Connecticut western news., 1885-05-13
VOL. XIV.

I
 The boy was right in his surmise, and in few moments another missile thrown from one of the huge siege guns with which the fort was armed, struck, a quarter of mile away, and came bound ing or ricocheting toward the house, striking the ground at short intervals in its mad course, something as a stone when thrown violently upon the water skips along the surface. With shriek like demon it plunged through the garden, destroying everything in it's path, filled the air with dust, gave two or three more skips and screeches, and finally burst over near the road. Mrs. Caves turned pale.
 "Come down into the cellar with me. all of you," she said; and they obeyed with alacrity. After she had quieted Eliza, the negro servant, who was alter nately praying to 'de good Lord" and to ''Missus Caves" to save her, she said:
 Charley, you must run up to Mir. Pierson's just as fast as you can, and ask him to go around to the fort and have the firing stopped. And you re- main at Mir. Pierson's until I send for you. Don't come back. You are not afraid to go, are you?"
 "No, mamma, I'm not afraid" an- swered the brave little fellow as he clasped his mothers hand a little tighter.
 'T knew you would not be; and now as soon as the next shell comes want you to go." When it came she kissed him, and said, "Now, my brave boy, run I"
 She would gladly have gone herself, but she thought it better to remain that she might be with the other two children in case the house should be struck and burned. It cost her struggle to send her son forth on such perilous errand, and her face was very pale as she kissed him. Away sped Charley through the garden, .glancing with wonder at the great furrows the shells had plowed, climbed the fence and started to run with all his might toward Mir. Persons house, which was half mile distant. He had scarcely left the garden fence, however, when another shell came tear ing through the shrubbery he had just passed and burst close to the house. The mothers heart stood still for an instant-and there was cause for it. One of the flying fragments struck poor Charley, and he fell to the ground with cry of "Oh, mamma P Down in the cellar the mother heard the cry of her wounded boy, and in moment she was kneeling by his side. Itwas sad sight for mother to look upon. The cruel piece of iron with it's ragged edges had stripped 8 great piece of flesh from the back of his ankle upward, completely severing the cord and laying bare the bone. He was lying upon his face, and the blood was already staining the green grass where he had fallen. Speaking words of encouragement, she removed his shoe and the fragment of stocking, and hastily bound up the wound with strips torn from her clothing. In this way she stanched the flow of blood and quieted his fears, though she could not alleviate his pain.
 "Now, Charley, I must go up to MT. Pierson's myself, for shell may strike the house, and then Mary and Bobby will be burned. I'll put you behind that tree, and you will not be in much danger"
 "But you'll run, mamma, won't youP" And the tears trickled down CharIey's cheeks, though he tried very hard to keep them back. The tree was a large chestnut, and it's generous trunk afforded pretty ample protection against the shells, two of which had struck near by while Mrs. Gayes was binding up the wound. Arriving at Mir. Pierson's, she dispatched him in great haste to the fort, while she, with swift feet, returned to Charley. Becky and Berty Pierson, aged seventeen and eighteen, with true girlish heroism, returned with her not withstanding the bursting shells. On the way they passed several negroes sheltered behind stumps and stones and Mrs. Gayes vainly begged them to follow her and assist in the removal oi the wounded boy. They found Charley behind the tree, and he said, "Oh, mamma I'm so glad you've come back" He could not walk at all, and he was weak from pain and loss of blood. So his mother and the two girls carried him in their arms as best they could Down the hill, half blinded by the smoke and stunned by the awful explosions slowly moved the strange procession They waded the little stream in the hol low, stopping 8 moment to batht Charley's face and hands, and carried their burden up the hill to MT. Piersoni house.
 By this time MT. Pierson had reached the fort, and the firing ceased. Int other children were sent for, and in few moments the regimental surgeon and hospital steward came gallopinl down to express their sorrow at wha ! had happened and to render assistance
 The surgeons proffered services were
 most gladly accepted. When he wa
 ready to examine the wound, the mothe ! said:
 "Now, Charley, it will hurt you tC
 have the wound dressed; but it must b , done; and you must try and bear it. I t will soon be over."
 t 'I'll try" said Charley, ''if you'll b
 sure, mamma, and not let my leg be GU l off,"
 She pressed him to her heart an' 7 assured him with loving words tha l there was no occasion for so serious al [ operation.
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