The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1893-12-23

asleep.
MY DARLING,-You probably
know the news OF this day bette
than can tell it. We are face t
face with the enemy, and at day
break to morrow will begin battle
on which hangs the destiny of the
country. | believe we shall win, bu
the cost will be heavy, and the
struggle may last severa days.
cannot tell you how my heart yearns
for you this solemn night, while al
around me weary men are lying fast
asleep on their guns, to beawakened
at dawn by the bugle call, only TO
be laid low by the shot OF the enemy.
My soul seems to draw near to you
aud | feel your breath on my cheek
and know that we shall soon meet,
if not at home, why then in paradise.
Long after | was permitted to
read this letter. Just open the
window, please, it's getting close
| mere. L nat better.
Well during that day the second
our regiment, suffered tearfully, and
about noon l missed Dick, whom a
few minutes before | had seen fight
ing like tiger. The day passed,
and | neither saw nor heard anything
of him. The dead and wounded
we're too many to be numbered,
much less 10 be identified. The line
was driven back and almost broken,
but we rallied, and the fight came
on, helping us to hold our ground.
When the heat of battle ended, my
thoughts reverted to my friend I
could not hear Of him either alive or
dead, and il was supposed that he
must be with those we left on the
ground from which we were driven.
The field where we stood during
part of the fight was iurrowed with
deep gullies. Yes, the thickest
smoke had concealed his tall, which
had perhaps, been seen only by
some of those who went down with
him.
Onthe third day my leg was broken
by q fragment of one of Picketts
shells and remember that SO great
was my Joy OH hearing Of our victory
that | did not mind nv pain. A
few days later was sent home. In
the reports Dick was classed among
the missing" as his body was not
found, and when l got home Miss
H was lying at the point of death
from the cruel blow.
Miss H was taken abroad by
her parents tor change OF air and
scene, and did not get the letter |
had for her until the following sum
mer. From that moment she began
to look better. The fact that his last
thoughts were of her and of heaven
seemed to bring ray OF sunshine into
her heart, and though she continued
to wear black, and has never broken
that custom, she took more active
interest in the world and it's duties
visited among the poor and un-
happy ministering to their needs,
and spent a good part of her time
nursing the wounded soldiers in the
hospitals. At the gates of Paradise
she will meet not only Dick, but also
a choir of angels, who will invoke an
endless blessing on her.
The war was over and many OF its
wounds healed when lover in every
respect suitable and worthy began
10 such cautious ways as he might
to lay siege to her heart, Her
friends believed and hoped that she
would surrender; but they were
mistaken, and when the lovers
distant investment had been main
tanned, without marked progress, |
Ter for four years in manner that
any h0est man might be proud Of
she ADMITTED to me that her conduct
appeared seIIlSn even 10 'nerstfH anu
wanted me to advise her, as | was
her dariing's nearest friend. But
on questioning her found that her
constant recurrence to Dick last
letter kept her heart locked against
every other suitor, and l advised
her to destroy it. This she repealed
as if it had been an insult, but l
carefully explained my meaning, and
noticed a few weeks later that the
lover was getting more attentive
hearing. | believed that everything
was working along right when an
incident occurred which upset all my
calculations and made Miss H
what you see her to day.
As she was returning from one of
her missions of mercy she was met
by the gallant fellow who worshipped
her and they walked along together.
On arriving at her gate-lt was
about the middle o! the afternoon
they saw a ragged and repulsive
looking tramp seated on one OF the
rustic benches ia the garden. Miss
lis first impulse was to 60 to
the stranger, inquire lato his circum
stances. and give him such aid and
advice as he seemed to need. The
tramp leaned forward and rested his
face on his hands. He appeared to
10 be sobbing and acted like one
under the influence OF strong drink.
The tramp looked up with dull
stony eyes as Miss H spoke to
him, and she saw that his grizzied
hair and beard met in hoary tang
led mass about his head.
Pm the caisson-wheel, and L roll
over EN- all-the black furies-and
I'll run on, on, on, on, till find it.
I've seen the gate, and I'll get there
soon. | know I'll. l.get there soon.
LIE nnnir, Lrnnned hic had and