The true northerner., 1899-05-24

And Cynthy had solemnly said. 81
will. Faithfully did she fulfill that
promise. She simply gave her life mp
TO her brother Sam, but that young
man somehow did not seem 10 appre-
ciate the sacrifice, neither did he care
TO spend all his evenings at home with
his sister, nor if he went to "husk-
ing or 'sociable" did he care to be al
ways "tied TO her apron strings as he
expressed it.
Later on, when She learned that Sam
was paying attention" TO that "shilly-
shally Lily Walker, great was her in
dignation, and many were the lectures
given to the younger brother, who felt
himself too near TO manhood to be treat
ed like child, especially when Cynthy
was but two years older than he. Sharp
and bitter words passed between them
at times, although often Sam tried to
make it up with his sister and tried also
to convince her that Lizy was absolutely
needed at the farmhouse, bat it was Of
no use SoY'ne day Sam and pretty lit
tie Lizy took matters into their own
hands, drove ten miles to R, across
the state line, and were married.
Sam Immediately made the news
known to Cynthy. who was at first in
consolable. She wept over Sam as if he
had been badly used. At first she for
babe them both the house; but, remem-
bering her promise TO her mother, she
at last made him fetch "Mrs. White"
home. and she'd do as well by her as
could be expected under the circum-
stances.
So they came to the farmhouse to
live, and Cynthy. true TO her promise,
did well by them as far as food and
kindred comforts go, but never by any
possible chance was there any relaxa-
tion of the stern lines about her mouth,
and Lily often cried up stairs in the
spare room from sheer loneliness.
About two years later the war fever
of 1861 broke ont at the Corners, and
Sam White was one of the first TO catch
the infection. Sam had "settled down"
during the past two years, so all the
Corners folks said, and was strong,
sturdy specimen of young manhood.
When he came home and broke the
news of his enlistment TO Lizy and
Cynthy, the little wife's face grew pale
as death, and she clasped her laughing
baby more closely TO her, but said never
a word.
But Cynthy-her voice rose to per-
feet shrek as she cried, "You shan't
go, Sam you mustn't, You can't. I'll
never give my consent. Don't you new
er mention it again.
But as Sans resolution did not
waver she left off commanding and be-
gan entreating instead: "Oh, Sam, you
won't go, please don't, couldn't bear
it don't go'
And when to this pitiful pleading
Sam only answered, II must, Cynthy;
I've promised, Cynthy arose and,
standing before Lily, who was strug-
Cling with her tears, said, beg him not
to go, Lily; he'll hear to you. Tell him
you can't get on without him..
81 can't, Cynthy, was the fearful
reply. "If he's promised TO go, any
thing l could say wouldn't t stop him.
And, BESIDES Sam knows best. If it's
his duty, | won't stand in the way. I'll
say, Go, and God bless you'
"Brave little woman" cried Sam
But Cynthy, facing her with blazing
eyes, said fiercely: "If you let him go,
I'll never speak TO you again. Beg him
not to- Quick say l mean It'll"
"Cynthy!" cried Sam.
81 mean it she went on. "If he
goes, it's your fault, and I'll never for
give you.
Sam, as well as Cynthy, was not pre-
pared for the resolute look on the little
wife's face, as, rising, her baby in her
arms she faced the angry woman, say
ing: 81 shall not bid him stay If he's
given his word, I'll not bid him be a
coward for my sake He must do what
he thinks is right.
Cynthy turned and left the room,
while Lily burst into tears, hiding them
on Sans broad shoulders.
So it was settled.
But Cynthy moved about like wom-
an of stone, never apparently seeing
Lily. but doing all in her power for
Sam Lily decided to go home to her
parents during his absence, to which
decision Cynthy agreed, with satisfied
nod Of her erect head.
So Sam went TO the war Lily went
10 her old home, and Cynthy was left
desolate.
Before many months had passed news
came to the Corners that great battle
had been fought and won for the Union,
but that among the wounded were many
of their relations and friends, while on
the list of the dead was the name of
Sam White, and few days after his
body was brought home to the Corners
and given a soldiers burial, and we'll
he deserved his honors, for he had been
brave soldier and true.
So he had lain all these years on the
hillside, and all these years Cynthy had
dwelt in her lonely cottage, nursing
her grief for Sam and her anger toward
Lily, who had lived on in the little
house left her by her father.
Her one child had grown up and mar
ried, unhappily it proved and had re-
turned to her mother with two little
ones of her own.
The years had proved cruel to Lily.
She had worked hard TO keen the wolf