University of South Carolina Libraries
VOL 1 E 21. WHOLE E 73. PORT ROYAL, S. MW, FEMARV 20,18^ ~ " THE NEW SOUTH." I i Published every Saturday Morning by; JOS. H. BAM, Editor and Proprietor. Prick : Fin Cents Pes Copt. Adykbtwsjcebts, Twnrrr-mrs Cknts fzb Live, tok bach in8ebtiojc. ( Terms: invariably cash, OFFICE: Phoenix Building, Union Square. [Written for Thz X*w South.] _ STANZAS. I. When poor in til but truth and lore, I clasped thee to this beating heart. And vowed for wealth and fame to rove. That we might meet, no more to part; Years have gone by, long weary years Of toil, to win thee comfort now,? Of ardent hopes and burning fears. And wealth is mine?but where art thou f IL Fames' darting dream for thy dear saks Grew brighter than before to me, I grasped at all | thought could make Till. Imrino h Aart more worthV thM ! Year* have gone by, the laurel droop* In mockery o'er my fevered brow, A conquered world before me stoop*. And fame la/mine?but where art thou Y HL In youth's first hours despised and Ion* 1 wandered 'mid the busy crowd, But now that life's beet hopes are gone. Tbsy greet with amiles and murmurs loud. Oh! for thy voice, thy laughing voice. To give its happy welcome now? Wealth, Fame and all that can rejoice. Are mine in vain?for where art thou Y DANCING ON T GRAVE." Yes, that suited him to a nicety?Morris Island did not afford a better site for a tent. The sergeant had exercised exquisite judgement in the selection of that particnl&r spot How passing strange some other eye had not detected its merits! The soil was as level as a house-floor ; and, what was more surprising, young blades of grass were Ka/v/iminnf Ttaihln Cm thft fin rfAC A ! It V&8 an oasis, indeed, amid that desert of sand. Every incoming braeze would not fail to invigorate and refresh. Easy of access, convenient to the troops, headquarters near by, admirable in every respect, the sight could not be excelled. "Go," said the young cavalry lieutenant addressing one of his men, "call the assistance you need, and have my tent removed at sunrise to-morrow to that same delightful ground." The order was more than promptly obeyed; for at daylight the men were busy at their work, lest, by chance another party, equally appreciative should succeed in appropriating the prize?with exultant glee did the dashing lieutonant sip his coffee that day?now he had scoured his heart's desire, why not inform his flriends of his good fortune and celebrate the occasion with feasting ana arin&ing: 11 snoma oe aone?companions should assemble and make the hours happy?then followed the preparations for the reception. Wines were obtained from a schooner in the Inlet; the more common beverage, whiskey, was drawn at the Commissary's; traders famished delicate! viands, while of substantial food the lieutenant's own larder was well supplied. At noon the arrangements were complete?the invitations had beta extended ?n 1 nothing remained but the; ^ / jo j. . coming of the guests?for that he had not long to wait?at 2 o'clock the entire party had assembled. The inviting board was ebon encircled? good-humor, mirth, congratulations, toasts, speeches, cheers and laughter wqrelhe prevailing characteristics of the banquet; every one present entered heart and hand into the* fell enjoyment of the festivities?not a single event occurred t<r interrupt the flow of pleasure. The wine passed freely from hand to hand, and, when that became a clog, the staple old bourbon took its place. The lieutenant had already established a fame for his prodigal hospitality. No one could count upon more friends. At most any hour of the day or evening, three or four horses tied outside his quarters indicated the number of visitors within. His popularity was by no means limited to Morris Island, it extended throughout the Department Some of his more facetious admirers designated his tent?an Inn; and one of the Dumber went so for as to present the lieutenant with an embossed card-board having on the obverse, the word "Hotel," printed in large letters. This card eccupied a conspicuous place above his writing desk, and no one could enter the tent withont observing it On rare occasions, it is said, when, by accident, the whiskey ran low or the lieutenant had become surfeited with gay society, and sought a brief repose; it was his practice to turn the reverse of the card towards the entranee, which change was understood by the knowing ones to signify " holet not open," in other words, 14 no intrusion at present" On this day the obverse of the card stared the company mil in the lace, all restraint 01 conviviality was tossed to the wind. The guests persisted that the lieutenant excelled himself in the display of his magnanimous qualities, and declared, in an ecstatic moment, that they would subscribe to a handsome gift for his special