Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1885-07-23

anu melancholy naQ impaired q
thoughtful and dignitied expression
TO his countenance, so that ohe would
hardly recognize in gallant Capt
JeneS the awkward farmer boy Of
three years age.
The great work of the siege of
Nleksburg was slowly progressing.
The cannon daily Numbered over the.
city; daily the works crept closer and
closer to the defense, and almost
daily, too, the brave rebels sought by
vigorous attacks to break the line
which seemed inevitably would crush
them. One day a desperate engage
Eeut, which had scattered the dead
and dying all over the ground separ-
aung the famous rtle>plts from the
works Of the besieged, the cries of the
helpless wounded were piteouS in the
extreme, but the discharge of cannon
still continued, and q second sortie
was momentarily expected, SO that it
was impossible without the most inn
mlnent danger to render the poor suf-
ferers any assistance. A voice more
distinct and persistent than the others
had not ceased begging for water to
euench his thirst or a bullet to end
his suffering, and many of the boys
IN blue had TO make a suS
preme effort to keep their eyes
dry, in spite OF thsir two years
service. Presently the voice began
another strain. 1t was evident that
fever had caused the poor fellows
mind to wander. He cried out Justify,
MARY, they're going to kill nae at
last. Never forget those bloodtAirsty
blue oats. They did it, Mary. Oh,
you'll be widow before we are mar
ried. But never forget these Yankee
cut ,throats; never think of taking one
of my murderers to fill my place.
Water Wateri If you won't give
me some water, why don't you have
the heart to xiii mel" And he con.
tinued necessarily ia that strain, to
the great distress of those in hearing.
Some spoke of sending a mereiful bull
let to his relief, when young officer
who had been sitting apart with his
face in his hands suddenly arose, and
walking by the speaker, he said /:
''No, no. Do not think of sh ooting
a wounded man. lam going to bring
MIN in.
"What! You don't mean i'll" the
men said. you amt a-going to walk
out among that grape and shell TO
help an internal rebel who's been q
cursing us this hour9"
Eyes. You know, the poor fellow
is delirious; he is not responsible for
what he is saying; and then, you
know he may live to make that lady
he is talking about happy-who
knowsW And he walked up quickly
not hurried among the falling
bombs and the shell and grape. He
took up the delirious soldier in his
arms and carried him back to the PIT
1t was done in an instant. Five thou
sand soldiers hidden from each Others
view had witnessed the daring feet,
and sent up hearty hurrah of admir-
alton of the here who had just walked
in the face of death to save a life.
God protects the heroic. Tom Jones
had not received a scratch, and be had
amply atoned for moment of muir
derous intent by saving for the second
time his rivals life. TIE future offer.
ed him no reward, and no doubt he
felt that he had raised one more OBJ
stacle between himself and happiness.
But the pang of hopelessness was
mellowed with the consciousness of a
noble deed, worthy of his devotion.
We know not what fruit may follow
the fragrant bloom Of heroic endeav-
orS.
Vicksburg fell and opened a wide
gateway to the south. Gettysburg's
conflict was followed by a grateful
shout Of victorious patriotism. The
summer waned and the departing
year filled to overlooking the hopeful
hearts that were battling for the
union, and soon the everSswelling
voice of victory rent a joyful peal that
was no longer hope but well~assured
success from the field of Appomattox.
Then the heaving breasts of mothers,
wives, and daughters left at home
grew tremulous with fond anticipa-
ton. The mourners wept, and, against
reason, hoped; the rejoicing sympa-
thized with the weeping, and all
thanked God that the end of strife had
come at last. Old Chandler's house
hold wept with uncertain JOY. Parol-
ed at Vicksburg. Henry was there; so
was Aunt Betsy and Mary and old
Grandpa Redmond, the father Of old
Chambers departed wife; but the
stout old farmer had not heard his
country call unheedingly.
Two years ago he had left for the
army, gray headed though he was,
and given the farm in charge TO his
sister Betsy. During the first year
news came from him at intervals, but
now twelve months had passed since
a word or a message had been receiv
ed, and though none had heard Of
his death the palpitating hearts of the
''home folks beat with alternate hope
and fear Henry and Mary mad
agreed to wait till the end till their
hopes were realized or their fears veri-
fed, before consummating their Gu
gagement. Many a time they had
| told each other that their wish was
vain; many a time they had set a
day beyond which hope would be un
reasonable Aunt Betsy always delay
ed them with II know he will come,