Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1863-01-07

and the shout was taken up till itseehoed
from mouth tormouih, and snlote taunt-
ingly on Hastings car. The rufiianly-
looking mar came UP to the dark cor
fer, whore lie stood alone By the door.
Z. Guess when he's shot dozen or SO o
them rascals, IL bleach out lbs Yankee
blood-can't stick mp wery long, fur
what yer st1ckin' down--in these re.
giotls.'' The hot color flushed hastings
cheek, his eyes darkened with passion
and his hand~nnconsciously wandered to
the hidden pistol, but, recalling himself,
he only fixed contemptueus look upon
his insultcr and turned away. Some
thing in his eye, however, abashed the
man, and he skunk of.
"See to the Lincolnite thar, Cap'n,
said some one; .:>op bell be of 'thboutI
orders
A leungipg man, the happy possessor
of n yellow ynoastache and faded UNI
form, stopped up to Hastings March
ing orders Tomorrow, my young TREND
all adjourn to camp ground fifteen
miles from here, drill Immediately, no
fine for yfooling. join jackson when
ready, can't do things ship shape IN these
days, and the modestly tinted moustache
twirled between his delicate fingers, just
enough to shows sickly smile.
"To-morrow echoed Hastings.
"We'll be round nd wake yer in
time"
Needn't think yer'll get away from
bere," cried a man whom he recognized
as hisnearest neighbor.
"Six O'clock" continued the officer
with the faded Uniform, aud lie walked
awaw leaving Hastings dumb. He wait
ed while in the shade till the last of
the stragglers had gone, then he reused
suddenly, as from stupor. The dim
lamp swayug back and forth, as he pass
ed the door, east a curious stare of light
into his face, and found it very pale, but
there was the look of tiger ia his eye.
He walked on rapidly, reaching the open
road-he could breathe better there.
away from the sitting air. which Ind
been ladened with foul tobacco, aud the
fouler words of traitors. The night dews
touched his forehead, but brought with
them no cool nor calm. 1t did not mat
ter to the man that he stood almost alone
in his own native town, that his very
neighbors whom lie had dwelt among
from boyhood, conspired to taunt him
for his principles, but this-this curse
which had fallen upon him, what should
he do with it ! The death of loyal
man should never bring his gailt upon
his soul. If he were only in the Union
army, he would turn and crush the men
who crushed him down tonight. lie
would do it-kil them all. HIS blood
leaped in quick pulses, and growing
fierceness darkened in bis eye, The saw
age ia him was aroused. But here was
the tomorrow staring him in the face,
gaunt and wan with horror. He raised
his head inpatcntly toward the sky,
where the stars glittored like inset jew
els unfeeling, uncaring. Could it be
that the God he had always prayed to
was the same God that now withheld
His help from Freedom, and let one Of
her followers grope SO blindly after her
in vain Could it be just to mako men
fight against His Gauss But to-mor-
row-and May He stopped, stunned
by the first coherent thought of what
was before him.
George ~
He looked up quickly; he was direct
ly opposite Mays house, and slight
form stood by the gate.
81 know all about it. Father Just
told me-" said voice so unlike the mer-
~ child Mays that he sta ted and look
ed at her half in terror. Her face was
pallid, her eyes very bright, and an old
look bad crept into them; she seemed in
a moments time to have changed into a
woman.
81 knew YOU would feel badly, and |
watched for YOU to try to comfort YOU"
This calm, calm tone. George felt the
sunny haired child vanish from his hold !;
he had a dim vision Of it as floating
among the golden corn-tops by the stone
where he had sat so very long ago
Why it was only day before yesterday.
Yet he felt instinctively grateful for the
woman love that met him how-quiet
words that Gained his sadness, instead of
sobs that he must soothe.
May. what shall l do 2" he asked
brokenly.
go, and trust to God"
"But you would not have me fight
against the Flag g
Mary stopped moment; the woman
in her cried out weekly for his life. What
were Union and Liberty to her if he
died
George took from his vest pocket lit
tie silken flag, one she had made for him
in the spring. and he always carried it
He slowly unrolled it and held it up; the
clear stripes and tiny stars glittered mo-
ment in the sunlight Of Heaven. No"
she said quickly; "you shall never do
that, not even for me-"
God bless you, May ! knew you
would say So"
He tossed the heavy hair from his
brow, and bis eyes were full of pain, and
looking at her he said, 81 will not ex-
plain to YOU, my brave little ore. l
would get away to night if [ could, but