St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1894-12-08
'Shell Annie" chorused the sergeant
md the cornnral in n breath.

and the corporal in breath.
Here, give me yonr canteen. Otto.
said the surgeon. Hold her head up
auntie." and, sprinkling a few drops
on the tiny head. he continued: ''Shell
Annie, l baptize thee in the name oi
the Father, Son and the Holy Ghost,
and may They ever protect thee rs has
the God of battle to-day. Now. Otto
the sergeant will remain with file Of
men until morning. and You may re
main with them, for you look tired and
worn out. my boy"
At the word of command the other
soldiers took up the line Of march. and
faint and fainter grew the roar and
rumble of departing legions. rolling
on irresistibly to match their blue bill
lows with the blue waves Of the dis
| tant sea.
| Twenty years after the furling Of the
flags the battl efield of Jonesboro was
. corn field, and the rustling rows OF
the crested corn hid from view the n
most obliterated traces Of strife. Peace
and plenty reigned. and the one-armed
with the peg-legged veteran of the
south as they laughingly recounted
the experiences of the war.
AshevilIe has become a great resort
| for summer visitors from all sections
on account of its quietudc, its health
full air and water and its splendid
scenic surroundings.
As the train slowed up at the little
station . man. apparently blessed with
all the activity Of youth. but bearing
about him that unmistakable air of
maturity that indicates intimate
knowledge Of and rough experience
with life. stepped ON the platform and
strolled up the hill toward the hotel.
The dusky twilight of the dying
summer day softened the rugged out
lines of the gloomy mountains, and
the tinkle Of . crystal stream made
music in the thickets below.
Suddenly the stranger was startled
by . wild cry, and around . turn OF
the road came q horse at full speed,
and in the buggy. swaying to and fro
at his heels, there was fiutter Of
white.
Springing forward and dropping his
belongings, the stranger clutched the
reins of the frightened animal and sr-
rested his mad career. but the shock
was SO sudden that the occupant of
the buggy was tossed into the bushes
by the roadside.
Releasing the horse, which stood
trembling with fear and excitement,
the stranger lifted the PROSTATE form.
and rs the crowd from the hotel came
rushing to the spot she opened her
eyes in dazed and startled way.
Are you hurt much?" asked the
stranger.
NO, thank you: was only fright
ened. had just gotten into the buggy
and was going for ride when he be-
came frightened and ran away. oh,
how can ever thank you?"
''Best by not mentioning it again, "
said the stranger, brusquely, handing
her his card as he resigned her to her
friends and walked away.
On the following morning the
stranger arose late after his fatiguing
journey, and when he went down to
breakfast beside his plate was little
perfumed note, and he opened it and
read it, half amused and half in won
der.
you and to convey to you the grateful
feelings Of my friends for your brave
action il rescuing me from my peril
ous position yesterday. As q partial
recognition of your kindness, wish
to extend to you an invitation to en-
joy . picnic excursion with as to-day.
1t is my birthday. Please do not fail
to come. Gratefully,
ANNIE FONrAINE."
On blank leaf from his notebook
harden wrote q line accepting the in
vitation. and then leisurely finished
his breakfast
The day was perfect. and, as the
special guest of the heroine OF the
day, he thought he had never felt
quite 80 near at peace with himself
and all mankind rs he did while loung-
ing on the green grass beneath the
shadow of the tall hemlocks at the foot
of the mountain with pretty Annie
Fontaine.
Chatting in . desultory way, Barden
suddenly recalled the day and the
drama of twenty years ago.
"Do you KNOW" said he, that was
one of those Yanks that marched with
Sherman to the sea?'
Indeed? Why, you must have been
. very youthful soldier"
Il was q drummer boy, and this day
twenty years ago was in the battle
of Jonesboro.'
.And SO was L." said she with q
saucy smile, ''for that was my birth
day and the place of my nativity"
'What-' he cried. springing to his
feet cxcitedly. Then you are, you
must be-
'Shen Annie, =" she replied.
There are some stories that ought to
be concluded before they are begun,
but this, which is as true-yes. truer
than most history-reached its nat
ural conclusion then and there. and
the Pennsylvania drummer boy now
owns one of the finest fruit farms
around Jonesboro, and the mistress Of
that southern home is "Shell Annie -
Atlanta Journal.
Roa0r ClAmO.
Mollusks are not supposed to be
racers, but the razor clam, which
abounds on the Cape shore, is about a
hard to catch as = weasel asleep. They
have foot that they project 1t the
other end of the long narrow shell,
and by means of it can work their way