Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 5, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 May 1908 — Page 3 Advertisements Column 3 [ADVERTISEMENT]

’ NOREEN. The morning sun shone in all tta grandeur on the beautiful valley of Callan, but before noon the tide of war ■wept through the valley. The inhabitants of Armagh were standing upon the walls—men, women and chlldrenanxious to ascertain the result of the battle, for many bad friends and relatives engaged In the deadly strife. The distant moaning of cannon borne upon the wind made every heart tremble with fear. After awhile several stragglers from the fight appeared In view, who, on approaching, occasioned a general commotion among the crowd who were desirous of learning the result of the battle. The accounts varied and only served to torture the expectants. Late In the day Information arrived that the British bad been defeated and the whole army put to flight, but this also was contradicted, and the evening closed in uncertainty and terror. At morning’s dawn the same uncertainty and anxiety existed in the town of Armagh. The walls were still crowded with the anxious townspeople, eager to obtain the first intelligence. Some, tired and fatigued with watching, had gone, and their places were filled by others, but there was one, a young woman, who from the first had never left the walls, who sat patiently and motionless, without uttering a word. There was a sadness Tn her fair face, and the quick and successive changing of her countenance as the various reports of the combat met her ear told how much she felt and how deeply she was interested in the safety of some dear friend. All night she had remained sitting upon the spot, which she bad not quitted even for a moment. Her face was pale, and her eyes were dim with Intense watching. It was whispered amoug the crowd that she had formed an attachment for a young soldier in Marshal Bagnal’s army. He had been a kind friend and benefactor to her poor, widowed mother and to her brother a father, for he had by kindness and affection supplied the loss of both. They loved each other tenderly, and the hand of the lovely girl was to be Ills reward. The young man was poor, but sought to gain fortune in the then profitable service of the army, and, though only a private, he had reason to expect promotion. Prudence made them postpone their marriage, but love spoke in a more enforcing language, and they at length determined that they would hear the arguments of prudence after marriage. The lovers were therefore to be united when Marshal Bagnal’s corps entered the town. The patience of the multitude was nearly exhausted when the young woman, who had not before spoken, suddenly clapped her hands, crying:

“A horseman! A horseman!” All gazed, but none could discern iii’ii. The young woman was positive aa.l again cried out: "Look! lie comes! His horse is of a dark color and covered with foam. See! There is a second! Now a third!” All strained their eyes by looking to the place to which She pointed, but no one else could see or hear anything. It Was the opinion of those around that grief and anxiety had impaired her faculties. A minute, however, had scarcely elapsed when they were convinced of the soundness of her mind and the accuracy of her eyes and’ ears. As man mounted on a black horse was seen in the distance, and, as she had stated, covered with foam and approaching at full speed, followed by two other horsemen. Anxiety had sharpened her sight and had given her, so to speak, the instinct of an Indian. When the first horseman was within hearing a thousand tongues inquired the fortune of the day. Noreen spoke not; her bosom heaved heavily, and she leaned eagerly forward to catch the sound that might fall from the horseman’s lips, but he answered them only by signs, which could be distinctly interpreted. The multitude awaited his nearer approach, but the soldier, turning his horse's" head in a southward direction, passed the town and continued his flight The second horseman approached and passed, as the other, to the south, without speaking; the third, who was wounded, slowly advanced, keeping the anxious crowd in painful suspense. But Noreen, whose anxiety was worked up to the highest pitch, exclaimed before the countenance of the traveler could be discerned by those around: “It is lost!. It is lost! And he will tell you so!”

She then wrung her hands In anguish and set up the mournful cry of the Irish for the beloved of their hearts. “All Is lost!” the horseman at length said. “The whole army is destroyed., Few have escaped.” Noreen at this intelligence gave a loud and fearful shriek and sank upon the ground. The bystanders raised her. As sudden Joy often destroys the vital spark, so also does unlooked for misfortune. The mind of the young girl had been on the rack for many hours. Still there was hope, but when this soft passion fled so also flew the spirit from its earthly tenement. The beautiful Noreen was a corpse. For a time the bystanders forgot their sown fate, and, gazing upon the once lovely Noreen, shed a tear over her remains. Not For Him. Cyrus (entering a sixteenth floor office of the Syndicate building, perspiring and panting)—By gum, them stairs must be sev’ral miles long! Occupant of Office—Why didn’t you come up In one of those elevators there? Cyrus— Not much! I Jes’ see one of ’em full of people fall down that hole there!—Bohemian. We have just added a machine for retiring baby cab wheels. Rubber tires of all sizes in stock, tires of all sizes In stock. RENSSELAER GARAGE. J