Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1912-05-23
A BRIEF
ENGAGEMENT
A Civil War Story
BY MARTIN D. BOYLE.

General b.. commanding brigade
Of Federal troops. with an aid, refined
up one morning before Il house in Geor-
ga. woman was standing in the
doorway, peering anxiously down the
road as If expecting some one.
Madam" said the general, could
you accommodate me in your house for
a few hours?"
"Yo' didn't see anything of a young
man comm this way with bran new
suit Of clothes on, did you'?
81 did not. madam
1 well. ! declar'. I don't believe he's
comm at all -
Perhaps you didn't hear my ques.
tionT said the general, and he re-
peated it.
well. ! reckon we can let yo' stay
here awhile. and If that young fellow
don't turn up we can give yo right
smart snack"
The general and his aid dismounted
and entered the house. where they
costume.
The general asked for n room where
he could do some writing and was
shown into an apartment
at looks as If you were going to
have wedding here" he said to the
girl with very pleasant smile on his
handsome face"
b.
have wedding" she replied.
why SO? You seem ready for the
/ ceremony"
THE groom hasn't come. and l don't
believe he's coming"
Whats the matter?"
81 don't know. and | don't care"
! "You appear Indifferent.
"Oh. it's mas match | haven't had
much to do with it. | wouldn't mind
his staying away if 1t wasn't that
we've had all the trouble making the
| preparations"
"A woman don't like to have the man
she is to marry go back on her at the
last moment"
II don't care so much about that as
/
table loaded down with good things
/ mas been making for two or three
! weeks"
II should think they'd get stale by
that time"
mot the wedding cake. That'll keep
long while"
Perhaps 1t will come handy for
| some other young man more worthy
Of you and to whom you will be less
Indifferent than this one who isn't
coming"
"But the other things-the cakes, the
hot biscuit. the pies and jellies-they
won't keep"
PITY. isn't it? I'd like to give him
thrashing"
Young Burge had been campaigning
for two years and during that time had
met very few young girls He was at
an age when the most natural thing
In the world is to mate. He kept edg-
ing closer and closer to the girl sitting
In white muslin dress and long
white veil streaming down over her
shoulders. He was ready to sympa
thiZe with her. and she seemed dis
posed to be sympathized with
"What time was he to be here?" he
asked
'Ten O'clock"
IT'S now about H."
Reckon it Is about that"
"When We're you to be marriedY"
| "At 70"
Burge fidgeted about in his chair.
arose every now and then and looked
| out of the window in the direction the
groom would come, If he came at all
IL reckon he won't come" said the
girl.
II hope he won't"
"That's real mean of you" she re-
marked. looking out of the corner Of
her eye at him
you're too pretty and nice girl to
marry a man who hasn't the spunk to
show up when he's pledged himself
/ TO marry. If he doesn't come by 10,
the time fixed for the wedding. I've
1 half mind to-
He caught his breath ut what he had
| said But If he was fearful of being
considered bold he soon lost that fear,
| for the girl didn't reproach him.
I Il don't suppose now" he continued.
''if any fellow should come along you
+ hadn't known before and offer to help
! you out you'd be satisfied to-
The things wouldn't spoil"
but how would you feel about it?"
"Do you mean if no'theru man
! should come along?"
We'll, yes"
And soldier?"
/ "A soldier"
~ don't think ia mind"
+ There was silence for awhile, when
Burge broke it thus:
If You can get the general to give
| me few days leave for honeymoon
/ won't mind helping Won out--that is,
/ II you don't mind"
/ II can try"