The National tribune., 1906-03-29

company, of which I was member.
He was ffne-looking fellow of about
81, feseryed,and digDified in his man
her. s6iciarlyl in his bearing and Uni
versa1ly esteemed by his comrifCas- lie
had just been promoted for gailantry
at the battle Of Fredericksburg. And
now that his sister had come to visit
him, we alb thought he was the best
and the luckiest fellow in the world.
one of tho officers gave up his hut
to the visitor during her stay. 1t was
more comfortable than artistic. The
walls were composed of logs; the door
of pieces of Yha rd-tack boxes; the roof
of canvas. IA generous fire blazed in
the rudely-fashioned fireplace, and the
tiny tips Of fragrant pine boughs
formed the carpet while the bed was
OF the same material. Very much out
of keeping with the rude interior was
Il handsomely-carved mahogany easy
chair. Il relic of those days when the
prosperous gentlemen of Virginia
adorned their homes with the products
of European workshops. This chair
had been taken from a deserted man
sion on the banks of the Rappahan-
mock.
AS the lady, escorted by her brother,
emerged from the headquarters and
walked slowly across the parade
ground, she was observed at distance
by the men with keen but respectful
interest. Not n word was spoken un-
Ill she disappeared inside her door.
when rousing cheer went up from
the whole command.
Col. Charles sent for me, and gave
me instructions to see that everything
possible was done for the comfort and
protection of the lady during her visit.
| did not need to be urged. l placed
4 guard with loaded musket near her
| hat, but at such distance as not to
attract her attention, and she was
blissfuiiy unconscious of the pains
| taken to protect her. An orderly was
dispatched TO the Brigade Commits
sary's for some extra fine rations, and
our old suffers stony heart was touch
| ed and he contributed some delicacies.
| The best cook in the regiment was
detailed to prepare meals for her. She,
| no, doubt, believes TO this day that all
the men we're fed with tenderloin
steaks, roast beef. vegetables. soft
bread and butter, coffee with milk. and
various kinds of desserts.
Nothing was thought or talked Of
! that evening but the advent of our fair
visitor. 1t soon became whispered
about that she was from New York
City and was very wealthy. Additions
| were made as the story went around
| from mouth to mouth, until she be-
came in the eyes of the soldiers almost
a superior being, endowed with both
beauty and riches.
Browney was excused from duty
| during his sisters visit I suppose, as
l was Orderly-Sergeant of The COM
pany, that he deemed it but proper
| that he should invite me to call on
| Miss Browney, which he did the after
noon of the second day. She was a
| brunette of about "a or 25 years OF
! age, with q refined and intelligent
countenance. In form she was rather
| slender and in movement exceedingly
graceful. Her keen, restless black
| eyes made one feel that nothing es-
capped their observation. She was
dressed richly but plainly. 1t was nc
unusual event in those stirring times
| Of war to meet women whose hearts
and souls were wrapt up in their coun-
| try's cause, 50 that 1 was not at al
surprised to find that Miss Browney
| loved to talk of army matters better
than anything else.
! She told me her home was in New
| York, but having near relatives fr
| Philadelphia, she had spent year
| there in the hospitals and in the Vol.
| unteer Refreshment Saloon which be-
came so famous during the war. After
| q brief vacation in New York, she was
| to return to Philadelphia and again
| take up her, work az q hospital nurse
| MY brother had hoped to obtain q
| furlough and spend few days with
me during my vacation. but he could
| not. SO / thought would come to him
am afraid I've put you TO lots oi
| trouble idi