The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1863-01-07

with their ashy cheeks and means of pain
as they listened.
"W ell," said tall, half.starved looking
man who was drafted.
"Taint much worse nor DYING here
'thout cent to feed the old woman on
faint for one like Hastings there, and them
comparative rich farmers"
"Hastings' drafted, and he's a cussed
Yankee" cried a rufianly looking man
from the crowd.
"Haw pretty good ftr the yankee ~ and
the shout was taken up till it echoed from
mouth TO mouth, and smote tauntingly on
Hastings ear. The ruffianly looking man
came up to the dark corner, where he stood
alone by the door. "Guess when he's shot
a dozen CT so O. them rascals, I'll bleach out
his Yankee blood can't stick up Werv
long. fur what yer stickin' down-in these
regions" The hot color flushed Hastings
cheek, his eyes darkencd with passion, and
his hand unconsciOusly wandered to the
hidden pistol, bnt, recalling himself, he only
ixsd centemptueus look upon his insnl-
ter and turned away. Something in his
eye, however abashcd the man, and he
skunk off,
"See to the Lincolnite thar, Cap'n,"
said some one; 'or he'll be Off thout or
dcrs."
A longing man, the happy possessor Of
ytllow rnoustachc and faded uniform, step
ped up to Hastings. Marching orders to.
morrow, my young fri-nd-all adourne to
camp ground fifteen miles from here, drill
Immediately, no time for fuoling, join Jack.
son when ready, can't do things ship. shape
in these days." and the modestly tinted
mouStache twirled betweend his delicate
fingers, just enough to show a s,ckly
smile
ITO morrow n'cchocd Hastings.
'We'll be round and wake yer in time"
"Needen't think yer'll get away from
these parts" cried man whom he recos.
nizcd as his nearest neighbor.
''Six O'clock continued the officer with
the faded uniform, and he walked away,
leaving Hastings du,nb. He waited awhile
in the shade till the last Of the stragglcrs
had gone, then he reused suddenly, as
from stupor. The dim lamp swaying
back and forth, as he passed the door cast
a curious stare Of light into his face, and
found it very pale, but there was the look
of a tiger in his eye. lie walked on rapid
ly reaching the open road-hc could
breathe better there, away from the sitting
air, which had been ladcncd with foul 10.
hacco. and the touler or.ls of traitors
The night dews touched his forehead, but
brought with them no cool nor calm. 1t
did not matter to the man that he stood al
most alone in bis own native town, thai,
his very ncighbors whom he had dw.lt
among from boyhood, conspired to taunt
him for his principles, bnt-this curse
which had fallen upon him, what should
he do with it?-The dealh Of a loyal man
should never bring its guilt upon his soul
1t he were only in the Union army, he
should turn and crush the men VINO crush
him down to night. He would do it-kill
them all. His blood leapsd in quick pull
scs, and glowing ticrcencss dsarkenel in
his eye. The savage in him was arouse
But here was the to marrow staring him in
the face, gaunt and van with horror. lie
raised his head impat,ently toward the sky,
where the stars glittered like inset Jewels -
unfecling, uncarins. OulI it be that the
God he had always preycd to was the same
God that now withheld His help from free
dom, and let one OF her follwers group SO
blindly after her in vain? Could it be Just
to mate men fight against His cause But,
|
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.
i 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. His face was pallid,
her eyes very bright, and an old look had
c!epr into them she seemed in mo.
ment's time to have changed into NO
man.
Il 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 dim vision Of it as h,ating 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 instinctiyely grateful for the woman
love that met him now-quiet words that
calmed his sadness, instead Of subs that he
must smoothe.
May, what shall do?' he asked bro.
kenly.
Go, and trust to God
But you would not have me fight against
the Flag?
Mary stopped a 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 little
silkcn flag, one she had made for him in
the spring, and he always carried it. He
slowly unroolled it and held it up the clear
stripes and tiny stars glittering moment
in the sunlight of Heaven. No. she said
quickly; you shall never do that, not even
for me. .. .....
God bless you, May! know you
would say So
lie tossed the heavy hair from his brow,
and his eyes were full Of pain, and looking
at her he said, Il will not explain to you,
my brave little one. would get away
tonight if could, but Jackson's scouts
! would prevent my reaching the Union
lines, SO must go with the traitors, and
take my chance Of escape before battle
If you fall ? questioned the aching voice
of the girl with her face turned fcaringly
up to his.
A half smile-a horrid one curled his
lip. Pm dying for my country then, yes
-musing'y, Just as much, God will call it
So
Mary's forced strength failed her, and
the natural clinging weakness Of the child
rushed back at this. % George! George !!
why can't die too?'
he shivered convulsively, and sharp
sobs shook the slight form which he held
close to his heart
i cannot, cannot bear it, she walled,
Il am SO alone without Won Georoep y
You used to tell me Of Saviour, who
knew all about sorrow,' he said softly,
brushing one hand over his eyes.
Presently she was still, and he told her
quietly all he had to say before he went.
This was the last time he should See her
May took the little pocket Bible which he