Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1890-02-21

then went forth TO administer to the sick
one. Aunt Linny seemed much amused
and said: 'Lors, chile, yer looks jest
like Mars Joe did TO- he growed his
whiskerses
al found her better, so hurried back
to Auut Belle. When ] reached the
house was all in a shiver, so slamming
the door hastily hurried TO the fire and
began warming myself IN real earnest.
Presently I heard q suppressed laugh,
and when I saw two Yankee soldiers sit
ting near the hearth getting a benefit
from the same fire NEARLY lost my senses.
looked at them steadily, but for the life
of me could not speak. Such impudence
made me heartily wish myself capable of
thrashing them both with the poker.
1.-The elder of the two men inquired
my name and that Of my aunt, and seemed
pleased when he discovered we were
without a protector. He then turned
toward the young man and addressed
me in this way: This boy is i'll and
must stay here till he is better Give
him a comfortable room and I'll see no
harm befalls him. He then walked out,
leaving me standing up in the middle of
the room, almost as dumb as mute
"The idea of our harboring Yankee
was preposterous! It would never do in
the world. Going into Aunt Bells room
as fast as my feet could take me, asked
her advice. She threw off the cover and
tried to get out of bed, but 'rheumatics
held her back. why she said, 'the
idea! No, no, that blue coat can't stay
in, oil 70 T
don't wish to breathe the same air he
does.'
" But, Aunty,' said I, 'he is too i'll to
walk. You ought to see how pale he is
" That's nothing at all. Call Tom
and get him to help you dump him in
the street. Do you hear?'
81 started to the sitting room, but had
only taken few steps, when Aunt Belle
called me back to say:
" Dear, It's rather chilly to put sick
person out. Feel his pulse, and if he
has very hot fever you might put him in
the little room on the left till tomorrow,
anyway. Then I'll see about him myself
But before you go you may hand me an
other blanket. This cover isn't enough
81 then went into the room softly,
hoping If the young soldier was asleep
that he'd remain so till I'd felt his pulse
anyway, for, goodness knows, I didn't
wish him to see me. After getting near,
and listening to his short, quick breath
ing, cautiously lifted his arm and laid
my fingers On his wrist. But, dearie
me; before I had time to count three he
opened his eyes and smiled at me. I
dropped his arm so quickly that I really
didn't know whether he had fever or not.
However, bed was prepared and Uncle
Tom (Aunt Linny's husband) helped him
in it. For week he was right ill, and
I grew accustomed to feeling his pulse
and dosing him up. But between US all
we got him well.
cit was two weeks after he got up be-
fore he left US. During those three
weeks we had seen a good deal Of each
other, and some way the day of his de-
parture came sooner than liked. Just
an hour previous to his leaving he asked
me to sing to him one cong before he
babe adieu, perhaps forever, to the
Southern girl and home he had grown to
love. It was hard task for me to
attempt. But went over to the piano,
he following, and began my song. Be-
fore I had half finished the words came
from my lips In jerky sobs, my head
toppled over on the piano and cried all
fondled my hair and whispered that I
must not grieve, that he was coming
back some day.
81 felt very lonely after he'd gone,
and am sure Aunt Belle did, too, though
she didn't say so. Old Aunt Linny said
she believed I wus gwine In sumption
sure But she was much mistaken. I
heard from him twice, then no moro let
tiers came. But in May following the
close of the war, while sitting one eve on
the steps, feeling sad and gloomy, some
one whispered, Dearest, and there, safe
and sound, stood my soldier boy, come
back to claim his Southern bride.
"Aunt Belle, Aunt Linny and her odd
man went up with US to SEQ father and
the girls. There we oil stayed for sew
eral weeks after my Yankee boy and
were married.
"They all said they couldn't help low
ing him, even if he was Yankee.
"Times were very dry all over the
South and our wedding supper was rather
poor, but nevertheless VIC had feast of
happiness"
Just then there came heavy footsteps
at the door; then my Yankee unclo came
b,-stling in.
And when I saw Aunt Bess throw fresh
wood on the fire, get his dry slippers
ready and the afTectionate meeting be-
tween them, thought It was sweet
or5 oil tho warn for hatDrr rooi