Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1849-06-07
THE DYING VOLUNTEER.

rizon like ball Of glowing fire. Its bright
rays glanced merrily along the lake Of Tes-
neo; over the glittering dcmes Of Mexico;
past the dark frowning battlements of Che
pultepec Castle, and lit, in all their glori-
Gus effulgence. upon the blood stained field
Of Moline del Rey. -.....a
The contest was over, the sotind Of the
battle had died away, save an occasional
shot from the artillery Of the castle, or the
fire Of some strolling riflemen.
was standing beside the battered re-
mains Of the mill door, above which the
first shooting had been gained upon the
we'll contested wall, and gazing over the
plain, now saturated with the blood of nv
fellow soldiers, which that morning wav-
ed green with flowing grass, when heard
a low and feeble wall, in the ditch beside
me. l turned toward the spot and beheld
with his right leg shattered by cannon
ball, a volunteer lying amid the mangled
dead. He had been passed by in the haste
Of gathering up the wounded under the fire
from the castle, and the rays Of the burn
| ing sun beat down with terrible fervor up
on his wounded limb, causing heavy groans
to issue from his palid lips, and his mar
bic countenance 10 writhe with pain.
'Water, for Gods sake, drink Of wa
ter he family articulated, as bent be-
side him. ........ ......... -.<....
t Fortunately Ihad procured canteen of
water, and placing it to his lips he took a
long deep draught, and then sank back ex-
hausted uDon the ground
The sun, he murmured, lis killing me
with its rays, cannot you carry me into the
shade?' ...... ...s. ..-
4 can procure assistance, and have you
taken TO the hospital
No, do it not: my sand. Of life are al
most out. An hour hence / shall be dead
man. Carry me into the shade of the mill,
and then if you have time to spare, listen
to my dying words, and if you are fortu-
nate enough ever to return to the United
States, bear me back message to my home
and to anoth-' he paused and motioned me
to carry HIM to the shade. / did so and
the cool wind which swept along the spot,
seemed TO revive him, and he then contin.
ued:
You, sir, are total stranger to me, and
from your uniform, belong to another corps
and yet | must confde this, the great Sc
cret of all my recent actions and the cause
of my being here, TO you. Would TO God
/ had reflected upon the fatal steps had
taken, and l should have now been at
home, enjoying the society of kind friends,
instead Of dying upon lgory field, and in
a foreign land. My father was wealthy
man in the town Of G-ch in the State of
Virginia, and moved in the best society of
the place. had received an excellent ed
ucation, had studied law and was admit
ted in the twenty fourth year of my age to
practice at the bar. had early seen and
admired young lady ofthe places daugh-
ter of an intimate friend Of my father and
fortunately the feeling was reciprocal, and
we were engaged to be married. The
war with Mexico had been in existence
some twelve months and many were flock
ing to the standard of their country. 1t so
happened that abort this time recruiting
office had been opened in the town, and
several of my young friends had enlisted
to 60 and try their fortunes upon the plains
of Mexico. One night there was grand
party in the place, in honor of those who
were about to depart for the seat of war,
and both myself and Eveline were at the
ball. Among those who were assembled
that evening, was Augustus p, talented
young man, and accomplished scholar,gay
and lively in his manners, free and cheer
full in his disposition, and universal fa-
vorite with the fair sex. He had for some
time been paying his address to Eveline,
as deemed, in rather too pointed man
ner. As the party assembled to the long
hall and the dance was aboutt to commence,
l asked her for her hand for the first set.
1T is engaged she replied, l thought
very tartly.
TO whom, if I may be SO bold as to en-
quire?' demanded.
TO Augustus p was the immediate
reply.
smothered my rising Indignation as
best could, and proudly returned the
glance of malignant joy, my rival gave me.
Perhaps can engage it Tor the second
SET calmly asked.
MIR P. has engaged it for the whole eve
ning,' she pettishly replied, and rising and
taking his hand, they took their station up
on the floor.
L remained thunder struck, and rooted
to the spot, until saw the eye of my hat
ed rival fixed upon me, and throwing off
the spell that bound me, ! assumed proud
cold look, and passed from the hall. As l
swept by the dancers, Evelire paused
moment when Just beside me, and bend
ing close to her ear, whispered, Eve
line, farewell forever
She turned slightly pale, and then an
swered WHAT
Tonight, join the army for Mexico,
| firmly answered.
A deep flash passed haughtily across her
brow. and then waving her hand graceful
ly, she replied, go, and again glided thro'
the maze of the dance.
brushed from the spot, and never paus-
ed until l had entered the recruiting of
fee, and offered myself candidate for the
army. ..-s.
Are you good, moral man, Of well re-
eulated habits, asked the SERGEANT.
i can give hundred certificates, II ne
cessary.' Lreplied.
i rather think you'll do, said the off,
Ger with smile, and he enrolled me as