Down In Tennessee

Fiom the Continental Muutlily. Sultry and weürisome the day bad been in tliat Tenuesaee valley, find after drill, we had luid arouud uuder the trees - tall, noble trees tbey wcre - and tho frusli graas was gi'eeu and soit under them as ou the old ' Campus,' and we had been smoking and talkiug over a wide, wide rango of subjeuts, from deep Carlyleism - of wliieh Carlyle dowbtless never heard - to the signifiüunee of the day's orders. It was uot au iuharmo nious pioture - Camp Alabama, so we had namcd it- for it was with a 'here we rest' feeling that a dozeu days before we liad marcbed in at noon. The ground sloped to the eastwurd - a single winding road of yellow saud crept over the slope into the horizon, a mild or more away; nortli, a hill rose with some abruptuess; eouth and west, a grove of wünderful beauty skirted LHe valhy. - A single build'iig - an old but large log fannhouse - stood nuar the tem, whose fluttering banner indirated headquarters. Tliis old house was well flllcd wnh oom Uüssaiy stores, and, followiug that iucomprehensible Tenuissee p'ilicy, fullr conipanies of our regiment, ihe tweuty third, h -d-beei. dctachcd toguardthem under Major Faunaig - -a nob.e guldier, he, but all untriud ' We had never yet Bèeü active seivice, an.'. our tents wore 8Ú11 white and unstuiued The ground had oute been ihe lawn of the deserted house- in the long-ago probably the home of a planter of gome pretensión; and, as we lay there acder the tiees wa tohiug the boys over the tires, kiadled for tbeir eveiiing meal, the b.ue smoke eurhijg up among the tree.s, itmade, as I havw said, a must bannomous picture. That fair June evening ! i can uever fnrget it, and I wish l were au artist that I could show you the sloping vall y, the white tei.t=, Üushing liüe a gin's cheek to the good-nigbt kiss.s of the eun, the curling smoke wieatlis, and far, far above the amethystiue heaven, from which floated over all a dim purpie tint. I was the youngest commissiouod officer iu the regiment, having beeu promoied to a vacancy a week or two before lb.ro M ajor Fauning' influence. We werc all invited that evening to supper with our coiumanding officer nc his wife- who had heen wilh him for a few days. A fresh breeze stured the trees at sunset, and, after slight atteutiou to our toilette, we dropped by twos anc threes mto the neighborhood of the Ma jor's teut. A little back from the rows of other tents, a ff w öue oaks made a temple iu frunt, worlhy even of its pre sidii.g genius, Grace Kauning - but I am not goiug to rhapsodize. She was a fair modest, youug thiug, with the girl rose yet fresh on her wife's cheek. I bat kuowu her from ehildhood; very nearly of the same age, aud the chiUJreu of ' neighbors, we had beeu inseparable; of ' course m my first college vacatioo, ' fiudmg her gruwu tnll aud womauly, I '. had eutertaiued for her a devoted boyish ■ passion, and had gpoe from-her presenee, ] oue August uiglit', mad with rejection, and wild with vvhat 1 called despair. - Bat ihat passed, and we had buen good fnenda ever siuee - she the confideutial oue, tu whom I related my varied ooilege love alïairn, Itsieuing ever with u teuder, geuial sympathy I had no sister, and Unice Jüiies (l am sorry, but her uauie was Juui.s) was doar to me as oue. 'i'wo years of professional study had kept me áway trom my village home, aud a few words oauie once iu a long while, in my tuother's luttera, 'toassuru me of Gruce's reiiieuibrancO'aiid regard.' A little of the eider sister's advisiug tone amused , my oue and tweuty yeurs aud my iueipieut inoustache ainaBlngly; aud I resolved wheu 1 saw her, to coaviiice her ot my dignity - to patrouizo her. Uut the BOles trhat called me home were too ciar ion-like for a relapse into puppyisin. - My country spoke my name, aud Í aroso a [nao, aud put away clnldisti thingst' - I caine home to say farewell. A regiment was forming there, I enlisted, aud a few days before our departuru, I stood in the viliage church, looking and lis.cniug while Grace promiscd eterual fidelity to llarry Fauuiug i wafi a strauyei' to him. He had cume to Dauville after uiy departure, winning from all golden opinious, uud from (ïrace wouiaiTs ' priceless heart. She