Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1900-05-23
MEMORIAL
DAY UNION

~ USINESS had brought him to his
lS native town in the sunny South.
g. He was in haste that his mission
should be concluded so that he might get
away from the quiet village The very
beauty of its fragrant spring dress sad
dened him.
In timid, hesitating way he had made
few inquiries for old friends. but the
answer was ever the same. War had
scattered most Of the old families. Those
alone remained who slept in the peaceful
cemetery In the dip which formed vale
at the bend IN the river
= nd the Ralstonsg"
All were gone. OF the impetuous, high
spirited family. only Miss Erma was still
alive The Ralston boys-four of them
lay in soldiers graves beside their gal
liant father
Mrs. Ralston had seen her brave boys
brought home dead one by one Hut she
gave them for her country's sake, gladly,
but her heart was slowly breaking. She
did not long survive her husband.
'Did Miss Erma still live at Iron
wood?"
No. TIE old plantation was desolate
and Miss Ralston lived in little white
cottage down the road, the one almost
smothered in jasmine and roses
The gentleman took his cane and with o
brisk step which told of some young blood
still flowing in his veins, started .wn the
street in the warm spring sunshne. Fhe
square shoulders, erect hesd and firm
tread all bespoke the colder.
As he came in sight Of Miss Erma :
house his steady walk became jerky and
finally settled into an uncertain amhe
For the fraction of a second he paused
at her gate, then beat hasty and con
fused retreat. Cor pletely ont of breath
be drew up beside the high archcd gaze
which opened upon the soldiers last tent
Ing ground
by JoNe' Its no use. couldn't face
her and the old man mopped his brow.
'Nhew, how her eyes did blaze Facing
cannon is play to standing the fire OF
Ermas angry eyes"
He leaned aEa:l the posi- The light
died out Of his face aud he thought OF
that long away time when he and Erma
had been lovers. Aad then came the war.
E~ ghckly had followed that aw Cul day
when he went to say farewell and She
would not look at him, because he wore
the hated blue He tried 20 argue tried
10 persuade. bus she would net listen.
She was a Southern girl-Col Rs
ston's daughter II he fought the South.
he fought her and was her deadly foe.
Was Il not cruel enough thar the dread
ful war should deprive her OF her lover
without calling him 20 light against in
stead Of for her?
How clearly he could see Der rs shi
stood then on the low wide steps. a sim
girish figure clad in eilng:ns white He
cheeks were flushed and her mouth treln
ulous, but the chin was firmly set Al
through the war he had carried in hi
heart the memory " her IS she stood il
the sunshine. framed by tbe stately pjl
lars Of he gallery: while he with despaj
In his hear. but dogged dcterndnauo
In his eyes, turned, when half way dow
the broad avenue Of live oaks, and liftin
his Union cap, murmured. tod kce
my southern sweetheart.
How often he recalled her words II
could almost hear them now. Go. 70
are j sfaitoc. never asat 70 sac sov
face again
The old man shook his head sorrowfu
~ No. she wonld never forgive him, r
even now after all these years. Well
would go back north on the morrow. S
what matterf
lie auL tue 2.hiSiQh boAs Aad nt'H "
lege students together lie would pay
visit to their last resting place. He oper
ed the gate and slowly made his wa
among the fower-covered mounds Vine
he reached the Raston lot. he locke
about him sorrowfully. lie felt sadl
desolate lie alone was left OF All thos
merry. laughing fellows.
Presently his eye wandered 70 gray
somewhat apart from the rest II
scarcity Of its flowers drew his attentio
to il. be wandered idly toward il. thinl
Ing, "some poor friendless chap