History: Civil War Memories
Contact:  Janet
 

Surnames: Dore

 

----Sources: The Union Flag "Eternal Vigilance, The Price of Liberty.", Neillsville, Wis., June 16, 1864.  Published every Thursday Evening by John S. Dore, editor.

 

 

The Angel of the Depot; or What Became of a Kiss

 


The great depot was crowded.  The ---th Regiment was about to leave for the agent of war; and it was know that they were to go where fighting was sure to come.  The cars backed into the building, and the engine was shrieking impatiently.  The regiment had filled the depot, and as the soldiers rested for a few moments upon the their arms, fond friends gathered around, and the words of parting were spoken.  There were tears, and sobs, and blessings, there were wringing of hands and wringing of hearts.  Wives were parting with husbands; mothers were parting with sons; sisters were parting and bidding good-bye to brothers; and fathers were speaking the last words of caution and care. It was a season of painful anxiety; for the departing ones were going away with their lives in their hands, and the offering on the battle altar might speedily be made.


Corporal Walter Evermond leaned on his rifle, and gazed upon the scene. No one came to kiss him—none to bid him farewell. Not over one-and-twenty was Corporal Walter Evermond. He had a fresh, handsome face, and a bright, pure eye; and his frame was one of those marvels wherein magnificent physical structure is developed with a small body.


"I declare,” said the Corporal, wiping a bit of moisture from his eye, “I am glad that I have nobody here to weep and sob for me. Yet,” he added, with a long look, “it would be pleasant to bear away one parting kiss. But I shall not get it.” "I’ll kiss you, if you’ll let me ? ” Walter Evermond felt a hand upon his arm. and the prettiest, sweetest face he had ever seen, beamed upon him with a smile. "I’ll kiss you sir.” And the girl placed both hands upon his shoulders and pressed her lips upon his blooming cheek. "Thank you! Bless you!” “Fall in! Fall in!”


The Corporal pressed the hand of the beautiful girl; gave one look into her beaming face, and then fell into love; and ere long the cars rolled out from the depot, bearing the volunteers towards the field where patriot duty called them. In a little while the train was out of sight, around the turn, and the throng of friends gradually dispersed. "Nellie, I am astonished at you.’

 

“Astonished at me!” replied Nellie Preston, looking up into the face of John Gainsford, who walked by her side to a carriage.


“Yes. How could you do such a thing?”

"Such a thing as what?"

"As kiss that fellow in the depot. Goodness gracious! What are you thinking of?”

"I was thinking,” replied Nellie, with a perceptible flash of feeling, “that he might be a poor, motherless, sister-less boy, who had no one in the world to love him.”

“And so you thought you'd love him, eh?”

“I love all those brave, noble men who have gone out to offer up their lives for their country’s welfare,” said the girl with deep emotion. "I never knew how well I loved my own brother until I saw him go away to-day. I hope God will keep him, and return him to us in safety.”


"Did you notice,” said Mr. Gainsford, after a pause, “that your foolish behavior caused considerable remark?"


"I’d rather you wouldn’t say anything more about that, Mr. Gainsford,”


"You are ashamed of it, eh?"


“I am ashamed of you, sir! You need not help me. I can get into the carriage alone.”


Two days after this, Judge Preston came home looking very thoughtful. After ten he called Nellie to him, and asked her if she had made up her mind to be the wife of John Gainsford,


"I have made up my mind that I will not be his wife,” was the prompt reply. "I have no wish to urge you, my child.” "I do not love him, father; and I should prefer to have no more with him.


I never liked him. He is unkind to his poor sister; and he might be unkind to me.”


"You are right my daughter, and I am now free to confess that I am pleased with your decision. Almost the last thing your brother said to me before he left with his company, was, that he hoped you would not make John Gainsford his brother-in-law. He knows Gainsford well, and has no respect for him.”


The Judge kissed his child, and the matter was settled. Gainsford was the son of one of his oldest friends, and thus the intimacy had commenced; and he had been willing, for his daughter’s sake, to try the young man, and he felt a sense of relief now that the trial was over.


George Preston, the Judge's only son, had gone as captain of a company; and the family watched anxiously for the news that was to bear to them the intelligence of the movement of the —th regiment. By and by intelligence came. The regiment was at Poolesville. The regiment was at Balls Bluff. The regiment had been under fire nearly all of that terrible day; and a fearful havoc had been made in the ranks. Where was George ? Oh, how anxious w r as Nellie Preston now. More than ever before did she know that she loved her brother.


Ha! Good news. George is safe. The Judge came home with his evening paper, and handed it to Nellie, pointing with his finger to the paragraph she was to read. She read as follows :


"Captain Preston, after being exposed to a merciless fire for four hours in succession, was one of the last to swim the river. He had madt his way down the bluff, and was assisting some of his wounded comrades, when the enemy came pouring down upon him. He was surrounded and would have been slain, but for the* heroic bravery and devotion of a sergeant of his company. The sergeant, whose name was Walter Evermond, seeing the captain in danger, sprang to his side, and with his revolver shot down three men who were pressing upon him. When they gained the water, Captain Preston had received a wound in his shoulder, which rendered it impossible for him to swim; but Evermond did not forsake him. The noble fellow clung to his captain like a brother, and succeeded in getting him safely over the river. We are happy to state that Captain Pres ton’s wound is not serious.”


