Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1890-05-29

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made a charming host. lis mother ar
ranged every detail, and vas really 1.-THE
power behind the throne but with rare
tact she made 1t appear that every new
scheme for pleasure orig hated with Clin-
ton.
He seemed completely fascinated by his
beautiful companion, and admired equally
her skill In horsemanship and the brillian-
cy Of her conversation during their many
rides together.
The last evening of Their stay had come.
and the party were seated on the broad pi-
azza. The talk turned on the approaching
election.
at is as certain as fate. that II Lincoln
is elected, there will be var. The South
will not stand it, and believe the North
anticipates 1t. too" sad Mr.. Bradin.
"Whst is your opinion, MIR. Alston?'
"Such possibility as ,sar has never oc-
Cured to me, nor do think 1t Is thought
Of by the northern people Such crisis
would be greatly to be deplored."
"A truce to grave political discussions
let US enjoy ourselves in the present, and
not forecast the future. Invite you, one
and all, To 'Rosedale' next week, to stay as
long as possible"
OF course Miss Sutheriald's invitation
was accepted. and the round Of gsyety
was kept up. There were times when Ida
Stewards pure face iDtrudad between this
imperious beauty and Clinton Aston. but
he silenced its pleadings- by the thought
that the year for which hS .as bound had
not yet expired, and gave himself up to
present enjoyment.
The election took place, and following
closely upon that event the work of se-
cession began. Military companies were
rapidly organized, and preparations were
pushed forward TO sustain their positions.
Several of his friends called on Clinton
Aston.
1--WE take II for granted. Aston, that
You are with Us In this, but we want your
active presence will you join our compa-
ny?"
II am not sure that | an, with you. Mel
son. think the movement unwise. and.
from my residence in the North. | think 1t
uncallcd for"
VERY well sir; then ae are 10 under
stand your sympathies are not with us:"
Not in this military mYyement.
AS was his custom, Clinton rode over TO
see Miss Sutherland and found her busy
embroidering a banner to be presented to
| the regiment that filed up its complement
Have you Joined any company yet?"
she sweetly inquired.
NO, and doui,t II | do"
You cannot mean that; the true view
Of affairs Is comparatively new TO you. OF
course you had distorted ideas in the
North, but you will come out on the right
side"
The question Is, which is the right
| side. | do not vet see that 1t would be
| right for me to turn traitor To my coun-
try"
My Sidte is my country, and where she
leads follow !" said the enthusiastic girl.
as she shook the completed banner.
| Ciinton's free expression of his views
! bore its natural fruit, and he became al
most an outcast; the fact that his father
| was known to be an ardent secessionist
alone saved him from utter contempt
| Time passed, regiment after regiment
had gone 10 the seat OF war, and still
| Clinton fingered Al home. The state Of
| his fathers health was one excuse He
had been stricken with paralysis, aud was
helpless invalid Then most of the slaves
| had taken the hrst opportunity TO go in
search of freedom. 80 it required consId-
ersble ability to keep things at all comfort
able
Mrs. Aston had risen to the times, and
bad thrown all her energies into the cause.
No one but herself knew how she missed
her Abigail and the luxuries she had
always been accustomed to /; but she never
complained. The news II a disaster TO
their forces had reached them, aud Mrs.
Aston exclaimed,
lhe time has come for very man TO
do his duty. | cannot So, Clinton, how
you can he quiet. hope my son is not a
coward"
Mother, cried he. even you dare not
call me that"
just then an officer called, who said
Mr.. Aston, | nave been commissioned
TO recruit regiment Of cavalry In this
section, and have been directed 70 call on
you as likely 10 aid me indeed, can offer
you captains commission If you do.
need only add that the time Is near when
there viii be 10 choice in the matter"
Smarting from his mothers bitter words,
aud fresh from Miss Sutherland's taunts, he
promptly accepted the situation, and thus
Clinton Aston entered the Confederate
army.
Among the many who gave prompt re-
sponse To President Lincon's call for
troops were Miss Stewards two sous. No
doubt OF ths justice OF their cause troub-
led them; calmly they arranged for the
comfort of their mother and sister. and
then marched of 10 the front. Ida was
equally patriotic, and was very anxious to
go as hospital nurse, but her mother would
not allow her to do so. However she was
very busy sewing and knitting for the San
itary Commission. and into each article
she tucked bright, CHEEKY note, signed
by her initials, II. N. s." The battle OF
Antietam was fought. and following close
on the public report came telegram g.
Harry is In the hospital, dangerously wound
ed; come. EDWIN STEWART.
Mrs. Stewart was unfit to 90, but Ida
started at once, and thus her wish was sad
ly granted, and she was on her way to the
battle fields. At first she turned faint at
the horrors she saw, but she rallied and
pressed on to where poor Harry lay with
his life ebbing away. He knew her, and
she had the privilege OF tending him, and
giving him that taste of home which Is SO
dear to every mans heart. She had closed
his eyes. and his body had been carried out,
when a party detailed for burying the dead
on the field entered, bearing q wounded
Confederate.
I'VE found this man among the dead,
and brought him in"
The surgeon turned to Ida for assist
ance and as she handed him the bandage
she had prepared, she looked at the sub
ject." and to her amaZement found the
wide-open eyes staring at her.
Ida" said the weak voice. Then, in
deed. she felt that the man who had held
her heart in his hand lay before her
DO not speak to me-" she cried; lust
now closed my brother Harrys eyes; be
was slain. perhaps BY you"
She turned away, and In few hours
was on her way home with Harry's re-
mains. But after his burial she persuaded
her mother to let her return and nurse in
the hospital. When she went back she
glanced instinctively at the cot where
Clinton Aston had lain, but 1t was vacant,
and she naturally thought he was dead.
Some goods from the Sanitary Commits
sion were brought in one day. A pair Of
socks were given to one man, and as he
took them, he said,-
II hope there's something from inspira-
ton here; yes. there is. Listen, boys"
and to Ida's utter surprise she heard one
of her own little notes read. and the con-
! yalescent soldier put it carefully in his
| bosom.
why do you say it is from 'inspira-
tion'?" asked Ida.
why, you see. ma'am. she signs them
i. N. ST.. which take 1t Is. short for in
spiration, and they have inspired many a
poor fellow. wish could see that w,-
man and thank her."
| The war was over, and the 30th day of
May. the day appointed on which to spe-
cially honor our heroes, was with US.
In the beautiful cemetery at Arlington
q lady was decorating the soldiers graves,
and after placing the last of her flowers on