New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1885-09-16
4 TOUCH OF NATURE.

could hardly be called less than half
,gray- A faded shawl covered her mar
ron shoulders, and this, with a calico
dcess even more faded, completed her
humble attire.
Her steps were slow, but not hesita
ting, and Judging altogether from her
outward appearance, onewouid scarce
ay conclude her aged outline was dueto
years Still there was about her a.
WORN took, that caught the eye of Jim
Carroll, and held it.
We may say, and without fear Of
contradiction from any one who knew
slinl. Shat in ali Missouri there were
Few larger hearted men than this same
=irn Carroll. But it was also true that
1n all that region there we're not many
who could be less charitable to their
enemies, or, when injured, longer hold
resentment.
Carroll was single man. He look
ed young for his years, foralthough he
was but four years short Of fifty, one
would hardly take him to beforty.
de had fought bravely during the
war, and was a bitter politician after
the service. After leaving the army
he had divided his time equally be-
tween locating long lines Of railroad
IN the iaa' West, and shorter ones near
er herfne
just; now he was on his way to a
preliminary survey, which he. with
others were making near by His as
sistant<s had preceded him a few rods,
and he was hurrying to overtake them,
when the woman took his attention.
The spot he was passing, and inwhich
size stood, was a. small enclosed open
5ng III the pines, which served the pur-
pose OF q country burying ground. Per
maps two dozen graves were in it, some
:xeglectede some with bright flowers pro-
Eusely growing above them, while 9th
e,rs-a few only-were marked with
stones. These were all of a humble
pattern, and near one Of the plainest
WAS the woman.
The grave by which she stood, and
che one which the stone marked, was a
Gong one, ss-grown, and till very re-
Gently neglected. Close beside it was a
little grave, and Just beyond it, anoth-
ar, not SO small as the second, nor
nearly as large as the first.
The woman had evidently been there
some time, for little handfuls of weeds
we're lying between thegraves and along
= Che path near them. Besides, a small
handful OF bright wild flowers lay even
ay along on the centre Of each.
just now she seemed busy rolling
two common stones to the heads OF
Che unmarked graves. One she had
already placed in position, or nearly
SO, and was now working at the other,
wlich was apparently too heavy for
:&,er- When Carroll saw this, he at
once laid down his transit, and STEP
Eesd up to the fence.
Scan help you any, MADAME" he
asked, putting his hands on the top
sEail
2Sae woman started as he spoke and
turned q half-hightened face towards
him.
II thought maybe I could help you
with the stone" he continued. clam
serry if startled you"
excuse me, sir" she replied. ri
'ittSao,sssat was alone, but if you can
istelp sne, shall be greatly obliged,
taSaeNsfyn L would not wish to trouble
Eou."
"Nothing could give me more pleas
ore, madam" and with this the warm
hearted man came up to the grave,
ard with ease tipped the stone on one
edge Of the head OF it.
stWhat were you going to do with
f1nosee'' he asked, pointing to the
sssasaler ones, evidently freshly taken
sat OF the ground. This he asked
partly from a desire to further assist
her, and partly from an underlined
something that made him wish to
FEEoW more of the humble graves and
their tnourner.
Thank you, sir, but if 1 hasten,
think shall have time. I wished to
Eay them along the grass, SO if never
e<sarae again, twill show the palmer
xtnere they are. Perhaps 'twould do
ma harm, sir, but it seems hard to
have them stepped upon
EFF your time be short, allow me to
help you, please. I shall be only too
glad, and without waiting further, Car
relt picked up an old basket and hast
ened to bring the stones to the graves.
fEa g short time he had them all there,
zhud together they laid them along the
sides of the little graves, and at the
Sfoot Of them.
at first the woman seemed not a
futile embarrassed at the stranger
presence, but as he kindly assisted he1
SsIth the stone and sod, a brighter
look came into the inexpressibly sac
lace, ard she spoke freely to him Of the
past. .
just now Carroll for the first time
notieed the writing on the stone. As
me did SO, a change came over his face
~nnd hislips shut tightly.
III memory Of Walter Raymond )" it
~ean, <'who fell at Shiloh, sApril 9th
1862"
Beneath was d simple inscription
which showed that he and Carroll hae