Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1863-01-07
From tie Boston Journal.
TIE FORCED RECRUIT.

n. he afterpoou sun slopcd around
| tie old, farmhouse and fell on thu
cernfeld, danced among the dry stubble
aud glihted in among the noddiug tassels
OF q few remaining ears by the fence,
touching theln I'D to gold. A man was
there, filing basket with the corn,
counting the last of his harvest~~4He
was wen Built, with broad MASSIVE shout
ders, strong arms, and hands that were
not afraid of work. His face was not
strictly handsome, but something in it
was attractive. His dark brown hair was
brushed away from good forehead and
he had honest, kindly blue eyes. He did
not 1ook 'lik ca REBEL thoughkhe did live
in the heart of Virginia; YOU could fear
no traitor blood, When once seeing bis
frank smile. Wills he { worked there
was the distant shot Of asrifle. He star
ted, then bis brow grew dark. Anoth-
er Federal gun gone somewhere" he
muttered through his closed teeth rs he
stood 1fteceiy tearing thefilusks from This
corn. just then the silken tassels waved
in the afternoon light, parted, and flood
of sunshine falling through rested on a
eracefpf, childish head, and a parrot
blue eyes smiled at him. The mans
whole look changed.
"Why, May ~
Well" she said, stopping Short with
the faintest tinge on her round cheek,
don't YOU want me z"
want you ? Of course | do; come
here :"
She obeycd and took seat beside
him on large stone in the shadow Of
the tossing corn. It.wasa slight form,
and the pretty face with its vide won
dering eyes and happy lips, looked like a
very child, yet the girl must have been
eighteen.
81 came over with some tomatoes for
your mother and as you were not at the
house | came down here to sse you a
few minutes, ]" she said.
"You cou'dn't have done 4 better
thing, little GIRL and his honest eyes
looked into hers, brm full Of honest
love. May took off her hat and the
light fell full upon Der dropping hair; she
tossed it back with impalience. Perhaps
there was the least bit Of coquetry in this
AL women have it in degrees and
she knew how beautiful George thought
her hair was.
He took thu twisted curls in bis
brown band, and held them tenderIy
moment AT length he looked up grave
IL MaW | nf fha.a y
Of course she could see no reason at
all why he should want her hair, any
more than Jane Gwinn's, Susan Parker's,
or a dozen other girls, or even that Of the
cat who was dying of ~consu ption at
the parsons, and so she. told him. But
George would not laugh.
81 don't know what may happeH these
dreadful days" he said soberly. The
saucy lips were siIenced in moment.
d" What do you mean :"
81 will explain in q moment, want
this now" He took small pair of scis-
sors from his pocket, and cut off the shi-
ming mite. May said not word.
NAV, it's a terrible business-ths
war;"
81 don't ike to think about it." she
said, drawing closer to him, as if in ter
ror. He put his arm around her ten
Derby
But you must, my little one, we
must both of US think of it, and learn
not to shudder. It's q hard thing to be
shut up down here among traitors, and
fear for your life if you say loyal
word; it is hard to feel the dear old flag
so far off I envy the boys who can
fight for it; yes. and shed their blood.
too. 1t cuts into the heart of q man so
curse those rebel y. r..
Hush, George y 80
Well, know its wrong to talk so,
May, and won't but its enough 10
make one forget all sorts of goodness to
live in these barbarous times. | would
get away from here into the federal lines,
If it weren't for you, May
" 1t would be very dangerous r
" Yes, L know-I'll try and be pa
tent, but, see here, carry this" and
with n strange smile he showed her q
ltSlOi COtStoiGu uIUSI LIS USIl.r =
A though struck the young girl sud
denly. ia
George, what if you are drafted"
" Hush p he said, as if in sharp pain;
g l will never shoot federal if l die for
ii p
"May was still the fear of coming
sorrow touched her bright face. 4
think | must CO." she said at length, ri
sing. Hastings started, and taking her
face in his hands, looked into Der liquid
eyes. are es.
"May-little May, do you love me ?"
" George J" 8 y" - s@
wanted to hear you say it again."
he said, smiling as he saw the grieved
look Oh the childish face, < bees use l
don't know what viii come" There
was a-strange, oppressive feeling at his
heart rs they stood together among the
sunlit corn, and he smeothed her soft
hair, vaguely wondering how many more
times be should do it. Silently they
went up the corn field together, and the
sadness of a cloud passed over the warm
sun as it looked upon them. ~= st Tst.
There was confused mingling Of