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About The west shore. (Portland, Or.) 1875-1891 | View Entire Issue (June 1, 1888)
TOM NORWOOD: A 8TOFIY OP THE CIVIL WAR. BY JAM KM p. 8HAW. IV. ONE day, a few weeks after the colonel's departure, Frank took a stroll through a grove of fine old oaks, which belonged to the grounds surrounding the Harrington homestead. It was a fine autumn day, the sun shining out just warm enough to make a walk under the spreading branches of the oaks enjoyable. He sauntered aimlessly along, now and then kicking over a chunk of decaying wood, or peering into somo hollow log or tree. Occasionally a busy little chip munk darted across his path, while the provident gray squirrels were busy storing away their winter's food of nuts, which are so plentiful in the forests of that section of Ohio. The native blue jays, with their uninteresting squak, were flying from tieo to tree, al ways keeping just out of reach of the stick Frank car ried. He had reached the farther end of the grove, when he suddenly came upon Amy, ensconced in a little bower, constructed with great care and artistic skill from the branches of the oaks in the vicinity. She was occupying a seat in one corner, her lap full of nuts, and a book lying on the ground beside her. "So I have found your hiding place, have I?" said Frank, as he bowed, hat in hand, in front of tho door of Amy's retreat 44 I was not aware that I had been in hiding," re plied Amy. 44 Do you know," said he, " I have not had tho pleasure of seeing you sinco morning?" 44 I have been very busy of late, preparing ban dages and scraping lint for the hospital," said she. 44 InGeed, that is commendable in a young lady, and shows patriotism. I suppose you are preparing a stock of stores to take with you when you leave us to engage in hospital work," he said, throwing consid erable stress upon tho last words. 44 I am not preparing these to take with me," 44 Oh! " said he, 44 1 supposed you were, as you in formed me on my arrival that you thought seriously of becoming a hospital nurse." 44 Yes, I think I did, and my mind is unchanged. I hold it a sacred duty which the ladies of oar conn try owe tho soldiers, that they do all they can to alle viate their sufferings." 44 Very true, and nobly said, bat it will require a great deal of courage for a lady, who would cecma- rily come in contact with tho many Tcvoltiug scenes which would meet her on every hand. Few ladies, I think, would caro to venture on such a minion." 44 No truo woman, Mr. Von Breau, should shirk her duty to tho brave men who have imperiled their lives in tho defense of this country." Amy rose from her seat and passed by Frank, a ho stood admiring her great bauty while she was an imated with her argument Frank saw that Amy wis piqued at tho turn tho conversation had taken, and changed it by asking when sho had heard from her father. 44 Wo had a letter from papa yesterday." 44 When does he expect to loavo Washington?" 44 Very soon now. Ho writes that they may bo or. dered to join McCIellan in Virginia any day, as there is a great battle exacted to Uko placfl very soon in front of Richmond." Amy mado a move to pass on, when Frank said : 44 Don't go yet, Miss Harrington; it is so pleasant out here, and besides, I waut to talk to you." Turning so as to face him, sho said: 44 1 am all at tention; proceed with what you have to say." Frank was somewhat disconcerted by Amy's mtn ner, but managed to say : 44 1 wish to ask you why you avoid mo of late?" 44 1 am suro I have taken no particular pain to avoid you, Mr. Von Drcan." 44 1 wish you would drop tho Mr. when you sjak to me." 44 And, pray, what ihall 1 call you?" 44 1 should prefer to have yoo call mo by my first name, which is shorter and much easier spoken." 44 And what is your first name?" ankfd tbo mis chievous Amy. 44 Frank," said le. 44 Well, I agree with you for onc for I think Von Urean is a horrid cam, and were it mico I should petition tho legislators to tare itchangnL" 44 You mUtake my tar Ming, Miss Harrington. It was cot on account of my camo that I wUhM joa to call mo Frank, bat to show that yoa regard me, at leiut as a frirul" 44 It is cot ternary, I tdieve, to adlrm by his christian cam to I regarded tttt& IJ sides, yoa an UUtA atd gu'st, atd it would