"Oh, heaven bless that noble sergeant!” ejaculated Nellie, as she finished reading the account.


And her father joined her, with his whole soul.


Later in the evening, a curious thought worked its way into Nellie Preston’s mind. She wished the man who had saved her brother’s life so bravely, had been only a corporal! And then she wondered where that fair-faced, bright-eyed soldier was whom she had kissed in the depot. She wished she knew his name. It would be a satisfaction to know how he fared. She hoped he was safe.


Ere long a letter came from George, in which he gave a thrilling account of the battle. He spoke of Sergeant Walter Evermond as he would have spoken of a brother. “He saved my life at the risk of his own,” he wrote; “and but for him you would have no son living to write this; and Nellie would have no brother.” There was a postscript to the letter as follows:


“P. S.—Walter Evermond has just received a commission as second lieutenant.” The winter wore away, and George, in his letters to his sister, frequently spoke of Walter Evermond as of a very dear friend. At length came a letter with the following passage : “My dear father and sister, give me joy. lam major, and my commission dates from the day of Ball’s Bluff. My dear friend Evermond is captain of my old company; and a better soldier does not live; and I know there cannot be a truer friend.”


Once more the Judge and his daughter were anxious. The —th regiment was before Yorktown. Then came the bloody field of Williamsburg; but George was not called into the battle. At length, how ever, came tidings of another bloody fray, in which our regiment was engaged. Fair Oaks! The list of killed and wounded lagged; but the letter from George was received. He was alive, but badly wounded.


“Our colonel was stricken down,” he wrote early in the engagement, “I had been acting as lieutenant colonel for some time, and the command devolved upon me. I was following the lead of the gallant Howard, when a bullet passed through my thigh. Captain Evermond was on the right of the regiment, and I had just time to pass the command to him, when the clash of the final charge came. I was faint and dizzy; but I saw him dash on at the head of our noble regiment, and the shout of victory struck my ear as I was borne from the field. Late at night Captain Evermond was borne into our quarters, severely wounded, by a saber wound on the shoulder. He had a hand to hand conflict with the enemy over a battery; and be took it and held it.”


Th’ee weeks afterwards, another letter came.


“Dear Nellie, I am coming home. I have a furlough for forty days. Captain Evermond is coming with me. Our wounds are doing well.”


The train arrived at three o’clock in the afternoon. Major Preston came from the car upon his crutches, and his father was there to receive him. Nellie had not come down. Big, proud tears coursed down the old man’s face as he he heard the glad shouts that welcomed his noble boy; and for a while his son was monopolized by the multitude.


"Where is your friend Evermond?" asked the Judge, as they moved towards the carriage.


“Oh, he will be with us this evening He had to stop to see a friend on the way, and will come on the next train, I told him our carriage would be on hand for him.”


A joyful moment was it for Nellie Pres ton when she threw her arms around the neck of her beloved brother. Oh, she knew now how much—how very much she loved him. What numberless questions were asked, and how eagerly were the answers listened to.


By and by Nellie asked after Captain Evermond.


"Oh, she c-‘ed, “I hope he is not old and ugly, for I want to love him.”


"Not very old,” said George with a smile; “and not very ugly. But there is a curious circumstance connected with his experience as a soldier, which is worth relating. He told the story with tears in his eyes. After the affair at Ball’s Bluff, we were like brothers. Evermond is an orphan; without father or mother, sister or brother. He has a splendid education, which he owes to an old aunt, who intended him for a minister; but his disposition did not lead him that way, and he started to study law. His aunt withdrew' her favor, and he was left to struggle alone.— He was in danger of becoming dissipated, when the thought struck him that he would enlist. He entered as a private in the company of which I was captain.


While we were waiting at the depot, on the morning when we left for the seat of war Evermond stood alone, gazing upon the scenes of weeping and blessing; and as the thought passed through his mind that he was relieved from the pain of parting with friends, he felt thankful, and expressed himself to that effect. Yet he said, he felt that it would be a blessing to bear away one friendly kiss that he could re member, as coming from a sister. He said this aloud, and in a moment a young girl— he says the most beautiful girl he ever saw—put her hands upon his shoulders, and kissed him upon the cheek. He said he had just time to bless the angel, when the order came to fall in. I think the girl that gave Walter Evermond that kiss did a glorious deed. He says that the memory of that sweet face has led him to high and holy resolves; and that he had sworn with in himself that he would never do a deed that would cause the girl to blush that she had kissed him, even were she the daughter of a king.”


"You said he was a private then?" remarked Nellie.


"No—he was a corporal then. He was made a corporal very shortly after he enlisted; and before we had been in camp a week in Maryland, he was made a sergeant. But, my sister, what is the matter ? Mercy!—you look pale.”


