The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1864-05-04

|, fearing Ire would sink down. But he
shook his head, and staggered on.
"Will you give me that gun!" | re-
sumed, after he had taken few more wild
steps reeling like drunken man.
81 can carry it Tom," he answered,
looking up gratefully. l saw it was USE
less to ask him, rs the brave little fellow
would never have relinquished 1t; and it
was evident that both he and his musket
must soon lall, unless he was relieved.-
Therefore, l unslung my knapsack, and,
leaving it in my tracks, took the piece
from his shoulder. We had hardly gain
ed another mile before my head began to
whirl and the glittering bayonets, ahead
seemed Pickering sheet of white flame.
l felt myself staggering.
"Here, Tom, have somo water
drinkr
Water! / must be dclirious, or are you
mocking me? No, Joe never does that.
But he did not drink--then he cannot
have it. "Joe, Joe! where is the waterg"
here, lon, III my canleen.
"Then for Gods sake drink yourself,
for WON'T" | answered; determined he
should not sacrifice the last drop of life
at the altar OF friendship. | dropped
both muskets, in hope they would relieve
me; it was vain, for, after few random
strides, | became insensible.
a was awakened by grateful drop of
water trickling down my throat
"More," gasped, as opened my eyes
and distinguished the form of man
kneeling beside me. The eanteen was
placed to my lips, and as drained it to
the last drop recognized my "good Sa-
marian in the form of "geutlo joe" l
felt somewhat revived and regainod my
feet.
"Come, Joep
But he made no attempt to move, sit
ting motionless, embracing his knees, and
watched me iDtently.
q" Are you going, Tom!" he said, va
cantly.
"Of course, we will both die if we stay
here. Come on"
GOOD bye, Tom," he said, while an
almost angelic expression Of love lit
up his face. ! stood confounded, was ho
crazy! Then, for the first time, the truth
flashed upon my bowildered senses. l
had taken his last drop of water, and he
was furnishing. | turned to him in an
agony of remorse, He was lying upon
his back, with his eyes closed. | knelt
beside him, and placed my hand on his
temple; he slowly opened his great,
brown eyes. "Joe, friend, how do you
fcel!" he answered, family;
"Kiss me, Tom"
Poor boy, his mind wanders thought |.
"Come now, let me carry you,", | re-
sumed; but he made no sign of con-
seriousness. / seized his hand, but it
was cramped and stiff. l laid my hand
on his temple, but it throbbed no more.
| raised the cenched hand TO my lips, and
kissed it, for he was dead. l took a
small gold chain from his neck, as a me-
mento, and taking of my blouse, covered
the face of gentle Joe and reeled onward.
\ \ =
In my convalescence l bethought me
of the chain. Taking it from my pocket
! examined it as well as my tears would
let me: Attached to the chain was
small locket, enclosing an ambrotype of
girl-Joe's sweetheart, perhaps, poor girl !
or more likely his sister, as she greatly
resembled him. took the picture from
tho locket, in hopes of finding the name,
nor was | mistaken, for on the back was
pasted a piece of paper, upon which was
written:
"Any ono who finds this after l am
killed, will please send it to my mother,
Mis-, living at.
JOSEPHINE.