The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-07-02

toiuoeciy praying w VIC Sooo @<ohe
and to @Missus Cages" to save her, she
said:
Charley, you must run up to Mr..
Persons 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 Mr.. Persons until send for
you. Don't come back. You are not
afraid to 60, are your
"No, mamma, I'm not afraid an
swered the brave little fellow as he
clasped his mothers hand little
tighter.
Il knew you would not be: and now
as soon as the next shell comes i want
you to CO." When il came she kissed
him and said "Now, my brave boy,
rum"
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. 1t cost her strug-
gle to send her son forth on such a
perilous errand, and her face was very
pale as she kissed him. Away sped
Charley through the garden, glancing
with wonder at the great burrows the
shells had plowed, climbed the fence,
and started to run with all his might
toward Mr.. Persons house, which was
half mile distant. He had scarcely
left the garden fence, however, when
another shell came tearing through the
shrubbery he had just passed, and
burst close to the house. The mothers
heart stood still for an instant--apd
there was cause for it. One of the fly
ing fragments struck poor Charley,
and he fell to the ground with cry of
"Oh, mammal Down in the cellar
the mother heard the cry of her wound
ed boy, and in moment she was
kneeling by his side. 1t was sad sight
for mother to look upon. The cruel
piece of iron, with its ragged edges,
had stripped great piece of flesh from
the back of his ankle upward, COM
pletek severing the cord and laying
bare the bone. He was lying upon his
face, and the blood was already stain
ing the green grass where he had
fallen. Speaking words of encourage
ment, she removed his shoe and the
fragment of stocking, and hastily bound
up the wound with strips from her
clothing. In this way she stanched the
flow of blood and quoted his fears,
though she could not alleviate his
pain.
snow, Charley, must 60 up to Mr..
Persons myself, or shell may strike
the house, and then Mary and Robby
will be burned. I'll put you behind the
tree, and you will not be in much
danger"
"But you'll run, mamma, won't you?"
And the tears trickled down Charley's
cheeks, though he tried very hard to
keep them back. The tree was large
chestnut, and its generous trunk af-
forded pretty ample protection against
the shells, two of which had struck
near by while Mrs. Cages was binding
up the wound. Arriving at Mr.. Pier
sons, she dispatched him in great haste
to the fort, while she, with swift feet,
returned to Charley. Becky and Berry
Pierson, aged II and Is, with true
girlish heroism, returned with her, not
outstanding the bursting shells. On
the way they passed several negroes
sheltered behind stumps and stones;
and Mrs. Cages vainly begged them to
follow her and assist in the removal of
the wounded boy. They found Charley
behind the tree, and he said, 90
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 rs best
they could. Down the hill, half blind
ed by the smoke and stunned by the
awful explosions, slowly moved the
strange procession. They waded the
little stream in the hollow, stopping a
moment to battle Charley's face and
hands, and carried their burden up the
hill to Mr.. Persons house.
BY this time Mr. Pierson had reached
the fort, and the firing ceased. The
other children were sent for, and in
few moments the regimental surgeon
and hospital steward came galloping
down to express their sorrow at what
had happened and to render assistance.
The surgeons proffered services were
most gladly accepted. When he was
ready to examine the wound, the
mother said:
"Now, Charley, it will hurt you to
nave bue WOunu ureSSeu, Dub III DluSt
be done, and you must try and bear it.
1t will soon be over"
I'll try" said Charley, eff you'll be
sure, mamma, and not let my leg be
cut of"
She pressed him to her heart, and
assured him with loving words that
there was no occasion for so serious ON
operation.
"Sing to me, mamma! Sing to mel"
"Why, Charley-I-I-don't believe
1 can sing now" she fakered.
"You must, mamma, you must J
Please sing to me just the same as you
always do, and I'll keep awful still"
And he reached up and put his arms
pleadingly around her neck. There
was a silence in the room as the little
sufferer persisted in his strange request
Then the mother closed her eyes and
tried to sing. Her voice was tremulous
at first, but by mighty effort she ex-
PEELED from her mind every thought
save the remembrance of her love for
her wounded child; and she was soon
able to sing to him almost as sweetly
and softly as if in her own quiet home.
The boys arms gradually relaxed, and
he lay back again quietly upon the
blood stained bed, with his head rest