Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-06-25

POCKET, dnG the OrCer, Wnicn ne 1OuuQ
intbe Majors belt, and which
had been the means of his death.
81 suppose ought to take lock OF
his hair said John, taking out bis jack
knife. But he did not get one, for ball
struck him on the elbow, which sent the
knife spinning and shattered his arm TO
pieces.
aBy George N he shouted, Il never
thought of being shot!"
He tainted presently, and dropped be-
side the Major, where he was found, pick
ed up, and taken away.
The body of the Major was taken
home and Mrs. Snow had the grati6ca-
ton of riding in carriage as one of the
chief mourners in the largest funeral pro-
cession that had ever been seen in the
county. Her qualification was allayed,
however, by the manner of the Brewer
family. They signifed that, as the Major
was dead, ali connection between her and
his family were at an end. The bitterest
tears Mrs. Snow did not shed al the -tu-
neral, but afterwards, when she .revolved
in her mind the failure of her plans
Sally made no pretense of grief, but she
was sobered by the event. She looked
down the road often, bus no one could tell
what her thoughts were. -s.s
Nothing, meantime, had been heard OF
John Cutter. The hand which should
have guided the pen was no more in his
possession; his arm had been amputed
above the elbow, fever set in, and he lay
in the hospital a month. The watch and
the order he gave to the surgeon to keep
till be got well, bat said nothing of the
owner. If he died, Sally would never get
them, for the Major could not expect him
to deliver them under such circumstances.
But John got well-that is, well enough
to be discharged-and be started fer
Bingham, with the watch, and the arrears
of his pay (Which amounted TO about for
ty dolars) by the roundabout and uncer.
tain way OF transport.
In three weeks he reached home, gaunt,
dirty, ragged and feeble The very hour
almost that he arrived be dragged himself
up to Mr.. SHOWS. g..
Mrs. Snow saw him as he unattached the
gate. She gave suppressed Lord a.
mercy and Stood paralyzed, but wait
ing for coming events. Mr.. Snow saw
John from the barn, and hurried to meet
him. Selling Johns empty sleeve, he
shook 1t so violently that John vibrated
all over. -
"Taint you! said Mr.. Snow. ''How
are ye9 What's been to pay with ye?-
The Lord has preserved ye Come in and
stay week. I'll kill ye with good Wit
ties"
Here Sally came flying out from the
door. John involuntsrily clenched his
teeth, and braced himself tor the encoun-
ter; but she stopped suddenly before she
reached him, and turned so pale that her
father cried out
"She's going into fits at the sight of
ye!''
But she recovered by blushiEg painfully,
and then she begged John, in low voice,
to walk in.
"She's soido0," thought John, follow.
ing her.
Mrs. Snow, still at the window, turned
and gave not ungracious welcome to
him. He lost no time in producing the
watch and relating the story he came to
tell. As be handed the watch 60 Sally,
and told her that the Major had kissed it
for her, his eyes filled with tears, as much
from self-pity, perhaps, as from a remem.
brance of the sad scene.
Sally took it and laid it On the table,
and looked at him to go on with his story,
as if it was time that he should come to
himself.
Mrs. Snow made her own comments on
Sally's behavior, and so did John, with a
great jump at his heart When the MARIA
tive was ended, Mrs. Snow said
$50 you are discharged ~
6 | am good for nothing," he answered.
Sally laid her hand on his empty sleeve
John took it gently in his. and their eyes
met. Forgetting everything but each
other, he whispered
-" How could you9" -. q x
81 never will again."
because | wasn't here, and you were
too weak to stand alone 2"
YES, that was the reason; but why
didn't you write?"
81 did"
u never got a word from you"
~ You'll get pension ?" Mr.. Snow re-.
marked, obviously.
81 suppose So" answered John, start
ing up. q must 60 now; for have not
seen my folks yet"
With sudden "Good- day." he was
gone.
81 WONDER" said Mrs. Snow, eff all the
army are as dirty as be is?
Never mind. never mind, mother"
answered Mr.. Snow; it is our only
chsnce to see Rebel soil'
Mother,' said Sally, after some days
had passed over without any sign from
John Gutter, shave you been any happier
for my marriage?'
No. her mother answered, shortly.
Nor l."
You might have been"
Never, mother. Do you think that I
have any right to my way now?"
81 suppose you will take it,"
l. shall!" said Sally, firmly.
How folks will talk - said Mrs. Snow.
angrlly.
About what2"
"Oh, you know that l am not to be
cheated. 1t Is all about John Cutter.
Have him here if You choose; but hope
he will wash himself before be comes"
Sally remained silent.
| never could do anything with YOU -
But God has done something mother
It was Mrs. Shows turn to be silent.
Sally shook hands with John, as they
were coming out of church the next Sun
day, and all Bingham saw the perform
ance. In the course of time, John walked
home with her from the church; then be
made call every Sunday evening then
be gradually fell into the habit of drop
ping in on weekdays; and finally he mar
ried her. -
Sally avowed her intention of going GU,
DISSEMINATING, to make up for the loss Of
Johns arm; but neither Mr.. nor Mrs
Snow would consent to that-and so they
urged John to live with them and turn far.