The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1864-11-05

L hearu the woman go OH UuLteTlng
dorbtless, some Of the boys had been
Gforaging."
At midnight there was an order to
march, and hundreds of eager, determiu
cd souls turned their faces southwark
Iu the gray dawn ] met leicester.
His handsome face was full of heroism
and courage, and an inclfable sadness.
Then came the battles Of the Wilder.
ness, wherein we all suffered more or
less
CATER the battle, with broken arm
and shattered body, | found myself un.
der a friends auspices at Alexandria. |
knew Hugh was wounded and in the
ospital--"dangercusly", the papers
said. / found him with both legs bro
ken, and a bullet in his shoulder. He
was calm and peaceful, spoke of the bat
ties, and of his own wounds and mine I;
but not Of the false woman who had hurt
him worse than the enemy'3 bullets. I
left him, promising to return at six. AS
| entered, surgeon said.
"Who is that interesting young Eel.
low that is lying 50 patiently while all
around him are moaning or tossing to
and fro? lie is looked for the better
country cannot possibly last three days.
He seems all unconscious of his tate,
too ; my heart aches for these poor fel.
lows"
I glanced at a cot in the officers
quarters, on which their eyes were fixed
My God 1t was Hugh | wayIad
the surgeon and learned that no human
skill could save him. As I drew near
his bed, saw he was sleeping. One
arm was flung, boyish fashion, over his
head, the other was pressed upon his
heart. lie opened his beautiful eyes 50
suddenly, | was startled.
II was dreaming of home, Colonel"
"Call me Reginald, Hugh" I said,
with shake in my throat
1--WE will go home together, Reginald,
you and |. You to see your dear old
mother, and l. ah | had forgotten I
long with an unuttclable longing to 90
home to snuff the clover blooms aud the
fragrant grass. Colonel, would your
mother be my mother for a few days :?
Would she play mother to hoTe. sick
boy? [ am not much more than boy,
Colonel, only two,and twenty
"a hero, Hugh; who has given his
life for his country"
"Only his blood, Colonel but his life
belongs to his country"
He closed his eyes wearily, and dead
ly paleness oversprtad his face. I had
promised the surgeon to tell HIM of his
danger, and the task was painful; must
perform it. told him as tenderly as |
could. There was a little natural shrink.
ing from the dread monster, then all was
peace.
"Just as God Wills he said, but his
lip quirered.
Hugh, is there any one you wQald
like to see, any one you would iik to have
with you, when-when- [ could not
finish, but he did it fGrme.
"When the Kirg Of Terrols comes
there is only ore face I care to see on
earth, HelcnBurns but cannot expect
it. am glad I have neither father,
mother, sister nor brother to mourn for
me-"
| eft him as the surgeon entered, and
taking the first train was in - by
sunrise 1 found the Burns family at
breakfast. | made few words answer
for time was precious.
Helen, you know Ncttie's perfidy.
Hugh Leicester is lying in the hospital
at Alexandria with only few days to
live. The only person he expressed a
wish to see was Helen Burns, his boy
hoods friend He is an orphan you
know, Helen, brotherless and sisterless.
| came here without his knowledge,
knowing what pleasure it would give
him to see you"
Her face was white ard cold, as if her
heart was turned to stone.
"Father, may I CO."
Just as you feel about it. my child.
I feel sorry for poor Hugh"
IL will accompany you, Colonel Dana
| can stay at Cousin Mary's father, ex,
cept when am with Hugh"
We left within the hour, and reach.
ed Alexandria at nine o'clock. p. NJ 7
sent Helen in alone. When | joined
them she sat BY the cot with Hugh ;
hand in hers.
God bless you Reginald, I owe this
to ycu. How long can you stay
Helen :"
"As long as you need me, dear
Hugh"
"You know that am going, Helen !"
"Yes. going to the new life, whore
there is freedom forevcrmore, where Oh.
ly Christ rules"
love is no false mirage there, Helen.
His love alone can satisfy the soul there
is no love like Gods love; there is no
peace like his peace"
He grew more feverish as the night
wore on, and his mind wandered some
what. He talked constantly of Nettie,
and the old times "before the war" |
XuoS ITol,n,, 1, l i