Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1900-07-28
THE SOLDIER
The Story of His Mignonettes.

/ particular to do. | Sauntcrcd in the
direction of the Chelsea College gar
denS This shady little nook holds the
home of some of our old soldiers There
| they sat, in solemn rows of fourS and
fivCS, on the wooden benches in the
cool, green avenue, dreaming away
the long summer afternoon. We 70 they
watched tie children at play Jn the
grass before them.
A great longing came over me to
learn something of their lives.
If ! could come across one alone, [
thought, there might be Il chance of it.
SO with Il lingering, backward look at
the old fellows, | walked on until
came to n more secluded part of the
gardens, where the pensioners cult
waited little plots of ground and sold
flowers and ferns to the nurses and
children, the proceeds of which en-
ablCd them TO buy tobacco and rum
and other small luXuricS.
1t had been intensely hot, but now
a refreshing breeze was tossing the
lilac and laburnum trees, and in Tie
cool of the day the Old men were all
hard at work. watering. wedding and
raking away. while they smoked and
changed opinions as to their respective
nurseries,
Crossing the gravel path, | came
upon a bed composed entirely of mig
noncttc. Its fragrance was dcli",t-
full, and I paused Il moment to enjoy
| the scent.
This little garden excited my curios-
ity, and looked with interest ut the
gardener. His face was thin and lined,
with an expression of settled mclan-
choly on it, but there was Somcthin" in
the large, dark eyes and sensitive
mouth that took my fancy.
Here is an opportunity" | thought.
"1lc looks like nice. approachahlc
old man and. dare say, would be glad
to have Il chat"
At that moment as if by some sud
den transition cf mind. he glanced up
and fixed his speaking orbS on me.
What lovely mi%noncttc" OK
claimed by way of opening fire.
He smiled hut it was such i sad
smile | wished he hadn't 1t somehow
made me feel sick ana sorry.
Let ne cut you some, madam" he
said gvavcly. Il will in a moment, if
you can wait"
'Please, oh. should like nothing bet
tcr!' | answered, seating myself ana
looking on contentcdly, while my new
friend went to work with long pair
of rusty scissors.
His face Interested me- strangely,
none the less whom | noticed that the
Victoria cross adorned his breast. How
could get him to talk"
"May | ask why You cultivate only
one floWcrT' | inquired, with sudden
inspiration.
He looked ut me again in that intense
way of his for at least Il minute with
out speaking, then said irrclpyantly:
You have a good, kind face, lady,
and''-
He paused.
"Thank you for saying so.'' rcjoin-
ed, somewhat tamcly, feeling batilcd
and wondering what was coming next.
"iou asked me just now why | only
grew one flower. | will tell you if you
care to listen
Yes" replied eagerly; 81 am all at
tention."
ut happened so long ago, yet it seems
only like yesterday. MignOn, Mignou."
he half murmurcd to himself
| cOu%hed softly to remind him of nv
presence.
Lady, did you ever love any one
very dearly" he asked abruptly.
"lave r. | returned. somewhat TAX
en- aback by this unexpected question.
"Well, yes, | have been fond of several
people have mot at different times of
my life" WAS my discreet rcioinder.
"ThoSc two were the only ones
cared for in this world-AIignon and
Ralph Stanley"
"Who was MignOnY' l qucried gen
tly, for the old mans face was full of
emotion when he spoke her name
Il always called her Mignon and so
did he" he continued, without needing
me; "the name suited her so well. She
was never without slip of this
touching the flowers in my lap-'in her
belt or gown. She had passion for
her Mignon. and she was as sweet as
the flower itself. with her bluebcll eyes
and nut brown hair"
"Who was this othcr?" | ventured to
ask after Il pause.
Again the veteran seemed to forget
my existence as he sighed and said
muSinGly:
'To think that | never guessed it.
And they were such a bonny pair too.
She could not help loving him. the gen
ial, handsome laddie. Men and officers
alike in our regiment simply adorcd
him."
"IIc served with you, then?"
"Ycs, but | was only in the ranks,
while he held n commission"
"Yct you were friendsT'
"FricndS-ayc, that we We're; from
our schoolboy days we We're chums.
When Ralph was sent TO the Crimean
war, | threw everything to the winds,
enlisted in his regiment and went. too,
and we fought in many fierce battle
together. But one thought kept us mp
through all-dear little Mignon, the