The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1900-06-14
ing m the thick grown Of trees GROWING

Ing IN the thick growth OF trees GROWING
it which l thought indicated a near ap-
proach to the abode of man. Ii my con-
lecture were correct, temporary relief was
at hand, for even enemies would not re-
fuse to aid one in my pitiable condition.
Upon reaching the opening In the woods
l saw a neat, whitewashed cottage, sur
rounded by an orchard. short distance
In front of me. while in rear of the house
small, well cultivated farm extended
down the opposite slope to q bayou where
the oasis abruptly ended.
Completely exhausted and feeling that
even death would be relief, painfully
made my way to the gate leading through
the orchard to the cottage. Upon reach
ing it l saw in the path before me a call.
beautiful girl, and then ! remember moth
ing more. When ! recovered conscious
ness, l found myself lying in bed in a
tastefully furnished room. The conclu-
sion was forced upon me that | had fall
en- into kind hands, and then. just as l
recalled the vision of a beautiful being in
white, the girl herself stood before me.
''How can l describe her beauty-her
perfection of form? | thought of Muril-
los masterpiece. The Immaculate Con-
ception,' but here was a beauty tran
scending the painters inspiration. and
of song bird. softened by the COO of =
dove!
"She came forward with some degree
II hesitancy and apparent maidenly re-
serve, and in tone of sympathy inquir
ed after my condition. She told me that
l had been very i'll and delirious and had
already passed two nights in the house.
Her father, she added, was ardently de-
voted to the southern cause, as she was
herself, but they were always ready to
respond to the calls of humanity and in
I ministering to the sick they made no dis
tinction between a Confederate and I'm
| ion soldier
'As you may judge from my enthu-
siasm, fell in love with this fair angel
of the Yazoo, Olympia LIE Moyne. i
convalesced rapidly, all too rapidly, for
| l dreaded the approach of the time
when 1 would be compelled to rejoin my
regiment and leave her, perhaps forever.
was soon on a footing of the most
friendly intimacy with her father, Fran
els LIE Moyne, who had been at one time
engaged in business in New Orleans.
Why he and his daughter Olympia had
removed to that lonely spot in a region
of swamps and bayous, did not inquire,
and they volunteered no explanation.
They were people of refinement, and
|
themselves l felt it to be one that could
cast no discredit upon them.
II remained a month In the LIE Moyne
cottage. Olympia and myself were to-
gether on every possible opportunity, and
finally she made me supremacy happy by
confessing that she loved me. How vel
l remember each separate incident II
this delightful and romantic period OF
my life l was oblivious of everything
but that contained within my narrow
environment. Olympia was the ocear
to the river Of my thoughts and all my
hopes and desires centered in her.
about the end of January Mr.. Il
Moyne told me that his son. who wal
a captain in the Confederate service
had been wounded and was coming hom
on leave in a few days. He, as well a
myself, knew it would be at least EN-
barrassing were we to meet. My cheel
mantled with shame when / thought o
my comrades fighting the battles of thei
country while l, an intruder upon tn
hospitality of the enemies Of the caus
loved, was passing my time in happ.
but inglorious ease.
II at once sought Olympia and tolt
her would be compelled to leave on tn
day following. She exhausted all the re
sources of fascinating and beautiful
| woman 10 OlSSudue Tic, Dut beelus tuu
all her arts were in vain finally gave
reluctant consent.
"But how to get away and rejoin m,
regiment was now the problem presents
to my mind. l could not escape by wa,
of Vicksburg, and, for anything l knew
to the contrary, the banks of the Yazo
might be in possession Of the Confedel
ates and their vessels instead Of Unto
gunboats might be patrolling the river.
Gust at this juncture a scouting part
of Union troops from one of our gunboat
, appeared upon the scene. Among tn
number l was delighted to see my boo
comrade and tent mate, John Dough-
who greeted me with a warmth and el
thusiasm which did not require the ey
dence Of fearful eyes to convince me
their earnestness.
"'My dear fellow he exclaimed, b
e face aglow with surprise and pleasur