Los Angeles herald. [volume] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1890-1893, 1891-10-16


parlor. observed a large bowl of steam.
ing punch, thanked by goblets. upon a
table which had been drawn up near the
hre and by which an easv chair had
been placed. The family arose as the
doctor and | advanced, and the old gen
tleman delivered very brief but very
eloquent temperance speech. He said:
'You northerners have peculiar no.
tons about the use of liquor. at least
some OF you have. have been told that
in some places it is an insult to a guest
to offer him glass of hot punch We
southerners think differently. With us
it is an act of hospitality to invite our
friends, and even strangers, to Join us in
a social glass. do not know what your
views are, but believing that punch is a
good medicine for a man who has been
drenched by a cold rain, ordered some
prepared, and hope you will join us in a
glass before supper But if you have
any conscientious scruples we shall re-
spect them and at once send the bowl
from the room"
81 have no such scruples," / respond
ed. at is the abuse and not the proper
use of stimulants that forms the basis of
my temperance creed, and there are
times when brandy is a blessing, and
this is one of the times. [ shall join you
most heartily"
At the close Of my speech the old gen.
tleman gave place to his wife, who adj
vanced and filed the goblets to the
brim, while Lillian handed them around.
When each of the men had been supplied
with full and foaming beakers and the
ladies with smaller glasses only part
full, the father said to the son, "Give us
toast, Walter-one suited to the occa-
sion."
The doctor complied by saying:
MAY the acquaintance begun tonight
ripen into friendship before which all
sectional and political prejudices shall
dissolve and disappear, and may that
friendship live and flourish in the hearts
of all present when this cruel war shall
exist only as sad and sorrowful re-
miniscence."
81 most heartily indorse the senti-
ment you have so beautifully expressed
responded, land beg leave to quote
from Northland poet in reply:
May the song birds of peace soon revisit our
glades,
And our children clasp hands where their
fathers crossed blades.
A reverent and fervent Amen" burst
from the lips of the old gentleman as he
touched my glass with his and raised it
to his lips; tears rolled down the fur
rowed features of his good wife, and
tears stood in the blue eyes of the beau
tiful Lillian, and the long sillen lashes
that curtained those heavenly orbs
dropped and quivered like the dew laden
willow fringe that hides from sight the
crystal waters of a spring in the valley
of Eden-the Eden of my childhood.
Supper being announced at this mo-
ment, the old folks led the way, and the
doctor, taking my arm, followed them
into large, old fashioned room, which
served as both kitchen and dining room.
1t was a most cheerful and homelike
place; the table which stood in the cen
ter of the uncarpeted floor presented
neat, inviting appearance to soldier
who had been on short rations for some
days, and who had eaten nothing for
twelve hours. Ham and eggs and de-
licious corn cakes, done to a turn, with
sweet country butter and coffee with
real cream constituted the bill of fare.
1t was ample and did full justice to it.
The evening hours few rapidly past
on downy wings of friendly converse,
till the old clock in the corner announced
the hour of II, when the thoughtful
mother mildly suggested that the major
was doubtless tired and would like to
retire. | disclaimed any thought of
WEAKNESS, and, indeed | uttered but the
simple truth in saying that | had not
been so entirely refreshed for weeks. 1t
is passing strange what power there is
in good fellowship to restore the wasted
energies of the body as well as spirit
So we sat another brief, delicious
hour, and then the goodnights were
said, and retired to sleep and dream
The blue eyed Lillian formed the web
and horrible battle scenes the wool of
my visions.
The beautiful girl had scarcely uttered
a dozen words during the evening, but
she had most eloquent auditor. She
had sat almost directly opposite me, and
my eyes rested upon her face as / adj
dressed other members of the group, and
they did not fail at any time to meet
sympathetic response from her heaven
tinted orbs; nor was there the least en-
barrassment in this, for her countenance
bore such a perfect expression of inno-
cent interest as to reveal spirit at once
modest and pure ~ an angel.
In my dreams a bloody battle was rag
ing. My ears were filed with the boom
of cannon, the crash of small arms, the
scream of shell and the shrieks and
groans of dying men. The scene
changed. | wandered over the fields of
carnage. The dead were thick about
me.
A groan reached my ear, and bent
my steps in the direction whence the
sound came. A soldier in a lieutenant's
gray uniform lay upon the ground with
his head resting upon the lap of wom-
an. said, "If l can be of any service,
please command" A pair of blue eyes
were lifted toward my face, and voice,
sad but musical, said:
"Oh, l am so glad it is youl you are
a surgeon as well as friend, and my
brotheg Is dangerously wounded"
Those eyes, that voice; could be mis-
taken2 No, it was Lillian, and the