIS
/ Table Round. we saw Margery standing
near the doorway. eagerly intent upon all
that was said, but upon the conclusion OF
the story she Immediately disappeared.
Here was my opportunlt" 'nd the listen
! inc children soon heard how we Of to-day
might 90 the same Work as tllu inc old''
knights of old and after speaking OF the
heavy cross laid upon her sympathetic
faces assured me that she would never
again lack champions. She very soor
learned that we were her friends and spent
most of her time in the school room.
One day during the dinner hour the chill.
dren had built fire to roast some apples
and az there was some necessary work
awaiting my return. left them in Mar
gerry S care while completed It. How DC
accidents so happen? WHO can tell, who
explain them? Suddenly Con Dawson
rushed into the room screaming: They r.
on FIRE; they re burning up
1t took but moment to grasp shaw
hanging near the door, but ere ] reached
the frightened children ! saw that Mar
gery was ensnrouded in robe Of flame
The shaAl smothered the fire, but we saw
that She was terribly burned, and sum
moning assistance she was conveyed u
the nearest farm house.
Con tried to tell me how it occurred.
you see. Margery tried to keep us all IA
enough away from the fire, especially th'
Girls: all at once Hattie H0sner aprol
was afre and her curls began % sizzle, and
and-well. she was all right, but Marger,