The Van Buren press., 1894-10-27

itS way through the bushes as clean as
a knife"
We'll. boys, she is our prize. Let us
christen her, for time is up, and the
Johnnies are waiting for us behind
some bush heap down the road. Come
otto, speak up You shall have the
honor OF naming the little miss" said
the surgeon.
Call her Shell Annie" said the boy,
as his mind reverted to his own or
phaned days, because she was saved
from that she'll"
"Good" cried the surgeon.
"shell Annie" chorused the sergeant
and the corporal in breath.
Here, give me your canteen, Otto, :"
said the surgeon. "Hold her head up,
auntie," and, sprinkling few drops
on the tiny head, he continaed: "Shell
Annie baptize thee in the name of
the Father, Son and the Holy Ghost,
and may They ever protect thee as has
the God of battle to-day Now, Otto,
the sergeant will remain with a 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 70 match their blue bill
lows with the blue waves Of the dis
/ tant sea.
Twenty years after the furling of the
flags the battlefield Of Jonesboro was
a corn field, and the rustling rows Of
the crested corn hid from view the al
most ohliterated traces of strife. Peace
and plenty reigned, and the one-armed
veteran of the north was hobnobbiug
with the p.g-legged veteran Of the
south as they langhiugly recounted
the experiences of the war
Asheville mas become great resort
for summer visitors from sl sections
ON account Of its quietude, its health
full air and water and it's splendid
scenic surroundings.
As the train slowed np at the little
station man, apparently blessed with
all the activity OF youth, but bearing
about him that anmistakable air OF
maturity that indicates intimate
knowledge Of and rough experience
with life, stepped on the platform and
strelled up the Mill toward the hotel.
The duslly twilight of the dying
summer day softened the rugged out
lines of the gloomy mountains, and
the tinl,le Of crystal stream made
music in the thickets below.
Suddenly the stranger was startled
by wild cry, and around turn OF
the road came horse Mt full speed,
and in the buggy, swaying to and fro
at his heels, there was q futter 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 roadside.
Releasing the horse, which stood
trembling with fear and excitement,
the stranger lifted the prostrate form.
and as the crowd from the hotel came
rushing to the spot she opened her
eyes in dnzed and startled way.
"Are you hurt much?" asked the
stranger.
mo, thank you; I 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?"
'Bcst by not mentioning 1t 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
iour,ey, and When he went down to
breakfast beside his plate was little
pert,med note, and he opened 1t and
read it, half amused and half in won
der.
lotto BARDEN: Permit me to thank
YOU and to convey to you the grateful
feelings of my friends for your brave
action in rescuing me from my peril
GUS position yesterday. As partial
recognition of your kindness, l wish
to extend to you an invitation to en-
iov a picnic excursion with us to-day.
1t is my birthday. Please do not fail
to come. Gratefully,
"ANNIL FoNrAINE."
On blank leaf from his notebook
Barden wrote line accepting the in
vitation, and then leisurely finished
hi: breakfast.
The day was perfect, and, as the
special guest OF the heroine OF the
day, he thought he had never fell
quite SO near at peace with himsel'
and all mankind as he did while loung
ing on the green grass beneath thu
shadow of the tall hemlocks at the foo
Of the mountain with pretty Anni'
Fontaine.
Chatting in desultory way, Bardei
suddenly recalled the day and th'
drama Of twenty years ago.
"Do YOU know" said he, that wa
one of those Yanks that marched witt
Sherman to the sea9"
Indeed? Why, you must have bee'
a very youthful soldier"
~ was drummer boy, and this day
twenty years ago Twas in the battl
of Jonesboro."
And SO was H." said she with
saucy smile. '..for that was my birth
day and the place of my nativity
"Whatr he cried, springing to hi
feet cxcitedly. Then you are, yo
must be-"
"Shell Annie" she replied.
There are some stories that ought :
be concluded before they are begun
but this, which is as true-yes, true
than most history-reached its na'
ural conclusion then and there. al
the Pennsylvania drummer boy nov
owns one of the finest fruit farm