The Brookhaven ledger. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1881-09-08

features.
Miss Alice, You are i'll" he ex
claimed, anxiously. "Let me ge,
| you some water"
1t was scarcely moment before
his return, but even then he was
shocked at her white, drawn face.
"Call my sister" she said to an
other gentleman with her, while
Col. Terry had gone for the water
and both reached her at the same
time.
Lucy. take me home," she whis-
percd. falntly,"1 am dying"
ooh, no, darling" said her sis
ter tendcrly, "you will be we'll in the
morning"
As quick as possible the carriage
was called and the sick girl placed
in it.
When they were just starting
Col. Terry wished them good night
expressing his hopes that Miss
Alice would have recovered by
morning. She put out her hand
and excrting her strength, said dis
tinctly:
| "Yes, shall be welfsin the morn
ing Tell Charley" her voice
failed, and, lifting her slim white
hand, she loosened the flowers she
wore at her breast and put them
into the coloners hand. "Give
these to him-yes-in the morning
Her voice died away to a faint whis
per, and her head fell back on hel
sisters shoulder. The lady who
had acted as their chaperon hasten
ed to apply restoratives and the
carriage rolled swiftly away.
The next morning when Col. Ter.
ry called to inquire after the invalid
he had no need to ask, for from the
door there foated the mournful in.
sigma of death. Shocked beyond
the power of expression, that hardy
soldier turned away, unable then te
offer his ser"ices if they were need
ed. He went again after awhile and
saw Mrs. Cameron, the hostess OF
the sisters during their visit. From
her he learned the brief details of
Alice's death. Her attack had been
sudden spasm of the heart, and
she had never rallied. She had not
spoken but once; and they caught
her lovers and a repetition Of the
words, sin the morning"
"Poor Charley, who will tell him?
groaned the colonel when the lady's
voice ceased.
"You are his best friend,' she an
swered, 81 think no one else could
do it so gently"
"I can't" he replied, shaking his
head, II would rather face bat
terry. Why, you don't know, you
can't think how his very life seems
bound up in her; and now"
They buried her next day, six OF
Picton's friends carried his dead
love to her grave, and then came
sadly back, each questioning who
would bear the tidings to the gal
liant sabreur far away with the old
brigade.
That night the order came to join
the main command, and by day
light the troops were miles away.
AS they reached the vicinity Of the
appointed rendezvous, desultory fir
ing warned them of an approaching
conflict Presently they formed
themselves in the midst of por-
tion of the command, drawn up in
piece of woods ovcrlookinga a slo-
ping field, which on the opposite
side rose to a sharp eminence, on the
brow of which was posted federal
battery.
Farther to the right the firing be-
came sharper, and soon the roll OF
musketry swept all along the line.
81 say, Barclay" called Col. Ter
ry as that officer passed him, "have
YOU seen Picton yet?" And, as
Barclay shook his head, he added
Tel the boys not to let him know
yet. Wait till this is over"
GAN right; I'll tell them," answer.
ed Barclay, as he rode..away.
"The old general will be wanting
that battery the first they know
said one Of the men, as a shell ex,
ploded over their heads. They'd
better keep it quiet
Thar, what did l tell your ht
added, biting off a huge piece o
LONG green" Thar go the Missis
sippi boys now.'
As he spoke a tawny column
moved out Of the woods anc
swept gallantly across the field
But as they reached the cen
tire murderous round of grape
and canister tore through their rank.
and the column broke in confusion
Three times their leader rallied
them to the charge, and three times
they were shattered by the calling
fire.
Tell you what, boys, called ou
the long-lcgged private, who hat
before spoken, "thar's fun comm
now. That's Cans bug.e. The ole
regiment want some Of the pie"
He stooped and felt his saddle
girth as he spoke, then Strengthened
himself and waited for the com
mand, for he was zone OF the boys.
The next moment there was ring
ling cheer from the ranks as Gen
Forrest rode Up.
BOYS lie exclaimed, pointing
with his sword, Il want that batter.
captured One regiment has triet
and couldn't take it. Now, | wan
you boys to do better than that.
am going to lead you, and l wan
you to follow me"
Another cheer was the answer, q
the men fell into ranks.
"Charge!" and down the slop
rode the gallant old regiment, neve
faltering as the grapeshot swep
through the serried ranks, clos
ing each gap as it was made by tn
I deadly fire: on, on, following til