The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1890-04-11

infancy; but in spite of the tender care
which she and the tender young husband
had lavished upon her, the young wife con-
tinued to fade, and he stopped here on thei1
way to the South, and decided to remain
here until after you were born, hoping that
she would then be better able to travel, and
to face the excitement of the war times at
home.
Searching for quiet boarding place, for
the hotel was far from being pleasant
home for an invalid, he happened upon US,
and at his earnest solicitation l consented
to furnish them rooms and board for few
months, and in nine weeks from the time
hey came you were born.'
"Thcn l am of Southern brth?" said Isa-
bel, who was listening to the story with
earnest eagerness.
. Yes, and your name was Isabel Caring.
on. Your father was an ardent sympa'
thizer with the South, as it was natural he
should be, and we kept our lips tight closed
10 repress the words of patriotism which
burned to come out, out of Difference to oul
guests. 1t was not for long, however, for
your poor mother, poor young thing, was
aot strong enough to rally after your birth,
and in our intense anxiety for her all sec.
tional differences were forgotten for the
me, and we watched over her as if there
were no interests outside her sick cham
ber. She only lived q few weeks, and the
var was fully under way, and though your
.ather was almost distracted with grief
1t his loss and the necessity of leav-
ng her here, he saw no better way
han to bury her in Northern soil, until
such time as he could come back
md remove her to his home, which l think
was ON plantation near Richmond. They
were wealthy, knew, from their converse
iion, though they did not show 1t by assum-
ing superior airs, as so many people do,
md came to love your dear young mamma
very much. After she died your father
vas more than ever anxious to throw him
5e.f into tle war, but, of course, it was not
70 be thought of taking u tender babe like
rou with him, even if he could have passed
he lines with you in safety. So, with a
.lther's natural feelings at parting with
on, he left you in old Chloe's and my joint
are, leaving with me an ample sum OF
money 10 care for you both, expecting with
lie sanguine folly so many were guilty of
hat the war would soon be over, and that
would return and take you South. Poor
d Chlos pined and mourned for her young
aistress, and grieved over her home until
he was mere shadow of herself and an
asy prev to the severity of her first win
II in IL cold climate, and she, too, died, and
on and were left alone"
My poor, darling mamma" said Isabel,
with a tear of pity for the young mother
ne had never seen, "and my father-my
Door, brave papa!"
''Never came back, and we never heard
from him after that day, when he left us St
heart broken at leaving you, his little
Iva of Il
mo her), and the grave Of his Alicia, whom:
&c Lived with an almost idolatrous passion,
md yet so eager and earnest to join his
; untrymen IN their struggle. 1t is prob
lb!c that he was killed in the first battles of
tAe war; and that his letters to his people
.tiscarricd in the excitement of the times,
or have never heard word from any of
hem"
1T may be none of them survived the
fortunes of war;" said Isabel, thoughtfully;
out please tell me more of my parents, ]
ave so longed to Know Of them, and thought
strange that YOU were so retlceut concern
ng them, and now my interest is re-
toubcd.'
''You resemble your father" said Mrs
harmon, raising her chin and looking III
ler face, ''though your eyes and hair are
like your mothers; sne was avery beautiful
woman, but your father was plain, though
with a face of great intelligence and
strength; you are like him in character, too.
| have both their pictures in locket
which was left in old Chloe's care for
YOU, and 1 have always intended to
rive 1t to you, but the right time has
ever seemed to come until now. ]
ave been obliged to hide it, for it is very
raluable, and feared it would be sold with
he rest of our valuables," and hot blush
If shame stole over her face for the mem
>ry of the dead, and rising, she dragged out
The old bureau, bringing out a box from be
hind it, which she placed in lsabel's hand,
1t was an old-fashioned locket, of solid,