gave him freely to I his eouutry, and deuied uut her hand tu his partiug prayer. I had had time ouly to say farewell te her, and tiie old footmg had uut beeu restored. Out I ihink he ' spoke to the major of me, for he bocu souglit me, giviug me geuial frieudship j and syiupathy, aud prouuring tor me, as I have relatcd, my cininissiou. I had seeu her hut once since alie carne to 3amp Alabama, ind she g;ive me warm nd kindly welcoiue aa 1 caine in, the ast of tilo gronp, having fouud in my .ent soma ui.expeoted etnployinent. Beng a soldier, I sball not shock my fair i eaders it' I confe-s thatit w;is -buttons. Ah ! me, I ain frivolous. 13ut I Iinger n the spirit of tliat happy hour. - jrace's ohair was sliaded by a gracefully rapcd fiau; tlie major stuud ncar her lis love for her as visible in Lia cye as lis cordial Irndness fur us. To me, in locor ot' my ' juniority,' as Mrs I'aningsaid, was assigned a place uear her bc others had clio.ce betweea camptools and blaukets on the grass. And bo oldiist but most respoctable of con rabands served us soou with our supper, hoinclike that we suspectcd 'Mns. Maor's' fair hands of' ïnterference. It was a happy evcning Jlürry laugh,er at our caiupstorie rang silverlj from ïer fair lips ür we üstcnud eagërry to ïer as she told us of the homes we had eft, and the boniiy maidens there, so)ered since our departure iuto patriotic idustry. Stories of touehiug self deni1, with a wholcsomu patlios, and somuitnes from her dainty musical talk sha rupped, pebble like, a name, as 'F;m"uy,' Uarry,' 'Maggic, and responsivo blusli s rippled up over sunburned, honest 'aces, and a soft mist bnglitened for a ecohd resolute eye.s. Presen tly the )aud - a part only of the regiment's - ' jeaan to p.'ay soft, well kuowu tunes. - 'hrough a t'ew marches and uational airs, ' looked aud listoned as a year bufure, ■ n the vülage oliuich at home Aud as be 'Star Spangled B.mner' rose inspi ii'gly, I feit tba coincideuce strangely, nd could scarcely say which scène was ! eul: the ehuroh aisle and the bridal a.ty, in white robes and favors, witli ïu-ilciw prgan-toiros risiug in pátriotic trains conceraing the 'dear old tiag,' or hegroup under the oaks; the young wife n her gi'ay travelluig dress, aud ibe um'oruied figures cathered arouiid lier; the noon rist! over the hill, lighting softly he drooping flag, the oiajor's dark hair, nd Mrs. Fauning'á suiny braids, the wild notos oí' the ;une beloved inelody versweiling all. But voices near arous d tne, and 9a joined in the chorus, and u the following tune, 'Sweet Home,1 the usuai finale of our eveniug programine. i'hen, as the tonos died, (iraee lit'ted ïer voice and sang with sweet, pure so rano toues, an old time bailad oflove and partiog and reunión We bad a wild littlo battle song in Our Mesa,' written by Claarlie Marsh, oui fair-haired boy-p et soldier, speakng of hoiüe, and the coui.try's need aud victory, and possilile death iu ring ng noies. We saug it there iu the ight of the slowly rismg inoou. The chorus was hke this; 'Our couutry's foe beforaus, Our counuy's baniier o'er ui, Our cmiuryto deplore us, These are a soldier's 'needs.' As we elosed, Graos cuught the straiu, and with suft, bndlike notes sang: Tour couutry's Bag above you, Your eoaatry's trüe hearts love you - So let your country move you To brave, uudying deeds.' More songs f'ollowed, and happy words ot cheer in distress, of self cousccration, f past and future victory; but Major Fanuinji was uuusually silent. Hardly sad for he üung into our eonversation occasional cheerful words; but gravely quiet, his dark eye followuig eveiy uiouou of lus fair young wife. Fuially we called on Captain Cartel , our 'uldest man,' a grave b.ichelor of forty-ñve, and to our surprise, wbo knew lum harsh and somctiuies profane, he sang, with a voiee uot faultless, but sol't and expressive, that exquisito health of Campbeil's: 'Drink ye to her that each loves best, Aud if you nurse a ríame That's told but to her mutual breast, We will uot ask her uamo. 