Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1890-06-06
Shot By The Shenandoah.
rEo2l DON rlArr's FIELD BOOK.

generations as the Indian Queen, that
stands on turn Of the road down the
mountains from SLouTyyille 10 A..
or lhr Shenandoah valley, enjoys "a land
scui.e castle might lie pTuud OF That
this l. the Indian Queen runs on tradition
aud general consent, Tor the old fashioned
-igubourd that creaks in front lost long
since lie work of art thut pictured forth
the name
The view frou the rude porch Of the inn
is exceedingly beautiful, for it contains
one OF the loveliest portions Of that lovely
valley. The green meadows aud rich fields,
with groves and CLEANS of water, dotted by
white farm houses half hid in orchard,
were all framed in by mountains, the sum
mits of which seemed to melt in the blue
heaven. leaving the eye in doubt as 10
where the roanded rocky or wooded tops
ended aud the clouds began. The sulphury
smoke Of battle had obscurcd these Il Ids,
and the mountains had echoed back. the
mouthing cannon OF combatants, but at the
time our little romance opens no harm had
been done to the valley itself Armies
had marched forth and acknowledgements
w. up to that time the dear old flag had
hurried ingloliously cut of the roN-but no
great injury had come to the work of the
farmer or the beauty Of nature.
The summer sun was sinking il the lazy
west, with distant rumblings of artillery
telling Of a far off combat, as a girl, some
twenty years of age, sat ia a rocking chair,
on the wooden porch Of the tavern, rock
ing To and fro and gazing dreamily upon
the view before her. Her appearance was
such as to attract attention In dress,
bearing and expression there was a refine
menl that indicated one city bred rather
than Of rural lc,al origin. She was exceed
ingly attractive. with claim to beauty
that came under the head of handsome
rather than pretty Her face, at rest. in
dicated more force Of character than that
which ordinarily falls to the sweeter sex.
The perfect oval ended in a pronounced
chin, while the slight aquiline line of her
nose made that chin aggressive. But for
the full red lips of the perfect mouth, and
large dreamy eyes, the pale face would
have been too severe to excite other than
feeling Of admiration.
The expression depicted from time to
time, as the feelings changed, had a wider
ran ge than is usual to such a cast of coun-
tenance. As her eyes wandered over the
beautiful view her face was one to admire.
When little three yearold daughter of
the stone tavern todded to her and rested
its little head dpon her knee, the long
silken fringes of her tender eyes fell upon
it as her slender hands StrOked its curly
lockS-and her face was one to love. After
ward when she gazed at a brigade of Union
soldiers pitching their tents on the
meadows below, Scorn and hate gave her
face to fear.
\ movement below made her start, as il
to leave the chair. Then, after half rising,
she settled back aud began again the mo
notonous rocking. A cavaleade of officers
was riding mp the road as if coming to the
Indian Queen.
At the head of this little escort rode a
stout, middle aged gentleman in the uni
form Of Brigadier General of the North
ern army Mounted on superb horse, he
sat with the ease of an experienced rider
his high rounded shoulders holding grim,
resolute head, that under other than mil
itaIy hat would have been repulsiye in its
severity. There was lace not to be
trihed with, as the historic annals of war
and diplomacy have put to record.
Hating in front of the tavern, the oih-
GERS dismounted and as the orderlies led
the horses to the stable, they ascended the
steps, and gaining the porch, instinctively
lifted their hats to the girl before them
She barely recognized the salutaTion, then
continued her rocking, as If their politeness
and presence were alike indifferent to her.
\ grim change in the Generals face left
one in doubt whether he was sutferin =
from touthache OF indulging in a smile
ON the landlord making his appearance
the chief gave his orders. They were for
supper for himself and staff, one room for
the night and quarters for a oorporal's
guard. While the supper was being pre-
pared the General sat in a spliat- bottomed
arm chair, near our heroine, While the
members of his staff, weary of long days
ride, stretched themselves upon the sod
under the trees.
How many Il vanished hour and day
Have sunlight DER me shed"
since last parted from that gallant band
of good fellows a loved General held to-
gether during the four years of terrible
conflict. ! can see them now. | see the
tall, slender, volatile Chestnut, gay as a
lark and brave as a lion. ESterhaZe, quiet,
grave, yet ever alert to duty. Comb, slen
der and awkward but possessed of the
keenest sense of humor, as ready to jest
under fire as IN the camp. Then came old
Grenville, called old because he was so
solemn. 1t would take surgical instru-
ment to get joke into his head and then
another to get it out. And last, but not
least, for he is the hero of my little
romance, Bob Ellersley, young, handsome
and liable to love and debt
Two Of these met violent deaths and
the rest are scattered world wide apart |
send them greetings.
Il say, Bob, cried Chesnutt TO the aide
as he rested his head on his elbow and
kicked his toes into the grass. rather
handsome girl that up there"
The old man seems 10 have discovered
that" Bob responded. see him doing
the sweet Oh her. will YOU
well, he is Comb Clipped in, but he
amt making much headway l gather from
the expression on her lovely contenance.
The General was doing the suage polite,
for which he was famous, and getting little
in return but crisp monoSyllables
1t does not require much time to prepare
a meal in Virginia Ham and eggs, with
hot biscuit, make the substantials while
sticky, indigestibie sweets, called preserves,
form the entrees. The General and staff
were soon called to table, and ate with the
hearty relish of hungry men. After the
supper had been disposed of, the General
call his aide, Bob Ellersley, to one side
and said:
Il have rather pleasant duty for you
Bob"
IAN right, General, the pIeasauter the
better"
1t Is one Lieutenant continued the
commander of extreme ,lplIracJ- and |