The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1885-08-27

uon. How many times ne had seen some
poor fellow reduced 10 his last limits Of
animation. ialler and fall by the way on
forced march. His reflections exploded
in two words, each possessed Of three syl.
lables. and followed by an exclamation
poiut. The frat was starvation" the
second differed only in the drs, syllable,
and represented very essential article Of
faith in the orthodox creed. He supple
mented the remarks with an imperative
order to the watchman, who forthwith
seized one OF the yagrant's arms. Half
leading, half supporting him. ignoring
his faint protest they took him up the path
to the Office, and placed him on chair be-
fore tho fire.
As they progressed on their slimy path,
Brewster inconsequenty recalled the bat.
tic OF Shiloh. when Lenoir. badly wound.
ed and thrown from the saddle OF dy.
ing horse. had been led to the rear, pro-
testing and lighting every step Of the way.
A he came into the light Of the oiiics vim.
dows. he accounted for the sensation BY
the discovery that the man wore . cheap
overcoat Of military cloth and cut Of the
stamp usually affected by the "hsy-bunk-
ers."
They placed him in . chair before the
| fire and be sat there mutinous captive,
his felt hat with its battered brim drawn
down over his eyes and partly shading
his face. The first glance at the stranger
in the honest light OF tho Office lamp had
in measure rcassured Brewster and put
to fight his absurd fancies. There was
nothing striking or uncommon in the
spare figure or the old face with its lines
Of care end pain. II was a very ordinary
face. an eminently prosaic face, he as.
sured himself; OF the same type as ten
thousand others in the city, but he could
not resist crazy deaire TO pee the fore
head barred, TO look at the left temple
and
| BAH Back TO those old memories of the
war againl So much for the pernicious
effect OF the afternoons associations,
Well, what was it after all? Only young
fellow, his blue suit in tatters. crazed
with fever, crawling past the dead line, a
strong hand stretched out to save him, q
dull report, bullet leaving bloody
track across the temple and along the scalp
OF the rescuer.
And why had he lost sight Of the gal
liant old soul all these years? Confound it!
Lenoir was just the man to sneak OF from
his friends if the world used him i'll, TO
live in dugout aud dine on scraps than
ask charity. Yes. and to jest and flash
out with dauntless spirit in moment o.
humiliation and shame that held worse
terror to proud soul than the bravest
soldier ever faced on the battle. field.
Could poverty, and despair, and ill-health
reduce the high souled gentleman and
soldier to the likeness OF that old scare
crow? Brewster stepped impulsivsly for
ward, reaching over for chunk OF fire.
wood, awkwardly brushing the stranger
head with his arm and knocking of the
slouch hst.
He hesitated just long enough TO OBJ
serve white track across the temple and
through the sparse gray hair; then, with
his brain 10 whirl, secured tho stick oI
wood, laid it carefully upon the blaze,
took out pencil aud notebook and scrib
bled few lines to his wife. A close car
riage, fire in his best room, warm din
ner; his pencil checked of the items al
tightening speed. He called the watch
man and dispatched him with tho note
meeting the mans wondering look will
one OF stern decision. As the door closed
: behind the messenger, and his departing
.seps echoed fainter and fainter in thu
foo. he turned to find his compulso-
distance. from bis chair and con-
ry guest arise. white face.
fronting him with die frst!'
"The aims bo,.o, r.. eirw
~'A'' uouscl "a
"Nerer mhie lire, Cal. Lem. rance
having offered this blunt ass. !"
3re, 'ster sat staring at his old frie.
hrougb mist ef tears. The old man
with startled look. He drew
lis slouch hat lower over his eyes. His
hin worke 4 convulsively.
Old and thin and gray. overtaken BY 70
erses, crushed by misfortunes, the col.
mel was found out.