'And far, far henee be jest or boast, Prora liallowed thoughts so dear; But drink to hei' that each loves most, As she would love to heat.' T Loa sileaee for a little space; and the moonlight full aud fair in soldiers' fa-, ces young and old, but all firm and true, aud fair and fuil ou Grace Fanuing's fresh, youug brow. Theu 'good nights,' mingltíd with expressions of enjoyincnt, and plans for the moiTow. I left them last. 'I am glad you are here, Robert,' said the major; 'Grace would not be all alone, even il" I' - Her white hand flashed to bis lips, whei-e a kiss met it, and laugbitigly we partcd. A few rods away, I paused and turued. They utood tlure under the flag. Her bright hoad on bis bosom, his anus about her, and the süver inoonlight over all Fair Graee Fanuing ! Have I uamed my story wrougly, pretty reader? I called it 'Camp Sketch,' aud it reads too like a love story.' Ahlgenth girl, Boeking adventure in fiotioi, but shnuking really from eveu a cut-fiuger, there is ettough of battle even in my little sto ry, tliough you slept pweefttUy and hap pily tliat fair Juno night, or waltzed yourself weary to the sound of the sea at the 'Occan House ' A fow 'good niglits' commendatory of our hostess aud our eveuing greetnd me as I sought my tent and made ready for sleep. I was vury happy, uo memory uf our talk was sulliud by oosrse or uj.lovely tliougiit; pure as heraelf liad been. oui eiijovinent of Mrs. Fauniug's sooiety, aud I slept sweetly. The long mil ! None but tlioso who have hoard it wlieu it ineans instant dau ger and possible death, uau eonceive the thrill with which I sprang trom deep slumbei-, and made hasiy preparation for i aetion. Quick as 1 was, otbefcs had been before me, and 1 found tlie half dresscd inou drawn up in battle line before thu eucimpmeot, I took my plaee. BeUmd us lay the camp, a widtf, street' like spaee, friuged with a doublé row of touts - at its foot the old log uiausiou; near tliat, i little in front, but at one sidc, the fiag of headijuarters - ibis beliind Sèfore us the ujajor - ho western wood, and tlio flashing sabres of a band of hostilo cava ry. Tney eamo on heed loss of tht! fast-emptyiug saddles, on, on. and more fullowwg iVom tliu wood, the mo3Q in the uiid beaveu olear like day A gallant charge - a firm repulse. - Major Fauning s clear voice on the night air, rahyiug the men to ttttack the furious foë. Tfaey swepl thdtr borses arouud to' left, but ealiuly tlie major wlieels lus battalion, still unilankeij; agaiü tliose fierce steeds try the tirst point of ftttack; agaiu wü fruut them undaunted. Jnour turn, witli lifted level bayonets we charge; the euemy falls back - u shout tlireada along our linea, changing suddeuly iuto a waii, fur, calling us'ou, our leader falls. Fitiless to hls noble valor, a well aimed carbine-shot laya him low. They lift biin, some brave sildiurs ucar; and, bis youug face bathed in Wood, they bear him to bis waituig bride; he opens bis eyeí, as be passes. 'Courage ! victory ! niv boys !' be calis; then, seeing mo: 'Go! teil her, llobert.' I eall my orderly to uiy place, and bofore they have pierced our liues vvith their beloved buiden, I am at the tent door. Sire stands there waiting, a little pistol m her hand - a light wrappcr about her, and her fair hair streamiug over her shoulders. I look at her niutely; she kuows there is something teniblo lor her, and wbile I seek words, lier eye goes o, resting whcre down the inooulit trees they ure briuging A moment, ,-he is by bis c-ide, and tearless and white, her hand ou bis uuauswenng heart. she moves 'beside hiui. The soldiere lay tlieir leader on the ground undor bis Hag, aud her iioperiofts gesture seuds them back to their placías in the battle. And tbeii she, siukiug bosido faiiO, cries out: 'Oü, Kub'ïrt ! will he nc-ver speak to me again? Help him !' My two years at luctures had not been passed in vam, and surgcry bad been my hobby. 1 knelt and strove to aid him. lt wa-s a eruol wouud. I asked for baudages-. She tore them. frirtu her garineuts wildly I stille! the tnekiing rimsOQ streani, and going iuto the teut, 'ounU some restoratives. 1 poui-ed the vine dowu nis tiiruat, aud, soon opeuiug iis eyes, he spoke: 'Giaee !' I stepped away - near onough for cali, not near eiiötigh for intrusión. Looking at the line.