The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-08-26
A Crumb that FlOated Back Pleas
antlV.

A Crumb that FlOated Back Pleas
antly.
When the supply boats had steamed
past the Vicksburg batteries, allowing
The Union troops to cross the Missis-
sippi below from Hand Times to Grand
Gulf, Blair's Second Division of the
Fifteenth Corps fouod itself, after 8
forced march Tor water, slaking its parch
cd thirst at the Black.
On The further slope was what had
been a handsome farm residence, with
its steep-pitched Southern roof, wide
galleries aud background OF sweet scent
ed magnolia grove. There was no sound
or sign OF life about The house, not
even the bark Of dog, friendly or 9th
erwise, and every shutter was closed.
The house, like hundreds OF others,
seemed TO be deserted, and so il came
that Blair and his staff took their well
won dinner on the gallery of the house,
well oul Of tie sun.
An officer who had gone round to the
rear to fnd well became aware of a
woman looking at him from behind q
qnielly opened door-s woman of forty,
dignifed, ladylike, but haggard and
palid with heavy woe.
The officer touched his cap respect
fully as be told her of his purpose there
"From what State are those troops 2
she asked.
"Mostly from Missouri and Illinois i"
"From Missouri Ny God! Brother
lighting brother. Will you come in ?"
When the officer had entered she closed
the door, and in the semi-dsrkness asked
in tones balf choked with sobs: "Oh,
sir, can. trust Jou2 My hoy is dying
| Oh, to lose him, to los him. Can you
do anything for him You are South.
ern man by blood; do this for poor
Southern mother
f"I will bring General Blair to you,
madam"
Not two minutes later Blair and his
surgeon were by the bedside OF the wid-
ow's son. He was bat lad of sixteen
in the Confederate artillery, and had been
desperately shot at Port Gibson. What
could be done was done, and when the
men marched. there we're not wanting in
that wreiched Southern home such nu-
triious delicacies and nourishing wines
as Blair's mess and the commissary's
wagons could furnish. The one touch
of nature that makes the whole world
kin had met its response, and Blair left
with blessings. But three ever knew Of
the circumstance-Bl Blair, the surgeon and
the staff officer.
"a Whetherthe boy, 80 desperately wound.
ed lived or died was thought OF many
lines in the years since then by the Of
ficer, as events ofthe war passed paDora
micaly before him but the answer never
cane until three weeks since. Of all
places IN the world, il came to him at
Coney Island, as be sat lazily smoking,
looking at the curling white caps out at
sea and listening TO Paddy Gilmore's
band in the shell.
A stately looking man under forty
came to where be was and sat by him.
"Will you pardon me making an in
quiry ?" the stranger said. "Were you
iD the Union Army 1-on General Blair's
staff at Vcksburg?"
The old officer answered .yes" to
these.
Twill youdo me the favor to 60 With
me. A lady wishes to see you"
By The promenade wall the old soldier
was led to where woman of sixty stood
with younger woman and boy Of
twelve. The elder lady extended her
hand as be placed bis own within it, un-
'Eders,anding that it was expected Of him,
he found 1t grasped convulsively. Lcok-
isg up surprised, be saw ,hs. The lady's
Ieyes we're filed with tears. They were
not ssd tears.
"You do not remember me, sir2"
II do not, madam-yet the VOICE
He paused.
.Nor- him z" pointing to the st,tely
looking man who bad just accosted him
II do not wonder at that. Carry your
memory back twenty-one years to where
YOU crossed the B ack RIVER on you
maroS TO the Walnut Hills and stopped
ltc-"
He remeB bered her then.
; This Is my son, the boy we thought
was dying. This is his wife and this
placing the boys hand in bis-is bis
! son. Let rs 60 where we can sit Qulelly
and talk My heart is too full. knew
you, sir, instantly. have never for
) gotten you nor General Blair, for yor
, saved all held worth saving then"
The old soldier had not anticipated 81
r happy an afternoon. Such honors a.,
: something 10 live for and the crumbs o
i tbread so cas-. upon the waters OF life ar,
, worth eating when they hoat back ou
: way.