The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1881-09-08

through their ranks and the column broke
IN cenfusicn. Three times their leader ral.
lied them to the charge, and three times
they we're shattered by the CALLING fire.
Tell you what, boys called out the
long-leggedp private, who had before spoken,
''thar's fun comm now! That's Cans bugle.
The old regiment want some Of the piei".
He stopped and felt his saddle girth as he.
spoke, then Strengthened himself and waited
for the command, for he was -one OF the
boys" The next moment there was q ring
ing cheer from the ranks as General Forest
rode up.
Boys he exclaimed, pointing with his
sword, Il want that battery captured. One
regiment has tried, and couldn't take it.
Now / want you boys to do better than that.
l am going to lead you, and I want you all
to follow me-"
Another cheer was the answer, as the
men fell into ranks.
"Chargew And dc IN the slope rode the
gallant 4old regiment" never faltering as
the grapeshot swept through the serried
ranks, closing each gap as it was made by
the deadly fire; on, on, followed the lead Of
thetal figure at the head Of the column,
till they rode right over the death dealing
guns. "sab'ring the gunners there, "sndt the
woods gave back the ringing echoes Of the
famous rebel yell' as the victory was won.
Won! Yes. but at q fearful cost. That
fatal slope was drenched with the blood of
the Southland's bravest sons, .
After that charge Colonel Terry found
himself face to face with Charlie Picton.
my God, how can I tell him?' muttered
the colonel to himself AS the gallant young
fellow o toward him, holding out his
hand.
1T takes the old regiment to do up
things in style!' he said, grasping the col.
onel's hand. aSay, Terry, did you see Miss
Alice? Coleman has just got back from
Memphis, and he told me she had gone on
a visit to some friends in c."
But as he spoke he suddenly nut his hand
to his side. II am shot, " he gasped, faint
~. It was true. A stray bullet had struck
him in the side, and Gel. Terry caught him
as he reeled in his saddle and rode with
! him to the field hospital.
When the surgeon examined his wound
he shook his head doubtfully.
Il know a nurse worth twenty doctors"
whispered Picton, with q smile. Terry,
can't you fetch her to me?".
Through the night the colonel stayec with
him. Once he wakened and repeated the
question he had asked just before he was
shot.
II saw her, yes" the colonel answered.
huskily. "She sent you some flowers"
The blue eyes lighted up with a tender
glow, and Picton held out his hand.
Silently Colonel Terry took from his
of ivy aud a half opened white rose, and
laid them in the outstretched hand.
Then tbs wounded man slept. But in q
couple of hours he awoke, much worse,
and the surgeon in his rounds told the
brOnZed watcher that the end was very near,
"Terry!" and the colonel bent his head
to catch the faint accents. "Im dying. I
wouldn't mind-only-poor Alice! Tell her
gently, please-she loves me. you know
and Lob, Terry! it's hard to leave her.
My poor darling!"
For a momen the colonel could not an
swer. Then choking back q sob, he said,
slowly and distinctly:
Charley, Alice is waiting for you. You
are not leaving her. but going to her.
A b~ewildered, troubled look came into
the wistful blue eyes.
Don't you understand me, Charley?n
She is dead. We buried her there in c..
l couldn't tell you before, dear old boy.
But now you will be with her before you
have time to grieve after her. She died
with your name on her lips murmuring of
meeting you in the morning.
He understood now, and a smile of relief
fitted across his pale lips. Dear girl" he
m urmured. II i'm SO glad she will not
have this grief to bear"
Then he slept again and the hours
passed on until the eastern sky frightened
with the solemn dawn light.
"Terry!" The word was but the faintest
whisper, but the watcher instantly bent his
head to listen.
1T is morning" came the faint, gasping
accents, and again the white lids dropped
over the blue eyes. Five-ten minutes
passed. Then Colonel Terry lifted the
dead hands and crossed them over the
pulseless breast, reverently covered the
still white face and turned away.
His two friends had met once more-t:in
the morning" of a fadeless day.