benefit. It was rapidly approaching dark. The cloth was removed and the party proceeded to story-telling. Nearly two hours were consumed in this pastime. The general tenor of the stories, as one would naturally suppose, partook of the ludicrous rather than the grave. It happened, however, that one of the party, who had been previously noted for his remarkable versatility, appeared that night as if a shadow bad cast itself upon him and blackened all 'the lively traits of his nature. At times he was absolutely solemn. His most intimate friends could not rouse him to merriment, much mors, to laughter. Each, with a single exception, had told a story or sung a song?and a jolly one it was. Of conrse he would not disappoint them ? "No," ho answered in a measured tone," "if you will not be offended at my selection." "Go on! ro on!" echoed a dozen voices, se eager were the party to get him in a talking hnmor, regardless of what he might say : " Well, hoys," said he, "I will relate my mental experience for the past two hours. I must admit I have scarcely been myself within that time. I am'oppressed with a sense that I have done tome?-mnor *r?ii for thft life of m* I oannnt fix my thought on any particular misdeed that should cause such a singular impression. Possibly dissipation may hare something to do with it, but if that be the case, why have I not been similarly afflicted before ? The sensation is indeed painful and to add to my misery I cannot dispel from my mind the recollection of a church-yard story that was told in my presence years ago. It Is true, its wcital blanchad my cbeek to whiteness^S^,' s?.*; It to about soma dissolute students who, in a fit U. &.Jt wt'l '1 sacrilege by drinking * bottle of wito to timhealtfc *< of the departed?they actually fulfilled the compact; but such a flagrant violation of every principle of morality produced an effect upon my tender mind which nothing has been able to thoroughly eradicate. I intuitively associate the careless frolic oi to-day with something approaching the fearful levity of those students. It is not my desire to check your mirth in the slightest degree, but certainly, under the circumstances, you will not, I am convinced, feel unkindly dispoaed if I withdraw my company." In view of the unsettled state of the narrator's mind, no one could conscientiously offer an objection to his leave-taking. He went to his tent, was taken sick the next day, and after suffering three weeks with a delirious fever, gradually recovered his normal condition, and is now performing duty in the service. This event together with others that followed in the lieutenant's tent would have little significance ah AVta?w*?i/\1 t-AB Ve/1 r.aI no ftnll rwnonmflv Vtn annn 1X1 lilCiUtCllCP, IU>U UUV, CM Will VAJ CCU, a chain of aingnlar co-incidents transpired. The guests, simply expressing surprise at the strange behavior of their absent companion, soon forgot the circumstance, and, late in the evening, became deeply absorbed in the game of euchre. On a side table was placed a brimming bo Wl of punch which, ?when exhausted, was replaced by another. As the night advanced the excitement became more in tens*. The afternoon's festival was completely eclipsed by the nights' carousal. Conundrums, stories, songs, shouts, and laughter reigned supreme. Midnight found the party at the height of their hilarity. A fife had been called in and to its music the company were jig-dancing, polkadancing, contra-dancing, in time and out of time, everybody nobody's partner and nobody everybody's partner, one calling out the figures, another correcting him,?the whole mixed up with noise, discord, and confusion, in the midst of which, and in a key high above all infer sounds, shrieked a man frantic with rage? " lltUhovnds I you are dancing on the grave of my brother !" His anger was of the most malignant type. He conld neither sit, stand, nor walk; but fairly leaped from one wall to the other. He made the most * frightful gesticulations, and swore he would avenge the horrid insult. In a moment all eyes were fixed upon him. Astonishment supplanted revelry. Inebriety made way for soberness. The maddened interloper was N asked to explain himself. He would do nothing but curse?he vowed to slay them all?he brandished a club at them?menaced them, and acted luce a nena let loose, bnaaemy, as u resoivea on some desperate act, he stood still for a moment, then turned, and darted from the tent like an arrow. It was afterwards ascertained he went straight to the general hospital. He was a sutler's clerk and came from the north some months ago. He had received sad intelligence from his relatives in Cuba which so worked npon his mind as to cause insanity. He was taken to tne Hospital tor treat* ment and had been there two weeks prior to thf: [ Orwclvded on Twrth Page.]