, 1884-01-20

universal approval from all as they grad.
ually melted away, old Zeb hoisted the little
one up on his colossal shoulder, and turned
suddenly 10 look and to listen, for there was
a shout down the hill and a sudden sharp
volley of shots above, beyond the haystacks-
1t began to look as II this little squad Of
raiders had got into a bite. Shouts of the
enemy down the hill, shots of the enemy up
the hill beyond the haystacks. Which way
should the surprised and panic-stricken sol
diers fiyf The colossal old Virginia sergeant,
with the child on his massive shoulders, was
the only officer in charge. The blacks were
hiding about behind trees, behind each other,
under saddles, blankets, anywhere. The
shouts from the advancing enemy came loud
and clear from below and very near. The
camp fire. the song of the soldiers had done
the mischief. This little squad of ragged,
panic-stricken night raiders was doomed. The
leaves began to fall like autumn time over
old Zeb, the tall and angular old sergeant.
What a plight for a soldier. A battle on
hand and a babe in his arms. The old ser
geant came near throwing 1t away with the
heap of negroes hiding away under the sad
dies. Where was STUART The sergeant put
his hand TO his ear and leaned to listen as
best he could between the sharp volleys from
below that were running the prospects of the
next years acorn crop in tho trees overhead.
He could hear the chatter OF iron hoofs on the
high ridge to the west. The moon was set
ting large and round and low. Over the
bare crest OF the hill and against the moon
he could see the Confederate cavalry pouring
In impetuous flight. Stuart, the cautious and
wary leader, had escaped.
"Come, menl We must follow our general
on foot-any way to get out of this Comei
Up by the haystacks and on over the ridge"
The strong man started up the stony hill to
pass the haystacks. The child, as IL It was
afraid it might fall, wound its little left arm
additionally about the great gray shock of
hair. And that little act saved it; that acci-
dental show OF affection won the old fellows
heart entirely. Why, he would not now have
pitched it aside with the terrified negroes for
gold.
Up the hill he led swiftly, the men follow
ing in groups, knots, singly, armed, unarmed,
limping, leaning, erect, in all manners OF
ways, only 50 as to escape the ferocious
Federals, charging up the hill from below.
They could see the points of shining bayonets
entering their camp by the light OF the burn
ing fence rails as they fed out of It, and the
black color had nearly all faded from the Ay-
ing Confederates as they neared the hay
stacks.
Here the gr~ay-headed old sergeant, with
the child on his shoulder, paused for a mo
mont right under the haystacks to get his
bearings. The moon had fallen Town behind
the crest Of the hill. 1t was nearly dark now.
The Federal bayonets were only a few steps In
the rear. The ragged and demoraliEed Con
federates huddled close and helpless up and
after the tall and grizzled old giant, who
stood there looking out which way to lead
them, with the child on his shoulder, its little
left arm hugging the great shaggy gray head,
its right one holding the flag.
The tall pray 4OlHier thraW mn HE 1paat
heavy band to his brow and looked out under
his broad palm to try and see which way to
lead.
Suddenly the hhystacks blazed out before
him, and the whole scene was bright as day.
The Federals had been waiting for the Con
fcderates to GOMEZ And now, as they stood
there. huddled together and helpless as sheep,
they find the haystacks in their path of re-
treat and stood there behind them, before
them, around them, to shoot them down In
the light which they had kindled.
1t WINS a matchless and a magnificent sight
No scene 50 bright, no sunlight ~brighterl 1t
pleased the child, excited and delighted it
What could 1t care for the long line of CLEAN
ing guns leveled only a few rods away In the
reari What did 1t know of the death hiding
down in every cleaning gun-barrel of that
compact mass OF uniformed men just beforel
Nothing at all. Its little heart leapt with
wonder ana delight at the beautiful uniforms,
the discipline, the quick action into which
every gun was brought instantly to the
shoulder. The bayonets were beautiful-tht
cleaning bayonets all in the bright light.
The child seemed to think this a part OF the
celebration, and in the fullness of its delight
just as the Federal officer drew his sword and
was giving the word "FireI' the child, holding
tight on the great grizzled head with its left
hand, and as II to contribute It's part TO the
celebration, wave Its little flag there in the
glare and light. And In that awful stiffness
which comes always before any dreadful
catastrophe, piped out in its shrilI little voice
as 1t raised itself higher for the occasion:
~Fotr Of Julyi"
Put it upon record in gold and red that the
Federal officer lowered the point OF his sword.
The heavy brooches of the guns struck the
stony ground with a thud. The line Of blue
divided, and the old gray Confederate, with
his little charge on his shoulder, still waving
the little flag, passed on through the line,
white choor upon cheer shook the bullet-rid.
died leaves of the oaks overhead.
And this is the story Of the old Confederate
soldier OF tho Shenandoah who had missed
the train on the line of Progress down in old
Virginia.