Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-10-01
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and the blue wild grapes ripening III the
woods, while the whip-poor- sang sadly
on the messy rails of the broken-down fence
that skirted the ravine, and the katydidS
chirped shrilly through the morning glory
leaves above the window.
"SeYen O'Clock !" echoed Sias Miller, just
as though he had not been watching that slow
creeping minute hand for the last halt hour
'lle will soon be here nOw-my boy will soon
be here
What strange softcning of the rugged fea-
lures, what an unwOnted culver of the harsh
voice there was, when lac uttered the two sim
pie words "my boy" Yes, it was his boy,
who was coming back from the smoke of half
score OF battle. fields; no wonder that the
thought sent IL thrill through his iron ma
ture. His soldier-hs hero.
''Surely ought to hear the stage-horn, he
SAID, teveriShly pacing up and down the mar
row path, where the maple leaves lay like
carpet OF pale gold. "Listen, Sybil, don't
you hear it!'
cts too early yet, father"
The light figure came stealing out to his
side, and both together leaned over the gar
den gate, gazing into the opal gloom of twi-
light with wStful, searching gaze.
She was not prettier than many another
New England girl, yet there was delicate
type Of beauty in her face and form that be-
longs as mGch to the ''frozen north" as its
pine forests and cliffs of eternal snow Pale
brown hair, with aureate lights crossing its
surface st times eyes like the blue larkspur,
and lips that had stolen the dewey Grim son of
the wild rose; in pearls and blue Grape Sybil
Miller would have been "a beauty" in her
dress OF gray Bingham, she was something far
better and nuOler.
Suddenly the old man started and uttered
an indlstinct, glad cry.
Its he, Sybil; don't you see beyond the
elder bushes. Child, don't hold me back, let
me go and meet my boy"
mo, father, you are mistaken it is not
Laurence; Laurence is shorter by half Il head
and that is not his quick, buoyant step"
You are right Sybl,' said Silas Miller,
almost petulanuy. "Why do these vagrant
soldiers go wandering by, giving honest folks
such Il start?"
Il suppose he did not know we were watch
ing for Laurence" said Sybil, half smiling in
the dusk.
at was only this morning that beggar,
disgracing-I won't say wearing-the United
States uniform, came by and had the audaci-
ty to ask me tor money"
did you give him something's"
''Give him something's repeated Slas an.
gry SD have seen him starving first |
have no patience with these strolling beggars.
Here's another specimen of the kind, | sup
pose. No, my man, you needn't trouble
yourself to recite your pitiful story"
For the tall figure, with halting step and
coat thickly powdered with dust, had paused
in front OF the gate, and Sybil could Just dis
Germ dark, piercing eyes, and forehead Gu
rously traverSed by u cresent-shaped scar,
apparently nearly healed.
Il have nothing for YOU" said Silas sharp
ly Yes, yes, know what you would say
BUTTS no use. If you are deserving the pro-
per authorities will take care of you, and if
you are not, the county Jail is the best place
for you. Don't tell me about lcaat, what
have you done with your bounty money and
your pay, if you are really what you pretend
to be--a soldier"
Even through the twilight Sybil could see
the scarlet flush rising to the Scared fore
head
''Sr, you are mistaken. l did not beg"
"No. you'd prefer to play the bully, I've no
doubt. But Pm moi proper subject for you,
so be about your business, my man.
The soldier turned silently away with a
step more hating perhaps and head more
depressed, and passed slowly into the gather
ing dusk.
''Father," whispered Sybil, reproachfully,
chad you forgotten that our Laurence too is
a soder?''
''No," returned Silas, abruptly, II remen-
bered it, and it convinced me all the more that
a man, paid and pensioned like our laurence
has no need to beg on the public highways"
but, father, he did not beg"
''Beeause | would not allow it, child, |
pay taxes for tine support of such as he, and l
6weaI~I will do no more. ~
He spoke in the sharp, high-pitched accents
of passion, and when he looked round again
Sybl was gone.
FootsOre and weary, the travel-worn ped
estran had sat himself down on messy
boulder by the road side, when quick, light
footstep came up little by-path, leading from
the back door of the farmhouse, through
blackberry pastures and mown fields, and a
slight figure bent above him.
40 not mind my fathers words; he was
angry and unreasonable" she said, hurriedly.
81 have little to give, but want you to take
it for the sake my soidier-hrother.
Before he could speak she had unfastened
from her neck blue ribbon with tiny gold
piece suspended from it, placedi il his hand,
and was gliding away across the fields like
some gray nun, in her sOber-hued dress. He
rose up, as if to follow and overtake her, but
it was too late and as he bent his head over
the cleaning token something very like tear
dropped upon its circlet Of tiny stars.
and now tell US everything that has hap
pened to you, LaurcnccI OH, Laurence,
when | walked this morning it seemed all a
dream that you had come back to us again in
very truth"
The bronzed, handsome young soldier
looked smilingly down into the radiant fare
that nestled against his shoulder, and Il seri-
GUS shadow stole into his eyes.
81 can tell you, Sybil, it came very near
being nothing more than dream once or
twice. l have had more hair-breadth 'scapes
than you know of, little sister. | did not tell
you, did |, of that skirmish along the Potomac
where | stood face to face with death, an ugly
death, too, at the point of rebel bayonets,
when some brave fellow charged down on 'em
and saved my life with his own right hand"
who was it, Laurencen' said old Silas,
with trembling lip and dilated eyes. Il would
give my best wheat field for chance to grasp
that hand"
Il don't know never came across him
again. Probably he was in some Of the
other regiments All that l know Is that he
had fiery black eyes, and an odd scar upon
his forehead, shaped exactly like Moorish
crescent"
'And a straight nose, and heavy black
mustache?" interrupted his sisters
exactly"
''Father," said Sybil, turning round, with
sparkling eyes and crimson cheek, to where
Sllns Miller sat, ''the poor wandering sol
der whom you turned from your door last
,r.,, tl,o ,,,n " O saved ,alIrpnC q s