-i of dark furtns topped by '. he ight gliiumer of stray bayoneta. L saw with disinay that our men were retreaiiuií jefore th.j.e lieavy charges; in thick, deuse masses they moved back, nearing us [ thouglit of our soldier chief, crushed uuder those wild hoofs; Itiiought ot' G-race, uipiotected in her youth aud widowed, dis date beauty, and sprang to lur'side, ready with my iifè for Ujt. The major saw it i'l, and, famt as bc was, rose on lus elbow, watching. Chargt after eharjje, wild and itietuous brtak theslovvly retreating battalions. In. van I haard Carter's stern oaths (may the au gel ot tears forgive ban !) aud Charlii. Marsh'e boyub calis. Tlie uien are fnoiug us. Tlio enemy, cheering, and in tin baekgfouud buge orches flaming witb pitch, are ready for incendiarisiu 'Ornee! (iraee! 1 must rally them let me go !' aud I seo Major Fauning strugghng in her am.s. I elasp him a!so. lH is certa in death,' I say to her, mad witb fi-ight and niisery. 'And thisis worse, worse, Grace; you miglit botter kill me!' bis voice was harih - cruel even. Sud'deuly she was gone, and I held biin alone; catching bis sword, she sprang like a flash of lïghtmtig into the open space befure the log house, and, lift-ing the bare blado with naked, slender arm, its loose sleeve flouting froui her shoulder like a wmg, she faced those panie stiïckeu men. For sbame !' she wied; but lier weak voici; was lost; then, steru as the angel of death, she steppcd furward. ' The tírst man th:ic pa.ssos me sliall die !' and she swaöa ths flasiiinc blade up, ready to faü. A momont's bult, aud then, she spoke to them wtth won derf ui straoge words. L cannot rceall them; with iuspip'd eloquence she spoko, a sligbti, wliite-robed iigure in thg olear inoouligbt, and the rout was stayed, aud turut'd bravcly to rueet the f o ft. - Tben aht) came t'aint aud wcak tü her husband's side again. líe looked up with glad, eager eyes. Darliug !' Infinite lave, soul reeognition,.shouo on buth fnoes, and then blank uuconseiousuess crept ever bis. tfinuly our baya met the cliarging steeds uow. Tlmt uiumunt had restored thoiu to their courage. Emptied saddles v.'cre trei{uent, bul tstill fraah forces dashed iï ;in the wood. Is there uo hope for us ? Must we bu overpowerod ? Ia all this valor vaiu 't Graco i'roni her husbund's bide mutelj up ! to huaven. 1 üud my place aiuottg the j men. Littlo hope remains. Some oue calis 'retreut.' 'Just once moro,' cries Gharlie, and falls bet'ore us. But listen; above the buttle din comes a ncw, au approaehing souud trom the eastward. Along the yellow road pours swiftly a forcé of cavalry, behiml tlie ruinblmg of eainian almost ttying over the gruuud, aud high ia air, reeiing froin the swift motiou of its böarer'a steed, the bauner ai the iree. We are saved ! A wild shout rings along pur iines. Ainong the eneiuy frighteoed cónsúltation fullowed by flight; another second, and oia1 friënds are with us and beyoud us til pursuit. ïirief question aud auswer tdd us ot' the l'rieudlv U'ariiiug in lbo dis: ant c.uup, the hasty niarch to aid us. The rest, we saw. Then, 'A surgcou for Major Fanning.' The man ot the green sash had tiot grown eallous. There were tears in lus eyes .is he rose from bis vain eudeavÓvs, saj ï-ii ouly: 'I can do uothiog Uerc I am needed elsowhere.' Our yo'ürig horo was dead ! Thev couiposed liis lnnbs, laying liim on a bíanket under the trees, and Graoe sat down bcside him, tearless still, but palc as bor dress, or the white bami ly-itig cold over the soldior's pulsuless heart ' Robert sond tliem away,' slie said to me, as synipathiziiig htrangers pressed andthey left us alone witli tbc dead. I spoke at last the common-plaeos of oónsolation, suggosted and inodified by the hour and my soldier fcelings. ' Yes, Robert,' she answered, 'I gave hiin loiif ago. God will oomfort me for my hero - in time. Do not speak to me just yet. Do uot lot any one eouie.' Tho tears carne now, and sho wept bitturly, silently, under the starry bannor, beside the dead, I heard the hum of many voiees, and now and tben a cry of pain, and kuew thoy were ill helping the suffi'i-er.-i. Tben I turned to her again. Her streaining hair swept the ground, golden in the light. Her fair face was bidden on tho eold dead face. - And. I darcd uot speak to her. Oh, tbat picture ! Poor Grace Fanniug ! and the silver inoonlight over all.