The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1901-10-31
Virginia Romance.

"A Virginia Romance.
In Which the Beautiful Daughter of a
Rich Southern Planter and a Young
Federal Naval Officer are the Prin-
cipal Characters.
| knew Col. William Harrison's
family well, in fact, the home of nv
parents was only short distance
away from his magnificent mansion
and estate. This estate was known
as Lower Brandon, located on the
fertile low grounds of the classical
lower James. Their home was located
on d beautifully rounded hill, which
slOped gracefully down to the very
waters edge Of the river.
There was 4 private wharf on the
rivers bank, and a wide graveled lane
which led Northward to the very
front Of the great-house: On either
side Of the lawn was a row of tall
sycamore and aspen trees.
ln the spring time the spacious
front yard (Which was impsled with a
strong iron fence, with massive
stone base) was veritable land OF
flowers. Here were many lockwood
and arborvitae trees, evenly trimmed
and Systematically arranged on beau
tiful curved graveled walks. on the
borders of which were manv varieties
Of roses, beds of tulips, lilies, snow
drops, big clusters Of peonies, beds of
red and purple verbenias, and almost
every flower and vine indigenous to
could produce, was there.
Every breeze which waited its way
o'sr the broad bosom of the James
caused the aspen leaves to trem bic,
the snow drops and tulips to bump
their heads together in lazy way,
and bore away from the honey suckle
over the broad fields of waving corn
and wheat the sweetest breath OF flow
ers.
! Every afternoon just before the sun
sank in the hespinan over the distant
hills, leaving in its wake broad
mantle of purple, silver and gold.
which was reflected on The waters OF
the river, the strains of distant music
! could be heard. A hundred or more
! of happy slaves were returning from
the fields to their quarters nearby,
their souls were filled with music
their weird strains both delighted and
caused strange feelings to creep oven
me.
On the distant hill sides were larg.
focks Of sheep and herds Of cattle
lazily grazing. Everything indicated
thrift on the part of the landlord, and
that peace, plenty and happiness
reigned supremely over the slaves and
their owner.
There was hardly Virginian with
in the borders of the whole State who
did not know, or had not heard, Of
this aristncratic and historical family
of Harrisons and their magniticen
estate at Lower Brandon.
The family consisted OF Col. William
Harrison, his accomplished wife
their only son Henry. and two daugh,
tiers.
The elder, Miss Julia, WAS Il perfect
blonde, then about eighteen, beauti'
full and accomplished, and, as
thought, if ever an angel had visited
this earth, she was that angel. She
was one or two years my senior, but
had been so captivated by her sweet,
kindly ways, that l told my most
intimate friends that if | was only q
few wears older l would reveal to hel
the secret which had taken root in my
heart.
The younger daughter, Miss Mary
was a typical Harrison, brunette
with beautiful suite of black hair,
and gracefully arched eye brows, over
a pair of large black eyes.
The children of Col. Harrison were
Just finishing their education at the
best colleges in the land, when that
spirit of abolitionism, entertained by
the people of the North, was rapidly
assuming a serious aspect, and finally
resulted in the. war between the
States.
The war had just commenced wher
| Col. Harrison and his son went tc
Richmond, where he was. commits
stoned as Colonel OF the Twelfth Vir
ginia Regiment Henry became First
Lieutenant of Company d, Of the same
regiment. This regiment was under
General Lees command, and imme
| diatelv went to the Potomac River
country, where it figured in the first
great, bloody struggles Of the war,
George Prentice (the oldest son o
Major Prentice. who was neal
neighbor of the Harrisons) had fol
wears before this been an eNtravagan
admirer of Miss Julia's, Col. Harrl
sons oldest daughter. Often hat
this couple strolled in the moonlight
along the graveled walks. amids
flowers and vines, and George hat
told his sweetheart of the secret:
which were lurking in his bosom.
Like the Harrisons. the Prentice:
were of q noble birth, and the unior
was encouraged by their parents
Finally, it was known throughout tn
community that they wers betrothed
| A few days after the departure Q
ICol. Harrison, George Printice LEI
home for the seat of war, and shortl.
afterwards was commissioned as Cap
tain of Company F, Thirteenth Viz
tginia Regiment.
I The war had not been long in pro
| cress before the vicinity in which tn
tHarrisons lived was frequently vl:lte'
by detachments from both the Fedora
and Confederate armies.
l 1t was a beautiful day in January
l1S61. when Miss Julia and her Nste
iwere seated in their drawing room
(which looked out in the direction G
the river. They saw a gunboat my
ing the Union nag) take anchor out
1.-The rivers channel. Shortly tw
men boarded a row boat and pulle
lfor Brandon wharf. After landln
thev walked up the lane in the diret
| - t. onnaraD