The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-10
UNDER THE WHITE ROSE TREE.
An IdyI Of the civil War.

10 Dllfi. he lONtQ the SOlL Dlue GOutuSIn
skies above 1t. and the wide-spreading
water oaks that shaded it's streets He
loved its quaint old gardens, with their
spicy musk roses. fragrant honeysuckle and
the languid tiger lilies that swayed over
their shadow flecked walks. He loved its
knocking birds. that nested in the fig trees
and myrtles and sang all night. He loved
the old town so well that even its faults
ard blemishes were dear to him. He liked
to hear even the grunting of the village
hogs that roamed the streets as fancy led
them. and the klinkity-kank of the COW
bells at evening was pleasant to his ears.
Consequently, on a. bright April morning
in 1865. as the little man stood in front of
the postoffice and listened to the great
news Of the impending raid. he was not de-
ficient in patriotism, although in the hour
of municipal peril the first thought that
entered his bachelor breast concerned the
safety of his much beloved watch.
The dear old watch whose faithful heart
had throbbed so long against his own
would the Yankees rob him of it? The
professor left the excited throng and
started homeward
Across the street from the professors
home in vine-embowered cottage, had
lived for many years Miss Melinda Price.
Dwelling full half a mile from the post
Office. Miss Melinda frequently deplored her
inability to keep as veil informed IN regard
to the doings of the day as her friends in
the immediate vicinity of that vortex where
a buggy or a wagon passed every fifteen
minutes.
This morning, as usual, Miss Melinda was
half an hour behind time. Only dim echo
of the momentous tidings had reached her,
\ H.
perturbation as the professor approached.
What is this l hear, professor" said the
little spinster with a frightened smile
Have we lost another battle?"
Yes; worse than that" replied the pro-
fessor, so gravely that Miss Melindas
smile vanished and she caught her breath.
She knew the professor was not an alarm
fist, and she listened eagerly to his brief
statement of facts
What shall we do?" she exclaimed in
dismay
I'VE can do nothing" said her neighbor
There is some talk of defense, but it is
foolish to attempt it. There are none in the
town to make resistance but old men, chill
dren and one-armed and one-legged SOL
d:ers"
II know" said Miss Melinda, "but it is
dreadful to wait like sheep in ignorance of
what we are to suffer. Perhaps the raiders
will destroy the town."
They will scarcely do that
IL not, they will carry away everything
Of value. My cousin in Vir ginia wrote ne
that the Yankees took her carriage horses,
and some stragglers robbed her of all her
silver plate, and carried off even her hus-
bands watch"
The Professors heart sank within him.
Are you not going to hide your watch?"
added Miss Melinda. catching sight of the
professors watch chain
Il was thinking of doing So" said the
little man., steadying his voice.
Il certainly should, Professor. Fortu-
nately. sent my silver forks and spoons
10 friend up in the hills as soon as / re-
ceived my Cousins letter. l kept nothing
but my gold .thimble that belonged to my
graz dmother."
1T is difficult to decide upon the method
OF eoncealment," said the professor, taking
the watch from his pocket and gazing at
It tenderly. ut is the loudest ticker ever
heard he continued with pride. "At
night it can be heard all over the house"
Then you must not hide it in the house."
be heard after it had run down.
Run DOWN. exclaimed the professor, in
e shocked tone. 1T has not run down in
: fbifty-five years"
If I were you, should bury it." Miss
Melinda spoke in solemn whisper, and
looked around as If she feared an caves
oIopper.
''Rury it!' echoed the professor, expert
enci1g another shock.
A brief silence ensued. during which the
professor grew reconciled to Miss Melinda s
plan of concealment. Then he looked at his
he had heard of the approach of the raiders
his watch left his mind. He noticed that
Miss Melinda had blue eyes, and that they
were very pretty.
Miss Melinda was looking in the distance
a new thought had also come to her, but it
flA aVAfn 80 10
had known for years that they were dark
gray and very pleasant to look at. Then
either because OF her new thought; or be-
fessors admiring gaze. she blushed, and the
pretty pink tint took away fifteen from her
Where shall 1 bury ito" asked the pro-
fessor, mentally noting the blush for further
meditation.
In her confusion an embarrassed little dim
pie to the professors list of her attractions
shall bury it under the white rose tree
near the summer house?"
Under the white rose-the very place;
can see it from my window
Ihen the little woman summoned courage
70 make known the thought that had caused
her blush.
Would you-would you mind hiding my
Certainly not: I should like to do so,'
and a blush of pleasure suffused the profess
sor'S face in turn
Miss Melinda tripped away to bring the
little gold heirloom, and watching her till
she had disappeared in the house. the pro-
lessor jauhtily tapped the heel of his boot
with his walking cane he used to do
when college boy, and as he had not done
for thirty years.
After Miss Melinda had given her thmble
TO the professor. and he had gone away with
II, she felt very strangely. At first she as
cribed her singular emotioEs to her fright.
for she was truly afraid of the raiders. But,
then, she asked herself. If it were only fear
that she felt. why was she not unhappy?
Fear does not usually bring happiness. and
was not in the least miserable.
Another queer circumstance. Instead of
thinking of the approaching enemy as all
OakVille was doing. she found the professor
occupying more and more of her mind. This
caused her a little discomfort till she eX-
planned II to herself in this way. Her
grandmothers thimble was her most highly
priced possession. and now that 1t had pas
sed temporarily into the professors keeping
She could not naturally think of one and not
think Of the other This explanation afford
ed her much satisfaction, and, having
reached it, she gave her whole mind to her
thinble.
When the professor reached his study he
closed the door. which was n signal to old
Nancy. the cook, and the lot boy, jim, that
he did not wish to be disturbed. Then he
took from his pocket little case scarcely
an inch cube in size and covered with blue
satin. 1t was so dainty that he felt as If he
were handling a butterfly. Before going
further, he spread his handkerchief over an
old. musty Greek volume that lay open
upon the table. Very gently he placed the
case upon the handkerchief. and pressed a
tiny spring. AS he did this the cover of the
case few back, disclosing Miss Melinda's
thinble.
He took 1t out with the greatest care. and
turned II round and round. 1t seemed to
him the smallest fhirnhIo he had evar Saop