Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-10-17


 Asheville had become great resort for summer visitors from all sections on ac- count of its quietude. its healthful air and water and its splendid scenic sur roundings.
 As the train slowed up at the little station a man. apparently blessed with all the activity of youth, but bearing about him that unmistakable air of ma turity that indicates intimate knowl- edge of and rough experience with life, stepped on the platform and strolled up the hill toward the hotel
 The dusky twilight of the dying sum- mer day softened the rugged outlines of the gloomy mountains, and the tinkle of crystal stream made music in the thickets below.
 Suddenly the stranger was startled by a wild cry, and around a turn of the road came horse at full speed, and in the buggy, swaying to and fro at his heels, there was a fiutter of white.
 Springing forward and dropping his belongings, the stranger clutched the reins of the frightened animal and ar- rested his mad career, but the shock was so sudden that the occupant of the buggy was tossed into the bushes by the road side.
 Releasing the horse, which stood trembling with fear and excitement, the stranger gently lifted the prostrate form, and as the crowd from the hotel came rushing to the spot she opened her eyes in q dazed and startled way.
 Are you hurt much?'' asked the stranger.
 n f,ss ,l,N ened. I had just got into the buggy and was going for q ride when he be- came frightened and ran away. Oh, how can I 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 stran- ger arose late after his fatiguing jour- ney, and when he went down to break fast beside his plate was little per fumed note, and he opened it and read it, half amused and half in wonder: Mn. OTTO BARDES-Pcrrnit me to thank you and to convey to you tine grateful feelings of my friends for your brave action in rescuing me from my PcrilCus position yesterday. As partial recognition of your kindness. I wish to extend to you an invitation to enjoy pic
 
 day. Please do not fail to come. Gratefully, ANNIE FoSTAISE. On a blank leaf from his notebook Barden wrote q line accepting the invi- tation and then leisurely finished his breakfast.
 The day was perfect, and as the spe- cial guest of the heroine of the day he thought he had never felt quite so near at peace with himself and all mankind as he did while lounging on the green grass beneath the shadow of the tall hemlocks at the foot of the mountain with pretty Annie Fontaine. Chatting ill a desultory way. Barden suddenly recalled the day and the drama of 20 years ago.
 Do you know" said he, that was one of those Tanks that marched with Sherman to the sea:"
 Indeed: Why, you must have been a very youthful soldier''
 II was drummer boy, and this day 20 years ago 1 was in the battle of Jonesboro. "
 And so was l." said she, with a saucy smile, for that was my birthday and the place of my nativity"
 "WhatH' he crieG, springing to his feet cxcitcdlv. 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 as-yeS, truer than most history, reached its natural cen clusion then and there. and the Penn sylvania drummer boy now owns one of the finest fruit farms around JOnesboro, and the mistress of that southern home is Shell Annie, Atlanta TOurna1