The Tupelo journal., 1909-08-13

the county site 10 the DarrenS, QlSt
ant some six miles or more. A ribbcn
soiled and faded in oft recurring spots
where the llborins hand of time has
swept across il, leaving bare the under
lying strata of white limestone, or hac
deposited on the sunken roadbed ovel
the yellow clay a thin layer of the
dark brown surface soil. Bordering
one side of the road two large tilleo
fields, separated by a narrow, oblonG
grass plot and bounded by zis-zae
fences of erayish rails, extending
northwardly some distance with the
gradually rising ground to the crown
ing ridge. continuing over this and on
to the base of the slope, where swift
flowing Harpeth dashed over a check
cred bed of rock. Divereing from this
public road a private way. gently
curvine TO follow the meandrs of a
spring branch, wound l%enethwise
through this grass plot and terminated
near the summit Of the ascent at the
front of a spacious brick house. On
its south side a veranda, over run with
vines, nestled as if for warmth.
The sun. poised just above the tops
of the tall beech, maple and poplar
that frinsed the rim of the highlands,
sent westerly shafts of red over the
fields, the amber stalks of one bending
with uneathered corn: and the other
white with ripe tolls of cotton.
On the outer edge OF the veranda
a little, slender girl stood uncovered,
one hand shading her eyes as she
watched the approach of a horseman
now just on the road leading to the
house, his horses sides lecked with
foam and head dropping from wcari-
ness. Mother. it is Paul
Hush, Onnie, don't be foolish; you
know Paul is with General Hood in
Alabama. You have not heard from
him in months and could not recognize
any enc as far of as that mar yonder."
While thus speaking the mother came
from cut the hall and advancing to
the qirl rested a hand on her shoulder.
Mother, last night, when all was
quiet | could not sleep and sat in my
raised window, with only the stars and
the murmur of the river for company.
While | listened a ~presentment Of dan
ger to Ben and Paul came over me and
was as real as if | had witnessed it.,
and now | am sure that is Paul coming
and | fear all will come true as this
part of il has"
Her voice TREMENDOUSLY sinks and
tears wet the long lashes of her large,
clear grey eyes.
Onnie, you have promised to marry
Paul when the war is over. He has
been gone more than a year, and if
this is him won't he think it strange if
you now meet him in ~tea-s?'
But her words brought no response.
for the girl was already down the steps
and speeding with flying feet to the
yard gate, where the horseman was
dismounting.
"Onnic /"
Paul"
A quick grasp of the hands, Gre
timid kiss on her blushins, half averted
check and they turned towards the
house, her hand still clasped by his
and only released to greet her mother,
who joined them within the gate.
But, Onnie, l must not NEGLECT
''Nep." He has borne me far and fast
today. and while you prepare supper |
will rub, water and feed him, for my
stay tonight will be short. l must
reach Nashville before daylight tomor-
row and must journey there on foot"
"Oh, Paul! You will be arrested by
the Union soldiers and thrown in
prison"
"Onnie, if is hard for me to part from
YOU. bit Go not make it still harder by
your pleading. Ny country needs me
and | must 60, though death awaits me.
Ill equipped and outnumbered, our
forces have been pressed from Ken
lucky, through Tennessee and far into
Georgia. Their continued retreat has
discouraged the entire south and threat
ems the downfall of the Conffderacy.
Hood has superseded Johnson, Presi-
dent Davis hoping by a change Of
commanders and tactics to re-inspire
courage. Hood has re-entered Tenres-
see and today overlook the ~retreating