Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1909-11-19
A Remarkab1e Shot.

hemmed in on all sides at Petersburg,
and the once proud strength of the
Army of Northern Virginia no longer
capable of obeying the master mind,
the hour of mighty crisis presented
itself between the two veteran armies
stretching, face to face, for miles, in
compass before the beleaguered city.
The goth of March, 1865, was close
at hand; ere the sun had risen and
sunk twice again the whole Army of
the Potomac we'll knew the memorable
"Hammerer" would inaugurate his
bold initial stroke to crush his shat
tered opponent.
Gallant Sheridan had Joined the
army, and his sturdy troops were
eager for the bugle's resounding
charge.
strange and romantic incident
marked the temporary bivouac Of the
cavalry that night of the 9th and the
afternoon following.
Located close by the ripples of
Chamberlain creek was a pretty yet
modest dwelling; within were seated
an aged lady and her daughter-the
latter beauteous Of face and form, with
soft brown eyes and waving curls Of
chestnut hair. The two were the sole
occupants of the house; the husband
and father was even then on the oppo-
site side of those gray-manned earth
works destined to be the last ditch of
the COnfederacv
Suddenly there was knock at the
door, and almost ere the girl could
step forward in answer to the sum-
mons, captain of Union cavalry came
hurriedly and Familiarity into the lit
tie sitting room.
Mrs Dean!" he saluted, cit has
been long since we met: Isabel,
greet you!"
"Ah, Harold Prentiss, this unexDect-
ed visit can hardly be realized" ex-
claimed the girl, while she permitted
him to take her hands warmly; "and
you are, indeed, with the army of the
North?"
YES, one of Sheridans boys"
His welcome was cordial, but he
saw that there was some deep anxiety
in their hearts.
Years" he continued, "since last
we met Just think, Isabel! And
even the stern tide of war has brought
us once again together. You are true
blue, Isabel-and your mother?'
1--WE would be, Harold" answered
the mother, with bowed head, "but we
must pray for the gray, because Isa-
bells father is with Lee"
There do not weep, Mrs. Dean.
Soon all will be over, and George
Dean, we must hope, will come safely
back to you. But now l have not
many minutes. I have actually stolen
the pleasure Of this visit to ask Isabel
as 1 asked her before I fled to join
the warriors of our starry banner-if
she will be my wife? I have been true
to my love for you, Isabel, all these
years. The end Of the war is at hand;
the great southern leader himself must
| know it. | speak, Isabel"
Harold, I cannot decide. All, did
1 uOI ICl1 yOu, col CLSO, IldC L COuAo
not choose between two such lovers as
yourself and Mart Diering?"
"You still talk that way" he said,
with latent reproach, when you know
that even in the long ago he resorted
to tricks to win you from me?"
cay, to-day" she rejoined, with
dropping head II confess I love both
too we'll to make solemn choice of
either"
"Can nothing decide you?"
A third voice sounded unexpectedly.
Across the threshold stepped another
of Sheridan's brave captains Mart
Diering himself, and while Isabel did
not shrink from the warm grasp he,
too, gave her hands, he half faced
about, saying:
"T think I can suggest way to set
tie this, Captain Prentiss. You and [
we're famous marksmen when we
roamed these same fields together be-
fore the war. Now, one Of US must
win sweet Isabel. What say? let US
target for the rare prize, If she will
| give assent, the luck1est bullseye to be
the winner"
Isabel do you consent to this?'
Harold asked, eagerly.
An instant she hesitated, then an
swered:
BE it so. Whichever of you shall
strike the target nearest to the very
center, that one I will marry"
Tomorrow afternoon we may man
age this affair in the orchard at the
rear of this house." said Diering.
The rival captains separated.
Prentiss communicated to his wait
ing orderly, Jack Banks, what was in
prospect.
"All right, Captain" said Banks, in
an unnecessarily hard voice; "I'll
mark your bullet with crosses, one on
each side, so that there shall be no
mistake when you plug the center, for