Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1896-12-29
THE MOCKING BIRD.

Near SanueTsODt leuH't ~ WV f'N'''"
ton OF the Sylyesters
At the close Of the war, however, dark
cloud had settled upon tho fortunes OF tho
house. Its fields were doyasssted by the
raids Of contending armies horses and
cnttlo no longer tonnnted the roomy barns,
tho former having been led away for serv-
ice in the Confederate cavalry, while the
latter had been appropriated for food by
Yankee raiders. Tho silver plate and tho
family Jewels had been sent to Richmond
ms pntriotic contributions to tho depleted
treasury of tho Confedoraoy. Many of tho
slaves had gone to seek their fortunes in
tho cooler climate Of the north, and tho
few who now remained behind had learned
that they, too, would have to find homes
elsewhere, for with the death OF the young
master on the bloody field Of Antietam the
male issue Of the Sylvesters had become
extinct and the fortunes Of tho family had
been lost beyond repair. At first their
faith In their young mistress, Ammo Syl-
yester, impelled them to doubt tho rumor.
Anne, n beautiful young woman of %,
was the only surviving sister of the former
master. Her affection for the old place
md her servitors was unmistakable, but it
soon became apparent to all that tho I'M
hnppy girl was indeed iaco TO face with
ruin and was powerless TO obey the die
tatos Of her heart
For almost n yenr after tho surrender
of Leo at Appomattox Ammo Sylvester
tried to fight against fate. Them reluc-
family confessing her impOtency she relin-
Quished the struggle and prepared to hid
farewell to tho scenes and friends of her
girhood A distant relation in Nashville
had offered her n home, and in tho spring
of 1865 she began to mako preparations for
bor departure.
On the evening of tho day preceding her
leave taking of the old house Anne went
into tho garden to sit for awhile among
tho shrubs and flowers which had only
lately opened their perfumed petals to the
warm spring air. She was accompanied
by her cousin, Mary Edgerton, who was
indefatigablo in her efforts to alleviate tho
sorrow OF the unfortunate girl.
Upon arriving at n rustic bench beside
tho trunk of lofty oak they seated them
selves, and for several minutes both were
silent.
At length half smothcred sob issued
from the breast of the unhappy Anne, and
her cousin, rousing herself from rcveric
into which she, too, had fallen, placed an
arm around her and drew her closer
Come, dear, be brave. Perhaps all
these things you love so fondly may one
day be yours agnin. There must surely
come time when all these ravagos of war
will be obliterated, when prosperity will
come back to the south once more Per-
haps''-
"I'm not thinking of that, dear, re-
turned Anne sadly.
A shadow crossed Mary's fnce for IA mo-
nent. Then she opened her lips to speak,
but hor cousin interrupted her:
"Ah, things have changed so in the last
four years that l sometimes feel that 1t
will do me good to go elsewhere for lit
tie while. The old place is full of pleasant
memories, but sometimes get to thinking
out here, Mary
Sho hid her face in her hands, but in a
few moments she raised 1t again.
"See, Mary, seel' she continued as she
pointed to noighhoring magnolia. do
you sec that treey Do you remember how,
on those warm spring nights, tho knocking
bird used to sing among tho blossoms, and
how often you and have sat ont here and
listened to its musici Year after year II
came while the magnolia was In bloom.
Then one year 1t left US suddenly and has
never visited us again Do you know what
happened ON tho night l heard 1t last9 No
no. How can you known You were no;
with me then, Mary"
Come, darling, calm yourself" re-
monstrated her cousin gently.
"Il tell you, DEAR" continued Anne
moro quietly, st has beon tho only on,
of all my secrets that never told you Of
1t is just four years ago tonight since
sat hero with Andrew Cotton listening t.
the mocking bird, as you and 1 so Otter
used to do, and mover before had its note
seemed half so beautiful. Andrew and
had been talking of our future and of tn,
homo that he was going to take me To.
''At last, while tho hooking bird wa
singing, while, with my head resting OF
bis shoulder, was looking over the moon
lit lawn and through tho dark cluster o
poplars-at the castles we had been build
ing in the air-ho gently told me OF hi
purpose'to enlist in the ranks of tho mel
who had invaded our country and laid 1
waste. As he spoke my heart rebellet
against him and bado mo cast him out.
rose and ordered him 10 leave me. II
protested, but / refused to listen to wha
no had to say. 1 told him he had beef
false TO me and II traitor TO the state u
which we both owed allegiance. Then
turned away and left him standing Their
alone.
Tho night after our quarrel wen
into the garden, hoping in my heart tina
would find him there, but resolved tina
IL he spoke to mo l would treat him as
had done the night before. IIo did 10
como again. and since he left haNc no
heard from him. But, Mary, do you knoN
that since the moment when / told hiI
that all was Mt an end between us tn
sweet voice that used to come To us fror
the magnolia tree has not been heard agn
by any one about the placer That Is VIII
this old garden has become distasteful I
me, and l am not MS sorry to leave 1t d
you fancied l might be-"
'Do you love him stillf" asked Mar
softly rs she took her Cousins hand.
Yes" answered Anne as dark ilus
mantlod her brow "If, nftor what he tol
me, he had altered his intention because ,
his fear of losing me, should have d,
spsed him. 1 hated tho convictions /
proiessed, but 1 respected them becau,
his conscience told him they were true
he had been false to his conscience, the
he might havo been false to me in late
years -
Anne paused, and for several Ininut,
both were silent
Perhaps" said Mary, hut She said 1
more, for at that moment she was col
scious of a once familiar sound that brul
out full and clear upon the stiffness OF Il
perfumed air. Note after motto Of jnyou
soul thrilling melody seemed TO awake
tho silent garden to the consciousness
life.