“Oh!” whispered Nellie, hiding her face with her hands, “what dreadful things!” "My, I thought the story of Evermond would arrest your thoughts from the darker themes.”


"So it does in a measure, George; but I cannot help my feelings.” George Preston, never mistrusting, never dreaming, that his sweet sister had ever seen Walter Evermond, drew his arm about her, and impressed a brotherly kiss upon her pale cheek.


At eight o'clock in the evening the coach was sent to the depot, and at half past eight it returned, Nellie left the parlor and sped away to her own room. Her heart was in a flutter and her face was burning. It might be possible that she had never seen Capt. Evermond; but she did not think it probable. What should she do ? How should she meet him ? Twice had she attempted to tell her brother of her own adventure at the depot on that memorable morning; but she could not.


Major Preston, upon his crutches, went to the door, and welcomed Captain Evermond, who carried his right arm in a sling. The old Judge welcomed the hero as another son; and he was surprised when he found that the Captain was a fair faced, handsome youth, just upon the opening stage of man hood.


But where was Nellie? The bell was rung, and a servant was sent in search of her. At length she came, trembling at every point; but her father and brother did not notice it.


“Nellie, my sister,” cried George, “here is our dear friend, Walter Evermond,” The Captain advanced with a quick step, and half extended his hand, when he stopped as though he had been shot, “Good angels!” he gasped, “what is this? This your sister?”


With a mighty effort Nellie smiled, and put forth both hands.


“Aha i” exclaimed George, lifting his crutches from the floor, and standing them down with wonderful energy, “I think I sec it now! Say, Walter —tell me—tell, is this your angel?"


“Ten thousand blessings on her head!” murmured the brave youth, while the tears started down his cheeks. “I did not dream of this?"


Then he dashed the tears away, and extended his hand.


“Lady,” he said, “you will excuse my left hand, I know.”


“Goodness mercy on me!” exclaimed the old man, who began to see through it. “Is this the soldier you kissed in the depot, Nellie?"


Again the poor girl came very near losing herself; but she made one more struggle and was successful.


“Yes, sir,” she said, “Captain Evermond and I have met once before,” It was a curious position for both the captain and the maiden.


“Hold on I” cried the major, with another thump of his crutches, “I have it, I know how awkward it is; and if I had mistrusted, so much as by a thought, that my own sister was the identical angel of the depot, I should have prepared the way for this meeting. But see how nicely I’ll fix it; yon Walter, are my brother by every tie of love and gratitude. So, of course, you two are brother and sister.”


“Capital!” exclaimed the judge. “And now for enjoyment. Come, Walter, lead your sister to a seat, and we’ll talk of the times that have tried our souls.”


Ah! the present was a time that tried Nellie’s soul; but it was a happy, blissful trial.


Late at night they prepared to retire. The two soldiers were left alone after the rest had gone to bed; for they got used to helping each other. The major cared for the captain’s shoulder, and the captain took care of the major’s thigh.


“We are at home my dear Walter,” said George Preston, after they had dressed each other’s wounds, “and we will have a happy time of it.”


“I shall not be able to stay with you long,” returned Walter.


“Mercy, what is up now ? where will you go?”


“I don’t know, I must not stop here,” “And why not, pray?"


“Because I dare not!”


“Oho!” cried George, who knew his friend well enough, and knew human nature well enough to read ordinary signs of feeling, “I think I understand you now. But we will say no more about it to-night. On the morrow I will help you to find a good boarding place.”


And so they went to bed.


On the following morning, after breakfast had been disposed of, George took his sister away to the library, and had a long talk with her. She wept and smiled by turns during the conversation.


When he came out from the library he met his father in the hall, and he had a talk with him.


“Walter Evermond,” he said, “I have found a good, comfortable boarding place for you.”


“Ah, have you ? Thank you, George.” “Yes. Sic down and I will tell you all about it. Now listen,” continued the major, after they were seated, “I have assumed somewhat responsibility in this matter. I have gone so far as to pledge my own honor that you will so bear yourself that the house can never be ashamed of you. In short I have given my word that you are an honorable, true man, incapable of premeditated wrong, and fixed in the path of virtue.”


“Thank you, George.”


“And now, my dear captain, your place of abode is fixed in this house. My sister is hostess, and my father is the host.” “But—George—”


“Nonsense! Do you think I’m blind ? At any rate I can see plainly enough to discover what ails your heart; and all I have further to say, is—if you have courage you will stay here. If you have further arrangements to make, make them with Nellie.”


“But—George—will Nellie—”


“Don’t ask me what she will do. Ask her yourself.” But your father—”


“Already looks upon you as a son. What more have you to ask?"


“I don’t know. Indeed this is more than I had expected, I am dreaming.”


“Then I advise you to wake up,”

 

When Walter Evermond did fairly awaken, he awoke to a blessed hope. Before night he had resolved to stop, and before the week was out he had made arrangements with Nellie Preston, to live with her always.


And all of this came of the simple kiss in the depot.

 

 

 


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