The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-03-25


lining n soldier into the wagon Of the
Kennebec express. Said soldiers right
leg was swathed in thick bandages, from
the knee to the toes, and he hobbled upon
crutches. His uniform was worn and
soiled, and he appeared to be one who
had seen hard service.
"Poor fellow" said the clerk, as he met
me upon the sidewalk. ''Hes got two
mimic balls through his leg-wounded a,
Gettysburg. He started down from the
International for the depot on his crutches
but he gave out here"
At that time. when the great battle was
yet thing of the present, hero of Get
tysburg was an object'of interest to me
and l felt almost like taking off my hat to
the war.worn and shattered veteron; but
he had gained his seat, and was driven
away before I. had opportunity to salute
him.
AT the depot I saw my freight safely in
the car, and after we had started I took a
turn through the train. I found our Get
tysburg hero in the forward car, occupy
ing whole seat, with the rim Of his old
slouehed hat pulled down over his face,
apparently asleep. Poor fellow, he was
weak and weary.
We arrived mt South Paris at half-past
three, p. m. where found my team in
waiting for me-a common express wag,
on drawn by horse which l considered
rather superior to express horses in gen.
cral. As the last package was placed in
the wagon observed the veteran Of Get.
tysburg hobbling toward me upon the
platform. Ihad strapped mp the tail-board
and was ON my way to my seat, when he
addressed me /:
"Say. my friend, which way We goingT
"Just around the village, to deliver
freight" told him.
He looked disappointed.
II was in hopes" " he said, "that I should
find somebody going up the old Rumford
road q piece. My leg is about played
out"
remembered the package 1 had to de-
liver ON that same road, and / told him II
he didn't mind riding around through the
village, Iwoald take him rs Ear as the old
Jordan Place. Hp said that would be a
great help to hinh So, with the assist
ance of the station baggage-master,
helped him to tho seat. He was large,
heavy man. and rs he seemed unable to
help himself in climbing. the labor OF
hosting him up was not light one.
81 shall come down csssicr," he said,
laughing.
"All right" i replied, as i took my sea,
by bis side.
/ made quick work Of delivering my
stuff in the village, and when we had
struck the old road beyond, l asked my
companion his name. He said 1t wa
John Smith. Then I led him on TO tel
me of his experience in the army, ant
more particularly at Gettysburg. He sale
he was Maine boy, but not In a Maine
regiment. He WAS in Ohio when he en-
listed. and joined a regiment in that State
L asked him which one.
He told me the Forty-eighth.
This staggered me; but ! proceeded
with my questions, and ere long had
gained from him all he knew Of Gettys
burg. and more too.
don't like to be sold; but I had been
sold now, certainly. The man by my
side was humbug. In the first place
I knew that the Forty-eighth Ohio wa
at Vicksburg. with Grant, while Gcttys'
burg was being fought. And then l had
heard the whole story Of Gettysburg from
wounded officers who had come from the
field; and this mans story was not like
the story they had told. / had made up
my mind that the fellow was Sucker"
or sponge" when was interrupted in
my meditations by sudden lurch Of the
wagon. one of the wheels having dropp.
ell into slough-hole upon that side on
which the war-worn and shattered hero
sat. expected, when had recovered
my own balance, TO see him pitched from
the perch; but not so. i saw that ban
daged lee, which erst had been rs use.
less rs n dead mans leg. suddenly
straighten out; the swathed foot was
planted fatty and squarely upon the
board; and with full pressure upon the
disguised limb he held himself, and re-
gained his equilibrium.
pretended not 10 notice; bnt had no
iiced, and reflected. That right leg. Sc
carefully nursed. was rs stout, and a,
strong. and rs free for Use, as my onw.
Had the fellow taken all this trouble oi
deception for the sole purpose of getting
rluc! COulu uOt DciicNo w. Ahssu hS
done il for the purpose Of exciting SYM
pathy that he might beg with better sue
cess3 He did not look like man prone
to beg. Then why was it'
/ had been in my present position OF
messenger nearly two years. and rs !
never went upon my route without more
or less money intr,sted TO my care, l had
learned to be suspicious. This man
had been present when Prindle gave
me the three thousand dollars, 'and had
probably Overheard the agents directions.
He meant to rob me. or he had come
with me for that purpose. / looked into
his face; and now that / regarded him no
more rs n wT-worn veteran and hero,
discovered him to BE- an exceedingly ugly
and repulsive looking person. And he
was powerful fellow. to boot,-I should