The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-05-25

stitution, lively disposition, and in
perfect health when troubles came upon
her, she now grew listless, thoughtful
and sad. Thus had the gold become
dim.
Raymond was not killed. A she'll had
burst near his head, and the tremen-
dous conclusion had felled him to the
earth. where he lay long time un-
conscious. None of the fragments of
the shell had touched him. When he
finally recovered his senses so far as
to sit up, he looked around, Devil
dered. He only partially recalled
what had occurred. The battle had
ebbed away, but the thunder ragged
and roared in the distance. A blind
instinct led him to try to regain his
regiment He stood up dizzily at last,
and with his musket for a support
started in the direction of the firing.
He had no idea of his bearings, and
did not know that his regiment and
the whole line had fallen back. and he
soon ran into a group of Confederates
and was captured.
The accident was more serious than
the reader might be led to suppose.
With care, rest and good food, he
would probably at no distant daysaave
regained his former conditiorl cas- it
was, while he soon recovered his phys
ical health in part, it left him in q
curious mental state. The past had
at first been entirely blotted
out Little by little baI. recovered
its experiences, but he could not for
a long time recall names. Months of
Imprisonment followed, filled with suf-
fering, privation and starvation, until
there was little left OF him. mentally
or physically. At last he managed to
escape, and after incredible hardships
reached the Union lines more dead
than alive. And now another hospital
experience followed, lightened by no
correspondence, for he could not re-
member Lilies name or address-he
had, of course, lost all letters-and the
more he tried to remember the more
hopeless seemed the attempt. Finally,
he gave it up altogether At last he
reached his regiment again, greatly to
the establishment of his comrades, but
not to see much more service. The
three years for which the men had en-
listed were about to expire, and al
though the Government gave them the
inestimable privilege of re-enlisting as
veterans, most of the boys decided
that they would first go to their homes.
Early one morning, therefore, in the
autumn of 1864, the cars brought them
to the little town of H. They had
no rations, and were hungry. Arrange
ments had been made for their break
fast at larger place on the road
a little farther along, but for
some reason they were delayed
several hours before. Naturally
they began to spread about
the little village, and the citizens be-
stirred themselves to do the best they
could under the circumstances. With
out preparation or concert, their efforts
were not very systematic. but they
were hearty. The groceries, restaur-
ants and hotels were taxed to their ut
most Raymond was walking through
the little town, looking for the chance
of breakfast, but not seeing how he
could exactly press himself upon these
citizens, who already seemed much
overcrowded.
AS he was passing a modest cottage
on side street a middle-aged lady,
standing in the yard, and holding q
child by the hand, addressed him:
"Soldier!"
He turned and brought his hand to
the visor of his cap as though it was a
superior officer, instead of a superior
being, he saluted.
did you speak, maam?"
"Have you had breakfast" she said.
He said that he had not yet had that
| pleasure.
Come in, then" she returned.
"Ours is just ready"
He looked at his hands and his
clothes with some anxiety. 1t was
three years since he had eaten really
civilized meal, and his ambition now
did not extend beyond slice of bread
and meat. Perceiving the kindness of
the intention, however, he accepted
the invitation.
Opposite him at the table sat q
young lady dressed in black, whom the
hostess spoke of, in a half-introduc-
ton. as her niece. His own name was
not asked. There was something in
the air and manner of this young lady,
even more than in her dress, sug-
costing some recent great sorrow.
She did not hold herself out as q
wretched being whose only refuge is
the grave. She was not gloomy or
woe-begone. She listened politely to
the conversation, taking little part,
except now and then to ask a question,
which finally brought the young man
to speak something of his expert ences.
She was attentive, while she was some-
what thoughtful and sad. AS he went
on he noticed that her interest deep
ened, and once. as he looked up, he was
surprised and little startled at the in