The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1863-01-07
THE FORCED RECRUIT.
From the Boston journal. I

The afternoon sun SlOped around the old
farm house and fell on the cornfeld, danced
among the dry stubble and glint.d in a.
mong the nodding tassels Of u few remain.
ing ears by the fence, touching them all to
gold. A man was there, filling basket
with the corn. counting the last Of his har.
vest. lie was we'll built, with broad mas.
sive shoulders. strong arms, and hands that
were not afraid Of work. His face was not
strictly handsome, but something in il was
attractive. His dark brown hair vas brush
cd away from good forehead, aud he had
honest, kindly blue eyes lie did not look
Ike rebel, though he did live IN the heart
of Virginia /; you could fear no traitor blood,
when once seeing his frank s,uile. While
ne worked there was the distant shot Of a
rifle. He started. then his brow grew dark
Another Federal gone somewhere he nut
tered through his closed teeth, as he stood
fierccly tearing the husks from his corn
Ju,t then the silkcn taSSels waved in the
afternoon light, parted, and n food of sun
shine falling through rested on graceful,
childish head. and pair of blue eyes smiI.
cd at him. The mans whole look chang
ed.
why, May!
'Well,' she said. stopping short, with the
faintcst tingc on her round cheek, don't
you want me p
Want you! OF course do; come
here!
She obeyed and took seat beside him
large stone in the shadow Of the toss
pretty face with its wide wondering eyes
I'd hnr E~c l.,nl.,l n -,
the girl must have been eighteen.
Il came over with some tomatoes for
your mother, and as you were not ut the
house, ! came down here to see you few
minutes she said.
You couldn't have done better thing,
little GIRL and his honest eyes looked into
hers, brim full of honest love- May took
off her lat and the light fell full upon her
dropping hair; she tossed it back with i'm
patience. Perhaps there vas the least bit
Of coquetry in this all women have it in
degrees she knew how beautiful
George thought her hair was
lie took the sun twisted curls in his
brown hand, and held tn III tendcry mo.
ment. At length he looked up gravely
May, | want one Of those
why he should want her hair, any more
than Jane Gwinn'S, Susan Parker'S, or a
dozen other girls, CT even that of the ca,
who was dying Of consumption at the par
sons, and so she told him. But George
would not laugh.
Il don't know what may happen these
dreadful days" he said sobcrly. The sau-
cy lips were silenced in a moment.
What do you mean ?
Il will explain it in moment, want this
now He took small pair of scissors
from his pocket, and cut off the shining
mite. May said not word.
May, it's terrible busness-this
war;
Il don't like to think about it, she said,
drawing closer to him, as If in terror. lie
put his arm around he, tendcrly.
But you mnSt, my little one, We must
both Of us think Of it. and learn not to
shuddcr. It's hard thing to be shut up
down here among traitors, and fear for our
life if you say loyal word; it is hard to
feel the dear old flag so far off l envy the
boys who can fight for it; yes, and shed
their blood, too. 1t cuts into tho heart OF
"A man so-cursc those rebels
Hush, George!'
well, know it's wrong to talk so, May
and won't but it's enough to make one
forget all sorts OF goodness to live in these
barharous times. would get away from
here into the federal lines, it it weren't for
you, May
1T would be very dang'rou
Yes, l know-l'll try and be patient,
but, see here, carry this" and with a
strange smile he showed her pistol con.
ccalcd under his belt.
4 thought struck the girl suddenly.
George, what If you are drafted
Hush ! he said, as il in sharp pain ;
i will never shoot federal if | die for
it!
May was still the fear Of coming sor-
row touched her bright face. 4 think !
must 60, she said at length, rising Has.
tings started, and taking her face in his
hands, looked into her liquid eyes.
'May-httle May, do you love me p
George!
i wanted to hear YOU say it again. he
said smiling rs saw the grieved look on the
childish face. because don't know wha,
will come There was strange, opprcs.
sive feeling at lis heart as they stood to
gethvr among the sunlit corn, and he
smoothed her soft hair, vaguely wondering
how many more times he sho lid do it. 81
lently they went up the corn field together
and the sadness of cloud passed over the
warm sun AS it looked upon them
There Was canfuscd mingling Of shouts
and osths as the results Of the ballot box
were made known to the crowd assembled
around the dilapidated building which was
used as town house. The sickly light OF
q swinging oil lamp fell out through the
open door upon the faces turned toward it.
dark, wicked faces they were. most Of them;
lips from which curses had driven away
the smiles Of honest happiness: eyes Gilt