United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Fiction
But for all this the 400 hardy boys who still remained to answer
roll-call, out of the 1,100 that had crossed the Ohio River
in September, 1861, were as fine a body of fighting men as ever
followed a flag, and there was no better soldier among them than
Harry Glen. Every day had been a growth to him, and every trial
had knit his spirit into firmer texture. For awhile he had made
it a matter of conscience to take an active part in everything that
his comrades were called upon to do. Soon this became a matter of
pleasure, for the satisfaction of successfully leading them through
difficulties and dangers more than compensated for the effort. But
while he had vindicated himself in their estimation, he yet lacked
that which the ordeal of a battle would give him at home, and more
than all, in Rachel's eyes. He heard nothing from or of her, but
he consoled himself with the hope that the same means by which she
had been so promptly informed of his misstep, would convey to her
an intimation of how well he was deserving her. When he gained
his laurels he would himself lay them at her feet. Until then he
could only hope and strive, cherishing all the while the love for
her that daily grew stronger in his heart.
---
A patient in her ward, recovering from a fever, attracted Rachel's
attention soon after her entrance upon duty at Nashville.
Womanly intuition showed her that no ordinary spirit slumbered
underneath the usual mountaineer characteristics. The long, lank,
black hair, the angular outlines, and the uncouth gestures were
common enough among those around her, but she saw a latent fire in
the usually dull and languid eyes, which transformed the man into
one in whose brain and hand slept many possibilities that were
liable to awaken at any moment. Still womanly, she could not help
betraying this fact by singling him out as the recipient of many
little attentions somewhat more special than those she bestowed on
others.
On the other hand, often as she moved about the ward she would in
turning discover his eyes fixed upon her movements with an expression
of earnest study. After awhile the study seemed to show that it
had been satisfactory, and one day, when the Surgeon had informed
him that he was now in a condition to return to duty whenever he
saw fit to do so, he asked Rachel:
“Kin I speak ter ye a moment in private, Miss?”
“Certainly,” she replied. “Come right in here.”
Entering the room he closed the door behind them, and made a minute
survey of the windows, and other points of vantage for eavesdroppers.
This done, he returned to where Rachel was watching his operations
with much curiosity, and said:
“Let's set down. I guess no one'll overhear us, ef we're keerful.
“Hev ye enny idee who I am?” he asked abruptly, as they sat down
on one of the rude benches with which the room was furnished.
“Not the slightest,” she answered, “except that you appear on the
roll as 'James Brown, No. 23,' no company or regiment given.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account