Chapter III: Labors of Love

Musical--Decatur.

To a woman who lives and moves and has her being in the past, an invocation to time to “turn backward in its flight,” would seem superfluous. The scenes of other years being ever present, it would also seem that time, as a loving father, would linger fondly around her with panaceas for decay, mental and physical; that her heart would never grow old, and her person never lose the attractions of youth; but, in the economy of Him who doeth all things well, such is not the decree regarding aught that is mortal. And when the ravages incident to one’s career have destroyed personal charm, and divested the mind of sparkling gem, the soul yearns for the protection of childhood and the companionship of youth. Scenes of the past, though dyed with “the blood of martyrs,” are ever passing in kaleidoscopic beauty before the mind’s eye, and tones too sweet for mortal ear are ever thrilling the heart with strange, sweet, expectant pleasure. This train of reflection, only far more elaborate, seizes for its guiding star, on this occasion, a scene which at the time of its enactment was indelibly impressed upon my mind, and left living, glowing tints, illuming my pathway through subsequent life; a scene in which lovely girlhood, arrayed in pure white robes, lent a helping hand in the important work of supplying our soldiers with comforts, all the more appreciated because of the source from which emanating. With closed eyes, I see it now and listen to its enchanting melody. To render it more realistic than could be done by any description of mine, I subjoin a copy of the “Programme,” the original of which I have preserved:

GRAND MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT!

RELIEF FUND
FOR OUR SOLDIERS,
THURSDAY, MAY 15, 1862,
AT THE COURTHOUSE.

By the ladies of Decatur, Georgia, assisted by William H. Barnes, Colonel Thomas F. Lowe, Professor Hanlon, W. A. Haynes, R. O. Haynes, Dr. Geutebruck and Dr. Warmouth, of Atlanta.

PROGRAMME.

Part I.

1. Opening Chorus--Company.

2. Piano Duet--“March from Norma”--Miss Georgia Hoyle and Miss Missouri Stokes.

3. Solo--“Roy Neil”--Mrs. Robert Alston.

4. Quartette--Atlanta Amateurs.

5. “Tell Me, Ye Winged Winds”--Company.

6. “Our Way Across the Sea”--Miss G. Hoyle and Professor Hanlon.

7. March--Piano Duet--Miss Laura Williams and Miss Fredonia Hoyle.

8. Solo--Professor Hanlon.

9. Comic Song--W. H. Barnes.

10. Violin Solo--Colonel Thomas F. Lowe.

11. Solo--Dr. Warmouth.

12. “When Night Comes O’er the Plain”--Miss M. Stokes and Professor Hanlon.

13. “The Mother’s Farewell”--Mrs. Maggie Benedict.