The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1875-04-01

/ "a u VOVCE8O SOlUICI.
But the time came when the idle mo-
notony of camp life was to be exchanged
for actual combat. The summons had
come-"To the front ~
The last thing Karl did before he
marched away was to commit Trump to
the care of farmer who lived near the
barracks.
| BE KIND to him. shall pay for him
when come back; or, if never come, ]
think father will send for him" And
Karl turned quickly away, lest the man
should see the tear in his eye and mis-
take the cause.
1t was the night after the battle.
Faint and wounded, with only the dead
around him, Karl lay upon the ground,
his life-blood ebbing slowly away. Just
so he had been lying since four o'clock
| in the afternoon, when he fell unnoticed,
like a single leaf that falls in the forest
in autumn.
Then he was in the midst of the din of
battle, but it had gradually retreated,
and now he heard no sound but the sigh.
ing of the wind and the cry of the night
birG.
They're all asleep at home, little
dreaming where am" so his thoughts
ran; "theyll read it all tomorrow.
Karl Beck, missing No, not that. l
hope somebody will find me, and let
them know died honorably.
"Hark! footstep! Can it be that
help is coming, or is it some poor fellow,
wounded like myself, trying to crawl
away from this dreadful place?
"Comrade, are you there?"
His voice was weak and faltering, but
it ELECTED most unexpected response.
1t was the bark of dog, and it sent
thrill through Karl's frame.
"Trump! Trump" he called, anxiously,
raising himself on his elbow, but falling
back exhausted with the effort.
Again that short, familiar bark, and
the faithful Trump came bounding over
wreck and carnage to his masters side.
After few moments spent in mutual
caresses Trump bounded away as quick
ly as lie had come, leaving his master
more desolate than before.
"Oh, Trump! Trump! have you left
me to die alone?" he murmured.
No, Trump has done nothing of the
kind, as was evident when he returned
shortly, accompanied by several men,
bers of the Sanitary Commission, who
were doing their good works in another
part of the field and who had sense
enough to comprehend and give heed to
the dogs appeal for help.
They lifted Karl gently to litter and
bore him to the rude hospital improvised
for the occasion.
"His wound is not dangerous, but he
would have bled to death before morning
if you had not found him." said the sur
geon.
And Karl knew that he was indebted
to Trump for his life.
No sooner was Karl discharged from
the hospital than his regiment was again
ordered to the front. Determined that
the friend to whom he owed so much
should not be left to suffer in his absence
be committed him to the care of a man
who was going North, with directions for
forwarding him to his fathers house.
Six months afterward he was again
wounded at the battle of Coal Harbor and
brought up to Washington in the Sally
Baker. As there were not sufficient am
balances to carry all the wounded to the
hospitals at once a large number were
laid on the pavement, wrapped in their
army blankets; among them Karl.
At the precise moment when he was
taken from the boat teamster was pass
ing along with his cart, followed by
black and white dog, and no sooner was
Karl safely deposited on the sidewalk
than the dog spraDg upon him, fawning,
licking his face, and making every
demonstration of tenderness known to
his species.
The teamster whistled, but the dog
took no more notice of it than if it had
been the wind that whistled, so he
stopped his horses and came to the side
walk
"What are you doing with my dog?"
asked he, roughly.
II rather think he's my dog" said
Karl
II tell you he's mine; bought him
and paid for him." said the teamster.
"Very we'll, sir. You can take him,
then" said Karl.
But all the coaxing, Establishments and
commands of the teamster availed moth
ing with Trump, and if dragged away a
few wards he would dart back to karl's
side again.
cts plain enough you owned him
once" said the teamster, " but that don't
prove you own him now" And Karl,
too feeble to argue the matter or offer
any resistance, saw poor Trump tied to
the cart and led away, all the time look
ing back at him with a pleading express
sion which cut him to the heart. He
believed that he had now, indeed, taken
his last farewell of his old friend; but
what was his surprise on opening his
eyes one morning, after days and nights
of pain and delirium, to see Trump
sitting at his bedside.
II reckon he belongs to YOU" said
Corporal Goldthwaite, then acting as
nurse.
eyes," said Karl, laying his hand on
the dogs head. "Wherc did you get
him?"
"He came here himself. He was
driven away number of times, but he per.
sisted in coming back, and we concluded
he belonged to some poor fellow inside;
SO l took him through the wards. and
when he got to your bed he just stationed
himself there, and he hasn't been away
SINCE"
From that time until Karl was honor
able discharged Trump was allowed to
make the hospital his headquarters, and
then accompanied his master home to
live in peaceful retirement and to rest
on his laurels.
Now don't you agree with me that
Trump was hero!-Ruth Chesterfield, in
Youths Companion.