Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1889-07-12

was not found, and wnen l got
home MISS II. was lying at the
point of death from the cruel blow
occasioned by his loss. Hundreds
of the bodies slain IN war cannot
be recognized, and | always be-
lleved, until the mystery was clear
ed up, that Dick was to be classed
with these.
Miss II. was taken abroad by
her parents for change of air and
scene and did not get the letter l
had for her until the following
summer. From that moment she
began TO look better. The fact
that his last thoughts we're OF her
and of heaven seemed to bring a
ray of sunshine into her heart, and
though she continued to wear
black, and has never broken that
custom, she took a more active in
terest in the world and its duties,
visited among the poor and I'M
happy, minlstering to their needs,
and spent good part of her time
among the wounded soldiers in the
various hospitals.
at the gates of Paradise she will
meet not only poor Dick, hut also
a choir of angels who will invoke
an endless blessing on her :
The war was over and many OF
Its wounds healed, and a lOyer IN
every respect suitable began in
such cautious ways as he might to
lay seige to her heart. Her friends
believed and hoped she would sur
render but they we're mistaken,
aud when the lovers distant in-
vestments had been maintained
for four years in a manner that any
honest man might be proud OF, she
admitted to me that her conduct
appeared selfish even to herself,
and wanted me to advise her, as |
was her darling's nearest friend.
But on questioning her | found
that constant recurrence to Dicks
last letter kept her heart locked
against any other suitor, and | ad-
vised her to destroy it.
This she repelled as if it had
been an insult, but | noticed few
weeks later that the lover was
getting a more attentive hearing,
and believed that everything was
working along right when an in
cident occurred which upset all
my calculations, and made Miss n.
what you see her today.
AS she was returning home from
one of her missions Of mercy, she
was net by the gallant fellow who
fairly worsbiped her, and they
walked along together. On ar
riving at her gate-it was about the
middle of the afternoon-they saw
a ragged and dangerous looking
tramp seated on the rustic benches
in the garden. Miss HIS first I'M
pulse was to 60 to the stranger, IN
quire of his circu cumstances, and
give him such aid and advice as
he seemed TO need. The tramp
leaned forward and rested his face
on his hands. lie appeared to be
sobblng, and acted like one under
the influence of strong drink.
"He is some drunken loaier |
will send him way,' said her com.
psnion.
81 prefer to speak to him. He
has probably received abundance
of harsh treatment let us see if
we cannot be kind to him."
81 believe, Miss H., that you
would be kind to Satan himself if
you had the opportunity" said
Mr.. p, feeling keenly her rebuke
and by no means sharing her ten
der sentiments.
"WelI, think ! should if 1t
we're likely to do him any good.
My friend, what Is the matter !
You seem ill.,"
The tramp looked up with dull,
stony eyes, and his grlzzled hair
and beard met in hOary, tangled
mass about his head and face. He
was a sorry and unclean customer
who was IN sore need Of washing
and a change of raiment. But
Miss II. was unterriied and asked
him several questions before he
finally replied
"I'm only the caiss on wheel, but
I'll roll over 'em all, the black
furies-and III run on, on, on, on
on till / find 1t. I've seen the
gate, and I'll get there sOon-I
know I'll get there soon"
He again dropped his head and
his frame shook with emotion.
ale must have been an artillery
man, said Mr.. p, in a whlsper,
"and, poor fellow he is dement,
edp
ayes, he talks like other poor
creatures who have lost their minds
in the war. How my heart bleeds
for him. He may have dear ones
living who do not knowof his fate,
which is, alas worse than death.
Have yon no home, my poor
friend 7" she asked, with a voice
of almost superhunan compassion,
as she laid her hand on bis shonl-
der. He glanced up as if startled
by the touch, stared at her a
moment, and then let his head fall
as before.
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