Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-01-01


glittering with hate, dull with shoulder
ing consciousness of crushed rights, fierce
with the madness of want. In the back
ground were the forms OF women, press
| ing forward, with their ashY cheeks and
| means of pain, as they listened.
| "Well," said tall, half.starved looking
man who was drafted,
| "'Taint much worse nor dying here
'thout cent to feed the ole woman on;
faint for one like Hastings there, and
them comparative rich farmers
Hastings drafted, and he's cussed
Yankee" cried rufianly looking man
from the crowd.
"Haw pretty good for the Yankee!"
and the shout was taken up till it echoed
from mouth to mouth, and smote taunt-
ingly on Hastings ear The ruffianly-.
looking man came up to the dark corner,
where be stood alone by the door. ''Guess
when he's shot dozen or so o. them ras>
Gals, I'll bleach ont his Yankee blood
can't stick up soery long, fur what yer
stickin' down-in these regions" The
hot color flushed Hastings cheek, his eyes
darkened with passion, and his hand un-
consciously wandered to the hidden pis-
tol, but, recalling himself, he only fixed
eontemptuous lock upon his insulter and
turned away. Something in his eye,
however, abashed the man, and he skunk
off.
See to the Lincolnite thar. Cap'n,"
said some one; -" or he'll be off 'thout or
ders" -
A Longing man, the happy possessor
of yellow moustache and faded uniform.
stepped up to Hastings. s Marching or
ders Tomorrow, my young friend-all ad-
journ to camp ground fifteen miles from
here. drill Immediately, no time for fool
ing, join Jackson when ready, can't do
things ship-shape in these days" and the
modcstly tinted moustache twrled be-
tween his delicate fingers, just enough to
show a sicky smile
To morrow !" echoed Hastings.
Well be round md wake yer in time.'
Needn't think yerl get away from
these parts" cried a man whom he re.
cognlzed as his nearest neighbor.
Six o'clock,' continued the officer
with the faded uniform, and he walked
away, leaving Hastings dumb. He waited
awhile in the shade till the last of the
stragglers had gone, then he reused sud :
denly, as from 8 stupor. The dim lamp
swaying back and forth, as he passed the
door, cast curious stare of light into his
face, and found it very pale, but there
was the look of tiger in his eye. He
walked on rapidly, reaching the open
road-he could breathe better there. awav
from the sitting air, which had been la
dened with foul tobacco, and the fonler
words OF traitors. Ire night dews touch
ed his forehead, but brought with them
no cool nor calm. 1t did not matter to
the man that he stood almost alone in his
own native town, that his very neighbors
whom be had dWelt among from boyhood,
consplred to taunt him for his principles,
but thls-this curse which had fallen
upon him. what should he do with it,
The death OF loyal man should never
bring Its guilt upon his soul. If lie were
only in the Union army, he would turn
and crush the men who crushed him
down tonight. He would do it-kill
them ALL His blood ieaped in quick
pulses, and growing ferceness darkened
In his eye. The savage in him was
aroused. But here was the tomorrow
staring him in the face, gaunt and wan
with horror. He raised his head impa.
tiently toward the sky, where the stars
glittered like inset jewels-unfeeling. un-
caring. 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 2 Gould it be
jast to make men fight against His cause
But, to morrow-and May He stopped,
stunned by the first coherent thought of
what was before him.
"George!"
He looked up quickly he was directly
opposite Mays house, and slight form
stood by the gate.
know all about it. Father just told
me, " said voice so unlike the merry
child Mays that he started and looked at
her half in terror. He face was pallid,
her eyes very bright, and an old look had
crept into them; she seemed in mo-
rnent's time to have changed into a
woman.
81 knew you would feel badly, and l
watched for you to try to comfort you"
This calm, calm tone. George felt the
sunDy-haired child vanish from his hold a:
he had dim vision OF it as floating among
the golden corn tops by the stone where
be had sat 50 very long ago. Why! it
was only day before yesterday. Yet he
iet lnstinctvely grateful for tie woman
love that met him now-quiet words that
calmed his sadness, instead of sobs that he
must sootEe.
May, what shall do2' he asked bro
kenly.
go, and trust to Cod
But you would not have me fight
aganss the Flag?"
Mary stopped moment the woman in
her cried out weakly for his life What
were Union and Liberty to her if he died ?
| George took from his vest pocket a 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 glttered mo-
ment in the sunlight of Heaven. mo"
she said quickly; "you shall never do
that, not even for me.n
God bless you, May! l knew you
would say 500
He tossed the heavy hair from his brow.
and his eyes were tull OF pain, and looking
at her he said. /" | will not explain to you,
my brave little Que. | would get away
to night if | could, but Jackson's scouts
would prevent my reaching the Union
lines, so must 60 with the traitors. and
take my chance of escape before battles
If you fail ~ questioned the aching
voice OF the girl with her face turned fear
ingly up to lis.
half smile-a horrid one curled his
lip. I'm dying for my country then,
yes"-musingly, Just as much, God will
call it So"
Mays forced strength failed her, and