The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-03-03

den at the old place, where the birds con-
tinued to sing and the squirrels to play
as peacefully as if griT1-vlsaSrd war
were not abroad in the land. The maid
en- whom he had left standing beneath
the apple blooms had nursed both III
their last illness and had written nm 4
hcartbreaking letter with the last mes
saEcs Of his dear ones. Hope once bright
began to fade, until at last the Whole
horizon was in gloom.
The brave soldier continued with ms
regiment of cavalry, the service becom-
ing harder as provender for horses be-
came more difficult to procure than food
for the men. He nevr tfaltered, and con-
tinued to write cheerful letters to the
brave maiden who was watching ana
waiting bearing with patience the anxiety
of uncertainty. For such women I, who
would not have dared to the uttermost
and fought as long as to fight could &C
complish aught? '"rhey also serve who
only stand and wait" What more beau
tiful. illustration of the beautiful Sent1-
meht of the great bard2
Then the drum roll at Appomattox. The
agony of defeat and the utter gloom of
despair: Bravely had that noble band
done all that man might do. Overcome
by numbers. the God-iike Lee had sur
rendered. Nothing. now remained but to
go home. But to think of the home he
had left four years ago and the home he
was to return to. Mother, father BROTH
ers, all gone and the land ravaSed by
victorious enemies.
THE RETURN.
The sun was again setting behind the
peak when the soldier reached the place
where he had gaily waved his mother a
farewell, little thinking that never again
would he see the dear face. The horse
then so sleek was now gaunt from hard
service and short rationS; but on nearing
home he pricked up his ears and his
nicller frightened a brown thrush from
the shrubbery beside the fence. But, alas!
no answering neigh was heard. With
quickening step the brave steed hurried
on. wondering, no doubt, in his own way
what had brought about so great
change in the old place. Dismounting
at the gate and turning the trusted old
charger to Craze on the long green sward.
the young man crossed the broken-down
fence and pushed his way through tall
weeds that We're fiourishing in the one
time we'll used walk a brace Of quail
rose, startled at the unwonted approach
of human footsteps The door hung upon
a single hinge and his tread sounded
strange in the hall, where he was born
and where his fathers had lived for gem
erations passed. Passing through the gar
zen, rank WITH Il growth OIL weeds. he
climbed the wall and stood in the pres
ence of his mothers grave. His emotions
were too great for expression and he
turned away. Remounting he rode toward
that other mansion, nestled among the
trees, but slowly now, for the steed that
had borne him upon many field was
now near spent Riding up to the stone
wall he climbed over. Under the apple
tree stood the maiden. the love-iight still
l..
arms entwinei, led the horS. away ard
saw him cared for. Gently he ncckered
when the maid placed her fair hand upo;.
his neck and planted her pretty lips up
Oh the white star in his forehead.
The weeds no longer grow in the grav-
81 walk; the door now boasts two good
hinges, and beside the graves in the plot
back of the garden the children point
where lies the horse grandpa rode in
the war