The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1889-01-17

sonaliv. nor do like 10 have my friends aud
cq1aiutances regard me as man likely TO
discover their family secrets, and spy out their
little weaknesses. 1t prevents them, think
treating me with the same frank good-teiioW-
ship that they display TO Others who are not ac-
credited with the same powers OF penetration
that are attributed 10 me.
But ike II or dislike 1t, have got the repu-
tati0n ali the same, and It viii stick 10 me
through life. And it is al the result of two or
three things which were almost accidents
The FIRST happened during the second year OF
my engagement with Uncle Samuel to serve
him against all his enemies and opposers
whatsoever. whether foreign or domestic l
was doing this in the ardu0us and honorable
position Of high private in Co. 4, ButteTmIik
Raugers-then part Of the forces which Gen.
Burnside had led over the Cumberland Mount
aims TO redeem East Tennessee.
was doing duty as one Of a line of couriers
between Cumberland Gap and Knoxville. Ny
beat was the 10 miles which lie between Taze-
well and Rutledge. Near the latter place was
the comfortable home Of Abraham Brce,
stanch Union man, who had two sons IN loyal
East Tennessee regiments. There remained at
home with him but his wife aud his daugh-
ter Disie, handsome, spirited girl OF Is. MI
Brice though strong and healthy, had escaped
the pressing opportunities OF the rebel con-
scripting officers by reason Of a decided limp IN
his gait the result of an accident IN early Ille
j formed the acquaintance OF the family on
my first trip as Courier. and cultivated them
bv frequent visits aud gifts OF Northern news
papers and little packages OF coffee, salt and
sugar. taken from my own scanty TatlOnS, or
bartered for with my comrades may as
well admit that al first the main incentive TO
this was the hope Of gaining favor ia Dilsie's
bright eyes, but rs soon as ] began to get lit
tie serious in my attentions, she brought all
my expectations 10 an end by frankly inform
ing me that her heart was given 10 young
ghbor-Brady HaTtwell-Who was men,
berof the same regiment as her brothers. They
would be married rs soon as peace came. Alter
recovered q little from the sting 10 my boyish
pride from the discovery that a girl could pos
si5lv find some other man more attractive than
]. ] began 10 sympathize heartily with her and
her absent lover. aud was anxious TO do what
could 10 help them. Dilsie also c0nideG to me
that she WIS disturbed by the persistent atten-
tons OF Scarlet Bradford, another young neigh
Dor, who belonged TO the rebel army, but was
now home on parole. recovering from wound
il the leg received at ChIckamauga. l met
him two or three times at the house, and was
not favorably impressed with him, though he
talked very mildly Tebel," saying that he was
an original Union man, and strongly opposed
10 Secession: had kept ont Of the army as long
IS be decently could and hoped that a comprO-
mise would soon put an end 10 the "unioTtu-
nate Struggle exc.
Dllsie felt obliged to tolerate his attentions
He had the reputation Of being very vindctiye
The Union people of East Tennessee had enough
TO suffer without adding TO their enemies.
The regiment 10 which Dilsie's lover and
brothers belonged was expected shortly at
Cumberland Gap. and / took several letters
from her to be sent there for them. Finally
one Monday morning ] brought her a letter at
the sight Of which she grew at first white and
then red, and then grasped it eagerly and tore
il open.
20, hes coming; he's coming at last! He'll
be here Wednesday evening for supper" she
said, delightedly. Ii seems 10 be TOO good
70 be truei
1t was my turn to 90 up the road Wednesday
afternoon, but having nothing to DO IN the
morning. ] went out to BTice's. I found
there scariett Bradford, apparently in better
humor than ever. The conversation somehow
turned upon letters. ] had in my pocket a
letter written BY a Georgia girl to her lover,
who belonged to one Of the rebel regiments
which gsrria0ned Cumberland Gap al fine time
We captured II the preceding September. It
had been found IN the pOst0fice when we took
the place, and was given me by Sergeant of
my company, who had been put IN charge Of
the mail found there. 1t was one Of those gro
tesguely bitter letters which the Southern
women were IN the habit Of writing TO their
husbands and brothers in camp, and it was so
absurd as 10 be very funny. We boys had
laughed great deal over It. 1t was inclosed
Ia one Of the envelopes made Of wallpaper
which were common IN the Southern Confed-
eracv at the tiiae.
took the letter from my pocket and handed